2018 3TV Phoenix 10k

This was my first time participating in Phoenix’s longest running 10k so I was super excited to cross it off my list.

The course is great–flat, fast, and PR friendly. And yep, I certainly benefitted from it finishing in 45:41, over a minute and thirty seconds improvement from my last 10k two years ago!

Thank you, Athlinks!

I was ecstatic, obviously, to PR and meet my time goal (which was 45:xx), PRs getting harder to snag and all. But, I have to admit that I was disappointed in my execution.

Oh, Helly….

The plan was to start at or around 7:25 and try to progress from there, but yeah, that didn’t happen. Of course, like most people say when they start out too fast, it felt good at the time, lol! And honestly, I didn’t look at my watch so I didn’t really know how fast I was going until the mile split rang. I knew 6:54 for a first mile was ridiculous, and I did try to slow down, and felt like I did–only to see mile two ring in at 7:01.

I knew I was in trouble then.

It never crossed my mind that perhaps I could maintain that pace. I knew I would slow down and I wanted to try my hardest to soften the damage, PR still in mind.

And sure enough, miles 3 and 4 were a struggle but nothing compared to miles 5 and 6 where I felt like I was running with sand bags for legs. I kept trying to surge, maintain frame, and not fully lose control. But it was hard.

When I turned the final corner (there were a lot of them), I saw the clock and saw that 45 was still there. I ran with whatever was left in me to squeeze in. And I did it!! Some how, some way I managed to not completely fall apart! #WIN

So while I am happy I met the 45:xx, 7:15 avg pace goal I had, I am a teensy bummed it was so ugly, lol! And not even pretty ugly–you know what I mean? I know the rules, I know better, so it’s hard for me to even say this is a lesson learned because I. already. know. this. lesson.

My husband, gosh I love him, told me, “Hey, if you reverse the miles and go backwards, you would’ve loved the splits!”

Which is true–so in my mind from now on, I’ll read the splits in reverse. Ha!

And yes, I will still gladly accept my new 10k PR, Athlinks! ❤

PR!!!!

–Have you gotten an ugly PR?

–Do you suffer from starting-out-too-fast syndrome?

Athlinks sponsored the 10k for me but I assure you, all thoughts and opinions and ugly splits are my own.

 

Progress, Not Perfection

Welp, I’m T-minus 3 days for race day!! I mentioned a 10k I have planned for on Sunday and my intentions are to run it FAST. I’m a little scared, lol!!

Truth be told, I really want a PR. And considering I haven’t actually raced a 10k, a PR isn’t too farfetched. I last ran a 10k about two years ago when my friend Amber visited me to do an Arizona race. I recommended Lost Dutchman because of its beautiful desert scenery.

Except it was cold, cloudy, and torrential down pouring that day 😦

Fun times

Despite the awful weather, we both had decent races. She placed 5th female overall and 2nd in her age group for the half marathon and I placed 1st in my age group for the 10k (even after stopping to tie my shoe!).

Amber the Runner and me ❤

I ran a 47:14 with a 7:35 average pace.

Fast forward almost two years and I feel like I can beat that…

…but by how much?

That is the big question.

I have a number goal in mind…an ambitious one, but my hope is to run the race HARD, whatever that might produce. I know my “hard” is different than my “hard” from two years ago so I’m curious to see what I can make happen given good race juju.

I’ve had some pretty good training runs lately that has boosted my confidence. But, my diet has still been realllly bad #storyofmylife

I was invited to work with a trainer at a gym called PNP Fitness (Progress Not Perfection) and while at the beginning I thought we’d be talking more things fitness, our conversations have turned to all things diet.

You all know I’ve struggled with food/eating healthy for a looooong time. I feel like each time I try and change my habits, I fall back to the same unhealthy patterns.

Meeting with Will from PNP these past few weeks has been some good tough love I’ve needed. He’s really made me confront some of the reasons I go to fast food and convenience.

