Running My First 10K!

I'm still in complete disbelief that I ran my first 10K on Saturday!

I had goosebumps the whole time because I couldn't believe I was truly running six miles right beside the Oak Island Lighthouse in Oak Island, North Carolina!

Though I'd been trying my best to follow Hal Higdon's 10K training schedule, craziness at work had made that a little more difficult than usual. For my last week of training (week 8), I decided to take it easy in the beginning of the week, so I could rest up for Saturday.

Monday: Ran 3 miles on the treadmill/weights & abs + personal training for one hour

Tuesday: Ran 4 miles outside

Wednesday & Thursday: Rest Days

Friday: Travel day

Saturday: 10K at 8:10AM!

I am so so lucky to have parents that would make this trip to Oak Island with me. We had the best time visiting this new place. It felt like we were on a mini vacation!

We arrived Friday evening around 5PM, and right after checking into our hotel, headed to the Chamber Welcome & Conference Center in Southport to pick up my race packet. This included my racing bib, t-shirt and a few other things from the race sponsors. Everyone there was so nice, and it made me super excited to run the next day!

For dinner on Friday, we threw around a couple ideas, but decided to try a local favorite, The Provisions Co. in Southport. I had been there years ago, but it was my parents first time going.

We enjoyed steamed shrimp, delicious crab cakes, homemade onion rings, and a hamburger fresh off the grill, while taking in the beautiful views (since Provisions is right on the water)!

 

After dinner, we'd saved just enough room for some ice cream at Flava's, the ice cream and t-shirt shop just across the street. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening.

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning to get ready for the race! Since it started at 8:10, and we wanted to get there early (something we learned from my first 5K experience,) I ended up setting my alarm for 5AM! Seriously, so early!

I loved my outfit for this race, and was so excited to finally put it on! 

I wore a Kiss My Southern Sass tank that said "Bless Your Heart and the USA," along with a large red bow for my hair, and black Nike shorts.

On the back of my shirt, I made a sign out of blue cardstock paper and foam letters to honor those in Boston following the Boston Marathon bombings.

It was a rainy morning in Oak Island, but thank goodness it stopped right before my race started! I ended up wearing my dad's hat to keep my head dry, and had on my rain coat until the last second. Since the tank top I was wearing wasn't dri fit material, I wanted to stay as dry as possible before I ran.

 Waiting in the corral as they counted down our start!

 Ready, set, go!

 Running those six miles after five months of hard work felt so so good! I think I smiled the entire time because I was so happy to be there accomplishing a goal that I'd set for myself.

My view during mile 5!

When I saw the marker saying I only had one mile left, I swear I could have sprinted the whole way from excitement, but instead, I decided to keep a good pace and save it all for the end.

When I came through the entrance of the NC Baptist Assembly and saw my parents standing at the finish line, I gave it all I had. What an amazing feeling!

I officially crossed the finish line at 58:12:00! 

I have to admit I shed a few tears from pure joy in that moment. I accomplished something that I never though I could. I ran six miles in under an hour without stopping.

Amazing. 

Little did I know, I also placed second in the 19-24 female age group for the 10K, and will be receiving an award!!! There's seriously no better feeling!

Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words!
Maybe next year, I'll go back and run the half-marathon! The sky's the limit!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

One Year & 20 Things To Do!

After a full week of completely neglecting my blog, I am finally back (at least for now) and ready for some normal posting! Woohoo! 

Today, I wanted to update you on a post that I did back in November, about the 20 things I want to accomplish during my first year in Boone. Now, five months later, and halfway through April, I thought it was a great time to check-in on what I've been up to!

20 Things to do by August 1st, 2013:

Go to the gym every day for a full week
I can't remember for sure if I've gone to the gym 7 days in a row, but I've been following my 10K training plan for 7 weeks now, so I'd say that counts!

Learn the names of everyone in my office

Watch 10 movies that I've never seen

Though I haven't seen 10 new movies, I did buy the entire Sex and the City series. It was amazing! Definitely worth the investment!

Make friends with a neighbor

Yes! I met a girl named Katie through my friend Tara at work. Though she doesn't live in my apartment now, she'll be moving in come July! I can't wait to hangout with her!

Take Paisley to the Greenway

Even though Paisley lives with my family now, while she was in Boone, we made a trip to the Greenway, and she loved it. She was barking and sniffing everything in sight!

Spend a day in downtown Blowing Rock

My sweet friend Marcia and I spent the day downtown a couple of weeks before Christmas. There were so many fun shops to go into and explore!

Do something fun for New Years Eve

This year for New Year's Eve, I went to my friend Gwyn's apartment. I was also with her for NYE 2012, so it was fun to reminisce about the year that had passed.

Personalize my new desk

Attend an Appalachian basketball game

Do something that benefits my whole office (bring breakfast, write birthday cards, something!)

Eat at 5 restaurants that I've never tried

Make my new apartment warm, inviting and like home

As soon as I walk in the door, I immediately feel relaxed and at ease. Mission accomplished!

Make time to grab coffee before going to work (or buy a Keurig!)

