The Jingle 5k Run!

What a blast!!! I will just start out of the gate by saying I beat my last 5k time by 5 minutes!!!!

YAY!!!!
It was an odd race day for me, I did my normal Agility workout in the morning - and on any other race day in the past I would have been taking the day off because it was RACE DAY. Well this was RACE NIGHT!  
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Things have somewhat changed. Though I am by no means Speedy Gonzalez, I am in fact no longer terrified of a 5k. I KNOW. . . there are worse things than a 5k out there!*shiver*

-Speaking of shivering it was COLD last night! Cold at least for a Floridian! Low 50's high 40's!
I think it added to the excitement of the event! There were a total of 1600 runners and the course was out and back within the lovely Lakewood Ranch community. There were so many people zipping around in neon shoes and glow in the dark laces! As the sun set someone fired up a grill and the scent of smoke and hotdogs filled the air as the High School band drummed a sharp march.
I could feel myself ramping up with the drum beat as I walked in cadence closer and closer to the action! The action being several Fit2Run tents as well as free spinal exams, beer, and massage stations! I'm actually really starting to enjoy night races. I feel less self aware. I'm just in my zone doing my thing and not distracted by everything.

I was regretting the fact I didn't have a jacket and was wishing I had some friends to run this with me - but I suppose deep down I always like to experience these things alone. . . I mean. I like someone out there but not the pressure of feeling like I might be holding someone back from their race pace.
That thought stresses me out too much I end up running a lot worse LOL.

So I hung out near a warmish tent and reported via text to my friends the scene!

I will say it was very well appointed for a local race. There were elf course attendants and several water stops . . . more than I think necessary for a 5k but HEY! cool! There were police stopping traffic and a nice bright and cheery well lit finish line.

Not my best look - perhaps a bit too cat burglar LOL - But I was comfortable once the race started!
I need to adjust the arms on my glasses as they press painfully behind my ears - I COULD run without them but I love to see whats happening around me!!!!
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I did run with my earphones in this time --- it WAS a JINGLE run. . .  EVERYONE had these loud jingle bells as well as the course attendants. I can't stand Jingle Bells. I know it sounds bad, but I can barely rush past those Salvation Army bell ringers that descend every year in front of our grocery store, Publix. I would feel more inclined to give if they just stood there smiling and well wishing. BUT ANYWAY!!!
- I had to walk to the start once the gun went off because it was quite a crowded race, once I passed the start it was a nice brisk jog with my girls Britney JLO and Pink blissfully drowning out all bells. =)

I notice I always start off feeling great and then in mile two I slow down a lot with a pick up towards the end. I need to work on maintaining a decent speed in mile 2. Something I did notice this race was my strength. I had so much more physical strength than in the past. I felt more surges of energy to push forward - and I will admit it was not for myself really -but just to kind of hang in with the group of people who were around me.

I had a lot of fun on this race because it was super festive and the mood of the crowd was really energized. I would definitely run this race again in the future and the T-shirt is pretty cool too.

Alright whats next?? - Setting my sights on the next race!! Thinking about the Ringling Bridge Run! Jan 19, 2013. 4 miles.
hrmm - well I guess I need to work on bridges now!
See you at the next race!
<3
Min

FLAT TIRE

I've busted a wheel =(
Right foot heel. I kind of jammed it hard while trying stop too fast when sprinting.
I don't know why I stopped so awkwardly - but it felt like my leg just pegged straight into the ground without any bend or roll. and BLAM - pain radiating up the outside of my leg to the hip.
I spent about an hour soaking in Epsom Salt yesterday and then blasting it with Biofreeze -- which I ADORE!!!

I was lucky to have my friend who owns Agility take a look at my ankle this morning and he agrees its jammed and needs to chill out for a bit!
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It already feels a lot better tonight - but I am not sure I will be running in the Frosty 5k this saturday.
Just walking my pups down the road a short while is very uncomfortable.

