Tomorrow's Run, Tonight's Thoughts

Tomorrow is my first race-run! Brian and I are running in TLC's Groundhog Day Run. When we started our 5-week 5K training, we realized it was 4 weeks away. Since the training didn't seem too difficult, last week we skipped "week 3" and ran the week 4 schedule.

I'm really excited for tomorrow, but I'm not quite sure what to expect. The run is inside, in KC's underground metropolis, caves that serve as storage and other things for local businesses. Hopefully there aren't too many hills--I will do my best not to walk. My goal is to finish and I know I can do that.

What makes me most excited is what I am running for. The proceeds benefit TLC, a program for children with disabilities. Throughout college, I worked as a para-educator with a wide variety of disabled youth. Right now I work with adults with disabilities. On my first run, I'm running for something I'm passionate about. In fact, one of the children I'm currently baby-sitting for used to attend TLC.

Here is TLC's mission statement:
"The mission of Children’s TLC is to provide therapeutic and educational services for children with disabilities in an environment which fosters their independence and celebrates their successes. Children's TLC currently serves more than 500 students in the greater Kansas City area, including Wyandotte County."

While it is too late to register for this year's run, this is definitely one that you should check out in the future. There is a 5K and a 10K and this year's registration was only $30. Maybe next year I'll be able to run the 10K!

Here is a link to information about the run:
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1642858&assetId=d9a27bc6-b5ff-42d2-8337-02710a90062f

Here is a link to TLC's Website:
http://www.childrenstlc.org/

Last run before my first 5K!

Tonight was my last run before my first 5K. I had a really rough week or two. I was sick with the stomach flu and did not run or do any type of exercise for four days. On Sunday, when I ran my 3.5 miles, I had to stop and walk several times (breathing). I was happy to finish my 3.5--the longest run in my training cycle. Unfortunately, Sunday night I fell down three stairs and gained a great big contusion on my tush! Ouch! (My mother always told me not to wear my socks on the stairs....) This meant that Monday's cross-train did not happen either. Lucky for me, I managed to run 3 miles Tuesday night on the treadmill. I went for overall time rather than distance and ran a comfortable pace for most of the run. Wednesday, I was in the ER for half the day for something unrelated. I made myself walk two miles that night. Tonight I ran 3.15 miles with only a few short, brisk walks. I ran up the hills and walked down the large one to give my knees a break. My husband and partner told me I kept a good pace and that he would not have wanted to run any faster! That makes me feel great. In four weeks I have tripled the distance in my runs; and while 3 miles is nothing to many runners, it is quite an achievement for me. Maybe, I'll keep trying this running thing for a while...

Many, Many Firsts

Today literally marks a milestone in my endurance. Never in my life have I run more than a mile in the elements. My husband and I ran 3 miles. 3 Miles! Honestly, I did not think I'd make it half a mile. my breathing became heavy and short right away. At one mile, my shins started to ache. I took a few short walks during our run; however, I kept a pretty good pace. We did not have a watch, but we think we did it in 30-35 minutes. Now I get to enjoy the reward of the season premiere of 24! We have been waiting for this one.

Before our first run...not sure of how it will end!

After, my first 3 Mile run with my coach and husband!