Partners

With the insanely nice (and unusual) January weather, I've found someone to run with almost everyday. I am extremely grateful for #1) outside scenery instead of the orange wall and #2) the time with friends. Which leads me to the post for today... Partners.

I have been lucky and found great partners since I started running in 2005. Jill Klein was my first buddy. She taught a 'Couch to 5K' class in Waverly. Who knew 7 years later I'd be running and loving it more than ever. I had just started running with another friend, Heidi Wirtz, when I got pregnant and went on running hiatus. For the next 4 years I lost my groove and partners. Having a baby, moving, working, etc. gave me plenty of excuses. I would run here and there, but nothing consistent and I didn't find the enjoyment in it I once had.

Jentri Haworth saved me from my running dulldrums. We started running 3-4 days a week. Her waiting and depending on me to show up was the motivation and consistency I needed. Once people find out you're a 'runner', they are interested in joining you for runs or races.

I have ran with more than 15 different partners. In some cases, running is what kicked off our friendship. In other cases, I've known them my whole life (Katie and Mom). Either way, I appreciate the time I've gotten to spend with all of them. I want to give a shout out to you, my fellow pavement pounders. Without you I wouldn't have the love for running I experience on a daily/weekly basis.

Here are just a few of my partners...

I'm also giving Michael credit for the one time he ran 3.5 miles down to the highway and back with me. With a little encouragement, maybe he'll do it again ;)

First Race of 2012

Last night's weather conditions (freezing and extremely windy) had me on the fence about running a 5K race today. As much as I love racing, I'm not a fan of the cold or wind. I'm what you call a fair-weather-runner. I have no problems pounding out miles on my treadmill if conditions aren't perfect. But, upon dragging my butt out of bed this morning, conditions had improved. The wind had died down and the sun was coming up. With no snow or ice on the ground, I couldn't let Mother Nature get the best of me.

I trekked to Newton for the 1st annual Pink Nose/ Blue Toes 5K benefiting the Skiff Cancer Center. About 90 other participants and I sported the typical running tights, headbands, hats and gloves to run/walk a 3.1 mile loop.

I set goals for the 2012 running season. One is to beat a 25:00 5K time. I only had to shave 7 seconds off my PR. Doable with the speed and hill training I've been doing to stave off treadmill-dread. Thanks to my Garmin, I knew I was keeping pace to reach my goal. My final time was 24:23. 36 seconds to spare. Totally worth waking up early on a Saturday morning.

Bonus: Beany hat instead of t-shirt. I have a closet full of race t's.

Downfall: Since I reached my goal so early in the season, I have to beat it. I can't peak in January.

Road to a marathon

March 30th, 2010 (the day after my 30th birthday) I started running with a friend. I had run several 5K's pre-Kincaid, but lost motivation after he was born. I needed a push and partner to get me going again. Thanks to Jentri, I had that. The intention was to train for a 5K. As time went on, the 5K training turned into 10K training, then into half marathon training. I didn't complete the half marathon that year. But, I did finish 14 races and felt great about all of them. It was a sense of personal accomplishment.

Fast forward to 2011 and I had farther goals. I wanted to complete the half marathon I didn't the year before. May 1st, 2011 I finished my first half marathon and quite a bit faster than my expected time. I was hooked. I completed four half marathons that year, along with several 5K's, 8K's, 10K's, BIX 7, and a 20K. 22 races total. My favorites were the trail runs, mud runs, and Warrior Dash.

So what's my goal for 2012? Why a full marathon, of course. I committed (meaning I registered) a few days ago. It's official, I will be running a marathon on May 27th, 2012. As is par for me, once it's in my head, I have to conquer it. I have 17 weeks to be able to push my body to 26.2 miles.

Keeping my mileage up from last race season gives me a jump start. I've done a few double digit runs in the last month. Now it's a matter of working one long run per week into my schedule. With an incredible supportive husband, that won't be hard.

Just in case this is the only marathon I ever run, I thought I'd blog about my journey.