Anyway -

Even though I didn't get to work out today with Kimberly, I DID hang out and cheer the ladies on! - Also I took a few photos of Anna doing a few of the moves we do in class!!
Doesn't she look awesome?!  =D

 You know whats funny? -
I could hear the workout starting -and see everyone getting going and my whole body started heating up like crazy!! I could feel the sweat just running down my back and my whole core was hot hot hot - like it was expecting me to get going and work out!!!
It was so uncomfortable and I felt ridiculous talking to people and feeling my head burning up like some kind of freakshow - because I wasn't moving!!!!
- Anna says this happens to her too! - The body is prepping to WORK!
We googled it! - It must be TRUE! LOL

Anyway - I'm not sure if I should go to Agility tomorrow and do abs or just hang out at home? BLAH! I mean - I can do abs again and ride the bike right?

It just feels so bad to be weight bearing.

Anyway - more soon - I'm going to the frosty 5k no matter what! EIther as a runner or a spectator cheering my friends on!

1 mile stiff slog

Everything felt stiff and tired and puffy today. Just not comfortable- not finding anything that made me want to keep going because I knew in just a little while I will be inside doing my Agility workout.
- I find it way to difficult to get the most out of Agility after running 2-3 miles.
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I need to get more miles under my feet.
- Some days I"m full of beans - others just flatline.
- I'm going to blame the fact I didn't get to have my usual morning cup of coffee!! - This is what usually gets me GOING!!!!

 random blackberries pic - just for some color . . . and they are my fav. =)
okay I will fill you in on more as the week unrolls!
week 4 using nike app! loving it!

I see Burpees~!

Oh yes - super tough day.
It was intense in a cardio - UP UP way.

Each one with a * star * next to it was done for 6 minutes each.
YIKES!

That little unassuming word right there after  warm up 2un 2x around -- yes . . yes that one right there! that says SPRINT!
hahahahaah
Talk about a WAKE UP! Usually we just jog our half mile out - get the body flowing, it is the holy time - the quiet time of preparing the mind and soul for what is about to happen - yes I am speaking of the Agility CORE FIT class!
- One must prepare!
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So here I am returning from my nice easy going warm up to find the class instructor outside and yelling SPRINT SPRINT!!!
So -- Sprint I must! - For she is the commander - and the voice I hear through the thick haze of fatigue and self downtalk.
- Up and down the parking lot lanes we sprinted - we the core fit team.
It felt good to see the finish line. When I can see the finish line - I can give you 510% of my capacity. Its when there is no finish line - when there is no hope - hahhaa that I wilt.
-I dig in and hang on until it all comes to a horrible halt.

I like to think of this morning as the SURPRISE SPRINTS.
- It woke me up and I came to life - I was ready to play!

These workouts are challenging - but I really go at my capacity - and I am mindful of my body and do what I know is really working my body well - with the intent of being able to do it daily.

Backing off my 3 mile runs the last two days BEFORE agility has upped my enjoyment again for the classes I love so much!

So anyway -Here I was thinking 1 minute activities were crazy - the reality is . ..  6 minute activities are CRAZY!!!  But even so- I will post my post it thought on how time has come to mean very different things to me lately LOL! See you later =D
Min

AFX and Running

HI Party PEOPLE!!! I am in the works of being a part of a  new running club with Agility! Here I am rockin' my new AFX shirt - which stands for Agility Fitness Experience.

As you can see - Teddy Bear is super excited about this shirt too! =D
DOWN BOY!!! lol

Sooooo - I'm all about my new Nike Plus Running app for my iPhone. I was using the Sportstracker app previously, but got annoyed with the frequent glitching and incorrect data. I've been running in the Morning Tues and Thurs with my friend and the other running club person -- yes I said OTHER- as I think its just the two of us - perhaps two others but we aren't that organized yet.  Also Weds and Sat I'm running.
- I'm not fast at all. . . but! -
I'm getting faster =D
This is what is so neat about the app- it shows you on a map your run and it travels the route in a line that changes colors. Green and yellow mean you are zooming!! orange is like sloooooow jog and red is flat out walking. It also alerts you to your pace nad will play whatever playlist you have lined up!!

