Peachtree Road Race: What I Learned

Now that I have completed my dream race, I have been thinking about my next running goal. I know I will never be a fast runner. I do know that running consistently will help increase my pace. So, one of my goals is just to continue running and improving my time and pace.

My three takeaways from Peachtree/my first 10k are:

1. Trust my training – As long as I follow my training plan, I will be fine. I was very surprised how well I did. I really did expect to feel much worse than I did. I am sure that some of this had to do with my slow walk to the finish line. I started my training early. This will be my plan of action for my next 10k.
2. Pay better attention to the road – This should really be my number one lesson. There is no way I should have stepped in the puddle of water. I was so distracted trying to avoid the water spray that I wasn’t paying attention to where I was placing my feet. I could have injured myself.
3. Run my own race – Although I did a great job of this on the road, I was so worried before the race. I need to just focus on me and what I am doing. I think this will come with more experience in races.

Part of the hidden curriculum was the support that I received from all my family and friends. When I first started sharing that I wanted to become a runner, I was meant with some discouragement. I know many doubted me. As a result, I have learned not to share my running dreams and goals with everyone.

Peachtree Road Race: I did it!

I did it! 6.2 miles! What an emotional ride it was!

Once my wave gets to the starting line, I remind myself of my strategies and advice I’ve received to pace myself. Thankfully, it was a great day for a race in the ATL. It wasn’t that hot and there was a slight breeze.
Miles 1, 2, and 3 went like a breeze. I ran into trouble about halfway into mile 4 -- due to those darn water sprays! I was trying to get on the curb to avoid the water and accidentally stepped in a puddle of water. I was soooo upset! My right foot was soaked! It was all downhill, figuratively, after that. I tried changing my form a bit but that wet sock keep rubbing against my skin. I ended up walking across the finish line. At first I was a bit disappointed, but I decided I would be grateful that I finished.

The Peachtree Road Race has been on my fitness bucket list from day one. At the time, I thought it was a long shot. Today I am living proof that all it takes is one step, one day at a time. As I slowly walked to the finish line, I reflected on those times I could barely walk around the block. Now, there I was on a 6.2 mile course. Unbelievable!

This race is sooo much fun that you forget about time. I love all the cheering and I always stopped for the high fives and fist bumps from all the cute kids. As expected, Cardiac Hill is a very humbling experience. Even though it uphill, it's hospital row and there's the Shepherd Center that has spinal and brain injury patients sitting outside cheering you on.

Oh, I almost forget to mention one of the coolest parts of the race. At about 2.5 miles into my race, Meb (winner of the Boston Marathon) passed me. He started dead last and passed me! Unbelievable!

Peachtree Road Race: Tomorrow is the big day!

I'm so excited and nervous. I feel pretty good. I wish my right knee felt better. I broke down an took some Advil. I'll give it a quick icing before heading out. I'm going to take it easy. I have already resigned that I'm going to have to take walk breaks. This race has been on my fitness bucket list for four years. I'm going to have fun and get across that finish line. Hopefully, I will remember to take pics.

Progress, Not Perfection

I have less than a week until the Peachtree Road Race I am on the verge of having an anxiety attack. I am as ready as I will ever be. Today my intention was to run six miles. My knee is not feeling so great so I didn't want to risk injury. I walked about four miles and decided to give my knee a rest.

I am going to continue stretching, hydrating, and preparing myself mentally. No matter what happens on July 4 I am so proud of myself for what I have accomplished. The Peachtree Road Race has been on my bucket list for years. I am going to cross that finish line!

Crosstraining

The Peachtree Road Race is coming up fast and I had to scale back on my running. My left ankle is giving me a little bit of trouble. I think it's my new sneakers. I tried lacing them differently and this seems to help. I also need to pay better attention to my form.

Anyhow, I've been walking. Yesterday I decided I was going to try to run. I took a quick nap after work, woke up, and it was storming! So...I went to the gym and jumped on the Elliptical.

I was planning to run this morning before heading to the airport. Thanks to scattered thunderstorms no can do. I'm torn. I don't do so well with running on the treadmill. So, I guess I will go to the gym and hop on the Elliptical again. I know I need to keep up with my cardio but nothing is going to prepare for the Peachtree but running.

Peachtree Countdown

I went for a walk today and ended up running a little. I decided to run up the little hills for about a 1/4 miles. I did this three times during a four-mile walk. While out out my walk, I saw another person wearing his Peachtree training tee. I felt so grate ful for his smile and encouragement.

I also decided to keep a food journal and begin measuring my food again. This will really help me stay on track until the race. If I can stay healthy and injury-free, I'll give myself a great chance to have a really fun time during the race. I have no time goal (I did but I have been reading that it's a huge mistake to do so for my first 10k). I also read that I shouldn't expect that I will finish is double the time it takes for a 5k. I will finish when I finish. I just want to have the strength and endurance. I just want to cross that finish line with a big smile on my face.

Two Months!

I have exactly two months until the Peachtree Road Race! My training is going well. I am started Week 11. Repeating Week 11, Day 1 tomorrow. Although I have three weeks left in my plan, I am no way near six miles. I am barely running three miles. No matter what, I will get across that finish line!

This weekend I had a very unfortunate incident. I have been debating whether or not to blog about it. However, it is part of my journey and I want to be able to look back on it at some point. Anyhow, I'm running, minding my own business. This woman pulls up into a parking space next to the path, gets out of her car, and says, look at that fat stomach! I am not sure why she felt the need to say anything. Part of me wanted to stop and say something but I said a prayer for her and just kept running. Part of me wanted to go all angry black woman at her but it wouldn't have helped anything. I went to my car, text my friend about what had happened, and drove home.

