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.