Upcoming 5K and Joining a Running Group

Since I hadn't posted in almost a month before I attended Fitbloggin' last weekend, I decided that I should probably check in and talk a little about my fitness goals lately.

Yes, I did a sprint tri in May, but I wouldn't say I was anywhere near trained for that race. I was able to complete it just with my everyday fitness level. What can I do if I actually train for the next one?

I don't know if I'll do another tri this season. There's one I have my eye on in August - and in Tennessee the season even goes into October, so there's still time. But I'm traveling for two weeks at the end of this month and then I'm only back for a week before I go to New Orleans for my cousin's 30th birthday.

But I do have a race on my calendar: East Nashville's Tomato Arts 5K on August 10.

This will be my 3rd year running this race. Last year I set my 5K personal record there. It's one of my favorites even though it is in the dead heat of the summer.

I decided back in May that I needed to mix things up a little bit with my workouts. I wasn't finding the motivation to keep a regular gym schedule on my own, so I've reached out to friends to make workout dates and I joined a running group for 5K training.

Let that sink in.

The girl who hates group exercise, joined a running group. Yep.

A local running group - East Nasty - does a C25K training group every year for the Tomato Arts 5K called "Potato 2 Tomato". I enlisted my co-worker to join with me and we signed up.

Credit: http://eastnastyforlife.com/p2t/

We are on week 3 of 3x a week group runs. This week I have felt strong and was able to move towards the front of the large pack we were in Wednesday night. It actually feels good to be back to running regularly again.

Overall I'm still not sure if group running is for me. The survey is still out on that. But it's keeping me motivated to do the training runs and since I would like to beat my PR from last year, doing the training is a serious necessity in my life right now.

Do you prefer to exercise solo or with a workout buddy/group?

Diary of an overweight runner - My First 5K

For the last 11 weeks I've been following the 5Kin100days training program. Although we still have 3 more weeks of the program, I did the Tomato 5K Saturday.

I went in with no expectations. I was simply going to run the intervals that I was scheduled to run for the program (four 8 minute running/1 minute walking).

Me and Miss Lynn at the start!

Overall, I kept a reasonable pace even though I have a competitive tenancy when faced with other racers around me. I started at the back of the pack and I definitely could have probably started up closer since I ended up passing quite a few people.

After my first two 8 minute intervals, I walked for about 4 minutes (up a hill) and continued with another 8 minute interval. The course miles weren't marked (I later found out the water stops served as mile markers), but I knew after my third interval, I had to be at least half way there.

After walking for several more minutes, I did my final 8 minute interval. I could feel my body tiring and with the sun bearing down, it was hot. I decided to walk until I knew the finish line was coming up. That only ended up being about 2 minutes and then I did the last .10 or so jogging.

I crossed the finish line at 44:29!

Although I had no expectations, of course in the back of my mind I had my "secret-never-to-be-said-out-loud-unless-accomplished" goal of doing the race in 45 minutes or less. Doesn't everyone make these unsaid goals? ;)

And I did!

This is only my second 5K ever. Technically it is a 14 minute PR; however, I wouldn't consider my first 5K as an accurate base for comparison because I walked it at someone else's pace. I am doing that race again in October so I'm really interested to see what I do it in.

I can't say enough good things about Brad Gansberg and 5Kin100days. The program gave me the ability to get over my mental fear of running caused by an earlier injury AND it gave me the physical base to continue training for my half marathon in January.

Honestly, crossing that finish line was nearly as satisfying as the half marathon I did in February. It was a new accomplishment. I am no longer walking races. I am running them!