Running Update

I think it was last year after I volunteered for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler that I made the comment that I want to get to the point where I can go to the gym every few days and just run a 5k on the treadmill with ease. Well, it certainly isn't easy, but I have reached the point in my running that I can go the gym and run 3.1 miles. How tough it is depends on how hydrated I am and how I'm feeling, with some days obviously better than others, but overall it feels great to know that I have that ability. And it wasn't that long ago that I couldn't run at all. So life is good.

In addition, my pace has gotten way better. Looking at my running log, I was running about 11:45 minute miles when I started in the beginning of February. Today I ran 3.1 miles at an average pace of 10:04. That's almost 2 minutes off of my pace in the span of 5 months. I have to say, I'm quite proud of myself for that.

I've also decided not to sign up for Running 201 again this summer. I mainly signed up for the first session because I wanted to make sure I continued to run after the Cherry Blossom run, and I figured if I paid for it, I was more likely to actually go. And I have been going, but the weather is just getting too gross. Especially when you consider the point that you feel 20 degrees warmer when you run. So today it was 95 when the run group was supposed to start, meaning I would have felt like it was almost 120 degrees out. No thank you. I think I'm at the point in my running where I have the discipline to go to the gym every week without the paid run group, so I think I'll be ok.

My next race is the Color run in September, followed by the Marine Corps Marathon 10k, which is the last 6.2 miles of the Marine Corps Marathon, on Oct 27. Dad challenged me to do it in under an hour. I'm not sure if I'll be able to, but if I keep working at it and continue with my running, it's definitely a possibility. This is also the race I couldn't do last year thanks to my surgery, so I'm reallllly looking forward to it. I'm also planning on entering the lottery for the 2014 Cherry Blossom Run and the 2014 Nike Women's Half in DC.

Wish me luck!

So Far So Good

I was looking at my moles the other day, and I realized I have no tan lines.

This is a very good thing.

Usually by this time of year I have tan shoulders and flip-flop tan lines from walking from the metro to work. Now I'm taking the bus to avoid the long walk, I'm staying completely out of the sun from 10:00am to 4:00pm (and really trying to avoid it until 6:00pm), and I'm wearing t-shirts instead of tank tops to keep my shoulders covered. It's been a bit of a challenge and is often frustrating, but it's worth it if it keeps me from getting another melanoma.

The lack of tan lines shows that so far I'm doing a good job staying out of the sun. It's early summer though, so fingers crossed I can keep it up. I know it will be especially challenging while I'm in CA, but the challenge will be worth it to see the family and watch my college roomie get married!