This is a picture of the Flannel 5k that was held just over two miles from my house. I ran this 2 weeks after my half marathon. Both were in November. Then I kind of took December off.
Let’s get the questions out of the way.
Did I stick with running post half marathon? Yes, yes I did.
Have I signed up for any other races since last November, no I haven’t.
So here’s the recap in case you are new to this blog.
2018 was a big year for me. I had a Toddler Nugget in February of 2018, I found out my mother had cancer in June of 2018 and she passed away in October 2018. Running in 2019 was a great outlet for dealing with all of those things. I started running again in January of 2019, chose my half marathon in early March of 2019 and trained until November of 2019 when the half marathon took place. The running last year gave me what I needed.
Now you are all caught up.
For Christmas in 2019, Mr. Katie got me a Garmin Forerunner 35 watch, which has helped me this year track my pace and milage. I love it. I also received a running vest that I asked for that lights up so I can run in the dark. I haven’t been running in the dark yet since Christmas, but I am sure I will as the weather gets nicer. Right now I am still afraid of slipping on the ice. Truthfully, I am also a little afraid of running in the dark because I am afraid of the dark. I always get my hackles up a little when I am on the streets at night. Right now I don’t need to run in the dark but I find as the temperature goes up in the summer, sometimes it is nessessary to run before the sun comes up.
Me trying out my new running watch
My running this year isn’t anyting to write home about in terms of statistics. I would say I have been averaging gettinng in a run 2-3 times a week. and mostly I have only been running 3 miles at a time at a 13:00-14:00 minute pace. Most of my running this winter has been on the local rail-trail where I push Toddler Nugget in the jogging stroller. He seems to like it and I like that we are getting outside even in the cold. I have a stroller blanket that is sort of like wrapping him in a sleeping bag in the stroller and he stays warm and content. On windy or especially chilly days, I have taken to taping his gloves around his wrists so that they stay on because he likes to take them off. I like he likes looking a squirrels in the trees while we run, because there are a lot of squirrels to look at or zoning out. He rarely fusses even though it is chilly.
To keep things from getting dull and to workon flexability which I sorely lack, I have been supplimenting the running with taking classes at our YMCA. We are memebers of the local YMCA so I also have been taking advantage of pilates, yoga, and yesterday I checked out my first spin class. Fitness has been a big way for me to find focus and alter my brain chemistry this past winter. I really credit it with helping to lift my moods.
2020 so far has been a rough one for our family. My mother-in-law passed away on Valentine’s Day after several months of declining health. January and February of this year haven’t been my favorite months on record. I have been reluctant to talk about it much on this blog.
Am I training for any races in the near future? At this point, I don’t have any picked out but there are a few local ones that are always fun and I hope to participate. My town, Coopersburg always has a 5k on the Saturday or Memorial Day weekend and I hope to take part in that one. Perhaps I will try something new this spring too.
I am still thinking about participating in the same half marathon that I did last year the D&L Half Marathon Run/ Walk because I really enjoyed the course, it is local, and it was well-run. It is always held during the first Sunday in November so the temperatures are right for running in my opinion. The race also always comes with a free beer and lunch. So if anyone would like to join me, reply in the comments section. I would love to share it with friends. The race follows a rail trail that goes along the Lehigh River and after the first mile and half is pretty flat. It has some great views and makes you feel alive!
Last year, I also enjoyed running the Flannel 5K which was put on my the local LL Bean store. LL Bean has Flanel 5k’ in several locations around the country. I enjoyed that race because every mile was marked with a mile marker so I knew my progress, I also liked the pizza party after the race and the chance to win LL Bean door prizes for participating. It was also well attended which can do a lot for morale.
That’s about all I have for now! What have you been up to in 2020? I would love to hear.
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Till then! Katie
