My new hobby...

I have no idea what came over me, but I have taken up running. Not some piddly "I'm gonna go out and run a mile today because I am bored crap," but for real, like I want to be able to actually run a full race kinda run. I can't quite run a whole race straight, and I despise hills, but I am getting out there, and improving my time a little.

So far?
9/12/09: Hog Jog (my first 5k) and I finished in 41:08. Pretty much at the back of the pack. I later found out that the course was incredibly hard (lots of HILLS throughout), but hey, I finished.

9/26/09: Hit the Brixx. I randomly registered for this. I think out of sheer boredom from running in the neighborhood and the draw of free pizza (eh, not the best) and beer (Yummy Carolina Blond Pumpkin). I can tell you, life's not too tough when you have just run/walked 3.1 miles, had some pizza, and a large cup 'o beer, all before 10am. Took a nice long nap after that one. Course wasn't as bad as I had heard, but the run back up 7th was not all that fun (steady, long uphill battle). Time? 40:24 (hey, small improvements, right?)

Coming up? This is where it gets a little crazy. I started registering left and right. Yes, I know that these things cost money, but that's ok.

10/3/09: Susan G. Komen Race for the cure. Heard the crowds impeded on running time. I am looking at this as a save the boobies run more than improve my time run. I plan on running with the camera, so I should get some great shots of Charlotte, the crowds, and most importantly, the true heroes - the survivors.

10/17/09: LungStrong 5k. Jim's dad will be here that day for the NASCAR race, so I figured I need to escape the craziness that is Speedway (err Bruton Smith) Blvd and head up to Cornelius for a good cause.

10/25/09: Capital Region Special Surgery Race for Hope. Yep, you heard me. Heading up to good, old smAlbany for this race. Oh and to see my family! Looking forward to a cooooold run!

10/31/09: My pre-Halloween going out run. I am SO looking forward to this one. It's the Runway 5k...yes, on a runway. First, no HILLS! Second, how cool is it to run on a runway? With planes?? Jim will be sure to get some good shots.

11/7/09: Dowd YMCA 5k. I really don't know much about this one. I needed a race in November, and when I registered, this is all I could find for November at the time. But its good practice for the big one (haha) in November.

So, I still need to register for:
11/21/09: Either the Lake Normal Jingle Jog or the Santa Scramble. Not sure which one yet. I like the thought of the SS because it starts off the holiday parade. We will see, I have until the end of Oct. to decide.

11/26/09: Yes, Thanksgiving!! Time for the Turkey Trot 8k. Eek, yeah, its only a little under 2 miles further, but that's pretty huge for me. As the days go by, though, I am more convinced that I want to do it. Plus, then the guilt of Turkey Day indulgence can GO AWAY!

And rounding out 2009 (maybe??)
12/12/09: Charlotte's Thunder Road Jingle Jog. Not the marathon, or the half. We're talking 5k. With Jingles on your shoes. Fun.

My first 5k was supposed to be the Komen this weekend. I have done 2. My second was supposed to be in March of 2010. I have 7 scheduled. So, yeah...I've been motivated.

Coming up in March is the Disney Princess 5k. Yes, Disney. As in Florida. SO excited.

Now, if I could only motivate myself to finish writing the cruise review!!