So You Want To Run a 5K

Recently a blogging friend inspired by my recent Marathon race contacted me asking for advice on  how to train for a 5K.  Oh yeah, I love, love, love welcoming new runners into the fold!  Making the decision to train and run a 5K is one that pays back amazing dividends. You will discover the delight of exceeding what you thought you were capable of accomplishing and understanding that your best is always yet to come.

When I decided to train and run a 5K, I consulted friends who have extensive running experience before I started my training. However, I didn’t know what I didn’t know about running and had crucial knowledge gaps when I first started training which lead to numerous mild injuries.  Whether you join a running group or use a Couch to 5K program, there are a few things that you need to know before beginning any 5K training program. I’ve put together a list of recommendations that will help you avoid some of the pitfalls I experienced as you progress in your running journey.  These recommendations are based on my personal experience and meant to be a useful guide for new runners. You should always consult a running professional for more detailed information.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life… a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year – and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God. ~Ray Stannard Baker

Wishing my readers and followers a very happy Thanksgiving!

2012 Philadelphia Marathon Recap

I can officially call myself a Marathoner!

 

I’m still in total awe of completing my first marathon.  I’m sore all over and have been walking funny, yet it is so worth the bone deep pride I feel today.  It was great to complete this run with members of Team Philly who over the past four months have trained together for this event.  We have shared tears of joy and pain during this training and now we all have accomplished something amazing. I am so proud to be a part of this running family.

Race recap:

It was a cold overcast Sunday which means the running gods are smiling on you.   I typically park a mile or so away from the start line. Walking this distance, I begin to warm up my muscles and allow myself some ‘me’ time to review my running plan and relax a bit before joining my running buddies. No matter what distance the run is, I always feel a bit tense before the start of the run, having 10 to 15 minutes of alone time helps me to focus.

Waiting to start in the Orange corral I found myself standing next to the 26 mile marker – I kid you not.  I don’t remember seeing it when I actually crossed the marker, so I’m glad I got a look at it before the race.

Tears started welling at the Star Spangled Banner and continued till I crossed the starting line. However, I was soon distracted by a bunch of guys holding ‘Mayor Nutter has to Go’ signs right past the starting line.  I love Philly 🙂

Miles 1-13

The awesome miles, even the slight inclines through mile 7-10 (some call hills) were not an issue. The spectators lining the streets were so enthusiastic and their signs cracked me up.  One sign ‘ Keep Swimming’ really made me laugh.  Since I don’t run with music the cheer station music rocked – seriously – only the cool marathons play ‘Gagnam Style’ during the race.

The route through the city and out onto West River Drive make this a fantastic half marathon course.

Miles 14-20

This is the point where the marathon becomes an out and back course. I could run this course with my eyes closed and was looking forward to getting to this point as I figured I would be getting close to the finish line.  I started to struggle at mile 18 and had to promise myself the moon and stars to just get to mile 20, the turn around point in Manayunk.  At that point, every step would be the farthest step I’d run in my training leading up to this marathon. That thought really messed with my head and I felt myself panicking for no good reason.

Miles 22-26.2

 When I arrived at the Falls Bridge, around mile 22 I felt if I did not stop running I was going to fall down. As I started walking, tears of frustration leaked out; one of the cheer volunteers asked what was wrong and helped me out of my funk. I ate a Gu, walked a half mile, and started the painful process of running again.  It was an ugly 5K at this point and I could feel myself get slower with no energy to push out a faster pace. The only thought that pushed me to run was that I started this race running and I will be damned if I don’t finish this race running. So I did and as I passed the finish line cheering section, fresh tears burst out and I heard someone say ‘look she’s crying, lets give her a big cheer’. With those words ringing in my ears, I completed my first marathon with tears of joy and frustration.

Yes, I am walking around today exactly like these folks:

 

Thanks to all who texted, tweeted, left FB messages of support and wishing me luck – I am so grateful for your support!

Should you consider running a marathon? Yes.

Would I do this again? Yes.

Chasing 26.2: 2012 Philadelphia Marathon

 

 

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
-John Bingham

 

It seems I’ve been chasing this number for a very long time. A quiet idea born during my first 5K race in 2009 that keep getting stronger and stronger as I continued to run.

