I ran the Take a Step for Kids 10K today in Libertyville, IL – my longest race to date! So of course, that means I set a new personal record by default. Yay!
The weather was absolutely perfect – clear blue skies, sun and 60° F by the time the race started at 9:00 (it later warmed up to 75° F!).
Originally, Steven and I were going to run this 10K together, but his ankle has been bothering him all week, so he thought it was best if he didn’t run it. Please send some good thoughts his way! We want to be in optimal condition for our half marathon on May 2nd!
I ran the first three miles of the race at 8:00 minute mile pace. Then I slowed down a bit when the course went from asphalt to dirt (see photo below) and I began to encounter hills.
It was nice to see Steven halfway through the race. Of course, I just had to be messing with my MP3 player in the photos!
My fourth mile was around 8:30. And I think the last two were around 9:00 or 9:25. Boo! But I finished with a time of 51:00 which was much lower than my goal of 54:00, and I also came in second place for my age group!
Sprinting to…
… the finish line!
Posing with my medal. Such a shameless poser.
One of my favorite restaurants, Sweet Tomatoes, was a sponsor, so they had tables set up with their yummy muffins as well as bowls of pasta and salads! I passed on the food, but did stop to pose with the giant tomato (who looked like the Kool-Aid guy to me!).
As if this post wasn’t already long enough, I have to mention: I have actually been listening to some of Jillian Michael’s Talk Radio Shows, and I am shocked to admit… I am really liking them! I feel like she is upbeat and inspiring, but real and relatable (not a word?) on the show. And I love the segment where she answers listener’s questions.
During the 4/12 show she talked about methods for managing stress. Even though these methods may seem obvious to you, thinking about trying them really gave me hope that it would help with my anxiety. I’ve put the methods in an extended entry below. I know #3 is a huge help for me!
- When it comes to staying awake at night: journal. Get up, sit down for 10 minutes, and write down everything that’s going on in your mind. Put together a game plan and prioritize it. Go over it – what is pressing? What isn’t?
- Learn to say NO. Don’t be afraid to put yourself first. Manage your stress levels and streamline your life. “Your yes is a very valuable thing and only do it when you can manage it and it doesn’t stress you out too much.”
- Talk with your friends. Reach out when you’re feeling extremely stressed. Your friends can help you manage your stress and put things into perspective. You can quickly lose perspective on a situation and it becomes HUGE when it’s really not that big of a deal at all. Is it the end of the world? Will you even remember in a week that you were upset about it? PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE.
- Find something to look forward to! See “the light at the end of the tunnel.”
- Pamper yourself! Get a massage, take a bath, whatever you enjoy. Take time for yourself.
- Say your “prayers.” Put your passion and desires into the universe. Bring a focus and positive attention into your life. Focus on breathing. Try meditation – it brings a conscious effort to calm down. It brings your body into a more relaxed state.
- Try dishing out a compliment to other people. Make an effort to smile more during your day. The more warm personal connections you make with other people, the more at ease you are going to feel psychologically and emotionally. It will make you feel that you are still in a family, even though you are stressed or worried or flipped out about something. Don’t be a people pleaser – but reach out. Allow some warmth to come back your way as well. Try to stay open.
- Try aroma therapy.
Kim, you rock!! Great job!
Also, I love the picture of you and “tomato guy”–hope that becomes your new Facebook picture! Ha ha. 🙂
Nice job! You are going to do so well at your half!
diane – You guessed it! I immediately moved that one to FB! LOL! It’s too much. We have to go to ST sometime. And thanks 🙂
Erin – Thanks! I am so excited for the half!
GREAT JOB!!!!!!!! You look awesome!!! Nice medal!!! Tomato guy does look like the Koolaid guy. 😀
I hope Steven’s ankle gets better!!!
Congratulations on the great race! I love the giant tomato, he’s so rubicund and jolly!
That tomato guy is actually adorable. Props to them for making a tomato cute! And to YOU, of course! Congrats.
Denise – Thank you! Steven feels better each day! I think today he may try running again. I hope it goes well 🙂
Mica – Thanks! He was jolly! I wanted to give him a hug, but I think my stench was affecting all in a 20-mile radius, so I backed off a bit!
LiLu – Ha ha! They did do a good job! I love seeing people in costume like that. It always makes me laugh. And thanks! 😀
Congrats on the run, that sound awesome. I hope that today your are vegging out and recovering.
Now I really want to get back to running. Great race!
Congrats on your 10K! 🙂 Wearing that medal with pride 🙂
Christina – Thanks! I had a 12-miler scheduled for today, but DID decide to take the day off (only did the Shred) to recover. My body needed it! 🙂
Belle – Spring is the perfect time to get back into it! 🙂
Amy – Thanks 😉 Pride’s the right word! Hee hee.
Great job at the race Kim!!! Yay!!!!
You rocked that run lady!!!! Those times are absolutely inspirational 🙂
I am going to need to check out the Jillian Michaels Podcasts
Congratulations on a great finish. Second Place, so cool! You had a great time for the 10K, I am sure you are gonna rock at the 1/2.
We have Sweet Tomatoes here in Utah (they are called Souplanation in California) and we love them. My daughter and I go there often.
Seeing all of these pics of you running and getting in shape is really making me wanting to reinvigorate my workout program. Keep up the great job and keep prodding your readers that need to get back to it.
Congrats!
I’ve only run 10K once, ’cause ever since I started biking I really have no interest in long-distance running (and yes, I’m counting 10K as long distance). 5K is enough for me. 🙂
Oh, and that one 10K I did was quite a bit slower than yours — just over an hour, if I recall correctly. So, well done!
YAY for you rocking on!!! you did excellent!!! i do hope Steven’s ankle gets better… i’m sending good thoughts your/his way!!! i like the list you compiled of ways to help manage stress… i’m going to have to try to remember those… # 3 put it in perspective calls out to me… i’m excellent about making a mosquito out of an elephant!!!!
=^..^=
p.s… you are looking so good!!! keep up the excellent work!!!
Oh wow – congrats on that finish time. I’m so impressed!
Mrs. Smith – Thanks! I cannot wait to read all about YOUR first 5K in a month!
Scale Warfare – Thanks! And DO check out the podcasts. I think THEY are inspirational!
Tony – Thank you! I am really hoping this is a sign of my half marathon time! I would be so psyched to finish under 2:00!!! 😀 😀 😀
martymankins – Sweet Tomato is one of the places we like to take our Iowa guests because they don’t have them there! I hope you start posting about working out again. I enjoyed reading about it! Has there been any progress? 🙂
Ren – Over an hour is still a great time! I wonder what would happen if I started biking. I wonder if I would ditch my beloved running. Maybe I will find out this summer! 😉
CourtneyInControl – Thank you thank you thank you! I hope Steven gets better soon. Every day, the first thing I ask him is “how is your ankle?!” He thinks he can run again this week. Hurrah!
SoMi’s Nilsa – Thanks! That means a lot, coming from a fellow runner 😉
Wow, great job!!! I really admire people who run races…I love taking walks but don’t think races are for me 😉
Bethany – Walking is great too! I think I will ask my parents if they want to take a walk at this park when they visit in the beginning of May!
Congrats – your time is AWESOME!!!!
I <3 Sweet Tomatoes – you’re so lucky you got free goodies from there! I’m jealous!!!
Ashley – Thanks! I was super excited they were there. I wish they were at every race I run!