This weekend was full of firsts.
Ok, that picture wasn’t a first of anything. It was just pretty. We drove over that bridge at just the right moment! But, there were other firsts…
My first bourbon drink since… college?
It just felt necessary to drink a Jack and ginger when watching the Dawgs (who beat Mizzou BTW- welcome to the SEC 
) play football.
It was also the first cool morning of fall, so David, Hailey and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and life planning outdoors. Does anyone else go over their 20 year plan at breakfast? We seem to be quite obsessed with it. Luckily Hailey had breakfast potatoes to entertain her.
It also was my first time running 5 miles. Ever.
That adorable face just about sums it up.
My first 10k is this coming Saturday. On Hailey’s birthday? Yes. Genius idea, Brittany. Let’s add the furthest distance you’ve ever run onto the stress of throwing a party. Oh well.
You might remember how I haven’t exactly trained well for this race. I should have tried a new training plan since quitting the Couch to 10k program, but instead I just kept wogging and making it up as I went. FInally, a couple weeks ago, I decided to step it up since I only had 3 weeks left. I kept up with my 2.5 milers, 2-3 times a week, then added in a “long” run on top of it.
First, it was 3 miles, then last week I ran 4.
The 4 felt pretty good. I think I found my stride in running .9 miles, then walking .1 and repeating. I averaged just under 10 minute miles… but it was on the treadmill.
My friend, Christie, who is also running the 10k (PREGNANT AND WITH A STROLLER because she is a bad@$$) has run the Davidson 10k in the past and told me to practice my hills, so yesterday I decided to I needed to run outdoors, in the elements and with the hills.
So I did. I wogged my way (.9/.1) through 5 miles. Through trails, over hills and in the sun, until finally arriving back home with a serious runner’s high!
Slower than on the treadmill (to be expected), but the five felt pretty good!
I came inside skipping, then my body seemed to realize what it had just done.
I stayed in this position for a good 20 minutes. My stomach cramped up and I did my best to pour gatorade (watered down) down my throat.
I realized that for the race I need to make sure I am properly fueled and hydrated before. It may not be much to some people, but 6.2 might as well be a marathon to me.
Overall, I feel ready… or as ready as I’ll be. I’m going to get in one more 3 miles run midweek, then race day is Saturday!
Any other tips as I prepare for my first 10k?
Oh, and a quinoa winner!
Congratulations, Pam!
“I want to try them all! I’m in love with quinoa! Even my super picky husband who only likes potatoes likes it! So you know it must be good!”
Please send me your address (Brittany@ahealthysliceoflife.com) and I’ll get you your quinoa ASAP. Thanks, all, for entering!
Molly @ Duchess of Fork says
You’re awesome, Brittany! I was training for a half when I got pregnant with Julia. I felt like the queen of the world the first time I ran 5 miles without stopping. Remember that a race setting is so different. You’ll get a big adrenaline kick from all the other runners that will hopefully help. Good luck! And happy almost birthday to sweet little H!
Brittany says
You have no idea how much I’m counting on that adrenaline- haha!
John J. Stathas says
Way to go Brittany! I’m looking forward to seeing you Saturday and celebrating your successful run/wog and Hailey’s # 1!
Lee says
My advice is just to be confident in yourself. If you can run 5, you can run 6.2. Good luck!
Kaitlyn @Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
That is awesome!!!! Good Luck on Saturday! You will be amazing!
PS I’ve been a follower since right before Hailey was born! I can’t believe she is almost a year old! Where has time gone??
Brittany says
Seriously! Has this year gone by faster than previous years? I have no doubt it has.
Thanks for the support on the 10k- I hope you’re right! 🙂
blackhuff says
You will do just fine on Saturday. Can’t wait to hear all about it on Monday and also about your daughter’s birthday party 🙂
Erica says
I love your idea of .9/.1 splits. I’ve been trying to get my 5k time down to 35 minutes and we run 90 seconds on, 30 seconds off. It’s been this way for weeks so I think it’s time we just amp it up and run .9 miles straight. I’ll aim for that next weekend!
Dana says
When you run on a treadmill, always make sure the incline is at LEAST at 1%. A personal trainer friend warned me that 0% on a treadmill is actually a slight decline and running on that for more than a few minutes wreaks havoc on your knees and hips. And a slight incline on a treadmill helps to mimic the wind/hills/etc outside too!
