PR

1) to run your best time in a race of a specific distance (personal record)


As I mentioned in a previous post -- we had a series of three 10ks that we were set to run in prep for our first half. While training in longer runs, I have found that I really like 10ks and in doing three organized races it has given me the chance to PR in this specific distance.

To recap, I ran the Snohomish Women's 10k on May 18th finishing in 59:19. Then it was on to the Emerald City 10k and lastly the Shore Run.

Roz and I signed up for the Emerald City 10k for three reasons: 1) the course is a 10k version of our half (running around Lake Union, starting and ending at Gas Works Park), 2) we found a SUPER good deal on Zozi (its like Groupon for Outdoorsy people) and 3) the medals looked SWEET (#questformedals)!

The Emerald City run was on a overcast morning on May 24th -- not the most beautiful day, but perfect running weather. The course was a feast for the eyes, as you always had a view of the lake over your left shoulder and it was mostly flat. We ran into some hills around mile 5 which took some strength (and slowed us down a bit) but was good to know for the future when we would run into this on our half. We ended with a time of 1:00:22, averaging 9:44 per mile.

The packet pickup was easy and convenient, the shirts were hilariously awesome, the course was flat with a challenge at the end, and post race celebration was fun! I would definitely recommend this race -- maybe next year I will give the 15k a go! 

The last run of our 10k series was the Shore run, on June 6th. I was really excited for this run as I know many people who have completed it and raved about the course. The only negative here is that there was no medal -- but the shirt is a really nice performance tee. 

The course was unlike any run I have done in the past, as you start at one park and run along the shore to finish at another park. It is great because you don't encounter "turn-around syndrome" where you are watching runners on their way back as you are still on your way out (trust me, it kills your mojo). Additionally the views from this course are STUNNING. I didn't think you could beat the beauty of Lake Union, but this course gave the Emerald City 10k a run for its money (pun intended). 

Overall, the course was flat and fast -- the only "hill" was a stretch of incline which was not as brutal as the short steep hills in the Emerald City 10k. I ended up rocking the Shore Run with a PR of 57:51, with an average of 9:30 per mile pace! I am very happy with my time, pace, and progress!

I am so thankful that training in distance has turned me on to 10ks. I am looking forward to finding more races in this distances and as I work to be a stronger running I hope to have a future full of PRs! 

SWEAT

1) to perspire, especially freely or profusely
2) to exude moisture, as green plants piled in a heap or cheese
3) to gather moisture from the surrounding air by condensation.
4) (of moisture or liquid) to ooze or be exuded
5) (informal) to work hard

You may have noticed a new badge on my blog, to the right of the posts... and wondered what that was about. Well...

I am proud and excited to announce some fun news:
I am now a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

The Sweat Pink Ambassador community is:
"a place for enthusiastic, positive, inspirational people to connect and support each other in reaching their goals around health, fitness, life... and more. It's a place where we come together and celebrate what we have and reach for even more. It's a place where new friendships spark and running buddies find each other; where you'll always find a cheerleader or a word of advice."

The Sweat Pink mission:
"We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We've learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick."

This is the first blog community I have joined and I have already been inspired by these women. It is so helpful to be included in forums about running or training for a half marathons and fun to get opportunities to review health-related products. You will see me participating in these as much as I can, as well as using the #sweatpink tag on instagram.

Also, I have 10 sets of pink shoelaces that I am going to give away to girls who inspire me to keep progressing toward my fitness goals! Could that be you?

Again, I am really proud to be part of this community. I look forward to bringing you along with ride with me as I continue to SWEAT.