8k and a bit of an update.

I just recently signed up for an 8k. It's this weekend in Emerald Isle, NC. So I think an 8k is 4.97 miles. So, we'll just say 5. I've been running 5 the past few days. I've actually picked up a running partner. She's my neighbor from down the street. She actually ran the Run for the Warriors that I did in May except she ran the 5k and I ran the 10k. She's good.

She ran her first 5 miles with me the other night. She's got a faster pace which makes me work more. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I like being in the 10 minute pace, but the competitive part of me wants to keep up. Which has now resulted in a minor injury to my left foot. It's a bit swollen. But nothing a little ice and Toger Balm can't fix.

So after this 8 k, I have a 4 miler lined up back in New York. It's on the 4th of July. I'm trying to get my dad to run it with me. We'll see.

Now I just have to find something for August.

I ran my first 10k!

 On Saturday, I did the Run for the Warriors 10k  here in Jacksonville, nc.

Right up until I crossed the start line, I was a nervous mess. But I tried really hard to keep thinking like it was a normal run and I did great. I paced myself at a 10 minute a mile pace. I was pretty much right on the whole time. It was an easy run for me. (I can't believe that I'm saying that!) My breathing was perfect, nothing ached, no cramps. Well, at the 5 mile mark, I thought my toes were probably blistering.. and they were.. but that's nothing too bad. At no point was I thinking, "Gosh, I need to stop." I just kept trucking along.

The route was great. It was through a residential area and people were outside their homes watching. A lot of people had Patriotic music blaring and sprinklers on full blast so you could run though them. It was so nice to see such a great community of support. And what better cause than Wounded Worriers?

My official time was- 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 26 seconds. I was pretty darn happy with that. And very proud of myself.  As you'll see in the pictures, I hauled ass about the last half mile, finishing strong.

I think I'll be signing up for a few more 10k's this year before I try and tackle a half.

Best ever!

The other day, I ran 7.3 miles with my Vibrams! Yep, 7.3! I am obviously pretty darn proud of myself considering I started out only thinking Id do 3. After the 3.2 mile mark, I felt I should at least do 4. After that, I just kind of kept running. My breathing has been so perfect lately, that no amount of pain in my shins or feet can even stop me. When I'm finished running, I have blisters and can barely walk. (Tiger Balm works wonders for those sore muscles guys!) But since my breathing is so great, I just feel that as long as my legs keep working, I'll keep running. Kind of a mind over matter thing I guess.

Here is my route:

Hmm, wonder if that re sizes when you click on it? Probably not. It took me forever just to try and  figure out how to do the darn print screen thing. I'm too lazy to try and re size it now.

Anyway, It's been two days since my run. My Mother in law moved into her own house so it's been kind of difficult to get out there and run. And you all know how I feel about the treadmill. So I'm hoping to be able to go tomorrow night. I'll make myself do a lesser amount of mileage so I don't end up hurting myself. Then I'll probably only have about 2-3 more runs before the race. I also want to go down to the actual race route and run that once, too.. so we'll see..

I'm progressing in huge strides. I really don't think I could get this kind of run with my Asics. I truly believe that my Vibrams are what's making me progress so well.

If you haven't gotten a pair yet, what are you waiting for?!

Break them in, NOT wear them out!

I took my Vibrams for a little run the other day. The lady at the store said to only run a little bit on them to break them in. So I since I normally run 3 miles when I run, that Id do a mile or two just to get used to them.

So I started down my normal route. Out of our subdivision, down the main road to the next subdivision. I felt great! I mean, I don't even really know how to describe it. My breathing was incredible, and I was striking perfectly. I felt like my toes were pulling me and I couldn't stop.

I did my normal 3 mile loop but instead of stopping, I ran another mile loop. On mile 4, one of my toes started to hurt. I kept running and every once in a while Id sort of suspend that foot in the air a little longer so I could check it. I really thought that I might have worn a hole in the bottom. But there was nothing.

I started to kind of baby it after that. Which also caused me to land improperly. But I made it 5.2 miles! When I stopped, I kid you not, I couldn't walk. I can't even believe that I continued running when I knew that I was in pain. But like I said before, the run was so smooth and so natural, that I just felt like I could go forever.

