Post Race

I am so proud of Caitlin, she did great!

Pastor ended up running with her, as Shaun ended up having to work. Her first 2 miles were 10 minutes miles and her third was nearly 15 minutes. She struggled. But Pastor encouraged her and kept her going. She ran the entire race in 34:52 and placed 10th in her age group. This morning she is sore and tired, but says she is going to keep running. She is awesome!

I did great my first 2 miles as well, I paced exactly 11:30 each one (those intervals are already paying off). And like Caitlin, I struggled that third mile. I did very briefly walk 3 times during that last mile, but I am still very happy with my race. I finished in 38:38, a personal record for me, by a minute and a half.

I think we both struggled that last mile because we have only been running 2 miles. I am going to start running 3 miles each time I go out instead of 2. And it won't be long until I am ready for my next race!

The race itself was a blast! It was very well organized and had a Halloween theme. Tons of great post-race snacks, hot apple cider, fun music, fabulous door-prizes, and the trophies were a hoot. People were dressed up in costumes. It was a great race for Caitlin's first, she had a lot of fun! Kudos to the organizers, we hope to do it again next year!

Tomorrow is Race Day

I am pumped! Tomorrow is the Trek or Treat 5k. I am going to run the whole thing. Pastor has helped break down that wall that makes me want to walk. Between watching the Chicago Marathon and the interval training last Monday, I have confidence. Witnessing the marathon itself and how Pastor struggled with his training over the summer, made me realize how wimpy my 3.1 mile struggle is. A 5k is nothing. As for the intervals, Pastor definitely pushed me far beyond the point where my brain is telling my body to flip to the "Off" switch.

I can do this. I am ready.

Caitlin will be running in this race as well. I talked Shaun into running with her so I don't have to worry about her wimping out on me. I know she will struggle. Tomorrow will complete Week 6 for her (25 minute run). And the way she complains and cries about every ache and pain during her training, she will end up walking part of it.

Don't get me wrong, I am proud of her, she is doing great! But she needs to toughen up a bit. I told her the other day that running is hard, there will be pain, that she needs to get past that in order to enjoy it. I think this race will be pivotal for her, she will either decide to continue running and yearn for more, or she will decide she is done and it's too hard. Either way, I am still proud of her. She had a goal, she worked hard for it, and she will meet it.

Race for Education

5 minute warmup, 10 minute run, 3 minute walk, 10 minute run

Today is the Race for Education at my kids school. It is their only fundraiser for the entire year and they raise about $20,000. People can sponsor the students either by paying per lap or just a flat donation. The kids have fun and get some exercise and parents don't have to worry about buying useless, overpriced crap from a bunch of little fundraisers throughout the year.

I always go and run with my kids and/or volunteer to help. This year I ran. I was out there for almost 2 hours between my 3 kids. I got my Week 6 Day 2 run finished in the first hour and ran some extra laps. The second hour, Caitlin came out and I ran Week 5 Day 2 with her. I didn't finish with her on the last 8 minute run (I was exhausted!) but still managed to run a few extra laps. She did great, I think this was the most laps she has ever ran since she started school.

My total distance for this morning was 5.5 miles. A personal record for me in distance. It is also the longest I have gone in my minimalist shoes. My arches hurt. And I need a nap. However, I have to return to teach my 8th period class. At least it's only one today.

I am so proud of all the kids going out to run today. I was out with preschool through 5th grade. They all did great!

My partner

Have I mentioned that my oldest daughter Caitlin (9 years old) is doing the Couch to 5k with me?

How cool is that?

She said she wanted to run in a 5k race with me next summer, so I offered to have her do the program with me as I transition. So we have been running together. I am enjoying it, we get to have some private girl time together.

Unfortunately, due to my injury, she is getting ahead of me. She finished Week 3 on 9/12 and will be moving on to week 4. So I will have some catching up to do. Good thing I have mornings to myself now, so I can run. Once those pesky feet heal up anyway.