Two days after my first 5K ever, I was back to my morning routine. I actually woke up at 5 am on the nose this morning, 15 minutes earlier than usual, to help beat the morning commute into DC. Looks like 5 am will be my regular wake-up call from now on (yikes). Despite the early rise, I was pumped to get back at it. I started with a five-minute warm-up and a 20-minute run, which led me back home at a reasonable time. I was feeling chipper. Until. Cue the Psycho music. Baby toad! I thought toad season, if there is such a thing, was over. But no. There was another toad, clearly smaller, on our front mat this morning, staring me down as I approached the door. I stomped my feet, cleared my throat and even rustled the leaves of the plant. Nothing. The toad, just like his larger, equally-evil version, continued to guard the door. I crept as far as I could to the right, reached over to unlock the door, opened it and lept over the toad into the house. Unfortunately, with all the commotion, I couldn’t do my stretches. There was no way. I immediately ran upstairs to tell J about my new nemesis. All I could muster was, “Baby toad!” And then I took a shower.

Run time: 5 minute warm-up, 20 minute run
Total distance: 2.0 miles
Total time: 25:00 minutes

 

 Psycho Theme Song: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Even though I decided not to become a race addict, per say, I have certainly committed myself to a new lifestyle. At least I hope I have. I also “committed” myself to becoming a guitar player several years ago and, as of today, can only play two chords. In any case, that’s irrelevant. A very important lesson I learned yesterday is that running is, indeed, a lifestyle. And once you commit to it, it’s yours. For as long as you want it to be. Yesterday’s 5K welcomed almost 800 runners from around the area. Families, couples, little people and older runners alike. At first, I thought the little ones and older ones would round out the back of the pack nicely, giving me a solid lead. And as the overly energetic MC was reading the results at the end, I thought, I have one more year until I run in the 30-40 yr-old bracket, which, surely, will give me an advantage. Turns out, I was wrong on both counts. Way wrong. One little guy taunted me for most of mile two. He’d sprint along side me, pass me, start walking and then fall behind. He did this over and over again, as I continued my slow steady pace, until he eventually sprinted out of sight. I came very close to tripping the little bugger. And older runners just know what they’re doing. They are like Yoda’s out there, I swear. Several beat me, by a lot. In fact, most of the finish times in the older brackets were incredibly impressive. That’s going to be me. I’m going to be a running fool.

 

 Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hard to believe that with a time of 32:01 I beat the Baltimore City police academy class, but guess what, it’s true. My first 5K is officially behind me and I beat the cadets. Hooah. It was a whirlwind of a day, from my nervousness in the morning to my celebratory beer and nachos by the evening. Not only had I never run in a race, but I’d never even been to one. So everything was new and exciting. It was inspiring to see the hordes of people on the lawns of the park, preparing for the event. The pregnant lady, proudly wearing her race number. The little clusters of families getting ready. The running clubs. The 60-yr-old woman in her running skirt. And then, mere moments later, to see each and every one of them pass me on the god damn trail. I mean really, a 9-yr-old beat me. In fact, 494 people beat me. But whatever. I am a glass half full sort of person and I’m going to focus on my accomplishments. I beat the cadets!

I also got to wear a race number, which they call a “bib.” It made me feel like a real runner. And I got to eat a chicken sandwich from Outback and drink several bottles of water. Delicious. And after we left the race grounds, I realized the pure joy that is the massage chair at Costco. (It was me and three other kids, hanging out in the massage chairs. I wondered if they were the kids that beat me earlier.)

Most importantly, though, I proved to myself that I could do something I honestly was not sure I could.

Race Day: Howard County Police Pace, MD
Total distance: 5K/3.1 miles
Total time: 32:01 minutes

 

 Pointer Sisters - Jump: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

There really is no other way to describe it. Tomorrow is my first ever 5K and I don’t feel 100 percent ready. Granted, over the past several weeks, I’ve trained and worked myself up from being able to run a puny little minute to being able to run 25. Not bad. And today I did a prep run of about 15 minutes. But I still don’t know if I’ll be able to push myself that extra bit to complete 3.1 miles without stopping. Or throwing up. Or just plain being embarrassed. The good news is that by 10 am tomorrow, it will be over, and there will be Outback Steakhouse for me to eat. Because, honestly, who doesn’t love a good steak at 10 o’clock in the morning. Oh, and there’s a long-sleeved t-shirt and the opportunity to win fantastic random prizes. I’m going for the cruise. Above all this, though, my $25 entry fee will help the child of a fallen police officer receive a college education. I think that’s a pretty good cause. All I have to do is cross the finish line.

I’m wondering if participants can wear iPods. God, I hope so. Cause this is the song I’d start with.