Some things I already know:

-I know fast food/take out is expensive.
-I know fast food/take out is for the most part unhealthy.
-I know I’m not teaching my kids healthy eating habits.
-I know that some home cooked meals can be quick if fast and convenient is what I’m looking for.

I know those things, but I really don’t care or as bad as it sounds, care enough to change.

And that’s pretty much the honest truth right there. I don’t care enough to change my eating.

The dreaded ‘why’ question

Will started breaking out the ‘why’ questions. And I hate them, they’re annoying, but only because they make me think about something I don’t like thinking about.

He asked me why I qualified for Boston. This was interesting because it wasn’t how.

I qualified because I worked really hard, trained really hard, wanted it really bad.

I cared.

Post Boston I don’t really have anything I care about as intensely. Will asked if I wanted to get faster or if I was satisfied with where I was.

I don’t know. Sometimes I want to get faster, and sometimes I don’t care.

Will I be bummed if I don’t PR on Sunday? Yes. But I have to realize that just focusing on running can only get me so fast. At some point, other aspects of my training will have to change.

Like my diet.

Do I care enough?

.

.

.

–Is your diet an area you struggle with? Have you ever talked to someone about your diet?

–Do you struggle with caring about things?

Check out my Instagram on Sunday to see results from the 10k–wish me luck!! xoxo, helly

 

How Starting a New Job is Like Starting a New Training Plan

In my last post from a time long ago, I shared the exciting news that I am now a full-time realtor #yay! The past few weeks have found me immersed in all things real estate; it reminded of how I get when I start a new training plan.

When you start a new training plan:

…you write each workout on a calendar
…and cross off each day as you complete it
…you analyze each workout and have no doubts you’ll be able to nail it #igotthis
…you look at each week’s mileage and question if it’s not enough
…you buy new workout clothes because, well, it’s a new training cycle
…every run is exciting because you’ve. got. goals.

Similarly, when you get a new job:

…you start using the fancy calendar in your phone to track your meetings
…and promptly fill it up with events because you need to be at all the things
…you get motivated by all the new, cool stuff you’re learning
…you look at your daily tasks list and triumphantly cross things off as you do them
…you buy new work clothes because you’re #adulting
…every challenge is exciting because you’ve. got. goals.

All this lasts for about a month, right? And then…..

…the novelty wears off and all you really feel is TIRED.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m having a blast learning new things and getting the hang of real estate, but I def feel like this past month has been a bit of a blur. Things are finally beginning to settle down and I’m establishing more of a routine, which is super important to me because I thrive on structure. It’s been tough trying to manage my workouts to fit with my work schedule though, and I’ve had to move things around A LOT, but I’m proud that for the most part, I’ve only been moving and not skipping them.

Summer training was difficult, and now that fall has officially arrived and the weather has at long last shown us good temps, I’ve been able to get some more consistent running in. Of course, all the while, doing this new job thing, lol!!

I’ve got work goals, and I’ve got running goals.

Originally, I had decided to drop out of 3TV Half Marathon, but I’m feeling better about giving a race a shot. So, I’ve decided to give it a go at the 10k! I don’t remember the last time I’ve raced a 10k and I have a feeling it’s going to be painful, but I’m excited that I’m finally excited. I have a goal in mind for this race. You’ll know what it is if I hit it, LOL!! But really, I’m mostly curious to see where I’m at and have a better of idea of my fitness going into Boston Marathon training #omg.

That’s pretty much what’s up in my world. I had a friend the other day (who follows both my work and running Instagram) message me asking how I fit it all in.

One word: Caffeine

Lots of it. And in different forms. I like to go to the three C’s–Coke, Coffee, and Chocolate

Well thanks for catching up! I renewed this blog thing for another year so hopefully you’ll stick around ❤

xoxo,

helly

–Do you get excited about starting a new job and/or training plan? Do you think they’re similar in ways?

–What is your caffeine preference, if any? (If none, HOW??!!)

Pepsi=Ew

 

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