A Battle Within

I'm not going to lie, I've been struggling a bit lately when it comes to body image, the number on the scale, and what I see in the mirror. I have days where I feel absolutely fantastic about myself, proud of what I've accomplished, days I don't really think about it, and days where I'm still ashamed of the flab/loose skin/stretch marks/cellulite that still exists, negative voices secretly whispering in my mind to rip the mirror off of the wall. I see the fitness models and images I gain inspiration from through Instagram/Twitter/Facebook that help keep the "drive alive" when it comes to getting fitter/better/faster/stronger/leaner each day, but some days it makes me even more ashamed of who I am. Some days I crave to look like a beast; other days I realize I don't want to put that much time in each day at the gym because, to put it bluntly, I have a life. I have husband and a four-legged child I adore and love, a full-time job, a part-time "job," another part-time job, a school life, and somewhere in the middle, a social life too. I love to travel, I love to spend time with family, and I love to be myself. But some days, my thoughts can get lost or convoluted...

To be honest, even if I have lost 110+ lbs., even if I lost a "baby horse," a person, whatever you want to justify it with, I still have days where I find myself feeling awful about the way I look.

...as you may or may not have read in my last post, I started weight training. Though I had thinned out and was able to "run" off quite a bit of weight/mass, I didn't have much muscle tone throughout my upper body and midsection. I wanted to change this so, after the Mini Marathon, I decided to back off my miles to something manageable for me, 8-9 miles/week average, or run at least 3 times a week, 1/2 hour at a time, with two days (at least) of strength training.

So far, strength training has blessed me with what appears to be obliques and a line running between my bicep and deltoid on my upper arm. (Side note: I squealed like a little girl the same as when I found my jawline or collar bone for the first time.) I do monitor my measurements more, but what I've found most difficult to deal with is the fact I've gained back about five pounds according to that pesky number on the scale.

I'm sure you're thinking, "big whoop, Ash. You've lost a metric crap-ton of weight." Well, for me, it's just like buffets. It's a slippery slope; a slope I don't want to have to climb back up. With buffets, or an abundance of food available, I have a hard time managing how much I eat. I'll keep eating until the point of sickness, especially with sweets. If I get around food, my mind honestly turns to mush. I'm like a zombie searching for brains to feast (and I will tackle someone standing between me and cake).
I have a very difficult time saying no, and give in to temptation way too easily.

...and I eat irrationally with emotions during difficult times.

Seeing the number on the screen creep back up has caused me to crack down, taking myself out of a difficult "food" situation, and trying to track every single thing I put in my mouth. And even though I've been focusing on it, with weight training, I've slowly watched my weight creep up the scale still. Now, of course you hear "muscle weighs more than fat." I don't necessarily think that's true. Sure, muscle is much more dense than fat, however one pound of fat is one pound of muscle. It's just a difference in mass & size.

I track calories every day using My Fitness Pal. It's easy, you can scan UPC barcodes for nutrition information, and set goals, whether it's nutrition or exercise levels.

Typically, I limit myself to 1400 calories/day, however I bend here and there every once in a while for a splurge. I try to limit them as much as possible, and eat as "clean" as I can, but I'm only human. Lately though, I feel as if I haven't been eating enough, or that my body is going in to "starvation mode." I've been gaining where I should be losing, in that I haven't been "eating back" calories burnt while running or working out, and only going over my daily calorie limit here and there, in hopes of losing that pesky five pounds I've put back on.

Plateaus can go kick rocks.

After speaking with a few "weight loss"  buddies, friends, and a family member who also is a fantastic Zumba/Spin/Piyo instructor and personal trainer, I've decided to bump up my calories a few, to 1600 a day at least to see where it gets me. Maybe it's that I need to eat more to lose? It is possible afterall, and is a common weight loss myth.

...but just eating more calories doesn't mean you will eat more to lose, you have to eat more of the right things.

 ...and you have to persevere.

:)

His and Hers

My coworker suggested I write about, as...in her words, "it's too funny not to."...but I'm going to spare you with the details (and humorous marriage story, for sake of Mr. K).

As with any marriage, you have his and you have hers. It could be the "pile of beauty crap" I have on my shelf in the bathroom versus his one stick of deodorant, razor, toothbrush, and toothpaste on his. It could be my car preference versus his truck. He doesn't run. He thinks I'm crazy (though I'm sure I am) for running, but I love it. He likes to relax on vacation, I like to explore. He's relaxed and watches the world go by, allowing negativity to roll off of his back; I dig in deep to ensure I'm enjoying said world, while also being slightly OCD about it.

