Shrimp Festival 5k & Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k

I'm still slow...ugh! But I'm pushing through. I'll lose weight one week then gain it all back the next. Seems I can't stay with anything any more. Many nights are restless and sometimes carrying over into the following morning making me sluggish that day. At least, I'm not giving up. NO, I won't give up!

I love the race environment and that's what is keeping me going now. I'm so glad that my husband supports me wholeheartedly and encourages me to go out there and do what I can...whatever that may be. Seeing those at races that you don't see at any other time is always so nice. People of all ages and abilities. Some stronger than they were and some struggling. You know, runners ARE family and everyone encourages everyone! We're all happy people!

We all wait patiently for the gun to go off and set us on our way to begin the race. These race reports will be short and sweet.

Shrimp Festival 5k
A couple of things I like about this race is that there are a lot of people there and you don't feel like everyone's watching you, and I love the Back Country Trail System. I met up with Susan and Moe before the race. Moe was doing the 10k and Susan was doing the 5k, like me. We got off to a good start. I really felt good...even when we had 2 treacherous bridges to cross. The BCT staff are repairing the two bridges that we had to cross. They just laid the new boards on top of the existing ones raising it 1"-2" higher and they were all scattered around. It wasn't smoothed out and was up and down the entire bridge[s]. I'm so glad I didn't fall!! That kind of thing usually takes me down no matter how much I try to watch my footing. After-race food was pretty good. I was glad that I did as well as I did. As it turned out Susan got 1st place, I got 3rd place and Kent got 2nd place in the 5k. Moe placed 1st in the 10k. I was pleasantly surprised ... but I'll take it! A win is a win, right?!

Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
This is a nice race, fast and flat. I hope one day to smoke it. I shoot for my best on race day, whatever that may be. There were only a few people that did it. Jean, Moe and Kent all received awards. Most of the people that ran in it was in my age group...you'd figure! But that's okay. It's such a good charity but wasn't advertised. I think those that showed up had done it previously and knew to look for it.They are making changes and hopefully more people will know about it next year and those that had run it previously will receive reminders that it's coming up. They have nice after-race food, too.

One positive thing about these races, I'm improving. This is exciting to me. I've cut my time every race since September. My goal is to run a race totally. I miss that SO much!! I never thought that would be a goal since I've run from the beginning, this kinda hurts my pride. But I WILL DO IT!! Yes, I will.

For those that are starting out, keep moving. And, for those that have had setbacks [like me], keep moving. It's always better than doing nothing. We got it, folks. So, go out there and

Run 4 It

Don McCloskey 5k

We watched the weather a few days before signing up for the Don McCloskey 5k in Pensacola. It's been unseasonally warm this year. The deadline to sign up was getting closer and closer and there was only online registration available. The forecast was in the 60's on raceday; I was so excited. So...we signed up at the last minute. The week of the race, the forecast completely changed - upper 70's, lower 80's!! I was just sick. Summer races are totally out due to the heat and humidity and now we've signed up for a race that's going to be just that. Okay...I decided to go and enjoy it. I knew it was a large race and there would be a ton of people so I wouldn't be last coming in regardless of how hard it would be to run.

The morning of the race came and there was a little overcast to start the race but it quickly dissipated. I did my best and tried not to worry about anyone or anything else. I was hoping to do better in this race than the one I did earlier in the month but not sure now. The course is a good one with one section of a grade that's a little tough but it's short lived and the rest is totally flat.

I knew my friend, Moe, was going to be there but hadn't seen her yet and she didn't know I was going to be there. I started a little further back in the pack since there were so many people. After the first mile was over; I had run the entire mile and was still running. It wasn't long before Moe snuck up behind me. I had no idea she would be behind. We ran together a little while but I stopped for water and she eased on. She ended up having a good race but was one out from placing. Hated that for her. I finished "okay"; not what I had hoped for. Kent did pretty good placing 2nd in his age group. Go, Honey!

When we got home, I downloaded my watch and was pleasantly surprised. My first mile was great! I hadn't done that well in a long time. The other splits weren't as strong. I walked more but much not as long as I did in the last race. When it was all said and done, I had beat my time by 2:06! I was shocked. And, needless to say, very happy. TWO minutes faster!! Not a wash out at all. 

I hope I can keep strong. I do believe my trekking class is really helping me get strong. I look forward to it twice a week. I wish I loved biking like I love running and swimming as much as biking. Guess everyone has their "first love". Don't get me wrong, I still love my Trek bike and am so glad I chose to get a good road bike. It makes it more fun to ride than ever before.

My plan is to work on solid running and, second, to increase my miles to improve endurance for the half coming up at the end of the year. I got in 8 miles last week. Whatever your running goals are, never give up and keep going forward and last of all go

Run 4 It