Smiling at 50: New Year's Goal Accomplished!

(photo by Dane Allen)

I did it! Actually, we did it!

Before the clock struck 2014, my friend snapped a pic of my goal for the new year to run a 10K, 6.2 miles. If for no other reason but that photo, I had to accomplish this goal. 

(photo by Giovanna Gomez)

I downloaded one of the free 10K training plans from Coach Jenny Hadfield and made my plan of attack allowing for injuries, schedule and weather. As fate would have it, Tennessee experienced one of the coldest and longest winters on record further proven by our gas and electric bills.

Another reason to accomplish the goal is my age. I will be the big 5-0 years old on June 28 at 8:08am! That's half of a century! Crazy!

My honey was the epitome of encouragement at every step. His words spurred me to get up and go for it when I wanted to stay snuggly and warm in the 20 degree weather. He warned how I would regret not cross-training in Zumba.

Our ImpACT Challenge 2014
Race Bib I wore on my back
for the 10K

Further drive came with the ImpACT Challenge 2014 online group of like-minded friends pursuing weekly fitness and nutrition challenges for a healthier lifestyle. Each week starting in January, we set personal ACTion goals with several challengers deciding on either a 5K or 10K in or near April. 

A 10K is not run just once, but run many times in training prior to the actual event. I chose to run intervals building anaerobic threshold, strengthening muscle and endurance; thus preventing injuries. My "run" is really more like a slow shuffle and I'm a newbie at running so these are truly baby steps forming me into a better athlete. It sounds weird to classify myself as an athlete, still a hard-fought category I have right to claim.

Race swag, bib & chip

On April 12, 2014, together we decided to run "our" race the way we trained and not in competition with any other person or time. My legs were tired from the over-zealous session of Zumba the day before. It's only 6.2 miles, but it's my first; therefore, it feels like 26.2.

The best feeling was to cross the Purity MOOsic City Dairy Dash 10K Finish Line with my hubby, hand-in-hand! My time was slower by several minutes. The next best feeling was to have family and friends cheering us at the finish line!

(photo by Emily Allen)

Now that my New Year's Goal has been accomplished, I've been asked what is next. There are a couple more items, my honey and I want to check off the Smiling at 50 List, but we believe we will continue to run toward more finish lines!







During the timeline of the ImpACT Challenge, I became an I'm Fit Possible Ambassador! Another goal reached! More on that, to come!

Smiling at 50: The Language

(My PR / PB as of 03.15.14)

When one embarks on a journey into foreign territory, she must learn (at least some of) the language. 

The running world has a vocabulary unto itself even with regional dialects. But, if one should find herself a little lost and humbly admits she needs direction, there's most always a friendly native to provide guidance. 

I've learned "PR" means Personal Record; however, I was informed by an online running friend, in Europe the term is "PB" for Personal Best. "Tempo Run" has many translations depending on who you ask. Treadmill is occasionally abbreviated to "TM," but almost always referred to as the "dreadmill." Shoes don't drop, they may or may not have a "drop." And, while I'm training for a 10K (6.2 USA miles) in 25 days, I have aspirations for an "HM" in the fall. 

(Discovery)

The more I venture out on my own or with my hubby to discover new routes, the more I hope for new and future destinations to snap a quick pic and mentally add to my list of adventures to check-off before they have had a chance to be added! Doesn't really make sense unless you're there.

Hanging out with the citizens of this new land, I am learning what the locals wear and eat and have slowly --I mean sloooowwwly-- moved beyond the Tourist status to something akin to having dual residency. Yay, me! I still stick out due in part to my constant questions, but I'm finding common ground and offer tips to new arrivals!

So, if you're considering a visit to this province, be sure to have another pair of shoes to alternate; matchy-matchy is a dead give-away you're new; gum keeps your mouth moist, make eye contact with all drivers before you cross the road; and give a low, almost undetectable, spread-fingers wave to runners coming toward you. It's kind of like a secret, colloquial code for "You belong."

**By the way, it is my request for a Sonic Route 44 Unsweet Iced Tea with Extra Cranberry to reward all future PRs and at the Purity Moosic City Dairy Dash 10K Finish Line on April 12, 2014!

