Hello Stranger

I had every intention of getting back into blogging in a big way this year. The past few weeks have not been a good demonstration of that, and I hope to do better.

I work, I sleep, I do laundry... You know how it is. Really, I had plenty of time this weekend to blog but I was too busy watching episode after episode of Stargate Atlantis. Did you know that Jewel Staite was on an episode of SG-A as a Wraith before she played Jennifer Keller? I didn't.

I've been training for the 5K that's coming up, and also taking a lot of walks during lunch. I wander around in this housing development behind my work during these walks, and I discovered this very cool path - it's about five feet off the ground - like two walls that have been filled in and turned into a path, it just goes on and on.

Race Day!

My first ever official 5K event went well this morning, it was cold but I managed without a hat or gloves. I ran the whole thing - my training told me I could definitely run the needed 3.1 miles, but you never know when a surprise cramp or twisted ankle is going to sabotage you.

I'm not really a runner, I don't read anything about running and this might be a cliche for all I know, but there was a definite sense of togetherness within the group of strangers I ran with. The sounds of panting, talking, laughing and feet padding on asphalt made me feel as if I were a part of a migrating herd - it was a good feeling.

I would definitely do this again, and I recommend it to others.

"You run like a girl!"

(Since girls are more flexible and graceful than guys, should I take that as a compliment?)

I’m doing the 5K run Saturday morning in Gainesville. At this moment, weather.com tells me the temperature at 8am will be 35 degrees. I usually run in my shorts and sleeveless shirt, but I don’t think I’ll be doing that on Saturday. Or maybe I will. I have some snazzy jogging pants, but I really hate being encumbered – I’m sure I’d warm up quickly, right? We’ll see…

My ‘running’ speed makes it clear that what I’m actually doing is a fast walk masquerading as a run – it takes me 11 minutes to run one mile.

When I started training for the 5K last month, I imagined that 5K would just be a start, and that I would work my way up to 10K and 15K. Now that I’ve been running 5K three times a week and walking 5K three times a week, I think that 5K is long enough, thank you very much. I’m open to the possibility of running four miles at a time (5K is 3.1 miles) but six or nine miles at a time seems like overkill. Time will tell.

Pant WOOT Pant

I took my 5K training outside today, running the first mile, walk/running the second mile, and running the third mile.

Since I have another two weeks, I should be able to run the whole thing by the time I need to.

Know me as I do, I had better sign up for another run ASAP - with nothing but better health to motivate me, I might stop.

5K run is almost here

I've been walk/running on the treadmill for 3.2 miles every morning for the past two weeks in prep for the 'Five Points of Life 5K' that's coming up on 2/13/10.

We clocked a 1 mile route around the block this afternoon, and starting tomorrow I'll take my training outside.

I'm looking forward to accomplishing this 'race' and working my way up to 10K and 15K distances as well.

No Headphones Allowed? Grrr

Hey, cool - I just registered for a 5K run in February. And since that involves paying $30 for the privilege to run in a big circle, I will definitely be participating - I can't stand to waste money.

I've never done anything like this before, so it should be interesting.

It's a pretty short distance, but it's a start. I would probably be more impressed with myself if it wasn't called the "5K and Kids Marathon".