5K number 2!

March 12th was my first 5K, and March 19th was my second. I really wanted to get another one under my belt soon to see how I could improve my time.

I worked all week to lengthen my stride and I could definitely feel the difference since I was sore in a whole new way.


To recap: here's my run from the first 5K. Too many walks and too slow

Here's my training throughout last week. Getting better....slowly.


And that leads us to my second 5K.

My friend Hayley convinced me to do the Braveheart run with her to support Baby Mason who has HLHS. It was super windy and cold! She ran a 10K, go Hayley! and I ran the 5K.
Here's a video of the 5K starting off. I didn't know that Tyler was there filming it until after I ran past him when I realized it was him cheering for me!

The race went really well for the most part. I got a few side aches and my iPod died right off the bat. But there was a gang of Air Force soldiers running behind me for half the race and I was bound and determined that they would not pass me. It kept me motivated and I made it in at 28 minutes and 43 seconds.

Still not the best, I know, but I'm getting there. And now I want to keep doing 5K's to see how much I can get my time down.

5K numero uno

I did my first 5K last week with Natalie. I talked her into running the Shamrock Shuffle with me up in Smithfield. It was fun to have her there with me and a fun thing to share. I thought the run would be a piece of cake since I've been training for it for weeks, but it was tough! Really, it was my sister that kicked butt and I was glad to have her there pushing me along the whole time. I guess that's what sisters are for right, to push you along when you want to give up.

Here's the group. 10 points if you can spot me and Natalie
We're right in the middle here, hopefully easier to find
The course started out uphill. Not the easiest start, I tell you what!
Here's our cute cheerleaders. Thanks Mom and Dad for coming!
Natalie did awesome and finished in under 31 minutes. She probably would have been even faster had it not been for me slowing her down. Really.
I was hoping to get under 30 minutes, so I was a little disappointed to come in at 31 minutes and 07 seconds. But at least I did it and I got one race under my belt.

All in all it was a tough run and I realized that I'm not pushing myself hard enough. My dad helped me see that I need to utilize my long legs better by lengthening my stride. I have a long way to go to my marathon, but this was a great start and I really learned a lot.