Interval: 5 minute warm-up, 15 minute run, 5 minute cool-down
Total distance: 2.7 miles + a bit
Total time: 25:00 minutes

 

 Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Uh oh. When I created my crazy training schedule for the 5K which is now in two days, I repeat, two days, I did not take into account the possibility of inclement weather. Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind. So this morning, as I was lying in bed trying to find the motivation to get up after a rocky night’s sleep, I realized it was pouring outside. And I thought, “Score!” (The rationalization came just a little too easily, but that’s ok.) Today is now a rest day, and I’m fine with that. I have one more day to prep and then the race is on Sunday. At this point, I’m not sure if I should go all out tomorrow to prepare, or do a mini-run so I don’t wear myself out. I know, I know. I’m honestly not delusional. I realize I’m not running a marathon on Sunday. But I also know I’m not 100 percent used to running anything more than the distance between the bed and the shower.

Today is also September 11, and the rain seems eerily fitting. Rain slows everything down, gives us more time to think. There is also a sense of calm in it. So even though I had to abandon my running schedule for a day (at least until I figure out how to run in precipitation), I was very happy to spend a few extra minutes with someone for whom I am very grateful.

Lastly, today is the inauguration of music in my blog. I may not be a runner, but I am a music fan. Some might argue my musical tastes are questionable, but whatever (shut up, J, Beyonce has talent and you know it). In any case, Tina, kick it off.

 

 Tina Turner - I Can't Stand the Rain: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As I was thinking about what to write today, I decided I wanted to type an accurate description of my run. The distance, my speed, my time, etc. Why, you ask? Because it was really frickin’ awesome today. That’s why. And while a big part of me fears jinxing myself, I need to gloat. Just a little. Today’s goal was to run 25 minutes without stopping (another huge jump in my training schedule, in my novice opinion). So I had to add some distance, otherwise I would’ve ended up back at home before the 25 minutes. Now I’m just estimating, but I figure I added about .25 miles. That, plus the original 2.7 miles, equals almost 3 miles, which is, dare I say, almost a 5K. Holy crap. Now, granted, the first five minutes were a warm-up walk, making my total time 30 minutes, but still. If I can transition that five minutes into the run itself, I could potentially run 5K in less than 30 minutes. Again, I fear I’m getting cocky. I have never run a full 5K without stopping, and this one should be a doozy. There are hills. But I think, finally, I may have reached a decent groove.

Interval: 5 minute warm-up, 25 minute run
Total distance: 3.0 miles
Total time: 30:02 minutes

Woo hoo. Not only did I accomplish today’s goal of running for 20 minutes without stopping, but I added a little dance at the end. Yep, that’s right, I was dancing to Aretha as the sun was rising in Maryland. On my stoop. Under the front light. Like a fool. I now have a deeper understanding of the term adrenaline rush.

Interval: 5 minute warm-up, 20 minute run
Total distance: 2.7 miles
Total time: 26:12 minutes

I’m in trouble. So last night was, in fact, very fun. So much fun that I was physically unable to run this morning. That would normally be ok, except for the fact that I’m supposed to run my first 5K in four days. Oh my god. I think I just threw up a little bit, inside. Again. And remember that crazy training schedule I developed a few weeks ago? Today was the day I was supposed to up my interval to 15 minutes from the 12 I did yesterday. And tomorrow I’m supposed to reach a whole 20. I don’t remember why I thought these drastic increases wouldn’t be a problem. At this stage in the game, I honestly have no idea if I can run 20 minutes without stopping for a walk break. Well, I guess I’ll find out. Right now, I’m inspired by how good this night’s sleep will be. I have no doubt that I’ll pass out shortly. And I’m inspired by these tennis players at the U.S. Open right now. They’ve been running around for a good two hours. Two hours! And they’re ready for more. One just ate a banana.

I had a kick-ass run this morning. And I firmly believe that the reason I was able to keep on keepin’ on was because I finallly learned how to pace myself. It was like a lightning bolt. Going up hill didn’t have to be super fast. And downhill didn’t have to be either. I learned to conserve my energy so that I didn’t over tire. It was awesome. However, as I write this, I am sitting with J, drinking bottles of wine and Black Russians, thinking, “Pacing is a good lesson.” But whatever, sometimes you just need to go full throttle. If you burn out, you burn out. But at least it was fun, right?

Interval: 12 minute run, 1 minute walk
Total distance: 2.7 miles
Total time: 26:10 minutes

A few years ago, I ran into my upstairs neighbor on the street corner. He asked me if I was blasting Kirk Franklin in my apartment a few days earlier. Slightly embarrassed that I was playing music that loudly, that I was possibly disturbing him, and also that I was playing gospel music of all things, I gave in and decided to just own up to it. “Yes,” I replied, somewhat appologetic. “I love Kirk.” Instead of making fun of me, he was all about it. Turns out, he also was a gospel fan. Once I realized that, I asked him if he had ever heard of Donnie McClurkin. Now, keep in mind that my neighbor was a fairly big African American man. He looked intently into my eyes and said, “Girl, asking me if I know about Donnie McClurkin is like me asking you if you know who Barbara Streisand is.” Point taken, neighbor man, point taken. In any case, I went out for my run today thinking I was hitting a wall. Yesterday was not successful and I was nervous. But, somehow, I found my zone. And my old go-to, Mr. Kirk Franklin, came through like a champ. I’m not a religious person, but there is something about gospel music that moves me. Literally.

Interval: 12 minute run, 1 minute walk
Total distance: 2.7 miles
Total time: 26:20 minutes