Race Day!!!

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 77.7
Miles to Rivendell: 380.3


I woke up at 5:30 this morning. I'd run a 5K distance on Friday, and got 40 minutes exactly (and that included around 2 minutes of walking). So I was prepared... minus a dream I had that I got last halfway through the race and had to go home.

Yeah, dreams are weird, and considering the race had over 1500 participates, it would have been 100% impossible to get lost. Also... all the signs and volunteers. But anyway. I got to the zoo early to snag a good parking spot and to chill and people watch. It was interesting to see how many people got their packets today. 

Creeper shots!

Lots of people lining up already! That long table was the water station.

I headed out to the start/finish line. My parents both were able to come, and they arrived just as the opening announcements were made. Unfortunately the PA system kept cutting in and out so I have no idea what the announcements were saying, and the poor girl singing the national anthem got gypped.

Fire trucks held up the flag so we could face it during the Star Spangled Banner.

Mom had to snap a pre-run photo. I love that I got bib number 999.

The air horn went off, and the race began! Thankfully it was chip timed, because it took forever to walk past the line. And there were a TON of walkers who decided "oh hey, i'm going to start here and walk six abreast so the runners can't get around us". That was a bit annoying. Anyway, I finally got to run and I weaved around the walkers and started the race in earnest.

The weather was perfect. Sunny, not too hot, not too cold. So many people wore their race shirts, but I'm glad I wore my zombie shirt, because it was bright and my parents could pick me out of the crowd.

I listened to the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack the entire race. I amuse myself. Anyway, the race wasn't difficult. I kept up a very steady pace. I'd never really run with other people, let alone 1500 people. It was fun watching the families and groups run. Some chatted, some focused on what they were doing like me. There were the normal runners in Forest Park passing by every now and then who'd glance over at us.

I actually don't remember a whole lot about the race itself. I didn't think about much, just keeping pace and watching the mile markers. I don't remember things I don't think about! About halfway through there were several volunteers passing out water, which I decided not to get because I didn't want to break my stride. I don't usually drink water while running either. Anyway, the last mile seemed pretty long, and when I got to that last .1 of a mile, seeing the finish line ahead of me, I sped up my pace and booked it.

Surprisingly, most of the other people I was running with didn't do that. Or at least I didn't notice it. I would have thought that would be much more popular. Oh well. In any case, I finished strong and at the finish line I got handed a finisher's ribbon. My mom ran up to me afterwards and I 100% burst into tears when I finished.

In fact, I was fighting back tears that last tenth of a mile.

So mom, dad, and I had a group hug and I caught my breath and got water and just kind of cried.

Totally unflattering, but I was sniffling back tears.

My parents walked me to the lakeside cafe to get my free breakfast, and then left to go home and go to church.

I went and got my breakfast (milk, orange, granola bar, and yogurt) and sat in the zoo eating and just generally basking in the glow. I decided against staying for the awards ceremony because I was tired and just wanted to chill out for awhile. But before I left, I wanted to check my race time.

FOUR MINUTES BETTER THAN I RAN ON FRIDAY. That's pretty significant. And also probably because I didn't walk at all. I also got in the upper half of every breakdown, which was nice. There were a lot of walkers, but still. Just under a 36 minute 5K? When I could barely run 30 seconds two months ago? Yeah, that's awesome. I want to get it down to 30 minutes, but I don't know what a realistic time frame for that is yet, so I'll just do what I've been doing and see where I go.

Anyway, I had an amazing race, and a wonderful time. I can't wait to run a race again!

On Your Left!

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 71.5
Miles to Rivendell: 386.5

Long run today! Got 6.66 (THE MARK OF THE BEAST) km under my belt today. I barely even noticed it! I did more walking than I wanted to, but that's what the app told me to do, so there you go.

It was a perfect day for a run. It was warm enough that I could wear shorts and a tank top, and there was a bit of a breeze to keep you cool as you went along. It was bright and sunny, and traffic wasn't too loud. Beautiful.

Also I nearly got run over by a bike. Sort of. Well, I finished up a 10 minute run and slowed to a walk and turned to my left and nearly shrieked (I did go "AH" loudly though) as I saw a kid on a bike had come right up on my left. I immediately went "SORRY!" and he was like 'YOU'RE FINE."

It scared the dickens out of me.

Then like five minutes later a runner came up behind me and called out "on your left!" which nearly had me in stitches because all I could think of was Captain America because I'm a dork. Sadly I wasn't wearing my Cap workout shirt. Anyway, the runner gave me a hang ten as he ran by, which was cool.

