I'm getting faster!

When I go for a run I never really have a particular destination in mind. I usually make that decision a mile or so in. I have gotten pretty good at being able to tell how far I have gone, but lately I have been getting much more efficient with my running. Meaning I am getting faster, and that is super exciting. Yesterday I ended up running a 8 minute mile for 3.7 miles. I thought I started slow, but I guess I was running like the wind! I usually run an out and back, so by the midway point I make a goal time for myself. usually it is around twice my out time. Yesterday I was 40 seconds faster on the way back, so maybe I actually did start out a little slow. I am proud of myself to say the least.

Take a look at how much I have been running lately! 18 miles last week? Yeah, that's all me! the only real break I took this month was when I went to Atlanta at the beginning of the month. That took a couple days out, but probably a much needed break from running. I don't want to get burned out. I think i might have to take another short break soon- just so I don't lose interest in running.

More Races

I took some time off from running. My last 5k
was on Halloween 2010 and I only ran once a week through the winter. When spring arrived, I ran about once a month until July. I had this pain under my rib cage every time I ran and it was so bad I just didn't run. I started to run through the pain and by late July I was running more than ever, mostly barefoot. I registered for the Merrell Naked Foot 5k on August 28 with Marissa and I ran an unofficial 26:45 completely barefoot.

Two weeks later a couple friends convinced me (the night before the race) to run a 10k with them. Saturday morning, September 10th I get up early and go register and run the Pink Arrow Pride Quiver 10k. I stayed with Anne and Cori until the last mile and ended up with a 1:01:39. It was a couple minutes slower than the last 10k, but I wasn't going for a PR, it was for fun. Natalie was there at the end to cheer me on. She got 2nd place in the 5k! Awesome! after running 6.2 miles, I ran 2+ miles more back through the Wittenbach center with Natalie and Anne and then we went to Keiser's for breakfast. I wore my five fingers for this race. It was the first time I went more than 4 miles with them. My feet hurt for a couple days, and I lost a toe nail, but it was worth it.

Yesterday I signed up for the Cooley Race for Education 5K, which I ran this morning in under

26 minutes. Another PR, and I will know my official time when they put the results up later today.

edit:

Official time: 25:44. I can't believe it...

And because I am crazy, I ran another 3 miles tonight. I thought I was taking it easy, but I did it in just over 27 minutes. Maybe I am getting better at this running thing. My chest pain seems to be getting better, or I am just getting used to it. Either way, it is making it easier to run more than a mile at a time. I'm hopefully going to do a couple more races before hardcore winter hits. I think if I work at it I could get down closer to 25:00. That will be my goal.

Jack Johnson would be proud

Banana Pancakes

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoons salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large banana, mashed (over-ripe)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla, and mashed banana. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides.

* add ½ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips and/or ½ cup chopped walnuts if desired.