America's Sweetest Race - Hot Chocolate 15k/5k

Before I begin I'd like to note that there is so much I wanted to blog about this past week but when I had any downtime to actually sit down and write, I was fast asleep. Actually having to take time off work to play taxi for my children is a full time job in itself when they are this busy. Working, playing chauffer, coaching cheer and playing mom = one exhausted woman! Needless to say I only ran on Monday this week and walked Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday I worked instead of participating in any outdoor activities. So I'm just going to let it all slide and continue foward because I did it! I crossed the finish line on two feet, running! As opposed to my previous thoughts of me crawling across on all fours.

Thursday night (inbetween dropping my son off for mma classes and dropping off my daughter for cheer practice) I went to pick up my packet for the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k. I was so excited and after picking up the packets for the Color Run (both which benefit Ronald McDonald House Charites - New Mexico) I knew I should pick up my own since they have merchandise for sale. Packet pick-up was yet again so easy it seemed like a dream. You could literally be in and out within 5 minutes (if you are only picking up your packet of course). After buying the hoodie I wanted since seeing it on Facebook, and those that know me know how much I love hoodies, we were on our way out. Now of course I bought my daughter a shirt since she was pissed that she couldn't run because it interferred with her cheer and myself a shirt. In the parking lot was the "RV" with chocolate samples from the HC Tour Crew and I must say that it was some of the best chocolate I have tasted in a while.



Friday night I went back to packet pick up with my "goodest" friend aka Running Regina (HA! I finally found a name for her) so she could find a shirt to wear for the run. While we looked at the merchandise again the kids fully indulged themselves in samples of chocolate. Remember the shirt that I bought the previous night? Well even though I really wanted the pink one that I bought it fit me much like wet spandex - no exaggeration. So I bought me the orange one in the next size up and it's truly amazing what a difference one size will make. I also bought me a "running" shirt to wear for the race. Running Regina also bought herself a cute top to wear for run day. Now let me add that since she had someone else pick up her packet for her she had no idea that there was merchandise for sale. After getting everything together and deciding what to wear for the race I decided that I was not near as ready as I had hoped I would've have been after trying to prepare for the past 3 months. My son had decided that he didn't want to run with me but that he wanted to volunteer. Good for him! So off to bed I go because I need all the rest I can get in order to make sure I can give this run every effort I got.



D-Day - Saturday September 29. 2012

Alarm goes off at 5:05am. I hit the snooze a couple of times before I actually rolled myself out of bed to jump in the shower. I get myself dressed, brush my hair into a tight ponytail and lace up my shoes. I wake my son so he can get ready to go volunteer. I had every intention of being downtown no later than 630am. Unfortunately, that is when I was leaving my house. I arrive downtown around 15 minutes later and meet up with my "goodest" friend Running Regina. After dropping my son off with the other volunteers, we head to gear check and the porta-potty. We then meet up with our other friend from work Jogging Joanne. With about 5 mintues to spare, go time for the 5k is 715am, we head to corral B.



The National Anthem is played and then off we go. First off is corral A. Now mind you I had set and started my nifty phone application and had to reset it. Oops! A couple of minutes later it was "On your marks, get set, GO!" for corral B. Ok so really it was more like a cap gun to signal it but none the less it was the begin of my first "timed" 5k. This is what I had been preparing for for the past 3 months.

Off we go and as I had expected, Running Regina was off and lost in the crowd within 1 minute of the race beginning. I was with Jogging Joanne for a good couple of minutes, making our way through the crowd, then it happened... I looked down and you'll never believe this, but my darn shoe was untied. Now if you've ever attempted to run/walk/jog with me in real life you would know that my shoe is always untied. So anyway, I make my way to the side to be able to tie my shoe without being run over by the other runners. As I was up and ready to get back to running I realized that I had lost my groove. This was the absolute worst because I was doing so good and keeping a steady pace. When I started my first portion of walking to recover I swear about 200 people passed me, no exaggeration. And here I thought we began at the back, where did all these people come from? When I reached my first mile the counter said 13 minutes and about 30 something seconds. This was a downer because I haven't had that long of a mile in a very long time so I knew I needed to put some immediate pep in my step! My second mile was clocked at 26 minutes 33 seconds (according to the counter at the second mile mark). What made me laugh before I hit the 2nd mile though was a line of cars stuck at an intersection. I couldn't help but laugh and think how much it sucked to be them stuck there having to wait for the runners to clear. They had to have beent here already about 10-15 minutes and who knows how much longer. I would have been pissed if that was me stuck having to wait for a bunch of runners. Anyway, I was getting hot at this point and decided to take off my jacket and tie it around my waist. I also had to pocket my sunglasses as they were staying fogged up. The outside temperature was definitely rising. At this point I was in a groove with a few other runners, not that they were aware of this. They would jog past me while I was walking. Then I would jog to catch up to them and pass them while they walked or slowed down. When I would walk they would catch up to me, then pass me. This went on for about the last 3/4 mile of the 5k. It worked though because this is what got me to the end of the race without giving up and walking the rest of the way. So thank you to those anonymous runners/walkers that got me through this. When I saw the third mile marker and counter I saw it said 39 minutes and 30 seconds. What is it with me and 30 seconds? So anyway, I thought to myself that I can't run a tenth of a mile in less than 30 seconds even if I sprinted as fast as I could. So I just kept my steady pace and when I actually passed the third mile the counter was over 40 minutes.

