Race Envy

When I found out a bunch of my local friends were signing up for a race in town, I decided to go support them as a spectator and as their official photographer. πŸ˜‰

Why didn’t I run? Well…as most of you know, I’m not really into running. I’ve considered doing Couch to 5K before, but never actually started it up.

And another confession: I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish a race…of any length! Not a 5K, 10K…who knows? I’m worried I’ll tucker out…or be the last one. Eek! Races are scary to me.

Not to mention thanks to my injury last year, I’m also slightly concerned I may hurt myself if I push myself too hard.

Reading all the running blogs makes me wish I was a runner, but I’ve never actually tried it out because of FEAR! πŸ™

Anywho, today I was more than happy to offer my moral support and photography skillz. πŸ™‚

IMG_8118.jpg

Everyone was geared up in their Operation Beautiful signs Caitlin and I made the other night.

IMG_8171.jpg

I paired up with Matt to take photos and cheer everyone on.

IMG_8125.jpg

IMG_8128.jpg

IMG_8130.jpg

We waited at the start and next thing we know…they were OFF!

IMG_8133.jpg

We got pictures of almost everyone. Here’s Casey – the first to pass us.

IMG_8153.jpg

Jen + Jeff

IMG_8137.jpg

Kath + Caitlin

IMG_8147.jpg

Michelle

IMG_8168.jpg

Kelly

IMG_8162.jpg

Emily

IMG_8180.jpg

Matt and I held signs of encouragement for the runners. We got great response to our signs and lots of smiles! πŸ™‚

So glad I was at the race today to share my support and take lots of photos!!

IMG_8187.jpg

After checking stats and getting snacks, we headed back to Caitlin’s place for brunch.

IMG_8235.jpg

IMG_8194.jpg

We got to hang out with Maggie and James.

IMG_8199.jpg

They set up their tailgate tent.

IMG_8201.jpg

IMG_8217.jpg

Eats

IMG_8213.jpg

IMG_8215.jpg

I had a bagel with some peanut free nuttzo and some mocha naturally nutty, plus a bar that Emily and Casey made (I believe they’re posting their recipe soon) and some fruit salad.

IMG_8238.jpg

Guess who saved me some of his pecan sticky bun when I got home? Hubby did! So sweet of him. It was really tasty. He picked it up when he went to the farmers market all by himself! I’m so proud. πŸ™‚ I don’t think he’d ever been to a farmer’s market before meeting me and now he’s off and shopping their on his own. Too cool!

***

As for the race, if reading running blogs and hearing all the stories of the 5Ks, marathons and other running events didn’t make me wish I was a runner, today surely did!

I’m big on doing things that scare you. I think it’s true what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger so I always like to tackle things that terrify me. Even zumba scared me when I first started! I have a feeling I may be signing up for a 5K or something in the next year-ish. Who knows?

First, I’ll try running with the girls tomorrow. Eeks! I’m scared! lol

Any first time running tips for me?

22 thoughts on “Race Envy”

  1. I feel the same way about running. I have never pushed myself to get into it because I know it’s hard and am scared of it. It’s so odd bec I LOVE pushing myself other ways though. I really want to give it an effort after my pregnancy though. Good luck on the run!

    • “bec I LOVE pushing myself other ways though” – me too! well, maybe one day we’ll be fabulous runners? I think we can do it! πŸ™‚

  2. You should do it!! If anything, it will be a fun challenge!! Plus, remeber, all runners started off with running one mile at a time. :). It looks like the race today was so much fun, and you make a great cheerleader!

  3. Ahh Diana! You can so become a runner! I became a runner 7 years ago and I couldn’t even run for 1 minute without stopping at first. You will be able to finish a race, I promise!

    Just ease into it and don’t worry about your pace. And let me know any time you need a running buddy πŸ™‚

    Thank you so much for being our photographer and cheerleader today! I loved the signs!!

  4. i got nothin’ on the running tips, other than you should really look into barefoot running form…after knee issues for almost 3 years i’ve finally started being able to run again because of it! i think the book ‘born to run’ is a good one πŸ™‚

  5. I recommend starting running with a Couch to 5K program! Try to avoid going out with experienced runners – you’ll start out too fast and hard and get discouraged. You should try to go at your own pace and add no more than 10% distance each week!

    And if, at the end of training, you decide to run a 5K race, I suggest you do it on your own and make your only goal “to finish” (not a specific time! Good luck!

  6. Welcome to the dark side! Almost two years ago when I first started running, I never thought in a million years I’d be a runner but…here I am! I’m so ready to kick it up a notch and start training for races…

    Be sure to get a lot of potassium. When I first started running (and I’ve heard the same complaint from a lot of new runners), those pesky side stitches have a great way of popping up when you start running more than a few minutes at a time. Having enough potassium in your system really helps to alleviate these, I’ve found. A good pair of sneakers will also work wonders – I don’t know what you wear to Zumba, but Asics are a good place to start if you find out that you’re hooked on running! Good luck girl!

    • Faith! What a great tip! I feel like side stitches always bugged me when we had to run in school…must have been the potassium!! πŸ™‚

    • “imagine how proud you would fell crossing the finish line!” – I do like this idea! πŸ™‚ Thanks for the positive thoughts!

  7. I just started running again for the first time since high school about 3 months ago! At first, I could barely go a block w/o having to walk.. but I just keep trying to go farther and farther every day. I can now run a mile easily (it seems to easy) and am trying to shoot for 1.5 miles. It’s way less than what I read about everyone else doing on their blogs..but it makes ME feel GOOD! Do it for you and because it makes you happy and feel good..not for anyone else! πŸ™‚

    • β€œIt’s way less than what I read about everyone else doing on their blogs..but it makes ME feel GOOD! Do it for you and because it makes you happy and feel good..not for anyone else!” – LOVE this Kelly! πŸ™‚

  8. tips.
    1. start off slow.
    2. don’t be afraid of walking breaks.
    3. stay hydrated.
    4. heal toe, when you step, to avoid knee injuries.
    5. Have fun.
    6. don’t take yourself too seriously.
    7. upbeat motivating music.
    8. Have fun (worthy of being said twice).

  9. I’m very new to running and just did my first 5K ever this morning. I was a bundle of nerves but just kept telling myself that this was for the experience and for fun! While starting out to run, I walked A LOT. During each workout I would try to walk for shorter and run for longer during each interval. My first goal was to run 1 mile without walking.. then my next goal was 2 miles, 3 etc. I have now officially ran 6 miles without stopping and ran my first race! So, you can do it!!

    Also, everyone needs a photographer!! Most of my husband and my friends have moved away so we had no one to photograph us during our first race! I was a little bummed about it.. but just made sure to get a pre and post picture of each other with the camera from the car!

  10. I can relate to this 100%. Okay 110%. I have never ever liked running and the thought of it made me ill. Then, like yourself, I was sick of being so afraid of something that I knew deep down I could do. So I took it slow and started running intervals. And you know what? I kind of like it now. So much that today I signed up for my first 5K in September. I’m scared, excited, and anxious.
    My advice is to give it a shot and start off slow like I did. I only run at about a 9:50 pace for three miles, but I know speed will come later. Good luck!

Comments are closed.