Unofficial 5k PR

Today I went for a run in my new Team Ultra swag! Michelob Ultra picked me and I’m an official sponsored beer runner! I am grateful and humbled to be selected by this awesome brand. I have met so many fun, interesting, inspiring and motivated runners through Team Ultra and hopefully I’ll meet many more! So I took my new swag for a 5k and nailed it! 22:03 unofficial 5k PR!!! I set into a pace and resisted the urge to check my watch. First two miles were strong and third I began to feel the telling signs of fatigue. I was finally in the finish stretch feeling light headed and tired. The feeling is so different than marathon fatigue. I feel my lungs pumping air, each muscle contracting and the energy pushing me forward. I immediately stopped as my watch chimed. Exhausted, thirsty and overcome with joy. Mabye this swag is my lucky charm!

Barre, Run, Repeat

Today I went to barre and took a rest day from running. This week I had a great mix of runs and barre classes. Monday I had an AWESOME barre class focusing on arms and abs, it really was a great new routine and fun group. Next I fit in two other runs besides my threshold run Wednesday. It was a good mix of paces, running friends and cross training. I squeezed in one last barre class last minute on Friday before scrambling to get my daughter ready for her Daddy Daughter Dance. It was a solid week, now to deal with losing an hour this weekend!!!

Speedwork

Today I went for a run and completed my second round of speedwork. I tried a threshold run involving ten – three minute intervals. I’m not sure what a threshold pace would be so I tried to hang around a 7:30 pace. It was pretty fun! The three minutes was long enough to find a groove, but short enough to not completely drain the batteries. I looped around the neighborhood three times and then made my way back. Today my meeting started at 830, so I had a few extra minutes if the run went over and luckily it didn’t! It was a great mix of starting with Shawn for the first two miles, picking up the pace solo and then an easy cool down as the sunrise spilled over the horizon. This 5k training has been pretty fun so far!

Multitasking Run

Today I went for a run while I waited for my car to have an oil change and tire rotation. I was in a meeting all day and scheduled my oil change directly after. To maximize time and daylight I took to the back roads on and adventure run!!!

I hit the time just right! The sun was starting to set and casting long shadows on the rolling hillside. I moved up and down the hills, but was surprised by a few steep hills I hadn’t realized were on the route. Next time, check elevation before running! I made it back just as they finished my car and was happy to check two things off my list!

5k Baseline

Today I went for a run and ran the Leap Year 5k in DC. Besides running my 40th marathon before 40, another goal was to rock a 5k PR. Currently my 5k PR is 22:36. I’ve have run a few Turkey Trots with my kids, but I have only raced two 5ks. I really want to see if I can get a 5k PR this year and push myself to be uncomfortable in a different kind of race. So flash forward to today. I lined up for my baseline 5k to see where I currently stand. I choose DC because I was hoping to tag on a few miles after and check out the monuments. Well, I did not expect the winds and sub 30s Feel Like temperature. We took off for the race, first mile 7:07 – way too fast. I pushed forward keeping behind who I thought was the 3rd female. We looped around Haines Point and the wind that was coming from the side hit me from the front. I passed three 10k racers and missed the 5k turnaround. I quickly turned and caught back up to the 3rd female who I had passed, but lost my ground after my error. The wind made me tear up and winds bit my cheeks. I pushed along at a 7:25 pace. Soon I was making the turn in the final .10 the other female passed me taking back 3rd place. I cheered her as she passed and hung behind her. Did I have juice left to beat her, I’m not sure. But I let her go and crossed 2 seconds behind her and lost 3rd female.

Overall time 22:39. Only 3 seconds off my PR and 1st in age group. At first I thought, “I should have checked my watched because maybe I would have found that juice.” But overall I was satisfied that for my baseline 5k I was right at my PR. Now I can get to work and learn how to be uncomfortable in this foreign 5k race. Hands down, this was tough! It’s a different pain than a marathon. So hard to find a pace when you’re already making your way to the finish. But I’m looking forward to my spring races and new goals! Let the 5k training begin!

