Dun… Dun Dun Dun… Dun Dun Dun

It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight
Risin' up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

Now experience the Survivor song as it RUNS through your head ALL day!

Sorry, I had to introduce my 10K Race somehow and well, what better way than with a Rocky III reference?

Thanks Nolan, great photos!

Jackie, Nicole and I finished the Race for the Zoo this past Sunday, 6/7/09.

I'll break it down for you.


1 New pair of running shoes

12 weeks of training

80 “practice miles” – are they still practice if you did them?

25 dollars to participate

3 dollars to service fees – stupid service fees

1 *Free race shirt

1 hour, 12 minutes, and 30 seconds


I FINISHED





The BIG Finish!






*Is it really free if I paid $25 to participate?

Useful Tools to a Successful 10K

I am working everyday toward my goal of running in my first 10K. June 7 is the big day. I've found some help to achieve my goal.

FIRST, to map out routes and get an accurate millage count I am using Google. This website has been great for not only planning my short and long runs but familiarizing myself with my neighborhood. I would like to eventually move into a place for just Nolan and me. With my runs I keep a keen eye on "FOR RENT" signs. On my runs I see where those places are in relation to train stations, main streets, grocery stores and the all important bars and liquor stores! :)

SECOND, Hal Higdon has published a novice training program online. This training program has the next weeks planned out for every day of the week. 6 days of work outs and 1 enjoyable day of rest! This training program has really helped me be more motivated and better organized about my work out. I know what I will be doing today, tomorrow, and next Thursday.

Thanks Google & Hal for your great tools!

My Goal: 10K

Throughout my life I have participated in some form of physical activity. It was typically a team sport. High school, I was busy with basketball and volleyball and a short passing thought of track my senior year (I didn't even make it to tryouts). College was rugby, where coincidentally, I found a more peaceful zen self off the pitch. As I was able to hit on the pitch I didn't feel so inclined to while in the real world.

My point being that I've always had a team to motivate my workouts and staying in shape was easier and fun. In the last year I've found myself sitting for the better part of 8 hours at a desk job and spotted a larger dress size in my closet. I wasn't too concerned until I couldn't fit into some of those items... DAMN IT! So, I joined the gym, Bally's, a mile down the road. It's an easy bus ride in the winter and a nice jog/walk in the summer. I needed a change. I was an avid gym goer in Nevada and I needed to get back in the habit (I am visioning Tina Turner's extremely toned dancing legs).

Last summer I paid a personal trainer to kick my butt every week. But I can't afford him with a pending wedding and so I am forced to find motivation within. This said wedding, T-minus 6 months. Talk about M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N.

I knew I couldn't accomplish all I wanted to in the gym, I am in need of a guide or a schedule, a coach, a team to get me in gear - DING... I need a GOAL. I don't like this working out solo thing. Well I found a good cause, the Zoo! The Lincoln Park Zoo has an annual race in June. I signed myself up, $25 later I am a proud new owner of race number! This is my goal, a challenge that I need to get myself out of the house and on the right path to fitting into a certain white dress.

I am going to run a 10K, I have 9 weeks to train and one day to prove I can accomplish it.