A 5K, more giveaways and being a girl!

Good afternoon everyone! I have had an exciting day so far! Yesterday was one of my friend's birthdays, so we all went out and hung out ridiculously late and I got home and went to bed at 3:30am! The problem with this is that I had to wake up at 5:45am for the 5K race at the Zoo! I was definitely exhausted, but I still ran it in 30:44, which for me is a PR. I know that that time is slow in comparison to others, but I'm trying to focus on the huge improvement I made and not fall into the comparison trap! I have been running more consistently and improve my endurance, and I was so proud of myself after the race today because I felt like my work has been paying off. I literally started sobbing (or trying really hard not to!) at the finish line just because I felt relieved and happy and I was very tired (and emotional--thanks to being a girl! Don't know if the period is going to show up, but I'm definitely VERY emotional today!) so tears are hard to hold off on. But I also am so inspired to keep running. I know that Kath posted this following several days ago, but I wanted to share it anyway, because I thought it was beautiful:

You know the saying that your only competition is yourself? Well I don’t even think you can compare yourSELF race to race because there are just so many variables. Races are not science experiments!!!!!!! Factors like sleep, temperature, HILLS, crowds, GI tracts, fuel, hydration, weather, emotions all create so much variation that you really can’t even compare annual races. This year has a totally difference course with different hills and terrain, so I will do my best to run fast, but to compare myself with last year to a T isn’t a fair test.

Just like weight, calories, weight lifting reps, etc. – we cannot let the numbers override the pride of finishing strong.

To that I say, "Amen."

Needless to say, I came home and took a nap and I still don't feel great. I'll post food pictures tomorrow but today I just wanted to leave you with two giveaways around the blog world.

Julie GoLean is giving away candy! Sweet tooth satisfaction! Woo!

The Good Deal Gal is having a Nature Valley prize pack giveaway!

Have a good night everyone! I'm going to go to Starbucks now and try to get some work stuff done. (Bookkeeping for my violin lessons...being self-employed can be a tremendous pain!)