December 02, 2012

Virtual 5K

This morning when I woke up, I checked the weather on my phone before getting dressed to go for a run. I was shocked by what I saw!
It's December, in Michigan, and it's 57 degrees at 7:30 in the morning?!! I dressed in my UA Heat Gear capris and a thin long-sleeved shirt (which ended up being too hot--I should have worn a tank). When I stepped outside, I just couldn't believe how warm it was. Last week, it was 19 degrees during one of my morning runs.

I was scheduled to run 4.5 miles at an easy pace. I've been pushing the pace a lot lately, and I didn't want to feel pressure to keep doing that on every run, so I decided not to look at my Garmin at all. Maybe it's because I wasn't looking, but I felt like I was going SO slow the first couple of miles. When I knew I was close to the turn-around point (2.25 miles in), I looked at my Garmin just to see the distance; and I accidentally saw my pace was at 9:04/mi. I was surprised to see that I was going that fast, because I could have sworn I was running about a 10:30/mi pace.

Seeing that kind of motivated me to pick up the pace a little and try to finish with a sub-9:00/mi average. Shortly after I turned around, however, I stopped dead in my tracks because there was an unleashed German Shepherd practically right on top of me to my left (I was running against traffic, and the dog was in the yard right next to me). The dog was totally quiet at first, which scared me--and then it started barking at me and coming toward me. I darted across the street and just stopped, so it wouldn't chase me. The owners weren't outside, of course, so I just stood there for about two full minutes, debating what to do.

If I turned around to run a different way home, it would add about three extra miles to my run; but I was scared to keep running. I saw a car coming toward us, and as soon as it was fairly close, I booked it and started running--that way if the dog tried to run at me, well, the car would stop it. I could hear the dog barking, but I just kept going.

It started raining on my way back home, but not pouring rain. It actually felt really good!
I'm bummed to have encountered the dog. I've stopped running the other routes I used to love because of the unleashed dogs, and this route was new as of recently. It's mostly on the shoulder of a busy road, so I felt "safe" from dogs. I really need to remember to bring my pepper spray from now on.

I can't believe I've been 30 for almost a year!
I made a little sign-up form for the virtual 5K next month. If you missed my mentioning it, my 31st birthday is on January 25th--and I thought it would be fun to run 5K (3.1 miles) for my 31st, and make it an event :) So, if you're interested in joining me, I would love that!

A "virtual" race is really just where you map out the distance near your home (or use a treadmill) and run it on your own on a certain date. Then I will post all the results on my blog, and have prizes. I haven't worked out the details on the prizes yet, but I definitely will have a least a few (self-funded). If there are any companies reading this that may want to donate something, please e-mail me! I'll post more about that when it gets closer.

This isn't just for runners--you're welcome to walk this, too! The prizes will be given out at random to people who finish the 5K and give me their results--so you don't have to be fast. My mom said she will try to make this her first 5K (she's still doing the Couch to 5K program), so I will most likely be doing it along with her.

Here is the form:




72 comments:

  1. Signed up!! Can't wait :) ...We were supposed to leave for a Disney trip that day but had to cancel due to my husband having a health issue. I was so bummed but am VERY glad to have something to look forward to!

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    1. So sorry about your husband--hope all is okay! Glad that you'll be joining me :)

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  2. I'm in. Please post us a reminder when the date is close. We may become forgetful when it is below zero outside. :)

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    1. Will do! I'll probably be posting a lot about it as it gets closer :)

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  3. I signed up too! Hopefully can get my sub 30 5K finally! It was unusually warm here in texas too. Had a half marathon this am over a big ass bridge and the temp got up to 78! It was only in the 50-60s last week so this was a hot race! I was sweating like crazy!! I know i have the speed in me cuz i sprinted a tenth of a mile the other day at the end of 3mile run and it was under a 7min mile which i didn't even know my body could move that fast! I just started running this year so its cool to see such an improvement. I can't wait till my marathon is done next month so i can work on short distances and speed!

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    1. Isn't it so exciting to see a pace that starts with a number you never thought possible?! You can certainly get your sub-30! Plan a very flat route ;)

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  4. You are typed into my calendar. Now I have no excuse not to get out and do what I should be doing anyway :)

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  5. I am in too. Yes please remind us , as the holidays get quite busy. Plus that I will need a nudge to get off my a$$.

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    1. I will definitely be checking in with everyone to see how training is going :)

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  6. Signed up!!! This will be my first race since doing the Toledo Zoo Dart Frog 2 years ago!


