Just got home from day 10 of my challenge to myself (and some of you) to do a 5K everyday in the month of May. My BRF (Best Running Friend) Sara pointed out that it’s a good thing 5K a Day doesn’t rhyme with August. Indeed. Because I live in TX and that’s just not happening, Folks;). She also pointed out that a 5K is 3.1 miles not 3.2. How I could have had that wrong for over a week is beyond me. Think of all those 1/10’s of a mile I ran needlessly. Math has never really been my thing.
A few key observations:
 |
| don’t normally mention my times but I love how pretty this is with everyday represented;) |
- Humidity sucks
This was after a morning of 75 degrees and 80% humidity. I am not amused. - I have running personality disorder. Some days I’ve been so excited to get out the door I can hardly stand it and others I do anything and everything possible to avoid doing it. Thus Thursday nights 9:30 treadmill effort.
This would have been one of my perky days. Yes, even I find this annoyingly happy - I’m slower than I was last year. Not by much but enough to mess with my running self esteem. I’m going to ignore that for now because if I make this about getting faster and not consistency I will for sure get hurt. I may get faster. But that can’t be the goal. School’s almost out and there will be plenty of time for speed work on our local middle school track this summer.
- You have to mix it up. I did too many days exactly the same (same pace, same route) even though I know better. Next week I’m definitely going to try some new places and paces (and that rhymes so, ya know)
- It’s hard to find the time every day to do this. I’ve got a full time job and 3 kids with crazy schedules (the other day I logged 3 hours in the car in one afternoon – NOT fun). But it’s worth it. I love the consistency of it and that the steady stream of endorphins is really helping with my energy and outlook.
So there you have it. If you had plans to join me and your life has gotten in the way, please get back on the train. This is not an all or nothing proposition. I’ll end with some inspiration from John Bingham, running coach and all around wise and funny guy:
“Every run has the potential to transform us from who we are to the person we’re becoming. Every step on every run could be the one that begins our metamorphosis from who we’ve always been to what we’ve always wanted to be.” Running for Mortals, pg 80
May this week find you running strong and enjoying the amazing body that God gave you and all the things you get to do.
Happy Running. Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day! You can go read my post about that here.
Jen