Thanksgiving, and thanks!

A little over a year ago, Jody called me and was going to sign up for the Thanksgiving Day Race in Cincinnati.  She asked me to do it with her and said she would walk.  I wasn't sure I could make it especially since I was recovering from a pretty badly broken toe.  I declined but in the back of my mind I was considering starting running.  A month later I made my declaration to friends and family that my New Year's resolution for 2013 would be to stop smoking and start running.  I wanted to run in a 5K.

Today, the day after Thanksgiving 2013, I am a runner who finished the 104th Annual Thanksgiving Day Race 10K in Cincinnati.  I ran the entire distance and I can't help but say out loud how proud I am of myself.

Throughout this journey I have had tons of support.  I'm going to dedicate this post to a group of people who were especially supportive along the way.

First of all to my kids.  To Jody who gave me the idea by example, encouraged me every step of the way, listened to my endless chatter about running, and ran by my side in most of my races.  To Matt who quit smoking and starting running along with me and ran every race with me.  To Andy who encouraged me from afar, taught me lessons about bone and muscle strength and recovery, and read every post on this blog encouraging me to continue not only my journey but also my journal.

To my mentor Michael, who showed up at my house the day after my declaration with the book "The Courage to Start" giving me all the tools I needed to get started.

To my girls at work, Andrea, Nicki, Vic and Emily, who signed up for my first races with me and let a 50+ year old be part of their group of runners.

To my brother George, who never stopped cheering for me with every social networking post.  I'll save forever the beautiful letter he sent me about how proud he is of me.

To my running nieces and nephews, John, David, Monica and Christina, who were always supportive and encouraging.  I look forward to running races with them.

Love to all!  And on to the next race!

Hello old friend

I really think I prefer cold weather running.  It feels so good to have cool lungs and a running nose.  It reminds me of when I started running and how far I have come.  Don't get me wrong, I don't like the ice and snow on the sidewalks and roads, but cold doesn't really bother me.

Last winter I ran when it was cold, drizzling, flurrying.  With my tissue up my sleeve I ran around the neighborhood.  I remember thinking that I would love running in the summer when I would wear less clothes on a sunshiny path but it wasn't all that.  I never realized how hard running would be in the heat.

Anyway, running now, back in the cold, brings back lots of memories of running last January and February.  When I thought "if I can just make it to the intersection of Melinda and Melissa, it will be time to take a break a walk."  Now that seems like such a easy thing to do but then it was huge to me.

My only issue in the cold is my hands getting cold.  So yesterday, while picking up our packets for the Thanksgiving Day Race at Bob Roncker's Running Spot, I got a new pair of Brooks Dry-Vapor Running Gloves.  I'm excited to try them out with their fingers for electronics and terry cloth section for nose-wiping.

Training for the race is going fine but I'm still really intimidated about running a 10K.  I still keep thinking how great it would be to finish "The Year of Quitting Smoking and Starting Running" with a race that is double my goal would be a great accomplishment.

No Walk of Shame

Today I went further and longer than ever before however I did have to take a few walk breaks. My pace was good and the wind was fierce at times do I'm not ashamed.  #trainingfor10k

Training for Thanksgiving 10K

ON MY WAY TO 10K!

Feelin' Groovy

I feel so good!  Next week I will register Jody, Matt and myself for the Cincinnati Thanksgiving 10K. Who would have thought a year ago, when I was thinking I might start running, that less than a year later I would be training for a 10K?  Sometimes I have to force myself to believe it.

I have had a ton of support. So many people have encouraged and cheered for me. I certainly haven't lost weight. I feel better than I have felt for years, maybe ever. Yes, I am feelin' groovy!

How far I have come...

My first race...

First 4 mile race...

Next long race - 7K...

This was a piece of cake

This 5K was a piece of cake. (Possibly because I splurged and ate cake the day before?)

Yesterday Matt and I ran in the For Love and Honor 5K. It was for Miami's Homecoming and was the first time they have had it. It was rainy but luckily didn't get bad until after we finished. It was the same course as the Red Brick Run last spring but it was so much easier this time. I feel I'm definitely ready for a 10K next month.

And here is the cool shirt we got!

And this was a highlight too. This 6 year old ran the entire course. It was her third 5K.  Wow!

http://www.runningtime.net/Races/2013/MiamiAlumni/Results/over.htm

78

SUZANNE CLARK

55

F

OXFORD

OH

37:07

11:57

Reggae Run, the party that thinks its a race

With the last race, the Hudy 7K, being the "race that thinks its a party," this was the exact opposite.  The Reggae Run was a great event but the run was from one location to another, mostly up quite a big hill from downtown Cincinnati to Eden Park.

It wasn't timed but I used RunKeeper (although I forgot to turn it off) and it took me a little over 36 minutes. I had to walk part of the course.  I'm just not very successful with evening races.

The party was the big part of the event and it was a blast even though it poured rain most of the night.

The band was really great but there was one really rude girl in the front that was so territorial about her spot that she danced while pushing people out of her way.

While it was a really good cause I'm not sure I would do it again.

Andrea, Matt and me at the start.

 

 

Here we are during a short reprieve from the rain.