I'm so excited about my friend at Agility who is designing our team shirt!!! SO far it has the AFX logo - with a running figure behind it - and under says -- I RUN with AGILITY!
So COOL!!

Well- as you can see below we had a great time at the last 5k! - Now for the NEXT 5k!!! The FROSTY 5k !!!
Here is the design for the shirt! - because . . you know me and shirts . . lol.

Annnnnd finally for the last race of the year -
The Jingle 5k !! Which will be an evening race.

There is so much going on - I'm pretty much having a blast and soaking up all the fun races while the weather is nice!! As soon as spring arrives we will sink back into that horrid Floridian FUG of heat and humidity. Yuck!

So - Running tues weds thurs and sat has proven to be more challenging than expected. As you know - I adore my Agility classes. It took me some time to build up enough OOMPH to withstand 4 days of Agility. I tried for 5 but I just felt broken . LOL
So 4 it is.. . . As all the races are happening well . .. I need to get my ass on the ROAD!!!! When do I run? YEP - BEFORE AGILITY CLASS.
YIKES!

Now- I wasn't originally planning for that schedule - actually I'm hardly planning much - just kind of going with the flow. . . but here it is.
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I was going to only run on the days I'm not doing Agility because I thought OHHH a 5k run would be a perfect workout and I will be too tired for much else .. . then comes the TURKEY BURN.
- Remember in my previous post? 5k run followed by hard and brain melting CORE FIT !

Well after completing that day of pure energy - I realized that HEY I can run and do Agility back to back. . . .
And so the journey began. I run walk jog sprint my way through 2.24-3.16 miles  - followed by .50 of a mile and then full Core Fit or Cardio Sculpt.
Its mind blastingly difficult. I lasted up til today. TODAY WAS THE FLAKE OUT.
- And it is because of yesterday.
Yesterdays Core Fit felt like dragging my body through mud. It felt like every single activity was asking me to use my legs . I mean OMG - how can I use my legs when I blasted myself out sprinting?
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Yeah- It just wasn't happening this morning so I went to Agility with full on freshness and actually really enjoyed the class again! - I think mostly because I was RESTED! Even the .50 mile warm up I did much faster than usual.

Running really is a metaphor for life - you really do get out what you put into it. I think Oprah said that .. I agree. It is the great leveler of the ego! It is my quiet time- and dreaming time. I have said all of my sorries and forgiven myself of regrats and mistakes never to be repeated. It all is left on the pavement and washed away. - From MY Psyche.

Either way - I need to find a balance of Running and Agility.
I want to run but not feel broken for my Agi class. I want to improve - without breaking my body.
- I can feel that I need to back off. I'm basically bathed in biofreeze and spend each late afternoon stiffly hobbling around my home.
No one but Matt sees this part - but its seeping more and more into my morning classes as the total shock to the system of run/corefit is representing itself in the fact that I can barely do several activities- especially anything that is asking me to do tuck jumps or deep knee bending. I need to REST this weekend.
- I will keep you posted.
There is a balance.
I will find it.
<3

5k for KICKS!

Had a blast this morning at the 5k for Kicks! It supported the local high school soccer team. But you know me - I do things mostly for the shirt. ..  and sadly -- they didn't have a Ladies cut Large. I ended up going home with a mens medium.
TRAGEDY! lol.
- yeah.
I know it sounds awful but its so true!! I join these things for the shirts and I guess the world thinks that everyone belongs in a ladies medium or small =( I did actually hear a lot of ladies saying they wished they had a Large.  -
OK - enough griping about the shirt - The rest of the morning was really pleasant. It was a nice cool morning and perfect for a 5k!
-It was great to be there with my friends from Agility --

also that Anna decided to go last minute was another bonus!!

 A fun time was had by all and after we hit up the local farmers market to see what was happening down town!

Judging by the times on my nike app- my times are improving with each run. I'm looking forward to the Frosty 5k on December 15th!