Brittany says
Eeks! Thanks for the tip. I’ll make sure to put it at a 1% next time!
Lauren @ The Unlikely Runners says
congrats on running 5 miles, that is awesome!! It is such an awesome feeling. I too am running a 10K this weekend, the 10K distance is my favorite! My advice would be to relax and have fun, you’ll never had the “first race” back but there will be plenty more in the future! Good luck and I can’t wait to hear about it!
Brittany says
Thanks 🙂 Good luck in your 10k, too!!
Hanna says
Very inspiring post! What brand of sports bra did you find works best for support? I’m also nursing and need a good one! It’s tough to run with out good support 😉
Brittany says
I’ve had a lot of luck with this one: http://www.ahealthysliceoflife.com/2011/12/09/fitting-in-fitness/ by Under Armor. I’m not busty, but I have enough that support is important to me too 🙂
Danielle @ Long May You Run says
Make sure you don’t go out too fast and then fizzle out toward the end! And while the .9/.1 run-walk is a great training method (it’s what I do for my long runs as well), be prepared to alter that in relation to the hills you’ll be running. In other words, don’t be afraid to walk up a hill and run it down even if it doesn’t coincide with your pattern (I’m assuming you’re as OCD as I am with having to follow the numbers). Oh.. and don’t forget to rest! I’d recommend taking Thursday and Friday completely off (save for easy walks). Good luck!
Brittany says
That’s good advice that I’ll try my best to listen to it. You are so right; I am OCD about seeing the .90 before starting to walk and start running again right when it clicks on 1.0.
I’m also thinking I’ll take Thursday and Friday off, so I’m glad you recommend that, too! Thanks for the tips!
christina says
Aw, you’re going to rock it!! I know it. 🙂
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
A 10K is something to be proud of! I ran my first 10K without training very much, and that was not the smart thing to do! It sounds like you’re much more prepared than I was :).
Mike @ Midwestern Bite says
Congrats on your hard work and good luck on the race! I’m signed up for my first 5K in October and have been running 3 miles at a time now for a couple weeks.
My best advice is to seek out fermented alcoholic refreshment ASAP after the race.
Hallie@ChasingHallie says
I am running my first 10k this weekend too! I have run several 5ks and signed up for this race a few months ago. I planned to train — it didn’t quite happen. Race shall prove very interesting. : )
We can do it!!
Kristin S. says
Sounds like you got a mild case of runners trots…..the good news is that if you decide to keep running it gets better and your body gets use to it. good job keep it up.
Whitney says
My parents are running the 5k and I am considering the half. You will do awesome. I would focus on drinking a lot of water this week so you are properly hydrated. I also take Thur and Fri off so the legs are fully rested! Good luck! 🙂
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
Yay for 5 miles! My sister is training for a marathon and I’m like you, 6.2 miles is a marathon distance for me!!!
Anne Kendall says
I completely agree. With all of this! The furthest distance I’ve ever completed was 4 miles, and it felt like my own personal marathon. It feels awesome to run a new distance, even if it’s just 0.10 miles longer. Best of luck at your 10k this weekend!
Lisa says
Yay, good for you Brittany!
I don’t even know the furthest I’ve ever ran, but I’m sure it wasn’t far…at all.
I think the 10K is something to be super proud of!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
You have a 20 year plan? I don’t even have a 20 day plan 😉
Brittany says
Haha! Yes, I have a bad habit of planning wayyyyyyy far out.
lindsay @ fuelmyfamily says
The adrenaline of race day will get you through the last mile!
Megan @ My Path in Motherhood says
I would love to be able to run that far! I’m still working on C25K for the third time! At least I can look at my daughter and know it was a good reason I stopped running this time 😉
Adria @ A Spoonful of Healthy says
Way to go! Don’t give up. You can do it!
Maria says
You are doing awesome and are going to kick some 10K butt! I ran a 10K once…on a treadmill, watching CMT. It was the first and last time I ever ran 6.2 miles, but boy did I feel amazing afterwards!
Cannot wait to virtually attend H’s party 🙂
Lauren K says
Good luck this weekend and I hope H’s birthday party is a blast! You will definitely feel the adrenaline of race day and I think you will surprise yourself. 🙂
Victoria says
You are going to rock it! Congratulations on your PDR 🙂