Race Recap: ATC Hearts & Soles 5K, My thoughts

According to my half mary training plan, I was supposed to do 5 miles today. I forgot I signed up for this race, so I did 2+ extra yesterday with Back on My Feet Atlanta and then the 3.1 mile race today. Here's some of my crazy thoughts before, during, and after this race that I almost skipped...for real.

BEFORE
"I do not feel like getting up for this race in the morning."
"I might skip it since I didn't pay for it."
"I should text ____ and tell her I don't feel like going."
"Man, I ain't signing up for anymore winter races. Bump that!"
"Alright, let me get up. When I get home, I'm going STRAIGHT back to bed!"

DURING
"I hate the start of a race...all bunched up and stuff....move."
"I hope no one trips and falls."
"I hope I don't trip and fall."
"Lord, please be with me."
"Wtf(feezy), they said this was supposed to be all flat!"
"C'mon tiff"
"Stop latching on to other runners, and speed it up...get out of your comfort zone."
"my playlist is sucking right now"
Not so great mixtape comes on, "oh, SKIP...canNOT listen to that!"
"Ugh, how much further."
"Almost over, yes."
"Oh well, I can't keep up with her"
"I invited _____ who ONLY lives 5 minutes away and that bum didn't even show up. Lazy self." lol

AFTER
"28:12 clock time, maaaan...I could of done under 28, but oh well."
"Thank God!"
"Yay, I might of PR'ed!"

...and I did with an official time of 28:02. Not a huge improvement from my last 5k race in October (in my opinion). I really don't like out-and-back routes, but the race was free for ATC members and in a neighborhood I grew up in. I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to represent. I would of never imagined years ago that I would be running that street one day...ever.

My Splits! I'm really shocked at the first 2 miles, really!

10 miles on schedule tomorrow!

So... How's the 1/2 Training Going?

My attempt at not following a 1/2 marathon training program was NOT going so great. My long runs were off and I was so unmotivated to strength and cross train. I was already up to 8 miles and after receiving tips from a couple seasoned runners, I thought I would be fine. It was suggested to me that I run as I normally do during the week (3 to 4 miles, 3 times a week), run long on the weekends, strength, and cross train. The long runs were supposed to be, 8mi, 8mi, 9mi, 9mi, 10mi, 10mi, and so on (not to exceed 11, 13.1 on race day) each week. I am no longer able to do my long runs with my running group due to a schedule conflict. This worked for maybe 2 weeks, but honestly, running long AND solo was so discouraging. My worst long run to date was last week. A very sad attempt at 9 miles turned into a 6 mile run/walk. It was horrible. I guess it just happens, but I have yet to understand how I can run 8 miles strong one day and can barely get through 4 miles another.

In the spirit of not wanting to waste my money =), I decided I NEED to go ahead and follow Hal's half program instead. My strongest, furthest distance so far has been 8 miles in December, so I chose the Intermediate program level. I started off with week 6 and it's really keeping me on track as far as strength and cross training. I was slacking in those two areas for too long and could feel the affects. I think that's why I would experience shoulder discomfort while running. 


My goal for my first 1/2 is to finish, yeah, but deep down I would like to finish with a good time. I'm thinking of a goal of under 2 hrs and 15 minutes. That's around a 10 min/mile pace with a little extra slack. The Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans 1/2 route is mostly flat. Most of my routes here have hills, so I think it can be done. I know I need to tighten up on other areas besides running...ahem, like my diet.

 
On the schedule for yesterday was 3 mi + strength training, but since it rained, I decided to do it today instead of the rest/easy run on schedule. After my 3 mile run, I came home and did the 30-minute Body Sculptor Nike Training Club Workout (free app on iTunes). Hopefully I can get a long run in Sunday morning while I'm at Callaway Gardens for the weekend. I only have to do 6.2 miles this week. But, we shall see...

Race Recap: My 1st 10K

I'm going to write this race recap differently than others. Before today, my last blog post was mid-November. I was uninspired to write anything for a while. Tonight, I just feel like writing for some reason. My first 10K was this past weekend on 12/17/2011...


Race: Peachtree Corners Christmas 10K (6.2 miles)


Goal: To finish under 60 minutes


Route: Hillier than NECESSARY!! Matter of fact there was a hill at the last .2 miles. Good thing I hill train, but dang, WHY?! I didn't stop, but maybe if I did, I would've improved on my time. Or maybe if I did, I would've been unmotivated to get back in the groove of my pace. The route was out and back through a neighborhood. Boring. Nothing visually pleasing to look at. Some neighbors cheered from their driveways, but that's it. Oh, and the roads weren't closed to traffic. Hmph. So yeah, I don't know if I will do this race again, especially because it was 45 minutes from my home. I did it because I loved the support of my running group with the fact of this being my first 10K.


The iffy Results: I'm going with my Nike+ app, even though I started it maybe 10 feet too early. My Nike+ time was 1:00:52. My clock time, or a.k.a., the time I heard the announcer yell out as I crossed was 59:something. The printed results had me finishing at 1:00:53. Needless to say, we had timing devices and the results were still messed up. I know I finished this race at 59 something, meeting my goal, but it would've been nice to have precise results. This was my first 10K...but whatever.


What does the future hold? Well, I still have my first half marathon to prepare for. I may participate in an MLK 5K, but that's about it. Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans half marathon, here I'se a come!