Practice 10k + a giveaway- ENDED
Practice 10k COMPLETE!
(not pushing the jogging stroller, though. The Pilot walked with Liv since he has a PT test tomorrow and wanted to have fresh legs)
I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to do it, but my killer playlist got me through. Even with the steep Sabino incline and a walk break in the middle (and in the snow.. with 40 lbs of sand on my back.. haha), I managed to hit a post-baby PDR and finished the practice 10k in 58 minutes.
I really wanted my practice 10k to be at Sabino because of the incline. If I can bust an hour on this, then I can definitely do it for the race. I’m fortunate to have a baby who loves the jogging stroller, weather that’s getting much cooler, and many safe, beautiful places to run in Tucson. I feel like I have the Sabino main trail memorized because I’ve ran it so many times, but every time we go, I see something different. I’ll never take the beauty of Sabino Canyon for granted, and with all of the recent summer monsoons, everything is lush and green instead of brown and dried out.
I’ve been running with my new Garmin Forerunner 10, that the company kindly sent me to try out. I instantly noticed how LIGHT and small the new Forerunner is. It’s so much more compact than my 305 that I’d been using, which kind of looks like I can press a button and blast off, or like I have a small video game system attached to my wrist. The new Forerunner just looks like a small sporty watch, with all of the necessary functions for walking and jogging: satellite detection so it can tell you your pace and distance (even cheers you on when you set a new record!), estimate of calories burned, easy to pause and restart.
Here’s a video of the new Forerunner, which gives and idea of how user-friendly and small it is:
the fact that it comes in pink is a bonus, too 😉
I ran with my Forerunner as I have been, and loved the fact that I could quickly glance down and see how I was doing.
I knew I had to make it a little past 3 miles into the canyon, and the miles are clearly marked on large boulders. Every rock I saw in the distance, I would PRAY that it would say mile three and was discouraged quite a few times.
Finally.
I walked for a few minutes and flew back down -why is the way back so much easier?!
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve wondered if I’d be able to run the half marathon, despite my training time constraints. Every run solidifies the fact that I’d be mad at myself if I did it. I’d rather do the 10k and feel good about it, instead of be crawling across the half marathon finish line or picked up by the “slow truck.”
How’s that humble pie taste? Kinda like macaroon dough….
I made a batch to send to a reader as a thank-you gift, and wanted to share some with a lucky giveaway winner, too.
Garmin was so kind to offer a new Forerunner 10 -just released last week- to a lucky Fitnessista reader, and I’ll also send some chocolate macaroons.
**************This giveaway has ended! Thank you so much to everyone for entering, and congratulations to the winner:
Lauren, the Forerunner and macaroons winner:
| Ever since I started running races, my dad has been at every single one, no matter the weather or how it might inconvenience him. But every mile matters to me because my dad has stage 4 cancer, meaning he won’t go into remission. He probably won’t be there to walk me down the aisle. But when I run, whether it’s a tough hill on a training run or when I feel like giving up in a race, I think of him and know that no matter how much pain he’s in, he never complains, so there’s no reason for me to, either. I’m running my third half marathon in a month and every mile will be for him. |
And also congratulations to the second and third place winners, who will receive these awesome Garmin water bottles:
Amy
| Every mile matters to me because…
It means that I am healthy and that I can set an example for both girls and women in my community. A runner does not have to look a certain way, and in fact runners do not all fit that “runner” stereotype. I love racing because I get to continually challenge my own stereotypes about people and LOVE when an older woman passes me by. Also, I run so I can set an example for my students-create a goal and really go after it, learn to persevere. They know me as the running teacher. |
and
Vera
I have to be honest and say that since I have had my children ( Aria, 4 years and Jax, 7 months), I haven’t been into running very much. I always feel like it is too time consuming, and so I usually find myself doing a quick Zuzana workout, or another quick DVD I have at home that I can do in the evening once the kids are in bed. But lately, and especially since the weather is beginning to cool down, I would really love to get back into it. And I would love to show my daughter that being healthy and enjoying the outdoors are very important and enjoyable 
ps – Gina, I LOVE your blog. I am hooked. |
Please send me your shipping info so I can forward it to the Garmin fairy 🙂
Thank you again so much for the awesome entries! Stay tuned for more giveaways in the very near future.
xoxo
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I could barely run a mile when I was out of shape. When I got in shape, I never ran. My first mile was amazing. Then I kept running and finished a 5K. It’s nothing big but it’s amazing to know that not only can I run 3.1 miles, but I can run it faster than I ever can. I finally worked up to 4 miles. It’s a slow and steady progress. Each mile gets easier – it’s the first few that are killer.