I DID IT! I crossed the finish line, on two feet and still jogging. Straight from the finish line to the "Chocolate" line. I immediately found Jogging Joanne in line so I jumped in with her as we attempted to look for Running Regina. A few minutes later Running Regina called to let me know she was picking up her finishers mug and would meet me on the other side. While waiting in line I calculated my running application and figured I finished slightly over 40 minutes. My phone application stopped on my a couple minutes in and I had to restart it.



Can you believe she had the nerve to stand there in front of us and indulge in her chocolate while we drooled? She went through my son's line so I jumped lines to go through his. Shortly after getting our "Finisher's Mugs" Jogging Joanne went to go find her husband.



In the meantime, Running Regina and I indulged in our chocolate for Dipcision 2013. In our "Finishers Mug" we received apple slices, rice krispy treat, banana, pretzels and a marshmallow for dipping into the chocolate fondue as well as a cup of hot chocolate. Talk about a chocolate party! My favorite was the apple slices dipped in chocolate. Bananas and chocolate are great too but I was pleasantly surprised with the apple slices and chocolate.

We hung around for a while longer to see the 15k runners cross the finish line. While doing so we went to gear check to pick up my bag. When we stood up we almost fell over laughing because we left butt sweat marks on the concrete bench we were sitting on. Now I'm sure you are all thinking that this is TMI but it was so funny that I had to share it. The only thing funnier was when I took my jacket off (I got cold after cooling down and put it back on) and had a boob sweat mark on my shirt. Don't judge me, I just ran/walked 3.1 miles (5k) and I sweat....SUE ME! In waiting around for my son to finish his volunteering we heard the top 3 of both 5k and 15k winners announced. The first place winner for the 5k finished in 19 minutes and 31 seconds. He was 13 years old! Using my calculations I did .22 miles in 2:41 then reset and did 2.95 miles in 35:56. When adding that in my head after finishing I came up with over 40 minutes. My personal goal was to finish in under 40 minutes. In my mind I wanted to finish in 36 minutes which would meet my 12 minute per mile goal that I registered with. So my mind was obviously not thinking clearly so I don't want to hear anything about my awesome math skills. When the results were finally posted online I couldn't find mine. I knew I finished in the 40 minute range but couldn't find myself. The counter at the 3rd mile told me so. Eventually I found my name and I was in shock. My final time was 38:18. Yes folks, 38 minutes and 18 seconds and I was so excited and pleased with myself. While I didn't meet my personal goal of the 12 minute pace per mile I did meet my personal goal of finishing in under 40 minutes. This was my personal best for running a 5k! Running Regina finished in 26:32 and Jogging Joanne finished in 35:49. In looking at the results I saw a few other people I know, including a cousin, that also ran. I had no idea. Another one of our friends that used to work with us finished in 26:29 and that was hilarious because Running Regina was quite upset that she was beat by her. They basically crossed at the same time.

Overall I had a great time and while the Post Party wasn't as fun as The Color Run the chocolate definitely made up for it. Perhaps I should send a suggestion email that they need to have a DJ or something so there is more of an audience when the winners are announced. It was kind of like: Ok I crossed the finish line, I received my chocolate, now what? May as well go home. Then again, what do I know? This was my first 5k race. I definitely look foward to next year. In the meantime I will have to decide on which one I will attempt to complete next. Now only if my dear friend across the country would let me know which 5k we are going to take part in together life would be grand. Special note to her: If I can do it then so can you now hurry your tush up!

Thank you to everyone who came along and stayed for any part of this Journey to 5k with me. Stay tuned for tomorrow's celebration (it marks 3 months).

