My Reasons for Running

I wasn't in a hurry to get my bu*t moving to get to the venue for today's race. Why should I? It is barely 5 miles away from home. I could even run my way to get there but that is not really an option. It was kinda cold compared to yesterdays foggy day.

There were only few people there when I arrived. I assumed they were mostly family and friends of the organizers. There were quite a few kids too which I hate because I know those little ones will surely beat me to the finish line. They always do. But I had to admit they are cute and I am jealous.

I got there about 10 minutes before the race time. I checked in and got my number but my t-shirt's size ran out. I was not really very happy about it since it was my only motivation for running. LOL. Anyway, I settled to the next size up available just to get the souvenir of this particular race.

So I got there just enough time to do to some quick stretching before we race. This race is the first ever event organized to benefit Standish Recreation Department dubbed as Running for a Reason 5k. It took the Sabago Lake route in Route 35 though we didn't really run along the lake. We were just given a glimpse of the lake in the distant view when we negotiated the steep downhill going to Windham. And yes, I almost crawled my way uphill going to the finish line.

And true enough, the kids beat me to the finish line. They were already on their second servings of pizza when I crossed the finish line. I placed 8th from the bottom list. LOL Yup, 27th out of the 34 runners. I clocked in 38 minutes and 34 seconds making it 12:28 as my pace time. Oh well, what do you expect? That's what you get when your only reason for running is - to get a free t-shirt.! hahaha

To Run or to Get Ran Over!

Finally, I was able to get back to running. This is my first race after my long vacation in the Philippines and my long pause from training.And speaking of training. I didn't have any prior to this race. It is not my alibi for coming 1st in the "walkers" list or rather 11th in my age category. [And I am not going to mention that there were 11 of us in my age category] LOL It is simply the truth.
As I have mentioned in my previous post - I didn't get a chance to run when I was home except for a couple of occasions. I didn't even have a descent training as soon as I came back from that vacation because I started working 12 hours again. And even if I can run after work, that didn't work out well too because we started to lose light in the afternoon. It is getting dark early and Hubby didn't want me to run in the dark. But still, it's not an alibi. It's the fact.

Well, the fact that I was late too is the culprit - there! Well, I need to point finger at something you know. Wink** It will never be my fault. Nevah! hahahaha

I came just in time when the "GO" was shouted out. I went running... to the registration table to get my number and my shirt. And before I can get ready they were already quarter of a mile ahead. I started running while fixing myself at the same time. My iPod gave me a hard time setting it. My hair was a mess and I had a hard time wrapping my head with a headband to keep my ears warm. It was freezing cold that morning, though beautiful. The fall weather is gorgeous especially in the orchard.

So I ran until I caught up with some walkers. Walked a bit, ran a bit, and crawled one time uphill. I finished at 46:15 and I ran to the food table to help myself with some apple cider donuts!

I signed up for this race because it is for the organization I work for. And being part of the organization I want to be a part of everything they do as well. The 5th Annual YMCA 5K Trail Run/Walk benefits our scholars so it means so much to me. And the fact that it is a trail run at the apple orchard, it made it more interesting to me. So I guess I will be running again next year. I hope I will really run.

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!