5k for Kennedy

Today's 5k event was to raise money for the family of a little girl with Hurler's syndrome. A really good cause and I'm glad I participated. However, the competitiveness in me has to ask.....what about awards? It was advertised as having awards in the decade age groups, such as 50-59 for me. There was no crossing a start pad to activate our leg chips, we had to run on a sidewalk. That alone was a bit hazardous. We went out and back so the faster runners were finishing up on one side while the slower ones were on the other. I'm guessing the sidewalk is about 4-5' across. Some younger runners didn't know to move over to let others pass and there were people who liked to run with others, essentially blocking the way for anyone to go by.

I sound like a complainer. I don't mean to be. Maybe I am too competitive to run a race like this. Maybe next time I'll just donate the registration money and volunteer.

At the end, they announced the top three male and remain runners, and said they would get their awards to them. No more. No age groups. Nada.

I did find my "official" results online several hours later. I placed first of eight in my age group. I would have loved to had a metal to add to my collection. Oh well. It was for a good cause.

Secret City 5k for Haiti

Although my time was faster than last years first place finisher, I won third in my age group. Not as many in my age group but faster runners! It's all good. Met up with a old friend. She is awesome. She lost over 100 pounds several years ago and has kept it off running and hiking.

 

 

CASA Run for the Child 5k

I won Grandmasters today! No PR but it was my second best time ever.

First time running a race in my new 261 Skirt Sports skirt. Really, really like it.

 

Skirt Sport Love

Received my Skirt Sport order today. Yippee! I already believe I will run faster in these cute skirts! I grabbed them when they were greatly reduced last week. The grey one below is the Heartbreaker skirt.

This one is the 261 Courage Capri skirt.

And this one.... I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I do!! It is the Boulder skirt.

Also I had a good running experience today. I've been trying to follow Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run method for at least a year now. I know we shouldn't compare ourselves to others, but....I'm slow. I mean, I know "my race, my pace," and all that, and I'm old (56yo) compared to most of the other runners I know. But still, I feel so slow. I love to run, no matter how slow, but I would so like to be a bit faster.

Today I tried to do a couple of 800 meter runs just to see how fast I could do them. According to Galloway, in order to run a 2:20 half marathon at the end of his training period, I should be running the 800 meters in 5:10. I had no hopes of being able to do a half in 2:20 but thought maybe I could do one in 2:30 (The two I've done were 2:43, 2:45) , so I estimated my 800m runs at a goal of 5:25. I did two of them in 4:58! So maybe, just maybe, I can get faster.

Maybe all that did for me was give me some confidence. The fastest I've ever done a 5k is 32:33 and that was over a year ago. For the 800 meters I ran fast, for me that is, even though I couldn't sustain it for long, then I'd take a short walk break, and repeat it multiple times.

Maybe, just maybe, one day I'll be able to do a sub 30 minute 5k.....I can dream can't I?

 

Long run

Getting ready for a New Year's Day 5k. Five miles at 5/1 intervals. Slow but felt great.

 

Garmin stats

Here are my splits for today's race. I do not get my heart rate. I didn't feel sick or anything at that high rate. I know I could have pushed more but I forgot to turn off my heart rate alarm, so at 185 it kept going off. Next race I am just going to turn off the alarm altogether and push hard at the end.

Split Time Distance Avg Pace Summary 35:18.8 3.07 11:30 1 11:18.7 1.00 11:19 2 11:19.2 1.00 11:19 3 11:57.8 1.00 11:58 4 :43.2 0.07 10:11

Heart Rate

Avg HR:	177 bpm
Max HR:	203 bpm

 

Edinburgh Christmas 5k

It was cold, windy, and dreary this morning but my son took me to Inverleith park for the 5k. It started to rain once we got there and then it was sleeting!

I told him if it didn't stop soon I just wanted to go back to the flat. He said the weather changes so fast to just hold on.....so we did. And it did. The sun came out and the rain/sleet stopped. It was still chilly at about 40 degrees with a wind, but not bad at all.

No records set today. They didn't use the chip timing system and only had awards for the top three for female and male. But everyone got a medal, and a goody bag,

My garmin time was 35:11, about average for me.

...but it is exciting to have a medal And a t-shirt from a race so far from home.

