It's my race-iversary

**First off, thanks to those of you who commented and reassured me about yesterday's lousy run.  My mental game was way off, and while the 10-mile loop route I ran was convenient for switching water bottles, it was bad for talking myself out of going for the second half.  After I posted my little whine and called my mom to tell her I'd be on time after all for lunch, I sat there and realized what a baby I was being.  Having already changed plans with my mom about three times because of the run, though, I just went on home.  It was definitely the capper for what was a week with some disappointments and frustrations.  BUT, it's a new week.  So thanks again for reminding me that one bad run isn't the end of the world, and now I'll return to my regular scheduled Super-ness.***

Exactly one year ago today, I ran my first race since competing in grade school field day.  I signed up for the Go! St. Louis 5K after my sister-in-law suggested it and faithfully trained using the Couch to 5K plan.  I was a total non-runner.  Those first 1-minute run intervals hurt, and then the 5 minute intervals hurt.  The 8 minute intervals were scary, and the first 20-minute run seemed downright impossible.  But the plan said I could do it, so I did.

I posted obsessively about my training on Facebook (something that will come as no surprise to those of you who are my Facebook friends...sorry for clogging up your wall with my overuse).  I was so excited and nervous.  I can remember driving there with my sister-in-law and being disappointed that neither of our husbands were there to take pictures of such a momentous event for us. 

Finish line!
Pre-race shot of the finish line
We picked up our packets, pinned on our first bibs, attached our timing loops to our shoes, and lined up in about the middle of the pack.  It was all so new and nerve-wracking.  We had to walk for a bit to get to the starting line, and even though I'm not at all fast, I had to weave around a TON of people before could really get moving.  The race was held in St. Louis's beautiful Forest Park, and while it didn't have big hills, it had some hills.  Of course, I'd only trained on flat routes.  I had also trained using the Nike+ system, but I'd never calibrated the foot pod, so I got another unwelcome suprise when my iPod told me that I had run 5K...before I'd reached the 3-mile point.  Turns out I was even less fast than I'd thought I was. 

I pushed hard to cross the finish line before thirty minutes, and I did it: 29:13.  I watched for my sister-in-law and cheered her in.  We grabbed a couple of food items, snapped some pictures, and headed for home.


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Kristy

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Sadly, I don't look much different now.



We did it!
So proud of ourselves! :)
 And even though I never expected or really wanted to be a runner, here's what I've done since then:

Run: (4) additional 5Ks (PR 28 min)
(2) 10Ks (PR 58:37)
(1) 7.8 mile trail race (2:21)
(1) 15K trail race (1:43)
(1) 10 mile race
(1) 20K trail race (2:20)
(2) half marathons (PR 1:58:37)
...and  my first marathon is on May 1.

Written:
(202) blog posts (most, but not all about running)

Gained:
(75) new blog followers and countless new blog friends

It's been a busy year.  While I'm a little sad that I won't be able to slip into conversations that I've only been running a year, I'm really excited to see what the next year holds.

Comments

  1. Happy race-iversary Kate! You are really speedy for someone who's only been running a year...I just barely ran my first sub-30 5K last fall (and got injured not long after, so that isn't about to happen again :)). I'm inspired!

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  2. Wow! A sub 30 minute 5K for your very first one. I think that's very impressive and with such great improvements over the past year, happy race-iversary!

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  3. I can't believe you have only raced for one year. When I see some of the stuff you do you are so hard core! Wow! You are going to have fun in your first marathon! You aren't worried about the time, right? Just have fun!

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  4. Happy race-iversary!!! Good luck at your first marathon...I'm very excited for you. I'm also in awe..I've been trying to become a runner for a year now (actually I think 2 years-when ever the all star event was) and can't seem to get over the "mind games" I play with myself!! ugh

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  5. How exciting!!! Congrats to you, you have accomplished so much in such a small amount of time!!

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  6. Congrats on all your running accomplishments Kate! I hope to be joining you on some local runs again soon! Once I get back in shape I would love to do some training runs with you. You are such an inspiration. -Laura

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  7. Now you get conversations about your 2nd year of running....and I so look forward to it!! Happy run-aversary!!! :)

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  8. Happy race-iversary! You had a solid year of running to say the least. I'm kind of glad we didn;t run the half this year. My friend just texted me and said the heat was brutal.

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  9. Happy race-iversary!
    I agree with Anne!! speedy times for a 1st year!
    I got sub 30 5k on my 1 year anniversary!!

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  10. Nice year! We have the same half marathon PR by a couple seconds. I won't say who is faster.

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  11. I have not read your last post yet but I'm so glad that got some good words from everyone! Congrats on your progress and accomplishments Kate! So much to be proud of! Thanks you for thinking I look cute peeing in the woods and not being offended by my picture! ha! Keep running and training!

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  12. Happy race-iversary! Great milestone to achieve and you can be really proud of how far you've come.

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  13. Congrats on your progress with everything (and the new PR). I've enjoyed following your stories, and look forward to more!

    Keep it up!

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  14. Congrats! I am very glad you decided to blog about it all. thanks for visiting my blog and your comments are something I looked forward too. thanks SuperKate!

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  15. Nice re-cap of your racing and blogging history. You have come far indeed. Well done.

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  16. Wow! You inspire me! I need to look up that Couch to 5K plan.

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  17. Aww, I absolutely LOVE this post about your first 5K! I feel like I was right there with you. Happy race-iversary!!!

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  18. Happy race-iversary!
    Congrats on your running accomplishments.

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