I'm "Molly Weasley" 🙂
What a great way to kick off Halloween – with a 5k! I haven’t done once since August, but I have been consistent about my running.
This 5k was a little different from the others I ‘ve done, as it’s a trail run. The trail is mostly mulched with a few stretches of board walk.
It takes place every year, at a county nature preserve in my area. The weather was started out rainy and I even saw a rainbow on my way to the park…cool! By the time I arrived, the sun was peeking out of the clouds.
I registered for the run, got my new jammy top – I mean t-shirt and met up with my friends also doing the run. I even ran into my tri-coach, Kelly http://www.trimommylife.com/. Her kids did the fun run – which was very cute!!
Finally we all headed toward the start area and began to run – there was a slowdown in our pace, as we all had to basically queue up to get onto the trail. There was a lot of chatter, laughter and a lot of good humor. It was definitely a “good vibes” kind of run.
The run felt so good. My only expectations were to have fun and enjoy the scenery. Having walked/run the trail many times before, I knew what to expect…somewhat. See, normally I run it counter-clockwise. But the 5k had us going clockwise. I really liked this, because it made the run seem “brand new” to me.
I ran with friends for part – passed a few, was passed. I even kept pace with a couple. Approaching the last few yards, my friends who had finished cheered me on. Another friend, Maria (who finished well before me), ran me to the finish line – I loved that!
My friends and I, dressed up for our Halloween 5k 🙂
Afterwards, I met up with my friends. We got in line for our free juice and bagels and discussed our run. Times were posted and I saw I finished in 41:56. Not what I wanted – I had been hoping to break the 40 minute mark at a timed 5k. But then, someone pointed out to me, that I probably did set a new PR – when factoring in the stopping and waiting to get onto the trail. I’ll go with that (but I’m going to time myself this weekend and see if I can’t manage a sub 40 minute 5k). My goal by spring, is to average a solid 30 minutes.
You want to know another goal of mine? A half- marathon in October 2011. Here’s the link http://www.empirestatemarathon.com/ So, I’ve changed 2011’s goals a bit, here they are as of now: Green Lakes Triathlon early summer ’11. The Utica Boilermaker, early summer ’11. Aflac Iron Girl August ’11 and lastly, The Empire State Marathon in October ’11.
Can I do it? I know I can.
Stay tuned…
See Sahm Run 
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you are doing the marathon with me!!! Ah! I am so thrilled!! We will have to train together! Awesome job at the 5k! I lost you when going into the field!!!
I am seriously considering it! However, I’m not going to commit officially till after I register for Iron Girl 🙂 As much as I like the idea of the Wine Glass Marathon – doing my first on my home turf seems very appealing.
Thanks for sharing, esp the pic’s!! I loved them.
I am starting to think/plan for next season, I am so inspired by your experience on your first Tri. I am in Iowa and I have volunteered at the HyVee Triathlon in Des Moines, really inspiring!! I actually knew some people so it was pretty great to cheer them on. I volunteered for the amateur runners.
I have asthma, this fall has been rough, between being sick and asthma, extreme shortness of breath from the meds that sent me to ER, whew. I want to run in the Fall so bad but it just doesn’t seem possible. Dr’s are telling me it is RAD and not asthma that I have. But whatever it is, when the fall allergy season is over, I will be back in the gym at a vengence!
Just curious but, do you have trouble running when temps fall? I can’t run outdoors when cold even when asthma is not acting up. Running in cold air makes me cough too much. I don’t know what other runners do in colder temps.
Regarding your desire to break 30 minutes on the 5k. I have the same goal. My best time was 33 min and that was my first ever 5k last spring.
I worked with a trainer this summer, she had me doing uphill sprints (5 in a row, 1 minute recovery), 440 m sprints, 1 minute recovery. Plyometrics, and a few downhill sprints. I was in good shape and this really helped in running longer distances more easily. This would be a good route to go. Also, negative splits, where you run part of the 5k at normal pace, pick up pace towards last 1 mile.
Also Womens Running magazine is bimonthly but it really is a fabulous magazine for women runners, inspirational and lowtech and technical for all levels of runners. I would encourage you to find a copy, you will really enjoy it.