Sore Knees

The trophy of a runner - sore knees.

Yes, I am sore right now. I don't know if it is because of the race or shopping. lol

I didn't work-out the following day of the race. Yesterday, after my AM shift I went straight in town where I had my Mammogram. After the Mammo, I went to check out some stuffs in a running store in Forest Ave. Then I went to the Mall and bought a few stuff to reward myself for doing a great job. wink*

When I went home my knees were still okay.  I felt a little sore but nothing like I cannot handle. I applied my magic ointment and I felt better.

Today, I worked out but nothing too intense. I just walked for 10 minutes on the treadmill at a pace of 2.5 then pumped iron for 30 minutes. Did some stretching afterwards then hit the sauna for 15 minutes. After that, I had my power snack then headed to the whirlpool and soaked my aching body for 10 minutes. I spent another 2 minutes in the sauna before I finally hit the shower.

It was a relaxing day indeed. But as of this writing, my knees are sore again so I need to take the sneakers off [and no-no for stilettos] and let my toes breathe. And most importantly, it's time for my magic ointment again.

I Finished my First

I finished The 8th Annual Great Scot Trot at 40:48! It may not be fast. Well, it is actually slow. But hey, at least I finished it.

Yeah, I finally did it. I finally did my very first 5k. It was awesome. I enjoyed it and I am craving for more.

It was kinda chilly but the sun was out and the sky was blue. I went an hour early so I didn't have to line up to get my number. And yes, I was hoping I could find some familiar faces that I can run with. It was more of psyching myself up to ease my anxiety attack.

The Kids' Fun Run kicked off first about 45 minutes before the 5k. I was thinking... I should have joined that instead. It seemed that I would qualify - height-wise. And maybe they will not ask my birth date. LOL. Oh well, I was really nervous. Seeing those runners flooding the lobby of Bonny Eagle High School was kinda overwhelming and intimidating for a first-timer like me. But then, I saw some familiar faces from the Crazy Fitness Fun and I kinda warmed up and relaxed a bit.

We started on the dot. There were not a lot of runners compared to Mary's Walk but then, it was well organized. I started slow and easy. After 300 yards, I kinda picked up my pace but it didn't last long. I saw some of the runners were already more than a hundred yards away. I tried to go fast but I couldn't catch my breath so I just walked.

I walked, jogged, ran [a bit], and could have crawled if I was not too embarrassed. But hey, I made it. And I was the fifth wasn't the last one who crossed the line. Now, I am looking forward to my second 5k.

I made it to the finish line. I made friends. And I made myself so proud.

Now, it's time to put my stilettos on and head to the Mall. LOL

Warm Up

Okay, this is it. This is the BIG DAY! It's about 7:30 am right now and as of this writing, the volunteers are probably busy in their different tasks assignment. The event will start at 9AM.

I already had light breakfast and just waiting if I need another trip to the bathroom before I drive to the venue. I need to get a good parking spot so I will not get stuck in the traffic after the run. But then, probably not since I would probably be the last one to cross the finish line and that means, most of the finishers have left already before I get there. So the traffic will already be light. hahaha.

I am nervous, I am scared and I am excited. This is my very first RUN and everything depends on it - my enthusiasm, my goal, my passion.

Wish me luck.

Rest Day

Tomorrow is the big day. I am already nervous and scared.

I chatted with my brother last night who runs marathons back home. I asked him if I should work-out today in preparation for the big day. He said that I should just relax today, take a break and load on carbo so I will have the energy that I need for the big day.

And so I did. I just called my friend Medy and asked if she was busy or something. Today, I just hanged out with her, brought the house down with our out-of-tune videoke singing, prepared and ate home-cooked meals without counting calories and went shopping.

Yes, today I went out shopping. Hey... my brother told me to relax, didn't he? And shopping relaxes me. wink*

Now... I am ready to - run!

I walked the WALK

I was actually planning to sign up to "run" for the Mary's Walk and Kerrymen Pub 5k Road Race. But when I was about to register I changed my mind. Yes, I chickened out. I was afraid that I might not be able to complete the race. I was afraid that I will be the last one to cross the finish line and get laughed at. And I was afraid that I am not really ready to run since I don't have much practice.

So I signed up for the "2.5 walk" and I was happy. So I thought.

[Taken before the Walk and while waiting for the Runners to pass by.]

