Brecksville Homedays 5K Race Report

I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile. We had family in town visiting since Wednesday, so there hasn't been much time to update this!

On Wednesday, I ran 3.1 miles to test my pace and assure myself that I could do it. I made it 39:46, so my goal was to run my 5K today, quicker than that (whether it was one second faster or a minute faster). After running Wednesday, I took my sister to her softball game and rolled my ankle in a hole in the lawn that I didn't see! Ugh, it has been achy since then and hurts to walk on. Running on it in a structured shoe wasn't as bad, so I still decided to run. Plus, I have been training since March for this race and I couldn't let myself down!

Today was my first 5K running by myself! (Since the last one I had to walk most of it with one of my students). I was very nervous when I arrived and I felt like I was the only one there by myself. This also had a family race aspect, so a lot of families ran together.

I drank my water, went to the restroom, stretched out a little, and then we walked to the start! What I had heard about this race from my No Boundaries coach was that the end of this race was all downhill. Even though it was a loop, the race was around my neighborhood streets so I knew the beginning of the course would be a rough uphill battle almost the entire first 2 miles. Those first two miles were rough - massive uphills, lots of walkers.

I wasn't able to stop my tracker right away...

At about 1.8 miles, I was getting some calf cramps, so I decided to walk one of the last hills and then just kick it into high gear for the last mile of the race.

The last mile had much easier hills and the last half mile was ALL downhill- it was also definitely the quickest mile of the race!

As I neared the finish line, my mom was there and I see her trying to snap a picture as I cross and it took all I had in me not to cry. I have worked for this for months - back when I could barely run longer than a minute-and it all came down to this!

According to the picture she got with the gun time I made it at 39:22 - 20 seconds quicker than Wednesday! Chip times were just posted, and officially I ran it in 39:05! I'm thrilled with that time!

After some food, Starbucks, and a nap, I signed up for yet another 5K - a Nike Summer Race at the Metroparks by my house and couldn't be more excited! After resting a few days to help my ankle heal, the race is actually so close to my house that I can practice running the course to make sure that I know what I am getting myself into!

After the summer of 5k's, I plan on training for some 10k's! Probably start that training in September after spending a few more months getting a stronger 5K time.

Until next time-
Liz

the top right is at the finish line and the bottom right is at the start - i loved the race!

STRUGGLE BUS!

struggling with this right now.

 I need to remember this today. I have not been able to persevere for awhile and I'm starting to panic, since Sunday is my first real 5k. I know I can walk parts of it, but I worked too hard to let that happen. With vacation, I was not hydrating properly and not getting enough potassium - and my body is telling me. My legs are cramping up again like they used to and after having so many painless runs, it is harder for me to persevere through it all.

me just this past week

On our ten hour drive home yesterday, I found pictures of me from college. When I looked at these, I thought to myself about how badly I wanted to be even thinner than I am in these pictures, however, I am REALLY thin in these! This was when I weighed 165-170 pounds. I am 6 feet tall, so that was a great weight for me. I didn't have as much muscle tone as I do now. My goal is 180 pounds. I would be thrilled with that, but long term getting back down to 165-170 would be my end-all, be-all goal. Right now, I'm shooting for a 30 pound loss to get down to 200 and then another short term 20 pound goal. By Christmas, I hope to be down to 200.

These pictures say a lot about how far I lost my control. All my binge/emotional eating has gotten me to this point and its hard to see. I don't usually take full-body pictures, because I don't like seeing it, but I will put all my insecurity out there for you all to see.

me circa 2011

I went to the metro parks by my house to try to get a change of scenery to motivate my run, however, all the people walking/running/biking past me really shook my confidence. I don't really want people to see me run, so I think sticking to my little neighborhood might be my best bet. I also may need to start carrying a plastic water bottle with me to hydrate on my runs. My throat gets really dry and I can't swallow.

I know anyone who has ran before and is reading this, know that these ups and downs occur, and I'm not going to let this stop me. As matter of fact, I've already started working harder to continue all the progress I have made even though I'm at a bit of a plateau currently (which is my own fault for not following my training plan, I might add). I already have a goal in mind for when I finish this 5k - I will begin work towards a 10k. It will be slow and steady and it will help me continue to keep moving and strive for a goal.

I hope everyone else has a great day!

Until next time-
Liz

More time in the OBX

this book was full of great tips!

This morning we woke up to rain...its not supposed to rain at the beach! After breakfast and a couple of hours spent doing work for all of our family, we decided to take a walk together. We went on a 3 mile walk into the next town and back. My hip was in a lot of pain, almost from the beginning of the walk. I definitely need to make sure I am doing my hip swings to warm up before I leave and make sure that I am working my hip often throughout the week.

My running coach of my No Boundaries running group sent out this hip strengthening plan (called the myrtl workout-find a video of the workout here). I did it this even while I was laying around watching TV...it doesn't take that long and hips already feel loser and not as tight!

