Color Run

This morning me and Becky and my middle son and her daughter did the Atlanta Color Run.  I need to say that I have never done a Color Run, I've never done a 5k....I have done a 30k (hike/run) but man...this was a different beast.

So, since my only experience with a race that I have participated in was a 30k I was not expecting
 #1 the amount of people and #2 the amount of walkers in the run.  This run was more of an obstacle course dodging walkers, kids, and strollers - you definitely are not out for a PR.  We did have a blast tho and thankfully all the color came off and I am no longer blue :-)

Connor and Nya are ready for the color spritzers :-)

So proud of Connor - this was his first race ever :-)

The afters :-)

Becky getting blown off with a leaf blower before we left

I think the color adds character :-)

Now back to ice my shin and recover so we can start the training all over again.  

Sidelined :(

My shin splints are not getting better, so I went to the sports doc today.  He said maybe, perhaps a stress fracture but it is to soon to show up on an X-ray.  So, I'm off running until after spring break.  Becky is traveling next week so we will start back slow on the 11th.  He said to work on my gait and cadence and to incorporate more walking.

But, on Saturday we have the Color Run - which of course isn't a true run - so no problem taking it nice and slow ;-)

Until the 11th I will be burning up the elliptical and the weights :)

 And chilling like the dogs :-)

It's real now folks...

Today is an overcast, cool day in North Georgia and we had 5 miles to do.  I wasn't as nervous about completing it as I was last week because Becky was with me, I did the 4 miles all by myself with no problem, and I have been killing it on our weekly short runs.

We went down to Cumming and did an out and back on a road with a sidewalk and appropriate hills to make you wish you were anywhere but there.  I am still getting in trouble for going to fast and she reminds me that I need to make sure I am with her.  Maybe I am meant to be a record setting runner :)  I am just happy to complete the 5 miles and not die!

She used run this area before and knew the mile markers so it was nice to see my Apple Watch was right on point.

Next week we have the Color Run so a 3.1 mile run will be a walk in the park :-)

Now that I know I can actually run for more than 2 miles I signed up for the Great Smoky Mountain Half.  It is real now folks.

I'm going to ice my shins and be a bum for the rest of the day - I earned it :-)

We did finish our 5 miles in 1:01 - not bad for run a mile walk a minute.  And I'm still alive to talk about it :-)

4 miles!!

What a gorgeous run!  Nice and flat!  I did an out and back, 4 miles :-)  I paid attention to my pace and set up my interval for a 10 minute run, 1 min walk and I lasted the whole time :-):-):-)

Monday it is back to the hills of North Georgia and I won't be running in my shorts and tank top, it will be 32 Monday morning.  Gotta love spring :-)

Rest Days!

As a gym rat I will confess that I don't take rest days - just replace weight lifting days with cardio.  Now that I am running I am learning that I need to take rest days, especially with longer run days coming.

This week I ran 5 days (Sunday - Wednesday) and averaged about 2.5 miles each run.  Thursday and today I have been spending time with family.  For this trip I only packed one set of running clothes so I HAD to take time off.

Tomorrow I have 4 miles.....all by myself....but in flat Florida.  I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Averaging 2.5 miles

Slowly but surely I am getting there.  I ran 5 days straight this week and lived to tell about it :-)

This month's training schedule broke the runs down to minutes, not necessarily the run/walk schedule that made up February.  Once we found the right pace I have been able to go the distance and run the minutes.  It's amazing to me that 6 weeks ago we hadn't even started, and now I can run for 25 minutes straight.  

I am still battling shin splints on my right side, but nothing like when we first started and I am amassing a nice collection of compression socks :-)  Now I need to look at what to wear in the warm weather.  This week it has been warmer and I am realizing that my workout capris are just too hot to run in with the compression socks.  

But, now that the weather has started to warm up it is time to pull out the AT map and plan my next section, at least I am in my comfort zone there.  :-)  Time to show Becky how to do an overnight on the AT and knock out some serious miles!   I do know that you burn more calories hiking than running - I looked that up when my husband was running.

Should be a fun summer and adding more miles to my sneakers.  I wouldn't call myself a runner yet....I'm finding my groove, but I still feel like I am posing as one.  But, as long as I have the right gear I can look the part :-)

Saturday I have 4 miles to do....by myself....

But, at least it is in Florida, so nice and flat!!

3 miles!

I started out this morning with a motley crew -

Becky and I were scheduled to do 3 miles.  Her daughter, and 2 of my boys decided to join us.

All of our other runs were running for minutes (run/walking) this is the first true mileage run.  So we started nice and slow at a good pace and the kids took off!!  We did an out and back for the first mile and past 2 of the kids on their way back.  Becky and I were essentially the tortoise to their hare :-)

We finished the hill and walked up to the movie theater where we did the laps around the theater.  When we got to the top we were down to 4 of us.  We had completed 1.22 miles before we started lapping the theater and before we finished the 3 miles we were the last ones standing. :-)

Not the best pic, the sun was in my eyes - but still we were it :-)  

By the way - I ran over 1 1/2 miles straight today ;-)  It is great to have friends that won't let you settle and show you how to get over the hump :-)