Baltimore Running Festival ~ The big day

When I signed up for my first ever 5k, I decided to sign up for the Baltimore Running Festival.

5 different races in one day. Marathon, Half Marathon, Team Relay, 5k and kids fun run.

My goals had shifted throughout my training. About 3-4 weeks into the training, my goal was under 40 minutes and no walking. In my last two weeks of training when I was running 30-40 minutes with NO breaks, I changed my goal to 35 minutes and no walking. I completed a 3.91 mile run on 10/9/11 in 40 minutes. A run pace of 10:31. I then rested, doing some aerobic workouts through the week, but no running.

The big day! Had I prepared? What would happen? Can I really do this?

My sister in law and I arrived at the festival around 7:15 AM. Checked our bags and made our way to the start line. We witnessed the full marathon races beginning their 26.2 mile journey. The front line full of elite runners. After they took off, we took a spot on the road behind the start line. The gun goes off and we take off. I had mentally and physically prepared for the incline in the first 1.5 miles, I was good. Except my pants kept falling down. (note to self, need new pants!) People were passing me, but I was at a good pace and I felt great. I even attempted to get the crowd to become more involved. At mile 2, my first ever water stop. Normally I do not drink water while running, but my throat was dry so I grabbed a cup and kept running. All downhill from here. My Iphone app was alerting me to how many miles we had left. "Less than .5 miles left." Entering into Camden Yards I picked up more speed, such a great feeling! Approaching the finish line I looked at the marathon clock, it said 59 minutes. They started 30 minutes before us. Could it be? Did I really do this under 30? Crossed the finish line and collected my water and waited for my sister in law. My husband texted me "congratulations", I called him. For some reason he received the text that I had finished, but I hadn't. I asked what my time was. 29:39. WOW! Turns out that was the clock time, and my official time was 29:17. A 9:26 min/mile!!!!!!!

I have caught the bug!!!! Flirting with the idea of doing the full marathon next year!

My training so far.......

I started the C25k program initially on June 26, 2011.

I quickly discovered that my weight was going to cause problems, and my knees were very sore. The weather also became very humid and it was hard to train. I completed week 1, and then stopped. Why? I honestly have no clue.

I signed up for the 2011 Baltimore Running Festival 5k, I now had a deadline. Oct 15, 2011.

Ok, time to go. Back from vacation, equipped with knee braces and ice packs, I began the program again on 8/2/11.

The couch to 5k program is AWESOME! I downloaded an app on my phone that would tell me when to run and walk, and it played my music.

Over the course of the 9 week program I logged over 68 miles!