Smiling at 50: Training Week 1

I did it! I completed week 1 of training for a 10K using Coach Jenny Hadfield's FREE Training Plan! HA! That read like a commercial. This plan employs a clock rather than odometer. I ran for 5 minutes and walked for 1 minute to recover breathing repeating for a total of 7 times.

Presuming a weekly post like the following would be boring for others to read and as triumph yields to monotony, I'll break it down, this once:

Sunday: Rest

Monday: 
4.25m (48:31) 11:24 pace per mile
I felt excited and focused on time rather mileage. Before I realized it, I was at 4 miles! That evening I joined friends for Zumba as cross-training.

Tuesday: 
4.35m (48:53) 11:14 pace per mile
It was super cold. But, I shimmied into my cold gear and did it. Again, another evening for some cross-training Zumba! Afterwards, we celebrated a year with our instructor, Michelle, for being brave and starting the class! I'm thankful for her and the cardio fitness, for it has made my body stronger to be able to attempt a 10K.

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 
5m + a few more feet (1:00:46) apprx 11:11 pace per mile! 
The day of rest was good for my legs! I felt strong and recovered quicker during the 1min walk and decided when mile 5 was approaching, I'd push the time of running 1 minute and recovering 1 minute.
The app on my phone went wonky during mile 4 and logged a 7 minute mile. HA! There's no way. Good thing I was on a mile-long track. I did pause the app for a quick pic of the ice in a frozen puddle.

Friday: 
With 85 days until the 10K, I chose to go at an easy pace during 45 minutes of Zumba and added about 15-20 minutes of strength training.

Dianne, Arvetta, me & Pam
(Mike snapped the pic)

Saturday: 
Instead of running the training plan, I ran with some members of 'Boro Divas & Dudes Running & Cycling group in Murfreesboro, TN for 3.5m (48-ish mins). This was the first time for me to run with a group. I was nervous, but they made me feel at ease. In an effort to bring awareness to road safety for walkers, runners and cyclist, we joined others around the USA putting one step in front of the other in memory of #megsmiles, a young mom who was killed while out on a run, this week. Talking while running wasn't something I've ever done. We talked about the motivations, events, issues and Meg's family. Afterwards, I came up with "When you see us on the street, give us 3 feet." Cheesy? Perhaps, but it's the law in Tennessee.


It's Sunday. 
I've officially registered for the Purity Dairies Moosic City Dairy Dash 10K on April 12, 2014, in Nashville, TN. Now, I'm nervous. This is real.

83 days to the 10K.

Smiling at 50: Going Public

4.5 miles. Christmas 2013

The Angry Runner, the moniker a friend laughingly bestowed after I mentioned I never smile while running. I smile doing Zumba Fitness. I've smiled doing Hot Yoga with rivers of sweat rushing off my
elbows. But, never while pounding the pavement have I even given the slightest grin, until...

...Until the day I finally was strong enough, had wind enough to carry me to the top of the hill I could barely walk up the previous summer. I smiled and sounding quite intimidating, added, "I owned you, today!"

...Until a couple of days prior to Christmas when I had James Taylor's Christmas Album playing in my ears while I ran around the park. My intention was to chase down a 5K without stopping. And, I did. I felt good, I ran a quick check over my body to see how I was breathing and moving. Was I loose or were my shoulders tightened up to my ears? How did my heel feel? My pace was steady like a pulse. I smiled and decided to push on to my first ever 4.5 miles. Afterwards, I cried realizing I had just taken a victory lap doing my personal best time and distance!

I intend to smile, again.

One of my [many] 2014 "bucket list" goals going toward and away from age 50, is to run a 10K...88 days away. I've selected the Purity Moosic City Dairy Dash 5K/10K. Even though it's only 6.21 miles, I've built in extra training time to allow for inclement weather, India and that persistent plantar fasciitis.

Going public on my first day of training did not make me smile. I could chicken out. I could settle. But, making my intention known, forces me own the race. Correction: It forces me to own my race. I'm not competing against anyone with the exception of myself.

I'll be brave. I've committed to it. I'm holding myself accountable and asking you to do the same. Even if nary a soul reads this blog, I'm posting my progress.

So, here's to April 12th. 8:30am. Nashville. I'm coming after you with a big, ole cheesy grin! I may go after a Half Marathon in the fall!