This is the third race I participated in for Veterans Day weekend! It was the Heart of America Run held to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. While WWP is the benefactor of my Charity Miles (which I log when I do my practice runs and walks), this race was the third one I’ve done for WWP since I started running again in September. Just in case you aren’t familiar with this organization, they serve to raise awareness to assist in the needs of severely injured service individuals. I’ve witness firsthand the amazing work they do in helping our veterans and active military. It’s always a privilege to run in their honor.
I opted for the 5K and as you can see from my time below, it wasn’t my best. I could sit here and blame my bum knee, but really, I’ll be honest…. I ran this after over a week of no exercise, which included several days out in Los Angeles. Any time I’m out in California, usually running is the last thing on my mind! However, once I returned back to regular life, the reality of my 5K time was a kick in the butt. I know I need to ramp it up and work harder to improve my times and endurance.
At the same time, I do have to remember that this is all in the name of charity, and I did FINISH the run. That’s what matters most, right? I finished and my registration fee went to a great cause.
It’s been cold, and my knee is really starting to hurt more. I’ve started icing it again at night, so I hope that helps! I admit though, with the cold weather, I haven’t been great about getting in my walks or practice runs. Definitely need to change that up! I know, I really shouldn’t complain about the conditions. I need to just remember our veterans and troops and why I choose to run in their honor. They sacrifice so much to ensure my freedom… I think I should be able to suck up an hour of cold weather for them!
Now I have just a little over a week before I’m running in the Annapolis Running Classic. Super nervous!! It’s a 10K, and this is the first time I’ve ever participated in a race of that distance. Tips are appreciated to help me with the process of double my running mileage. Wish me luck!
I still have two more races to go this month. One to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, and another to benefit the USO. After that I think I might need to switch to a treadmill and focus on just virtual races.
All opinions are 100% my own.
Great job on the running! There is an app my friend told me about called Couch to 5K or something like that. It’s a free app that trains you for running a marathon, whether it’s a 5K, 10K, ect. I think it might help you out! :) Good luck!
Serena
Thrift Diving
Congratulations! That’s awesome. One of these days I will start running myself.
Way to go! I’m doing my first real 5K next month.
I’m not a runner, myself, but congratulations on even running a 5K! That’s a pretty awesome thing, regardless of your time.
Good for you! I actually hate running. But it’s great that you finished anyway and that you’re doing it for a great cause!
Way to go!! How amazing that you are doing two more races still. I don’t know if I’d make it through one. It’s such a great cause though!
Great. I like the way you respect the veteran.
this is so wonderful! Way to go, I wish I could do something like this.