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.

Y Race?

Why do I join races? One good reason I can think of... I have to entertain myself. I need to think of a thing to do that will not involve getting bored. And I need a thing to do to stay away from food. But that is another story.

I started racing at the age of... ehemmmm... [clearing my throat here]... 46. Yeah, I'm a late bloomer.

I started joining races when I got jealous of those runners and figured out that I can do the same. And I was right. I have ran more than a dozen races to date.

The YMCA Fit Fest 5k race is another race I ran with Heather. And yes, we were not late. We came just in time. It was a fun race aside from doing a good cause for the YMCA. I work for the Y in Sanford so the affiliation is the same.

The route is awesome and picturesque. I did a great job I guess since I did not stop jogging/running through the entire race. I clocked in 36:08 at 11:21 pace placing me 461st over 701 participants. That included the walkers too. LOL.

But the best part of this race is the post race where Heather and I went antiquing. LOL we spent the rest of the day at Brunswick flea market and yard sales. I brought home some antique silver wares. Love it.

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.