Fit for the Fourth: Day 12

It's no secret that running is great for your body. Physical activity can prevent everything from a common cold to cancer. But its hard to get motivated to get off the couch and run. I don't know about you, but this summer heat isn't helping me to get my running shoes on.

Fridays were going to be my cheat day, but on this particular day I was in West Palm Beach for the annual SunFest 5k! Its starting to become quite the tradition. While most runs are early in the morning to beat the heat. This run is held at 5pm and it is just starting to cool down from the midday heat (if at all) around this time in West Palm.

I use to run back in high school and I think my PR was under 23 minutes. Last year I ran 32 minutes in the SunFest 5k! Not quite where I was back in the day. Ha! However... this year Sam ran with me and his race time last year (without training) was 22 minutes. So to say the least, It was sweet of him to run with me and it picked up my time a little. We ended the race right around 30 minutes. So that is a little progress right? I strongly recommend running a 5k. You may not think you are ready, but you can always do it at your own pace. A lot of participates run and walk.

Track Shack here in town is a huge supporter of the Leadership Winter Park Program, so when I signed up for the 2 mile race in March some of the great Track Shack employees weren't quite satisfied with my decision. The morning of the race they talked me into running the 10k. I had never done a 10k before and frankly I was a little terrified. The only thing that made me comfortable was that about half way through the race we ran right by my neighborhood, so I figured if I passed out or couldn't make it at least Id be near home.

I started the morning off running the 2 mile race. And I felt really good. On my own I had run about 7 miles before as a work out so I thought I might have it in me this particular morning to do the 10k also that started 30 minutes after I ended the 2 mile. I decided to go for the distance dare. The last mile of the 6.2 was rough, but I made it. A total of 8.2 miles! I was proud of myself and it was a new accomplishment.

There are so many benefits to running and races are a fun way to keep track of your progress. Running with a partner can make it even more fun! Try one and I promise you won't regret it. Track Shack has some really great ones!

Trackshack.com