Bold in the Cold

I haven't posted my 2012 goals yet, but one of them is to participate in at least one 5K per month for the entire year.  Today I knocked out my January 5K, Bold in the Cold sponsored by a local running club.  It took us on some of the trails around Lake Grapevine.

I didn't take any pictures (bad blogger).  But they were nice trails and pretty convenient to my house so I will likely visit them again in the future.

I finished the race in just under 45 minutes, mostly walking with some burts of running...well, jogging.  And I made sure I crossed the finish line at a jog.  I was pretty proud of myself, I must say.  I did a 5K in December and was able to improve my time by 1:15.  After the race, I met with my trainer and worked out for 45 minutes.  My, how things have changed for me.

I started the race with the intentions of walking the entire thing.  I have been doing some running intervals on my treadmill at home but didn't really feel ready to try running out in the real world and in front of people!  What I usually do during races, is pick someone out in the pack and make it my goal to get in front of them.  I had Blue Jacket Girl in my sights and I just could NOT catch up with her.  And it started to piss me off.  So I said "to hell with it", and jogged for a couple of minutes.  I can do about 10 minutes of jogging on the treadmill, but no way was I able to do that outside.  (I'm not sure why this is....maybe I'm not pacing myself right without the treadmill to do it for me?)  But once I ran for my first spurt I decided I would finish the race in walking/running intervals.  I definitely did much more walking than running, but still am proud of myself for just doing it rather than holding myself back because I don't think I "look" like a runner.

The last mile I walked nearly the entire thing but I promised myself that when I hit mile marker 3 I was going to run that last 0.2 because I wanted to cross the line running.  And I did!  It was great.  And the other "real" runners are so supportive.  Was really nice to have the high fives and the cheering at the end, even though it was no one I knew. 

I already am signed up for my February race.  And just as I was thinking today how nice it would have been to have a friend with me today, one of my friends hit me up on Facebook when I posted about my plans to do the February race to see if I wanted to make plans to do it together with her.  Right on!  I am excited for that.

As for Blue Jacket Girl, I overtook her once or twice early on, but ultimately she finished well ahead of me.  That's OK.  I'll get her next time!