Yesterday's Run: Pi

Yesterday, I ran roughly 3.14 miles in 41 minutes and 37 seconds. Not quite as good as the 5K on this past Sunday, but better than earlier last week. I used my (2.0) trusty Nike+ Sport Band as well as my generally reliable Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor. The strap that came with my Polar monitor had finally wore out, and tried some super-glue (and one last round running with it) as I waited for my Polar WearLink+ Replacement Strap to be delivered for my next run.

My husband keeps trying to convince me to go for a Garmin, so I have just one thing on my wrist, and can do more than upload my steps to my computer. It's a tempting thought, but I really, truly love Nike+, even if the original SportBand had recalls due to it's screen getting wonky in a short period of time. The new version seems much more resilient, plus comes in a handful of colors. They also upgraded the gadgets and social media connection on the Nike+ webpage. You kind of feel like you're a member of a cool club by being with Nike+.

As for my Polar HRM, I love the design of the watch as that it's big enough to see when I'm running, and attractive enough to wear as a watch, if I so choose. I also really love the cloth-like chest band, as that it's really comfortable under a sport bra. The only problem I've had is that sometimes I get some interference with other monitors at the gym, and the accuracy of my heart rate is in question.

Optimally, Nike will come out with a GPS/HRM that will integrate with the Nike+ system. Have I mentioned that I also love that my iPhone has Nike+, and I can listen to music and it connects with my Nike+ foot sensor? I positively LOVE that. I could by a GPS app for my iPhone and use that, however, I don't like jogging outdoors with music. It seems rather unhealthy to not hear a car, or anything else, while I'm out in the world.

My run went OK, considering it was about 40°F and windy, and I went out in my capris and tank. I was a bit chilly for the first 15 min, and came back with my arms feeling a bit numb. I couldn't help but feel a little sluggish as I ambitiously wanted to both run faster and longer - but that's my impatience. My next run (tomorrow) I plan to be just a 2 miler, with the hope of 5 miles on Sunday at Greenlake. We'll see how that goes when I get to it.

I'm also hoping to start back with doing yoga. I think I could use a little more centering. I hope also to find a girls running club, or other social ways to be active.

First Challenge - Speed

Shortly after signing up for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, I received my first donation, AND my first real challenge.

A donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) offered a sizable chunk of money towards my low, low minimum fundraising - with the idea that they'll DOUBLE it if I do my 5K in 30 minutes or less!

I've NEVER run at a that pace less than a few minutes. This past weekend, at the Sons of Norway Leif-to-Leif 5K in Ballard, I cracked MAYBE 38 minutes for the 5K. This is probably my best time ever, and the reason for that being that I started off fast, but was not really able to sustain it. This challenge that I've been handed means that I actually have to train, and run regularly, so I can win this competition. It's so funny, because the LIVESTRONG 5K is explicitly not a competition, but a "fun run" - chips will be available for times, but no awards will be given.

I have my next 5K in a week and a half - the Rock Riot Run 5K at the University of Washington, to benefit the Eastside Domestic Violence Program. My entry fee is some toiletries for the shelter - something that I was too happy to bring. I didn't quite pick luxury shampoo, conditioner and deodorant - but I'm sure they probably get a lot of the cheaper stuff, and I know I'm grateful to have nicer toiletries when away from home. It just makes *me* feel good to have something nice to wash up with. Maybe that's just me.

Anyhow - today's a running day, which means that despite the thunderstorms my dashboard widget is warning me about, I got to get out there and run. My plan today is to do another 5K, or maybe further. Later this week I hope to hit Greenlake to do 6-7K.

Wish me speed!

Watch this space!

Though I have a presence on numerous other social outlets, I decided to do one that's more personal.

This space is going to be used to chronicle my sometimes lazy fitness challenge, working up first to Seattle's LIVESTRONG Challenge. This is my first fundraising 5K, and I'm taking it more seriously than I initially planned.

Stay tuned!