I was there by the side of the road together with hundreds of "walkers/cheerers/supporters" cheering on the runners. For some reasons, I wasn't happy and felt bad. I was sad because I felt a hint of envy running down my veins. And I felt bad because I was jealous of the runners.

I should have ran. And with that... I went home with a heavy heart. I drove home and went online and searched for any running events here in Maine. I found one, and in a heartbeat, I signed up.

I will be running my very first 5k on Sunday, the 27th of March.

It all started with a WALK

I am not a runner nor a walker. The only course I am willing to walk is the - Mall. But then even that gave me cramps and calluses.

Then come modern technology where I could go shopping without leaving my bedroom and in my jammies. Online shopping is the best!

But one fine day, something unexpected happened. I decided to work-out. Though not really seriously at first. I just went to the gym because I got free membership. As a Staff of YMCA it is one of the perks. Hey, who doesn't like freebies? But then, it didn't last long. I believe I spent more time in the shower than in the treadmill. And oftentimes, when I was about to work-out, I would meet someone I know in the lobby and next thing I know, it was already time to go back to work. So on and off, I went with my work-up.

October of last year [2010] I finally committed myself to really work-out seriously. I enrolled in a fitness center about 2 miles away from where I work and viola, I enjoyed it. I don't miss class because I paid for the membership so I might as well get my money's worth. wink*

Fast sprinting to 2011, the Mary's Walk came and I signed up to support RSU 57. After that event, I signed up for my very first 5k and I started training.

 I started running... seriously.

I hate Running

I am not athletic. I used to hate Physical Education subject in Elementary and High School. And I was not a big fan of sports. Back then, I thought it was a waste of time.

Fast forward to 2008. My first job at the YMCA gave me a great opportunity to be a kid again. My work requires that I play with them and be with them. That is why maybe becoming like them was inevitable. I am so jealous of their energy and passion for play. After working for almost a couple of years now as Site Leader of the YMCA's Kids Out Enrichment Program, I learned to play kids' game. I played tag, line tag, duck-duck-goose, everybody's it, four corners, octopus-octopus, and other games that involved a lot of running. And did I have so much fun? Absolutely. One thing I discovered - I have a hint of competitiveness running in my veins.

I am not athletic and I've never dreamed of becoming one. Any physical activities were not just a waste of time... they were ridiculous. It could ruin my hair. I could get sweaty. And it could break my nails. It was my conviction back then. Back then, I was 13 years old going on 30.

Fast forward to the future. I signed up for the Registration Lottery of TD Bank 2011 Beach to Beacon 10k Road Race in August and I have not even ran my first 5k yet. What am I thinking? Good thing I didn't win the lottery or else I am in big trouble. But then, I think it's just one way of saying - I have 1 and a half year to train so I can be ready.

Test Run

I am not an athlete so this is not an athlete's blog. Though I wish it was.

This is just my "online Running Log or bLog" to keep track of my running progress. Though I doubt it, if I could keep it up. [I got 7 other blogs that I can hardly manage. So good luck on this one. LOL]

I am not a "runner-runner" but I started running just a couple of months back. For some reasons, I enjoy it and I can't believe that I can actually do it. Though not too fast to keep up with the top 1000 finishers. [I guess.]

Well, it all started with a "walk". I started walking... then brisk-walking... next thing I know, I was running - on treadmill, then outdoors [and even in my dreams]. I love it. I enjoy it. And I fancy about it. Though my body is always sore after the work-out [and the long nap].

So, it could be more appropriate to say that I am a walker - thus, the WALK away Diva - is an alternative blog title, if not the more fitted one because... I mostly walk when I go for a run. But hey... I am a believer not just a dreamer, so I will try my best to out-run myself in terms of my presumed physical and psychological limitations.

WARNING:
This is a disturbing blog and I am a disturbing blogger/runner/walker/dreamer. I will blog about "running" even if I am not a runner but a "walker". And I will blog about it out of faith because I am not just a dreamer but a "believer". I will write about it even if I would be the last one to cross the finish line. I will brag about the races that I plan to join and pray that I would finish them so I would really have something to brag about. And I will post photos and write-ups of the races I joined and hope to cross many finish lines and won't get tired of both running and writing.

I am a blogger[slash]runner[slash]walker[slash]dreamer so I would blog about my experiences and progress, struggles and frustrations, successes and failures, joys and pains - of running [and walking and resting too].

So bear with me, as I pick up the pace.