Race #5/12 - Color Me Rad

When Zoloft and balloon animals cannot seem to raise your spirits, the best way to brighten your life is to run Color Me Rad 5k. If you are allergic to the metric system, corn starch, or unbridled joy, you would probably be more comfortable watching Matlock than the starting gate of this color-filled 5k, but if you were itching for a great time, and not from a bad rash, Color Me Rad was the race for you. The name of our team was Color Us Crazy and boy were we ever.  My team mates (left to right) Keri, Dawn, Karen, Fran, Deb, me, Maria, Brianna, Kaj, and Rose.  Thank you my fellow color us crazies for a 'colorful' time. It was a blast!

Color Me Rad came to the Greater Portland area on June 1 with a tsunami of color that made colored tears of joy run down our cheeks and renewed our will to live. After this 5k of color bombardment, our outlook was definitely brighter; our gray outlook was surely green like a spring morning. When we started, our shirts were as pure and white as our grandpa’s dentures, and I am sure we soaked up enough color while walking to change our skin tone forever. We looked like a pack of Skittles when we were done – I think we could “taste the rainbow.” When we began the race, we were as clean as a newborn babe but throughout the run we were coated with Color Bombs of blue, green, pink, purple, and yellow until our faces, shirts, and bodies came out silk-screened like a tie-dyed hippy on the other side. Each section of the race added a new explosion of color to our clean, painter’s palate until we crossed the finish line into a final blitzkrieg of color.

This 5k was clearly different than any other that I had done before. Every 5k I have done up to this point was purely for the thrill of exercise, that endorphin high you receive after you have completed the race. The high we got after this race was ‘colorfully’ different. This race was more for the experience effect rather than the exercise effect. Either way you look at it, I had a great time and hope my friends did too. I say…bring on the Electric Run on July 13 for another experience race. You will have to stay tuned to find out about that race.

I have to give a shout out to some peeps...thank you Sarah for recommending a race of this type, I can truly say I have never done a race like this before and to Kat and Mitch who came and took pictures.  Kat was supposed to walk with us but because she was not feeling well she was not able to race with us; however, she was able to participate by being there taking pictures and cheering us on!

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Race #4/12 - Keizer Iris 5K

Walking a 5k: Why Should You Even Consider It?

So the question is what can you gain from a 5k race? How this race is going to manifest on your way of living, your lifestyle, your mindset. I’ve came up with a couple of things and would love to let you know what I’ve experienced, and what makes this each race a jewel.

For some, finishing the race is not enough. For those who have different goals in mind, like losing weight or solving some other health issues crossing the line is fine, no matter the time, but some go just for the challenge alone, and want to prove to themselves, as well as to others that they can lower the finishing time, and set the bar higher.

So, why should you consider a 5k?  

Inevitable Self Improvement.

First of all, there is the milestone that you’ve promised to reach. Finish the race – even by crawling if necessary or finish among the first hundred, or finish and take a stand on the pedestal - whatever you are up to, and promising yourself that success, that marked goal ahead of you, you are witnessing a new unexplored part of your nature, fitness, and athletic life. Nothing will ever be like before. You will be different. Trying to reach that goal may force you to train even on days when you don't feel like it, it may force you to pass your comfort zone if you are up for the time challenge, and this alone marks a new era in your workout schedule. I remember going across my comfort zone of walking fast for over a mile. It was then when I realized for the first time that I can do much more. I remember measuring the time for the first time, and trying to beat it the next day. What a race that was. It’s really an adventure worth exploring. But walking a 5k is not just about the milestone, there is much more to it even before you set your foot on the start line. As you set your goal, the next thing you will come to realize is the commitment you give to yourself and others. Seeing yourself going through all that training, and letting others witness it as well, makes you hungry for results – no matter whether that is just the finish line or the numbers on the stopwatch, and that commitment will push you far and beyond.

Noticeable Change in your Mindset 

The change that you are about to witness in your mindset will be surprising, and you will feel it more and more as you progress through your training. You will face doubts, have bad days, witness progress first hand, even have to fight injuries if they come. Participating in a race, and even participating in the preparation for the same, makes you hungry. Hungry not in the way of craving for food, but hungry more in the sense of wanting more from yourself, your will power, your inner drive. You are not only racing with others, but constantly racing with yourself. That’s the hardest, and yet, the funniest race you can ever participate in. Make no mistake – you will win every time, win against the old you, win against the habits, win against yesterday. What else can you get out of it and what other benefits can you experience?

Social Aspect of Walking a 5k

You are going to meet some interesting people that are already on the same train you are about to board. Learn from them, have fun, interact on daily basis. Because I guarantee you: walkers – they are quite the community. Get ready to meet some interesting people while you count the miles each morning.

Numerous Health Benefits

These races make you lose more weight faster, and tone those muscles, while giving your cardio system a blast. Walking 5k will add to your strength, stamina, endurance, agility, improve your general fitness a lot, and give you energy you never thought you had.

