The Phoenix 10k

After the wedding and honeymooon, Chase and I were feeling a little bit out of shape. We thought at the time of the wedding, we would be in the best shape of our lives, but with me working crazy shifts and all the preparing that went into the wedding, we definitely did NOT have time to work out near as much as we liked. In fact, the four days leading up to the wedding, we had been going to bed at around 4am and getting up at 9 or 10am! (Chase graciously helped me with my arts and crafts projects). That, coupled with the way we ate on the honeymoon (really, really good, but really, really unhealthy), we were feeling a big sluggish when we got to Arizona. So last week we decided we would go for a middle distance race and try a 10k. I have never run in a race before in my life (if you don't count fitness tests). Chase, on the other hand, used to run cross country in high school (for the sole purpose of getting out of basketball preseason workouts because the two seasons overlapped). Anyway, so we just started training for this 10k, or 6.2 miles. We have different methods. Chase just goes out and runs and tries to go farther each time (he said that's what worked for him in high school). I, however, am going to need a plan if I expect to run the entire way, and not get passed by anything being pushed in a stroller. I have researched a plan I am loosely following that combines distance running, with adequate rest, and cross training. I will probably throw some strength training in there, although last time that happen, I crushed my ipod (still works, just busted screen).

I realize that a 10k is not that far of a distance, really. I think that is why we chose it to start with. Who knows, we could maybe want to do a half-marathon after this, and I may really start to enjoy running. This is very far fetched though. We chose the 10k because it's not near as intimidating at the half-marathon, but a challenge. A 5k would be too easy (for Chase).

This 10k is part of the Arizona state fair, which I guess is pretty popular amongst all the state fairs. It is in early November. We've given ourselves a lot of time to train!

The hardest part is just making yourself go run, knowing it's going to be long, and hard, and boring. If any one has any suggestions about running at 10k, or making it fun, or training for one, feel absolutely free to let me know!