Madison Shamrock Shuffle -- NEW PR :)
I'd like to start by thanking everyone here for being so supportive and responsive to my questions last week. It helped tremendously.
The Shamrock Shuffle was my first 5K last year. I had walked it mostly with my son last year. I wasn't nearly as ready as I thought I would be, but also I didn't want to push past my then 10 year old because I wanted to be supportive of him. I doubt I would have finished much faster than we did. We finished in right around 45 minutes last year.
My second 5K was in July. It's about half a mile longer than a standard 5K and I finished that one in 48 minutes.. so slightly faster than the shuffle.
Fast forward to this past December. I was feeling somewhat defeated in my weight loss. I was two years post-op from RNY and still thought I hadn't "arrived" or achieved "goal". When New Year's rolled around, Jan (fatfreemama) suggested we come up with a word for 2012. I really wanted my word to not be weight related because I needed something I could achieve that I could have full control over. So I decided it would be "Athletic".
When I started getting serious about exercise in January I was "jogging" at 4.2mph. Yes that should have been a fast walk, but it felt too fast to even walk then. I probably used the treadmill a couple of times a week, and used my elliptical one or two days a week. Slowly my speed increased until the last couple of weeks I could maintain 5mph for 20-30 minutes on the treadmill. I was spinning twice a week as well.
So based on that, I figured it would take me 36-37 minutes for the Shamrock. I hadn't ran on the road AT ALL. So I was slightly worried.
When the race started I could feel the weight of my legs and was slightly winded but figured I needed to keep a positive attitude and just keep going. It was a crowded race and I was actually passing people now and then, but tried to stay to the right for the times that I felt I needed to walk for a bit. There are two relatively large hills on the route and I had to walk up those. I walked when I needed to, but tried to start jogging again as soon as I felt recovered enough to do so. I had my phone tracking my run in my back pocket, but I couldn't hear it announcing my pace. I really had no idea how I was doing.
Once I hit the halfway mark I knew I had less to go than I had already finished and that motivated me. It was a bit on the warm side so that kind of stunk, but it wasn't terrible. I was very thankful for that one water station though.
There were 5 adults from my family participating and 3 kids. I knew I wouldn't beat my brother in law.. he was anticipating a 24 minute finish. I was going back and forth with my sister in law and nephew throughout the race. I would pass them.. they would pass me.. and so on. At the end of the race they were ahead of me and I thought I would have really liked to finish before Gretchen. I realized that wasn't going to happen and I needed to focus on me. The last of the hills were behind us and we were winding back into down-town Madison. I could finally see the finish line and I pushed it harder.
There were two clocks at the finish line.. later I figured out one was for the 10K and the other was for the 5K. I was a little disappointed when I looked up and saw 43 minutes, but then this timer on the right was 36 minutes.. huh? Oh. That 43 minute time was for 10K runners..
After meeting up with the rest of our family we made our way to the local pub that was hosting the after-race party and found a table. There was a station setup to print race results for participants so we headed over.
I was thoroughly elated to see my time: 34:33!!
2 1/2 minutes faster than my goal.. and 10 1/2 minutes faster than last year!
Guess what...
I feel accomplished... and ready to keep moving forward!
The Shamrock Shuffle was my first 5K last year. I had walked it mostly with my son last year. I wasn't nearly as ready as I thought I would be, but also I didn't want to push past my then 10 year old because I wanted to be supportive of him. I doubt I would have finished much faster than we did. We finished in right around 45 minutes last year.
My second 5K was in July. It's about half a mile longer than a standard 5K and I finished that one in 48 minutes.. so slightly faster than the shuffle.
Fast forward to this past December. I was feeling somewhat defeated in my weight loss. I was two years post-op from RNY and still thought I hadn't "arrived" or achieved "goal". When New Year's rolled around, Jan (fatfreemama) suggested we come up with a word for 2012. I really wanted my word to not be weight related because I needed something I could achieve that I could have full control over. So I decided it would be "Athletic".
When I started getting serious about exercise in January I was "jogging" at 4.2mph. Yes that should have been a fast walk, but it felt too fast to even walk then. I probably used the treadmill a couple of times a week, and used my elliptical one or two days a week. Slowly my speed increased until the last couple of weeks I could maintain 5mph for 20-30 minutes on the treadmill. I was spinning twice a week as well.
