MORE Races!

I admit it. I miss running.

Yesterday I ran for the first time since my half marathon (so about a week break) and lordy I missed it. What? Am I crazy? (Wait. Don't answer that). I only did 2 miles (trying to ease myself back in) but it was amazing. NOTHING beats a run when it comes to working out.

But I had to do it on the treadmill thanks to this Seattle-like weather we're having. I can't wait for the sun so I can run outside again! The treadmill was HARD! So not used to that anymore. But it felt great nonetheless.

So when I got back to my desk after my lunchtime run and there was an email from Priorfatgirl for a FREE 5K, I signed up without hesitation.

Her company is sponsoring the Heartbeat 5000, which raises money for Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. And because of the sponsorship, family and friends could sign up for free! I jumped on that.

The one snag: it's June 26. The last weekend in June is a busy one for me. Friends in town and Pride (here's my post-Pride post from last year--it's a lot of eating out and LOTS of drinking). But instead of instantly thinking "Hmm, that weekend doesn't work for me!" I realized, hey running 3 miles at 9 a.m. means I'll get my workout in before everyone gets up! Perfect. And it will give me reason to stay in Friday night (save money and cals, very good).

So I'm all signed up and super excited! Plus, PFG has been rockin' 5ks lately, can't wait to run with her!

Then almost exactly one month later, I've signed up for my second 10k! The Heart of Summer 10K. I'm running it with Sarah and we've got a heckuva goal: to run it in less than one hour! I finished my 10K in April in 1 hour 1 minute, so I'm feeling confident with this goal. Plus, we're going to get our train on. Should be fun.

And I wanted to get another 10K in before I run the Twin Cities 10 Mile October 3rd. I'm really excited for this one. The 10 Mile runs (no pun intended) in conjunction with the TC Marathon and is a HUUUGE run. Like, waiting list huge. But here's a cool perk of my job: I get to run as a member of the media and don't have to worry about lotteries and waiting lists. Different teams from different local media run against eachother. Star Tribune vs. Pioneer Press vs. City Pages vs. us, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, and so on. Last year we won first (I work with a lot of runners!) so the pressure is on to get a good time. I welcome the challenge.

I'm excited for all of my races and might even try to get another one in between the 10k and 10 mile. I just wish there were more free ones so signing up for races wouldn't affect my budget!

Oh and speaking of running, I downloaded some new jams for my half marathon that I'm still addicted to. Maybe they'll give you the same boost they've given me?

- "Break Your Heart" Taio Cruz and Ludacris
- "Up and Up" Relient K
- "Somebody to Love" Justin Bieber. NOT the version with Usher! ugh.
- "Riding Solo" Jason DeRulo
- "OMG" Usher feat. Will.I.Am.
- "Airplanes" B.o.B. feat. Haley Williams. Great for cooldown.