3 runs and Sore legs

Today I went for a run after spending the day at school on a Saturday. Sometimes even on a sunny day you have to work, but at least I got home with time to spare for a few miles. I’m not sure I’ll get a long run this weekend. My legs are super sore and I’m not very sure why. I went to barre Thursday night and Jen is a great instructor known to make you squat and squat… and squat…. But, I’m not sure that was it. Despite the fatigue, I was able to finish six miles and caught the last bit of warm rays before the sun set on a warm February day.

NJ run ❤

Today I went for a run in NJ on those familiar country roads. It was a chilly morning with a 25 degree temperature and feels like 19 chill. It didn’t stop me though as a laced up for ten miles. I was still riding high on a great lasagna birthday dinner the night before with family. This is one of the only times the entire family comes together between Christmas and Easter. Despite the cold weather cows and sheep still paced around their muddy pens filled with frozen puddles as the condensation from my breathe froze on my buff.

It was quiet, but cardinals jumped around on branches easily spotted I’m the brown brush. I took my familiar route going out six miles one direction and another four the opposite direction. Enjoying the rolling hills, humming to my music and just breathing in the fresh air. I can’t say we have had many cold mornings, but despite feeling under dressed, I soon warmed up and took the chilly breeze with each stride.

The sun never came up and I made it back in time to quickly jump in the shower to warm my frozen body. My daughter begged me to get fresh Jersey bagels and soon enough we were at the bagel shop. I nice cup of coffee, warm bagel and a relaxing breakfast after a 10 mile run. Great way to start the day!!! I wonder if my daughter might start joining me on some if these morning runs. Time will tell.

Wednesday with the Guys

Today I went for a run, early before school. No joke, that was tough. I was tired! Motivation has dwindled with the cooler temperature, rain and no race on the horizon. The toasty flannel sheets made it hard to plant two feet on the ground, but eventually there we were at Honeygo under a bright, almost last quarter moon. As always, with a packed day ahead, there was no regret that I was able to get in a few morning miles.

More importantly I did some research and I found a plan to help me train for a solid 5k. I settled on one of my goals being a fast 5k before I turn 40. My current 5k time is 22:36 and anything under this time would be awesome. I’ve never been a speed demon, nor someone into pushing my limits; therefore, this seems like a good way to end my 30s with a bang! Next week I’ll start trying out some new runs, speedwork and paces that might make me uncomfortable. Instead of being timid and reverting to my easy going attitude, I’ll embrace the excitement of something new.

Solo Tuesday

Today I went for a run solo and missed the school group run. Parenting – sometimes you just can’t fit it all in. Regardless I shifted, adapted and got in a solo run after school. Luckily the rain had cleared up from earlier in the day and the temperature hung around 50. With a few new tunes loaded I hit the streets for six miles before dinner. Despite missing my school group, it was nice to log a few solo miles.

BRRC Cupid’s Crush 2020

Today I went for a run and completed the BRRC Cupid’s Crush Five Mile run! The Baltimore Road Runners running club is a fun community of runners of all abilities who provide fantastic races year round. January included a few races, Father Time Frolic and Frozen Finger 5 Miler, I was unable to attend but luckily this race was a sure bet. The weather has been very inconsistent and luckily it was warmer than last year low 30s! We got to the race early, picked up our bibs and awesome pom pom hats before relaxing in the car until the start. With five minutes before the start we lined up, scanned the crowd for familiar faces and were ready to enjoy a fun run with hills. Five miles and many hills later we were making our way towards the finish. It’s funny how you forget not every race has to be a long marathon. The sun had warmed the day to 40 degrees, we had an assortment of cookies to choose from and a finish line carnation along with our pom pom hats as parting gifts. What a great race and running community to be a part of here in Baltimore!