...but "His and Hers" also applies to our food. We have two very different tastes when it comes to our palates, but I always say, "opposites attract." He's a meat and potatoes guy with no interest in "foliage" or "greenery," while in my weight loss journey, I can't get enough of lean meats, fruits, and veggies (but with a vicious sweet-tooth). There have been several times I've thought to myself, "Wow. His and hers meals, huh?"

Tonight's big debate for dinner? Pizza. Specifically a particular company's offering; one slice compares to the amount of calories I consume in one meal. Usually when I know we're getting pizza, I try to buffer it with a HUGE salad first, so I can enjoy a slice or two rather than inhale an entire pie. However, said company doesn't offer a side salad, and "salad" in my refrigerator is nonexistent until I grocery shop tomorrow. Dilemma.

I'll be perfectly honest, all I want to do is eat the entire pizza. I know I won't stop if I don't have that buffer; I've had that problem before, and I have that problem when going to buffets (it's why I avoid them at all costs if I can), as I try to control portion at all costs. I have a horrible issue with 'portion distortion,' even after four-plus years of weight loss, but I try to combat it with measuring foods, dividing them out, using a food scale, and planning my meal-day ahead, as I usually stick to goals easier that way.

But, but.... Pizza. It's my favorite.

As I've said before, I'm a firm believer in moderation over deprivation. If you cut something completely out of your diet you enjoy, you will crave it at one time or another. I promise you that. And there are times where one should just enjoy themselves, enjoy the moment, and throw calorie-caution to the wind. But after the Mini Marathon, my diet has slacked and I've really tried to clean things up this week to no avail. My sweet tooth (and Pinterest recipe ideas) strike again!

...and poor Mr. K - he's in the line of fire. All he wants is this certain kind of pizza, it's been a while since we've had it, but since they don't offer any side salads or additional foods that aren't 1,000 calories a slice, I'm struggling, and he heard about it. (To which I'm very sorry and feel absolutely horrible in the way it was delivered to Mr. K. He pushed for pizza, resulting in me panicking over pizza-hoarding desperation. I don't trust myself with food, but really Ash? Suck it up and let him have the damn pizza.)

...but as with anything I eat, I adapt. I'm currently planning on still ordering said pizza, but sticking to what I know - loading my half of that bad boy down with nothing but veggies (light on the cheese), and limiting myself to what I can have. I'm also planning to stop by the grocery to pick up a prepackaged side salad to eat as my buffer.

For me, I know preplanning works best, especially in situations like this, as know Mr. K likes what he likes (despite my insistence on giving some things a try, or others the boot; poor guy), so an extra side trip it is!

How do you adapt or handle this situation? Comment below, and share with me and others your stories, issues, or situations, and most importantly - how you adapt to challenging food situations. I'd definitely love to hear your ideas!

Can't I Just Stay Healthy? Pretty Please?!

The Universe's answer?

No.

I've never been so aggravated and upset this week, and this honestly tops the irritation I had knee surgery. Why? Because I'm 6 weeks out to the Mini Marathon, SIX, and I have my hotel reserved, goops bought, new shoes, outfit planned, etc.

I've been pretty much bawling my eyes out all week.

So what happened?

I decided to push my scheduled runs off by a day, since Monday night I didn't get home until 9:30. I didn't exactly want to be on the treadmill running 5 miles until 11:30 at night so I decided to go to bed, push it off until Tuesday, and use the gym at the university I attend. I did just that.

While running my scheduled 5 miles on Tuesday night, something in my right foot (totally different leg than the knee I had operated on) started to hurt. My first reaction was, "Ok. Just see if it's a muscle spasm. Run it out. Push through"

Ha! Yeah... Right...

At mile 4 I couldn't take it anymore. I had a pain in the top of my foot, a little off center, that started to throw my running gait off. The only thing different I had done was bump up the speed a bit, however it was only by .1 or .2 of MPH to where I was at 5.5. I was able to maintain it for 4 miles, so why at 4 did my foot start to hurt?

I've done the usual - RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate), while also downing Ibuprofen and using Rexall like it's going out of style. I'm trying to keep it loose, by rotating my ankle, flexing it every so often, etc. But I've narrowed it down... I think... (Because I have MD after my name; didn't you know that?!)

It's either one of two things:

1. Stress Fracture
2. Tendon/strain/muscle ache

I really, really, really, really, really it's the second option, as the only way to heal a stress fracture is to stop and let it heal.

