Saturday morning John and I woke up bright and early to head downtown. The Bolt Run is put on by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The course starts at the Tampa Times Forum and winds through downtown along the bay. We did this run last year. I was determined to beat last year’s time. Last year it was very hot and humid. We were sweating before we took off. This year it was a bit different. The temperature was in the 40s. Brrr! The weather actually worked out to our advantage.

I was shooting for 30:30.  I’ve been trying to do a sub 30 but have not hit it in training yet. I didn’t want to be too ambitious so just over 30 would make me very happy. John really wanted 26 flat. In a practice run earlier in the week he was around 26:30. I had joked around about us racing. But let’s face it. He just did a half. He’s way faster than me.

It was finally time to take off. The start is always shaky. There are soo many people. I know every race is like this. I just hate having to weave in and out of people traffic. But it is what it is. Once I found a comfortable spot and stride I fell into rhythm. We hit a half mile just before the bridge. My pace was way faster than I expected. I thought maybe I should slow down so I didn’t run out of steam.

The bridge sucks. It is a draw bridge so it’s all metal. I always watch my steps very carefully so I don’t wipe out. I did gain some momentum on the way back down the bridge. I hit the one mile mark. My Nike app said 8:22. What?! My fastest mile ever! I was feeling fantastic. At this point I was trying to figure out where the water station was located. I freaked a little because I thought I didn’t see one. I can physically do 3 miles without water but it’s helps break it up. Then I spotted it. The stop was right around the 1.5 mile mark.

They were handing out full bottle of Vitamin Water. What a waste. Who has time to chug a whole bottle? I took one sip and gagged. It was way too sweet. I really just wanted water. I tossed the bottle and pushed on. I was in the home stretch now. I was feeling really good the whole time. I had been nursing a sore quad all week. Thankfully it did not give me any problems whatsoever. I felt a little toe pain but that’s normal for me.

The end was nearing! Then it was time for the bridge once again. Talk about sucking the life out of you. It felt like I was crawling up the bridge. My legs just wouldn’t go faster. I did stop to walk for just like 5 seconds on the bridge. It was because I had to burp. I know tmi, gross. For some reason I can’t burp and run at the same time. Finally up and over the bridge and the finish line was in sight.

My app told me we hit 3.1 about 2 or 3 10ths of a mile before the actual finish. I had a couple other people tell me there’s stopped early too. Don’t know if the course was a little off. I just kept pushing my legs as fast as they would go. The end is downhill. I let the momentum take me. I would rather fall down the hill then let up and risk my time. I ran past John (he was already finished and waiting to cheer me on). I then hit the finish line. I knew that I had beat my goal of 30:30. I also knew that I had PR’d!!!!!!

I ran up behind John (he never saw me pass him) and jumped on his back. I did it!! I did it!! I killed my time goal!! I was ecstatic. It felt awesome to finally do what I’ve been trying to do for so long. I’ve done a sub 30 twice before. But it’s been awhile. This race I ran perfect. I never got cramps and I never let my brain get to me. I kept thinking positive thoughts the whole time. Mind over matter. What an awesome race!

I ended up finishing at 29:10. John ended up finishing at 26:03. He was very disappointed that he missed his mark by 3 seconds. I’m still proud of him. 26 anything is pretty freaking good in my book. John was 130 and I was 257 out of 979 participants. Not too shabby! I placed 78/540 females. John placed 106/443 males. All in all an awesome race for the both of us.

Bolt Run 2013 was a success! Mission accomplished :)

It’s no secret that I’m a runner. As I’ve already mentioned we started running last January. I love it. Most of all because we do it as a family. It feels great to do something healthy that I can be proud about. With that said I have no desire to run more than a 10k. 13.1? No thanks.

Let me explain myself. I have so much respect for runners that run very long distances. I think I was more excited when John crossed the finish line of his half than he was. I think it’s awesome that people train so hard to accomplish their running goals. For me running is about having fun. I’m not saying that long distance runners don’t have fun. I just feel like all the training and preparation it takes is not for me.

I don’t have a competitive bone in my body. I know that not being competitive has a good side but there are also drawbacks. Like I said I run to have fun. I don’t run to see how far I can push my body. That doesn’t sound fun to me. Now remember I used to HATE running. I was the girl in gym class who would practically crawl through my required mile just to get the slowest time on purpose. Fortunately I’ve grown up and found a sweet spot with 5ks.

Anyone can do a 5k. Yes, I said anyone. I’m not saying that it is easy. When I first started running I could barely run a minute. Now I’m proud to say that I can run the whole 3.1 miles. I want running to be something that I always enjoy. The minute it’s not fun anymore is the minute I hang up my running shoes. Do I wish I had the drive to do a half marathon? Sometimes. But mainly because I hate watching John train alone.

So there you have it. You won’t see me training for a half anytime soon. Now I’m not saying ever I’m just saying not right now. 5ks and mud runs are my forte. I may go for a 10k later this year. Maybe.

What are your running goals? Do you think it makes me less of a runner bc I have no desire to do a half?

Can you believe we just completed week 8 of this year? Today is March 1st. Where does the time go? I’ve been back on my health and fitness track for two months now. I’m feeling good about the past 60 days. I have completely changed my diet and stuck with it! I’ve been averaging 3 days at a week at the gym. I think I’m doing great.

The only thing I’m frustrated about is my weight. I have not budged in almost a year. A year! I’m beginning to think that the weight I’m at is just where my body is happy. I’m going to keep toning up. Even though I have not lost any weight I can definitely feel and see more definition in my body. My clothes look better and I don’t cringe when I get dressed.

John and I have another 5k coming up next weekend. We are doing the Bolt Run that we did last year. I am so excited to race myself and try to beat my time. Two weeks after that John is doing Mud Endeavor with a friend. It’s coming again in April and I’ll be doing that one with him. We’ve got some major trail training to do.



What’s going on in your world of fitness? Any fun events coming up?