Amy's "BUT I'M NOT A RUNNER" Journal

[AmyBeth68]

Sunday, April 9th

Yesterday I took an hour long pilates class. Boy am I sore today!!! That's one of those mixed blessings....I know I worked hard but OUCH!

Today I ran my first 4 miler. I was really happy with the results. I finished in 43 minutes even. My first 3 miles were pretty good....I finished them in 30:20. But I got a stitch in my side and walked more than ran...plus the last mile is all uphill...and into the wind today. So I turned in a 12:40 split for mile 4. But honestly, I felt really good and was so excited to complete 4 miles.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Arizona and I'm excited to run in a whole new environment! I'm hoping for some nice weather! I'll report back when I return.

Have a great week everyone!

 

[kimwim8]

Congrats on the 4 miles! That's awesome!

I hope you have a GREAT time in Arizona, which I'm sure you will. Fill us in when you get home!

 

[ScoJo15]

Ok Amy you've been back for a whole day now...where is the update??

Hoping you had a great time in AZ...can't wait to hear how it went (and see some pics!)

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Guys

Wow....Arizona is really beautiful! We had a wonderful vacation AND I got out there and exercised a bunch. We spent the first half of the trip in lovely Sedona....words cannot describe how amazing this place is! Everyone should try to visit there at least once...trust me .

As for my training I did a 3 mile trail run on Tuesday, a 3 mile killer trail run on Thursday a 3.3 mile walk with DH on Saturday and a 4 mile treadmill run on Sunday. In addition I did my abs, pushups and some weight training at the fitness center in Scottsdale. I found running the trails to be very challenging....especially since it's so darn dry and the altitude at Sedona is much higher than what I'm used to here. It definitely made breathing more of an issue and I had to concentrate harder on my breathing techniques! But the scenery.....here's a picture of the trail I was running on Thursday:

I haven't yet run today....still adjusting to East Coast time. But I hope to do an early evening 30 minute run. The race is SOOO close now! I'm nervous and excited !

 

[kimwim8]

Welcome Back!!!

I'm so glad you had fun! And you did so much working out!! You're the WOMAN!

I'm really excited for you & your race this weekend! Scott did an awesome job, and I'm sure you will too! I can't wait to hear all about it!!

We sure missed ya around here!!

 

[ScoJo15]

Welcome Back Amy!

What an incredible picture! Absolutely beautiful out there. You guys must have had a great time.

Way to go on the exercising!! It's soo hard to stay on your routine while vacationing but you did it - Good Job!!

You are gonna do great on the 5k this weekend! I know how nervous/anxious/excited you must be....you'll be surprised at how much fun it is!

Good to see you back!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wednesday, April 19th

Yesterday was my scheduled 30 minute run. I have to say that I wasn't actually looking forward to it because I was so tired from travelling home and the time difference, etc. But I ran before dinner...it was a bit rough...but I made it. I think I did 3 miles in 32:20. It was an easy course though....I didn't do my more challenging 3 miler. It should have been more leisurely and pleasant but for some reason I felt like I had to fight my way through it the whole time. I'm hoping for a better 30 minute run tomorrow .

Today I managed to get back to KBX. It actually felt so good to do this class. Due to vacation and the crazy week before we left it had been nearly 2 weeks since I took this class. I really missed it and noticed that my running was impacted negatively by not doing KBX or Yoga for so long. I know that both of these cross-training activities keep me stretched, toned and definitely with KBX my endurance is better when I am activiely participating. I also noticed that my hips have been sore after running more so lately than when I'm doing my yoga and KBX. So I know they are important activities for me!

 

[ScoJo15]

Nice job on the run and congrats on getting back to the KBX program!

Two more days 'til the 5k, you getting excited??

 

[ScoJo15]

Getting ready for my Saturday run and was thinking about you in your first 5k!! Hope you are having a great time...can't wait to hear how it went!

(Also hoping the weather cooperates with ya)

 

[goldcupmom]

Glad you had a good time in AZ. The altitude really makes a difference, doesn't it?

Good luck on the 5k!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Main Street 5K Festival Race Report

Hi guys! Yesterday was the big race and I'm still on cloud nine ! What a wonderful and empowering experience. I learned so many things yesterday! First of all I learned that I guess I really AM A RUNNER ! I think that has finally sunk in after all this training. I also learned that the running community is one of the friendliest and most supportive groups of people you can find. It wasn't at all the cutting, competetive sport I had always imagined. People genuinely want you to do well....they really wish you the best. It was so great!

I woke up early and did a gentle yoga practice then had a light b'fast. My friend came with me to the race. She has been running for many years and is very fast. She was so supportive throughout and showed me the ropes of race day. She even dragged me into the massage room to get a free chair massage. That totally helped me to relax. I would NOT have done that without her encouragement. I also met her Team In Training running friends. They are approximately at my pace and just recently did their first marathon. I had decided to try to keep them in my sights during the race to help me with my pacing. What a nice bunch of ladies!

The weather was terrible. Very cold, about 40 degrees out. The wind was whipping and the rain was pouring down. But it didn't dampen anyone's spirits at all. Everyone had on their rain gear....some even pinned their numbers to ponchos . Too funny!

