So, I signed up for a women only 5K this past Saturday.  It was billed as run/walk, you could do either or both.  I decided I would racewalk it just so I could get an idea of where I am for the 6K up in Los Angeles in April.  I did it in 42:53, 13.50/M!  Not too bad.  I have to admit it really made me feel good to pass the run/walkers and I even passed a couple of joggers. It was really fun passing the ones that were much younger than me!  Yeah, I said it. All in all, it was a really fun event and made me pretty confident for training to start on Monday the 22nd and get ready for the 6K walk in April.

Then.  I got up the next day.

So, when people tell you to stretch before and after working out, they're not kidding.  Especially when you're doing a pace or length you're not used to.  O.  M.  G.  I was SO sore.  I even went to the gym with my husband and couldn't manage a sloooow walk on the treadmill.  I stretched for the entire hour.  It was brutal.  Please.  I beg of you.  Stretch.  Warm up.  Your muscles will thank you.

I did realize if I can walk that pace for 5K, there's no reason I can't slowly jog that far.  I decided to try it out this week. I woke up early and attempted to jog a two mile stretch in my neighborhood, fully expecting to have to walk about 1/2 mile in.  Not at all!  I jogged 95% of it.  I took a short break coming up a hill on the way back and a short piece at the end.  I was pretty pleased with myself.  It was slooow but it was farther than I've jogged/run without stopping in a long time.  Yes, I stretched when I got home.  And I'm only a little sore today.  Going back out tomorrow to see if I cam improve my time/endurance.  

Keep going!  And stretch!