Rudolph Ramble EIGHT K!

My last post kind of made me look like a slacker, so I thought I would announce that previous to all that, I ran my very first 8K (5 mile) race! And we had antlers!

I don't know what my time was and I don't really care much either. My competition is my cholesterol. If I get below the 150 triglyceride level, I win.

The most important thing I learned from the race was that it is actually kind of possible to run outside in Chicago after September. It might depend on the day, and February still might be prohibitively freezing, but I can try!





Warming up with Santa and the beautiful women of Covenant!



Mile 3! Only 2 more to go!



Finish Line! Woo hoo!

Running Behind

I've taken an unplanned break in posting, and... okay, running too. Blame Christmas.

I stopped logging my food, started slacking a little on the mid-week runs, and haven't done a long run in a while either. But I had a FABULOUS Christmas at home in Delaware, and I ate soooo much amazing food. I'm glad I didn't keep track. And if intentions count for anything, I at least packed my running clothes and shoes.



So all told, the damage done was about 2 pounds. It was worth it.




But never fear, I'm back, and thanks to Santa, more sporty/stylish than ever ;)

My first 5k!

Naperville Turkey Trot '09 - Post Race

This race is actually sort of what got me running in the first place over a year ago. At a gathering of Mark's side of the family in October '08, Mark's uncle mentioned the Turkey Trot 5K and how it would be a fun thing to do, blah blah blah... I don't remember all the details, but Mark was a cross country runner once upon a time whereas I had just joined the family and taken a very sedentary job and was already gaining post-wedding/transitional weight, so some combination of those things probably led me to believe a 5k was a good idea. There was only one problem. I hated running and could not run 3 miles if my life depended on it. (okay, I guess that's two problems.)

So, not knowing a thing about how training worked, or that it was at all possible for me to kinda sorta be athletic or, well, run 3 miles -straight -and not pass out or give up, I decided I better start training early...like, a year early! (Translation for those who are like I was and don't get the humor: you can train from 0 miles and work up to 3 miles in about 3 months, give or take.)

Regardless, this is about the time I googled Couch to 5K, and I guess my secret's out: it all started from fear of not being able to keep up with the veteran Walczaks!