With 6 (SIX) weeks left until the Mini Marathon...

You have got to be f*cking kidding me.

My thought process is this - that if it were a stress fracture, I wouldn't be able to walk. At times it hurts, at times it aches, at times it doesn't. That leads me to believe it's more of a muscle strain or tendon issue.

I'll be seeing a doc tomorrow to see what I should probably do, but honestly, I'll take a Cortisone shot for one in the foot, please! Just let me get through May 3 healthy, unhurt, with a medal around my neck. That's all I ask for. Normal programming resumes after... Or at least, healing and recovery.

In addition though, I wasn't mentally prepared for my 5 mile run that night - I just wanted to get it over with. I've been noticing, with longer runs, I haven't been as excited as I used to when I was just running 9 miles per week on average. I was happy, running a 5k here or there for the fun of it; now I'm afraid I might be getting a little burnt out with running. It's more of a chore than a stress-reliever, if that makes sense?

I have such a stubborn and determined drive, that I will not let this cause me to fail - I'm stronger than that, but this bump in the road has really knocked me on my ass. It's a blow to my gut, steel ovaries, and ego as I honestly sometimes forget I'm not Super Woman. I just want to get through this half marathon, complete my dream, and move on.

But with six weeks out to the Mini, I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever achieve this...

I honestly feel like I'm failing.

Shamrock 5K/10K Recap

See that title up there? Ya know the part about 5K/10K? Well, I ran it/survived it/didn't die on stairs. (More on that later....)

And I ran my first 10K ever, my first race of 2014, and finished 2nd in the Females 20-29 age group!

(Now before you start thinking I'm an elite-runner, medaling and stuff, just know there were two in my age group. But still, I placed. In something. Ha! And received a fancy water bottle ta-boot!)

Today was fun! After an up and down week of emotions, it was great to not only great to get outside, set a new (and fastest) pace post-knee surgery, and finally get back into race-mode. Part of the run used a trail that skirts the river through the gorge that divides the city of Richmond. It was wonderful to be outdoors running the 6.2 miles set out in front of me, and to breathe fresh air. My, it was wonderful.

(And thank God the turn in to the gorge fell at mile 5. I needed a change of scenery, and the trail was perfect-ish. There were hills. And stairs. It was iffy. And ugly. Still more on that...)

The race started out as a combination of both 5K and 10K runners/walkers, starting at the local high school's football field, snaking out down the southside of town on to one of the main country roads. We ran, for what seemed like forever, down to mile 3/turn around point (in to the wind). I will say I didn't see my first water station until mile 3, which was a bit of a downer, and had only two during the entire 6.2 mile course. It wasn't the greatest, and I believe I'm feeling the effects a bit of slight dehydration due to it. (Or my own unpreparedness. I didn't have a belt or water with me: just gloves, my iPhone, and a pack of Honey Stinger Energy Chews to down at mile 4 - my bad.)

As we turned back to head towards Richmond, we ran forever, again, on the country road, however the wind finally to my back. Heading out was rough (though the wind wasn't as bad or as cold as previous runs this year), but coming back was wonderful. As we headed in to town, we split off to the right on to Test Road, and then down a valley away from Abington Pike, where we just came from.

My first thought, as I'm sprinting down this massive hill was, "Um, hey Ash. Ya know we're going to have to get back up some how, right? What goes down, must come up."

At first I thought, "you've got to be kidding me, that at mile 4+, you're going to make me run up this monster hill ahead of me?" But nope! Thankfully, at mile 5, the route took you to the left and in to the gorge along the paved trail.

(Side note: I now officially know why you shouldn't run in the gorge alone if you're female. I was in a pack of other female runners, 3 or 4 total, and one male runner, as we approached a total creeper just hanging out. Alone. EEEEK. I won't be running without Mr. K there any time soon...)

As we approached 5.5 miles, things started to turn up hill. And this is where the, "You've got to be kidding me," cursing that makes a hockey player blush started. I knew it couldn't be that much further, but this is where I figured out how we're getting out of the gorge and back to the finish line on the high school's track...

Up.

After one hellish hill I NEVER thought I'd survive, there were stairs.

Stairs. STAIRS.

Who in their psychotic offroad-running mind puts a set of stairs at the end of a 10K?

I wanted to die.

After putting some distance between another female runner who I kept trading leads with, and a couple that was hot on my heels, I kicked in to high gear. For the first flight. The second? Ha! Nope.

