5k….

I had my post triathlon race on Saturday.  The Faster with Fitniche 5k in Lakeland (FL) was a great way to start the (or my) Fall 5k season.  The summer is HARD for me to keep up with running….my pace is SLOWER, my DESIRE isn’t there, and it’s just too HOT!  

I hadn’t done those race for about 4 years, and it was nice to add it back on my “list”.  It is run through Lakeside Village before opening hours.  It began at Fitniche  

 and at 7:30am the weather was a PERFECT 74 degrees! #helloFALL. I was feeling very good about this race.  I was with my best running friend…ME!😉. I am finding the comfort in signing up for a race and not worrying about who’s going with me or who’s racing with me.  I have come to realize that if I want to do the race, do the race. I mean, I’m the one who is actually doing it,right?  Why should it matter if someone signs up with me?? I guess I see people talking and chatting before the race and it always feels kinda of weird that I’m not doing the same.  I run (or bike and swim), I finish, and I pack up my s**t and go.  Sad,huh?  Any way….we race!

It was an easy flat course…

 
 (Sorry for the BAD pics…!)

As always I find one person to follow and try to keep up with… 

I’m coming for you, lady in pink!! 😉. I didn’t get her but she was constantly in my sights!!  That made me push harder….and how do I know? I literally wanted to puke when I crossed the finish line.  And….wait for it..cut 1 minute off my time!!! It is still not where I am accustomed (or better yet, WANT) to being, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel!  Sub 30..I’m coming for ya!!!!

Beer (and Root Beer) was provided after the race…  

    …but I didn’t stay. 😢. 

I was happy and went on with my Saturday.

How was our weekend?

Oh…PLEASE pray that I get in to the Disney Star Wars 10k!! Registration starts TOMORROW at noon!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Finally!!!

For the past 10 days (-ish), we have had some HELL-A rain days here in the Sunshine State! I mean FLOODING with Noah and his Ark kind of rain!  Tuesday…we finally saw the sun again! It’s been nice to get back and feel normal again!!

Normalcy meant getting back to running outside in the DEATH HEAT!   I was able to swim on Wednesday:

• 200m warm up
• 100m breast stroke
• 100m freestyle kick
• 8-25m sprints at :60 (should have done :45)
• 100m butterfly kick
• 100m freestyle 

I was all to happy to finally get a swim in since my cancelled triathlon.  (I’m still kinda mad…but such as life!).  Since I’m eyeballing a race in September…I have to stay focused.

Today, my buddy Leslie and I were able to get a run in.  And man…was that a HOT MESS!! I was so angry with myself because I had to take some walk breaks (4 to be EXACT!!!) because of the heat.  Today, I felt like I couldn’t breathe!! I was fine for the first 1 mile and quarter, but man that heat smacked me dead in my face!!!  So…a little break here…a little break there…still pissed me off at the end!  Summer is always the time my running suffers, so I know that this is normal for me, but it still sucks!  I feel weak and out of shape, but I remain positive because I am a) doing more than anyone sitting still and b) I’m still under construction.   

I used this picture to say: STOP sabotaging yourself with negative thoughts! 

-AND-

You are under construction (still), so be PATIENT with yourself!

 How was your day??

Oh….I forgot….best news EVER! My FAVORITE running store is opening a location close to me!  Fitniche is coming to the Brandon/ Valrico area (for those in the Tampa Bay Area).  I ONLY buy my  running shoes (and gear) from them because they are :

• Always knowledgeable
• Prices are GREAT
• Selection is even BETTER
• Every person…literally EVERY PERSON, is beyond courteous! No matter if you are a seasoned runner, a recreational runner/ athlete (me), or a newbie- everyone is treated the same!!
• They have great run gatherings that get everyone together to run…all typesof people!

I am still partial to their Lakeland (FL- Polk County) location because I spend A LOT of time in Polk County and plan on a move there in about a year.  But I’m excited for the possibility of joining in on some group runs here at home in the mean time! 😉.  

 If you live in the area, look out for their opening some time in September! In know I will be there!!! 

Oh…and this is HILARIOUS: 

 #byeFELICIA #idroppedtheMIKE 

Summer Running #3

Before I sat on my butt and watched the CrossFit Games…I had the third in the Summer Watermelon 5k Series on Saturday morning. My running buddy, Julian, was back from basketball camp! I sure did miss my “baby” for the 4 days he was gone! 😢

The run was held again in beautiful Lakeland, Florida around the picturesque Lake Hollingsworth.

Sunrise on the lake before the run.

The race started at 7 am before the HORRIBLE Florida heat kicks in! This race was also special because my Dad came to watch. I usually don’t invite/ask anyone to come watch me race, even my parents! I’m embarrassed! Always have been…always will be!

My “baby” Julian

Me and my girl, Salt! 😉

It was a great run and I shaved another 20 seconds off my time. I’m getting there! As soon as I get under 30 minutes again, which hopefully will be next race (and 20 seconds off), I won’t know what to do with myself!! Cartwheels, handstands, back flips…I don’t know…🎉PARTY🎉

I bought a new singlet for the race from Fitniche. LOVE it!!

Maybe it brought me good luck! But then I found that my FAVORITE running hat is falling apart…

What’s a girl to do?? This Nike hat has been with me for 5 years!! You think if someone from Nike sees this and feels sorry for me, they’ll send me a new one?? PUH-LEEZE?????😃
Well…I’m running in it until it falls completely apart!!

Did you do any races this weekend?

REST =💔

Didn’t do ANY form of exercise today. That’s.just.WEIRD! I have to rest because I have Posterior Shin Splints. Same concept of HOW and WHY you normally get them; the only difference is the location. Anterior Shin Splints presents with pain in the front of the lower portion of the leg. This type is more common and what most people are more familiar with when we say “shin splints”. I, on the other hand, have the kind where pain presents on the inside of the lower leg, just above the ankle bone. Either scenario…NO BUENO!! You have to rest, which most people don’t like to do, including ME!! Tell me I CAN’T, and I want to do it MORE. But I have to rest because it is important. Why, you ask? (Pssst… And it ain’t for the obvious reason “because it will get BETTER!!”). It is important because my next 5k will be the first time family will run with me AND it will be Julian’s first 5k! He has been running 3 days a week at his school’s running club. We invested in some new kicks…

Where ever you guys are..you’ll probably see Julian running in these beauties! We went to our local running store Fitniche to help find the right shoes for him. I love that they do a gait analysis and help you select which shoe is the right (no pun intended) fit 😃 .
I was able to find some inserts for my shoes so my shins won’t scream at me any more!!
So my intentions are to get my ass on my bike for some exercise! I’m a little worried because I haven’t BEEN on my bike in quite some time, but NO time like the present! I’m also nervous because Miguel and I will be skipping away for a little husband and wife time and I won’t be able to run. I ALWAYS run on va-cay, so my plan is to use the hotel gym. Pray it works out…..

Hopefully my bike ride tomorrow won’t be TOO horrible!! Pray on that too….
#restingisfortheBIRDS