I finished right at my parents' house, so I went in and talked to my mom a bit. She laughed at me for taking a selfie of my BRAND NEW RUNNING BELT.

Catherine Approved.

I wanted to make sure I got a couple runs in with it before I used it on my race on Sunday. It fits my phone and my keys and a couple other things, so it'll be perfect to run with. And I barely even noticed it once I got going, which is nice. It's like a fanny pack only not completely lame. Just slightly lame, and my shirt covers it anyway.

Don't stop me now!

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 67.36
Miles to Rivendell: 390.64


Cuz I'm having a good time, I'm having a baaaaall!

Because of course it'd get cold in THE MIDDLE OF MAY!!

Awesome new headband though.

I thought it very fitting that "Don't Stop Me Now" popped up as the last song on my shuffle as I did my last 5 minute free form run today. Because I didn't want to stop. If you follow me on social media, you probably saw the picture I posted in the middle of my run. This one:

Not Pictured: My gross arm sweat

This, folks, is the face I made immediately after I finished a 20 minute free form run (while I was supposed to be stretching). Not only did I run the entire 20 minutes without stopping, but I didn't get out of breath, and I probably could have gone on another ten minutes. I kind of wish I'd kept track of how many kilometers I ran during that single stretch, but no big deal. I did over 6 km during this whole run, which is nice. 

Last August, I couldn't do many things. I could walk, after I limbered up, but I couldn't do much more than that. I had to ask for help to step over things, I had to have help opening bottles. I couldn't even drive for very long.  To even run a few steps was nigh unthinkable. Riding a bike was 100% out of the question.

Now I'm running a 5K race in less than six days.

Aces.

Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands.

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 63.59
Miles to Rivendell: 394.41

Hey look a smile!

I had to quote a little bit of Legally Blonde after this run. Not only was the ENTIRE run absolutely enjoyable (every step), but I feel as though I've crossed another threshold.

Even Wednesday the run was getting me tired and worn out (though a lot of that might have had to do with the heat and humidity). Monday and Wednesday were just HARD. But today I could run 5 minutes straight without losing my breath or getting a crazy fast heart rate. I felt as if I could run for miles at a time. When I crossed that first threshold, I felt as if I could just keep on running, but I was so tired. I pushed on, knowing I didn't have to stop, but I was still tired. Now? Now I felt energized even as I ran. It was remarkable.

I didn't push myself as hard as I might have. I'm a bit too close to my 5K race to do that. I don't want to hurt myself when I'm so close! At the rate I was running, and how easy it was, I feel so much more confident than I did last week. All my hard work is paying off, and it feels amazing. 

Next week is going to be hard, but I'm looking forward to it. Work has been so busy, what with graduation season, but I'm trying to give it my all. I've thought a little bit about vocations lately (it's the Lutheran in me), about how work is my vocation, just as being a Christian, being a writer, and now, being a runner. Running has helped me in a lot of ways so far, and not just physically. I don't have to think about anything at all while I run, and as someone diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, that's exactly what I need. A time to shut off all the crappy thoughts and just focus on the moment. It's something I can dedicate myself to, a little bit out of a day. Something I can give my all to and be the best I can be, for me.

It's one of the best decisions I've made in my adult life.

I melted.

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 60.33
Miles to Rivendell: 397.67

I did exactly 5 kilometers today, in 44 minutes. That's INCLUDING a beginning 10 minute walk and 6 other minutes of walking. So my progress is looking good, in my opinion! I felt much better than I did on Monday in terms of endurance and all that. However, I did take a couple minute break halfway through because I was dying of thirst.

I stopped into the bakery and grabbed some water. I think I need to buy a belt to hold a small water bottle on if it's going to be this crazy humid for the rest of the summer. I can't do that much exercise without water when I'm sweating so much. 

The humidity this morning was nearly 100%. I think it was close to 96% or higher. The fog was terrible, but it burned off by around 9. Now the skies are darkening again as we're getting yet more spring storms. It's May in St. Louis, we're going to get stupid weather.

lllllllaaaaadies.

Hey, I gotta do my stretches!

Two weeks to go

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 57.23
Miles to Rivendell: 400.77

Hard run today. It wasn't even that long, about ten minutes shorter than I have been lately. I dunno, I just feel like my endurance has gone down this past week.

Oh well, I'll just work hard. I have just under two weeks until my race. 

Maybe it's the weather?!