So based on that, I figured it would take me 36-37 minutes for the Shamrock. I hadn't ran on the road AT ALL. So I was slightly worried.
When the race started I could feel the weight of my legs and was slightly winded but figured I needed to keep a positive attitude and just keep going. It was a crowded race and I was actually passing people now and then, but tried to stay to the right for the times that I felt I needed to walk for a bit. There are two relatively large hills on the route and I had to walk up those. I walked when I needed to, but tried to start jogging again as soon as I felt recovered enough to do so. I had my phone tracking my run in my back pocket, but I couldn't hear it announcing my pace. I really had no idea how I was doing.
Once I hit the halfway mark I knew I had less to go than I had already finished and that motivated me. It was a bit on the warm side so that kind of stunk, but it wasn't terrible. I was very thankful for that one water station though.
There were 5 adults from my family participating and 3 kids. I knew I wouldn't beat my brother in law.. he was anticipating a 24 minute finish. I was going back and forth with my sister in law and nephew throughout the race. I would pass them.. they would pass me.. and so on. At the end of the race they were ahead of me and I thought I would have really liked to finish before Gretchen. I realized that wasn't going to happen and I needed to focus on me. The last of the hills were behind us and we were winding back into down-town Madison. I could finally see the finish line and I pushed it harder.
There were two clocks at the finish line.. later I figured out one was for the 10K and the other was for the 5K. I was a little disappointed when I looked up and saw 43 minutes, but then this timer on the right was 36 minutes.. huh? Oh. That 43 minute time was for 10K runners..
After meeting up with the rest of our family we made our way to the local pub that was hosting the after-race party and found a table. There was a station setup to print race results for participants so we headed over.
I was thoroughly elated to see my time: 34:33!!
2 1/2 minutes faster than my goal.. and 10 1/2 minutes faster than last year!
Guess what...
I feel accomplished... and ready to keep moving forward!
Congrats! What a great job!! You SHOULD feel very accomplished, and so proud of yourself!
Read my blog, BARIATHLETE I run because I can.
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
So proud of you! Congratulations! How did Reuben do?
Bay to Breakers 12K May 15, 2011 (1:54:40) First 5K 5/23/11 (41:22)
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
He did awesome!
Improved his time by 3 1/2 minutes.. and even better than that.. he was proud and was saying that next year he thinks he'll do even better if he keeps training! Last year he was feeling so defeated and saying he would never do it again!
Oh, here's a pic of Reuben:
http://www.focalflamestore.com/Running/2012-Shamrock-Shuffle /Unknown-Bib/21579546_CkDpL2#!i=1753792873&k=KPZDCJ8&lb=1&s= A
No pics of me. I found a couple but I'm obscurred in the background.. hell, Mark didn't even see me finish and was getting worried when I ended up coming up behind him 10 minutes later after I met up with Reuben.
Improved his time by 3 1/2 minutes.. and even better than that.. he was proud and was saying that next year he thinks he'll do even better if he keeps training! Last year he was feeling so defeated and saying he would never do it again!
Oh, here's a pic of Reuben:
http://www.focalflamestore.com/Running/2012-Shamrock-Shuffle /Unknown-Bib/21579546_CkDpL2#!i=1753792873&k=KPZDCJ8&lb=1&s= A
No pics of me. I found a couple but I'm obscurred in the background.. hell, Mark didn't even see me finish and was getting worried when I ended up coming up behind him 10 minutes later after I met up with Reuben.
Wow, that is such a great picture of him! You've got to get it and frame it for him as an inspiration!
Bay to Breakers 12K May 15, 2011 (1:54:40) First 5K 5/23/11 (41:22)
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
Half Marathons: Napa: 7/18/10 (4:11:21) 7/17/11 (3:30:58) 7/15/12 (3:13:11.5)
SJ Rock and Roll: 10/2/10 (3:58:22) Run Surf City: 2/6/11 (3:19:54)
Diva: 5/6/12 (3:35:00)
HW/SW/CW 349/326/176
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
Nice. Perseverance and the great group of people here in this specific forum will continue to support you through your future goals. I know they have me.
Jay
First 5K 5/21/2011 00:48:24
First 13 mile run 02:31:39 10/30/2011
5K Race PR 24:38 5/2013
First TRIATHLON 1:48:37 5/7/2012
Augusta Ironman 70.3 6:54:67
Half Marathon PR 1:55:39 6/8/2013 Bootlegger Half Marathon
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