When Running is FUN!

Running is fun when..

• you get to race day and you go!
• you are running on race day and laughing and smiling even tho you know no one else there
• you see others out running and know that you can do that too
• it’s for a good cause
• you are with friends that run – don’t have any yet so I’m guessing it is

Last Friday was my event for Women Rock 2.5K at the state capitol in downtown St. Paul, MN. I was very nervous and cold. 68 degrees with windy conditions, I had so many goosebumps I thought my skin would never go back to normal. Did I mention that I didn’t know anyone else there beside my husband and daughter that came along to cheer and take some photos. Somehow I struck up a conversation with 4 other ladies, two were running in this event and the other two were running in th 5 & 10K the next morning. They were “impressed” that I had signed up for this even as I had only started running 4 months ago. Go Me!

The announcer came on and introduced Carrie Tollefson, US Olympic medalist, who gave us some inspiring words that unfortunately I was so far back in the pack I couldn’t make out but one has to be positive right? Anyway the horn went and we were off. Once I started running the nerves calmed down, the body warmed up, the sun gave a brilliant show at it set as we crossed the bridge, and wonderfully there were downhills which I loved. I laughed at the kids leaving their moms behind wove in between others just to wait for mom to catch up. Walked up the hill and made a grand finish in a blink of an eye.

This being my first race/run was an extremely satisfying event. I felt good about my time, roughly 22 min by RunKeeper time. I really, really LOVE the adrenaline that starts going somewhere in that mass of people.  It certainly made that run seem, dare I say it EASY! I know it wasn’t; I had the memory of tired legs and burning lungs from two months ago to remind me. All of that for this day…WORTH IT! Every last bit.  My reward was a cool medal from Women Rock 2.5K in the shape of a diamond, a High-Five from Carrie at the finish line and my daughter telling me she was proud of me and “good job mom!” OH and the Hot Fudge Sundae from DQ on the way home. Yum!

My official time was 20:27, not bad for a newbie!  Now off to the 5K, should be a piece of cake, right?

Me and My Medal

Glitz

What is your best memory from when you first started running? When is running Fun for you?

Best run yet

Last night I had my best run. My goal was to finish a 2.5K in less than 30 minutes. For some people that is entirely do-able but not necessarily for me. So I went out got started and then realized I was tensing up. It is really hard to relax, breath and keep running at the same time. However I finally managed it. At one point I had the thought “I could run a little longer this rep around” but then it went out the door and I slowed to a walk not wanting to push it.  I kept realizing that I was really walking slow but shouldn’t be “pick up the pace girl.” Good thing there is music to keep the feet moving faster than a turtle.

I did it tho and was so thrilled that I hit the 2.5K mark, with 4 walk breaks, at 24 minutes-give or take the seconds. So happy I was singing to the dog, who in dog fashion completely ignored my wailing. I didn’t care. Now why is this important you ask (well you should have asked) I am running in the Women Rock 2.5K this Friday night in downtown St Paul.

Women Rock event is my first Official event EVER and with only starting running in april/may this year, I think it’s a big deal. I am nervous about it – also they just got the course map out two days ago – but very excited and want it to go well i.e. not fall down or something silly. Of course I will tell you all about it next week. Until then..wish me luck & happy running.

It’s NOT fun yet!

For some crazy reason back in in April/May I decided that I should learn how to run. You know the sport/activity/pavement pounding with your feet kinda running. Why? That flickering moment when you see someone running along the road and you think to yourself “boy that looks fun/cool” and then you try it.  Huffing and puffing at house number 5, which is not even the end of the block, you think “it will make me healthy.” It does but it doesn’t, still working on the answer to that one. Crazier still, you sign your self up for a 2.5K at the end of August. I should be able to run a mile & 1/2 by 4 months, HA! I say that now but I still have 2 weeks until the race (Women Rock) Friday night. Little o’le me will be at the State Capitol trying to not look out of place and trying to convince myself that I am ready to try my best OR not to puke on someone due to nerves.

I have taken comfort from Kelly at Run, Selfie, Repeat, that it’s ok to start running and not be able to make it down the block without needing a breather for 10 minutes. So I have kept going and will keep going but it’s not fun yet. My current short term goal is to make it a half kilometer at a steady run, i’ve gotten close but not there yet. I will keep trying ’cause at some time it should get to be fun????

Tell me about your start to running. Thanks for sharing.

My running outfit for races.