Today was 5K #2, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The conditions were much different than the last 5K we ran – this race had two hills, and it was foggy and only about 45° (Oh yeah, and we had two blabbering idiots running behind us for the first mile. It’s cool to talk to someone when you are running, but not like you’re a valley girl who works in a salon. [sorry, that’s the best analogy I could come up with. Steven said the girls sounded like Sarah Palin – is that any better?]).
Notice how I am checking my watch right before the finish line?
Even though this race was “rougher,” we finished with a time of 27:00! (It’s weird how this time also ended on an exact minute. Hmm.) I am contributing this 2-minute-faster-than-last-time finish to the fact that it was so cold… and that we both weigh less than we did at the last race.
We have some weird mist or frost in our hair!
My aunt, mom, and sister came to watch us. It’s always nice to have someone cheering your name when you cross the finish line!
My aunt, me, mom and sister
This is going to sound awful, but when I was running up the first hill, I was thinking, “How could I ever run a marathon?! This hill is wearing me out! I don’t think I can run more than a 5K!”
That’s so pathetic, especially since when I was done, I felt great, like I could do it all over again.
I’ve been wanting to train for a longer distance run. I really think Steven and I could run 10Ks. I’m just not sure if we should focus on decreasing our 5K time, running longer, or both. Probably both.
Right now, I am still loving running. I want to keep it that way – I want to keep it varied so we don’t lose our interest in it. We have been on and off running plenty of times. I want this to be the time we stick with it!
Wow – that’s great about the running and how it makes you feel. But, brrrrr about the frost in your hair. I hate the cold and am soooooo NOT looking forward to winter in New England.
teeni – i am not looking forward to it either. I want us to keep doing races, but they’re a lot different when it’s cold – and this isn’t even that cold!
I think doing 5K in 27 minutes is amazing! way to go 🙂
You’re inspiring!
Wow. I want to run a 5K now after reading this. Of course, it’s going to have to wait until spring time. But wow… that’s awesome.
Way to go!
I’ve never run even one lap around the track without stopping. Can’t even imagine running a 5K!!! Good for you!
When I trained for a marathon about 10 years ago, I basically just added a long run every Sunday. The rest of my training during the week was pretty much the same. We increased the long run every two weeks until we got to about 18 miles.
Really, once you get to where you can make it through a 10-mile run, you can do a marathon (26.2 miles). Almost all of it is about getting to where you’re not afraid of running a certain distance.
I’m way out of shape, and probably about 80 pounds heavier than I was when I ran my marathon, but I know I could go out there and do 10 miles today if I had to.
When you can talk about those kind of miles without thinking, “oh my God” you’ll be OK.
BTW, you guys are both looking really fit. I’m proud of you too. So cool.
go Kim go Kim!!!!
That’s awesome for you guys!! What a great accomplishment! 🙂
You both did GREAT!!! Congratulations!!
Were you a runner in high school or did you get into it afterwards?
You look wonderful, Kim!
I noticed that your T-shirts said “Grant Wheeler Memorial”. Did you know him?
Keep up the running & you will be able to run a marathon. Especially since you love running.
good job!
I knew nothing about running before my bf joined cross country. but now i do know! and im joining track in the spring. and hopefully next fall run the 5K here in osceola..i couldnt because i had to work at it for miss osceola this year:(
But awesome job!!
suze – Thank you!
sizzle – Thanks. That means a lot 🙂 It makes me want to keep going!
martymankins – Why wait?! You can be ready in 6 weeks! I actually have a six-week training website link if you want me to send it to you…
claire – Thank you 🙂
SJ – Are you doing any exercise on your plan? I bet you can get up to one lap or more now! 🙂
ajooja – I wondered if the marathon training was just on weekends. Hmm. If you say you can do it after a 10 miler… I may one day give it a shot! Thank you so much on your compliment 🙂
de – I think I am going to sign us up for a Nov. 2nd one in Lake Forest now 🙂
Bethany – Thanks!
Denise – I didn’t run track in college, but I did in junior high for two years… I am not sure why I like it so much now! I guess it just feels like the most accessible way to exercise! I didn’t know Grant Wheeler, but I think the race was at his church and I kind of heard his story. Did you know him? They give the proceeds from the race as scholarships to local area cross country runners!
Danielle – Thanks! I’m excited to hear you’re thinking about track. I bet you would blow by me in a 5k! 🙂
you look AWESOME!!!! yay for you completing your 5k run even in challenging conditions!!!!
=^..^=
You two are so awesome!!! Great job!
I am actually thinking about hanging up my running shoes next month and focus more on strength training…but there is going to be so much change in the air that I’m not sure yet exactly what I’m going to do for the month of November…
I also wanted to mention that my training partner and I believed in “stopping to walk” as much as I needed.
When I “ran” my marathon, I probably had longer stretches without stopping than I ever had before but I still stopped quite a bit. Even during my shorter, lunch-time runs during the week, I’d walk a lot.
Personally, I’d rather go down to the high school track to “sprint the straights, walk the corners” but my wife hates that. She’d rather trudge up and down the hills at our 11-mile state park loop in hopes of seeing deer or other stupid animals. Yuck. 🙂
I walked/ran twice this weekend because of you, Steven, and Terri Terri. You guys are insiring me. 🙂
CourtneyInControl – Thank you! 😀
diane – Thanks! I am surprised to hear you say that! Are you thinking of some other cardio exercise instead?
ajooja – Do a lot of people pause and walk? It seems like it would be hard not to! I’m so happy you got outside and are running/walking! Pretty soon, you’ll be doing races again 😉
you guys are SO AWESOME. dang. 5Ks is way more Ks than i’ve ever attempted to run 🙂
Alice – Ha ha! Thanks. We had to start with the 1K and work our way up 😉
You go girl!!! BTW, my parents are headed to Ceder Falls as we speak right now, should be there tomorrow. I will get to see at Thanksgiving, can’t wait!!!
Congratulations!!
Felicia – Are they moving to CF? Or visiting? That is so crazy! Maybe I will run into you sometime there! We might be driving through for Thanksgiving.
Jenn – Thank you! 😀