10K Training - Great Run Today! Switching Off Pace Feedback :-)

I discovered running later in life. I didn't take my first shuffling walk/run steps until I was in my late 30's. Until that time, I thought I could never be a runner. I was wrong!

Although I was side-lined by a broken foot (that's a whole other story...not due to running, but jumping rope!), I completed my first 5K race earlier this year, and will participate in my first 10K race in late November.

The race, called the Stache Dash for the Movember Foundation, will be a lot of fun since participants are encouraged to race with a mustache, both men and women, in honor of men's health. I'm also fund raising for this worthy cause, so if you feel inclined to donate, please go to my fund raising page.

Stache Dash 10K Fund Raising

I've been following a 10K training plan in the lead up to the race and have been slowly improving on pace and distance.

Today, the plan was to run 3.5 - 4.0 miles at an easy pace. But with a good break over the weekend, I ran 5 miles at 5.24 mph. I felt so good, breathing was easy, mindset was awesome and the entire run was a joy. I realized something: The amount of joy I feel on a run is directly and inversely proportional to the degree that I allow myself to worry about pace. I switched off the voice feedback on Runtastic today, didn't concern myself with pace at all....and could run and run and run...just like Forest Gump!

Finally, the song that spurred me on during this fun run - somewhat suggestive lyrics, but a great beat tht makes me smile:

Fireball, by Pitbull