The First Ever "No-Pay 10K"

Saturday morning, my running girlfriends and I finally--FINALLY--did our first ever "No Pay 10K!" I'm happy to report that it was a smashing success--even if it was perhaps not a strict ten kilometers.  (The three of us who ran didn't have a garmin or anything, so it was really just a "Run until we feel like stopping."  nonetheless, I think we went at least 5K...probably more.  The idea was born back in December, after the "Jingle-all-the-way 10K."  That race cost, I think about thirty or forty dollars and the girls I run with and I decided that we should meet regularly for a DIY-race (for free).  Basically it's just an excuse to get together and run, but it's more fun if we call it a "race." :)



Where's Waldo? (Spring 2010)

I usually run races with these three other girls about 3 or 5 times a year, but we all live far away and all have different/hectic schedules, so we don't get to see each other very often outside of these races.  We typically pick an outfit theme for our foursome so we can all match and run together. (for the JATW 10K, we were reindeer and last spring, we were "Where's Waldo?".)  So, we've been trying to convene for our No-Pay 10K since January, and finally did it this weekend.  We met in Baltimore for this first one, because the girl who lives up there had traveled the furthest (my house) last time we got together.  Also, we were going to try to hook-up with a running group that was meeting at the same time and place.  Unfortunately, although we saw lots of runners out and about, no one seemed to be in any sort of formed group, or waiting around for one either.  Maybe everyone felt the hurricane-force winds and decided to stay inside?  Hmmm...
So, it was just us--three out of our foursome--running around Baltimore, in Patterson Park and along the water--beautiful and sunny!  Also, very very windy! We were running against the wind for long stretches and at one point, a mound of sand/dirt from a construction site was blown straight into our face. (painful!)
Other than that, it was a fun run, and a great excuse to get together to chat and catch up. 

Also, I got to test out my new running shoes, and they felt amazing!  I bought two new pairs of running shoes, some Nike's at the official running store that feel like they are made for my feet, and some Brooks online, because they were cute, purple, and on-super-sale.  I tried the Brooks on Saturday for our No-Pay 10K, and I tried the Nikes on Sunday, on the treadmill.  Both, I'm happy to report, are amazing!--Very comfortable and supportive! I'm so excited to have new shoes!!

This was also my first run since my foot-sprain has healed.  It felt great....I didn't feel out of shape or struggling at all. Phew! I'd been worried about that, since I honestly haven't run in almost three weeks.  But, it was not bad at all, and I'm so happy to be getting moving more again. Hopefully I can squeeze in a few runs in Miami this week....Keep your fingers crossed.