Pounding the Pavement

You will recall, dear readers, the first 5k since I decide to give this running thing another try (I say another try because I did give it a shot about 5 years ago, with little to no desire to ever do that again). It was super fun to get to run it with my dad. The Scooter and I made a good team and both of us vowed to continue or running ways.  I've signed up for a few more races and he's looking into one or two himself.

Well, my good friend Emily, who happens to teach in the room right next to mine, also happens to work at a running store on the weekends. (She's a petite little firecracker, so of course, we get along swimmingly.) She's given me some great advice on stretching and pacing and clothing and racing and... well, I don't know anything about what the heck I'm doing, so she is more or less my life coach these days. 

Anyway..., this running store hosted a one mile race tonight, and since Emily is the influence for fitness in my life, I decided to join in the, ahem, "fun." It was the Blue Mile Brewmile race to support a local theater company. I can't say I really cared about the cause, but a $5 race is wicked cheap. You ran a mile and got a free commemorative pint glass plus a free pint of whatever you wanted (which, because I don't drink, meant a root beer). Plus you got some kind of discount on food at the bar that was providing the beer, and I love food, so that was great motivation, too.

When I ran the 5k a month ago, my average mile per minute time was 12.00. Tonight, I ran a mile in 8.40. Now, I know that it's different when you're running one mile versus 3, but I'm still quite pleased with that time and with the pace at which I was feeling comfortable. It was great to see that, even though I hate going out and practicing, it's paying off - I'm able to do better and better and go faster and faster. And I'm not gonna lie, a frosty mug of root beer at the end of a race is somewhere between totally disgusting and incredibly refreshing. Mmmmm post-run root beer! But seriously, it was a fun and easy race and I had a great time adding a great time (ba ha ha) to my running dossier. And props to Deg, who was a fabulous photographer and cheerleader for me tonight. What a cutie.

I always look so excited right before the race starts. It's a good thing I never get an immediately after crossing the finish line pic...