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.