 

Destination Race

I am getting the opportunity to visit my son and his family in Edinburgh, UK, really soon. Cannot wait! I haven't held my sweet grand girl in three months! And while I am there......I am going to run the Edinburgh Christmas 5k.

Amazingly in a city of a million people, there are only about 500 that run this race.

 

MAF Test unofficial

It was unofficial because I did it inside, however, I must have impoved because I didn't have to walk nearly as much. I've done three MAF sessions so far. The first was outside and I ended up walking the vast majority of of the time, the second inside where I still had to walk most of the time. The third time, I actually felt an improvement. Still painfully slow, but that is part of it.

 

I have a goal in mind. From a bloggers extended chart, if I can get my MAF test time down to 13:00 I should be able to do a 5k with 9:00 minute miles. Extended because the normal runners charts don't go past a MAF of 10:00. Obviously not many true beginners or older runners attempt MAF training. They should! If you can get past the mental of going so painfully slow, it is much less strenuous. Last night I felt I could go on for miles. I am hopeful that this will build my aerobic base such that I really can get faster with less effort. I hope to do a long run on Friday. It will be outside and I'll test again.

MAF unofficial timed trial.

Split Time Distance Avg Pace Summary 45:06.1 3.06 14:44 1 14:28.6 1.00 14:29 2 14:58.4 1.00 14:59 3 14:46.5 1.00 14:47 4 :52.6 0.06 14:07

Cold 5k

I think only the die hard runners and school supporters did today's race. It was a temp of 34 with a feels like of 24 this morning. And it was misting a bit of moisture....snow? Personally, I'd rather run in the cold as in the heat and humidity and my time shows it. By no means fast, but for me, faster.

There were only four of us in the 50-59 age group and I am guessing I was the oldest. I've done two MAF training sessions, wonder if that helped my time? I was a little over a minute faster. Nah, I think it was the cold temperatures that helped. Too soon for the MAF to make a difference. As always, glad I made the effort.

 

Moonlight for Sight 5K

Even after catching a cold and feeling pretty rough last night, I still ran the Lion's Club local 5k. I knew it would be a small race and since I'd already registered, I went on. If I have a cold, running always makes me feel better. It was a night race, starting at 9 pm.

Yes, I was the only one in my age group. In fact I was the oldest woman participant.

It is still nice to get a medal.

But, I have to admit I feel even worse today. Coughed a lot last night and am so congested. I am diffusing Thieves (essential oil blend), putting lemon, lavender, and pppermint under my nose, my feet, and my chest. I always tell myself a cold lasts 7-10 days, no need for an antibiotic. Treat the symptoms with lots of natural remedies and maybe some mucinex. I'm sure I'll get over it in a few days.

In the meantime I am thankful that it is only a cold and thankful that I have a nice warm home in which to rest. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for.

 

The Chase 5k

I did the second annual The Chase 5k in memory of four month old Chase Ruffner who passed away from SIDS. The charity is First Candle, an organization committed to safe pregnancies and infant loss awareness. It is a small race, which is good for runners my age. There were only two in my age bracket and I won first. I think the other mostly walked. Didn't break any records and was only a few seconds faster than last year. Today was a tough run. Very humid. Yucky. Why are they sometimes so tough?

Glad I did it. No matter how bad the run is, I always feel really good afterwards.

 

Below is the quilt I made for little Chase's parents, from his clothes.

 

Independence Day 5k

Some co-worker friends and I ran the One Nation Under God Independence Day 5k this morning in Sweetwater. The weather could not have been more perfect and the course was flat, a great combination. However no PR for me. Not sure what I am doing wrong. The aura of a migraine started before I got to mile two. I didn't get the headache until about 20 minutes after the race.

Even though no PR, I am ok with my results. Fourth of fourteen.

I wish they had broken out the ages like most races do, then I would have placed first in the 55-59 group! My 62 year old running friend got first place again. She has won every race she has entered.

Not sure what happened with this picture....but I like it anyway. I loved this race. They opened with a prayer and a very talented lady sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Then afterwards they presented the gospel of Jesus Christ. The proceeds go to Young Life, which I think, is a Christian organization for young people.