Journey to 5k - 2 Mile Mornings - Weekly Update

Man, this past week has definitely been an eventful one. I'm just going to start by saying that I am very thankful that we are allowed to have this "wellness walk" time at work otherwise I'd never be able to find the time to get any sort of cardio activity in. I did have an interesting conversation that was one of those "duh" moments after the face, but we will get to that later.

I've been averaging 3 "2 mile mornings" and 2 "wellness walk" mornings per week. Last week I really had it in my head that I was going to be able to complete 5 "2 mile mornings" this past week but naturally that didn't happen. It is amazing how exhausting it can be to get paid to run 2 miles (or walk 1.5 miles) and live a normal (or not so normal) every day life. You don't want to really hear about how busy my life is with my son playing soccer and taking mma classes, my daughter being on 3 all-star cheer teams and a school cheer team, and me working full time while coaching the school cheer team (last year I coached two) so I won't bore you with all those details. So instead let's recap this last week.

Monday - 2 mile morning Tuesday - 2 mile morning Wednesday - wellness walk (1.5 miles) Thursday - wellness walk (1.2 miles - see below) Friday - wellness walk (1.5 miles)

Ok so I lied. I just looked at my handy dandy notebook....I mean phone application to double check. Ok so I'm sure none of you laughed at my Blue's Clue's reference but whatever. HA! So anyway I remembered incorrectly, that's how mush my brain is lately. Perhaps this is a great way to lead into my conversation this week with my "goodest" friend. I sure do talk about her a lot don't I? Anyway, one day early in the week we were talking after changing to run how dry she was. Her mouth was dry basically. I kind of laughed at her because we live in the desert. Everything is dry out here. Anyway, the next day I noticed that my mouth was extra dry. It is a strange feeling because no matter how much water you drink it doesn't help the problem. Nevemind the fact that I didn't think about the fact that my lips have been dry lately. I feel like I'm putting chapstick on 50 times a day. So we get to talking on Thursday morning before the "wellness walk" about this. She mentioned how her cousin told her to drink some gatorade because she could be drinking too much water and flushing out all of her electrolytes. During our conversation we went over how much water each of us should be drinking and I, for the most part, drink more than enough each day. Of course there are those days where I don't drink nearly enough water. Granted, I don't drink much soda (Coke for all those that I have the Coke vs Soda vs Pop conversations with). So anyway, we decided that we were going to try to drink some gatorade each day to try to replenish ourselves with electrolytes to see if we notice a difference. Now mind you, we had also talked about how "old" we both feel from achy bones and throbbing muscles all of a sudden. Sure we went through all that when we both first started running in preparation for our upcoming events but we shouldn't really be feeling it all over again right? Anyway, I convinced her on Thursday to walk a different route (she wants to begin running this route eventually) so I could stop by the gas station so I could get some gatorade. Funny thing was I had bought some the night before but forgot to grab it before work. She had stopped before work and got her some. This is why our walk was shorter than usual this day. Anyway, Friday neither of us felt as dry and as exhausted but we still didn't run that morning. Of course over the weekend I haven't had any gatorade but I really haven't done any sort of cardio activity. Now let me add something to this. I was talking about this with my mom and she mentioned to me about making a concoction of kool-aid and orange juice. Apparently this is what the doctor prescribed when I was younger and sick. This is supposed to be more full of electrolytes. I had completely forgotten about this until she mentioned it but the memory came flooding back after she said it. I remember it being pretty good when I was little. We'll soon find out because I will be making this at some point in the week. That reminds me, I forgot to tell my "goodest" friend this.

That is all I have for you today and I'm exhausted all over again. Until next time... **edit** I almost forgot to mention that my son finally noticed that I quit smoking. It's been almost 3 months and he just now noticed. Show's how much they pay attention to me. I guess my daughter noticing a month late isn't that bad after all.

2 mile mornings - Weekly update

So by now I'm sure you all think this when I post the link to my blog updates:



But in any case, I thank you for taking the time to read my updates. Eventually I will even get back to a normal blog of my thoughts versus just my running/workout (or lack there of) updates. There are times that I want to blog then I think to myself and remember how I'm just doing my "Journey to 5k" udpates right now. After the Hot Chocolate Run I will update in any way that I please. Talk about a roller coaster yet to come.

