How'd I do?

I ran my first 5K race today.  I took part in the Sheyenne Shuffle in VC, ND.   I'll tell you how I did... in a bit.

I'm asked often, "Why are you starting to run now, you're almost 50"?  My classic answer, "Because I can and I want to."  I've never been one to follow society - I tend to march to the beat of my own drum.  And starting to run at age 50 (or close to it)  definitely isn't normal.  But I have quite a few friends and coworkers who have taken up this nasty habit, so I decided to see what all the rage was.

I found out today.

I and my good friend Rick (his wife was supposed to go also but wasn't feeling well), headed to VC bright and early this morning to head to VC - my old stomping grounds.  We discussed or rather Rick gave me all kinds of wonderful advice on the way there.  "Don't get caught up in the start, watch your pace", and "run in the center of the road, there's less slant there," and "don't get elbowed out at the corners."  All very good and worthy advice.  He's been there before (2 full marathons in 2 years), so I listened intently to everything he told me.

Now, I'm not one to usually get nervous, but when we pulled up to the Bubble, my stomach was in my throat.  I  was pretty sure I was going to hurl my cookies in his nice, new shiney Hummer.  I didn't admit  that to him though.  I'm Sherry, I'm tough, I have nerves of steel!  Yaaahhhh right!  It DID help however when he said he was nervous too.  OK.  THEN I didn't feel so bad.

We registered and he showed me how to put the timing chip on my shoes, etc. then we proceeded to stretch and do what  runners do before the race.  I talk smart, don't I?  I had NO freakin clue what I was doing!  Thank GOD for my friend!  

Right before race time, he says to me, "The only thing you have to beat is the clock and you can't ever beat that...so just do your best and finish.  And you'd been RUN across the line, and not walk."   I laughed and asked him, "Is that a threat or a challenge".   His classic response, "Both."

You know what?  Those words stuck in my head all the way through the race.   I did fairly well I think.  At least, up until about the 2.5 or 3K mark.  I lost my lungs.  Yep, pretty sure they're still there, laying at the corner of Central Ave. in VC.  Geeeez did they burn!  The body felt good though so I started the run/walk process.  I was bummed, but not surprised..my longest trainng runs have been 2.5 miles, so it only stood to reason that I'd start feeling it at that point.   Rick was outside the stadium to talk me in (and he had the damn camera in his hands.  If those show up on Facebook, I'm going to hurt someone!).     As he shouted, "Finish Strong", I started to run inside to the track.  All I wanted to do was walk but those words kept running through my head.  "Run, don't walk!"   

I  was so focused on running across the line that I forgot to see what my time was! 

So, how'd I do?

I ran, I ran across the finish line, and I finished! 

That's how I did!

Packing

I started my Sunday by picking up breakfast from Hardees and heading to Blaines house where he and Peggy were waiting with hot coffee.

Blaine had a game plan and let me tell you, he's quite the task master!   We set about packing up his game room, bedroom ledge, and living room of all of his collectibles : he's an avid collector of everything!   Unfortunately his new place is a little smaller, so we had to determine what things he was going to store and those he was taking to the apartment. 

He's got a good head on his shoulders and reasons well.  He made effective decisions and Peggy and I honored them.  I was, and am, very proud of him!

We finished in our time frame...12 or 1230 and finished with beer and lunch at IDK. A good reward I'd say!

We're still not done ...but that's alright..with Blaine in charge,  it'll get done!

I-94

Why does everyone in Eldridge township decide to drive the country roads as I'm doing my training run?

I even waited until 845 to go out ..positive that there wouldn't be any traffic.   Wrong!  I had to stop (walked) while five vehicles zoomed by me.  I didn't want to be roadkill so I pretty much hugged the ditch with each of them.  I even wore neon green tonight so they could see me better.  Smart cookie, ain't I?!

So, I've decided Im a cool weather runner.  I came home from the gym at 7pm, fixed dinner, ate, cleared dishes and sat to let it settle for a little bit. 

Then...strapped on the heart rate monitor, laced up the sneakers, set the playlist to "Run!" then headed out.

It was gorgeous!   Cool, calm, a little humid and perfect for a struggling runner such as moi.

I wasn't going for speed...I just needed to run the 2 miles in my training plan.  So, I enjoyed it.  I listened to the geese flying overhead, the sound of my neighbor Tony baling hay in the field, smelled the sweet smell of cut hay and dew in the air.  It was beautiful.

I didn't do a stellar run, but I did it.  Two miles in 27:48. This included walking while cars passed me AND on loose gravel. My last 2 mile run on Sunday night was 28:11. 

I still do the run/walk thing...but im getting better at it.

Oh!..I figured out my best pace - the feel good pace- is to the song The Stroke!   Lol

If you change nothing..

Nothing changes.

That's the Motivational quote my new trainer hit me with during our first session together.

Needless to say, a whole lot of changes are being made.  We're looking at my diet, what to do (and not do) on my training days - both at the gym and on my running program- AND a whole new mindset while in the gym.

He may be my 7th trainer, but he's given me a wealth of knowledge.

I feel good about this.

Change will bring change!

Beauty

"Nature's soul is revealed in every sunset." ~ @Wordhugs