My 7th and last 5k for this Year

Yes, you read it right. Yesterday was my 7th race for 2011 and it's the last one for this year too.

 

This is one of the most memorable races I had so far for 3 reasons.

1. This is also my second race with Heather. And yes, we were late again. hahaha. Well, if the race was held on Thanksgiving Day, we would have been early. You see, I messed up with my calendar date and thought that the race was scheduled on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. I was so ready and called up Heather early so we won't be late. But guess what? Wrong date. Instead of the 24th, it was scheduled on the 26th. hahaha And yes, on the exact date, I called her late so we arrived 10 minutes late at the venue. Runners were about a mile away already when we got there so we thought of just getting our number and freebies. And yes, the free tee was way to big for our size. That's what you get for being late, you are given with left-overs.

2. The weather is awesome. For some reason, we were happy that it felt like springtime again. It snowed the day before and we gathered around 2 inches in our town. But at Kennebunkport, it didn't snow. The place was devoid of the powdery blanket and the wind felt like spingtime. So we decided to just go for a run anyway, just to see the area and do some workout. But lo and behold, we caught up with the runners - dog runners and the walkers... that is. hahaha

3. I wasn't even the last in the list. I was 8th to the last and so proud of it! Why not? We came in 10 minutes late... caught up with the runners, well mostly walkers - dog walkers... and clocked in 47:53. It's 10 minutes over my PR. So do the math.

Well, the 20th Annual Presidential 5k is my last race for this year. I tried to find another race in December but no luck. But guess what... I already signed up for my first race in 2012. Isn't it awesome?

My 6th 5K

The dogs beat me to the finish line. Yes, you read it right.

 The Bayside Trail 5K Run is actually a dog race. Well, sort of. The 2nd Annual Bayside Trail 5K race is an event that will benefit the Bayside Trail in Portland. It was open to everyone who loves to run and their dogs [on leash]. In my case, I run alone since I don't have a dog and don't have any intention of borrowing or buying one just for the event. But on hindsight, I should have done one or the other because I would have ran faster with a dog or rather... my PR would be better if I was dragged by a dog to the finish line. LOL

Well, I clocked in 39 minutes and 54 seconds. I blamed that for my lack of preparation. First, I didn't know where to go. I am not familiar to the place and my GPS can't find the location. How, stu*id it was huh? The only good thing is that it's a Sunday. Portland is not crowded on Sundays and parking is free.

Second, I bought a new pair of running shoes for the event. I got it from Maine Running Company where my feet were assessed and evaluated for pronation [whatever that means] and got fitted for the right kind of shoes to address my needs. I forgot to wear them when I ran. How silly was that?

Third, I didn't have breakfast. I would normal have cereals and bananas before the race and since I was in a hurry to get there, I just grabbed a fruit cup that I planned to eat in the car. That didn't happen. To think that I had it next to the new pair of shoes on the passenger seat. That really is stu*id!

But then, it was indeed a fun run. I had fun even without a dog. I was able to hold myself together to the finish line even without a new pair of runners. And I was able to enjoy a lot of food samplers at the Craft Fair where I went to after the run.

Training Dilemma

I'm back in the gym. I have no choice. The weather is unfriendly and it's getting dark early now. DST is getting in my nerve so I decided to renew my gym membership so I can train and continue working-out after work. And speaking of work... I work 12 hours now. So gone are the days when I can take my sweet time in the gym and spending more time chatting with the members than working-out.

Yes, my schedule is from 6am to 6pm everyday. Then I go straight to the gym and work-out for an hour then, go home. I can only hit the road on weekends and when the weather is mild and sunny. Otherwise, I will just be spending time in front of the DVD player doing Belly Dancing Exercises and/or lifting weights. Hayyy.

But then, I also get the chance to take a walk around the school grounds with some of my kids at work. And yes, last at the trail at the Y.