2012 Strike Out ALS 5k

I’ve been known to repeat races.

Run for the Cheetah. Run for the Zoo.

And now, Strike Out ALS at U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox).

Last year, I did it with a running buddy of mine- it was his first 5k. He kicked my butt. Sadly, since he moved, he couldn’t do it with me this year.

At least he can’t beat me again. So there’s that.

This year, my only real goal was to beat my time last year of 25:24. I knew a PR would pretty much be impossible. There were ramps and stairs involved because the path goes up and down the inside of the stadium. Amy doesn’t do ramps or stairs very fast.

But wait! They changed the course!

No ramps? No stairs? The odds of Amy falling flat on her face are significantly reduced!

They still exist, obviously. But reduced, nonetheless.

The course had quite a few twists and turns. With smaller races, this isn’t so bad. And they were clearly marked. Thank goodness because I confuse so easily.

Different course? Clearly marked? Things were looking good. The weather was amazing as well. Just under 80 degrees. Considering it was 103 a week ago, luck was on my side.

The thing that didn’t help? My work day consisted of 9 hours of meetings and no lunch. Getting loose and finding some energy wasn’t easy.

In the end of the first mile, I hit my stride and found a female who, I knew wasn’t passable, but surely I could keep up with her.

And that’s what I did. Around the parking lots. Around the stadium. And finally, around the field.

23:20. A PR by 34 seconds.

This is the first race where I got a print out right after I crossed the finish line. How cool is that?

This is my third PR in a row. So my pace is picking up. That’s great. Now if only my endurance would follow suit. Because I have the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half in my future. And I hear there are hills. Oh my.

The 5k definitely got bigger since last year. And there were more families in it together. Which is always cool to see. I like the more competitive races, but as someone who’s heavily involved in health and wellness, there is nothing more refreshing than seeing kids of all ages hanging out and truly excited to be there running.

Even though I was fatigued leaving my office last night, I really love 5k races in the middle of the week. As a girl who’s often slammed with weekend plans, they’re easy to sneak in. And it doubles as a weekday workout. A workout that may not have happened had I gone home after work. If we’re being honest.

Win.

And the t-shirt is way cooler this year, too. Sweet.

Happy Wednesday, kids!

Summer of the 5k

Remember that time I PR’d on one of the hottest 5k races I’ve ever ran?

It’s ok. It’s not really that big of a deal. But I’m still excited about it.

Anyway, it’s totally energized me. I’ve got three 5k’s coming up over the next month or so.

One is this weekend during a family girls weekend (yay!).
One is the day after my birthday and I will not talk much about it until then. And if you are one of the peeps who does know about it, please be discreet via the comment section. Thanks.
And one is a race I did last year and just registered for this last week:

The Strike Out ALS 5k!

I was feeling a little jipped last year because I failed horribly on the stairs portion of the race. They surprised and intimidated me. But this year, it’s SO on.

Kim, who works at the Les Turner ALS Foundation, reached out to see if I have ever ran it before. She must know how I’m the Chicago nerd who jumps on the chance to do things like run on U.S. Cellular Field where the White Sox play.

I’m not really a White Sox fan (Go Cards!), but a chance to do it again? Let’s do this.

It’s a growing race and 5k’s during the week are quite convenient. A fun race and a workout all in one. Score.

Plus, it gives me a place to watch the All Star Game because they play it as part of the postrace party inside the field!

Now who wants to run with me? 

Until then, if the heat keeps up, I feel a few more of my runs will happen on the treadmill when running after work. It’s crazy hot out there, ya’ll.

I know a lot of people can run in the heat. I don’t mind it. To a certain point.

Temps in the 90′s? Out of my comfort zone.

So yesterday I trekked to the gym and decided to switch it up a little. Why not? It was a speedy 2.2-mile run and another 16 minutes on the elliptical.

And wouldn’t you know it…

I got up 20 minutes early this morning to do a few circuits on No More Trouble Zones.

Strength training has been ignored (typical) and it was just 20 minutes. No biggie. Still not earlier than my 5:00 AM wakeup cutoff. 

But I’m starting to become more inclined to see what the morning workouts would be like. Can I actually do it? Will they be productive? Will it make me an angry person?

It’s a matter of tricking myself into it.

Which could take a while.

Enjoy the day, kids. We’ve almost made it to the weekend!