Oh! And every mile is another barrier that I’ve broken down. I never thought I could be a runner but I can!
Every mile matters to me because I’m so thankful to be able to physically get up each day and move my body when so many that want, can’t.
Every mile matters to me because I am just starting my journey. I have been extremely unhappy with my weight and overall health for a while and it’s time for a big change. I have just starting my running and after a long day of teaching and coaching it can be so cathartic.
I am changing my lifestyle for my health, happiness and life.
Every mile matters to me socially, spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Running is my passion and each mile takes me deeper into happiness.
Every mile matters because it is one mile of determination, willpower, and sweat closer to my goals! I was not born with any natural athletic ability so I really have to push myself to get out there. It also is an instant mood lifter and really helps me to de-stress from the pressures of my job!
Every mile I run (slowly plodding along at my own little speed) equals an opportunity to honor the strength of my body and its ability to help me shuffle off the stress of the day and enjoy some peace. Running is my zen.
Every mile counts for me because it reminds me of what my body is able to do and that i can accomplish any goal I set my mind to.
Every mile matters to me because I want to be a good example for my two daughters. Before I had them I didn’t think I could run and didn’t understand how to work out or eat properly. Now I am in the best shape of my life, even with “bad” knees. I’ve not only improved my physical strength, I’ve become mentally stronger too. I want to show my daughters that when obstacles seem impassible, they have the strength, intelligence, and ability to overcome these barriers that happen in life.
Every mile matters to me because it means that much more confidence. I am on a weight loss journey – 28 lbs lost so far, and I never thought I could get this far. After each run I feel like I’ve accomplished so much!
Every mile matters to me because…
It means that I am healthy and that I can set an example for both girls and women in my community. A runner does not have to look a certain way, and in fact runners do not all fit that “runner” stereotype. I love racing because I get to continually challenge my own stereotypes about people and LOVE when an older woman passes me by.
Also, I run so I can set an example for my students-create a goal and really go after it, learn to persevere. They know me as the running teacher.
Oh, and those chocolate macaroons would be a great way for me to carbo load for my marathon! 😉
I want to do this for my kids and every mile matters cause very second with hem is precious
Every mile to me is just that- For ME! Running is one thing I can do for myself without having to worry about a thing, in fact its my destressor. As a mom of twins I need a little time to relax after a crazy day or to gear up for the day ahead! It makes me a better mother, wife and friend!
Born to run was definitely not the way I would describe myself. I always had an idea of myself as someone who is not sporty or coordinated or particularly physically capable. Running was a way to challenge that idea of myself- every mile matters because it teaches me that I am capable, my body is an amazing machine that responds to training and can do amazing things.
Ever since this January I’ve been so thankful for every mile I’ve ran or even walked, for that matter.
My boyfriend’s best friend (a good friend of mine, too) who’s now 21 had to have his other leg amputated all the way up at the groin. He was completing his militairy service, and his flu had been going on for a couple of months already, but they didn’t let him miss any practices in the army. His cough really sounded like death, so it’s unbelievable that the nurses just told him to keep running etc. even though he kept going to them many times a week asking for medicine or some time off.
One afternoon he started feeling some pain in his leg, which only got worse. The nurses sent him BACK to his room (~10min walk from their reception) to change into his “vacation” clothes so he could be taken into the hospital. After he got into the ambulance, he passed out, and spent a couple of months in a coma and had to get the leg amputated. He also had to get multiple skin transplants from all over his body, and the remainder of the leg is too short for him to get a fake leg. They put him through some operation where they took some of his back muscle and put it in the leg in order for the fake leg to fit, but the operation failed. He’s gone through multiple bad infections after the leg got amputated, and to say he’s been depressed about this whole ordeal is an understatement.
I’m just thankful he’s getting better every day, and that his friends have never left his side through all this. We should always remember that anything can happen to anyone of us, and live every day to the fullest.
After not running for months while I was pregnant, and now with an 11-week-old baby, I have slowly been building my running back up – distance and stamina. Every mile counts – even every quarter mile counts!! Run/walking counts too 🙂
Hello Miss Gina!
Where would you like me to send you my information?
Thanks!!
fitnessista at gmail dot com 🙂 xoxo