Mark this day down.
Today, July 21, 2014, I ran my first 5k. I started my plod and 40 minutes and 3.19 miles later, I stopped my plod. So, further than a 5k but not less.
Not one single, step less.
So, it’s done. I have my first official race on August 3 and after that I’ll work on speeding up my pace a bit. I’d love to see a faster pace by summer’s end but I’d also love to see myself being able to ink out a 10k. I think either or even both are doable but I’ll take it one run at a time at this point.
If you’re a new runner and 30 seconds down the trail at a fast pace does you in, I promise it DOES get easier. Each extra step is an accomplishment. Soon you’ll be up to 5 minutes… then 10… then 25… trust me, it is possible.
I’ve been challenged trying to work out how I’m going to keep this up in the winter. The trade off for the beautifully long summer days way up north here in Portland (yes, way up north, it’s much further north than anywhere else I’ve called home) are miserably short winter days. Am I going to be a lunch runner? Will I join a gym? Neither one of those sound like the ideal running opportunity but I’m thinking those are my only two options. Adult decisions are hard.
Guys.
Hard.
On another topic, completely unrelated to my most favorite running milestone, I want to get back into a blogging group. I absolutely adore having an outlet for my words. It serves as my history book and I hate when there is a lapse. There is a group called Portland Bloggers that looks very organized and they meet on a bi-monthly basis. I think it’s perfect for what I’m wanting. I need some ongoing inspiration and purpose for my blog. I also think it might be a good opportunity to meet some new people. Since moving to Portland over a year ago, I’ve met one person away from work.
One.
Sad much?
Oh yeah, and that one person moved here just after me from… you guessed it… Fayetteville, AR. I moved over 2,000 miles away and met up with someone from home base. Thankfully she was pretty awesome, so I get a pass on that one.
It’s time to shake that up a bit. Hopefully you’ll stick with me as I start writing more and hopefully make it to a 10k before the first frost hits.
Wish me luck (I’m sure I’ll need it).
IdyllHands 
Yay for long plods and more writing! That group definitely looks organized – you’ll like that. Tell them their slider moves too fast, though. I had to keep going back to read all the words. 🙂
I probably won’t tell them that until I’m really a part of the group. That’s where we’re different 🙂