But I made it up both, ran across the parking lot, across the street, down the sidewalk, rounded the gate to the left, and BAM! Finish line!

My official gun time was 1 hour, 12 minutes, 13 seconds, breaking down to 11:36/mile - improving significantly while in a race setting from last Saturday's 12:05/mile/5 miler.

I'll take it!

After an emotionally-wrecking week, it was nice to be able to get back to a bit of normalcy, while knowing my mother in law was smiling down on me today. I said a few prayers while out running, mostly to get me through and to remind myself never to give up, but it was much-needed fun, and another great race to get me ready for the Mini in May.

Here are some more pictures from the day, from Mr. K or Speedy-Feet.com:

(Sorry for the last few grainy/blurry/crappy photos. But still, proof I survived! And didn't die! Who woulda thunk it?)

Mind Games

First of all, I hope you had a fabulous and happy Independence Day (and that you still have all 10 of your digits left)! ;) It's a long weekend for me, as I took Friday off from work, and so far, despite a few rain drops, it's been wonderful!

Now the not-so-fun part...

I think I'm reaching a crossroads, one that has sort of snuck up on me. I hadn't fully expected to reach this point, even if it has been 3 years, where in order to lose more weight, I have to start toning and building muscle to burn the fat. In turn, I may lose more inches than pounds, but would start to shape and sculpt loose skin, among other things. As much as I hate to admit this, this was the portion of my journey I really wasn't looking forward to; I'm not an iron-pumping kind of girl. I'm more apt to be throwing bales of straw down from a hay mou, and loading bags of seed from the truck to the planter with my husband. (And quite honestly, I'm super intimidated and fearful of a gym for obvious reasons many folks face.)

When starting Couch to 5k, I honestly thought the weight would just fall right off; that my 4-pounds-to-go to hit my healthy weight range and personal goal would fast approach. I was finally becoming more active than I had been previously, as I hadn't been focusing on working out but more of my diet at the time. It would finally be that moment that what I thought would be the near-end to my journey, that it was finally over in a way. The end of one chapter, and the starting of a new...

(It also meant that once I reached 150, I could finally cut my hair and donate it to a child in need, and also get that much-anticipated me-to-me gift of a Brooks Laich jersey before next hockey season...)

Well... Guess what?

As I've previously wrote before, I'm facing my second plateau, one that's definitely testing my willpower, determination, and motivation. Instead of losing the remaining 4 pounds, I've gained 2 within the past month. (Regrettably, I haven't taken measurements during this journey, and I can't really report any changes in inches, just pounds. That has changed, though, thanks to MyFitnessPal's measurements feature.)

You're probably thinking, "Seriously Ash?! Two pounds? You're stressing over two pounds?"

Well, yeah, I am. Yes, I'm totally aware that I have lost 95 pounds, that I'm much better off than where I was 3 years ago, that I feel better, feel more energetic, and I just feel healthier and happier than previous. I have that confidence and self-esteem that I needed to gain, knowing that I can do this. But when you're down to the wire, you see that light at the end of the tunnel, you're counting ounces instead of pounds, it starts to matter, and wear on a person. And it really plays serious mind games.

I'm trying really hard not to stress it. I've been able to reach out to a few people in my circle of friends that have said this is totally normal. I did slightly expect to plateau around 5 pounds to go, but not like this, and certainly not to gain weight. I've had my moments this week with it, notably a sleepless night or two with a few tears; all certainly adding up to more stress and perhaps keeping the weight on, not helping to take it off.

It is highly possible that yes, I am in fact gaining muscle, as it's been said many times to me this week, "Muscle weighs more than fat." I am fully aware of that. I have noticed that my hips and belly have started to thin, that my legs are a little leaner, but through this journey, I've said it before that I haven't really noticed much difference in the mirror. I see myself every day. It's the scale where I see results.

I've been so weight-number focused for the past 3 years, adjusting my thinking is going to be difficult. Obviously the scale can't accurately portray where I've come from and how I'm doing now. I'm so impatient that I usually don't notice results in the mirror, but eventually I will. At least, I hope.

For now, I'm going to chug along. My eating habits have been as good as they've ever been. I haven't given in to too many temptations that present themselves, and when I did have that cookie, it was tracked, and it certainly wasn't every day. I'm already much further than I was a month ago in that aspect, let alone over the course of 3 years.

