Running the Rails in Michigan – 6 in 6!

23, August 2011 By 3 Comments

running the rails 5k

Waiting for the race to start

You all know about my goal to run a 5K a month through the end of the year.

When my hubs told me that we would be traveling to Michigan the last 2 weeks of August I set out to find a 5K during the beginning of the month. The only problem with this logic was the fact that the first week was BlogHer in San Diego and then the next weekend was a work weekend for the hubs. Plus, I would be spending that time getting everyone packed for our trip.

So I changed the search location and began looking for races that would be around us while gone and wouldn’t you know there just happened to be a race happening during the first weekend we were gone.

I talked to my hubs who offered to run it with me (thank goodness) and then immediately registered us for Running the Rails in Ypsilanti during the Heritage Festival.

running the rails 5k

During the race

We got to Michigan one week ago and I was not prepared for the humidity here. We went for a quick 2 mile run a couple days later and it felt like it was hard to breathe. Honestly though, I can’t blame it all on the humidity. Since summer started I haven’t been running as much as I was when the kids were in school.
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Filed Under: Run Fat Girl

Can you be a runner without running?

31, July 2011 By 3 Comments

I started out this year so strong.

I was running basically everyday and loving it like crazy.

My days consisted up waking up, getting the kids ready for school, dropping them off, then heading to the gym for 2 hours.

Since school ended that routine has been absent. The kids are allowed to stay up a bit later which means that they sleep in a bit longer and we just can’t seem to make it to the gym before 9:30. The problem with that is by the time the kids are settled in child care and I stretch, I really only have about 30 minutes to run and do strength training.

Yes, there is the option of running from home. But then I need to wait until the Hubs gets home to watch the kids which is after 5pm, and we typically eat dinner shortly after. I don’t go after dinner because, well, have you tried to run a few miles on a full stomach? Not the best thing in the world.

I know these are all excuses and some of them aren’t even good ones. I’m just in a slump.

I will say that I’m keeping up on my goal of running a 5K each month through the end of the year.

run walk ride 2011In June I ran the “Run, Walk, Ride” 5K by Habitat for Humanity. Since it was in my hometown I new the course well and knew that it included several hills. My goal for this race was to run every single hill. I’m happy to say that I did just that. My family stayed home because the weather was cruddy, which meant this was the first race I didn’t have someone waiting for me at the finish line. That was a little hard, but I overcame it. My time for this race was nothing to right home about. I did learn though that the course was almost a 1/2 mile longer than a 5K so that made me feel better. I finished in 43:37. Bleh.

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Filed Under: Run Fat Girl

3 in 3, Lord Help Me!

2, June 2011 By 6 Comments

It’s amazing to me that it was just 3 months ago that I ran my first 5K.

Since that time I’ve fallen off the workout bandwagon but I have kept running. Albeit not every day like I was prior to my first run but thankfully that earlier training has stuck with me and helped me finish my third 5K! I can tell you though that my endurance isn’t as good as it was in March.

I finished the Rum Run in a decent time and I’m happy that a portion of the course was so beautiful that it took my mind off the pain that I was feeling. :)

I had checked the elevation of the race prior and I knew that after the first mile it was going to be a pretty good climb, but seriously, that didn’t prepare me. I’m definitely going to need to find a route for training that has a bit more elevation.

Anyway, as we started up the hill there was an older woman running near us. The whole time up she called that hill every name in the book. It totally cracked me up!  knew exactly where she was coming from, I just wan’t saying it. It totally made going up more enjoyable.

You know what else makes a run more enjoyable?

rum run mojitos

MOJITO'S!!

rum run results

Official Results

You know I still have to be happy with my time. I’m running under 12 minute miles and I remember back when I first started training I was just trying to get under 13 minutes!

My next 5K is Father’s Day weekend here locally. Oh, and to the part in the title about the whole “Lord help me,” I’ve decided to extend my 5 in 5 to 7 in 7! This means that I will be running a race in Michigan in August and I will finish up with the Warrior Dash in September!

Seriously, prayers are welcome. ;)

Filed Under: Run Fat Girl
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