Komen Race for the cure!

It's race day! I got up early and got ready for the race. Yes, that includes spraying my hair PINK!

We had to get on the road by 7:00 a.m. to get there in time to pick up my chip and the pre-race festivities. I was so proud that my husband went with me to take pictures and to be my personal cheerleader! Thanks babe!

It was a chilly morning at under 40 degrees and heavy fog. By race time it had warmed up some and it wasn't too bad. Of course, I'm dressed in layers so I actually got hot during the race.

There were over 20,000 people at the event - WOW! Most of them were walkers but I decided to run this time. I've walked this race 2 years in a row and felt ready to run. I was hoping to improve my 5k pace with this one. As long as I'm improving, I'm happy.

I finished mile one under 12 minutes - which is a huge improvement for me. I am usually around the 15 min mark.

Mile one!

I haven't gotten my official time yet, but I think it was close to 45 minutes. This is a new PR! The last race I did, I was around 49 minutes. I know to all the experienced runners out there, this must seem very slow. But for me this is good. I'm improving with each race I do and that is what keeps me going! I hope you enjoy my pictures from the race. This is one of my favorite events every year.

The people I run for!

I love this sign - not the REMAX one!

Ready to run!

It's great seeing the parade of pink march through the crowd during the pre-race festivities but my heart goes out to those who have lost members of their family due to breast cancer. I hope and pray a cure is found one day. Until then, I'll keep on supporting this charity and walking/running in honor/memory of those battling this disease and those who have lost their battle. Fight like a girl!

Where have I been?

I'm still here but have been working out of town for the last few weeks. Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but my life has been pretty boring consisting only of work activities. An accountant's life isn't interesting blog material!

I have enjoyed working in Knoxville, but I missed my family very much. And I have been praying that my 21 year old daughter does not have her baby while I am away. Good news! No baby yet. I'm getting anxious to meet my grand-daughter!

This weekend my plans are as follows:

1. Quality time with husband and daughters! 
2. Get my house back in order - housecleaning, laundry and such
3. Workout! I'm in desperate need of a workout since my time has been very limited lately.
4. Make a desperate effort to NOT do any accountant work over the weekend.

I am going back to Knoxville next Friday, so I plan on getting prepared for that. I am a little bummed out that my next business trip coincides with the Komen for the Cure race on Oct 29.

I am very sad to say that I will not be able to participate this year. Luckily, one of my runner friends has volunteered to run in my place. She has promised to take pictures of the event for me. I love my friends! It won't be the same since I can't be there in person, but at least I may get a few pictures to enjoy. I will also miss the American Heart Association Heart walk on Oct 30. My mom is walking and I asked my sister to join her so she won't have to walk alone.

I'm thankful for my job, but sometimes it gets in the way of my life. Hopefully traveling with work will not last more than a few months so I can get back to the things I enjoy. The challenge: sticking to healthy eating and exercise while living in a hotel!

Couch to 5k - Week 1 Workout 1

 I began the Couch 2 5k training today. I feel exhilarated! I am so glad I didn't use one of my usual excuses to not begin the challenge today. I've started this plan before but never got past week 5, so I decided to start at week 1 again. This time I am going to stick to the plan. Goal:  I want to run the Susan G. Komen for the Cure 5k in October. I have walked this 5k for two years in a row and want to step it up a notch!

Me and my girls at Komen for the Cure 2010

I am very happy that I was able to get the workout in on a work day. I didn't let that little voice in my head take over and coax me to sit on the couch and watch t.v. instead.



Ready to workout!




Couch to 5k running plan - posted on my wall in my exercise room.



First workout - done!

my exercise room. it's getting smaller with all the equipment.

I found some good runner tips in Runner's World. I'll be sharing these over the next few weeks in order to stay motivated for the challenge.

"The biggest mistake that new runners make is that they tend to think in mile increments. Beginning runners need to think in minutes not miles. " - Bud Coates, U.S. Olympic marathon trials qualifier/coach.

2011 Goals

I was not able to participate in the Frosty Fun Run yesterday since I woke up with a migrane. I don't get them very often, but when I do....all I can do is sleep in my dark room with no noise. I felt really bad about missing this race all day but I honestly didn't think I could physically do it with a migrane. I don't like the way I feel when I let myself down. Now...it's time to brush it off and get back on track. "After all, tomorrow is another day." - Scarlett O'Hara

This week I was beginning to get frustrated about running and that my progress wasn't as much as I had hoped for. But I received a card in the mail from a friend that runs marathons and gives me much encouragement. His card really made my day and motivated me to keep going. I worked out that night on my Couch to 5K running plan and felt good about it. I am on week 2 of the plan and even though my progress is slow, I'm noticing that I feel stronger and believe I can do it. It's amazing how powerful words of motivation and encouragement can be!

I haven't signed up for any events in 2011 yet, but that is next on my list. Setting goals for 2011: run a 5k and maybe a 10k. I'd like to run the Bloomsday run (12k) in Spokane, WA in May since I have family there. It would be a good excuse to visit. But it's a long way and airline tickets are usually pretty expensive.  I'll keep that option open though and see if I can talk my husband into it. ;) I also would like to participate in the Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure. I have done the Race for the Cure (5k) two years in a row but the 3-day event is not held in my area.  I see there is a race in San Diego....I've always wanted to go there.

Nashville Race for the cure - Oct 2010

 I am keeping my eyes open for events I'm interested in and make something happen! I expect 2011 to be the best year ever!