It hasn’t been an easy road with disappointing injuries and the work required to get back into shape.  In truth, I would not be at this point without the excellent training and guidance from Team Philly and Goals Fitness.

 

I’m excited and looking forward to completing this marathon with my running friends. Yes, there will be a race recap 🙂 Stay tuned to this post!

“You also need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you but especially at those who don’t run and never will… those who run but don’t race…those who started training for a race but didn’t carry through…those who got to the starting line but didn’t in the finish line…those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all. You’re still here. Take pride in wherever you finish. Look at all the people you’ve outlasted.”
– Joe Henderson

 

 

 

Snark Factor Tonight – The 300!

Listen live to the Snark Factor every Wednesday night at 1opm EST on FTR Radio where I will be joining Fingers Malloy, Irish Duke to bring news bites at the top of the hour followed by sparkling chats with invited guests. If you are a fan of my blog, you’ll know that I have an eclectic taste in news of the day.

On tap tonight:

We are 300! Seriously, tonight is the 300th episode of the Snark Factor. Wow!

How should one feel if one’s gardening blog is considered racist by the all knowing Anderson Cooper.

Cry Little Sister – Gerard McMann

VOTE!

Yes, it is that important.

Find your polling place.

Remember, you will be asked for ID, but do not need to produce it in order to vote.

Romney Campaign Rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Last night 30,000 people gathered at Shadybrook Farm in Bucks County, PA  for a Romney/Ryan rally.  Despite the chilly temperature people patiently waited several hours for Mitt and Ann to arrive.

As I walked around the staging area, the feeling of the crowd was that of  organic upbeat enthusiasm.  People seemed hopeful and looking forward to election day. Presidential rallies are a quintessential American experience, something everyone should attend regardless of your political affiliation.  Due to a tight marathon training schedule, the Romney rally was the only one I was able to attend this year and I was not disappointed by the show.

The dense crowd made photography a challenge and I glanced enviously numerous times at the photojournalists milling around their reserved media stand. One day, my friends, I’ll be on that stand.  Mitt and Ann arrived to the Rocky Theme and the crowd when wild. I was able to capture video of Ann’s introduction of her husband, Mitt Romney.

When Mitt spoke, the energy of the crowd was electric despite the hours of standing and the cold temperature. Mitt was interrupted numerous times with chants of ‘Two more days’ and ‘USA, USA’. He gave a solid speech and soon it was time for my favorite part…

Fireworks!!  I can never get enough of fireworks. What a great way to end a campaign rally.

What was your favorite rally the election season? Let me know in the comment section.

Who Says Political Elections Can’t Be Fun?

David Axelrod has promised to shave his well known mustache if any one of three specified states do not go for Obama on Tuesday.  I love this idea! What a  fun way to bring some levity to the serious business of presidential elections.  We need more of this and less heated rhetoric during election season.

Three states in the wager are:

Minnesota
Michigan
Pennsylvania

November 4 – Michigan is showing a tie between Romney and Obama.
November 4: Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has the candidates tied at 47%
November 3: Minnesota – It is a toss up.

It’s anyone’s game at this point, and we will know in two short days if Axelrod will be parting with his long-time mustache.

Lessons Learned from Hurricane Sandy

While New Jersey and New York City clean up and restore in the wake of Hurricane Sandy there are a few lessons that can be distilled and shared.

1. If in the path of a hurricane or any other type of super storm take the evacuation order seriously and evacuate. Your most valuable possessions are your life and the lives of your family and pets.

2. If you haven’t done so already, now would be a good time to organize a family plan in the event of a disaster. You can find information and download a pdf file to help organize your plan and information to share with family members. Don’t forget planning for your pets!

3. Major sporting events should be cancelled if scheduled to be held within a week at the site of a natural disaster event. The sooner the better – yeah I’m looking at you – Mayor Bloomberg.

4. Three things to stock up on PRIOR to any storm:  Water, Food, and Fuel for the automobile. Especially fuel or have fun waiting 6 hours in the fuel line.  Also, you might want to invest in a BioLite CampStove you can heat water and charge your cell phone at the same time. A good item to have for extended periods of power outage.

Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments section.