10K here I come

It's been a long time but I'm back! Last Friday I had a big accomplishment, running a 5K (around my neighborhood) in 30 minutes! I still had one more week of 5K training to go but I decided it was time to move on to the 10K training this week. It seems a little odd that to start this training I am backing down on my miles but I know I will build up and be even stronger than I was. The 5k training was all about putting a certain amount of minutes in a week, the 10k training is all about miles.

This morning wasn't the best morning to kick it off as it was a little chilly, windy, and spitting rain. Regardless of the weather puppy was ready to go so we headed out. I felt like since I was backing down the miles I was running I should probably try and run it a little faster and I was so happy to find out that I finished my 1.5 miles in under 14 minutes, which equals 9 minute miles! I definitely couldn't sustain that pace for much longer than my run today because I was gassed by the end but it feel good to know that I pushed myself a little harder this morning.

I now have two running buddies that I couldn't do without; Mr. Oliver and My nike+ running "coach". It's great to have someone (or rather something) telling you your distance in your ear as your going. Very very motivating!

Here's to another great week of being a "runner"

Trips, Trips, and more Trips

So it's been over a week since I've posted and unfortunately since I've ran for that matter! Saturday the 24th of April started a crazy whirlwind trip to the West Coast for a mixture of business and pleasure. I finished my final run of that week on Friday and then packed quickly for my 7 am departure to Seattle! The weekend started great with a reunion with the best friends from college where we did some bridesmaid dress shopping for Laura's upcoming nuptials, had some hot Indian action, went to a carnival bar that served elephant ears, ate a famous Seattle cream cheese hot dog, and went to stalk McDreamy on Bainbridge Island. It's always a good time with my girls.

Monday started the work madness by taking the Amtrak train from Seattle down to Portland for business. We were in Portland for all of one night then it was off to San Francisco for a day and a half then I hopped the red eye to get home with just enough time on Thursday to jump in the car and head to Louisville for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby! We had an amazing time at the derby and it was definitely a once in a lifetime event.

Now unfortunately during that entire week of crazy west coast travel, lack of sleep, and I'll admit, a few nights of drunken debauchery, I was only able to get one run in. But it was a good one! I went 28 minutes straight for a total of 2.6 miles. This was on a treadmill but at least I threw the incline up to make it "feel" more like an outdoor run.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't get more runs in during this trip, especially considering one of my main reasons for starting to run was because I could essentially do it anywhere. I am going to jump right back in to where I left off though and start off strong tonight with Week 7 of my 5K training. My hope is that a week off won't do anything to hurt my performance and hopefully it will help, my legs should be good and fresh for tonight's 28 minute run!