3 years later

3 years ago - I ran a 5K for the first time.  It was the start of something good.

It would take me a long time to tally all the ways that my life has changed since then, but suffice it to say Running is not the complete list.  So much of it I have shared in this space already, so today I give you numbers and pictures.  

My goal today was to finish in less than 30 minutes, with a dim hope that maybe I could PR too.  The last 5K I did was very flat, so I wasn't sure if I could improve.   I set my garmin up to pace 9:40 (for a sub 30 finish), but my splits were 9:15, 8:54, and 9:11.  I guess 9:40 was off  :)

I ran my first 5K in 36:52 for an 11:53 pace, Today I completed the 5K in 28:32 for a 9:11 pace, meaning I've shaved 2:42/ mile from my original abilities.   I don't think it always works this way for everybody, but to me that 2 minutes and 42 seconds represents a life that's been re-claimed.   I was 75th out of a total 1,242 female participants, which means I'm in the top 10%, that was neither true for me nor something I cared about 3 years ago.  

Some have asked what I've done to get faster, and to be honest I can't put my finger on it completely.  However, all of these things have been done and are likely related.

-I've run more frequently and longer equating to more miles/week
-I've done some strength training
-I've lost nearly 10 lbs

I should probably say that all of these things required me to change things, but those changes were relatively small, and have lead to pretty dramatic changes in my pace.  Which is to say that, never underestimate what you can do with a little things - they add up! 

Feet are ready.

Have to take this picture every year. 

Photo Proof