I got an email from a reader today. I love that! (I haven’t responded yet but I totally will soon!) She mentioned that she was a typical reader in that she was in her 30’s, a violinist, and a cat owner. Hmm. Are you all in that demographic? I suppose that makes sense. (P.S. I love emails and comments. Have I mentioned that before? Why would I do this if I didn’t want to hear from you!)
So I haven’t written about running in like, forever. But, I’ve been running! I’m training for the MO Cowbell Half Marathon in 3 weeks. And I’ve run other stuff that I don’t think I mentioned, so I’m going to do a short recap of my running this year.
As you know, my divorce was difficult (well, aren’t they all!) and I fell off the “fitness” bandwagon and instead decided I was tired of restricting and exercising, and had a few months of just doing whatever I wanted. After awhile I wanted to get back on the fitness bandwagon…and lo and behold! I realized I had become the world’s slowest runner. For instance, I ran the Go All American 5k in 38:18 (in June). And I RAN the whole time, I didn’t even take walk breaks. I kid you not. You can do the math on that. And I’m still that slow, except I’m able to run farther. Maybe I’m a tiny bit faster, but not really.
(Slow but happy)
I forgot, in my post 5k haze, to put my chin down. CHIN DOWN IN PHOTOS.
And I never (at least I don’t think so) mentioned the 5k I ran on my birthday on June 7. I had received a free race entry to the Creve Coeur Heart to Heart so I ran it. It was fun, and I ran into a former colleague from the St Louis School of Music, who was doing her first race!
Before…
After! Obviously feeling strong. Oh and my time was 40:05. That had a few walk breaks.
The race was very nice (I never did write my recap, so here I am!) Small but very well run. Well marked course, went through some residential areas which was nice. It wasn’t too hot which is awesome for a summer race, though little did we know it would barely be hot this summer at all! Parking was easy, packet pick up was easy the morning of (gotta love small races!) and there was a 10k option which is pretty rare. Maybe by next year I’ll be a little faster?
So speed, my speed, I’m slower than a turtle. But I’m running. I look down at my Garmin and wonder how it is truly that I’m running and the first number is 13…but I am still beating people on the couch (so they say, or as they say at least) and I’m getting a more intense workout than walking…even though it might be slower, and I’m having fun. I got new sneakers the other week!
I’m running in Mizuno Wave Paradox shoes. They are pricey but I’m loving them. This is my second pair. Last year (2013) I only needed ONE pair of running shoes. I got another pair in January of 2014 and now my second pair. My hope is to wear them out sooner. (That means I’d be running more, not that I would be careless with my shoes.)
Anyway, if you are a reader and are running the Mo Cowbell, do let me know! I’ve run the race 2 out of the last 3 years and it’s one of my favorites. I’m looking forward to doing it again, and hoping to finish slow but strong.
I should say: my lack of speed may have bothered me a bit at first, but now I find it amusing. I’m just happy I’m feeling like running again, and doing something good for myself!
Oh, and for you who don’t care about running but love cats:
I didn’t really say anything about violins. That will come another time, most likely.
I laid off most of the summer too, and I’m dealing with a similar loss of speed. I’m trying to remember I didn’t lose it all at once and it won’t come back all at once either, but geez.
No Cowbell for me this year. Maybe next year again. Good luck!
I am in my 30s, have a cat (Haley!), and played the violin ONCE in the 5th grade. Had to give it up because I didn’t want it to interfere with SPORTS!
Wish I could run but have a bad knee so I’m a walker now. And you’ll always be faster than me! In one race, I got lapped by a guy in one of those walking boots!
Thanks for the kitty pic.