Dabbling in Fitness: Full Moon 5K

Last Thursday I joined my good friend Jen on her first 5K.

I was worried. She's been training - like actually training - for a race for MONTHS. I've been running like 3 times in the past 6 months. She goes running like three times a week. Oh, and she actually runs all three miles. In a row.

So, going into the race I treated it like I've treated all of my other races: just run the beginning, run the end and maybe run a little in the middle. Just finish in less than 60 minutes (because they will close the course on you).

I really wasn't expecting anything - especially since the last time I ran before the race I completely bonked. It was an awful run. And my other runs either got thunder-and-lightning stormed out or I just was a sleepy, whiny baby and stayed in bed.

Then something amazing happened.

I ran the full first mile - no walking. And I ran it at a 12:20 pace.

First - I'm fairly certain that's the first time I've ever run an entire mile without a walk break.
Second - I KNOW that's the first time I've ever done a mile that fast.

I honestly don't know how I did it. But it felt AMAZING. Even after the first mile I was able to run more of the race and improved my overall time by TEN MINUTES. Yes. 10 full minutes. I can't even tell you how excited I am about that. :)

This is the first 5K I've run at night. The race started at 9 p.m. Every other race I've run has been in the morning and I usually try to run before work or in the morning on the weekends. Running at night is awesome. I think I need to start doing it more. :)

While the actual running of the race went really well, there were a few drawbacks. First - I am covered in mosquito bites. Second - I had a few bugs fly into my eye and my nose. It's really hard to run when you've got a gnat in your eye.

Anyway, now I'm looking at a ton of other races. I definitely had a runner's high after the race and wish that it wasn't so hot and humid out this week - because I think I'd be totally killing my 1.5 mile route right now.

Until next time - happy dabbling! :)