I FINALLY ran outside!! I've been talking about it for almost a month, but didn't actually do it until today. I know I should have been doing it for a while now, to get used to it, since the 5K is clearly outside!
My excuse has been that I needed to get running shoes, but you know I did that Wednesday. Then Thursday, I tried my new shoes out at the gym, and found out they are magical! So, I took the plunge today and went for a run. (I skipped the gym yesterday, but still got in lots of aerobic activity. The fun kind ;-) Oops, sorry, I know, TMI!) Well, it was more of a walk/run, but still. Truthfully, I'm pretty damn proud of myself. I ended up going literally twice as far as I had intended, and I feel great!
I was only going to walk/run to my parents' house, which is 2 1/2 miles from my house. I ended up going from there to my Bestest Friend's house, cuz I figured she'd drive me home. She didn't answer her door!! (Turns out she was in the shower) So, I had to walk/run home.
As soon as I got home, I jumped in the car, reset my trip odometer, and drove the route I just finished. It was 5.1 miles! Woo hoo!! Again, I didn't run the whole thing, but I ran half of it. Since that is the first time I've run in 13 years, I'm pretty excited.
I switched back and forth between power walking and jogging. I used the street lights as my guide. I walked from one to the next, than would jog to the next, and so on. About 2/3 of the way to my parents' house, I was starting to wheeze, so I shot Magnum a text asking him to drop my asthma inhaler off at my parents'. He passed me in the car and beeped when I was about 2 blocks from their house. He's so cute. He waited outside their house for me, cheering me on. =)
I had originally thought I would just have my dad drive me back home, but I didn't anticipate feeling as good as I did. I didn't think I could go all the way back home, but I figured I could go the half-mile to Bestest Friend's house, and SHE could drive me home. Plus, then it would be almost the exact distance as a 5K. Well, like I said, she didn't answer her door! So, I walk/ran home.
The whole trip took me about an hour and 10 minutes. Not so bad. I do the elliptical for 65 minutes every day, so this was pretty good. About half-way home from Bestest Friend's house, my left quad started talking to me, but I think that had more to do with the 7.15 miles on the elliptical Thursday. And, my left knee started to get "pinchy," so I hope it doesn't kill me later tonight.
So, there you go!! I survived my first run! I actually felt like a million bucks when I got home, and was tempted to go back out, but then I smacked myself in the head, and reminded my big butt that this was the FIRST day, and I would probably end up hurting myself if I pushed too hard. I have 2 weeks before this 5K, so I'm going to just have to get in a run every day til then. I'm actually a little excited about it. Who the HELL would believe that I would EVER be excited about running!?! (M, I know you're so proud! I thought of you the whole time!)
Maybe I should track my running mileage, huh? Ok, well for today, I'm giving myself 2.5 miles! Yay!
Oh, and M, here are my cute new shoes. They're Asics.
PLEASE click HERE to donate to a great cause. (I mean, c'mon! I earned it today! ;-) )