I never in a million years ever thought I would like running or consider myself something close to a runner. I’m so glad that running is sticking this time around. I realize that this time I started out much slower than before by following the 0-5K All Walk program from Prevention Magazine. I started the program over a few times when I would miss several days of training at the beginning and I know for sure it took me a lot longer than 6 weeks like it says.

According to the Nike+ app that I use on my iPhone to track my runs, both on the treadmill and on the track, in 2012 I logged 48.8 miles in 11:24:32, with an average pace of 14’02″/mile. This total includes the Arthritis Foundation of Northern California Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K on 12/15/12.

The Jingle Bell Run/Walk was an interesting experience. It was my first organized race. Although I signed up for the untimed group because I was afraid of how slow I was going to be. A couple of friends had signed up to walk/run with me so I knew going into it that I wouldn’t be doing it alone. Mr. Bubbinsky, Mr. Snugglebunny and my mom also came to support and cheer me on. I felt good going into it, even though I hadn’t had a proper run for about 10 days beforehand. I knew that I had already run the 5K distance on the treadmill so it was just a matter of pushing through it. I had a major problem though, since it was about 43 degrees at race time I had a very hard time breathing. It felt like my chest was closing up, at the end of the first lap I asked Mr. Bubbinsky if he had his albuterol inhaler with him. I’ve had bronchitis and pneumonia before so I’m familiar with the feeling of bronchial spasms. Unfortunately, he didn’t have it with him. I pushed through and kept going for the second lap. Luckily, I had a great pair of compression leggings, a Dri-Fit top layered under my caped Wonder Woman t-shirt that my cousin and her wife gave me as a gift for race day so the cold didn’t bother me aside from the breathing.

Before the run started

I did end up walking a lot of the distance due to my breathing problem but I finished the 5K in under 34 minutes. I did have some moments of disappointment when I had to stop to walk, I was set on running the whole thing. Mr. Bubbinsky pointed out that I had tears in my eyes when I crossed the finish line, I got emotional during the last part of the race. I couldn’t believe that I had actually finished a 3.11 mile race. Even a year ago I never would have thought I could do it. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing it again.

My 2013 goals include at least two half-marathons. I’ve already signed up for the See Jane Run Half-Marathon for the San Francisco Bay Area, it will be on 6/8/13. I am also hoping to run the Nike Women’s Half-Marathon sometime in October, they haven’t announced the date yet. I’ve already started a spreadsheet with potential runs so that I can space them out and not try to overdo it this year. There are definitely some other 5Ks and half-marathons that I’m interested in.

I’ve looked up a bunch of half-marathon training programs online. There are so many different ones out there, it’s amazing! For right now, my weekday runs will be at home on the treadmill. We bought a new to us treadmill on Craigslist since we weren’t able to repair the other one.  Weekend runs will be at the track, I have to get out there and get used to the cold air. My doctor suggested using the inhaler before a run outside in the cold. If that doesn’t work then I won’t be doing much outdoor running during the cold months. Mr. Bubbinsky is happily doing this with me. He is my best cheerleader and I’m so glad that he has decided to try out running with me.

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Do you have an excellent training plan you’d like to share? Do you have any running or other fitness goals this year? Tips, tricks or anything else you’d like to share, please share in the comments.