Autumn Rock n Run

So, I need to continue to write in a blog? I can't just write one entry and leave it at that? Oh, I see. =)
I haven't written, because I've been so worried about what to write. Once you start a blog, there's some pressure there. Will people read it? Am I interesting enough? Do I have enough time for this? And so on and so on. I'll do my best, I guess, to not disappoint. And I have a follower!! Hi, BusyRunningMama!
This last Saturday I had a 5K. I was pretty pumped about it, because I thought I'd get a new PR (personal record). My current PR is 37 minutes. I was pretty convinced I could do it in 35. I was also excited because I had convinced another friend to sign up for it. Her first 5K! How exciting is that?
Here's a picture of my t-shirt, number and the race route.
　

The day started out pretty well, but it was HOTTTT and very humid. Florida summer running is not for the faint of heart. I placed myself in the 10+ minute mile corral after warming up. My friend started there too. I usually run 5Ks by myself. It helps me to stay focused on my race (of course, it helps that my running friends all run farther distances than me, 15Ks, marathons, etc.). I hadn't really talked with her prior about this, but I felt somewhat responsible for her. It was her FIRST, remember? Once we started going, my excitement was bubbling over and I kept looking over at her. Nothing compares to your first race and the look on her face was awesome. We were both going along at a pretty good clip. I felt good about my chances of a new PR. At the water station halfway through, I told her I was going to walk a bit and she could keep going. I do a run/walk combo based on how I'm feeling. At that point, I knew I needed to walk for a minute or two to catch my breath and finish the race well.
It was then that tragedy struck. Stomach cramps! If you've ever had them, you understand what I'm talking about. You can't even force yourself to overcome them and run. The only choice is to walk (i.e. hobble) until they go away. As I went along, I kept thinking about my options. Quitting wasn't going to happen. I paid for the race, so I'm going to finish it (and my car was farther away than the finish line). =) When a woman passed by me with a stroller, I took a deep breath and wished the cramps away for the 10th time. Looking at my Garmin, I saw my PR time come and go. All said and done, I ended up having to walk an entire mile of the race. With a 1/2 mile to go, the cramps let up and I BOOKED it! I did the last 1/2 in 4 minutes, which helped me make up some time. I finished in 42, which isn't my worst time. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not disappointed. I am. But, I'm happy I finished. There was a twinge of jealousy when I saw that my friend had finished in 36...for her first race. But, I'm happy for her too. And now I have a new convert!
My lesson from this race is that I will have bad days. I will also have good days. I can't quit running because of one bad day. It makes me feel great and I've accomplished so much. I can't quit now!
My next focus is a 5 mile and 2 mile distance dare event. You can sign up for either race or you can do the distance dare and run them both. The only caveat is that you have to finish the 5 miles before the 2 mile race starts. There is 1 hour 15 minutes between the two. So...I'm going to have to speed it up a bit. I'm not worried about how I do on the 2 mile. My focus will be finishing the 5 miles in time. Here I come!

 I've included an image of why I run.  Well, partly why I run.  So I can have these. =)

Let's See How This Goes

I've been really getting into a few blogs lately and thought I might enjoy starting my own. This will most likely involve what's been on my mind for the past 8 months: getting healthy. I quit smoking August 3rd, 2009 and have continued to be a non-smoker (Go me!!). Around January 2010, I was getting a little antsy. I'm a goal-setter, so I was interested in having something new that I could start working on. Long story short, I started a self-made version of Weight Watchers based on things I received from a former member and information I found online. To be clear, I haven't actually been to a WW meeting in person or online. I also started running at some point, but I think I'll save that story for another post.
I first weighed in at 253 pounds (!!!), which seemed so crazy to me. Although, to be honest, it wasn't completely unwarranted. One of my quit-smoking techniques was to allow myself to eat anything I wanted. =) I've had a few small setbacks since January, which included a 3 week jury duty stint. It was a little hard to eat well during that, but for the most part I've done well keeping up with my tracking and watching my activity level. Today I weighed 205 pounds! That means 199 lbs is clearly in my sights. I haven't been under 200 since my undergraduate career! =) I can't wait to meet this goal and continue to set new ones.
I think this blog will help me continue on my goal. I would like to meet others who are also working on this journey. It may even help to motivate others, which would be a great side effect!
I've also been thinking lately about starting to attend actual WW meetings. I've come pretty far on my own, but it would be nice to see what I'm missing by doing this on my own. I think it would also be great to have other people excited for me when I do well. That bathroom can be kind of quiet when I'm weighing by myself =) A budget has been started, so I can see if I can eke out the extra money for meetings. It's a little tight as it is.
Well, I guess that's it for an introduction, eh? I hope you stick around and we can help each other! Have a great day!