Races

When I began trying to run for exercise, my stamina was almost nil.  I could run for a few seconds....maybe 10....and then I had to walk.  I WANT to be a runner.  I've never known a runner who wasn't thin!  It's taking some time to get to where I can run for any distance, and I can't really say at this point that I LIKE to run.  I read an article once about a Tiger Mom.  Her child said, "I don't LIKE playing the piano."  The Tiger Mom said, "Of course you don't like it.  You're not GOOD at it yet.  You'll LIKE it when you're GOOD at it!"  That's how I feel about running.  I know that I will like it more when I'm better at it!  For now, I just have to keep working to get better at it!

What keeps it interesting for me is participating in organized races.  My first was the Jingle Bell 5k to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.  That was in December of 2012.  We determined that the race was not properly timed since EVERYONE had their best time ever.  Since this was my first race, I had no idea what to expect for time.  I came in at around 40 minutes, but I've yet to achieve that time again, so I agree with my friends on the improper timing!  Nevertheless, it was fun and I've done six more since then, always improving my time just a little bit!  My goal is to do an average of one race per month for the whole year.  Here's what I've done so far:

Race Date		Race Name	Time
2/9/2013		Strawberry Distance Classic	48.00
2/23/2013		Gasparilla 5k	47.28
3/17/2013		Shamrock 5k	46.56
5/11/2013		Miles for Moffitt 5k	45.16
5/18/2013		5k4Q	43.49
7/20/2013		Watermelon Run	43.16

My next race is coming up this weekend.  It's the Flavor Run 5k and should be a lot of fun.  In this Fun Run, spectators throw colorful, flavored cornstarch at the runners so your white shirts end up almost looking tie-dyed.  Here's a link to the race information site:  http://flavorrun.com/

Of course, I'll do my best to improve on my last time, but this IS August in Florida.  It will be HOT, HOT, HOT, so the primary goal is FINISHING.  Improving the time is secondary. 

Meanwhile, in preparation for these races, I'm using the Couch to 5k running program.  This is a 9 week program, and each week you increase the amount of time you run.  I started the program on July 29th.  I did the week one program, as planned, for three days that week (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday).  The next week, I moved up to the week 2 program.  In this one, you do a 5 minute warm up walk, then for the next 20 minutes, you alternate between running for 90 seconds and walking for 2 minutes.  Total running time is 9 minutes.  I decided to stay on this program for two weeks instead of one.  I didn't feel quite ready to move up to the next program just yet.  Even though it's designed as a 9 week program, I don't feel the need to complete it in 9 weeks.  My goal is to be able to run an entire 5k race, but I'm not in a huge hurry to be able to do it.  I'll get there, and my fitness level is improving all the time!