Thoughts on goals

So, this week I've been thinking a lot about where I want this whole running thing to take me. What do I want to do next? What races, what times, what mileage?

Let's start with the progress... it's been beyond encouraging. I can comfortably, and with only very little soreness, run 3 miles at about a 13-14 minute mile. OK, I'm slow, but we're starting from scratch here. I keep reminding myself that I could barely go 1-1 intervals for 1.5 miles 6 weeks ago.

I'm heading into my first 3 months of 5k races - Women's Distance 9/25, Monster Dash 10/31, and Turkey Trot in Charleston 11/24. My goal here is to have marked improvement for each race.

So, I'll throw another race in Dec. or January, and then hopefully we'll be past the bad winter weather (and minimal daylight)so hopefully training will get simpler. I'm thinking that puts me toward a 10k in the spring.

Someday, I think I'd like to do a tri, (maybe next fall?) and maybe a 1/2 marathon someday. We'll see how I keep up the training. I guess by putting it out there, it might make it easier to stick to the goal!

But, in the mean time, I'm just going to keep up the 4 runs a week, and keep enjoying this process with my group. I'm beyond excited about my first race. Can't wait to wear that t-shirt all over town.

Sarah

Soggy mountain wedding

My roommate from freshman and sophomre years at ASU, Susan Sheek, got married this weekend up near Sparta. It was a soggy mess, but she looked amazing and is so happy. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton!

Susan ran a marathon a couple of years ago. She set a goal, and just went for it! I am always amazed by Susan's gumption - she even lived in India and Indonesia for 2 years!

So on the running front, I did, in fact run! I managed to squeak in 30 minutes before brunch. And, I learned a few things:
1. Running in the rain is fun!
2. Running in a sceninc location makes it go by a lot faster. Running chickens providing roadside entertainment = major bonus.
3. Running up a mountain SUCKS.
4. Running downhill is wicked fun, but it makes new muscles sore the next day.
5. Altitude SUCKS.
6. 70 degrees ROCKS.

So, I definitely earned that extra piece of wedding cake. Right?

Sarah

One down, nine to go.

7 days. 4 runs. Who's the man?

This guy!!!!

When I last blogged, I had run at 6 am. Well, guess what? I did it again Tuesday! Fo reals! I did 2 miles, by myself, at 6 in the morning.

Who's the man?

Ok, I could go on like that for like every tiny accomplishment of the week, but I won't.

Tonight we had another group run - it was hotter than hell. Again. Running in 70 degress is going to feel amazing.

We increased our interval tonight - 2 minute run, 1 minute walk. Eek. Much, much harder. (Preston says I get bonus points because it was wicked hot) My troupe and I did manage to keep up for about the first mile - hey! Progress is progress!

After our run we had a great speaker - Alison from Interact. She's one of us - that is, a beginning runner - and also one of us - a nonprofit fundraiser. Interact is a domestic violence shelter and counseling facility that we are running for on Sept. 25th.

Did you know that 1 in 4 women will be subject to abuse in their life? Last year, Interact served 42,000 people right here in Raleigh. To give you an idea of how may people that really is, 42,000 is the total combined student population of NCSU, Meredith, Peace, Shaw, Saint Aug's, plus another 3,000 people. Domestic abuse knows no race, class, or education level. And when something does happen, they can turn to Interact to help them learn how to move on.

They work with 8 other nonprofit organizations in the same building (it's an amazing model - the nonprofit geek in me LOVES it) and they do incredible work in our community. Learning to run is one thing - putting that registration money down and pounding the pavement for Interact? Now that's a concept I can get behind.

Sarah

It's 99 degrees. Let's run!

Ok. So. When my good friend Shruthi suggested this whole, running club, thang, it sounded highly entertaining! That's an exaggeration. It sounded like something I should try to do anyways.

Here's the challenge:
10 weeks
Learn how to run safely, increase your speed and time, and run a 5k at the end.
You'll have a mentor and no one runs alone.
This group is for beginners. Thank god.

About me:
I haven't run more than a mile since the 5th grade when we had to. My legs are like 2 feet long. I've never really been "in shape" since high school. I do, however, eat pretty well and I do work out 2-3 times a week, so I'm not a total couch potato.

I work for a nonprofit and play the violin. That has nothing to do with running.

My father-in-law is 52 and runs 100 mile races. Up mountains. That has nothing to do with me, but it is sort of wild.

Tonight we have our first group meeting. Shruthi and I are going to run (ok, probably walk - it is, afterall 99 degrees)but there is no structured group run. Our first real run is Saturday.

I want to chronicle this experience because I've been your classic "non-runner" my whole life. Hence, the title of this blog. Frankly, if I can do it, anyone can.

So. 99 degrees. I'm going running. (in my head that sounded just like Forrest Gump.)

Sarah