Until next year

Now that it's dark by the time I get home and getting colder, I'm not going to be able to go out for runs. This past weekend was unseasonably warm and I took advantage of it. I realized it'll be one of my last runs of the year. I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do all winter. With all the delicious holiday food and big sweaters to cover you up, it's easy to let yourself go this time of year. I'm determined to stay healthy though! Jack is a great motivator!

Race Results

I've been keeping a spreadsheet of my race results for awhile now and thought it would be nice to post it here.

DATE NAME DISTANCE TIME/PACE
4/23/2006 Pike's Peek 10k 1:06:45 / 10:45

5/20/2006 Germantown 5-Miler 5M 53:15 / 10:39
5/29/2006 Sue & Connie's Run 4M 40:04 / 10:01
6/4/2006 Capital Crescent 5k 29:36 / 9:47
6/17/2006 Run For the Roses 5k 32:39 / 10:31
6 9/19/2006 Kensington 8k/2-miler 2M 20:24 /10:12

10/1/2006 Rockville 5k/10k 5k 34:38 / 11:09

6/2/2007 Race For The Cure D.C. 5k 36:36 / 11:43

6/16/2007 Run For the Roses 5k 33:41 / 10:51
9/1/2007 Kentlands/ Lakelands 5k 5k 31:30 / 10:09
4/27/2008 Pike's Peek 10k 1:04:10 / 10:20
6/1/2008 Capital Crescent 5k 31:48 / 10:15
7/19/2008 Rockville Twilighter 8k 54:24 / 10:57
10/5/2008 Army Ten-Miler 10M 2:05:12 / 12:31
11/2/2008 Rockville 5k/10k 10k 1:05:39 / 10:34
1/1/2009 New Years Day 5k 5k 33:43 / 10:51
1/17/2009 Shooting Star 4mi 4M 43:58 / 11:00
2/7/2009 USATF community 4k 4k 25:52 / 10:25
2/15/2009 Country Road Run 5M 58:47 / 11:46
3/1/2009 Run Aware 5k 35:45 / 11:31
3/29/2009 Runterra 8k 8k 57:59 / 11:40
4/5/2009 Cherry Blossom 10-miler 10M 1:58:30 / 11:51
4/14/2009 Firebirds Mile 1M 9:19.39

5/16/2009 Germantown 5-Miler 5k 42:37

10/17/2010 ICC 5k 5k 39:57:38 / 12:52

I color coded it to try and make it easier to read. I like seeing how I've improved, especially when I run the same race more than once. I love getting faster times and breaking personal records!

As you can see, 2009 was my big year for running and I had big plans for myself. I was running 2 races a month and wanted to train for a half marathon. Then I got pregnant with Jack. I used my pregnancy as an excuse to be lazy and I stopped running. In my defense, I did feel really sick and extremely tired during my first trimester. But even when I was feeling great during the second trimester, I didn't even go for walks. If there is a next time I definitely won't be making that same mistake again! I'm running now and trying to set a good example for Jack and that's what matters.

Have a great week!

Beautiful Scenery

I went on a run after work today, despite being very tired and just wanting to relax. It wasn't planned but I wanted (and needed) to do a short run. I don't have much more time before it'll start getting dark before I even get home. Plus it'll be too cold to take Jack out. I need to take advantage of these wonderful fall days while I have the chance.

I went around the same lake but went in the opposite direction from what I normally do. It was a simple but welcomed change. I did run the whole way, but stopped to take a few pictures with my phone. It was too pretty not to, especially with the sun going down.

And one of Jack all bundled up:

The wind was blowing so it was a bit colder than I would have liked, but we made it! Our next run will be on Sunday as long as the weather cooperates.

ICC 5K

From the day I signed up for it, I thought this race was on Saturday. Luckily I realized it was today thanks to some running friends who also signed up. Unfortunately I haven't been running very much, and I was not looking forward to getting up early and running. I don't mind the getting up early part. I have a baby who thinks it's his job to get me up way earlier than I would otherwise. But I didn't want to have to get up early enough to get us both ready and be to the race site by 8:30. I even considered making up an excuse. I forgot to set my alarm or my baby kept me up and I overslept. I paid a $25 registration fee but it was going to the special olympics, so it's not like I would be wasting the money. But I'd rather walk the whole thing than not go at all. I'm not a quitter and I don't want to teach Jack that it's ok to give up when something is hard or you just don't feel like doing it. So I trudged out of bed and got us out the door at a reasonable time.

