Beat the Bridge 8K

We beat the bridge again this year! However, I didn't beat last year's time. 

I'm so confused! I felt that this year's 8K was not as difficult for me - I guess I just didn't push myself as hard as last year toward the end of the race. And as per usual, we didn't train. Overall I felt like I was in the best shape this year. Maybe it was because I was extra tired... yeah... I'll blame being tired. =)

At least this year's time is better than the first year's time. As long as I beat the bridge and don't hurt myself in the process, I consider it a win. 

Note to self: Stop taking the Montlake exit on race day. One hour to exit 520 is ridiculous!

Beat the Bridge 8K

I am so bad at following through with my fitness plans... I totally just ran Beat the Bridge again without training. But at least we beat it, and we actually ran FASTER this year! That must mean we're in better shape? The course seemed shorter to me this year, but maybe it's because the route was familiar. I hope to finish in under 1 hour next year. All I need to do is improve consistently, by one and a half minutes. LOL.

So sore today! It's a good kind of sore though, and I had a lot of fun! Next up, Furry 5k! 

Couch to 8k

Last year I signed up for the F5 St. Pat's Dash 5k and the Beat the Bridge 8k. I ended up deciding not to run the 5k (the morning of...) because it was raining. And I am lazy. I ran the 8k without any training and successfully beat the bridge, but just by less than a minute and was hurting for a few days after.

THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT!

Sarah and Matt have signed up for the St. Pat's Dash, so I won't be able to bail last minute this year. HAHA. Accountability! And I'm signing up for the timed group, so I've already started training in hopes of not embarrassing myself. Additionally, I want to do well at Beat the Bridge. And even though I'm sure I can beat the bridge, I want to beat last year's time (1:01:56 Time and 12:28 Pace)!

I got fitted for proper running shoes today. Turns out I'm a slight overpronator and the Brooks Defyance 8 shoes were the best/most comfy for me. I'm so glad that I went to seek advice! I also now know that my previous pair of running shoes was too tight. I didn't have the toe space that I have now... and it makes a world of difference.

Here's the game plan for the training:

I'm intentionally easing into running because I don't want to hurt myself. I only just broke in my new shoes today on the treadmill, but I felt great during the run and I was able to jog longer than ever before without stopping. 15 minutes with no break!

Beat the Bridge 8K & Puppy Class

This weekend was SO EVENTFUL!

On Saturday, we took Forrest to his first puppy training class... followed by puppy play time! Spin moves for hours, and the instructors said he has "the zooms" because he LOVES to run. Such a little fireball. All of the big dogs wanted to play with him, while Matt and I were petting the other fluffy puppies! I don't know who enjoyed it more, us or Forrest. =) By the time we left puppy playtime, Forrest was pooped. He was falling asleep sitting up in the car.

Early Sunday morning was the Beat the Bridge 8k! My first 8k ever, and only my second run... ever. WE BEAT THE BRIDGE!!! And now I am exhausted, still, even though I slept early last night (and the rest of the day Sunday). I should probably train before I try another 8k, huh?