Paws for the Cause 5K - Follow-Up

Me and the SPCA Dog

Saturday morning I woke up around 7:00 am and took care of the dogs. Then I headed down the road to the start of the Paws for the Cause 5K. I liked this one because it was close to me and it didn't start until 9:00 am. I got there, got signed in, got my bib and my goody bag. I was going to change into the shirt but they only had a port-a-potty and I just didn't feel like that was something I wanted to deal with so I put the goody bag in the car. We stood around for a bit waiting for it to start. It wasn't too big a crowd. Then they told us to get to the start line. I got to the back since I walk and the runners took off. 98% of the group ran only 3 or 4 of walked. I ended up at the back but I was cool with it, I had a beautiful day, my iPhone, and I could go at my own pace. The path was a bit hilly and it had a LOT of potholes since it was a dirt road which was a bit of a challenge. I was doing good until a little after the turn around point where a couple in front of me decided that I shouldn't finish alone so they waited for me and talked to me. It was fine except I was kinda in a zone. But I will admit it got a bit strange when the husband suggested the wife and I hold hands and cross the finish line. I politely declined. It was my first race of the season and I enjoyed it.

Paws for a Cause 5K & 10k

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On Saturday I'm doing my first 5K of the season. I'm excited because I enjoy the camaraderie of it but I'm nervous because I haven't been training as much as I should and I'm feeling out of practice. I know I'll be fine and it will all work out but there are always nerves for me on the first one back. 

And I'm supposed to have done fundraising but with the weeks I've had recently I haven't so here is what my fundraising page looks like goal=$100...raised=$0...not too good. But I plan to make a donation on site so I'll be fine.

The really good news is the weather should be nice 83 degrees is the high but I'm guessing it will be more in the 70s in the morning. No rain is predicted...knock on wood!

If you want to see more about my races...check out My Race List

8Ks and 5Ks...It's All for a Good Cause

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I am not a runner...I am not really a jogger...I'm a walker. I'm ok with this. And I think I've officially gone to the dark side when it comes to "races" I admit I enjoy them. I like the atmosphere at the start and the end. It's a big feeling of "we're all in this together." And some of my races have been fun runs, some have been get fit runs, and a few have been fundraisers.

Currently I'm anticipating my 8K this weekend. I'm looking forward to it and I hope we have good weather. I got new shoes for the event, they are Brooks. I love their clothes and so far I love the shoes.

One of the races I did last year was for the Wounded Warrior Project and I'm looking at doing one for WWP again this year in April. I've signed up for another 5K in April already for Be the Match, the organization that works to help find bone marrow matches for those fighting leukemia and other blood diseases. The race is called Be The One Run and I'm running it in honor of my co-worker James who continues his battle with leukemia. And is most likely going to need a bone marrow transplant. So this cause is very near and dear to me.

I'm also looking at doing the Color Run in DC if it works into my schedule. And I'd like to get to the point where I can do the Wicked 10K in October so we'll see how it goes.

How are your fitness goals going?

Shamrock 8K

 From http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/

So my friend J and I have signed up to do the Townbank 8K portion of the Shamrock Marathon. I admit I'm a bit worried and need to get cracking on preparing for this walk. But I'm also excited. There is something incredibly fun about race day. Especially themed race days like this where everyone is all dressed up. It is just festive. So we are working on our outfits for race day. I'll give you a few previews of what I have in mind as I find them.

On a side note I'm debating about doing a 5K called The Hair of the Dog on New Year's Day. It doesn't start until 10:00 AM but I'm just not sure I'll want to drive an hour in the morning after being up late the night before. I'll keep you posted.

Surf & Santa 10 Miler & Frosty 5K

Right Before We Started

I woke up very early Saturday morning after being out til midnight the night before bright eyed and bushy tailed. The dogs and I got up at 5:15 AM. They went outside and had their breakfast while I got myself ready to go. I took a quick shower because I remembered my hubby's advice that a clean body regulates it's heat better and since it was supposed to be cold I thought that sounded good. And it might or might not have woken me up.

6:00 AM I headed over to Virginia Beach to pick up my packet and get ready. The nice part about this race is it starts and ends at the Virginia Beach Convention Center so I got to stay nice and warm until the start of the race. I picked up my packet and went to the lady's room. Then I discovered they had been given the 10 Miler shirt not the 5K shirt so I went to switch that out.

