A Slight Set-back, Bifocal Contacts and ... A Running Group!

In my last post I told you I had set up a running schedule beginning that day (Sunday). I did run that day and on Monday I decided I needed to get more exercise, not just by running so I did level 1 of the 30 Day Shred (Jillian Michaels). On Tuesday I could tell I was headed for another bout of bronchitis so I was put on another round of antibiotics and had to put my training schedule on hold. Luckily, I caught it early and am feeling much better. However, I just couldn’t get myself motivated to start up again.

But, last Thursday I received an email from a female member of the local running group. I had joined the group last January and decided to watch a 5k race a few weeks later. Since I was so new to running, I didn’t participate in any events or even watch any more races.

There are several groups of members that get together on various days of the week to just run. One of the groups is strictly for women. They meet on the first Wednesday of the month at a member’s house for a 30 minute run and pot luck dinner. They alternate hosting the pot luck each month between the members. I never attended because I knew I couldn’t run for a full 30 minutes yet or even run as fast as they can. They also meet at a particular trail all the other Wednesdays to just run. Another new female member, also a newbie runner, was looking for other newbies to run with on the Wednesday trail run. I had totally forgotten about that women’s group until I received that email. I got so excited and replied back that I would love to join the group at the trail and run with her. Several other women, also new to running, responded as well. I couldn’t wait for my working day to end today. I left work at 5:00 instead of working late as I usually do.

There were four of us new runners and ten or twelve other women that run at various paces. Some ran five miles (2.5 out and 2.5 back); some ran 2.5 miles (out and back for a total of 2.5). We newbies ran 3 miles (1.5 out, 1.5 back). Of course, we did the walk/run intervals.

The woman that sent out the email also brought her 29 year daughter who is a runner. She was great! She wanted to run with her mom so she timed our walk/runs. After a five minute warm up walk, we ran for three minutes/walked one minute. Then we ran one/walked one. The rest of the intervals were run 2/walk 1. I had a few tough moments where I felt like stopping and just walking, but I thought about all of you, how you push yourselves to not quite by using self-talk. So, I just told myself I could do it, if I keep going this time, the next time will be just a bit easier. Afterward I felt great! The weather was really nice. There was a nice coolish breeze that felt so good during our cool down.

I had an awesome time. It was great having someone to run with and can’t wait for next Wednesday’s group run. I feel more motivated to continue my running schedule in between Wednesdays. I’m sure I’ll notice some improvement, however small, by next week.

Oh yeah, I ditched my bifocal glasses for bifocal contacts. I couldn’t understand how contacts could be bifocal and was a bit apprehensive, but I’m so glad I did it. I hate wearing glasses and the contacts work great.

Happy running everyone!