Move it Memphis 10K

Hey!

This blog has "runner" in the title!  Why haven't there been running posts in a while?

Good question.

I don't know.  I started off the year with a resolution to run a 10K a day 5 days a week.  I did really well for the first month, then I got off track after getting that awful stomach virus that's going around.  Then, I got sick again with flu like symptoms.  Then, I just got really really busy.  I'm still trying to get a few in a week, but it's definitely not happening daily.

Almost finished!!  (Thanks for the photo Davis!)

I did participate in the Move it Memphis 10K last Saturday.  It was VERY cold, but it was a lot of fun.

I have done 5k (3.1 miles) races and a half-marathon (13.1 miles), but I've never actually done a 10k (6.2 miles) race.  My only goal was to finish with a pace that was below 10 minutes per mile.

Was I excited to cross the line at 52 minutes!  That's an 8:23 mile pace!!!  I was ecstatic.  I ended up being 5th in my gender/age bracket.

My friend Patty crossed the finish line around 46 minutes and got first place in our age group.  My cousin Becca beat her goal of running in less than 65 minutes!  I'm so proud of both of these ladies.  My uncle did the 5k and finished in 33 minutes.

It was a fun day with a lot of smiles.  Stella and Michael even came out to cheer me on!

Tossing my jacket before I even hit mile 1!

Stella is an awesome cheerleader!

Run Keeper

When I first used this app, I got a similar feeling I had when I ran with an iPod for the first time.

Run Keeper is a free app.

The way it works:

Download the app.

Log onto the Run Keeper website and set up your account info.  This is important, because the app can better calculate your calories burned during your run.

After you've done that, you are ready to go.

The app will sync with your music you have stored on your iPhone.

Start the app, then start running!

(One negative:  There are times when I have to restart the app, because it seems to have some sort of malfunction with the GPS.  I usually start the app, walk for 30 seconds so the GPS can locate me, then restart my run.  This is not a big deal!)

As you run, the app calculates your distance and pace.  It also calculates your calories burned.  Also, it keeps up with your elevation.  It's freaking awesome!  Every five minutes, a nice lady comes on and tells you your time, pace, and distance.

This is your home screen.  As you can see, you can select the type of activity you are completing.  You can choose between a bunch of different exercises.  Your playlist might be one you've created, or you can choose your entire iTunes library.  I honestly don't know what the coaching thing does.  The lady still tells you your time, distance, and pace even with this off. 

This is the screen I keep up during my run.  That way, I can see my current pace and average pace.  This lets me know if I need to speed up.

There are many times when I have no clue where I am during my run.  I sometimes have to stop and use my Google Maps to figure out where I am!  This is cool, because at the end of my run, I figure out exactly where I ran.  You can also access this screen during your run.

All of your saved runs are kept on this screen.  This is great, especially if you're training for a marathon.

Happy running!!!