Alki Beach Run 5k 2009

August 27, 2009. Eugene drove Larissa and I to Alki for our second run. We notice while driving there that the temperature was reading about 47 degrees. We still had an hour before the race but it was cold and sunny.

We got our packets from registration. This is like looking in my stocking during Christmas. In the manila envelope there was our bib number and a shoe "key" and directions on how to use and put this key on. This shoe key is amazing. You use zip ties to adhere it to the front on your laces of your shoe and it sends a message to a computer on when you started the race and when you will step over the finish line. Welcome to the twenty first century. This race was more organized and all more funded and recognized.

We began running a very nice and steady pace for a good distance. I was having different problems then I experienced from the last race. This one was it was cold and my body was warm. Which means when I was breathing in this nice cold air in my cozy warm body my lungs felt like they were breathing in ice cubes! Razor sharp. Getting used to that hurdle was not as bad as the second mile hurdle though. The path we took down the beach was all cement. So the second hurdle was the constant pounding on the knees while doing sprints of running. I could tell that we weren't running on that dirt path we got from the last race. Larissa and I both agreed to use the light post on the path as markings for were we would run and walk. Our timing was great and on goal to were we wanted to be. We did a loop around the bathhouse at Alki.

We were half way done with our 2 mile when I looked over to my left and saw people behind us walking the race. One lady inspired me. I looked over and shared a smile with her and gave her the look of encouragement, and to show that she meant that I cared about her I clapped giving her my support. She was being helped by a younger man as she walked this 5k. She appeared to be a survivor of breast cancer and had just finished up with treatments. Her shirt said this but she was bald too. They looked like they did fun flowers with makeup on her bald head. At that moment when we shared a smile and I clapped with encouragement I knew in my head this race was hers! By hers I mean, I used her for my last mile for encouragement. I pushed myself saying things like if she can go through treatment and do this then Amy you can do this with weight on. Many times I want to give up on myself but not only have I found strength from myself but many others. Look around you I bet you too can find strength. Its given me a total feeling of positive reinforcement that I know I can do this!!

We completed the last mile! Faster than the last race. We beat it by 4 minutes in one month. I feel good about this. The money that was raised goes to woman going through breast cancer treatment. Northwest Hope & Healing provides financial assistance to patients in need for non-medical support services, and signature "Healing Baskets" are delivered to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Helping give patients hope during a very difficult time, is the main focus.

After crossing the finish line they had people there to cut those tag keys off your shoes, I guess there is no reason to keep them. Probably costly technology. The line to figure out what place you took was long, over 1000 racers that day. So we grabbed a water and headed out. I was in complete shock over how easily my body recovered from this race, no panic attacks. I wasn't panting like a dog when I crossed the finish line. Are the races getting easier? I know one thing not only are my lungs getting stronger but that woman I saw at the run taught me, you can find inner strength and achieve anything you want! So I want to race again!!

Average

Average:

–adjective
of or pertaining to an average; estimated by average; forming an average
typical; common; ordinary

I looked up this word in the English dictionary. I knew of the definition but with the facts I have learned I found the word "average" didn't seem correct. I struggle with the word average in two forms.

The first average I struggle with is the average "American" female is a size 14. Can that be right?? I am almost average?? When you put in my weight vs. my height I am far from being close to healthy. But how can I be average?

Studies have shown that asking woman that are a size 8 and a size 10 to try on the same bathing suit, the size 8 struggles with what they see and feel in that same bathing suit that the size 10 has tried on.

I think about this study often in my head, debating the ideas. Does the size 8 feel pressure they aren't close to being the average? Does the size 10 feel they are skinnier then the average size 14 so there is no pressure.

10 years ago the average size was 10. 10 years ago we didn't have reality shows like "Biggest Loser" and "Celebrity Fit Club"

Sweet 16

I am revisiting my "Sweet 16". I am celebrating that I reduced my weight by 16 pounds!! I dont say I lost 16 pounds, "No, No, No"... if I lost it thats means I am looking for it. I have reduced myself. I am so happy to be sharing this and celebrating this.

I am averaging about a pound and a half a week so far. Which is a great goal for me. I am doing this training for long term goals not just to be skinny. Yo-yo diets and quick weight loss does not work for me.

I been training for my next race. This one is the Alki 5k Beach run on September 27th 2009. The money that I raise goes to breast cancer. I have progressing on my training. I can tell that my runs are getting easier. I continue to challenge myself with one more step.

Newcastle 5k

I woke up early, like it was Christmas morning, full of anticipation! I stared at the clock, I wanted to let my body rest as much as possible. I knew my mind was running a 10k. The weather was great for a girl that was chubby. It had rained that night and was over casted early morning.I got ready and met Larissa, Brian and Rachelle, and soon picked up Mona. My SUV was full of celebration, for some of us this was our first race! We enjoyed the car ride there. Once we got there we checked in. (If your name starts with a K, you have to know your ABC's and stand in the K line Larissa :) ) Brian had me walk around and stretch and warm up. My anxiety was very high at this moment.
Let the race begin! Let it be known I never heard a whistle or a "Go" or even a sound of a horn. All I saw was hundreds of people moving me aside as they ran passed me down a hill. I felt a sense of panic I could not find Brian and I had "fit" Larissa telling me to run. So like any runner I ran. I came to a screeching halt when I seen it was not all down hill. When I signed up for this race it said "scenic and mostly flat coarse. Well come to find out the person that designed that coarse was a cross country runner. God help me I felt it was neither. As we walked and ran the path Brian and Larissa were much help. Brian and Larissa gave me hope strength and encouragement. I loved how Brian pushed us and kept us focused. I loved how Larissa was motherly and pointed out each big rock or root we were not to step on.
Each mile was posted. The money that was raised from this race went to the Renton School district, so we had many high school students cheering us on through the markers. We thanked them as they clapped us to the finish line.
As we approached the finish line, I got very nervous and anxious. We were on top of a hill that was about 3 blocks away from the finish line. I sort of freaked out at first. I could see everyone and the feeling of was I too slow kicked in. As Brian coached us into running the rest of the way I had a full blown anxiety attack I could see the "Finish Line." As I crept up to the end I was overwhelmed. I grabbed my face and wanted to cry. I had no tears. Larissa was pulling on my arm and all I could say was "I did it! There is the finish line" "We did IT!!!" That feeling I will cherish forever. We got thru the finish line. I completed my first 5k. I am 33 years old and a chubby girl and I did it. (most my size would say "I will lose the weight then do the race")
I had so much fun at this race. I even got a T shirt. I love this little present. I tried it on and wore it for 5 mins, then I freaked out. I did not want finger prints on it. This was my trophy.
I came in 335 out of like 500 people. For my first race I did not mind this. I knew in a race that there will be a first, a middle and a last, and I knew I wanted to be one of those!!

Who Wins?

I had no idea my brain works the way it does. I am at a constant battle with it. You see your brain does not carry the extra weight your body does. Let me elaborate on this. As I am doing a final rep that my trainer request my body is tired or sore; but my mind is not. I find it very odd that my mind wants to do last rep, I want to do this last rep. I don't want to disappoint my trainer. They are my strength. They know I can do it. They are there to push me. But this body struggles and tells me that its the one that carries all the weight!
So with this struggle came that "challenge". I ask any fit person to run with a backpack carrying 50-100 pounds of extra weight. See what I mean by this. At this advantage your lungs and heart can recover faster than mine. Your body will carry this with struggles but your mind will think this is no problem.
I will let my brain win! I am happy to know that there is one body part that still believes its 23 years old and 36-24-32!