Eagle 5K

Yesterday I ran my first 5K of the year, the Hudsonville Eagle 5K.  It's a fairly small 5K with a lot of the local elementary kids participating in it.  It was a pretty low-key way to start the race season.  It was sunny but COLD, around 18 degrees, when we started.  Thank goodness I had been running outside throughout the winter and was kind of use to running in the cold or it would have been uncomfortable.  Several times throughout the run I thought to myself that I can't wait for summer races!  I would much prefer to be warm over cold.

All bundled up and ready
to run in the cold.

The course had a couple of hills which made me nervous since all the roads I run at home are flat.  The hills weren't too bad but I do feel like I should probably find some locations to run near me that aren't completely flat to help with future races.    

I ended up running the 5K in 27:25.  Not horrible, but not as fast as I was hoping.  I should have picked up the speed on the last mile for sure but I had been "running" with someone else for most of the race and the pace seemed to be working pretty well so I didn't push it.  Do you ever pick someone else to "run" with during races?  Or, do you find it annoying if others start running next to you?  Anyways, my time was fast enough to place 1st in my age group and 26th overall in the female division.  That makes me feel a little better about my results.

Race bib and small medal I received for
placing first in my age group.

My goal for the next 5K I run is to be under 27 minutes and my ultimate goal for the year is to run the 5K in under 25 minutes.  I know that is quite a bit of time to shave off but I can already run two miles in 16 minutes so I just need to work on pushing myself more during runs and also to build up my endurance by going on more longer runs.  I'm hoping to also add in a couple 10Ks this summer also.  If I can manage I would also love to try a half marathon but that may be pushing it.  Anyone have a favorite training plan they follow?  

If anyone is still reading this post, sorry for the rather long and likely boring recap of my first 5K of the season.  I am just really excited to see how the year goes since I have been so much more committed to running and working out these past 6 months than I have been in many years.  Races are addicting and I can't wait till I run my next one!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Wanted to write a quick post, but as normal, I'm just not sure what to write about.  So, I thought I would write a bit about what I'm loving right now.  

*I'm loving how it is staying light out longer.  It is light out till around 7:30 pm currently.  I just love these longer days and enjoy being able to go outside after dinner for a quick run if I want.

*I'm loving some of the new spring/summer clothing pieces that are out in stores.  I bought a few cute things that I can't wait to wear, it just needs to get warmer now.  

I bought these super cute shorts from Kohl's the other day and can't wait to wear them!

*I'm loving that my husband and I are getting away for a quick overnight trip to Indianapolis for my birthday.  We don't have anything major planned but it will be nice for it to just be the two of us.  Hoping to have a relaxing 48 hours.  Looking forward to getting a piece of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.

So, what are you loving??

Life Lately

I really want to try to update this blog more often but am never sure what to write about.  I feel like my life is pretty boring typically.  I am going to try to be more intentional though in writing about everyday things and documenting my life with pictures.  I rarely take pictures but feel this is also something I am going to work on, even if I just use my camera phone.

So, what has been going on in my life?  It is finally getting warmer here after a loooong winter.  I am trying to get out and run more often.  I ran throughout the winter but am hoping to increase my mileage now that the weather is improving.  I have a goal to run several 5Ks, a couple 10Ks, and hopefully a half marathon this fall.  By running throughout the winter I am actually able to run 5 miles pretty comfortably at this early point in the year.  Normally I have to start completely from scratch since I stop running completely once it gets below the 50 degrees.  (I'm a wimp in the cold).  I'll write more about my race plans in the future - just need to nail my work schedule down so I can get races on the calendar.

I am a nurse and transferred to a hospital that is closer to home this past October.  I cut about 30 minutes off my commute which is awesome.  Plus, I was able to keep the seniority I had earned since I stayed within the same organization.  Overall it is going well and I really enjoy my coworkers.  It's still not my dream job but I am getting a lot of great experience as I continue looking for a job that fits my interests better.

There is one other big change coming that I am really excited about but I'll write about that once a couple of details are nailed down.

What's going on in your life?  Do you ever feel like nothing exciting happens in your life, or is it just me?  Any must do races that I should add to my list for the future?