Though I haven't bought coffee before going to work, I have made time to pick up breakfast, even better in my book!

Visit a new church

As soon as I'm able to stay in Boone for a full weekend, I definitely want to do this! Lately, I've had a commitment at home every weekend, so I attend the church that I'm a member of at home.

Go hiking on the parkway

The weather just warmed up in Boone, so I'm looking forward to doing this super soon!

Read 10 new books

Cook dinner for a group of friends

Go skiing 

Buy an outfit from a local boutique

Throw a super fun housewarming party
I haven't done this yet, but I've decided that I'm staying in the same apartment for another year, so maybe with a little added TLC, my place will be ready to show off by then!

Not too shabby for it only being April! I've still got four months to go!

The items that are crossed out are ones that I have completed.

Any item that is underlined is currently in the works!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Weekly Workout Wrap-Up!

I love reading about what types of exercises other runners do each week, whether that's getting in miles on the treadmill, or lifting weights at the gym. Learning different workout styles helps me to tone my technique, and try new things that I never would have thought about!

As I mentioned in my 10K training post, I've been following Hal Higdon's 10K training plan the past two weeks.

During week two, I've continued to focus on shorter runs, with the longest one being a 3.5 mile run this Sunday.

My workouts this week:
Monday: After doing some stretching and warm-up exercises, I went to 45 minutes of personal training with Sean, and it kicked my butt.
Tuesday: Ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill and did the "Sexy Leg Workout" that I posted on Instagram.

Wednesday: I was supposed to do 30 minutes of cross training, but I wasn't feeling well at all, so I used Wednesday as my "rest day."
Thursday: I mistakenly ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill, instead of the suggested two (I probably needed it though!) I also did abs, and did a good amount of exercises using weights at the gym.
Friday: Today, I have personal training again, so I'm using that as my "40 minute cross." During training, we do super intense cardio workouts, as well as use all different weights. It's a full-body workout, and I end up drenched!
Tomorrow: I'll be doing the "30 Minute Cross" that I missed on Wednesday by running on the elliptical, and then I have my long run on Sunday!

I've mentioned before on my blog that I'm not the healthiest of eaters. Sweets are my ultimate weakness and I LOVE Japanese food. Instead of cutting these out completely (because that normally doesn't work very well,) I've been trying to make some small changes!

1. Ordering water instead of Coke
2. Eating pretzels instead of potato chips
3. Getting fruit instead of french fries

I hope changing these few things in my diet will help me on the way to my ultimate get-fit goals! Have you been getting in your workouts this week?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Running in My Sleep!

I'm not sure what's been going on lately, but it seems like ever since I started Hal Higdon's 10k training schedule, I haven't been sleeping as well.

 

Last night when I finally laid down about 12:30, I was completely exhausted, but still couldn't fall asleep. I laid there with my eyes closed for what seemed like the longest time, feeling like I needed to go somewhere or do something I'd forgotten. I'm not sure if this is a sign of having two much going on, trying to be too many places at once, or what?

 

Also, the past few nights I've been waking up with my comforter almost on the floor. Maybe I'm doing something while I'm asleep that I don't realize, but who knows?

 

Have any of you runners experienced your mind racing late at night, like you should still be going like the Energizer Bunny? I'm hoping it will eventually subside.

 

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

On My Way to 10k!

For those of you that have been following me on various media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook,) you've probably realized that I've become quite the little runner. I'm not marathon-ready by any means, but it does make me feel good and getting in better shape is just an added bonus!

One of my New Year's goals was to run my first 5K, and

around Valentine's Day this year, I knew I was ready!  It just so happened that The Color Run was coming to Winston-Salem on the weekend of March 16th, and my schedule was wide open. As a gift to myself, I signed up and absolutely can't wait! 

On February 22nd, when I hit the five the five-mile mark, I decided I needed to raise the bar. Being able to run a 5k (3.1 miles) would be awesome, but if I could already run five, why stop there? This is when I started thinking about a 10k (6.2 miles)!

For this more intense goal, I knew I was going to need some assistance. After getting a recommendation from a friend, I enlisted the help of Hal Higdon's 10k Training Program.

This particular guide is an 8-week program, that takes you from running 2.5 miles to getting through all six, during your last week. Today marks day five, and it's going well so far. I'm doing this in addition to my personal training on Monday & Friday, adding a little more structure to my workout.

I've also thrown some new running shoes into the mix!

I bought these Asics Noosa Tri 7's last week, when I found them on super sale at Omega Sports in Winston-Salem! I'd been admiring them on Amazon for a while, but with this pair falling right into my lap (and my price range,) I had to take them home. Not to mention, they were the very last pair and in my size! It was meant to be!

I haven't decided which 10k I plan on doing yet, when it will be or where, but I'm on the lookout! Springtime means wedding season for us coordinators, so my schedule is a bit more limited! One of my new favorite websites is www.runningintheUSA.com, where I can find all types of upcoming races, so when I do decide, you'll be the first to know!

Until then, happy March & happy running!

P.S- I guest posted for my boss Leigh on her beautiful new wedding blog! Read that post here:)

  

As always, Have a Sweet Day!