Running Again

All right, so I don't have the best track record for sticking with things, like blogging, but that's because I'm goal oriented. I didn't set myself up for success the first couple times around.

Running also took a back seat as soon as I finished that 50K I blogged about back in October of 2010.  I set a goal and a race, and I accomplished the feat. I checked the box and moved on with my life.  

I liked running when I had a goal set, but running for pleasure just wasn't doing it for me. In December I started looking up trail races in the local area and came across a 6 race trail series called the Greenville Dirt Series.  The shortest distance was 5K (3.2mi), the longest will be 16K (9.4mi). Currently we are at the half way point in the series. I've run an 8K, 5K, and 12K at this point, with a 7K, 10K, and 16K on the horizon. Since the races are of moderate distance, I've made it a goal to increase my speed a little.  So now instead of coming in at the back of the pack, I come in somewhere in the middle.  

Running with my friend Mary at the Foothills Drifter 6K in February.  The only race of the season I didn't get a side cramp because I was talking the whole time ;) Extra bonus race that isn't part of the series. 

Last weekend I ran the 12K race, number three in the Dirt Series.  Although I hadn't run in over 10 days prior to the race because of illness, possibly adult croup of all things, I had prepped well enough that the sickness didn't discourage me from starting the race.  With that said, I somehow found my way to the start and asked an official looking gentleman what time the race started as there weren't many runners milling around. I was thinking maybe I was early. He causally looked at his watch and said "15 minutes ago."  At that point we quickly tried to find my bib number and I hit the trail trying not to pin myself and run at the same time.  Well, at least I didn't feel any pressure whatsoever. 

I was quite surprised when I caught up to the last of the racers around mile 3, then caught up with another late start racer. I ran alone most of the way trying to fight a side cramp, the side cramp was definitely on the winning side most of the race. A mile out, I caught up to a small pack of ladies and hung on as my side cramp increased intensity.  I decided to pass them a half mile out, in case they were in my age group, which I later found out they weren't.  As I approached the finish I could hear the awards being announced, which is a good indicator that the race has been over awhile. But as always, my biggest fans were at the finish cheering me on and clapping little hands. 

Pyper chose our matching shirts today. Usually on a Saturday we work the Farmers Market, she must have known it was a Market day!