The Keizer Iris 5k is a perfect venue for walkers of all levels. Saturday’s courses are closed to cars and lined with spectators cheering you on. On Sunday during the 10k and half marathon you’ll catch your breathe along the 200 acres of nationally awarded Iris growing fields, where the iris’ will be in various stages of colorful bloom. Hopefully, next year I will be ready to try a 10k and maybe I can get Maria and Kriss to do that with me too.

Race #3/12

This month, I challenged myself with The Biggest Loser Run/Walk in Springfield. The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Race Series travels the country challenging Americans to get fit and stay healthy. Everyone can participate from the first-timer to the competitive runner. I was able to join past contestants Jackie, TC, Dan, and Jesse (not pictured) and 2000 other contestants representing 17 different states. Everyone who completed the race received a Finisher’s Medal.

 

Preparing for my 5K made me wonder how many steps do I take each day? Maybe you have heard the recent guidelines about walking 10,000 steps per day. How far is 10,000 step anyway? The average person's stride length is approximately 2.5 feet long. That means it takes just over 2,000 steps to walk one mile, and 10,000 steps is close to 5 miles.

A sedentary person may only average 1,000

to 3,000 steps a day. For these people, adding steps has many health benefits. A reasonablegoal for most people is to increase their

average daily steps each week by 500 per day until you can easily average 10,000 per day.

Wearing a pedometer is an easy way to track your steps each day. Start by wearing the pedometer every day for one week. Put it on when you get up in the morning and wear it until bed time. Record your daily steps in a log or notebook. By the end of the week you will know your average daily steps. You might be surprised how many (or how few) steps you get in each day.

There are many ways to increase your daily steps. Use your imagination and come up with your own list:

*        Do a 5K with me

*        Take a walk with your spouse, child, or friend
*        Walk the dog
*        Use the stairs instead of the elevator
*        Park farther from the store
*        Better yet, walk to the store
*        Get up to change the channel
*        Window shop
*        Plan a walking meeting
*        Walk over to visit a neighbor
*        Get outside to walk around the garden or do a little weeding

Motivating others to achieve a goal is a tremendous bonding experience, and I would love to bond with you! Thanks Karla for inviting me to share this experience with you, I am SO glad you did.

Race #2/12 - Shamrock Stride

PORTLAND'S SHAMROCK RUN

Celebrating 35 years with 35,000 – Founded in 1979 with 900 runners and a 10K course in Tigard – The Shamrock Run is the third largest running event on the West Coast and the second largest running and walking event in Portland, Oregon. The event has tripled in size in just the last 5 years. Shamrock has also sold out every year since its field limit was implemented in 2010.

The Shamrock Run offers chip-timed roadrace distances at 5K (3.1 miles), 8K (4.97 miles), and 15K (9.3 miles). Shamrock also has a 5K fitness walk – the Shamrock Stride – and a 1K (0.6-mile) run/walk for children age 10 and younger known as the "Leprechaun Lap."

I am really enjoying doing 5Ks, and here are a few things I have learned along the way:

1.  Don’t be nervous.  I’ll admit that I was nervous once I arrived. I was having flashbacks to high school track meets, which always put butterflies in my stomach. Somebody once told me not to be nervous because there will always be people who finish before you and people who finish after you. She was right. I knew that I wouldn’t finish in last place and I knew that I wasn’t competing against the other walkers—I was there for me.

2.  Pace yourself.  This can be tough.  Usually, I start walking faster than I’ve ever walked in my life. I think the adrenaline gets me going. I’ve tried to be in the front of the pack even if faster than I like but then slow down each mile thereafter.  Now, I find somebody more my pace so that I could keep up with them more comfortably.

3.  Enjoy the moment. The whole experience is unlike anything else. Along the way, you hear the collective pounding of sneakers on the pacement all around you. Sometimes people sit in their front yards and gather on the sidewalks just to cheer on complete strangers. When you look around, you see people who are all there for one common goal. I listened to some rockin’ songs on my iPhone (without which I might have lost motivation when it got really tough), and when you see the finish line approaching, no matter how tired you feel, somehow you dig down deep and give it everything you’ve got left. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have walking.

4.  Keep moving. Don’t stop moving just because you cross the finish line. Keep walking for several minutes to cool down, and visit the water station to rehydrate. Stay on your feet as much as possible—this will help you avoid cramps and postworkout soreness. Spend several minutes stretching, too, focuising on the calves, quads, and hips, which are likely to be sore in coming days.

5.  Be proud.  I never thought that a 5K was really a big deal—I mean, it’s no marathon, right? But it was a challenge and I was glad that I had pushed myself to the end! We crossed the finish line in 17:30, which is not bad considering there were 6500 5K walkers alone. I couldn’t believe it! Never would I have expected to have done so well or have been so proud of myself. Good job Katrena!

6.  You CAN do it.  I saw children under 10, seniors over 60, pregnant women, dads pushing strollers, tall, short—every size, shape, and age imaginable. Everyone was there and they all did it! Don’t let the fear of coming in last deter you—it’s still better than all the people who never try.

