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.

My 5th 5K

A week passed and still I didn't get the chance to get back on the road to run. With my crazy schedule there is no way I can train again. I now work 12 hours and it's almost dark when I get out of work so my only option is to re-enroll in the gym. I did. But I only got the chance to work-out once and it's race time again.

We were early this time. I called Heather ahead of time so that we will not be late. And yes, I drove this time too. The McDougal Apple Orchards was the venue for my very first 5k Trail Run sponsored by Sanford Springvale YMCA, the company where I work. There were not a lot of people when we got there compared to what I used to when I get of the venue of the race. The ambiance was just like a typical apple picking weekend. We picked up our race number and shirt at the barn. I saw some familiar faces and said "hello". I even saw my boss Matt who just came running and soaked in sweet from his 3 miles warm-up run. Whew! He did join the race and was one of the top ten. At the later part of the race he cheered me on at the finished line.

The trail was gorgeous despite some unfriendly terrain. It rained the day before so it was kinda slippery because the fallen leaves on the ground were soaked in rain water and mud. The scenery was awesome and the foliage was breathtaking. The air filled my lungs with the sweet smell of the ripen apples on the trees. If I didn't twist my ankle, it was a perfect run despite with my 43minutes and 22 seconds PR. Yes, it was slow. In fact it is the lowest PR I got so far since I started running but I have an alibi.

First of all, it was my very first "trail" race. Trail running is very different from road running. It's harder, in my honest opinion. Second of all, it was slippery and I twisted my ankle. And third of all, I didn't get the chance to train again. Oh well, I was just whining as usual. But over-all experience - it was an awesome run.

My [official] 4th 5K

Okay, so my supposedly 4th 5K didn't happen and I didn't get the chance to sign up for another race for August and September. But I was able to sign up for another race this October. The only problem is... I didn't realized that I signed up for 2 races this month. Urgggg!

Here's the thing. About 3 months ago I signed up for the very First Fit at 5K sponsored by WCSH6. It's scheduled today, 8th of October, 2011. Last month out of desperation to join another race, I signed up for the YMCA 2011 5K Trail Run. So the bottom line is... I will run 2 races two Saturdays in a row. Worse thing is I didn't have the time to train. Oh well, I decided to train on the race day itself. hahaha

The Fit at 5K was awesome. I clocked in 37 minutes and 47 seconds. Very impressive compared to my previous race and definitely something to brag about considering that I have not ran for 3 weeks. But more than that, this particular race is special because this is the very first race launched by WCSH Channel 6 spearheaded by no other than Kelly LaBrecque. I got the change to see her in person because she was there the whole time. It would have been awesome if she joined up. But then, the race is not about her. It is about those people who made a crucial decision to take charge of their lives and chose to be fit and health. Majority of the runners are first-timers and it felt so good because it gave me a little confidence and edge. wink**** Kidding aside.

It really felt good when I crossed the finish line with Kelly handing me my medal.It was such a fun race. It was such a memorable run. It was such a successful event. And I got my very first race medal. Yay!

My 3rd 5K

So I ran.

The weather was kinda forgiving this time. It actually rained earlier today but I was not really scared of it. It stopped after an hour. I thought it was awesome because it cooled down the planet just a bit. The temperature today was lower than yesterday which was 98 degrees. I had to hang out at Walmart to stay cool. wink** Thank God.

This race is my 3rd and I was on fire. Well, maybe it was more because of my series of "hot flashes" attacks so nothing too dramatic about it. But yes, I am happy and more optimistic with this run because I am with Heather, my stepdaughter and now my running buddy. Yes, I finally found a running buddy so her father... a.k.a. My Sweetest will not worry anymore whenever I train on the road. And yes, Heather and I have future plans for our succeeding "races". Hurray!

Moving on, we reached the race venue early. And for the update and a little info on today's race... here we go:

1. Weather: Okay. Kinda cloudy but a okay. It felt cooler especially with a little sprinkling here and there. But the sprinkling stopped 20 minute before the race started.

2. Accessibility to venue: Better - Heather drove, that's why. Glad she did because Tom-Tom [my GPS]will surely make me go around in circles again. Whew!