It was an out and back course and I thought I could run the first half and maybe walk the second half. There was a team from the police academy right behind me during the first half. They were singing running songs (like they do in the military) and it was very motivating. I think Jack enjoyed it too! When I got to the turn around, I decided to keep going. I got to mile 2 and thought, "There's no way I can justify walking the last mile when I've made it this far." Jack was in his stroller and I kept saying things to him like, "We're almost there. Just gotta make it up this hill." It kept me going. And I ran the whole way! I didn't stop once!

I was wearing my running watch, trying to keep track of how fast I was going. Once I realized I had a chance at finishing in under 40 minutes, that motivated me to keep going strong. I saw the finish line up ahead and realized it was getting very close to 40 minutes. My previous training kicked in and I started sprinting towards the finish. I did a cool maneuver to get around 2 people who were walking in front of me, and I just made it. My official race time is 39:57:38 with a pace of 12:52. Awesome!

Here's Jack and I after we just finished the race:

I'm not sure what's next for us. It's hard to find races that allow strollers. Plus it's going to start getting too cold to take Jack out. I'll have to figure something out so that I'm not starting over again next spring. I hope to start training for a half marathon next year! That has been my goal for a few years now and I really want to keep Jack exposed to running.

For now, we'll continue to run around the neighborhood and try to find races that allow strollers. Stay tuned!

Update

Unfortunately, I didn't run for about 2 weeks. It did rain almost every day for about a week though and I don't have a rain cover for my jogging stroller. But we went out yesterday for our usual lake run. Despite not having run for the last 2 weeks I was able to run the whole way, even up those crazy hills. It felt good! My legs are sore today but it's good! I don't think I'm going to be ready for the 5k in less than 2 weeks, but it's a walk/run. I'll run as much of it as I can and if I have to walk, then I'll walk. It's raining a little this week too, but I hope to get in a run one night after work and another on the weekend.

It was a bit chilly, so Jack wore his new hat to keep warm. Isn't he adorable?

Have a great week!

The Hills

No, this is not a post about the television show. This is a blog about running, remember? Anyways, going for a run after work is a challenge because there isn't a lot of time. Have I mentioned that before? Today was no exception and on top of that, I am extremely tired and have a headache. The last thing I wanted to do was run, but I didn't allow myself to make any excuses so off we went.

I took it slow and ended up having a great run. And guess what? I jogged up all 3 hills! Albeit slowly, but I jogged up them nonetheless. They are all 3 near the end and one right after another. If I start out going in the other direction, then I'll get the hills over with in the beginning. But for some reason I like saving them for the end. By the third one my legs felt like jello. I'm still amazed I made it without collapsing! I still have a slight headache, but after a cool shower and lots of water, I feel a hundred times better.

Now I need to start thinking about a new route so I can increase my distance! :)

Pain is temporary...

...quitting is forever.

I had planned on running again last Sunday, but it was raining when I woke up so we enjoyed a relaxing day inside. I did, however, take Jack for a run Monday after work. Running after work is not an easy thing to do time-wise. A short run (aka my "lake run") is doable, but right now I just don't think I could do more than that. I'm hoping to start doing 2 short runs during the week and a longer run on the weekend. But I digress. I went for a run Monday night and was doing great. I was almost to the hills, which means almost done, and I hadn't stopped. I crossed a bridge, tripped, and fell on my knees. I skinned both knees pretty badly as well as my right hand. I had a death grip on the stroller with my left hand. Jack did go down, but not very hard and he was perfectly fine. The stroller also has a strap that you wear around your wrist so if you fall or lose your grip, the stroller doesn't get away from you. It really is a great stroller and worth the money!

Luckily I only got some minor cuts and bruises, which I bandaged well and everything is healing nicely. I was back out there this morning and had an awesome run. Other than walking up 2 of the 3 ridiculously big hills, I ran the whole time. And I didn't fall!

I also signed Jack and I up for a 5K on October 17. It's a run/walk, but I'd really like to run it. That's great motivation- something I definitely need right now!

I'm Back (hopefully for good)

I've been in a funk lately. I also didn't run once all summer. Yep, you heard that right. I spent all that money on a fancy jogging stroller and I didn't use it all summer long. I think the last time I went for a run was May. I do have a fairly good excuse reason for not running. It's has been unbearably hot and disgusting. I didn't want to run in the heat, much less take Jack out in it. But pretty soon it's going to be winter and my excuse reason for not running then will be that it's too cold. It has finally started to cool off and I need to take advantage of the wonderful fall weather while I can. No more excuses.

So I went for a run today. And you know what? I feel a hundred times better for it. Remember the lake behind my house that I was running around? I had finally gotten to a point where I could run the whole way without stopping. It's only 1 1/4 mile, but I need to start somewhere. I did a lot better than expected. I stopped a few times to take some pictures and only walked once (up a really big hill!).

