Back in the day (a.k.a. before we had three kids), I used to do more races. 5Ks, 10Ks, 5 milers, 10 milers, and even more than 1 half marathon a year. It was easier to fit them in, and when we lived downtown, we could often even walk to the starting line of them.
These days, if we do a race, we have to plan it out. Who will watch the kids? Will we all go? Will we drive separate? Do they have soccer/basketball/swimming/ballet, etc. at the same time? So, it’s been easier not to do them. Oh, and I’m a lot slower now, so there’s less of a chance of me getting an award.
But every so often a race happens that you can’t say no to – especially a race that practically runs by your house!
This weekend, I was excited to do just that. It started with a 1 mile fun run for the kiddos, and then I ran the 5K. And my parents were in town, so they were able to watch the race and hang out while we ran!
Here’s how the week went overall, including the race:
Sunday: 6.01 miles! This was my longest run since the Cleveland Half Marathon and I was glad to get outside and run a route I hadn’t run in a while. I even saw a giant (snapping?) turtle on the run, which was cool.
Monday: 3.51 miles run plus core workout. It was POURING when I woke up and had been thundering on and off all night. I was tempted to run on treadmill, but really didn’t want to wake up everyone in my house with the sound, so I postponed and postponed, getting in at least a longer ab workout than usual. Finally, I told myself, “I can do hard things,” and decided to go outside in the rain. Yes, I talk to myself. It wasn’t thundering anymore but it was still a steady, hard rain. Overall, it felt pretty good to be outside – at least it was 60 degrees!
Tuesday: 4.54 mile run plus core workout, plus 30 minute walk later in the day. I was grateful for no rain in the morning! In the afternoon, I took a lunchtime walk with a coworker but then it started to rain again and we went back inside to work.
Wednesday: 4.05 miles plus core workout. I got off to a late start, but still got outside to go. I got an alert that I was over my mileage with my current running shoes, so I immediately bought some new sneakers when I got home. My feet have been tired lately, so hopefully this will help them feel fresh again.
Thursday: 4 miles and core workout. I was TIRED when I woke up on Thursday and hit snooze more than I usually do during summertime when I sleep an hour later. The kiddos had swimming and baseball Wednesday night and we didn’t get home until 8:30,, so maybe that’s why?
Friday: Active rest day! 4 mile walk in the morning then 2+ miles later. I’m bad about rest days. I did a 400+ day running streak a few years ago and since then, I typically take 1-2 days off per month, if that, unless something happens that requires it (a long car trip, an injury). But I’m still a little sore from my old shoes and half marathon and decided a day off from running would be good. I still got up early to walk but it was nice and relaxing. Then, I did more walking in the afternoon and evening, ending up with 18,000+ steps anyway. B and I also got in a date night (with yes, a little more walking) since my parents were in town. It was nice to get out to a solo dinner and enjoy some time to ourselves.
Saturday: 5K – 3.17 miles in 27:13 – Wearing heels for the date night was not the best idea — I woke up with sore feet and toes! But I made the most of it and was glad to be able to get in a 5K run in my neighborhood. The event started with a 1 mile fun run that FW and LM did. FW finished in 7:20! I can’t believe he ran that fast. LM finished in 9 something – I was so proud of both of them!
Total mileage: 25.28 miles run + miscellaneous walking
Today: No runs planned just some walks with my dad to celebrate Father’s Day! I’m so glad he is in town visiting. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, father figures, and those who celebrate.
Questions for you:
- How often do you get to walk to races?
- Do you take active rest days — what do you do?
I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
I Crashed The Web 
Wow, your kids are speedy! It’s amazing they kept up that pace for a whole mile.
Glad the date night shoes didn’t mess you up too much! The worst part about going back to the office is wearing dressier shoes.
That’s great that you were able to fit in a race while your parents watched the kids. Everything takes a lot more planning when the kids are little! In 15 more years you will have plenty of time to yourself lol
That’s great with a race so close by!
Well done going out to run in the rain – that’s the way to do it! Nice mileage this week, as usual. I think after my injury I will take every chance I get to go for walks, I miss it so much now and totally underrated the joy of walking before the injury. Most likely I’ll take active rest days with some good walks.
That’s amazing how fast your kids ran! It sounds like your oldest is going to be a runner! It’s so much fun to run local races, isn’t it? This year I won’t be running our town’s 4th of July race because my big trail race is the following weekend and I don’t want to risk injury. But I’m going to be a course marshall, so I’m excited to still be a part of it.
And just say no to high heels, lol!
Your kids look so cute, all race ready!! Congrats to both of them.
You got some solid miles in and you got to run a race. Yay!
I cannot walk to any races. I used to from our old house, but not anymore. It’s nice not to have to make arrangments. I hear you.
I am bad at taking rest days these days… but I do take occasional active rest days (which usually involve some yoga and walking),
You had a nice week. We don’t often have local races in my town anymore, but we did have a “fun run” a week ago, which was untimed. It’s fun to see all the local runners there, and here your name shouted at the volunteer spots along the course. I’m hugely in favor of active recovery days, at least for myself. I know my body recovers best if it’s in a little bit of motion.
How fun that you were able to run in a race so close to home and congrats to both kiddos on their fantastic times! The only race I can walk to is on Thanksgiving morning and it’s a little less than a half mile to the starting line.
great mileage this week! and how fun that you and B actually got to go out on a solo date!! I don’t have kids at home (I have stepkids, we had every other weekend so we were always together with them when they were with us – logical right?) but I can imagine there is a LOT of coordination that comes into play.
So we don’t have a ton of events here in Arnhem, but if there is something and we are signed up for it, we indeed walk, or we ride our bikes. Most of the time we have to drive to where we are going but depending on distance we may also bike. For our upcoming races we will have to drive. In fact the big yearly local race in September is sadly no longer a thing.
Right now I’m doing a walk streak of minimum 1km per day, (today is day 173) so rest days have at least 1km walking in them. but lately I don’t have a lot of rest days because I’m really trying to fit everything in. I
Oh, wow. I never get to walk to races, but it would be fun! Things are easier with races because I’m the only runner in the house, and A is old enough to stay home alone. It was way more difficult in his early years.
I haven’t worn heels in forever. I can’t even imagine.
Way to go you, for getting out in the rain! It’s hardest to start when its pouring vs. start and then the rain comes.. You are a tough gal!