Getting My Move Back
Hello interwebs!
We are almost 1 full week into 2013, and so far it’s been great.
Great New Year’s celebration.
Eh work week last week. BUT – not too bad. Except for the first day when I was there until 7:30.
Great commitment to my healthy eating plan (mostly). Fantastic job with the walking to and from my car to work (1 mile round trip).
AND – I finished my first official race since early June 2011 and my first running race since April 2011.
My friend Sarah & I signed up for the ORCC 10K Series. Saturday morning was the first of seven 10Ks in the series. I am planning on doing 6 out of the 7 (as I think I’ll be in Atlanta for the 4th race). In addition to Sarah & I, our friend Jen came out to do the race, too! (She also brought along official race photographer Zach and adorable cheerleader Penny.)
I knew going into this race that it was going to be slow. I anticipated a personal worst time. I haven’t been running (in fact, it was my first run since my 10 mile run on 12/9/12). Also, I may have stepped on some very sharp ice on the 29th of December, slicing up my foot a bit. SO MANY EXCUSES! BUT – I was determined. I will do this race, and I will finish it, and I will not die!
All goals were accomplished. For the first time in, well, ever, I was running electronic free. (I told Sarah I was running naked, which led to a very amusing discussion about strip running & taking off an article of clothing for every mile. I could’ve finished with my sports bra & both socks & shoes. You’re welcome for that image.)
So – no idea what my splits were. I just tried to run when I felt like it and take walk breaks when I needed them. And so I did. There were 3 big hills in the last half of the race that were a bit challenging. And the fact that I am just not in 10K shape kind of sucked. The 3rd hill, right at mile six, crested at a cemetery. That was just super demotivational!
ANYWAY – when I got close to the finish line, I saw Jen, Zach & Penny, and then just as I crossed, I saw Sarah! Nice thing about being slow is having automatic cheerleaders at the end.
I finished in 1:17:59 which is my slowest official 10K ever (although a wee bit faster than my 2012 Turkey Trot 10K. Average pace was 12:34. It was actually a bit faster than I’d anticipated, so I’m okay with it.
The best part about the race, hands down, was being able to wait in the warm school before the race, and hang out there after. The next 10K isn’t until 3/2, and I’m hoping to shave 1 min/mile off my pace by then. By the end of the series, I am gunning for a PR.
What that means is that it’s time to get serious again. I can do that. I am no longer breastfeeding. I have a super supportive husband and awesomely fantastic friends. AND – I have even more motivation than that!
I just finished the Holiday Booty Buster Challenge (hosted by Amanda) and have signed up for Tina Reale’s Best Body Bootcamp. So, in addition to my regular workouts, I’ll be adding in some much-needed core & strength training. I’m also signed up for the 5 by the 5th – which is a commitment to run a 5K by the 5th of each month, January – June. I did a 10K for my first one, but I decided that I’m following the spirit of the challenge, rather than the letter.
And, for the first time in AGES, I think I can post a weekly training plan and follow it!
January 7 – 13, 2013
Monday: swim + weights/core (BBB)
Tuesday: 2 mile run + yoga (home)
Wednesday: weights/core (BBB)
Thursday: Rest/Restorative yoga
Friday: 2 mile run + weights/core (BBB)
Saturday: Yoga (trying Core Power!)
Sunday: 3 mile run + Yoga (Core Power Sculpt)
Also, every day that it’s not pouring down rain, I’m wearing my fancy new (very, very pink) Nikes to do a 1 mile round trip walk between my car & work.
The first six months of 2013 are all about getting strong. Endurance. Arms & Legs. Core. (Especially core.) Once I’m strong again, then I will refocus on distance and speed. I think I can be much faster than I have been if I get leaner, meaner, and stronger. The last half of my 30s are going to be kick-ass.
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