Life has been CRAZY busy lately.... not bad, but just trying to keep my head above water. I only mention that only to explain why I have been MIA from this blog..........
So, today was a local 5K..... the South Georgia heat and humidity was blazing!!!! Seriously, 99% humidity is no friend of any runner!!! Especially Meeeeeee!!!!!!!
Hopefully the pain now will help in Future
My friend Brandy placed first in her age group and I placed second in my age group. Not my best time, but definitely better than my last 5K time. I push through this crazy south Georgia heat in hopes that when fall/winter comes, I will reap the benefits..... we shall seeeeeeeee :D
I have to say.... there were couple of times that I just wanted to slow way down and walk........ but, there were several of the runners that I run long runs with on Sundays who are much speedier than me at these 5Ks that were hollering out to me and kept me motivated! It was an out and back course.... so, as they had already made the turn, each one yelled out to me! I needed that! In this heat, I needed all the motivation I could get! I wish I could be one of those runners that had a mind set of "It is only 3 miles, I can suffer for that short of time!" But, I tend to give up the push and give into the heat!!! I am working on getting the mind set.......... ****SIGH*****
Running Friends ROCK
The above group are some awesome friends and runners.... these people keep me motivated!!!!!! They are one of the reasons I show up to run..... love seeing these peeps!!!
TIPS WHEN USING A PACER
The below picture is Frank, one of the local runner friends. He runs about my pace, but a little faster. I was going to use him to help me pace this event........ but, after the start, I thought I had lost sight of him, when in reality, he was behind me.... LOL! He ended up passing me at a water stop.... but I never saw him pass me. I think the push in the heat makes me blind..... seriously, I don't even remember the course after running! LOL! Anyway, I thought of some tips when using a pacer, they are as follows:
1- The person you are using to pace you probably should be aware that you are using them as a pacer...... I probably wouldn't have lost sight of Frank, if I had let him be aware that he was going to pace me
2- DON'T GO OUT TO FAST..... ugh, this is something that I constantly work on..... if I hadn't gone out too fast, I wouldn't have lost site of my pacer..........
3- When picking your pacer, pick one that will help you! A runner with experience that can stay control and consistent..... hence, why I selected Frank. He tends to be able to stay controlled...... I slowed toward the end because I did not stay controlled at the start..... resulting in negative splits!
** I just LOVE my Runner's World Calendar that my friend Michelle gave me...... below is one of the day's sayings.......
I had to laugh because at a local 5K recently, a friend of mine that just started running asked how everyone prevents getting a wedgy.... I simply said, "You aren't suppose to wear underwear!" She was like, "Good to know!!!" LOL!!!
The below picture is after speed work on Monday....... I shared this earlier in the week on Instagram..... Gotta love my hair... looks like Mary from the movie, "Something about Mary." And, the guy to the far left is the coach...... I think we pushed him to his breaking point with our whining..... ok, may I was the only one doing that!!! LOL! :D
There is a time to know when to go SLOWWWWWW
Ok, I know that every person who starts out running or who has been running for a long time, the focus tends to be on time/pace. But, from what I have been reading lately and what my coach has done with my training plans, slowing down can make you faster!!!! Ok, I do not mean slow all the time, but every run you do should not be at your race pace. I follow an AWESOME blogger who always shares GREAT information. This past week, she had a "guest" blogger take over her blog for the day on this EXACT topic!!! I LOVED it sooooooooooo much that I I am going to share with you!!!!! And, if you don't follow this blogger, The Hungry Runner Girl, YOU SHOULD! The link to the blog post is HEREEEEEEEEE!
Ok, now, some of the things that kept me busy this week.... or should I say, that kept my son busy........ Above, he attended Vacation Bible School and had a BLAST!!!!!!! He so LOVEDDDDDDD IT!
Below, he fed the birds at a local theme park, Wild Adventures!
Below, is my son when the power went out one night. Gotta love a 7 year old when there is no power..... he knows how to make the best of it! How he found these monster teeth, beaded necklace, and a flash light in the dark..... I will never know!