Little Red School House 5k

The Little Red School House 5k is a race I really wanted to do. The proceeds from the race go to buy school supplies for children of need in our county schools. However, Tommy and I were heading to Nashville early Saturday morning and I was worried about running us late..or having sore legs while making the 2+hour drive. Tommy said to run it if I wanted to, but I honestly wasn't sure if I would do it until I work up Saturday morning. 
I woke up early and debated doing the run for about 30 minutes. I am so glad I decided to run. I headed over to the run (about 30 minutes from my house). This was the first race I have done without Tommy going to cheer me on...and hold my stuff. I laced my car key into my shoes,and that worked great. I got registered, and picked up my swag bag (or lack there of...it only had a shirt and bottle of water). Threw them in the car...and headed to take a look at the race route. I am not very familiar with the community,and always have a fear of getting lost on the race course. Then it was time to line up. The first mile felt a bit long, but my time was right at 12minutes. The second mile felt really fast and I hit it about 25 minutes...the last mile was the hardest...it was sooo hot (compared to the temps I have been running in, when I crossed the finish line the temp was 86 degrees.) I crossed the finish line at 39:08 a PB for an official 5k :) I was thrilled!!! And glad I decided to run the race. I paced the first 2.5 miles with another runner,and then pulled ahead of her at the end when she started taking extra walk breaks. After the race,I went over and introduced myself. She lives about an hour away, but we exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch  about future races. I didn't stay for awards, because I needed to get home and shower again before we hit the road.
We have had a great time in Nashville. Running on the hotel treadmill (old and shaky) this morning was a bit of a challenge..but I got in my 1 mile for the 30 Day Challenge :) We are going to do some outlet shopping today and hit another game this afternoon. I am also hoping to hit up the Trader Joe's before we head home tonight :)

Pink Dress Run & New 5k PR

I have been really excited about Fran's Pink Dress Run all week. I knew this would be my first attempt to break my 5k PR which is one of my Drop Dead Gorgeous Goals.
I decided last night that I would treat this run just like an official run and set a starting time of 8AM. Last night, I decided that it would be fun to make an official Pink Dress Run Bib!

I got up at 6 and ate a small breakfast, 1 cup of dark chocolate almost milk and 1/2 an ounce of raw almonds. I then got dressed kissed my sweet sleeping husband goodbye and headed to the gym to jump on the treadmill.

I was just as excited and nervous driving to this "run" as I have been for all of my Road Races. I wondered if I would be able to beat my previous 5k time of 40:28. 

When I got the gym, it was FULL! There was one treadmill open, so I hopped on and set off. There is a 5k setting on the gym treadmills, but I have only used it once. I thought it would be fun to count down the kilometers rather than miles,so I typed it in and I was off. I kept a 5mph pace the first 3 km, then dropped down to a fast walk for 2 minutes to bring my HR down and take a sip of water. Then I brought the speed back up. As I started the 4k I started to get a bit of a side stitch and had to slow back down. I was able to finish the last 4 minutes at my quickest pace of 5.5 mph and finished at 38:39!  Woohoo! I had broken my previous time!!! It took me a few minutes to cool down, then I called Tommy to let him know. And texted my friend Crystal. She was excited for me! I stopped at the grocery to pick up some items to make Egg White and veggie scrambles for my post run breakfast, and then headed home.

I want to THANK Fran for hosting this run and Syl for introducing me to Fran's blog. I had a great time today knowing that I was running "with" all of you wonderful bloggers!

Have a great weekend everybody!!

Friday Favorites - Subway's Western Omelet Muffin

I am still getting used to doing the whole blog thing and trying to get into my groove as to what to post about. I've noticed several blogs designate certain days for different topics and I thought doing a "Friday Favorites" would be a lot of fun.

Have you guys tried anything on the Subway breakfast menu? I am usually a bran flakes and banana kind of girl in the morning, but occasionally the Hubby will want to get breakfast out on the weekend. Subway's breakfast menu has offered me a yummy way of doing this without changing much in the way of my afternoon calories. So far I have only tried the Western Omelet with egg whites. I also had them throw on a tomato!

I loved it! The website says it is under 200 calories and less than 4 grams of fat...which makes me happy! I have had this twice with a side of apples and stayed pretty satisfied until lunch! It also inspired me to make an at home version, but I think I will stick to my bran and banana for most of my breakfasts at Home Sweet Home :)

Think about in the morning as I do my Jeff Dropo 5k. The proceeds of this run go towards Camp Smile A Mile, a camp for children with cancer. I think it will be a lot of fun! I'm going to drive over this afternoon and try to map out the course because I have heard rumors of nasty hill...Eek!

Early AM workout!

