Spring Celebration Virtual 5k

It's been a while since I signed up to participate in this virtual 5k. You may remember me posting about it before. Tonight, I hit the roads to run this great race supporting Jersey Rising. How could I not being the Jersey Girl that I am?

I hit the road after hubby left to go to the gym. I parked the car and it seemed overcast. Apparently, it had rained a bit earlier in the day because the driveway looked wet. I went to my normal running area and started out. I felt pretty good and the temps were nice. When Garmin went off at 1/2 mile, I was 5:43. Huh. I wasn't expecting that. I felt like I was running hard, but not that hard! Then mile 1 came up and I ran 11:59. Still faster than I expected. What the heck? My 1.5 mile time came up at 18:42. Alright, this isn't good. Definitely going out too fast. I haven't run those times in ages. Then mile 2 and 24:50. Crap.

And I was right. I died the last 1.1 miles. My stomach started to hurt, which didn't help. And I finished this lovely run at 40:23. Yea, a final mile of 16 minutes. I did think of bailing on the run since I didn't feel well, but it was for my beloved Jersey and Jersey Girls don't do that. So, even though that was an awful 5k for me, I did it.

And soon I will get one of these beauties!

I believe there are still spaces available if you're interested in helping the victims of Super Storm Sandy and picking up a cool medal! Check it out here.


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Spring Celebration Virtual Marathon

Apparently it's spring out there. I'm sure someone is enjoying the new season. Here in the Mid-Atlantic Mother Nature is desperately hanging onto winter, maybe there has been a secret wedding...

For The Love Of The Run is hosting a fantastic virtual race to get us all in the spirit of the season though - Spring Celebration Virtual Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k. This great virtual race is now open and goes through May 19, 2013. For your $20.00 registration (only until April 2nd, then the price raises to $25.00) you'll receive a custom medal, random prizes, and a portion of the proceeds go to Jersey Rising.

Why am I promoting this race? Honestly, I'm getting nothing out of it. I paid my registration fee to run the 5k, no discount other than the early bird. I managed to be within the first 10 to sign up so I scored a t-shirt, but that's it. I'm doing it because I'm a Jersey Girl. I grew up in South Jersey, near Philadelphia. When Sandy tour through the shore area into NYC my heart hurt. Here's a wonderful way to continue supporting those families still dealing with the aftermath. It's been months since the storm hit, but there the area is still working on recovering.

So, I invite you to participate in this virtual race. The medal will be revealed in time and my inside sources tell me it's going to be epic. Let's go 13 in 2013 peeps! I'm sure this race will be perfect for you - one more race to your 13 and supporting a great cause!

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Training has started!

Today was the first training run for Zooma Annapolis. I was going to run three miles as my first post-Shamrock/first training run. Then I remembered I wanted to do the March Get Out & Run virtual run, so I upped it to a 5k. Why not?

Above is my time. I'll be honest, I was just hoping for a sub-40 today. My legs were still a bit wobbly yesterday,  so I didn't think my run would be fast. It wasn't great, but it wasn't awful. I was doing pretty good until the last 1.1 miles. I had a good pace, but my legs decided 2 miles would have been a better choice and it really took effort to get that last 1.1 miles in, especially since it's all uphill.

But, I did. And I shall receive this for my efforts.

I'm liking these monthly runs/medals. They honestly help me get my butt out there and run my miles. Looking forward to signing up for the April race. Though my April race schedule is pretty packed:

April 6: Movie Madness 5k

April 13: Lager Jogger 5k

April 20: Sole of the City 10k

Guess the last weekend of the month will be Get Out & Run 5k. LOL!

Are you training for a race? What helps motivate you to get out there?

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Wounded Warrior Project Virtual 5k

Happy Independence Day to all my American blog friends!  Today we celebrate the day we declared independence from Great Britain and set our sites on being our own nation.

Today was a long day for me because we were heading to New Jersey (where I grew up) for a joint 4th of July and High School Graduation party in the afternoon.  But, before we did that I had to run the Wounded Warrior Project Virtual 5k.  I signed up to do this last week because the military to me is very important.  My Grandfather was an airman in WWII, my dad fought in Korea then served in the Coast Guard, my uncle served in the Air Force and his son is following in his footsteps in the Air Force currently, my other cousin is in the Army stationed at Fort Bragg, and my uncle's son was killed in March of 2002 in Iraq.  I also greatly respect all our men and women who serve in the military because I know I do not have the courage and fortitude these brave citizens have.  So, when I was given the opportunity to support them by running this Virtual 5k, I went for it.  I could run it any day this week, but I decided the 4th of the July was the day to do it.

I will say, the run itself sucked.  It was over 80 degrees and about 65% humidity when I went out.  It was not pretty.  I was sweaty within the first half mile.  I had a hard time keeping a rhythm and I just felt like I had nothing in the tank.  But, I ran my 5k because what I did today was nothing compared to the soldiers I ran for.  I thought about how much I was mumbling and grumbling to myself during my run when I got home.  And then I promptly said to myself, shut the F up!  You ran 41 minutes in some heat, the people you ran for today sacrificed a heck of a lot more.  And then I realized I was right...and I shut the F up.

Happy 4th of July!  I hope you had a fantastic holiday!