I'm hoping to make this more regular. I'm also hoping to change some other things in my life. Eating healthier, for example. I might change this blog to be my healthy living blog, as opposed to only writing about running. I want to raise Jack to be healthy and I need to lead by example.

Getting ready to head out (and doesn't he look ten times bigger than he did back in May?):

Sleeping ducks:

I'm so lucky to have this right by my house (and that hill is bigger than it looks!):

My motivation:

Home sweet home:

I'm hoping to go again tomorrow. Strike that, reverse it. I'm definitely going! Stay tuned!

2-Mile family fun run

On Saturday Jack and I ran our 2-miler. It was our first race and Jack was super excited!

It was a simple out and back run and I felt really good during the first half. The second half was harder and it felt like I was climbing this one long, winding hill forever. But I made it and I ran the whole thing, not stopping to walk once! I am very proud of that. It's only 2 miles, but it's still great! I don't know what my hang up is on walking. For some reason I feel like I have to run the entire distance in order for it to count. I know that it is completely silly and bogus, but it motivates me to keep going.

The first run was a 1K kids run. I love watching the little kids run and I hope that one day Jack will want to. I'm trying to set a good example and I hope he wants to follow in my footsteps (pun intended!). Our run was last and there were 3 dogs and 3 strollers on the course. Normally I'd be out on the 5-mile course with other runners, and now I'm running alongside dogs and babies feeling good at finishing 2 miles. It's amazing how different things are but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Here we are right after finishing our first race together. Jack fell asleep on the run and let me do all the hard work! Our race wasn't timed, but I finished in about 25 minutes for a 12-minute pace. There's another 2-mile family fun run in September, but hopefully we can find other ones before that.

Solo Run

It's pretty cold here today and even cooler by the lake I run around. Jack has a little stuffy nose so I left him at home while I went for a morning run. Each time I run, I use the walk to the lake as my warm-up and start running once I get to the lake. I usually stop to walk 2 or 3 times. I've been increasing the first stretch little by little every time. There are 3 hills, all in the last third of the run, and I usually walk up these. My goal for today was to see if I could make it to the first hill without stopping and then I would walk up it. Not only did I make it, but I ran up the hill! In fact, I ran up all the hills and didn't stop to walk once the entire run! Granted, it's only 1.33 miles, but it felt amazing! I don't know if it was because I was sans stroller. In fact, I didn't take anything with me. I was sans keys, phone, bottle, everything. It was just me and the cool outdoors.

The runner in me has been unleashed.

Updates

I've taken the jogging stroller out 4 times so far and I love it. Right now I am running around a lake by my house for a total of 1.33 miles. I am doing a run/walk combo until I get more comfortable. I'm going to start running Thursday nights and possible Saturday mornings with my old running group. I can't wait! I had forgotten how much I love to run and how great it feels. I'm so glad I get to share that with Jack now.

I finally found a race that allows strollers on the course! Well it's not really a race but I'm still excited. It's a 2 mile family fun run on May 15. I'll take what I can get and I'll still get an official time which is awesome!

Bob Ironman

I did it. Yesterday I purchased a very expensive, way awesome jogging stroller from REI. I knew I wanted a Bob. They're the best and I plan on doing some serious running. I went with the Ironman over the Revolution because it will only be used for running. The Revolution can be used for everyday use because the front wheel locks or unlocks depending on what you're doing. The Ironman's front wheel is permanently locked, therefore not ideal for strolling around the mall. I have a great smaller stroller for everyday use, so I went with the all-powerful Ironman. I knew I wanted it in yellow but they didn't have that one in stock. I figured I should get the one I really want since I'm spending so much. The guy helping me asked, "Have you seen the yellow? It's really bright!" Haha, I've seen it and I love it! They ordered it for me and I'll pick it up at the store. I'll post pictures when I get it. I can't wait to take it for a spin! Oh, and the best part? I got to use my 20% off coupon and saved $70! Woohoo!

I'm back!

It's been almost a year since I have posted and I don't know if I even have any readers. I haven't done any kind of running or working out at all since last May. I got pregnant right before the Cherry Blossom 10-miler and was very nauseous during my first trimester. I did run a 5K in May but nothing else after that.

I gained 50 pounds with my son who was born December 23, 2009. You can read all about motherhood on my other blog, It's A Boy! I've lost 40 pounds and I'm very ready to start running again. I'm planning on buying a jogging stroller before summer begins and hope to lose another 20 pounds. I also want to sign up for a mommy and me swimming class. I can't wait to start getting active again!