Sunday, July 29, 2012

I did it!!!

I ran 10k!  WOW that was HARD!  I can't even begin to express how much mental effort it took!  I swear, it takes just as much mental training as physical training.  A friend of mine said something to me right before my race that REALLY helped push me through.  She told me "when you want to quit, think of all the people who CAN'T run - and do it for them".  Her little boy can't run, matter of fact, he can't walk.  He has a very rare condition called S.M.A.R.D. - spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress.  Here is some information about SMARD.  Anyway - at one point I wanted to quit SO BAD.  I was coming up on the 5k mark (the race was a big circle - one loop for 5k and 2 for 10).  I kept thinking, I could just stop and call it a 5k.  Then I thought about my friend's little boy.  I ran for him.  I have not told her all of this, but it's true.  Her brave, courageous, BEAUTIFUL little boy gave me the drive to push through!

Ok - I'm sorry, I'm getting very deep this morning.  So, let's talk about the actual race.  It was ROUGH!  First of all, it was kind of hot out - it started out ok, but it got hot.  Second of all - the course was NOT something I expected, nor even had a chance to train on.  The middle part of the loop ran through the woods on a trail.  WHAT?  Trail running?  I've never tried it before!  It was kind of hard!  It slowed me down quite a lot (my average pace was only 13 min mile!).  The ground was that shredded bark mulch - it was really spongy.  It kind of felt like running in sand.  My quads were SCREAMING at me!  The trail run was the part that made me want to quit.  I started telling myself that nobody would blame me for quitting on something I had not trained on.  Then I realized that I would blame me.  I don't know how to get across to you how bad I wanted to quit.  I kept thinking that even though I was almost done with the trail run part that I would have to finish the loop and come around and do the trail one more time.  I swear, I exercised my brain more than my body yesterday!
I told Pete I had the right to divorce him for taking the WORST picture of me in the WORLD!  I was SPRINTING to the finish line.  OH MY GOD this has got to be the WORST picture EVER! My boobs are about smacking me in the face!!   It's the only one he took of me while I was coming across the finish line so I felt compelled to share it.  UGH

I have decided to work on my speed now.  Here is my plan:  I'm going to start the couch to 5k program again.  This time instead of walk/run I'm going to do run/run faster.  I'm sure there is a technical term for this- splits or something, I don't know any of the running lingo yet.  Anyway, I'm going to do the couch to 5k program 3 days a week and then once a week I will add in a long run, just so I don't lose all I had gained for this 10k!  I have REALLY slacked off with diet and exercise (apart from running) and I think it was because the 10k program was REALLY hard for me.  I probably should not have done it yet, but whatever - it's done!  Anyway - I'm going to call my new program my 5k to faster program. HA! 

After the race drove up to Portland and took the kids to the zoo - that was SO much fun!  It was Susie's first time - she really enjoyed the cheetah - we got to see one really up close!  Then we all went out to dinner with my in laws.  We had a really great time - lots of food and laughing and talking!  Pete's sister is visiting from the east coast - we don't get to see her very often, so Colin was just LOVING her up!!  This morning he asked me if he was going to see his aunt today.  I told him he was, then I asked if he had fun with her and he said "oh, she is so crazy!". I almost died laughing!!  I can't wait to tell her!


Well, I'm off.  Lots to do before we have our house guests today!!!  Have a GREAT day and thank you for reading!!! -Monica






OH and as promised - here is a picture of Shimano - the wondermutt!!!!


8 comments:

  1. Congrats on your 10k! You are right, it really is a mental thing.

    I am at about 4 miles...and also at a 13+ min. mile. My goal is to pass someone running...lol.

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    1. :-) That is an AWESOME goal! You'd be surprised - I passed a few people!! :-P

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  2. CONGRATS! I am super impressed that you completed it AND went to the zoo after! Crazy!!! It was too hot! Why couldn't the weather been the same as Friday? You are doing so great!

    I laughed about your finishing picture! I'm the same. In fact for my first 5k I fell out of my sports bra. Thank goodness I had a windbreaker on so no one noticed. For the Tri yesterday the shirts were white! And it was not cold enough to wear a jacket. I had to go buy a second sports bra.

    You're doing so great! Are you planning a half? I'm planning on the Hippi Chick in May

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    1. Thank you!! It really was hot - phew. There was one spot at Wallace Marine park - the sun was really beating down. WHOA I thought I was going to melt! You should try this sport bra that I have. I never have jiggle problems. At the end I was running really REALLY fast and that is why my boobs were in my face! lol Anyway - it's a moving comfort bra. It was a little spendy but worth EVERY penny! I am planning on a half by my birthday next june! I'm going to work on speed first though and then start training in the winter for the half. What is the Hippi chick? I'll look into that!!

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  3. Hi! I just found your blog tonight via 'Runs for Cookies.' I loved the picture of you crossing over the finish line.

    I've just begun my own journey and far from running... You are a great role model.

    I look forward to reading your blog!

    Kelly

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    1. Thank you Kelly!! I'm so glad you found me! Congrats on starting your own journey!! Starting is the hardest part! You know - you guys all inspire me - well you keep me honest anyway! When I know people are reading, I make sure I do my workouts and eat right! :-) Welcome! I'm so glad you are reading now!!!!

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  4. I am so happy for you and I am so glad you did not quit! The feeling of completing your goal must be so amazing after all your hard work. You are such a great inspiration. The pic of you at the finish line is fabulous and I am so excited for you! The puppy is adorable! Good job Monica!

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    1. Thank you! Oh I can't even TELL you how proud I was! I really sprinted FAST across the finish line! I was surprise how much I was able to muster to do that! I thought I was totally spent! Thank you for reading! I really love all the responses!! Oh - and thanks! Shimano (our puppy) is a total sweetie!!

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