Runners Tell All: A Running Picture

Well, I suppose a good way to start my new blog is to start with a link up. There are a lot of reasons I am shutting down the old blog. Some of which I may share, or I may leave you all to wonder about it. To those of you who are new (everybody at this point…haha): Hello! I’m glad you are here to my new, improved blog. I hope you find a reason to stick around for a while.

Amanda at The Lady Okie is putting on this monthly blog link-up as way for runner to meet and get to know each other. Of all the link ups I’ve seen in blog-land, this is definitely my favorite (by far) and I’m super excited to start joining in. Short run down: every month there is a new topic and you write about it! This months topic is to share a running photo and tell you about it.

I won an AG award!

My most recent running photo. I did a 5k with Amy on Easter weekend. This particular race stands out for a couple different reasons.

First, this 5k was the first race I have run in since I ran the Big D half in April of 2014. I forgot how much I enjoy the racing atmosphere. No matter your skill level it is fun.

Second, I won an AG award! I got second place. 🙂 The best thing about running the smaller, local races is the likelihood of winning an age group award (or overall award) increases dramatically! My official race time was 27:29 which isn’t a PR, but it was good enough to secure 2nd place in the 20-29 female category. I’ll take it!

Third, I forgot I could run hard. It’s true. I mostly coast when I run. Running at a 10:00 per mile pace is comfortable, easy, and doesn’t require a lot of effort. I don’t like being uncomfortable so this works for me. I had no real race plan when the starter pistol went off, I just started running and tried to hold on. I realized fairly early on I was going at an 8:45 pace, and I decided I was going to go for it. It’s crazy what we can accomplish when we try. I don’t think I could have gone any faster or held that pace for any farther. As far as racing goes…it was pretty perfect.

Last, this race got me excited about running again. Ever since moving to El Paso, running has been hard and not very much fun. When I got home from this race, I immediately sat down at my computer and made a fall racing plan. I’ve since started building up my fitness base and I feel (almost) back in the swing of things.

So, there you have it. A picture from one of the best races I have done. It wasn’t the most impressive distance or the most exciting themed event, but it was the perfect race at the perfect time. And really, you can’t ask for more than that.