April Recap + Literacy 5K recap

APRIL RECAP

• Total Miles: 68
• Average Pace: 9:34 (!)
• Longest run: 13.1 (MORE 1/2 Marathon)
• Total for the year: 264

I am still in shock that April is over. This year is flying by. I think my stats are great and I love seeing my progression. In case you were wondering I log all of my miles on Daily Mile – I’m a huge fan!

Yesterday I ran the Literacy 5k. All week I was on the fence about running the race.  I was sick and I’ve been dealing with some lower back pain. Turns out my friends all know me better then I do because they all predicted I would do the race. Guess I have a bit of a racing problem. I wonder if there is a 12 step program? Hmmm, I digress…

The race was 5 mins from my home which is always a plus. The temperature was 75 when I left my house at 9am. My back felt ok but my head & chest were congested and I knew I was in for a difficult race.  I ran this race last year but the course was different so I had no clue what I was up against. I quickly changed my goal from sub 29:00 to beat last years time of 32:55.

At 10am the race started. Within minutes I was feeling the heat & humidity.  I had no idea how I was going to get through the race.

• Mile 1 – 9:28

I slowed my pace and focused on cheering on all of the kids that were running the race. At one point I was running with Darlene (local runner/blogger). I couldnt believe how badly the heat was affecting my body! I stopped at the water station (I never stop at water stops in 5ks!) and I took 3 cups of water. I drank 1 and poured the other 2 on my head.

• Mile 2 – 10:06

At this point I bumped into another friend and she stopped to walk and so did I. I was so pissed that I was walking. I stopped for 20 seconds and then I was off again. I spent most of mile 3 walking/running.  I think I stopped 5 or 6 times. I saw a woman that does the NoBo program with me and she was having a difficult time. We encouraged each other and we able to get to the finish line - which you have to pass before you actually finish! So many people were sprinting only to realize there was another half mile to go… CRUEL!

• Mile 3 – 10:57     .10 – 9:07
• Total: 31:27   Pace: 10:08

In the end I’m happy that I finished the race and didn’t quit.  The Sunday prior I was running in a downpour wishing for the sun & heat. Yesterday I was running in the sun & heat and wished for the rain. Grass is always greener…..