the road goes on forever...

Excited... Just signed up for two 5ks in a row (this weekend and next weekend). These should help whip me into shape! Both are flat so I may be able to get a somewhat decent time (as opposed to the embarrassingly slow, hilly 5k from two weeks ago). Hoping to get near 20 in the later one. We shall see.

My fastest 5k since 2009! This race made me feel like a runner again.

The course was pretty flat, but with a handful of gradual uphills.  My goal was sub 21, but I got a little excited during the first mile and went out in 6:11. Whoops! I went out in first, which put a little pressure on me to keep a decent pace. I also passed a group of high school boys during the first mile and one of them said "we have to pick it up, we just got passed by A GIRL!" That was all the motivation I needed to keep the pace up!  

Since my first mile was rather quick, it put me in the mix with some fast gentlemen.  One man in particular was obviously trying to push the pace, and so I tried to stay with him. I was able to do so for the most part, and while we slowed down a little, we still had a respectable clip. I don't have my watch with me right now to check my other mile times, but they were around 6:25-6:30 I think.  The other runners were extremely supportive and it really was a fun time.

I realize that if I want to keep running fast times I need to start out quick. I haven't been doing that lately, and I think that is what made the difference today- getting out there and being with people that are running  fast clip.  The course measured a little short- 3.08, so in my head I ran around a 19:37.

I am trying to pick up a few 5ks so they can serve as my speedwork. I am hoping to keep those under or near 20 as well. 

Still a little sore from the race (or the dancing from the wedding I went to that night). Mostly in my calves, although a little achy in the knees.

This run was termed a "fun run" so it was definitely no frills. No numbers, clock, places, etc., just a bunch of people running 3.1 miles for a cause. We even were supposed to wear the race shirt while we ran, so I sucked it up and ran the thick cotton shirt despite the heat... I didn't want to be that person who thinks their little 5k is more important than the race's cause.

I took my garmin so I could get my time.  The course was a rails to trail, so it was 100% flat, but it was entirely composed of slippery gravel and was a straight out and back with abrupt one turn around. 

I went out fast like I did last week, and I think overall I did a better job holding it, even though I ended up running the exact same time. My splits were 6:09 6:26 6:24.  

I am once again happy with my time, and thrilled that I proved to myself that last week wasn't a fluke. I really pushed myself and didn't let myself get in my comfort zone. Now I just need to drop a few seconds. This is reminiscent of my 18:59 PR followed by another 18:59 the next race. Sadly, I have never seen that 18:59 again, but maybe I can try to get there this fall?

I am going to search for another 5k for next weekend... why not, it's great speedwork! 

I was really overheated and didn't cool down (tsk tsk) so I will have to jog a few miles tomorrow to loosen up a little bit.  

Ran with my mom for her first 9 miler! (In prep for her first half). Averaged about 9:45 pace, then I surged the last mile (around 6:40 pace).  My longest run since the knee injury in March.

I have to get more consistent with my running (don't I always) but I am happy to get a run in of this length. And very proud of my mom. Go Jude!!

HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY to my old brother Brent! He is celebrating with his first IronMan next weekend!!!! (And the JFK 50 miler in November, my family is nuts).

2x1 mile (6:11, 5:59) around the indoor track on campus.  I gave it everything I had. I probably should have slowed down and done 3x1 mile instead, but I wanted to run off some "what are my students thinking" steam.