Spooky Sprint 5k + tunes

Tomorrow I am running in the Somerville Spooky 5k.  I have been looking forward to running in this race since last year I wasn't able to run in the race because I had a back injury.  Although I did volunteer and was the sweeper for the end of the race, it wasn't completely the same.  So to say I am excited is an understatement.

Here is my playlist for the Spooky Sprint:

Post-race update:
What a fantastic day yesterday turned out to be!  It was a chilly fall morning, perfect for the Spooky Sprint!  The race kicked off at 9:30am.  I have run this course twice before as well as walked it last year, so I know it fairly well.

When I rounded the corner for the homestretch, I saw my husband and two daughters waving and cheering on the other runners.  They were the only ones on this part of the street and it was the perfect spot for them to sit and cheer everyone on.  As they gave me a high five and their best cheers, I was off on my final minute of the race.

I crossed the finish at 29:21, my very first sub 30 min 5k.  I have worked SO hard to get my time down and it paid off.  Not to mention I crushed my last PR by a minute and a half.

5k:: Paulette Steps Towards Cancer

Sometimes I doubt myself a little too much.  I felt really unprepared for this 5k which took place at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, NJ.  I was uncertain of the course and elevation, but knew it was hilly terrain because I grew up about 6 miles from the park and had visited the park before.

The morning of the run wasn't too great in our house - my husband wasn't feeling well and I had crazy nerves; I felt like a student who woke up to find out that the final was that day and didn't study.

But I knew this was for a great cause - colorectal cancer - and so my nerves had to be put behind me and many of my personal bests were achieved during this race.

As the race began, I had Scooter's Jump That Rock helping to pump adrenaline through me and over 200 of us were off running.  We did a quick loop, about 3/4 mile, and then a volunteer was directing the runners onto the dirt trails.  Yes, trails...sand, dirt, grass, through the woods, up and down hills.  And at that point, I couldn't turn back so I just had to trudge forward.  First mile, I hit at 11:50 - my fastest mile to date.   The second mile was about 25min & crossing the finish at 41:05.  My best 5k yet.

I was quite proud of my accomplishments during this run.  Running on pavement is what I am used to.  So to hit personal bests while running trails and especially trails that are uneven was awesome.

A definite proud moment of 2011!

Resolution Run 5k

On 1/1/11 (yea, talk about way over due post), my friends & I ran in the Resolution Run in Hillsborough.  The Resolution Run is a great beginner run and everyone is extraordinarily supportive of your participation, whether you run or walk it.  This is about starting a new year on a healthy path.  It was a particularly beautiful, warm day.

After checking in, we hung around trying to shake off our nerves.  Take a look at the bib number I was lucky enough to wear.  Seriously, all I was thinking is I really hope this isn't a sign of what is to come during the run.

The run takes you through a neighborhood and many of the residents are outside their homes cheering the runners on.  Dave brought the girls and cheered me on as I past them at a few different checkpoints.  Seeing their faces definitely helped power me through the run.  Knowing they were awaiting my crossing the finish line was motivation enough.

I crossed the finish line at 45:00min.  Not a time that a "real runner" would be proud of, but I was incredibly proud of myself.  Considering I could barely run a mile in HS (well, I never really tried either), the fact that I can run 3.1 miles without stopping is something to be proud of.

Next 5k... March 26th.  And my goal is to beat 45:00.

The Big Chill 5k

So my first [practice] 5k was the Big Chill 5k which was hosted through the Rutgers Recreation Dpt. in New Brunswick.  My best friend and I decided to run this 5k together.  Now, she was a cross country runner in HS so I knew she could kick my butt when it came to running.

At this point, I hadn't even completed my Couch 2 5k training yet. I was about a week away from completing it, but I didn't have the confidence yet, as I hadn't even run a practice 5k yet.  To say I was nervous would be a huge understatement.

We arrived to the run and I took notice of all the "professional" runners.  At this point not one positive thought was running through my mind.  Okay, I did have one positive thought - it's a walker friendly race so I definitely won't be the last person because I certainly didn't think I would be walking the whole 5k.

On your mark! Get set! GO! And thousands of people were off, running through the streets of NB.  My best friend and I were running on the sidewalk and then on the street and back onto the sidewalk as to not run anyone over.  My thoughts during this time include "what the heck did I get myself into & why?"  I was clearly not in a great state of mind when I signed up and agreed to this.

Oh, wait, here's the first mile marker already.  14 min.  Certainly better than I thought.  Then the 2nd mile marker, 28 min.  Wow.  I CAN do this.  The biggest rush of adrenalin came as we turned the last corner and the finish line was in sight.  So I finished in 45 minutes and ran about 95% of the 5k.

A wonderful sense of accomplishment.  I think I smiled the rest of the weekend.  I was just so proud of myself and still am.

Couch to 5k

I started the Couch to 5k running program back in September.  I was really skeptical that it wouldn't work. However, I got through weeks 1, 2 & 3 with much success and then the weekend of Halloween, I was stricken with my very first running injury. After one of my week 4 runs, I either misstepped or strained something in my knee and had to hobble my way home not even 5 minutes into my walk.  My husband knew something was wrong when I couldn't even look at him because of the disappointment I had in myself.

Upset and worried about not being able to finish my training, I decided I couldn't let this stop me from achieving a goal.  I bought a knee brace which I wore religiously and within a week and a half, my knee felt completely better.  Still wearing the brace, I got right back into my training and was feeling stronger than ever.

I completed my training the middle of December.  What an absolutely awesome feeling it was.  I didn't think I could do it.  And if I can do it, anyone really can.