Still Running

I realized this morning - thanks, in large part, to recent blog posts by Ashley and Karen - that I never blogged about my 5k!  You know I started the Couch to 5k program just after Christmas and, miracle of miracles, I stuck with it to the end of the nine week podcast.  I actually finished a week before my race, and challenged myself to a practice 5k around Clapham, which went better than I had expected; I walked for about five minutes and it took just over 45 minutes, but I made it out and back without dying.  That's success in my book!

On the morning of Sunday 11 March, I joined Ashley, AT, and Melissa in Regents Park for the BHF 5k race to support healthy hearts.  It was my first group run, and I loved it!  I hadn't run with partners before, and although I did start off with Melissa, she quickly outpaced me and I was able to find a comfortable rhythm.  It was really lovely to know that all the people running around me were taking part, too, and I didn't even mind that the park was full of normal weekend activities - it made me feel like I was having fun and kept me from taking the race too seriously.

I didn't have a time goal for the 5k.  I just wanted to run the whole thing without walking at all.  Not only did I succeed in that, but I came in at 44:19 - faster than when I had practiced even though I was on an unfamiliar course!  I was thrilled.  And the best part was crossing the finish line to cheers from the girls and Jon.  Thanks for all your support, guys!

I have managed to keep up the running - I'm down to 2x per week rather than the 3x per week I was averaging while on the Couch to 5k program, but at least I'm still out there.  I haven't done another practice 5k, but that's on the agenda for this week!  I'll have to prepare for all the food of Passover and Easter by getting in as much cardio time as I can before Jon and I head to Suffolk for the holiday weekend on Thursday.

A friend in Washington, Megan, has turned me on to a running club near my house plus a few summer 5ks, so I'll definitely keep going through the spring and even after I move back to the States.  I love that this has become part of my life!

(pictures courtesy of my running buddies)