On the bright side, I am seeing physical results. Since I've been eating WAY healthier than I used to, and I'm running at least three times a week, I've slimmed down and lost some weight. This summer I should be svelte and rockin'. Or something. I don't even know. I just wanted to use the word svelte. 

Now, to take a shower and go grocery shopping. My pantry is so empty right now. 

Can't Beat the Heat

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 50389
Miles to Rivendell: 407.11

It's only 79*F (only hahahahaha), but it felt so much hotter! After a long, hot day at work (eleven hours plus! Though still not as long as I worked yesterday), I needed a good run. Thankfully it was much better than Wednesday's run. 

I've noticed that I have a hard time keeping a good, steady pace during the first part of my run. I get tired out easily. But then at the end of my run, I feel like I could jog forever. I guess I need to warm up or something, I don't know. Either way, I hope I can smooth out my beginnings over the next couple of weeks. It doesn't help that I've worked some very long hours this week. Graduation and Mother's day all rolled into one week. That means a very busy bakery!

I was almost done with my run when my mom called me to ask for a ride to pick up her car. Thankfully the call didn't throw me off much, and I finished the run stronger than ever and then I stretched, went to pick up mom, then came home and made a strawberry banana smoothie.

Here's hoping I have a good run tomorrow.

Ho Hum

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 47.28
Miles to Rivendell: 410.72

I was gone all weekend visiting my best friend in Detroit, and it kind of messed up my workout routine. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but my phone glitched as I was running today and I lost most of my run information. At least I know how many kilometers I ran. It wasn't a fun run; I didn't read the summary carefully so I thought I was done a full nine minutes before I was REALLY done, so I burnt myself out early. At least i got a full 5K under my belt today, and most of it was jogging.

Leaps and Bounds

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 40.03
Miles to Rivendell: 417.97

I find it kind of funny that I didn't go quite as far as I did on Monday. Not a big deal, it was less than a quarter of a kilometer less. I probably just walked slower during the 5 minute break between my free form runs at the end.

I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to do my run today and would have to postpone it til tomorrow. We've had some crappy weather here lately. Some gentle thunderstorms yesterday (even the hail was dainty) in spite of the green sky, and rain today. It was supposed to be really bad thunderstorms, but I didn't even get the satisfaction of awesome thunder. :P Oh well, that meant I got to run without incident.

It DID start raining during my first 10 minute free form run. Thankfully I'd tied my anorak-style rain jacket around my waist since my phone arm band isn't water proof. The rain didn't last long, but my zipper got screwed up.

However, I discovered something very interesting while I was running in the brief rain. I've crossed over some endurance threshhold. I stopped twice during my first 10 minutes, once to fix the zipper for a few seconds, and once for about 30 seconds to rest. I just didn't feel like I needed to stop. I was pretty much just jogging at that point, but it was an amazing moment. 

I only stopped once during the second 10 minute free form run, about 4 minutes in to walk for about 30-45 seconds (I didn't keep track). The rest I just ran. To say that I'm pleased with myself is an understatement.

The 88% humidity was not my friend. My arms got sweaty in the jacket, and even though it was cool I sweated like crazy. I can only imagine how awful it's going to be when it's in the upper 90's with 90% humidity in July. :P

An obviously posed selfie.

Progress is always nice

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 36.33
Miles to Rivendell: 421.6

Smashed through 6 kilometers on my run this morning. I was not expecting that, especially since I felt kind of sluggish during my walk/run drills. But at the end, during my free form runs, I was like LETS DO THIS THING.

And then I ran the entire distance between my parents' house and my house without stopping so that was nice. It's not quite half a mile but I didn't think I'd be able to do it, especially at the end of the run (there was 2 minutes left of the entire workout).  So yay for smashing my expectations of myself? IDEK.

It was perfect weather for a run, though. Not too hot, the sun wasn't too high yet, and there was a bit of a breeze every now and then. Good times.

Strawberry infused water, yum yum.

Now I desperately need a shower and something more than a banana to eat.

Back in the Zone!

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 32.48
Miles to Rivendell: 425.52

Today I felt much better than I did Wednesday! I had a bit of a shorter workday than I bargained for, and I was feeling REALLY good, so I thought I'd try my run today and it went splendidly! I had none of the issues I did on Wednesday, and it was bright, sunny, and warm. I put on sunblock just in case. I'm so fair, I don't want to get burned just because I'm trying to get into shape!

My heatgear under armour shirt is AMAZING.