3. Porta-potty Condition: As Usual - Ok because I was the first one to use it so... still clean. Hahahaha

4. Trail Condition: Awesome - It was at the Back Cove Trail, in Portland Maine and we have a great vista of the cove. Though I didn't pay much attention because I was concentrating on my breathing.

5. Speed: Slow. I was just jogging. hahaha well, modesty aside there were some who did just that. I was the 95th finisher. There were 107 registrants. So I was not the 5th to the last. LOL.

6. Time: Unimpressive. I clocked in at 38:52. It was 8 minutes over my PR goal.

7. Attitude: Impressive: I jogged all the way to the finish line. I never stopped to walk but rather I jogged slow and steady from start to finish and that is impressive indeed. It meant so much to me because I know I already built some kind of endurance.

8. Perks: Freebies: I got new shirt and coupons and power bars. Yay. Well, I am beginning to suspect that I am after the freebies than to running per se. What do you think?

9. Future Plan: Run, truly run, for Pete's Sake! Yes, next time I will try to run. Maybe then, I will finally get my PR goal. Well, of course I need to continue training and with that in mind, I need more motivation and determination. So help me God! wink*

Lastly, just one funny inessential thing that happened today - the guy in the registration table where we got our bib got messed up with our numbers. Heather got my number and I got hers. Heather finished 3 minutes ahead of me but when the final result was posted it turned out that I finished 3 minutes ahead of her. Wooohooo! So for my over-all assessment of my performance today - it was simply awesome.

I am looking forward for my 4th race.

My 2nd 5K

I know, I have not written here for awhile. I can come up with lots of alibis but I chose not to. The weather is mean up here in Maine and training plans are always messed up. Anyway, I finally did my second 5K today, and that is something worth writing about. Yes, today I joined the 2nd Annual Patriot 5k "Lap Around the Lake" in Gray Maine.

I set out early today so I can have enough time to people watch. This is one of the things I enjoy doing before the race. I arrived about 45 minutes early and I got the best parking. That is very very important.

I picked up my bib about 30 minutes and did not wait one second to pin my number on my belt.I had enough time to check out the porta-potty twice. Whew, blame it to the tea I drank at breakfast. Then, I people watched. I watched kids doing the hula hoop competition... people doing their routine stretching... volunteers doing their tasks diligently... and yes, fashionista runners cruising along in their best trendy running outfits.

So why do I "people watch"? It relaxes me. It gives me time to weigh myself... gives me time to psyche myself up that I can cross the finish line without embarrassing myself... gives me a chance to look for someone I can run with and hopefully make a friend after the race... and yes, gives me an idea of the latest trend in sports fashion runway. wink.

SO... we started on time. I met someone who looked less threatening... so I thought. She was alone or shall I say without anyone she was talking to or someone she seemed to be running with because most of the runners there seemed to be in a group. So I decided to run with her. She is in her 60s. There, I have someone who can keep up with my "slow pace"... and so I thought again.

As we started running we started to get to know each other. We just chatted during the first few yards but since we were running it was hard to really talk. As we went a little further, we kept quiet. And she was nice enough to tell me... "I can't talk while running because I am concentrating on my breathing." Good point! Then I replied... "Yes, I understand. Maybe we can talk again when we walk.". Then she replied back... "Oh No, I don't plan to walk!" Bam!

She didn't walk. She ran all the way to the Finish Line. Leaving me behind. hahaha.

Well, I did a great job running today. I am so proud of myself despite my funny experience with Alice. I finished 318th among the 405 runners who joined the race. That is historical for me. I was not the 5th to the last to cross the finish line and I clocked in 36 minutes and 45 seconds which is more than 6 minutes less than my first 5k which is 40:48.

I am so proud of myself for doing a great job today. To think that I didn't get the chance to really train due to bad weather I still did it in less time of my original PR. I met a new friend and learned new things about running... one of which is to run on an easy pace and don't walk [if you can]. I didn't realize that I can ran without stopping. Well, I was able to ran without stopping for the first mile and a half but I had to walk for 2 minutes because my shin was kinda bothering me.

I guess I ran most of the time today compared to my 1st 5k. I did walk for a total of about 5 minutes for the duration of the race. And yes, crawling to the finish line was never an option.

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