About a week ago, I adjusted my calorie intake from 1,330 to 1,550 per day, plus what I get from running or working out in hopes to lose again. That roughly shifts from losing 1 pound per week to 1/2 per week. It just could be that I wasn't getting enough nutrition and calories needed, as my body is working harder and now needs more to burn fat. I can already tell a difference in feeling better, so at least there's that, right?

Eventually this extra weight has to go somewhere. After all, at 175 I didn't think I could lose any more and here I am sitting mid-150's.

I'm hoping to shift my thinking, as this is a life-long journey, not just to arrive at a certain "weight" number and then stop. As I said earlier, I'm already more active than I've ever been, running for solid 1/2 hour increments, gaining much more distance and stamina over the past 7 weeks of C25K than I've ever ran in my entire life. That's progress, its just on a different scale! ;)

...and as reminder/PSA:

(Special shout-out and HUGE thank you to Dacia over at Run. Ride. Repeat. for all of the wonderful advice and listening to my rants, complaints, and plain ol' bitching with my plateau. You truly are an amazing person, and I am so thankful I have been able to get to know you through social media. You are truly an inspiration to me! I can't thank you enough!)

C25K Race Recap: Fireworks 5k

As I wrap up Week 6 of C25K, let me first say how incredible it feels to know I've come this far in 6 weeks. Just 6 weeks! I've honestly never really felt as if running was beneficial before, more like a form of torture, however I feel almost as if I can do anything now after the progress I've made. To be honest, I still can't believe I don't hate running, and that I'm actually really, really enjoying it. I've found after rough or emotional days, I want to go out and run; pound pavement until all of the stress or bad feelings go away. It's really amazing what it's done for me.

Now the real reason for this post: I'm officially a 5k survivor...and I can't wait for more! I can proudly sit here and say/type, that yes, I have completed my first ever 5k, nerves and all, and loved every minute of it!

Before the race, I was nervous (see last blog post), but honestly as soon as the gun went off, everything faded and adrenaline took over. Much of the pre-race jitters I had were due to not feeling as if I was cut out for it; my training only took me across some minor hills on country roads, not twist, turns, and major hills that I would experience during this 5k, and also that I haven't done this before. Fear of the unknown is not my friend.

Week 6, Runs 1 and 2 leading up to the 5k actually weren't too bad, which gave me a bit more confidence than I had the night before the race. Run 1 was a bit of a refresher from Week 5, running for 5 minutes, walking for 3 minutes, running for 8 minutes, walking for 3 minutes, then running for 5 minutes, as well as a walking warm up and cool down. I completed Run 1 covering 3.06 miles over 34:56. Run 2 consisted of running for 10 minutes, walking for 3 minutes to recover, the running for another 10, and included a warm up and cool down walk. I completed 2.71 miles for a duration of 33:37, a little slower than Run 1, however it was also hotter. I completely expected that, however I was able to keep a pace of 12:25 min/mi, which I'm perfectly comfortable with.

Run 3 was race day; the Fireworks 5k in Richmond, benefiting the city's fireworks fund for July 4th festivities. I was able to check in early, hang out for a bit, calm (or make worse) my nerves, and take in all happenings. They had several booths set up for the 5k, including those of military branches representing and recruiting, a local fitness center with activities folks could join in on, as well as the gym's cafe making smoothies, homemade granola, and other healthy goodies. I picked up my race packet and chip, headed back to the car to get ready, putting on my number (below) and tie my timing and scoring chip to my shoe. (Side note: As a motorsports junkie, one who's been lucky enough to spend time at tracks with family-friends who race or have raced, I totally felt like a goof at that moment, realizing the chip was, for lack of better terms, my transponder. Seriously, I'm a nerd.)

I was able to meet up with my friend Erin, before the race, who was walking the 5k with several of her friends and coworkers. It was a great comfort knowing someone else at the 5k, along with one of my former coworker's mom, who I ran in to before the start. Erin was a little nervous going into this too, so it helped that we both shared concerns and fears prior to the start of the race, as well as catching up. It definitely helped ease the fears I had, so thank you Erin!

My initial plan was to run the race as best I could, as far as I could, while listening to my body and judging if or when I needed to walk, since I'm technically not finished with the Couch to 5k program. The last thing I wanted to do was injure myself. Or die. ;)

The plan was to run just as I would for Run 3 of Week 6: warm up-walk for 5 minutes, run for 25 minutes, and cool down-walk for 5 minutes, trying to pace myself. At the start, I did walk the first 5 minutes warming up, and I believe that was a plan that worked for the best. Results from the race showed that there were over 550 runners and walkers, and things bunched up pretty quickly at the start. The 5 minute walk was brisk of course, but it allowed me to clear my own space and for several people in our general area to spread out, allowing me to do my own thing. At the end of my 5-minute warm up walk, I yelled over to Erin I'd see her at the finish line, and I was off!

