2012 Review

I have been thinking about the past year that last couple of days. 2012 brought new memories, new firsts and   an injury.

Here is the list of my races-

Big Game 10k - 2/5/2012 1:05:37
Jelly Bean 10k- 4/1/2012 57:48
Jelly bean 5k- 4/3/2012 27:42
Jim Klett Memorial 5k- 6/10/2012 28:58
Hall of Fame 5 miler 7/29/2012 49:40
Warrior Dash 8/25/2012 1:03:30
Erie Pa Presque Island Half Marathon 9/16/2012 2:0916
Kent State  Bowman Classic 5k 10/20/2012 26:37

I ran my first Half Marathon.

I PR'ed my 5k time. Kent State Bowman 5K- 26:37 I grew lightening legs.

My 2012 is a range of 673 - 700 miles. I estimate the top number because what I have recorded is the bottom number. I know there was runs I didn't log or track. 

I encountered my first running injury of a fractured ankle and 2 months off of running. I am grateful to be back to running before the end of the year.
I realize that had I not have been injured the my total mileage would have been much higher since I was running long runs consistently at that time.

I inspired and encouraged a few others to run this year or to start running. This warms my heart so much .
One is a friend who ran the Warrior Dash for her first race and is now hooked.

My family ( Mom and step-dad) saw me race for the first time. Meant the world to me that my family was there to see me race. My sister saw me race last fall. 

Terri has been there for me pretty much every race ( minus a few). She is my biggest cheerleader and encourager. I am lucky to have her . 

I ran my first anniversary race and placed first in my age group

My goals for 2013.....
I want to run 1-2 Half Marathons and would love to get a sub 2:00 Half.
I would love to get a group together to run the Tough Mudder.
I want to run more with others. I enjoyed running with the girls prior to my  half marathon and will make it an effort to run more with others this year.
More goals to come.

Happy New Year everyone.

Hot Dog!

It turned out to be  a beautiful day yesterday for my 1st Annual Anniversary run with the Jim Klett 5K.
Terri, her daughter and grandson and a good friend Moni came out to support me for the race. I was nervous- just the usual pre race nervous, nothing big. It also looked like it was going to be a hot one. Into the 80's by race time. I am still not acclimated to the warmer weather and I usually run around 6am when it is much cooler.

I felt like I got punk'ed coming out of the porta potty! Thanks Terri~

Lots of people running this year. I had no expectations of how I would do. I had my 3 goals. 1st one is to always finish. 2nd one was to be sub 29 and the 3rd was sub 28.

I might have started off a little to fast for me but I got in a groove and kept with it. I had a woman in front of me that I kept pace with and stayed right behind her the entire race.

I finished strong with a unofficial time of 28:58...hot dog that was good. I would have liked it to be less than that, but I am proud of myself. Given the heat. I actually had to do a walk period during the race due to heat.  I like to think that it helped me finish strong.
We stuck around for the awards. I had no expectations, not sure where I placed.
Who would have know that I got 1st place in my age group!!!!! Woot!!!!
I got my first award!!!! We so were not expecting it or Terri would have gotten my picture.

I feel so proud of myself today. Today I celebrate me being a runner. I would have never thought that over a year ago I would ever call myself a runner.

Anniversary

Wow...this week would be about 1 year of running for me.
Today my short runs are about 4 miles and my long runs about 8miles.

Here is a spinet from a blog post one year ago


I have had the feeling in me for awhile that I want to run.I held myself back. Out of fear and some vanity. Now being a bigger girl,I was afraid of what I would look like running. I was a fast runner in grade school but not in middle or high school. In grade school , but then the weight creeped on. In high school during a track meet where we were so far ahead in the points, the coach put us shot putters in the relay race as a joke and we won. Ok I got off track here.

I am done holding myself back. I need to get fit and I need to run. I may not be able to run long distances or for long durations but I can do something. So I started the couch to 5k...thank you Lori for the recommendation. I am into my 2nd week of it, well actually third on the podcast since I messed up and skipped week 2. I am doing a running and walking combo for 30 minutes and up to several 3 minute runs at a time.
I am enjoying it so far. I love the meditative place I go when running. I love the adrenaline rush and hearing my own heart beat fast.

I can see how some get addicted to this.
Oh and I don't look like a total boob out there running either. Gotta remember keep my head high!


So today I celebrate. Celebrate running, being fit and healthier and becoming me.