Holy busy weekend. It went by so fast that it left me spinning. The next two weekends will be more of the same I think.
On Friday, I took the train home, hung out with my parents a bit and then went to bed early. Saturday morning was the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 5K run in Albany. A bunch of my girlfriends and some of their family ran or walked the race. We took the requisite group shot at the race.
I’m the one with my face hidden in the shadow! It was soo sunny outside that day. I was a little nervous about this race because I haven’t been running all that much. And I know how competitive I am. I want to PR in every race and sometimes that is just not possible.
We started the run going up a hill and already I knew that it was not going to be a fast run for me. My legs were very heavy. The first mile felt okay. The second mile felt like it took 10 years and then finally there was only 1/2 a mile to go. I finished with a time of 24:36 and was not entirely pleased with that. However, I have no one to blame but myself for not training more.
After the race, I headed back to my parents house to quick shower and get ready for my friend’s baby shower. It was held at the Century House in Latham, NY. She got a ton of stuff!!
Our group of friends gave her a Jeep running stroller and a maternity massage. That way she can get back out there running with us and bring the baby along! The food was really good, but unfortunately I totally forgot to take a photo. But here is a group shot of our girlfriends.
Wow – I am soo short! The shortest in this photo with the gray and black dress on.
Saturday night I went out to dinner with a few friends to Mexican Connection in Saratoga. A friend of mine bartends there, so we hung out with her and ate some delicious food.
Then on Saturday morning, I met up with said bartending friend (Lauren) to go for a 12 mile run. Lauren has been training for the Baystate Marathon (Oct. 17) and so this was the start of her tapering. I was nervous going into this run that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with her. And indeed, it was pretty tough.
Have you ever run with someone and you just know you are holding them back?
Well that was this run. I had to ask her to slow down a few times. And I could tell the difference in our breathing and exertion of energy. I was really struggling and Lauren was just out for a nice easy jog. It made me feel completely out of shape. And made me nervous for my half marathon in two weeks. Although I can always use the half marathon as a training run to help me get back into shape for marathon training coming up in December. Anyway – here are our stats from the run:
Mile 1 – 8:19
Mile 2 – 8:42
Mile 3 – 8:40
Mile 4 – 8:39
Mile 5 – 9:04
Mile 6 – 8:52
Mile 7 – 9:12
Mile 8 – 8:45
Mile 9 – 8:56
Mile 10 – 8:59
Mile 11 – 9:10
Mile 12 – 8:51
Total mileage – 12.01 in 1:46:17. Average pace 8:51 minute mile.
I’m sure this is much slower than Lauren has been running. She is trying to qualify for Boston so we can run it together next April and I know she has been working really hard and working on her speed. But I’m telling myself that it’s her taper time and me slowing her down a bit won’t really make a difference at this point. We are running 8 miles together this coming Saturday, so I’m mentally preparing myself now.
After our Sunday run, I took the 2 p.m. train back to NYC and then did laundry and passed out fell asleep early.
And then all of a sudden it’s Monday and I’m wondering where the heck my weekend went! I have a feeling that the month of October is going to leave me exhausted!!
How was your weekend?
P.S. – I can’t tell you how excited I’m getting for the NYC marathon runners (and for my friend running her marathon on the 17th)!!!
Eat, Read, Run 
Sounds like a great weekend. I’m sure your friend didn’t mind slowing down, if indeed she was, for you. Hopefully you’ll be running Boston together–what a great time!
Yes – she was a good sport. I slowed down for her a few months back when I was training and she wasn’t. Fair trade. I REALLY hope she qualifies and I think she will! She was speedy!!
That’s why I always end up running on my own (which I don’t mind at all). I like to go at my own pace- whether it be fast or slow and it’s really hard to match pace with someone else!
It was still a good 5k run- and awesome that you had a huge group of people doing it!
Yes – even though I didn’t PR, that 5K kind of got me back into racing mode which is good – I need it now!
it sounds like you were definitely keeping a good pace! I am sure you weren’t holding her back. I ALWAYS feel that way when I run with someone else. Sounds like a fun weekend!
that’s great you got to take part in such a great race and cause! congrats on your time as well!
and yeah, i never run with a partner. i’m far too competative 🙂
Thank you!! It’s hard to run with others sometimes. This time I knew it would be tough – we are usually the same speed, but she is in marathon mode now and I am not. 🙂
First of all, you slowed me down so much that I am nervous about qualifying now…. JUST KIDDING:) stoop with that nonsense…. It’s fun to run with your best friend no matter what and really I’m still sore from the racecon sat, just like I was on Sunday!!! Oh n now I’m nervous about not being able to run this week due to working both jobs everyday AND being sick…. But it worked for me last year so here’s to hoping:)