(At the start of my run, and I'm not sure who all was involved as regretfully I didn't look back, I had a group of ladies shout for me, giving me encouragement, yelling "Go Ashley!" Whoever it was, thank you! That really gave me a HUGE boost of confidence, and meant a lot to me!)

The start of my run took me down a hill, a turn to the right, and on to North Dr., the main road along the back part of the park, down to the intersection of Elks Rd. This part of North Dr., after the hill, was primarily flat. Once I got to Elks Rd., they had us turn around and head back, but taking the split to the right at the hill I ran down previously. I hit Mile Marker 1 on North Dr., shortly before the split, at 12:55. At this point, I had started to settle into a bit of a pace, just kind of cruising and taking in the scenery. (The park where the 5k is held is absolutely beautiful (and shaded!), and I wasn't about to not breathe in the outdoors!)

As we rounded the back part of the park, and after the "valley" of North Dr., about half-way between Mile 1 and Mile 2 was Buffalo Hill. Now let me preface this by saying that Buffalo Hill was all I heard about during the pre-race festivities; "Beware Buffalo Hill," among other choice phrases and curses. It was intimidating, as many had said that as you're cruising up the hill, you don't really feel it until you almost hit the top, then you die. I can honestly that's exactly how I felt, and it wasn't really joyful. I didn't once stop to walk the hill, and I think that also gave me a bit of a boost afterwards, but half-way up, I certainly started to feel it. Luckily after Buffalo Hill, we saw both a small downward slope, Mile Marker 2, and a water station. Well played. (My body and thirst thanks you for that, race officials.) Mile 2, I ran in 11:59, but unfortunately at this point I started to feel some ankle pain in both ankles. I'm still not sure from what, or if maybe I was just stomping too hard from excitement?

At the 2 1/2 mile-ish point, we wound our way out onto US Highway 40 along the sidewalk. If at anytime I could've felt self-conscious, now was it. Since we weren't running ON US 40, it wasn't closed down for the race, and naturally people driving by into Richmond started gawking. Slightly awkward, but I wasn't on the highway for long, as we turned back to the left and into the main entrance of the park, along the waterfall-lined drive, towards the band shell and Glen Miller Park Lake (complete with geese staring at us... Insert my, "Stop looking at me, swan," movie quote here. I hope you got that.)

After rounding the pond, approaching the 3.1 mile start/finish line, you wind back to the right, and up a hill. UP. Convenient, right? Especially when I should be running out of gas, so-to-speak. I'm honestly still not sure where this burst of energy came from, whether it be adrenaline, excitement, relief I'm ALMOST done, or what, but I started hauling the mail in a dead sprint towards the finish line.

My goal was to complete the 5k sub-40, and I honestly was a little bummed crossing the line at 40:02 (more on that in a sec), but I was so completely relieved, because I just ran 2.75-ish miles. Solid. Complete.  

Without. 

Freaking. 

Stopping.

(No EMTs were needed, or collapsing and requiring CPR.)

I'm pretty much still on Cloud 9 at this point. The only issues I have today is a slight left hip pain and sore left back muscle, however I feel really good! I didn't get a chance to stretch after the race, so it may be from that, but I plan to stretch really good tonight, and keep working the stiffness out of my hip. My left ankle was also a little sore this morning, however as the day progressed, I haven't had any issues and the soreness is gone. We will definitely see how I feel during tomorrow's run.

All in all, I'm thrilled that I took the opportunity to run the Fireworks 5k, and I really can't wait until the next one! The terrain was a little rough, something I wasn't used to, as again, what I've trained on isn't anything but flat, however for what the race consisted of, I'm ecstatic! So much so, I'm giving serious thought to running a 5k Thursday, July 4, nearby, however I'm starting to lean towards sitting it out, especially with my hip and ankle soreness. That call will probably come that morning.

Now, back to my finishing time. As an airhead (I have my moments...), you know how the time clock starts when the race begins? Yes, I crossed at 40:02, and yes the image from Runtastic below says 40:22, (I forgot to stop my timing after the race, more concerned with getting the chip off of my shoe and turned in) but your time doesn't start until you cross the mat, hence the scoring chip (or transponder, teehee).

My official race time? 39:10.

I did finish sub-40 :)