Final race day!

So it's been awhile since I have been on here, sorry about that! But I assure you I have been working hard! My last 5K went very well actually. I only dropped about a minute off my total time, but the difference in how I felt at the finish line, was huge. I felt good, not exhausted like my first race. I actually had fun. :) Maybe it had something to do with the fact I was listening to my ipod, or because my pace was matched the entire way by a fellow runner, but honestly I think it was my training. During my training, i did run alittle, but it wasn't all running, which actually worked in my favor. Crossfit not only made me want to work out, but it made it possible for me to work hard enough to not only finish a race, but feel good about it. So does that mean I am not nervous for today's final 5K in Brookings? Of course not, I'm not a runner, I will always be nervous about running in a race. But i am no longer nervous about finishing. And after this race, I m going to keep going with my intense workouts, and who knows, maybe even run another 5K sometime soon...or maybe even more than that? Well, let's not go crazy. :) See you at the finish line!

Race Number Two

Tomorrow is my second 5K. I am not going to lie, I am a little nervous. I have been working out regularly still, but it's mostly Crossfit. I still feel stronger, and have more endurance during my workouts, but running has always been more of a mental thing for me. One thing the tough workouts at crossfit have taught me though, is that I really can get through just about anything. Like this week we did a really intense weight lifting workout where I lifed close to 20 pounds more than I ever did. If I can do that, I can definately finish a run. That's one good thing about doing really intense workouts ... if you can get through that, then any workout will be possible. Mind over matter! Now I just have to apply that as I run tomorrow, in what I'm told could be a cold rainy day. Fun! Let me know about your workouts, and if you re seeing any results! :)

Keeping at it

I recently was feeling under the weather, so decided to take it kind of easy on the workouts. I still worked out, I just didn't do anything to intense...until yesterday. And wow, am I sore today! I fogot how sore I used to get from these tough workouts - and I only took a break for about a week from them! But I really feel better after a tough workout like that. I have to step up the workouts now ... adding more run releated workouts to everything else, because now we have ANOTHER 5K to run this month!
But I talked to one of the trainers from Crossfit when I was sick and he told me that you really have to take care of yourself when that happens. Trying to workout at your normal intensity won't help anything in the long run. If you feel you can still workout, do a stretching workout, or a lesuirely bike ride. Obviously drink lots of water and get alot of rest. It seems easy enough, but I had to be told all of this because I have been at this for so long now that I feel guilty if I don't workout. But the thing is, it's better to recover in a week than push yourself too much and be sick longer. I found it's just really important to know your limitations when it comes to how your body is feeling. (Wish the same could be said for when my body is sore ... haha... I am not looking forward to today's workout.) Let me know how you are doing and if you have any tips, especially regarding running and nutrition!

The Race

SO my first 5K! I finished! And I am very happy to say I did not stop to walk at all!! It was actually pretty fun! But the wind was brutal. And running up hills is very different from the treadmill... I will have to run outside more. I also didn't use headphones, and it wasnt bad. There was alot to see and hear along the way. SO that's cool. Well here are my final stats!

Kacner, Krystle	Total Time: 30:32
Pace: 9:50 Division Place: 46 out of 70 Gender Place: 103 out of 167 Overall Place: 205 out of 284

Well now I just have to keep at it! One down one to go! And my next goal is to finish in an earlier time!

Race Day!

So today is race number one! It really snuck up quickly! I have to admit, I am pretty nervous. I know for alot of people a 5K is no big deal. What's 3 miles, right? Well, for me it's definately something. So far, I have been sticking to training, but I haven't been actually running that much. My goal today is to finish ... not last ... without walking. That's the goal! And even though I normally can't run without music, I think I am going to try it without headphones. At least it's a beautiful day for it, right? :) I am also really sore today from a Crossfit workout on Thursday (lots of weights) so I'm nervous about that too! But I guess I just have to suck it up and do it! I mean it's alittle late to back out now - I already paid and registered!! Here goes nothing. :) Good luck to everyone else running in this one! (Cody and Jesse are doing this one too!) Happy Running!

Good News Bad News

So the bad news is of course that I haven't written on here in a very long time ... too long! The good news is I have been keeping at the workouts and nutrition and I have been noticing results! My first 5K that I ran for a time, I finished in 35 minutes and 20 seconds. Last week I ran it again and I finished in 28 minutes and 1 second! I was so very excited! And the best part is now I know I can finish without walking or stopping. It's a great feeling to be stronger in the workouts and be more confident going into them.
This past week, I worked alot of hours so working out kind of fell to the wayside. But I picked it up right away with two workouts yesterday. I've found out even if you miss a few days, there's no better way to fix that than by getting back into it with even more intensity! I've aso realized that getting into shape can be fun. I find myself looking forward to the workouts and Crossfit Classes. (It helps that there are great people working at a similar goal with me.) Let me know how you're doing with all of this. :) I will keep up with this blog more I promise! :)

Keeping at it

It's been about a month now (32 days) since we started this. I am starting to notice a difference already ... and according to our progress reports from Chris (one of our trainers) I'm not the only one noticing. Chris said that in the beginning I could barely do a squat, which is true! I was so out shape just finishing a set of something was a challenge! But now I not only finish the sets and the whole workouts, I try and do it with intensity! I lifted 35 pounds the other day! (Don't laugh, that's alot for me to workout with!) I am still sore, and still out of energy after most of my workouts, but I do feel stronger. Another thing I can really notice is the difference in my workouts when I eat well, as opposed to when I eat junk. I have much more energy to get through it. Every time that I think I can't get through it, or I can't make it to the gym, or I can't finish the workout, I realize that I have to. I can't throw away all of the work I have been doing already. I had to start practically from scratch a month ago...I don't want to start from nothing again when I feel I have already come this far in month one. So far I have been sticking to this week's schedule ... I can't quit now! :) Let me know how you are doing, and trust me, don't give up!