I also finished reading the Runner's World beginner's running book. It had great tips! Mostly stuff I already know, but what was the most helpful were the shopping guides and the advice as to what to eat and when to fuel and recover from your runs. I struggle with that, and definitely needed the support and advice.

my family - they are all much more fit than I am :( (I'm far right)

While on the family walk today, my family raced home from a quarter mile out. I hated this idea, because I know I was going to be the last one, so I didn't even want to try. Honestly, while walking two blocks behind my family while they were running, I started tearing up. I have been working so hard and doing things to make myself better, yet it feels like it will never be enough for them. I am the oldest, and was the black sheep in my teenage years, so now when I get left out, it brings back those memories and hurts. This is normally when I would emotionally eat. Luckily, I had the beach to distract me, but if I was home, I wouldn't. I know I just have to keep pushing and hoping that someday I will be just as fit as they are.

Hoping to get out for a run tomorrow!

Until next time-
Liz

Crazy run day in the Outer Banks

This morning I went for a run in the Outer Banks on my vacation and there finally wasn't a heat advisory, so I went for a run this morning. There is a really nice trail on the street by the rental house, so I changed after my morning cup of coffee and went out. I got three blocks from my house, and a stray dog crossed the street and came right over to me. I stopped in my tracks and waited to see what would happen (I was nervous that this would be the end of me!). The puppy was as sweet as can be! She came up and sniffed me and then made her way toward the road again. I was now nervous for her safety and so I called her over to me. She came right over and I just put my hand on her and held her while I called the police (had I been home or had something to keep her near me, I would have looked up the number to call a no kill shelter, but I didn't have those resources available to me). Luckily some ladies came over and decided they were going to take her home. I am so thankful that she will now go to a loving home!!

After that debacle, I was running late for family putt-putt, so I had to head back. I decided after putt-putt and some relaxing beach time, to try my run again. I went out and did two miles on that trail. However, since I have been on a bit of a hiatus, I got the cramps in the muscles in the sides of my legs again. I also had my first negative split (although, admittedly not by much)! I am hoping that the leg cramps are just caused by a lack of running recently, but the fact that I was able to stick with it, tells me that I should be ok.

I'm hoping to get some circuit training in tomorrow, but we'll see how it goes!

Until next time-
Liz

Crazy busy!

So with school being out, I haven't been anywhere near my computer! I also have been keeping myself very busy. Last Friday, I went to the Indians game, Saturday I went to the Dierks Bentley concert, Sunday I went to the Cavs watch party, Monday I went shopping for a wedding I got invited to last minute, Tuesday I went downtown for the Cavs game and ran with my No Boundaries group, Wednesday was a surprise engagement party for friends of mine, Thursday I went downtown for the Cavs game again, Friday I went and got pedicures for the wedding and ran a bunch of last minute errands, Saturday was another No Boundaries meeting and the wedding, and then yesterday we left for vacation. PHEW! I can't believe how busy I was!

I did manage to run three days last week, just shorter distances than I had hoped. It was way too hot to do too much more.

I brought all my running gear and plan to run while I'm here in the Outer Banks on vacation, but the heat index is up over 100 degrees, and running in the morning might even be too hot, but I will try. We do have a pool, so I could do some water running if I wanted and we have some things to use for circuit training. I will not stop working out, even if my eating is not 100% (the only thing in the house for breakfast this morning was donuts).

I may have to start running on the "dreadmill" this summer. I have my race scheduled June 28th, which may mean that it's hot, but it's early in the morning, so it should be ok. Any thoughts on running in the heat?

maybe this will work as my motivation?

I also have been reading Runner's World Big Book of Running for Beginner's. This is great to read on the beach and it really just makes me want to get out there and run!

I really have to get my motivation back, so I may switch from running in my neighborhood to running in the park nearby. I cannot stop now - I've spent too much money,  I've finally started to see progress!!

I'll keep researching ways to motivate.

Until next time-
Liz

Day 69 - new running route

I took yesterday off. I had plenty of steps on my Fitbit from a field trip to the science center and had just done the 5K on Sunday. I had to get out there today because I am still in training for the 5K where I run my own pace and not with my students.

My sister had a softball game less than a 5 minute drive from the house, so I decided to see how far it is from my house. It was 2.25 miles and then another .25 miles to the field which was perfect! So I decided to run there since my family could drive me home.

I love this quote...

It was a VERY hilly run. The last hill was pretty steep and I just couldn't finish. My knees were hurting (I think because I was running on the side of the road and not on the sidewalk) and my calves were screaming.

Even with walking the last quarter of a mile, My pace as around 12 minutes! I am really starting to get faster, and I can really tell the difference when I am moving. What feels slow for me is a 12 minute pace, and 11 feels somewhat effortless. This whole running process was slow to start, but now that I am starting to see improvement, it really feels like I'm accomplishing something.

Also, since I got my Fitbit and was tracking my weight, I have lost 5 pounds! That's crazy to me - started tracking what I eat and tracking my movements and I lost 5 pounds in about a week and a half! And I'm doing it the right way too...

Tomorrow, I have an introductory meeting with my No Boundaries training program! I am so excited to get some coaching and have people to run with as well as scheduled time to run and a training program with cross training from a professional!

Until next time-
Liz