So let's get to the last week. I could've sworn that I had updated more last week than I did. So since my last update I walked on Wednesday, then Thursday I had my best day yet when it comes to 2 mile mornings. Along with my best overall time for completing the 2 miles I also had my best time for the mile! I was completely stoked for the rest of this day. I couldn't be any more proud of myself. *pats self on back* I just need to work at shaving off another minute (30 seconds per mile) from my total time to be at my goal for the Hot Chocolate Run in less than 2 weeks. In discussing this with my "goodest" friend we decided that perhaps the weather was a big factor in this. With last week feeling like the beginning of winter instead of fall it didn't feel like we were running through the Sahara. I really enjoyed the cooler weather for running, although, I'm not sure I'd enjoy it to be much cooler. Friday I didn't log anything using my handy dandy phone app but if I remember correctly we did walk and it wasn't such a great time but we still walked (1.5 miles) none the less. Can I just stop here and gloat some more on my awesomeness from last Thursday? No? Ok, moving on...



So we remember the saying from above right? Well that is my motto for today (Monday). Basically, in comparing time from last Thursday I added 3 1/2 minutes to my overall time. I'm not even going to waste your time or my time with some lame excuses, but intsead tell you what happened. I was set and ready to go, walking to the end of the parking lot to warm up before I started the dreaded uphill run. Then my phone rang. I didn't recognize the phone number but I answered it anyway. It happened to be a Parent calling me regarding Cheer. Have I mentioned to you that I also coach cheer? Well this will be my 3rd year coaching and with that I often receive phone calls with numbers I don't recognize. Anyway, y'all almost let me go into a tangent. So I had a parent on my phone asking me questions and as much as I wanted to, I couldn't be rude and cut the phone call short. So I continued walking at a decent pace (in my mind) while answering the questions. By the time my phone call was finished I was already a quarter mile into my route. At this point I decided that I was just going to walk the first mile and try to make up some of the time on the 2nd mile which is all downhill. It's amazing how a small distraction could throw someone off so much. In the end I had a pretty good time for the 2nd mile but the first mile we just won't even discuss. Could I have done better regardless of the phone call? Yes! Should I have done better on that first mile regardless of the phone call? Yes. However, I did neither but I still went and that is all that matters right? Oh, have I mentioned the afternoon walks I try to go on at 3 times a week? (my non-cheer practice days) I did run my handy dandy phone app last week and found out that it is .64 miles around the parking lot which is the route that we talk for the afternoon walks. So some days I'm doing more than 2.5 miles altogether.

So this is all I have for you today. Until my next update...

2 mile mornings - 9/11

I saw that one day and loved it! It's always nice to have a reminder for motivation. What I love about it is that it can be motivational for anything, not just running/working out/etc.

Today was another 2 mile morning. I went yesterday by myself and decided to change it up a bit. It is so easy to fall into habit when you take the same route day after day. While I did take one of our 2 routes for 2 mile mornings, I changed it up by going the opposite way. I was thinking that I would have more of a downhill run and hoping that I would have a better time. Boy was I wrong! I believe that I actually ended up doing more of the same just more uphill in the beginning versus the middle of the route. Although, I did enjoy having more shade in the last half of the run/walk. Today I had company and was pretty stoked about it. While one of my coworkers said he would go slow with me at my pace, I knew better. So there were four of us that were going to "run" today. While I started out slowest because I wanted to walk to warm up until I reached the end of the parking lot I soon was on my own. Oh, excuse me, another coworker went last minute so her buddy stayed with her at her pace. What a great friend. The other two were way ahead of me outpacing each other it seemed. In the end I felt that I ran more than I had been doing. I even had the best time yet for a 2 mile morning. I was pretty excited about that, well as excited as one can be when struggling to breathe. I beat my previous times by at least 30 seconds and in my eyes that is a huge deal. GO ME!



Now today is 9/11 and being American it is a special depressing day. A day where everyone flocks to social networking to say where they were on that fateful day 9/11/01. I will spare you all my story as it's not very exciting. Anyway, I got to thinking. Yes, scary thought I know. So before I start going on a tangent let me share my thoughts. My dear friend once told me (and wrote it in her blog if I remember correctly) that if she has to run more than 2 miles for anything it's not worth it. Basically if someone is trying to rob her and they chase her that far then they can just have it. Well being that today is 9/11 I was remembering a video on a tv show I watched the other night where it showed candid video when the Towers were collapsing and the people running to get away from it. So I thought to myself "Self, sure you would never be able to escape it completely but by being able to run at least 2 miles without stopping or walking you would have a better headstart than most". Then I saw something that said "Don't bother running, you'll only die tired". I'd at least like to think that I attempted to get away. Just a little food for thought.

Ok now I'm tired and will start rambling if I don't end this right here.

OH WAIT...

