Running Success!

The Jingle Bell Run was a huge success on Saturday! Collin and I arrived at the Holiday Inn where the race was starting right at the beginning of the day of registration time. Collin got himself registered and then I ended up helping out a bit with the event and manned the chip-check station for a while. Then after the race I manned the prize table. It was a lot of fun being an impromtu volunteer! Our friend and co-youth group leader Kelly has been the coordinator of this race for 13 years!

Anyway, the race itself was great. This was the 14th year we've had the Jingle Bell Run in Solomon's and this year we had 829 registrants and $31,141 was raised at this event which brings the total amount of money raised to $154,154 in the past 14 years! That's incredible! And the funds go to the Arthritis Foundation so it's definitely a wonderful cause to support!

So as for Collin, he did really well! This was his first 5k (and first race, ever) and he had only begun running 3 mile intervals last week! I was so stinking impressed with him. He came in 127 over all (out of the 829 I mentioned above) with a time of 00:25:24. But the cool thing is, he placed 12th for his age division which was 19-29 yr old males! My hubby is a good little runner! He was a little disappointed in his time and feels like if he had started training sooner (he just began running regularly a couple months ago) he would have been better prepared for the cold and ran faster. But I think for it being his first race and for the amount of time he's been running he did really, really well! I can't wait to see how much faster he gets with more training.

Collin before the race

The starting line with Kelly getting ready to announce the start

Collin off on his way! (You can see him in the background wearing the grey beanie behind two boys)

More people on their way with Santa cheering them on

Collin coming back! (You can see him leading the pack there)

My cheesin' hubby

It was a great race and I'm glad I was able to be there to help out and to support my husband! I can't wait for other races he might participate in!

Cindy

Run, Collin, Run!

Tomorrow morning I get to go watch my hubby run his first 5k! He'll be running in the Jingle Bell Run in Solomon's Island. I'm so excited and so proud of him! He's becoming quite the little runner lately. =) It's going to be a chilly morning but I'll be one proud wifey! I'll report back on how he does! But pray for his pinkie toe. He ran into my dresser last night and his toenail bent way back and he cut himself under his nail so it's bruised and very tender. Pray that he can make it through the run with minimal pain and a time he's proud of!
Cindy

Dream Big!

Found here

"You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
- C.S. Lewis
I'm so excited about this Couch to 5k program. I've only been doing it for a week but I already feel better. I have more energy and this second week is surprisingly not as difficult as I thought it would be. I got through today's workout without feeling like I was going to die! I think that's very much an accomplishment. I am definitely excited to keep with it and to run a 5k once I'm done. The only thing I'm dreading is that I'll be done in June and it will be hot here by then. Do I really wanna run in the heat? We'll see! I may just have to suck it up and do it!

What new dreams or goals are you wanting to set? Has there been something holding you back? I say go for it because like C.S. Lewis says you're never too old! And new goals and dreams are a great way to keep yourself excited about life!

Cindy

Weather and Running

Found here

I think pretty much most of the United States has been hit by the giant storm system that just came through. I know it was over in the MidWest on Sunday and we just got hit early this morning. Foruntately I wasn't aware of any awful thunderstorms since we live in a basement and there's lots of other noises going on in the house. However, I was rudely awoken by our county's severe weather alert phone call at about 4:45 am. I opted into this plan so I will be aware if there's a tornado warning. I was not pleased this morning. It was calling to tell us a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued. I tried to go back to sleep but then at 5:05 am another call came only this time it was for a tornado warning. I'm terrified of tornados. So even though our bedroom is pretty much protected since all we have is an egress window, I still made Collin go out into the living room with me where we were furthest away from any windows at all. And of course there was no tornado, it was just the National Weather Service issuing a warning because the thunderstorms that were coming through were capable of producing tornados. Silly weather people. Tell me if there's a tornado actually heading my way that way I don't freak out for nothing. Anyway... we usually wake up around 6 am but at this point there was no sense in going back to bed. I'm a little bit more tired today than usual...

I don't know why I'm so terrified of tornados. I've never even seen one let alone been in one so I really have no idea what it's like. I'm trying to get rid of the intense fear they cause. I know it's unhealthy and when I get scared I pray my little tush off but there's just this uncontrollable anxiety that just surfaces when the possiblity of one coming arises. I guess it will just take some time and some more intense prayer to calm myself and get rid of this anxiety completely.

Yesterday afternoon I did my first day of the Couch to 5k program. I was so excited and hopped on the treadmill and set to work. This first week starts you off with a 5 minute warm up walk and then alternating jogging for 60 seconds and brisk walking for 90 seconds for 20 minutes total. By about my third round of jogging I thought I was going to die. Not really, but I felt really, really out of breath and my heart was pounding. I am completely out of shape and this was proof. I was glad when the 20 minutes were up and when I stepped off the treadmill to do my stretches it felt like I was still moving! And I could feel my heartbeat in my head, it was the oddest sensation. Once I cooled down and my heart rate returned to normal I felt great, but I hope the workout portion gets easier the more I do this thing!

Cindy

Becoming a Runner?

Found here

I'm not a runner, I never have been. I'm not athletic, I never have been that either. However, I'm really wanting to lose a few pounds and get into shape. And as much as I want to do it, I haven't been able to motivate myself to exercise. Last week though I looked into the Couch to 5k program and I've made a decision. I am going to do it. I'm starting today and in 9 weeks I should be able to run a 5k. And participating in an actual 5k Run is motivation to do this thing! This is exciting for me! I've always admired runners. I had friends who were on the cross country and track teams and I wished I could run like that but I never did it. I'm not claiming that after I'm done with the program I'll go on to run a marathon or what not, but who knows. I've heard that once you start running it becomes really addicting. I'd like that to be the case. I'd like to become more active in my lifestyle and running is very good for you! So here goes nothing! Collin is going on this journey with me. He used to run with his dad growing up and now he's going to run with me. I'm glad he is, it will hold me accountable. And you guys can hold me accountable, too! I'm sure I'll share some of this journey on here but ask me how it's going from time to time if you like!

If you've ever done the Couch to 5k program before, what did you think of it? I'd really like to get some thoughts and tips from others!

Cindy