I walked through the door and thought about crying but couldn't. I told myself I was not going to allow some stranger to steal my joy! You cares what anyone says to me. I am doing what I am doing for me, myself, and I! I also reminded myself that I have been very lucky. Most people smile, wave, and give me the thumbs up. There has been much more good than bad. I am doing much better out there sweating, with my fat stomach, than sitting on the couch, with my fat stomach, eating chips and ice cream.

I am so sorry that person felt the need to say anything to me. Maybe she thought I couldn't hear her because I had a headphones. Who knows...who cares.... Anyhow, I just wanted to get that out. I will not be bullied by anyone. Whoever you are, lady, screw you! You do not know anything about my journey!

It also brings home to me just how vulnerable we are when were out. I already felt a little uneasiness because I forgot my pepper spray. Even though the park was filled with people on the fields and playgrounds and I saw a police car patrolling around, I was still vulnerable in that time and space. I've got to do better about keeping my pepper spray next to my keys. What if that lady had come up and approached me? I do not run that fast.

A couple of months ago, some guy tried to abduct this 18 year old girl who was jogging in her neighborhood. She had a pocket knife on her. Who knows...maybe she was trying to start a confrontation....

Peachtree Road Race Training

Check out what I received in the mail today!

It’s really starting to sink in that I am going to do this. The Peachtree Road Race has been on my bucket list since I started my fitness journey. This year is the first year I have had the courage to go after it.

I am so excited and nervous. Tomorrow I finish Week 9 of my training plan. I’m running about three miles. I have five weeks left in the plan and 11 weeks left until the race. I pray I’m able to run/walk/crawl 6.2 miles by then.
I went into Big Peach Running today. They’re always so nice and friendly. I went in to purchase some NUUN to help me with my hydration goals. One the guys asked me what I was training for. Me? I felt like a real runner. One of these days it will sink in that I am a runner now.

So, we chat about Peachtree and he gives me the best advice ever – HAVE FUN! He told me the funniest story about supporting a friend during her first Peachtree. She told him to go ahead and run his race. He waited and waited and waited for her at the finish line. She finally shows up all happy. He was so worried. She was having a blast. She stopped for a doughnut and a beer along the course. She did exactly what he advised her to do -- have fun!


In the end, that’s what it’s all about. I am having a wonderful adventure. While I want to be prepared and take my training seriously, I do not want to forget to enjoy the journey!

Terrific Tuesday

Yippee! I just finished Week 5, Day 2 of my Couch to 10k training. It was a hot and sweating one. It's about 71 degrees out. I decided to wear my jacket anyhow to give my body a taste of how hot and sweaty I am going to get in July. I am finally reaching a space where I am okay with sweating. I think I can officially say I am no longer afraid of sweat.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am very grateful that I completed my workout. I was going to repeat the last day of Week Four, but decided to press forward and try to complete Week Five, Day 1. Even though I had to reduce the incline for my last two runs, I completed the workout. Again, using mind over matter is going to be the key to my successful. It does not matter how fast or slow I am moving, I just need to keep moving!

February Update

I am ending this month on a very shaking note. I had a doctor's appointment this morning. My thyroid is still not stabilized. My doctor wants to give me yet another increase on my Synthroid dosage. I think it is about time I get serious and look into alternative therapies.

Everything else is fine. I forgot to ask for a copy of my labs. My blood pressure was 102/64 -- fantastic! She also said my cholesterol is still on the low side. She wants me to have some cholesterol. My vitamin D level is great. My A1c is 6.1.

The awful news is that I have gained seven more pounds! Between being sick, bingeing here and there, and skipping workouts, the pounds are piling back on. Not good at all!

I have a little over 100 days to give my butt in shape to cross that Peachtree Road Race finish line. I need to stay healthy and focused on achieving my goal.

This is going to take some discipline. My Dad is starting chemotherapy and radiation treatments in a couple of weeks. This means I will be going to Michigan. I am still going to have to stay on top of my training. In fact, the training will be a great stress reliever.

I know I can do the training. Right now nutrition and sticking to my food plan is my biggest hurdle.

I haven't registered for the Run the River 5k because I am not sure I will be in town for it. Come to think of it, with my Dad being ill, there is no guarantee I will be in town for the Peachtree Road Race. Come what may. I'm still training for both events!

Fitness Friday

I just looked at my countdown. I have 201 days until the Peachtree. I need to make each and every day count, one day at a time. I took a power nap after work because I was so sleepy. By the time I got myself together, it was too dark for me to go out. This is one of the downfalls of not having an exercise buddy. I do not feel comfortable going out alone so late. By 5:15, it was dark! Then, I thought it going to be so crowded at the gym and it's cold out. So.... I'm going to do an impromptu workout here. I'll do my cardio tomorrow. I need to get a battery for my HRM watch so I will know exactly how many calories I'm burning. I really need to make sure I'm going bang for my buck. I feel some slight soreness from the strength training. Overall, I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job.

I just realize tomorrow was supposed to be my next 5K. I'm glad I didn't sign up. The weather is supposed to be yucky. Hopefully, by midafternoon I can get my miles in. If not, I'll be on the treadmill.

Improvements!

It took me all day to get to the gym today. I almost didn't go. I got dressed, stood outside for a while, went back inside, and took a nap. I got up. Wasted time on the Internet. I then gave myself a pep talk. If I expect to run the Peachtree Road Race in July, I need to get my butt in gear now. I struggle with 3.1 miles. The Peachtree is twice as long.

So, I finally get there and there are no treadmills available. Fine. I decided to do my 3.1 miles on the Elliptical. I set a new PR. The last time I did a 5K on the Elliptical it took me 38 minutes. Today I did it in 35:12! Pre-workout me I would think that is no big deal. However, anyone who workouts out knows an exercise minute can be an eternity! I'm so proud of myself.