Running
He’s Hooked! Hubby’s First 5K
March 28, 2011
Hubs and I did a race over the weekend — the Phillies 5k at Citizen’s Bank Park. It was his first race and (obviously) our first race together. In fact, I’m pretty sure that he’s never run longer than a mile before. I’ve done quite a few and was so excited when he let me talk him into doing it. Even though it was freezing out, it was a good first race since a few of our friends did it with us and the crowd was fun and friendly.
Our strategy
Billy didn’t “train” for the run and neither did I. He did about one mile twice the week of the race; my ankle and knee have been bothering me for weeks. So, our plan was just to go slow and steady. To be honest, I got a little worried when we were just out of the lot and he asked me how long I thought we had gone. Um, maybe a quarter of a mile?
Our plan was good though. He didn’t lose gas, and neither did I. I’ve learned that lesson before — it’s so easy to just take off with the pack and sprint — but with that, if you’re not conditioned, you can exert too much energy, get exhausted and have nothing left. The group carried us and I felt like we were going at a decent pace.
Toward the end, I’d say the last ¾ of a mile, I suggested we pick up the pace. My body felt good and I had all the energy in the world. He tells me that he’s going to lose his shoe, and I’m thinking GREAT. With the end in sight, he makes me pull over to the side while he ties it up (with frozen fingers). Rookie mistake! Out of love, I do.
Then, like the scene from Stand By Me when the boys start sprinting through the junk yard, I yell – “SPRINT!!!!” If it was a straight run and I didn’t have to dodge people, I would have beat Billy.
Our times came in and he beat me by two seconds, and we were both under 35 minutes.
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Run Your First 5K
January 6, 2011
My friend, Dan, and I at my first 5K in June 2006.
Here are reasons to be confident about your first race:
Everyone is a beginner at some point. When lining up at the starting line, you’ll notice that many “leisure” runners stick to the back of the line. Stand there as well!
People walk and interval run. Not everyone is going to sprint to the finish. You’ll find the runners are at all fitness levels, shapes, sizes and ages. Walk when you must, and jog when you can. Remember, this is your workout and your goal — no one else’s.
You’re supporting the community or a non-profit. Many races are fundraisers. You’re hitting one of your fitness goals and helping others at the same time.
Adrenaline will push you through. Races are exciting. People are cheering for you. You’ll likely do better than you thought.
It’s friendly out there. Some racers will encourage you and talk with you while running. People will give you water. They want you to do well.
You don’t have to win first place. You’ll feel great just from having completed the race.
Now, just get out there. Ask a friend to join you, and pick a race that means something to you. For example, if you have cancer survivors in your family, you may want to complete a race to benefit cancer research.
Also, many races also offer a designated walk or one mile “fun run.” Do some research, sign up and see for yourself. You’ll be doing your first 5K in no time!
Light Your Fire
December 1, 2009
Years ago, my cousin Peter ran his first marathon. I thought he was insane. Then he did a few more …
I’ll never forget the first time he encouraged me to run. I was intimidated next to such an experienced athlete! (He’s a breakdancer, played rugby, did jiu-jitsu, everything.) But that was the first time I really ran – other than 15 minutes here and there in college. He was living in La Jolla, CA at the time, I think it was 2004. Anyway, picture this …
It’s before 9 am on a beautiful California morning. It felt like a cool summer day, although it was April. On the boardwalk, there were hooded sweatshirts with “Lifeguard” on them. Flimsy cover-ups. Boogie boards. It was like the Jersey shore – only way better. The air was different …
I didn’t know what to expect, but Peter was a great coach. He said – let’s run for five minutes then walk. You can do it! So he led, and I followed … I did it … and I was never the same!*
A month later, I signed up for my first 5K race!
Here I am at my first 5K. I begged Dan to come with me - and I finished in 31 minutes!
AllThingsGwen.com is my unofficial guide to health and happiness. It's a chronical of me finding my way.
I encourage you to think about “AllThings[YOUR NAME HERE]” and what’s really, truly important to you. Hope you enjoy my recipes, fitness tips, motivational posts and aha moments.
- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Got my lucky Giants sweatshirt on. Bill's wearing his lucky Alfred Hitchcock tee, brown zip up and Merrell sweatband.
- Whenever I'm super sore, I make my husband undress me. It's not sexy by any means.
- Enjoying Dim Sum with my husband. Giants SuperBowl tradition!
- Enjoyed my Crossfit workout with friends! Totally shin planted on box jumps and may have punctured an ovary, but it's all good! :)
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