pink ribbon 7k

This weekend I ran my first race since having neck surgery. I had participated in this run two years ago but skipped it last year, per doctor’s orders.

Shortly after surgery, I swore I was hanging up my running shoes for good. But this past July, I got the running “itch” again. I was struggling with my fitness routine and couldn’t find anything with as much bang for the buck as running provides. So I laced up my tootsies and started from scratch with the Couch to 5K program and my treadmill.

I signed Husband and myself up for the 3rd Annual Pink Ribbon 7k knowing that I wasnt fully prepared since my longest runs were right under the 3 mile mark. At the last minute Hubs had to bow out as it was the only day we could get some concrete work done for our patio, so my Eldest took his place.

  (such a good boy to pose with his mama…)

The morning was chilly (well, for us Tucsonans…). We picked up Stephanie and made our way to the starting line. It was suuuper windy, but luckily the wind was to our back 99% of the time and actually worked to our advantage. My strategy was to run the first two miles, walk the .3, and run the last two. I turned on my MapMyRun app and started my playlist (see below) and off we went.

Of course Stephanie and my Eldest smoked me, but I stuck with the plan and it worked great. I kept a good average pace of about 11:15 per mile (including the .3 walking) and came in at 48:53.

When I saw the clock I wanted to cry. Not because I placed or it was an amazing time. But because my goal was to finish under 55 minutes. I had met, and surpassed, my personal goal and shaved off more than 8 minutes from two years prior.

There’s something about accomplishing a goal you set that spurs you on to do more. It made me feel for the first time (really…the first time) that I am indeed a runner. I may not be fast and I may not go far, but I look forward to my runs now and I see improvement every time I do it.

My next race will be the 7th Annual Vail Jingle Trail 5k. If you live on the east side of Tucson or in Vail, I highly recommend this one or any of the Tagg runs. They do a fabulous job of organizing and executing their races. The 2nd Annual Jingle Trail was the first race I ever ever did 6 years ago. My goal is to finish somewhere in the 33:00 minutes range…or less. Want to join me?

And in case you’re interested, here’s my latest playlist, in order, that keeps my booty moving (its quite eclectic):

1. Thank You For Hearing Me – David Crowder Band

2. Something In The Water – Brooke Fraser

3. I Believe In Love – Lily Collins

4. Home – Phillip Phillips

5. Rock What You Got – Superchick

6. Bottoms Up – Keke Palmer

7. Our God – Chris Tomlin & Lecrae (the end of this one makes me weep every time)

8. All The Poor And Powerless – The Digital Age

9. One Thing Remains – Jeremy Riddle

Happy running, friends. Go do something you didn’t think you ever could…