We Ran the Virtual Race For Grandma Lill’s 96th Birthday

Today we ran in honor of Rachelle’s Grandma Lill. 

I am not sure it was the inspiration from a lovely lady who is turning 96 soon, or if it was the Mizuno shoes, or the Tommie Copper calf sleeve and long-sleeved tee that I wore under my Running Diva shirt, or the fact that I have been feeling so great lately… or some combination of all of these things… but today I ran 5 km in 34 minutes and 39 seconds and I am thrilled!

I cannot recall the last time I ran 5km in under 35 minutes and I was really starting to wonder if it was ever going to happen again.  Thank Goodness that monkey is off my back.  I like to think that time doesn’t matter to me, but apparently it really does.

It started out like any other run.  I was going to head out alone while The Captain watched several curling draws on several different channels all at the same time… who says men cannot multi-task… and then he announced that if I could wait till 11 o’clock he would like to come with me.  Well, how could I turn that down?

So I made sure I was dressed and ready to go and just before 11 we set out to run what has become our usual 5k around our neighborhood.  It was about 5 C and calm and overcast and off we went… it felt a bit speedier, and my legs were feeling good so I thought I would just keep that pace as long as I could.  Our first 10 minute segment took us about  a block further than normal and we did a one-minute walk break. 

The next 10 minute segment took us through my favorite off-leash area on the path that parallels the Strait of Juan de Fuca and I was so happy running along watching so many different dogs running and jumping and playing with each other.  I know I picked up my pace a bit more there and the end of that 10 minutes found us a few blocks past our normal point.  Another one minute walk break and we were off again.

The third 10 minute segment was harder but I kept it up and by the time that one was done, we were only a few blocks from our 5 km mark.  I took the one-minute walk break anyway and then it was an easy 2 block sprint to the finish.

I knew it was going to be close to 35 minutes but was so excited when I checked my watch realized it was well under!  The last time we ran this same route was this past Monday and I struggled to get it done in 37:15… today was 34:39 . 

YAY!

W3 R34:39 @ 10/1 W3
stretch 10 minutes

I made sure to stretch out gooood and drink lots of water when we finished, and I got The Captain to take a celebratory picture, too.

Happy 96th Birthday, Grandma Lill!  You made my day.

 

Are you running the Virtual Race for Grandma Lill's 96th Birthday?

 

Check out the details at Livin the Sweat Life and get yourself entered.

Grandma Lill's Happy 96th Birthday Virtual 5K

Have you heard?

Rachelle, who has changed her blog name to Livin' the Sweat Life, is hosting a second annual virtual run for her Grandma Lill's birthday... this year she will be a sweet and beautiful 96.

You can run your 5km any day up until February 21st... so get on over to Rachelle's blog and enter - be sure to use the Rafflecopter form as she has some great prizes lined up this year, too.

 

 

 

 

 

Did you run last year? 

 

Are you entered yet to run this year?

Wordless Wednesday... Wow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anything special land in your mail box this last week or so?



February 5 by the 5th

Are you taking part in the 5 by 5th virtual run series that is being hosted by Laura from Mommy Run Fast? 

Today we got out and ran our 5km... my quads have been very stiff for the past several days and I knew it was going to be tough, but we headed out about 10:15, into a light breeze but a very pleasant 8C.... overcast but bright just the same.

I was right. It was a slow slog today but I used 11/1 walk breaks and got it done so I am happy for that.

And I made sure to get in a few extra minutes of stretching out my quads after I went through the rest of my stretching routine. I learned how important stretching is and am always sorry if I don't take enough time with it... besides.. it just feels so good!

 

 

And The Captain is has learned the benefits of it too, but doesn't really enjoy it all that much.

 

 

He is always more interested in the protein smoothie that awaits him when he is finished!

 

 

 

W3 R37:15 W3

stretch 15 minutes

 

 

Are you doing the 5 by the 5th virtual series?

 

Do you take to stretch out well after you run?

 

What is your favorite or most worthwhile stretch?



Sunday Stuff... Signs of Spring and Our Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday we went for a 2 hour walk around the neighborhood and along the strait, looking for signs of Spring. The past couple of weeks we have been noticing that some of the flowering shrubs are budding out and there are bulbs pushing up their green leaves everywhere so we grabbed the camera and went out for a walk.

Rhododendron

 

Daffodils

 

Snow Drops

 

Crocus

 

Peacocks growing new seasonal plumage.

 

Rhododendron

 

Checkerboard Lillies

 

I have to say that this is one of the reasons I love living on the Island.  Winter was its normal mild here this year with only a couple of nights of frost and no snow at all.

 

 

Tuesday is going to be our 22nd wedding anniversary... but because that is the day I am scheduled to have my permanent crown (see, I am a princess) put in place, we decided to celebrate last night instead....

 

We stayed in with some martinis, our favorite sushi, prawn and avocado salads and some candlelight and music and wine.

 

 

Why yes, I did eat some rice and drank some alcohol! 

 

 

This seating arrangement looks kind of odd but we moved the chairs so we were both facing our window wall which opens to the park... the bridge is lit up at night and it is a lovely view.

 

 

Would your prefer to go out to celebrate or do you like to stay in?

 

It is Spring in your corner of the World yet?