I didn't get to stay for the awards due to the busting headache. By the time I got home I was pretty sick, but some Tylenol helped, and later when I was smart enough to take the migraine headache medicine, that helped more. Just felt a little drained all day....but still a great day and so much to be thankful for on this Independence Day.

 

Independence Day 5K

Looks like it is going to be perfect weather for this race in the morning (62 degrees).....hope I can set a new PR!

Ran in the heat and humidity yesterday. 88 degrees. Bright sunshine. I think I am getting faster because I took a lot of walk breaks and my time was still faster than normal. Only did 2.58 miles. Average pace 12:10.

 

 

Voice of the Children 5K

A couple of work buddies and I ran the Voice of the Children 5K in Rockwood this morning. It was a small first time 5K to support an orphanage in Haiti. The young man who put it together is the son of my favorite dental hygienist. They only expected about 50-75 runners but ended up with 125 participants.

My friend, in green, and I took first in our age groups. She is awesome. She just started with the couch to 5k last year around this time, and at 62 years old, runs a 30 minute 5K. I did ok at 34:58, just a few seconds better than the one two weeks ago. My goal is to run one in 30 minutes, but not sure if I'll ever get there. It was fun and for a good cause but the heat and humidity were awful! Not sure I'll do anymore until fall and cooler weather. The knee did great, no pain at all.

 

Today's 5k

Wasn't sure how the knee would do today. I wore the knee strap even though it hasn't hurt my last two slow runs. Me and my work/quilting/running buddy, Linda...

I felt pretty good but it did start to hurt before I hit two miles. I just kept it up at 4/1 intervals.

Tried not to go too fast but couldn't help trying to push my limit with the knee. Ended up with a finish of 35:11. No PR but better than I thought the knee would allow. Won second for my age!

But the knee was screaming for ice by the time I got home. Maybe an epson salt bath in a bit....

 

New Year's Day 5k

Started the year off right, with a 5k race! The hubby went with me.

Pretty cold at about 25 degrees.

...and pretty crowded....

I think I started off too fast, because I wore out and didn't do as well as I had hoped. I did beat my best 5k time of 33:14 with 32:33. The lure of getting under 30 minutes is strong, maybe that will be a 2014 goal.
...I am about ready to send my garmin back to the factory. It seemed to die when I tried to upload it to the computer. Nothing. Computer won't recognize it, and it doesn't show any life. It is still under warranty which is good. It worked fine during the race. I just don't remember my mile paces and would like to see them and my heart rate. I know it was very high the whole race --170's.
...and after a hot shower and clean clothes......I thought the shirt we got for the race was awesome!

I got a medium, but I think a small would have been better. You never know how they are sized.
Happy New Year to you! I hope 2014 is a great year for ya!

Finally got the Garmin to upload.  I am requesting a repair.  I think I'd like to trade it in on a better model.  I've had trouble with it several times since I got it. My average heart rate was 170 and my max was 185, which was a spike right at the first.  That seems too high. I did notice the monitor kept slipping down my chest. Overall, I am happy with a new race PR!

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	32:33.4	3.14	10:22
1	10:20.1	1.00	10:20
2	10:54.2	1.00	10:54
3	10:04.8	1.00	10:05
4	1:14.4	0.14	8:58

Race results

Before.....

At the finish line.....

And after.....

First place in my age group, yay! of course it helps that there were only two of us in my age group! Not my best time, but not too bad for a newbie at 54 years old. 35:56 minutes

 

No running tonight

Argh! I have these weird eye bleeds every so often. I think they are autoimmune related.

 

Yes, freaky, I know. I guess I won't run in the Lion's Club Sight for the Blind 5k tonight. I think all the jarring and blood pumping might not be good for this eye......I am sooo disappointed.

 

Run for God 5k

I wasn't going to do any races for a while....but right now, tonight, my plans are to get up early and drive to Sweetwater in the morning, for their second annual Run for God 5k race. It is supposed to be flat and fast. I am nervous. I want to break my prior record so bad, but I am just not sure if I can. Also, I've always had to walk a bit in the 5ks and I do not want to do that. I want to run the whole thing.

So, unless it is a monsoon, which it might be, I'll be headed south early in the morning. My coach is going with me (the hubby). Wish me luck.