Two finish lines crossed - now it's time to train!

Running in the Bosque during my second 5K

I ran my second 5K this morning - the Run for the Children of Albuquerque, for the UNM Children's Psychiatric Hospital. My gun time, at 38:50, was 12 seconds off from last week. But considering that I still haven't started officially training I wasn't expecting to improve on my time. Again, I just wanted to finish the race.

Last week after running my first race I decided I would commit to completing a total of five 5K races this spring, all the while training for a 10K race in May. Now, with two 5Ks down, I realize that I actually do like running, so I'm going to begin my official 10K training this week.

Daylight savings time begins in the morning, and the weather will be warming steadily from here on out, so needless to say I'm psyched! This will give me an extra hour of sunlight and create an opportunity for me to get out and enjoy outdoors fitness during the week. I'll keep hiking on the weekends, but during the week I'll plan on running between 20 minutes and 45 minutes each evening as soon as I get home from work.

I'll write more about my training plan later. I just wanted to post to my blog quickly while I'm still elated from crossing the finish line! Also, I should note here that I'm considering organizing my own 5K, to raise money for a charity dedicated to fighting childhood obesity. I'll have more on that later, too. (If you have any suggestions for a charity to align with, please let me know!)

In any case, I want to thank everyone who inspires me to continue on with my fitness journey. You know who you are...and if you're not sure, well, if you're reading this blog then it definitely is you! *hugs*

Plan to keep on running, training for a 10K

The 5K I ran on Saturday was so liberating and uplifting to my spirit that I have already decided to continue running to see what further health and wellness benefits will come from it. Then, on May 6, I plan to run a 10K in memory of my grandmother, who passed away May 7, 2009.

Working up to that event - the 10K Run for the Zoo - I want to train and participate in at least five other 5K events. Here is what I have planned for the next two months:


SAT, MARCH 4 @ 9 AM: EWB-UNM 5K River Run (DONE)

SAT, MARCH 10 @ 9 AM: 5K Run for the Children of Albuquerque

SUN, MARCH 18, @ 8:30 AM: NM Shamrock Shuffle 5K, Rio Rancho Aquatic Center

SUN, APRIL 1 @ 8 AM: 8th Annual Los Lunas Police Department Cops for Kids 5K

SAT, APRIL 14 @ 9 AM: Ellen Reavis Race for Autism 5K

SUN, MAY 6 @ 8:30 AM: Run for the Zoo 10K

During this time I also plan to continue with resistance training a few days per week and hiking at least one day each weekend. I know this is a pretty rigorous schedule, but I think it's the best way for me to maintain balance in my life at the moment while also moving forward with my weight loss and fitness journey.

I realize my body may not be ready for this ambitious schedule, so I'm going to be cautious not to overdo it. But I know that without this plan, my 10K goal could never be realized. Also, with that said, I don't have a specific weight loss goal for the May 6 run, but I'm hoping to shed at least five pounds per month for the next two months. Running the 10K at 260 pounds instead of my current 270 pounds will definitely be good for my joints!

Wish me luck! Well, luck will really have nothing to do with it. Instead, wish me energy, dedication and continued passion for life! (And I'll wish the same for you!)

Overcoming fear and willing to walk/run in truth

Alone in the Rio Grande Bosque during my first 5K
Photo: Katherine Belvin, EWB-UNM

I did it! On Saturday, March 3, I completed my first 5K race with a respectable time! Well, I think it's respectable. And if it isn't to anyone else, it sure as hell is to me!

In a field of 64 competitors, I placed 60th with a gun time of 38 minutes and 38 seconds in the Engineers Without Borders-University of New Mexico 5K River Run. I thought that was pretty cool, considering I was 38 years old when I first got serious with my fitness journey. The pace of 12 minutes and 26 seconds per mile is alright by me, too. I don't really know, though, since I don't have any prior running experience to compare it to.

Happiness is knowing you're not alone even when you are!
Photo: Katherine Belvin, EWB-UNM

Running this 5K has shifted my mindset about running. Before, I was afraid to run, even if no one was looking. I think primarily I was afraid that "true runners" would look at me and laugh, judge me for my size or the way my belly jiggled as I jogged. But even more, I was afraid my knees or ankles would just give out under me. I was afraid I'd run out of breath and collapse right there mid-trail.

But as I said in my previous post, I buy into the Green Lantern mantra that fear is the enemy of will. And if we banish fear, will prevails. So following the advice of a wise younger runner, I started off slowly and finished strong. And I was chanting "I will, I will, I will, I will, I will", as I jogged the final third of the race and crossed the finish line in style.

I've been inspired a lot lately by Green Lantern and my other Justice League heroes. But besides these fictional characters, I am also inspired by someone very real. In fact, it is the living example of someone who I respect and love deeply that made me believe that completing this fast-fleshed-out goal was possible. This person is a dedicated runner who has supported my fitness journey in ways I would need much more room than a simple blog entry to highlight.

This person taught me how to cook and prepare healthy meals in advance, so I wouldn't have to rely on prepackaged junk. He taught me to be kind to myself and others I meet along the way. Through him I am learning the importance of being true to myself, and to not fear unexpected consequences but rather deal with them as they come. And I am learning through our relationship that not even his love for me is more crucial to my success than my own love for myself. Because, as our pal Ru Paul says, "If you can't love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen!" Amen!

Mostly, though, he has taught me that I should learn to look up from my feet from time to time, to notice others traveling alongside me and the path that they are on. Because if I don't, I could lose footing and end up hurting those I'm traveling with, and miss out on walking with their love.

Anyway, I'm still working on unconditionally loving myself. Part of my process is overcoming fears and learning to walk in truth at all times. This process is a long road that will take some seriously reflective time to  fully travel. And while I hope I will not find myself alone at road's end, if I do, I will still be content. Because I know that what really matters is how I traveled the road and that I got better at walking every step of the way.