Running in the Rockies

I did my first practice 5k today in 40:00! I was so frustrated that I couldn't find a time on Mon or Tuesday to run, so today I hired a babysitter. My splits were:

1 - 12:53

2 - 13:06

3 - 12:47

last .1 - 1:14

with an average pace of 12:54. This was actually better than I expected. My previous runs were averaging in the 15:00 range so I was worried it would take me over 45 minutes. The extra .3 in my total miles were for warm up and cool down.

It was a very different run for me since it's the longest I've gone so far. Usually I just listen to my heart and lungs and when they seem overly labored, I start walking. But with this run, something internal kept saying, "Ugh. What are you doing!" after I passed my normal 1.85 normal distance. I feel good now and am very happy that I was able to do my first 5k without dying. I also found it interesting that I ran differently when I was on the sidewalk then when I was on the trail - knowing that other people were watching me made me less aware of my running.

I took a different route today - it had much longer downhill and uphill stretches. Wowza!!!! The uphill was tough! It wasn't even much easier to walk it. I had our babysitter come again today which was nice. She has the entire week off of school, so I've been utilizing her!

1st mile - 12:00 mostly all downhill ;o)

2nd mile - 13:37 huffing and puffing!

Ave pace: 12:58

5k in 41:38.

mile 1 - 12:56

mile 2 - 12:46

mile 3 - 14:54 (knee problems!)

My hip didn't feel great yesterday after two days of longer runs than usual; and didn't feel great when I started my run today, but after a while it was fine. At mile 2, my left knee hurt and I had to stop. I was able to walk it out, but the next mile, it kept coming and going. I've never had this happen with my knee before. Usually if it hurts, I'm in trouble the entire way home. Very strange. So, it was an okay run/walk/limp today. ha! Although my hip is still much better because of the ART chiropractor, I think I still have to bite the bullet and actually go to a doctor. I'm somewhat doctor-averse. ... I guess that's pretty obvious after complaining for 8 weeks of hip pain.

The countdown begins for my first race!! A week from today . . . Ahhhhhhhh!!!!