I lined up near the middle of the pack, at my friends suggestion. She didn't think I should be in the far back (where I wanted to go LOL). The shot went off and we started running. It starts on a mild incline and then for about 1 mile it's a nice gentle downhill. Apparently I was running fast. I saw the Team in Training girls and quickly fell into step with a few of them. But once it leveled off at mile 1 (forgot to check my time on the BIG clock LOL) two of them went ahead of me, I went ahead of one of the others and ended up finding my pacer...the only girl from the team with me at that point. I also found a guy with a bright yellow bandana on his head who seemed to be running with us as well. The three of us stuck together for some time and then THE HILL hit! The first hill is short and steep, right before mile 2. My new friend and I chugged up the hill....the guy stopped to walk. I never saw him again in the race. Her and I kept running, chatting a bit, and there was a man yelling out times at mile 2. He yelled "17:56" to us as we ran by. Both of us looked at each other and couldn't believe he was talking to us. Apparently that was her fastest 2 miles ever, I've never run 2 miles that quickly in my life ! But the BIG HILL was ahead. The last mile is all up hill and it was tough. We kept running but at one point I suddenly got sharp pains in my stomach and I thought I might get sick (b'fast coming back to haunt me) (I told her to run ahead of me). I walked and stretched my sides a bit when the girl I passed back in the beginning ran past me! She was kickin' it up the hill . Good for her!

Suddenly a woman runs up and next to me and says "C'mon, we're almost there. You CAN do it!!!". It was just what I needed so I started running with her and we picked up the pace as we neared the crest of the hill and the finish line was in my sights. We started running much faster and I nearly caught my Team in Training friends. I sprinted to the finish line, where my SUPER FAST friend was cheering loudly for me!! Some guy yelled "Great Finish" to me My time was 29:31 and I couldn't have been any happier if I had run the race in 18 minutes. My friend finished in 21:something. She placed 2nd in her age division and 8th overall woman. She totally rocks!!!

Afterwards we went around grabbing up all the freebies at the tables and putting our names in for all sorts of drawings. They had tons of door prizes and guess what....the very first number called was ME!!! So I even won a prize . Did I mention that I NEVER win anything LOL! So all in all it was a terrific experience and I'm definitely looking forward to a future filled with fun races and making new running friends.

 

[kimwim8]

You go girl!!! I'm SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!



You did AWESOME! Congrats! You deserve so much praise! Look at how much you've accomplished....and you totally ROCKED IT!

You are my hero! I can't wait to run with you! Of course, you'll be finished, showered, fed and have won prizes by the time I finish....but that's ok!

I can't tell you how excited I am for you!

(I was a lazy bum this weekend & didn't run, while you're out there running awesome races & winning prizes! )

 

[kimwim8]

Awwww, Amy. I just read Scott's journal. Thanks so much for thinking of me. That makes me want to get up off of the couch & go running!

My co-worker & good friend asked me if I want to run tomorrow at lunch...and I am SO in on that! Gotta get going again! It's really eating away at me, not getting out there!

Keep up the great work!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wow, thanks Kim . I can't wait to run with you either. And I predict we WILL be running together . I think you are pretty darn speedy my friend!!!!

Today I'm looking for motivation. For SOME reason I'm not in the mood to run. Maybe it's the let-down after the race. But to try to motivate myself I've worked out my race schedule. I still might try to find a few other races in July and August. I should probably run a 10K but haven't found one yet that works?

June 3rd: 5K race (Stillwater Stampede)

June 23rd: Summer Soltice 5 Mile Trail Run

Aug. 12th: Guts & Glory 5K (YEAHHH I get to meet KIM in person )

October ???: There are 3 possible Half Marathons I could run. I will only pick one LOL , but haven't decided which one yet. Two are at the Jersey SHore and one is the Statue of Liberty run. Still debating?!

January: WDW Marathon

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy - I was in that unmotivated mood a little after my race too. That's why I went and set up a race calendar for the rest of the year. Seems that the races motivate me to get out there and run, I don't know how I'd be doing if I didn't do any races - I'd have probably given up or slacked off a little.

Today, you've just gotta push yourself out of the door and get to it. Last night I tried to really enjoy the run as opposed to making a certain time and it was so much nicer! Get out there and enjoy the scenery...you'll be so glad that you got your run in once you are finished!

I was pretty lucky on the 10k search....got the Peachtree on the 4th and then there is a huge Labor Day 10k that I'm going to do also. Have you found any websites that list events in your area? Like www.runningintheusa.com? We have one called rungeorgia.com that is really great at listing a million races, both short and lon in the state. You running any in May?? Looks like a good plan for June!

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Amy! Congratulations on running the Main Street 5K!!! You did a wonderful job!!!!!

Thank you for your support and encouragement in my journal. I appreciate you stopping by!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy,

Wow you are doing such a good job!! You really are a runner!!! I have wanted to start running for a while, but I am terrified that I will fail, so I have not even started. After reading your jounal, I think I can do it! I really do. I am going to think a little longer and then I may get out there and do it!!!! You are a great inspiration....Thanks!!!

Congrats on completing the 5K....that is awesome!! You did such a good job!!!!

Keep up the good work...you are going to ready for the WDW marathon in no time!!!!

 

[Jane E.]

Amy, I loved reading your race report. Just reading your post makes me want to increase my little walk jogs. Sounds like you had a great time in spite of the cold weather.

Thanks for posting the beautiful pic of Sedonna!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there,

Hope you are having a great day!

Keep up the good work!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks SO MUCH for the support everyone. It really means so much to me!!!

Wed. April 26th: I did my Kickboxing class. It was tough and I'm SO sore today. But I realize that this class really compliments my running so I'm trying to be faithful and get there 2 to 3 times per week.

Thurs. April 27th: Due to a busy day ahead I decided to get up early and run. I was out on the road around 6 am! Which, for me, is REALLY EARLY!!! Let's just say that I'm NOT a morning person LOL! My run was fine, slow....but not painful. Of course my legs were so sore from KBX class yesterday. Other than that I felt good and got my 35 minute run in. I didn't run much faster than an 11 mpm but that's okay because I'm still recovering from the race....and various aches and pains .