Today was funny. I was in the bathroom at work and a coworker walked in. Now mind you it was stinking in there so I had to make it clear that it was not from me. Yes, I work with some stinky females that have no shame. But that's neither here nor there. We got to talking when I made it known that it wasn't me and after laughing she brought up how I quit smoking. She congraulated me and I think I stood a little taller. This is coming from someone that I've seen try to quit and hasn't been able to yet. *pats self on back* Only about 2 1/2 more weeks until I hit 3 months of being smoke-free.

Ok now I'm done.

2 mile mornings - week 3 with 3 to go

Ok so I suck....I haven't blogged in a week. I wish I had a really great excuse but I just don't. So moving foward...

Just because I haven't blogged does NOT mean that I haven't been doing any cardio activity. As a matter of fact, I went every day of the work week last week. Ok so I walked Tuesday and Thursday but I did my 2 mile morning on Wednesday and Friday. Friday I even went by myself since my running buddy (who likes to leave me behind)was on vacation in Vegas and the other one that joined us on Wednesday was only going to walk. I have been averaging the same time (seconds difference) every 2 mile morning and it's good but at the same time frustrating because I need to shave a minute per mile off my time before the Hot Chocolate Run which is 3 weeks from today. Oh, Monday I didn't run or walk because it was Labor Day and I was busy all day enjoying my day off.

I will attempt to blog more this week but trying to get used to the "school is in session" schedule is still in progres.

Happy 2 Month Anniversary!

That's right folks, Today September 1st marks 2 months that I have been smoke-free! I really can't believe that I've actually stuck with it. I was the first one to say "I'm no quitter" in regards to quitting smoking cigarettes. I used to get so pissy when people would ask me when I was going to quit or tell me how bad it was for me. As though I didn't really know. And here I am 2 months smoke-free after not even wanting to quit. Who would've ever thought?

I've had 2 dreams about smoking in the 2 months since I quit which isn't bad. The most recent (if you read a few posts ago)dream I had absolutely no remorse for smoking that cigarette. In real life I would feel so guilty about it and beat myself up over having to start over again. Perhaps that dream was a hint for me to finally rid myself of all the cigarettes I still have around me daily. I still have a pack in my car, 1 cigarette in my desk at work and the rest of the carton still sitting on top of my fridge. Oh well, never know when one of my smoker friends will be out and I will be there to save the day for them. I'm just that awesome friend of course.

Let's discuss the changes I've felt/noticed since I quit smoking. Not much has changed really in the 2nd month except my weight. But in any case, here we go:

Teeth feel cleaner

Mouth feels clearner

I no longer feel like my breath stinks all the time

I've gained around 10lbs

I still can't run longer, matter of fact, I feel like I could run longer when I smoked vs being a quitter

I don't notice a difference in smell or taste (except a small handful of things taste gross to me now)

I still don't feel as though I substitute with food for the "hand to mouth" habit smokers usually have

I have run...ok mostly walked...a 5k

I get really super grumpy for about a week each month and No, it's NOT pms (or could it be? I've never noticed it before)

Oh, my moodswings seem to be more controlled but I still have them every now and again

I'm back to being a PITA to wake up in the mornings

my lips aren't brown anymore (I'll explain later)

I do notice the smell on smokers more now than I did before (I guess that contradicts what I mentioned earlier about smell)

I don't take as many breaks at work (the breaks I do take, aside from lunch, are to walk/run)

I think that is all. Well, that is all that I can think of right now and it is late so my mind is half way shut down. Let me elaborate and fill you in on the lip color thing. We used to laugh on our smoke breaks at work because once someone mentioned how they could always tell a smoker because their lips were brown (not pink). So we started looking at peoples lips and it was usually true. Ok so not so much brown like doo doo brown but they were slightly discolored. Well one day when I was in the bathroom at work, washing my hands, I looked in the mirror and laughed because I looked at my lip color. No, I wasn't wearing lipstain of any kind or lip gloss. FYI - I go to work without make-up because I'm too lazy to put it on every day. So the next time you look at someone who you know is a smoker check out their lip color.

Well this will conclude my 2 month celebration (so to speak). I will be celebrating my 3 month anniversary 2 days early with the Hot Chocolate run aka a big chocolate party. And if you guys were wondering if I lost count, I didn't. I am actually on day 63.

In terms of my running today...

I did not run today as I hadn't taken a day off since Sunday. My legs were so stiff this morning that I could barely walk when I got out of bed. I spent about half of the day walking funny before my muscles finally relaxed. I'm sure dehyrdation played a small part in it though. The heat this past week hasn't helped since I didn't accomodate my water intake for it. Tomorrow will be another busy day and I don't forsee me waking up at 6am to run before I paint my bedroom then head to tailgate before the Isotopes game (baseball).

Hope everyone is having a fun but safe Labor Day weekend.