5k this weekend

Before I begin this post, I would just like to give a shout out to my sister in law Sarah, who started the couch to 5k this week! I am so pumped that she is getting into running, so we can start running together in the somewhat near future!

This weekend, I run in the March of Dimes 5k. (Click on the link if you are interested in more information!)

I have two goals:

1. No walking (which is going to be pretty difficult...which I will talk about more later in this post)
2. Beat my old time from the Go St. Louis 5k (34:06)

My last 5k I successfully completed without walking- I didn't care how fast I ran as long as I ran the entire thing. I'm going to strive for that same goal again this weekend, but I'm having doubts.

As you might remember, I started the couch to half marathon a few weeks ago. It has me running 3 minute intervals, walking 2 minute intervals, with a five minute warm up walk and a 5 minute cool down walk. I have been consistently covering somewhere between 4.5-6 miles every session. It is saying that I have an average 12 minute pace which includes the walking, so I am probably running a much faster pace on the pavement than I am used to on the treadmill.

I have made a habit of stretching before and after every run, because I am really paranoid about injury. However, I've started getting some muscle pains in my hip and ankle and I'm really worried that it is going to bother me on Saturday. I gave myself an early Mother's Day gift of a Groupon for a 60 minute massage... I can't wait. :)

My next 5k is the Bark in the Park 5k on Saturday May 18.

After that, I plan on running the Susan Komen Race in June.

The Big River Running Website posts all of the various 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, marathons, etc in the area. If you are interested in seeing what St. Louis and the surrounding area has to offer, go here.