5K on the Runway!

Today I woke up and headed to the local airport to run my fourth ever 5K.  My Mother was suppose to come with me as she signed up for the 1K walk, but she didn't end up making it as she unexpectedly had to go out of town.

The weather for the run this morning was wet, wet, wet.  Mother nature surely didn't give a rats that I was running! I'm not going to lie, this one was VERY hard for me. I thought I had mentally prepared for rain (and I think I partly did), but I didn't realize how hard running a route that had NO hills would be. Holy Mother people. It kicked my behind in a big way!!!

I always curse hills. NEVER again! I do dislike going up them, but now I'll take a hilly 5K any day. Why...because what goes up, must come down...and I love running downhill! Running on a runway is super hard. It's flat people. Flat as a pancake. Add the fact that you have no where to hide from the the crazy elements you're totally vulnerable. Sure other runners might have thought this run was still a piece of cake, but I did not! This run was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.

I ran the first 20min fine and then I think I had a mini mental breakdown. There was so much negativity swimming around in my head. ugh....Not. Good! The same thing happened when I ran the Pride and Remembrance run by myself. I swear I am far better when I run races with buddies than when I run them by myself! I'm not sure if I took off too fast out of the gate, or walking for 8 hours yesterday, or eating shit food lately finally caught up with me, .but by the 20min mark I was toast. As a result, I ended up walking the route a lot more than I was expecting to after that. I really wanted to do 10s and 1s like I did at my last 5K (which worked out great!), but I just couldn't muster up the energy or the will to push on. I walked and jogged off and on the rest of the way to the finish line.

The good news is I finished the race just past the 40 min mark (Still a much better time than my first 5K and that one I ran the entire thing!  Yup...I was S.L.O.W). I'm really happy about my time this time, because this means, I am capable of running under 40min in the right conditions, if I stuck to my 10s and 1s and don't have a mental breakdown! lol.... Sure it sucks that didn't happen this time, but whatever. I still got out there in the rain and did my best and that's all that matters!!!!  This was a hard race for me, under hard conditions and I was just happy to finish.  Next time I'm hoping for a nicer route and better weather so I will be able to finally say I ran a timed 5K under 40.

Here are some pictures I thought I'd share. Enjoy!

Not the greatest pic I know. Doesn't My father know to take pictures of fat gals on a down angle???!!!!!
Taken at my parents (as I had to pick up my Mom's pledges) before heading to  the race.
Like my new gear?

At the airport
Cool to see some planes!

Getting ready to depart!

Wet, Wet, Wet!!!!!
Silly me didn't bring a hat....hey, I'm learning. Last time I didn't bring gloves, this time I did!
The girl behind me didn't though! ;-)

Still not sure I should call myself a Runner yet!

Sea of Umbrellas

Sad I wasn't under 40 minutes this time.....

....but happy to be done!!!! 

Look what they had! A veggie burger!!!! 

Wonderland

Today I went to Canada's Wonderland with my sister, BIL, three year old nephew, and one month old niece. My nephew had a blast (as did his Aunt!)


I saw Charlie Brown, flew in a helicopter, and got to hang out with batman all day. Yup....I'd say today rocked.

The Helicopter ride

Inside the Helicopter

Charlie and Friends dressed up for Halloween! 

My Nephew was to into the Charlie Brown show to look at the camera!

Batman is #1

Just Because.....

....this is the first photo (in a very, very long time) where I thought my ass was kind of scrumptious! :-)

Before my 5K run on October 3, 2010

of course I'm the gal in the brown sweater! I've always hated my bootie, despite others saying it's fantastic. I guess I was scarred a bit when a boy in high school called it a bubble butt. ugh... DAMN HIM!!!!  Now that it's getting more toned though, I'm happy to report I'm liking it more and more. I can't wait until it gets even more appetizing!

Today I ran for my Mom!

Today was a great day. I woke up at 6:45am did some yoga stretches, stuck on my gear and headed out the door. Soon after I picked up my Mother and we were on our way to the CIBC Run for the Cure!

I ran the 5K at a personal best of just under 40 minutes and my Mom walked the 1K.  My friend ran the 5K as well ----> with a chest cold! It was her first 5K and she rocked it!

Last year I couldn't have run this race if my life depended on it. Last year I said never gain. I'm so proud that I took the time to train and was able to meet my goal.  This race was special in so many ways!

Before the Race - it was a tad chilly! 

My Mom and I - She got a special survivor t-shirt to wear (and a funky wig!)

The sea of people who raised over $500 000 for Breast Cancer Research! 

The only running picture I have (Mom took a video that didn't really turn out that well at the finish line).
My friend's husband took this one. I'm the chick on the far right waving! lol.....

Pics

Not much to report today folks. I volunteered in the morning, took it easy in the afternoon and went to a movie this evening.

I then came home and updated my tool bar on this blog. Have a look if you want. I added a new tab for  "RACE PICTURES" and I updated my "PROGRESS PICTURES".

Better

Okay....so perhaps I over reacted a little on the hip thing yesterday. Perhaps, I had a 'oh my god, I have a headache, it must be a tumor'  moment.  My hips are fine today. lol..... They feel much, much better. I did everything I said I was going to do, and it did help a lot. I should be good to go with my run with my friend on wednesday and then again on sunday when the real run happens. Fingers crossed.

Aside from the hip thing though I've been struggling a little with my emotions lately. I've been sad, happy, hurt, angry and excited all the in span of a couple days. It can be a bit exhausting. The 'issues' aren't huge and nothing too too concerning, but emotions are emotions no matter how big or small the issues are.  The good news is (and the reason I'm telling you this) is that I didn't gravitate to food for comfort this time. I sat with my emotions and although upset and feeling like I needed a hard drink and a bucket of ice cream, I managed to talk myself through these feelings and move on. Sure some things still weigh on my heart, but  I'm determined to not let a little disappointment from a friend cause me to derail my efforts to live my best life.

I think this is why I feel this journey to a better health (and an hourglass figure) just might be different for me this time. I know I've had a blog for years now and have come and gone from it as my weight has gone up and down, but this time things feel different. I have this determination I didn't have before, I have motivation I never had, and I have an attitude that is different. I wish I could explain it better, but I just know I can do it this time. I will reach my goal. I will get healthy. I promise!

I'll leave you with a picture that my Mother sent me tonight. It's the reason this run on sunday is so important to me.  See the dog? See the lady behind (and just slightly to the right) of lady with the dog? That's my Mom!

Emily helping Mom wake up

How I usually wake up in the morning....with a little help!