Saturday was the Great Race of Agoura Hills. I ran my first 5K there two years ago, when trying to lose my Susie baby weight. I hated it, but it was effective. And after watching a slug like me complete a race, my way-more-active mom caught the running bug and starting running 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. So when I saw that the 5K was scheduled for her birthday this year, I convinced her that the best way to celebrate would be to come out and run a 5K together with me! The bummer this time was that I didn’t wean Janie until the week of the race (Susie had weaned shortly after I started training, so I had a lot more energy), and we had two weeks-long illnesses this winter that zapped my energy and my ability to work out, so I hadn’t had a chance to complete the 9 week training program this time around. It was a lot harder this year, though less miserable running with my mom (who gave me pep talks the whole race), but I did manage to keep running the whole time. I was definitely slower than two years ago–didn’t break half an hour. Oh well!
And…I just don’t like running. I don’t enjoy it, and I don’t feel the need to ever run or train for another 5K. I think I want to set a hiking goal next, because I really do enjoy walking, and there are tons of hiking trails around here. I still have 15 lbs that I want to lose before we go to London this summer (and 25 lbs of baby weight total that I want to lose by next year at this time), but I’m going to hopefully do that by eating less dessert and doing exercise that I don’t hate.
Definitely don’t do exercise you don’t like when there are so many other options. Hiking is a good idea! You get the extra stress relief from being out in nature. Also we have a friend who lost over a hundred pounds just by hiking several times a week.
Congratulations!!! Completing a goal is a great booster and deciding on “other” avenues to follow is move forward thinking. I like it!! I hate to run too…. and I don’t want to jar my “newish” joints either..
Congratulations for finishing your 5K – and it looks like you and your mom had a great bonding time. I can’t wait to see you….next week!!