Spring is here!!

We had gorgeous weather this past weekend, Friday actually hit 80 here, with record highs! I am currently training for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 10k that takes place on May 8 here in Grand Rapids. Speaking of that, need to register soon. Keith is going the 5k. He hast lost about 23 pounds since Feb, and me, well I have just stayed the same. I have lost the same 2-5 pounds over and over again!!! Anyway, I ran about 5.5 miles yesterday around the Reeds Lake Area, my favorite place to run. Today I am going to go out for another 5 miles, not sure where yet. I am just waiting a couple hours to it reached mid 60s so I can run in shorts and a t-shirt.

I just updated my running playlist, because that keeps my running fresh and not boring, sometimes I find myself constantly pushing next on my iPod. I have over 5500 songs on my iPod, and you think I could just find 20-30 that I love to run to, its hard!!!

Some songs I chose for my April Run playlist:
Running Down a Dream - Tom Petty
Hot N Cold - Kate Perry
Empire State of Mind - Jay Z and Alicia Keys
Alive - Black Eyed Peas
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
Two Step - Dave Matthews Band
Ray of Light - Madonna
Forever - Chris Brown
Harder to Breathe - Maroon 5
Just Dance - Lady Gaga
Better Life - Keith Urban
Happy - Natashia Bedingfield
Speed of Sound - Coldplay
Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Bad Influence - Pink
You Spin me Round - Dead or Alive
If it Makes you Happy - Sheryl Crow
Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

I am hoping to get on my bike this week too, pumped up the tires on both the road bike and mountain bike. I also installed my digital Trek Incite 8i computer on the bike, although its not working properly so will have to take it to the bike shop to make sure I have the wheel magnet and sensor lined up. This computer will track miles, speed, time, history etc...More on the later as I play.

Well, gonna eat something lite before the run. Oh- Happy Easter! I didn't go home for Easter because the parents had to work on Saturday and I have decided to come up in a couple weeks for a garage sale to sell my junk to strangers. Oh - and I am bummed that Michigan State lost to Butler in the Final Four game. Go Duke!

5th 3rd River Bank Run

Amanda and I ran the 5k 5th 3rd River Bank run. Race started at 7:30 am sharp and we lined up in the 10:00 min mile mark. We were lucky it didn't rain on us until after we finished. Poor 25 k'ers got the rain! I am waiting for my race results, I don't think I beat my time, but we'll see.

This was a large race and the best turnout they have had. Over 16,000 people raced, about 38,000 watched (I counted them as I ran, I was bored), and 2,000 volunteers. According to WOOD TV, this is the largest 25 k races in the nation, but I think I will stick to 5k and 10ks.

Here are some photos taken by Keith with the zoom lens. Glad i gave him the zoom, because he was sitting in bleachers at the finish line along with Jason. I am in the pink shirt and black pants with the pink stripe, and Amanda is on my left behind me in the 3/4 length gray pants. CLICK ON PICTURES FOR LARGER IMAGE.

Irish Jig 5K

Well, tomorrow is my first race of the season, the Irish Jig 5K in East Grand Rapids. The course is near the Reeds Lake area, running on Lake Drive and Wealthy. Here is the course map. I haven't ran outside yet this year, so its been all treadmill workouts, but am confident I will have a good run. I am not the fastest when I run, so I am hoping to do my run in under 31 minutes. I pretty much average a 10 minute mile, later this year I hope to improve on that.

I hope to have some pictures posted this weekend of me at the race. I was going to deck my self out in green, but then I was afraid Keith wouldn't be able to find me when taking my picture at the end of the race, so I may just wear a bright hot pink shirt. :) After all, St. Patty's Day was last Tuesday!