So today, two days later, I can barley walk.  I have a nasty blister on one of my toes and a horrible pain from the bend that connects the foot to the ankle all the way up to my knee. (this is all on the right leg) On the left leg, I just have a sore calf muscle..

I almost regret pushing it too far. But I was so happy that I did 5.2 miles outside! The first thing I did was call my Dad. I told him how awesome the run was and all about my Vibrams and he was excited for me. He told me to call back in a week and let him know if I had anymore pain. If I don't, he's going out and buying himself a pair.  THAT'S how excited I was about this run. I even have my Dad convinced to get some! Haha

Anyway, I did take pictures of my blister for the Blog, but they didn't come out very well. so maybe later..

I can't believe I'm only 1 mile away from a 10k!

Vibrams!

Sooo, I bought myself my very first pair of barefoot running shoes(are they even considered shoes? I don't know) But I bought them. I bought the Vibram KSO's

I have heard such great things about these shoes. I know a few people who have them and love them. A lot  of the influence to buy a pair came from reading my friend Ross' Blog - He really did all of the research on them and runs on them quite a bit. Very helpful Ross, THANKS!  Make sure to check him out: Barefoot Odyssey he has a bunch of great videos and tons of information about it.

So I wore them all day. I went to the Commissary with them, I walked down to the stream with the boys and picked up all the garbage along the road.. I pretty much walked in them all day long. I did notice some discomfort towards the end of the day.. but I figure they're like any pair of shoes - they need to be broken in.

The lady at the store told me that it would be a good idea to wear them while doing my day to day chores and just walking around. I asked her when I should start running and she said that I should start off by cutting my mileage in half at first. So probably by mid next week, I'll try and run a mile or two in them.

Anyway, here they are:

And this is what they look like with my capris - kinda silly!

I decided to go with black because they're so neutral. I can wear them with everyday things like jeans even!
I have gotten a few questionable looks from strangers.. but I think it's funny.

Anyway, I'm running tomorrow with my regular sneaks, but I'll keep y'all updated on the work I do with my Vibrams!

Getting there

I don't think running on the treadmill is anything like running outside. But I've talked about that throughout my Blog enough that you're probably sick of hearing it.

But today I set the treadmill to 60 minutes, my pace at 5.5, and my incline at 1.5% and took off. For the first two miles I ran that  5.5 pace and then bumped it up to 6. Then back down and up for the rest of the workout. My breathing was great as well as my stride for the most part. But I did start to feel a pinch at the top of my left foot. I had the same kind of thing last week on my right. I was telling my Grandpa about it and he said the way I described it, it sounded like a bone spur. I hope that's not the case.

Anyway, I did set a new personal best. I did 5.70 miles in an hour. Ideally I would like to be at 6 miles in an hour but I'm getting there.

I figured that when race day actually came, I'd probably make it my goal to make it to each water stop and just keep a nice, slow pace. Keeping a slow pace is easy when I'm just running by myself, but when I'm in a race, I automatically just start full speed. Adrenaline pumping and every one's excited. It's hard not to let some of that rub off on you. I just pray that I can keep a steady jog pace. Id be very happy if I finished the darn thing in under an hour and a half. That's my goal. It's doable. I just have to take it easy. I also have to get a 5+ mile run outside a few times before hand. And even go down to the route and run it..

Monday I'll be heading back to the gym to cross train and I'm also watching what I eat and eating right. So hopefully by race time, it'll be a piece of cake. Ha :)

Oh golly!

I just went and did something really stupid.

I signed up for a 10k. I'm an idiot. I don't know what makes me think I can run a 10k!(6.2miles) Just because I ran an hour a couple of weeks ago? Man oh man what have I gotten myself into?

But, now that I've signed up, Id better start training. I have no real time goal in mind. I'd just like to be able to finish it. Not to mention cross it off of my Day Zero project. :)

It's called, Run for the Warriors <- you can check it out there. It's for a great cause and if you're in the Jacksonville area around May 14th, you can come down and show your support or even donate online :)

Anyway, it's done. I am already signed up. I've alreay paid. Now all I have to do is start training.. yikes!!