I Ran My First Race! 312 Wheat Ale Run

On Tuesday, August 21st I ran my very first race. Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a race because there were really no prizes besides a few raffle giveaways. Plus, this was a free run so there was no registration fee and no free tees or finisher bling. There was however complementary beer for finishers but I'm not a beer girl.  Anyway, the run was hosted by 312 Wheat Ale and it was a 3mile/5mile run. I'm a beginner so I choose to run the 3. And I did not run the whole way. I had to start walking about 10 minutes into the run *sighs* because my feet started to burn a little. I think I definitely need new shoes. Also, I was a little concerned about my toenail which started to lift of my toe earlier that day *another sigh*  so I think that made me a little self-conscious. Basically, my focus was a little off ; I felt unprepared.  And although I've been running a little over a month now and have successfully run 3 straight miles, I've been having the hardest time doing again. I do plan to keep at it though. And hopefully one day those 3 miles will be a breeze to me.

Special shout out to the shirtless man on the lakefront who passed me up 3 or 4 times. I'm sure he was running a 5 or 6 minute mile *rolls eyes* I'll get there some day.

photo credits
312chi.com
tumblr
tumblr

I'm Running! Yay?!

For the past few weeks I have been running (2-3x per week) with a group called Black Girls Run (BGR). I started running with BGR because I've been in sort of a workout slump for the last few months.  I would do workouts at home with dvds, magazines, YouTube, and Pinterest. I started getting really bored with them though. And I didn't want to join a gym so I decided to give running a go.


I figured running with a group would make it more fun because I'd get to be outside and meet/befriend new people. There's also the factor of accountability.  Plus, my group (and many of the others) run quite early. So that helps with discipline, creating a new routine, structure. And I feel like I need that right now because it's not always easy to structure yourself when you're working out at home.


When I first joined BGR it took be about a month to actually get out and run. I wanted to wait until I got new gear because most of my old workout clothes have been killed by crafts (glue, paint, markers,etc...,). My running shoes are a little too. But I've become a firm believer of starting where you are because waiting for perfect conditions is usually waste of time. So one day I decided to just go. I threw on a t-shirt, some leggings, and met up with my group at about 6am on a Tuesday morning; I'm so glad I did. It was just the jumpstart I needed to get my A in G.


I must mention that I have ran on treadmills in the past but I never really set any goals; I would just run/jog for a bit then walk. With the running group we run/walk at least 3 miles every time we meet. I've even ran a few times on my own on days that we don't/can't  meet. So I'm getting a little more serious now. In fact, I'm trying to get increase my endurance and speed so that I can run a 5k. Could it be that I'm becoming a runner? Perhaps! I'll keep you posted.


Are you a runner? Love it? Hate it?


Note: the photo above is of a local running trail