With the weather getting warmer, I have decided to try to change up my outside runs to the mornings. This will help with both the weather and getting in my evening meal before 7 *I hope*. Currently, I am off on Mondays and always do my Monday run between 8 and 10 AM. So far, all of my Monday runs have been great. Maybe it is because I don't feel rushed like I do after work. I don't get off until 5 most days, so when I run after work and drive home, it is usually 7 or later...then I have to cook and it makes my evening meal later than I would like.

Today I tried out the early morning run and really liked it. I got up at 4:45, did my few morning chores, had breakfast, changed into my gym clothes, packed my work clothes and toiletries and was out the door by 5:30. It takes about half an hour to get to the town I work in, where I plan to do the morning runs, so I got to the park a little after six. I had a great hour long workout that included a 2.5 mile run plus a walking warm up and cool down. My mom lives close to the park so I stopped by her house to jump in the shower and get ready for work, and made it to the library 10 minutes early! Whew! Initially I think this plan will take a little getting used to, but I think overall I will like it and my evening won't feel as rushed. I think it will also keep me from making excuses as the temps go up*they are saying 90s by next week..UGH! I will keep my cross training at the gym 2 days a week, and will probably do my speed intervals on the treadmill, too.
I'm getting really nervous about this weekend's 5k! I think I am more nervous about this one than I was the first one. I will probably be running alone, which is fine. But I am just really nervous. My hubby says I shouldn't be nervous because it is just for fun, but I really wanna beat my other time :)

Wild Week and Yucky Feet!

Last week was CRAZY! It included a great 3 mile run, a dentist appointment, a late night at work, a horrible run (had to stop at 2.25 miles), a doctor's appointment, BUYING A NEW CAR!, a run that never got started because of weather, 8 tornado warnings in three days, and flooding! *whew*
My regular workout schedule was really out of whack :) But that is okay, because this week it will hopefully be more routine and will culminate with a a 5k Saturday morning.

Quick question?? Do you guys have issues with your feet peeling? Since I have started running outside, I have noticed that my feet peel constantly! UGH! GROSS!!! I have never really had this issue before, but right now, between my toes, is disgusting. I bought a pumice stone to help, but this is just crazy! I am almost too embarassed to wear flip flops...almost :)

I think I am going to try to shift my runs to all mornings. I usually do my Monday run in the morning, but the rest of the week I do them after work. With the temps going up outside, I think Im gonna try to move them all to the mornings. If I have to do an evening run, I think it will have to be moved inside to the gym's treadmill (but the treadmill is soo boring to me now!) I have just noticed in the past few weeks that my 5:15 pm runs have become really rough, uncomfortable, and no fun! So maybe this will help!

Hope all is well! ~Jess

Weekend Run Recap!

My weekend runs were crazy! Friday I did a short/fast run. My total run was 1.25 miles. I had planned to walk the rest of the 5k but the winds were so bad I just called it a day.
Saturday morning I planned to do my full 5k "Roadkill Run" behind the house. The weatherman had called for storms that morning, but when I left the house all was clear. About 1.5miles in to the run, it started to rain. I just kept of pushing. I really wanted to finish. At mile 2, it started to pour. I stopped to call Tommy to ask him to come pick me up, and told him I would keep running until he got there. I was at about 2.5 when he made it to me. He brought a towel...I was soaked. I was a little upset with myself for not finishing, but about the time I walked in the house the tornado sirens were sounding, so I was glad I stopped when I did! Luckily, a tornado never hit down in my community. A town about an hour away got the brunt of the damage. A blessing that no one was killed in that area.

Intro Post...

Hello Blog World! My name is Jess. I am new to blogger so everyone will have to bear with me as I learn how to do this. My main purpose for this blog is to keep track of my running/jogging, but I am sure I will add lots of other topics along the way. Growing up I was never athletic. I played little league softball a couple of years but was terrible. In my early 20s, I worked out quite a bit on the treadmill at the gym. I was single, living alone, and the local university offered a great discount gym membership for alumni...and I could watch TV without paying an extra cable bill while working out. It was great! I lost some weight and was having fun with it. Then as life started throwing some punches, I found myself not having as much time for workin g out. Fast forward about six years and now I am married, working a job I love as a children's librarian, and ready to find my fit self again! During the last year, I have worked out regularly and in January I started working towards running my first 5k. I used the couch to 5k program to help me build up my endurance for jogging outside. On April 10, I jogged my first 5k. It was great! I jogged with a friend, and my hubby came to cheer me on (and take pictures). I was a little disappointed with my time 40:28, but I told myself I had to start somewhere...and I was able to jog the entire course without stopping to walk which was my main goal. My next 5k is scheduled for May 8. I'm hoping to finish under 40 minutes this time around. Earlier in the week, I went and got fitted for shoes and got some tips for increasing my speed. So I plan on working hard to make my goal of under 40!