    Mandi

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    1. And you're brave to pick one in January! ;)

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  7. Andrea GellenDecember 02, 2012

    Katie I am so excited about this! I don't comment often but I've lost about 80 lb since I started reading you blog in early may. I started running recently (after buying the under armour gear and the garmin at your recommendations :) ). This morning when I was running, I was thinking that I'm our running at the same time you're probably out running- which seemed so cool to me, haha :). Anyway, I recently bumped my "long run" to five miles, but I will DEFINITELY be running your virtual 5k with you! :)

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    1. WOW--80 pounds is amazing! Congrats on your success with the weight loss AND the running. Glad you're going to join me! :)

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  8. Signed up! I can't believe I did it, this will be the first race I've ever done. My heart is racing at thought of it lol..thank you for hosting this, not sure I would have the courage try running in public.

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    1. Don't get nervous--virtual races are perfect for people who get nervous about stuff running in crowds (I'm definitely one of those people).

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  9. Signed up, & put it in my calendar. Technically I'll be doing it before you since NZ is ~20 hours ahead of the US, but I assume that's ok? :)

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    1. Of course! :) Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

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  10. I will most likely sign up but I just had to let you know that you totally just inspired me! I turn 31 on January 9th and I agree- 3.1 for 31 is perfect! Going to find a real 5k to sign up for near then! I have to!

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  11. This is awesome! I turn 41 years old on 1/31, and one of my 40 mini-goals for being 40 in the past year was to run a sub 33 minute 5K. I thought I was out of chances, and the closest I came was 33:15. But I WILL DO it on 1/26 just in time for my birthday and one year deadline. Now hoping for good weather on that day here in Cleveland, OH!

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    1. Wow, SO very close--I bet you'll do it before 41! :)

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  12. First race after Ragnar! I'll need it to keep training after the funk I'll probably be in post-RR.

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    1. I was in a post-Ragnar HIGH for a long time. It was amazing. You're going to have a blast :)

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  13. This is perfect! My pace this fall has been SOOOO slow! I'm training to increase that speed and have been looking for a 5k to run around that time, but there isn't much to choose from. Feels good to have a deadline and hopefully that will motivate me to faithfulness during the holidays!

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    1. That's what I was hoping--that training during the holidays would help keep everyone moving!

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  14. Katie, here is a link I used a lot when I ran on a regular basis
    http://jeffgalloway.com/training/tips_archives/seasonal.html It tells you what to wear during various temperature ranges and I found it to be right nearly every single time.

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    1. Nice! I should print that out and put it with my running clothes...

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  15. Signed up! This is great because I'm a bit of a wimp and don't like to run outside in the cold weather. As a result I don't run races in the winter. So now I can do a 5K race on my treadmill in January! I turned 31 in August, a week after runnin my first half marathon!

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    1. Glad to have you join me! :) I'm hoping for good weather, so I can run outside, but if there is an ice storm or something I'll be joining you on the treadmill!

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  16. Katie, I signed up to WALK a virtual 5K with you on 1/25. Hope it's not too snowy around here cause I don't have a treadmill. But I could always head to the mall and walk around there. Since I will be retired then (!!!) I'll have all the time in the world!!!

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    1. That's great, Pam! You won't be the only walker, I promise :)

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  17. What a great idea!
    The 25th is the day we movie in to our first house, so this should keep me running while my mind is preoccupied with moving and packing :)

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    1. I love using running as a way to stop stressing over everything for a little while. Good luck with the move! (And SO exciting that you're moving into your first house)

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  18. Does Michigan have leash laws? It seems like you come across lots of dogs off leash! I think I can count on my hand all of the dogs I've seen wandering around by themselves. Here in Mass, they're usually on leash, behind a fence, or in a dog park (or there's a human with them).
    I'd freak out over the amount you come across. I mean, I love dogs - but I've never been chased or bitten by one, and I'd like to keep it that way! Yikes! It stinks that your run got interrupted.

    On the plus side, I've signed up for the virtual 5k. I've started c25k, and the sparkpeople version a few times, but usually get interrupted and start back at square one.
    This time I'll just do my own thing and do what I can. I won't freak myself out about what I "should" be able to do. I'll just keep moving! =-)
    -Bridget

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    1. We do have leash laws, but unfortunately, everyone seems to ignore them around here. I live in the "country", so most people don't have fences. They just let their dogs outside to go to the bathroom unsupervised, and then that's always when I happen to be running by :( I used to love dogs, but I'm now scared to death of them because of being bitten while running a few times.

      So glad that you're doing the virtual 5K with me! And doing "your own thing" is the BEST way--you know yourself better than anyone.

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  19. What an awesome idea, I'm in! My birthday is January 27th so it's just in time for my birthday as well! Thanks for putting this virtual 5k together!

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  20. Yay! Glad you're able to join me :)

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  21. Katie! What a great idea!