And even better news! I'm officially halfway done with my 5K training! Exactly one month until my 5K!! I don't feel ready yet... but I do have four weeks left of training. However, It's amazing how much longer I can run without feeling like I'm going to keel over. It's hard to believe it's only been four weeks since I could barely run 30 seconds without losing my breath, and now I'm running for 3 minutes straight. Rock on! I could probably do more but I'm only pushing myself so far so I can get home. :P Maybe in the next couple of weeks I'll see how long I can go during my free form runs in my sessions.

Pushing On

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 29.2
Miles to Rivendell: 428.8


HARD run today. I didn't do quite as well as I did Monday. I don't know what was wrong, but it was hard getting going. I thought I'd hurt myself at first, especially since I nearly tripped a couple times. But I managed to get back on track. All the running may have just caught up with me and my body's tired. But I did over 3 miles so I can't complain, not really!

Instead of running on Friday I may take the extra day and do my run on Saturday. I'll do a lot of stretches today and see if that helps. 

Lake Trails

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 26
Miles to Rivendell: 432

New scenery for my run today! And I definitely changed things up...

I spent the weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks with my parents and ran on a hiking and biking trail. I even saw two deer while out. The app had me do a lot of walking (fast and slow), and I finished with a 15 min free form run. I'm happy to say I ran most of the 15 minutes, and ran straight for the last 3 minutes. I could have done more, but didn't want to over extend myself in a new place. The weather was perfect, and it was quiet. It was a lot of fun.

I also bought some sweet kicks!

New running shoes are awesome. They're so light weight and comfortable. 

Also I got a new shirt from Etsy.

It seemed fitting.

Why I run.

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 22.55
Miles to Rivendell: 435.45

I seem to be inspiring other people to run. Go me!

I figured I'd wrap up this week's training with a post about my decision to start running. I mentioned before that when I was a kid I did track for a year. I wasn't very good at it, and I'm not entirely sure I enjoyed it, but it was nearly twenty years ago so I can't remember the details. Except that I did a relay at a track meet and we did ok. Maybe?

In any case, my adult life for the past twelve years has been fraught with many negative factors. Since before I was a teenager, I've struggled with depression, and undiagnosed anxiety. When I hit my teenage years, especially when I was about 19 and going into my twenties, I started getting very, very sick. Nothing that really alarmed us at first (the 'very' wasn't known until later). Just stomachaches and other things that started small and grew and grew, but slowly enough that I didn't realize how much pain I was living in or that I started to subconsciously steer away from certain foods. It got worse until I couldn't ignore it anymore. After a couple years of back and forth, a colonoscopy, a very expensive blood test, a small bowel series, and finally culminating in me swallowing a pill-sized camera to take photos of my digestive system, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease around Thanksgiving 2008.

It wasn't a surprise by that point; my mother and aunt both have the disease, and I'd had the symptoms for so long that the diagnosis came as a relief. I could finally start getting treatment. I wanted to be healthy.

Treatment didn't really work. It sort of did, for awhile. I was still sick a lot. I was still limited. Not by too much, as I went to Hong Kong in the summer of 2010 and didn't have any Crohn's issues there, thank goodness. But the next year? I consider 2011 the worst year of my life, and considering some of the bad crap that's happened, that's saying something. In any case, it started earlier in the year, with strange arthritis pain, and then continuing on with an abscess that burst in late summer. And then a round of visiting doctors and surgeons before I finally went in to a consultation with a surgeon specialist a week after my 25th birthday. I left that day after undergoing a surprise surgery. The rest of the year was still pretty pitiful, as recovery wasn't easy.

I did okay for awhile. I just did my thing for the next few years, including going on an epic trip to Australia and New Zealand (that included a 20 km hike over an active volcano), and I was put on Humira because my Crohn's was still acting up. Finally, I thought! A medication that actually WORKS. Sure, I had to inject myself twice a month, but it was worth it.

Until it wasn't worth it anymore.

Last year I started getting arthritis again. Ask anyone I hung out with for any length of time last summer and into fall. I could barely move without pain. Sleeping hurt! I don't know how I managed to work so much. My hair started falling out, I'd have weekly migraines, my appetite was so low I barely ate and lost 10 pounds. I finally went to my doctor, who referred me to a rheumatologist. After undergoing upwards of 25 blood tests, it was confirmed. I had drug induced lupus. From the Humira. Good news? It goes away when you stop the medication. Bad news? It takes FOREVER for a major biologic like Humira to work itself out of your system.

But by Christmas, I was nearly back to normal again. Still some stiffness in my hands when I woke up, and by Easter that was completely gone.

