Crushed it.

I had my third 5k race this year today. I ran the local YMCA's 5k. 

So I forgot to take any pictures. Except of my socks..

Neon thorlo socks are the bomb, I'm telling ya.

I had three goals. 

1) Beat my previous 5k time (34:30)

2) Beat my Garmin 5k time of 32:11

3) Come in under 30 minutes.

I did all three of these things! 

Finishing Time: 29:33

Now this isn't fast to most people. My dad, who hasn't run for years, easily ran right along side me. I finished 5th in my age group. Of 6...

I know running is a "me" sport, where you are only competing against yourself, but it is difficult to never compare yourself to other runners. I train more than a lot of people and run a lot slower than them. Like, a lot. A whole lot.

But my wonderful boyfriend (more on him later!) put it in perspective for me. He said "Don't worry about what other people can or can't do. You still had fun doing it, and your goals are your goals, when you pass them, still be excited because you accomplished something you set out to do and you're one step closer to a minute faster." 

Sometimes we all need to take a step back and stop comparing ourselves to others. I'm going to try to focus on my accomplishments, not other people's. 

Why I am amazing: A selfish rant about what I CAN do and not what I can't.

1. In February, I couldn't run half a mile without stopping. With the help of couch25k, I can now run an entire 5k! That was only four months!

2. In April, I had a bad 5k, and started off way too fast. My time was 36:07. That means, in less than 2 months, I was able to shave over 6 and a half minutes off my 5k time.

3. In the months since I started running, I have noticed positive changes in my body, in my energy levels, and most importantly in my happiness and my confidence. To me, that is the most important thing about running.

So I guess you could say, with this 5k, that I crushed it.

Okay I need this shirt from old navy. Except there were only mediums and it was so long.

I got some sports bras & shorts though. Active sale for the win.

How was your Sunday? How do you focus on your goals and not other's times?

~Emily

A bad race.

Today, I ran my first 5k.
Or, I was supposed to.

I was really nervous this morning. I ate a rice cake with PB and drank lots of water.
I showed up and I was ready. I have trained for two months. I have run 3.8 miles before. I knew I could do it.

Before the race and ready to go!

I got off to a good start-but I ran too fast. Way too fast. I can't start out at a 7:30 miles.

I managed to slow myself down to an 8-9 minute mile, but then, at about mile 1.5, I got a cramp.

Now, when I get a cramp, I usually just take deeper breathes and slow down a bit and it goes away. No big deal, right? Well today, I slowed down and took deeper breathes- but the cramp kept getting worse. A lot worse. I was forced to walk- I tried all the usual techniques, like pushing on it, massaging it, taking deep breathes, stretching, but it just kept getting worse. I saw the mile 2 marker, and the time- 24:00.

I knew I couldn't run 1.1 miles in 6 minutes, and my cramp was still really terrible. I wanted to cry. I had worked so hard for this, and somehow I got a cramp today? How did it all disappear so fast?

 I managed to finally get rid of the cramp, but by that point, I was very discouraged, and it was past 30:00, my goal time. I ran the last half a mile, but by then it didn't matter.


I finished in about 36 minutes.

My goal time was 30 minutes.

I feel like I failed.


This was my first official 5k, and I had one goal- to finish, while running the whole way. I didn't complete that goal. This is really difficult for me. I failed.

The worst part is, I have run 3.1 miles before. I have run 3.7 miles before. According to my nike plus, I have run 3 miles in 28 minutes!

When I looked at my run on nike plus after the race, it shows that I ran 3.8 miles. I turned it on before the race started, and about two minutes after it ended, but I didn't get anywhere near .7 miles nike says I did.

This is really difficult. I thought I was running longer and faster than I was, for the past three weeks.

I am very disappointed in nike plus for having numbers that off. It is very discouraging for me as a runner.

I have another 5k on May 12th. I will run that one in under 30 minutes. I won't give up on myself or running. I love running- I just didn't love today.

A good start.

I've been two weeks in to the Couch to 5k program: and I am so excited.

It's only been TWO WEEKS but I can already see myself improving. I can go longer without feeling tired, and I am running slightly faster. The biggest improvement is that my legs don't hurt when I run now. During and after the first run, I have to admit, they hurt a little! Not a bad hurt, but the kind of hurt that happens when your muscles are working hard and then have to repair themselves. (I think.... Health class, did I remember that correctly? Haha!) These improvements are only little ones, but they keep me motivated to keep this up. 

How do I do it? I get up at 5:15 Mondays and Fridays and I go with my dad to the YMCA. Normally I get up around 6:30 or 7, so I thought getting up at 5:15 would be impossible...... But Pinterest was there to save me! (: I found some tips for getting up early. The ones I like and have used the most are:

1. Pack your gym bag the night before. 

2. Sleep in your workout clothes or have them right next to your bed.

3. Turn on a light as soon as your alarm wakes you up.

and the most important....

4. GET SOME SLEEP (: I go to bed between 9 and 10 the nights before I'm going to get up at 5:15. This is really the most important part to getting up early!!

Surprisingly, I'm not tired the days I run. In fact, by the time I get to school at 8, I am much more awake than I would normally be! My energy seems to last all day too. Also, maybe it's just luck, but I seem to have a more positive outlook on the days I work out in the mornings. (:

Have you tried the Couch to 5k program?

What motivates you to run?
What are your tricks to getting up early?
Are you happier on the days that you work out?

Have a marvelous day!

Emily

Goals.

Sorry I have been MIA for the last week or so. I was having crazy sugars and had to adjust some things with the pump... I was high enough to throw up a couple times, so I've been focusing my time on my numbers and then getting caught up at school. #teenagediabeticprobs.

Anyways......

I have always looked up to those people who can run for miles and miles just because they love it. I've always wanted to be one of those people, but I've never really.... done it. Now's my chance. Things with school are slowing down a tiny bit (without marching band) and I'm antsy to DO SOMETHING with my life. My blood sugars had been way off for about a month, when I finally made the switch back to the pump and started really putting the effort in to care about my body and my numbers.

A great number! I'm doing better! (:

I've decided that I'm going to run a 5k. I'm doing this to prove to myself that my body isn't broken, and to show others that I'm strong despite having a difficult disease. 

I'm using the Couch to 5k plan, using the app "C25K free" on my iphone. 

I'm working out at the YMCA three times a week. I'll run a 5k (or 10k if I'm ready) in June. 

However, I don't want that race to be the end of my journey. My ultimate goal is to run a half marathon in September of 2013. 

I'm looking into the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon. 

When I run the half, I will raise money for the American Diabetes Association through their fundraising site. 

I'll be blogging about my running journey over the next couple of weeks (:

Have you ever run a race?
Do you have any helpful tips for someone just getting started?

What has been your favorite race, and why?