    I'm down 50 pounds... Started walking at a pace of 22 minutes/mile. Now, I'm down to 19 minutes/mile. I feel great about that (focusing on how far I've come and not how far I've got to go).

    Your Virtual 5K is the most amazing motivator for me. I've signed up. Will there be a name for the race? It will be my very first...

    Nitty Gritty Momma

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    1. I've just been calling it "Runs for Cookies Virtual 5K". Not very creative, I know! ;)

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  22. FUN idea! I'm assuming there's no cost? (I know that some virtual ones are fundraisers). Will definitely be checking into this in a few days (need to check the calendar!)

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  23. Just signed me and my hubster up!!!

    Thanks!

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  24. This sounds like a lot of fun. I signed up and am looking forward to it!

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  25. What a wonderful idea!! Just signed up. My bday is Jan. 3, so, we can celebrate these January birthdays together!! Best wishes to all!

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  26. I don't know how I missed this the first time yoiu published it! Read your 5 mile/answer session blog and you mentioned it so I search. I am 100% in! This is 5 days after my Half on Jan 20th. perfect timing to let my body recover some but not get into a funk like I did after my first Half in June. And I feel you on the dog thing. I had one run up to me barking, growling and showing its teeth and I froze. SO scary! Now I jump whenever I hear a dog bark on my run. Thankfully the mean one didn't bite me or anything and I still run past that house. The moster dog is always fenced in now. Thank God!

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  27. I'm excited to be apart of your 5K race! I have not participated in a race in a long time & I have not been getting enough exercise in since I had my son in July. This will be a great motivator to fit in some personal time for me & reintroduce myself to my dusty treadmill as the temperature drops here in Michigan!

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    1. Glad you're joining me! :) I'm hoping for good weather in Michigan on race day.

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  28. Just signed up...been debating for awhile. This will be my FIRST 5k...I never thought I would be doing one but I am currently down 88 pounds on Weight Watchers and have been following you for ~a year, and through your "virtual" motivation figured your "Virtual" 5k would be a great place to start my 5k history! ;) Thanks Katie!

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    1. That is FANTASTIC! So excited to hear how it goes for you :)

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  29. Signed up! Not sure I should though, I also am signed up for a 5k the next morning. Was that a good idea? Oh well, I may go slower on one of 'em!

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    1. If you'd like, just use your results from your 5K on Saturday for this one as well... I'd hate for you to get injured or something for pushing yourself two days in a row!

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  30. I just signed up as well. Never have run a virtual 5k. How do I go about posting results? My goal is a sub 30. My PR was 31:56 or something like that, but I ran a 5k this past weekend and came in at 30:22!! So CLOSE! I was running with a VERY pregnant friend that finished at 30:11.

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    1. I will have a results form for you to fill out after the race. You are VERY close to finishing under 30 minutes--maybe for the Virtual 5K? :)

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  31. I signed up and I'll be walking it too. I've lost 30 lbs. so far and you are a great inspiration!

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  32. I'm new to running (just did my first 5K in December...) but I'm going to attempt 13 races in 2013 (working up to some 10ks at the end of the year)...and yours will be my first one! Woohoo!

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  33. Hi Katie! I just signed up for your race. I have been following your blog for a long time now, you're so inspiring! I've written to you on Sparkpeople a few times, my username Kitty Fantastic on there too. I just bought a treadmill, I'll be doing my 5k at home, it's too cold out for me here in NJ!

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  34. Very nervous, but I'm going to do it! I hope I can run most of it, but I think I'll end up walking for a bit. Here's to challenging oneself!

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  35. Just signed up. My birthday was this past Thursday and I REALLY wanted to celebrate running but had a major health scare with my husband. I'll postpone it one week. I'll try to get my sister to join that will give you one more international runner.

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  36. I'm all signed up. thanks so much for organizing this, Katie! You are such an inspiration :)

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  37. just signed up... how fun.. a virtual 5k for your birthday! I'm enjoying your site that I just discovered! i started walking 5ks last year and completed 14... my goal is for 20 this year and I'm proud to say that your birthday 5k will be my first for 2013!!!
    Chonda Ellis
    Meadville, MS
    chondabelle@gmail.com

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  38. I can't remember if I signed up already, so just in case I didn't- I did again, hope that's ok! Such a great idea :)

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  39. Katie you are such an inspiration to me! I'm pretty pumped! Keep on keepin' on girl! Lisa

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  40. Thanks for the push - as everyone else already said, you are a inspiration to me as well. I just got done with a 1-mile walk of my 5k :)

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  41. Yay, just signed up! My 2013 goal is 13 races in 2013! I planned to do one a month....and your virtual one makes lucky number 13!! How fun! https://www.facebook.com/ThinkPinkMyJourneyToHealth

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