Three weeks ago, I looked at my life. I was still getting my strength back from my vicious arthritis. I'd already started eating much healthier long ago since I started cooking more and I'd learned to love vegetables. I realized that I'd tried so many times to get fit and failed because I was afraid of getting sick. I mean, I hated exercise too, but I know a large part of my reluctance was because I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I was going to get sick again, full stop. Crohn's has no cure.

But last September, I got some of the best news of my life. Humira gave me lupus, but it also forced my Crohn's into remission. It can and probably will come back, but I've felt the healthiest I have since I was a teenager. Since before then, I think. I'm getting treatment for my depression and anxiety, so my head is getting healthy. My body isn't attacking itself and I can eat whatever I want without being scared I'm going to be ill.

It was time. And I think it really was. I mentioned before how I'd fail every time I'd try to run. This time, I'm doing better each day. I'm sure I'll have setbacks; every athlete does. But I'm looking forward to running. I'm looking forward to my first 5K on May 22nd. I'm looking forward to hitting the pavement with my headphones and my silly zombie app.

I want to hit my 30th birthday as a healthy, happy athlete. I think I've got a good start. I have friends and family who are supporting me, even if it's just a like on my progress statuses on Facebook. I have a good job, sweet pets, and my own little house. I'm doing good. I'm doing real good. I've fought my way here, through literal blood, sweat, and tears.

Every time I go for a run I can tell myself that I made it this far. I may have a chronic disease. I may have depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and they may attack me in the future. But right now? Right now I'm doing what I want to do, and I'm loving every minute of it.

I did it!

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 19.48
Miles to Rivendell: 438.52

I crossed 5K! I actually did 5.15 kilometers! Not only that, but my pace is faster, I can run longer more consistently, and I passed both my mother and father driving (separately) the opposite direction!

AND I GOT ATTACKED BY A DACHSHUND. Sort of... well It sort of bit me but it didn't hurt. The creature got off it's leash. The poor lady was so embarrassed.

Anywho, I did 5.5km in 44 minutes, which for someone who less than a month ago hadn't even run since January (long story), is pretty good! 

I crashed. After I stretched, of course.

Now, I'd better go finish drinking my V8 infused water and stop eating carrots so I have some for cooking dinner tonight.

Rain or Shine... Mostly rain.

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 16.28
Miles to Rivendell: 441.72

I woke up this morning at 7 AM to cloudy, rainy skies. That entire sentence isn't unusual; though, I should say usually I wake up much earlier to go to work. But as for the rain? Get used to the grey, you're in St. Louis. Since it wasn't lightning or storming or anything, I geared up and went for my run. I had a new workout on the app today, as it's week 3, and man.

My muscles were tight from not running in two days! But I stretched out and went for it. It was a longer workout, so I did nearly 5K. If I had done a bit more running at the end I might have crossed it, but I was tired and it was cold and rainy.

Actually, it wasn't even that cold. My jacket does a pretty good job of holding in heat (it's actually a ski jacket I got at REI). Though I need better running shoes... my toes were getting wet.

Then I came home and accidentally made twice as much oatmeal as I wanted to eat. Go me!

Not quite as wet as I feared!

Wait, am I a runner now?!

Running through Middle-earth
Miles from Hobbiton: 13.25
Miles to Rivendell: 444.75

"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say."

I never thought, at least since I hit puberty, that I'd be interested in running. I mean, as a kid I loved sprinting and I even did track for a year when I was ten. I"ve tried many times in my adult life to start 5k training, and failed miserably every time. This time, however, I'm using the Zombies Run 5K training app, and I discovered something.

I'm really liking running!

I'm as shocked as you are. But in all seriousness, I guess having the app tell me when to walk or run or how much time has passed really helps to keep me engaged. In any case, I just finished my second week of training, and I'm looking forward to doing more!

Music is essential for my running, which is why you'll never see me run without my pink headphones in. I have quite the "Running from Zombies" playlist, to go along with my app and my weird fascination with zombies in pop culture. It seems to work for me, which is wonderful. I'm finally getting exercise, and I'm finally sticking with it.

So this blog is going to be mostly for my own records; I'm going to keep track of my runs and mileage. As you could see at the top of the post, I'm tracking the mileage by Middle-earth terms. I guess you can say I'm a multifandom runner.

My goals are to be able to run the 5K at the zoo on May 22nd, to run at least 3 times a week, and to run at least 4 races over all this year. If all goes well, I'll probably do more! But this blog is going to be a way to keep myself accountable, as well as to amuse myself since I'm horribly vain and I love talking about myself.

Follow along, if you please. If you don't, that's fine too. It's all good!