7.  Try again.  I am 100% motivated to try again! I want to get a better time. This goal has inspired me to take up a regular walking routine. I am already looking forward to my next walk.  I never thought walking could be so enjoyable and motivational until I did my first 5K. It’s worth the try. What have you got to lose?

Race #1/12

Saturday, February 9, 2013

As many of you know, for my 50^th birthday I decided to do 50 things I had never done before. That was a HUGE challenge to me and I really enjoyed it. Shortly after finishing that adventure I went onto have not one but two total knee replacements. I am now 14 months out from the first and 5 months from the second, and now that I am on the mend I decided that I wanted to find a new challenge. I want to embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, to develop healthy lifestyles, and to prepare myself for what life has to give me. One way I see to do that is to do 12 5Ks in 12 months.

The 5K is one of the most popular race lengths in the world. A 5k is 5 kilometers long, which is the equivalent of 3.1 miles. An average goal is to walk 1 mile in 20 minutes or 3 miles in one hour. My current average is about an 18-minute mile but eventually, I would love to get to a 15-minute mile. That may be a lofty goal, but I guess that is why they call them goals, they challenge us to do something we do not think we are capable of. Because the 5K is one of the shorter road races, it's very popular among beginner runners/walkers who want to give racing a try as well as advanced runners/walkers who like to have short-term goals.

People run 5K races for many different reasons. Some of the most common include:

·They want to challenge themselves.

·They want to train for a specific goal, rather than just running/walking for exercise.

·They enjoy running/walking with others.

·They want to see how fast they can run/walk.

·They want to show their support for a specific charity.

·They like the idea of crossing a finish line.

·They promised to run/walk with a friend or family member.

·They want to beat their personal record in the 5K.

Many beginner runners/walker choose the 5K distance because it's an attainable goal. For some beginners, a 5K race is their first race ever. I want to invite you, my friends, family, and followers to come along with me, to challenge yourself. I would love to walk a 5K or two or three with you over the next 12 months.

My first 5K of this adventure was the Third Annual Heart Breaker Half Run/Walk with the accompanying 10K & 5K Run/Walk in Hillsboro. This is an individual and/or team event designed to provide a great opportunity to spend a delightful Saturday morning enjoying a fitness run/walk with someone special (mom, dad, brother, sister, son, daughter, wife, husband, best friend, co-worker, etc., or just yourself.

As many of you know, I was a little anxious about doing my first 5K alone. There are both disadvantages and advantages to walking alone. If you are alone, you have nobody to pass the time with and nobody to cheer you on along the way; however, walking alone there are no distractions and that may help you to go faster, as was the case today. I usually average a 17-1/2 to an 18-minute mile, but my "official" race time was 51 minutes, 27 seconds for an official 16:34 mile. Not bad if I do say so myself, but that has set the bar a bit high.

Schedule of 5Ks

February -- Heart Breaker Half, 2/09/2013 - http://aasportsltd.com/events/race/heartbreaker-half-marathon/12/8/
March -- The Shamrock Stride, 3/17/2013 - http://www.shamrockrunportland.com/
April -- The Biggest Loser Run/Walk, 4/14/2013 - http://www.biggestloserrunwalk.com
May -- Keizer Iris Run, 5/18/2013 - http://irisfestival.com/iris-festival-run/
June -- Color Me Rad,  6/1/2013 - http://colormerad.com
July -- Electric Run, 7/13/2013 - http://electricrun.com/
August -- Cedar Creek Beach Challenge, 8/11/2013 - http://www.eclecticedgeracing.com/Cedar_Creek_Beach.html
September --Bubble Run, 9/28/2013 - http://www.bubblerun.com/events/portland/
October -- Virtual 5K - http://virtualmarathons.com/events-1.html
November -- Turkey Dash, 11/28/2013 - http://chambermaster.keizerchamber.com/events/details/keizer-s-turkey-dash-5k-fun-run-walk-presented-by-salem-health-5234
December -- Jingle Bell Run, 12/8/2013 - http://portlandjinglebellrun.org
December -- First Run 2014, 12/31/2013, http://aasportsltd.com/events/race/first-run-walk

I'm baaaaaack...

We all have the same basic needs, but different personalities, different reactions to various situations, and most importantly different methods of acquiring what we need and want. So, in order to get what we need, most people set a goal. To achieve the goal, we believe different things to inspire us. The influences we were exposed to as a child can change our mindset greatly. We are different people, with different goals and beliefs because we are one of the few, if not the only, species that can have different goals and beliefs, and we should admire that amongst each other.

I had SO much fun doing 50 things in my 50^th year that since that adventure ended, life has been, dare I say it, boring. I have been contemplating some new type of adventure, an exciting or remarkable experience, something fun to look forward to, setting some new goals for myself, etc. As most, if not all of you know, in the last year I have had both my knees replaced and have been down and out for a while. Well, I have my new adventure, something many of my friends can do with me if you dare…I want to do one organized 5K a month for the next year…yep, you read that right, one 5K a month for the next year, and I want YOU to do one with me.

So check this out if you dare:  http://www.runningintheusa.com and if you are up for the challenge and have any preferences, let me know and we can do a 5K together!