Beginner's Luck Week 4

We were in a heat advisory today. I need not say more.

Do you like my shorts?

Goal 2: Check!

Tonight I ran 2.4 miles without stopping. Then I took a bubble bath.

Next goal is 3 nonstop miles by August 1. Lucky for me, Beginner's Luck class is awesome and our class finale 5k is on July 27 at Holmes Lake. If I can go the distance without a walking break, I am on track for the half marathon next May.

Tonight we signed up for the Thunder Run on August 13. This 5k race takes place on the runway of the Lincoln airport. Since one of my first driving experiences was accidentally on the runway of the Avon Park runway (I'll leave that hilarious story for my dad to tell), I think this will be a fun one.

Lucky 7 for Tracy Harnly 2011

Two months ago, I couldn't run half a mile without nearly passing out, and today I ran a 5k.  My friend Jes and I ran 10 minutes, walked 1, ran another 10, walked 1, then ran the rest.

Water stations are awesome.

I didn't place very high in my age group but I did run the entire uphill nasty part that everyone dreads, so I'm proud of that.

My next race is the 2 mile fun run in Seward on July 4. I'll be really happy if I can do it in less than 25 minutes.

Maybe Excited to Maybe Run a 5k This Morning

This is how I woke up today:

Official word is that our 5k is still on, but there *might* be a rain delay.

I'm ready to go but not happy about getting my new running shoes wet and/or dirty. NOOOOO!

Believe it or not, I can almost do a 5K!

I'm almost there.
Here's a map of our Beginner's Luck course. We went 1.25 miles then back for a total of 2.5 miles. This was the same route that we did last week, but this time we ran 12 minute intervals instead of 8 minute intervals.


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I almost feel like I'm ready for more. Less than a mile more and we're at a 5K, and that seems unreal to me.

But seriously, ouch!
I'm still getting side stitch and it's not getting any better. The more I run, the more I get it even when I'm not exercising. Some mornings I get out of bed and I have side stitch by the time I'm done walking to the bathroom. I also get it in the parking lot walking into work from my car. This can't be normal! I talked to one of the BL volunteers tonight, and she said that physical therapy can help. My mom works for a PT, so she's going to ask him what I need to do, and she'll show me when she's here next week. Can't wait to see what she says! I'll probably be blowing up balloons or something equally fun.

Let's pretend this is so fun!

Ready or not...

This morning we went to Pioneer's Park here in Lincoln to run the course for next Saturday's 5k - my first 5k. I made it about halfway through (I hope it was half) till I needed to walk up a steep hill, which ended where we parked.

Too slow.

By that time, all my running buddies were so far ahead of me I had to stop since I didn't know which way to go next. So I sat on a bench. Jeremy crossed the finish line then walked/ran the rest of it again with me. By the time we finished I really regretted not bringing my inhaler.

Why bother?

I find it depressing that so many people who claim to be "so out of shape" say that they can go a couple of miles, no problem. I'm busting my butt to run a couple miles, so what does that say about me?

Butt Prints

Next week, Juice Stop.

Tonight was week 2 of Beginner's Luck. I ate a veggie sub an hour beforehand and it gave me a horrible stomach ache that I felt immediately, and I'm still kind of feeling. Maybe it was the peppers, onions, southwest sauce, and pepperjack cheese. Lesson learned.

I think about 3 miles, maybe.

Despite my horrible food choice, I did ok keeping up with my group. This week we ran 8 minutes, walked 1, then ran 4 and walked 1. We did this twice. It may have been my longest run yet. I don't know, and I don't feel like doing a map tonight.

The proof is on the sidewalk!

When we got back and did our stretching on the sidewalk, I left sweaty butt prints that I am VERY proud of. I was really upset that I didn't have my phone. I wanted to post a picture so bad for you all because they were magnificent. Magnificent!

New Goal

I decided to try a longer route tonight, but allowed myself to walk a little. I am disappointed at how MUCH I needed to walk, but finishing this new loop will just be my new goal. Total distance I actually ran is approximately 2.4 miles, but obviously I didn't do it all at one time. Maybe by the end of the month I can!

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When I was taking one of my walking breaks I saw another lady about my age wearing the same Beginner's Luck shirt as me. I'm not alone on northeast Lincoln's sidewalks!

Beginner's Luck Week 1

I assumed that there would be maybe 50 people in Beginner's Luck class tonight.

Try 380, plus dozens of volunteers. If anyone I knew was there I never would found them in the crowd. So if you're reading this and you were there and you want to be my class buddy, see you next Wednesday.

After we got inspired by this guy,

we went for a group run!

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My group ran 4 minutes then walked 1 minute four times, for a total of about 1.96 miles. We started at Lincoln Southwest High School and went to SouthPointe and back.

Then I got a new running shirt. The lady handing them out promised me I'm not a dork if I wear it every week. She also told me that running shirts should NEVER be put in the dryer or come in contact with fabric softener. It kills the wicking action.

Not a bad night at all.

Run from the hungry blood suckers!

I had no intention of running tonight, but despite the heat and mosquitos, I did it and I went 1.68 miles! If you keep going, and if your legs are shaved, the mosquitos don't stick. I think that's true. I'm going to believe it because that's what kept me going tonight.

My next run will be Wednesday at Beginner's Luck class. I'm going to get some more running buddies and hopefully learn something about shoes and how to prevent side stitch. I can't wait!

Quick Florida Trip

I had a nice run this morning in my old neighborhood. This was the "long" loop that mom used to make my brother and me walk with her when we were little. Sometimes we would zigzag through Fairway and Hillcrest, but most of the time we just walked this one loop. This is where I learned to ride a bike, walked the family dog (who is sleeping next to me in a little ball while I write this) and where I walked when I needed alone time with my teenage angst.

View Avon Park in a larger map

After I got got home and showered, dad asked me if I wanted to go to his gym and work out with him. So I learned how to use a spin bike and rowing machine. I earned a lot of sweat today, and got to spend some time with my dad.

I had a fun trip, and I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night with my own pillows and dog and husband! I'll be home soon sweetheart!