At about 7:30-7:45 I headed over to the start. They had four corrals as a walker and slow one at that I was in the 4th corral. So they had a moment of silence for those military men and women who were deployed this holiday season and for their families who support them at home. (I admit I got teary eyed) Then they had a chorus sing the National Anthem. Then they waved for the start of corral #1, and after each corral we moved forward until it was our turn to go. We started around 8:08 AM according to my watch. It took me an hour to complete the 5K which wasn't my best time but I think the cold, the wind, and my lack of sleep hindered me some. They called out my name when I crossed the finish line which I wasn't prepared for but it was kinda cool.

I forgot to take pictures of our bag of loot...I will have to add those later. It was a reusable bag with my shirt and a Santa hat. Then at the end of the race we got a medal, a hat, and lots of food. I bought a Christmas ornament and another long sleeve t-shirt. I admit the t-shirts and the medals are a good incentive!

A few observations:

• Runners get priority. Which I appreciate because they are trying to set records and they are moving fast but a couple times it felt like we walkers were in the way. That and the runners got applauded we just got waved at.
• Races will have miscommunication. On of the race volunteers told me to get to the left so the runners could be on the right. Then I was told to go to the right so the runners could be on the left. One lady got a bit snippy that I was on the left side but when I explained I was told to be there she softened some.
• Holiday races bring out all kinds of clothing. Imagine Whoville, Santa Baby, Little St. Nick, etc all blended together. For next year I plan on decking myself out a bit more.
• Big races are fun and I look forward to doing more of them including the Shamrock 8K in March.

So that makes 3 5Ks this year!! I may possibly do the Hair of the Dog 5K on January 1st I haven't decided yet. But technically that would count for next year. So now I want to work on improving my time for future races.  

I might be insane...

I've decided to set a goal to work up to a 10 mile walk (race).

There is a Santa 10 Miler in December every year over in Virginia Beach and I've decided to aim for next year. I don't feel I can get there yet for this year but I'm thinking of doing the Frosty 5K on the same day.

Then I'm thinking of doing the Hair of the Dog 5K on January 1st also in Virginia Beach.

And I'm going to work toward the Shamrock 8K in March.

And then I'm going to walk the Wicked 10K in October.

And I'll walk the NNSB 5K in November.

And of course the Coup de Grace...the Surf n Santa 10 Miler in December.

So there we have it in writing. I figure I have to have some accountability so you guys are it! (the only catch might be finances because these get expensive)

What are some of your goals for activity?

Shipbuilding 5K

NN 5K 2011

On Saturday morning I literally got up at o'dark early to take care of the dogs before my friend S and her co-worker D arrived to pick me up. It was cold and it was windy. Not a fun combination when walking. But we had agreed to do the 5K so I was going to do the 5K. It wasn't too bad because it was all on level ground. We walked in downtown along the water. It actually wasn't too bad. Now I'm a slow walker and since I hadn't done as much to prepare I was even slower so we made it in about 45 minutes but we made it. And as D said it doesn't matter if you walk a 6 minute mile, a 16 minute mile, or a 60 minute mile at least you're up and moving.

And now a funny...

5K - 4 Days Away

If found on ground please drag across finish line

So on Saturday I am walking a 5K with my friend S. I really haven't done anything to prepare for it. I got out of the habit of walking the dogs because Ares had surgery and my Achilles Tendon was rubbed raw by a defective running shoe. So I'm trying to fit some walking into my schedule between now and Saturday. I know it won't fix it but I'm hoping it will make Saturday a little easier. I really meant to walk regularly to get ready for it. Things happen.

There aren't too many 5Ks left this year so my goal is to pick one or two for next year and plan on working on my walking prior to it. I've thought about doing the Couch to 5K but I'm not really into running. I lean more toward walking events like that.

So have you ever had good intentions of getting yourself ready for an exercise related event and then it sneaks up on you?

Wounded Warrior Project 5K

This Saturday I'm signed up to walk a 5K for Wounded Warrior Project. I admit I signed up for it a while ago and I haven't done as much training as I should have. I'm still going to do it but I'm thinking it will take longer but I'm ok with that. This will be the second 5K I've done and I'm excited about it. The route goes around the military base which is an old Fort on the water. It will be a beautiful walk if the weather cooperates. Seeing as how they were predicting snow earlier this week and rain most of the rest of this week it could be touch and go. We'll see. I'll let you know how it goes.