To Do: Run first 5K... Check!

Well, I finished my 5K today and it was awesome!  It was in the low 50s, which is perfect for me, and it was spitting rain, off-and-on, which isn't so perfect, but wasn't that bad.  I wasn't fast - I knew I wouldn't be.  I ran some and walked some, but running with 1993 other people is vastly different than running by myself in my neighborhood or in the MetroPark!


Out of 1994 people, I came in at 1507, so certainly not in the very back of the pack.  Out of 134 women in my division, I was 101st, so, again, not at the very back. I did the race in just under 49 minutes (the first-place woman was 22 years old and did it in 16:58!!!)

One thing I learned is that it's difficult to drink from a paper cup while you are running!  Now I know why I see runners squeeze the cup so it creates a spout.  When I do my next 5K, in 2 weeks, I hope to come in a little faster.  The weather is difficult to predict at the end of October, so I don't know what I'll be in for, there.  I'll pretty much be happy if it's not raining.  Or really windy.  Or sleeting.  Or... It's Michigan so I know that if there's anything I can count on, it's NOT the weather!


All in all, I was happy with my performance.  I got a hug (and a kiss) from Paws after the race, which was pretty cool.  I got a hug and a kiss from John, too, which always makes me happy.  In other sports news:  Paws is, unfortunately, now on winter break, since the Tigers lost last night's playoff game.  That's a bummer.   And our Lions lost their first game of the season this afternoon, just block away from where I finished my run.  Not the best weekend in professional Michigan sports.  Also, U of M lost to MSU in the big college football battle.  I'm happy to cheer for MSU when they're playing someone else, but when they're up agains UM...  Oh well.  Go Blue. Go Honolulu Blue and Silver - and go Me!

Fab Friday running

Another beautiful morning for a run.  Actually, I've jut learned that, based on my pace, I'm not quite running - I'm jogging!  But, despite my usual preference to be more precise when dealing with such details, it's taken me a long time to call it running, and myself a runner (as opposed to airquote running and airquote runner), so I'm just going to stick with running!

This morning I did a 35 minute run.  It felt great!  Well, at one point I did feel like slowing to a walk, but knew that it wasn't really necessary and kept going.  The feeling passed and the run was uneventful.  It was a wonderful 63 degrees (17 C).  I only saw a couple of cars while I was out - one with a dog named Max riding happily in the back seat with his head out the window.  He gave me a look like "You're running to get somewhere?  How primitive!"   From a distance I also saw my husband leaving to go to the Metropark for his morning bike ride.  We'll both be headed to the Metropark on Sunday to run and ride, then meet back up when we're done.  Still don't have my Nike+ sensor replaced, so none of my miles this week are recorded on my log. =(

I heard some great music on today's run.  Whenever I sync my iPod the playlist resets and everything shuffles into a different order while some songs are replaced.  Today I was accompanied by Queen V, Adam Ant, Nickleback, The Detroit Cobras and others.  Lady Ga Ga sang a techno version of Just Dance throughout my warm up, and it was a good start. 

I will be back on Sunday to report in on my next run, but will hopefully have my post up about meeting The Penguin and Coach Jenny tomorrow.  I didn't want to post about it until I have a chance to get the pictures off  my phone to include with it. Til Sunday...

Wednesday What The...?

What an interesting time out running this morning!  First of all… I don’t know who has been playing with my iPod, and changing my playlist (Max!) but there was some mighty strange music that came up this morning.  Yes, I did get AC/DC, The Donnas, Nickleback, Alice Cooper and The Detroit Cobras, but intermixed was a lot of classical, Latin American dance music, some Irish drinking songs and a few Barry Manilow tunes.  Now, I like Barry as much as the next girl (maybe even a little more) but he’s never – NEVER – been on my workout playlist, much less my running tunes.  Barry, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry.  Weekend in New England just doesn’t cut it when I’m trying to stay motivated while running at 5:45 in the morning.  Despite its status as the very first 45 I ever bought, it just didn’t work out for me today.

Then, suddenly all of my neighbors have dogs that are out at that time of day?  Really?  And there wasn’t a person in sight.  Was I trapped in some kind of alternate universe where the dogs all take themselves for walks?  Do they clean up after themselves, too?  I was barked at by 3 yappy little dogs, then a larger moppish looking dog barked at me in a friendly sort of way, while it was wagging at me –  unlike the little dogs who were probably saying “run over here close enough to me and I’ll bite your calves until you bleed to death!"

The weather was wonderful.  Cool, clear, not humid or windy.  The “run” was less than stellar, but not horrible.  I don’t really expect stellar runs just yet, so it wasn’t a huge disappointment.   I would have liked to feel more comfortable while I was out, though.  I was still looking forward to the times when I could walk for a few minutes, and those few minutes came and went all too quickly.  All in all, it was better than Monday’s time out, and I shouldn’t complain.  Waiting for things to happen (like this “running thing” clicking and becoming a regular part of my life) is not a strong trait of mine – ask anyone!  In the immortal words of Veruca Salt “I want it now!”

On that note I’ll end today’s bloggery with a picture of something seen on my run.
 

C25K2-2 run environment: 66 degrees at 5:45 am – another beautiful morning!