Feeling Lucky

I ran the Get Lucky 7k on Saturday.,I registered shortly after joining a gym to give myself something to work towards. It went great. It was down in Jackson Park, all along the lakefront where I used to run when we lived in Hyde Park. It was so nice to be on roads that I knew.

 I usually have two goals for a race: don't finish last and don't walk. I definitely didn't finish last, and I came in well under my goal time of one hour (46:08 to be exact). As for not walking, well I have been running and walking all during training, and I did during the race as well. It seems like right now my body likes to run half a mile and then walk a quarter. I can pretty much go forever if I do that and still be able to move the next day. It was all fine and well while I was on the treadmill, but it was WAY hard to stop and walk after just a half mile into the race. Everything in me said don't quit! You can make it the whole way! But I also knew that if I did that I would be terribly sore the next day and probably seriously injure myself. So I swallowed my pride and walked. After that first stop, it got easier. I actually really love run/walking because it gives me a chance to reset my form and make sure that everything is going fine. 

Here are my two little leprechauns modeling my finishers medal. This is now the face Thomas makes when you say you're going to take a picture of him. And Lily has decided that covering her face is the optimal pose.

This race was exactly what I needed. Motivation to get back into the habit of working out regularly and forcing me to get back into running. I feel like I can safely put myself back in the 'runner' category now. I think my next step is going to be focusing on my arms and abs, while trying to run faster, lighter, and longer (more running, less walking). Any races I do will probably be stroller friendly 5ks. I'm really looking forward to the warmer weather and running outside again. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!