It's Almost Time to Ring in Spring!

My second-ever 5K, and first actual “race” (as opposed to a “fun run”) is a week from yesterday; it’s the Valparaiso YMCA’s “Ringing in Spring” 5K.

Yesterday I went and ran the course just to check it out…it seemed long, but that’s just because I do most of my running on the 0.75-mile track at Fairgrounds Park or on a treadmill at the gym. I’m not used to “stretching out” the 3.1 miles!! It’s a nice course, there’s some inclines, but they all seem to be greeted by declines, so that’s good. There was one incline mid-way through that seemed REALLY LONG…gradual, but long. I finished in 30:45, but I hope to do better in the competitive event setting with other people around to keep me motivated!

The current weather forecast for Saturday is calling for highs in the upper 60s and lows in the lower 50s. I think that sounds just perfect for a 5K! Hopefully the forecast holds true and it’s a beautiful day. Oh, and I should also mention that my sister and bro-in-law who got me into running will be home for Easter weekend and are going to be running with me on Saturday. Well, I’ll rephrase that; they won’t be running with me, they’ll be running behind me. They can do longer distances, like the two half-marathons they’ve done, but I do my miles a bit faster.

My First 5K...at Walt Disney World!

It’s been nearly three weeks since my first-ever 5K at Walt Disney World. I guess it’s time that I take a few minutes to blog about it!

First Race Jitters

My Disney World 5K is this Saturday. Last Saturday morning I awoke from a traumatic dream which involved missing my race and not realizing it ‘til later that afternoon.

Another “jitter” is that I’m worried about whether or not I can function when running “for real” as opposed to on a treadmill.

Six Months of Hard Work

I’m totally psyched for my trip to Disney World for my first-ever 5K (The “Princess and the Frog Royal Family 5K” on March 6th). It’s going to be legendary.

5K Training Update

Here’s what’s been going on…

My “long run” each week had been as long as 5 miles to-date. I’ve been more or less able to maintain a 10-minute per mile pace on the two 5-mile runs I’ve done so far, despite having to take about three short speed-walking intervals during the 5 miles. It’s a killer and I wonder if I’m pushing myself too hard, but no pain, no gain, right? It doesn’t leave me with any post-run pain, it’s just agony getting through the run at the pace I push myself to.

A New Record & New Shoes!

Oh my goodness! I won AGCO’s Christmas photo contest! I had a lot of fun with the whole experience and was so happy when the voting finally ended and I had a solid lead. I thank my new friends at AGCO for sponsoring the fun contest and I’m looking forward to receiving my prize in the mail. (The prize is a limited edition book entitled "The Proud History of AGCO.")

Now that the most exciting news is out of the way, let’s review my so-called “resolutions” for the new year:  calendar managment, fiddle, and exercise...

New Year's Resolutions

I generally don’t get into the whole “new year’s resolutions” craze. I mean, what’s the point? Who really sticks with their half-baked resolutions anyhow? And what’s the big deal about a new year anyhow…we don’t celebrate each day, each week, each month (maybe we should). However, this morning I decided that maybe I should approach 2010 with a more positive attitude and perhaps even resolve to do a few things differently this year. (Or at least start out the year with that mindset and see if the resolutions become habit.)