Atlanta's Finest 5K and Other Odds and Ends

I have not done a blog this week, mostly because I did not really have anything to write about.  Though you may not believe it I don't like to just ramble pointlessly, when you could be reading some great bloggers who have something to share.   For the third year we did one of our favorite races of the year.  The Atlanta's Finest 5K, a.k.a. The Safest 5K in the world, because it benefits the Atlanta PD. That place is crawling with cops!  It is a great race because lots of local police teams run and they chant their cadence and work as a team. That is really inspiring.  Plus it starts and ends at World of Coke/Centennial Olympic Park. It is also cool to see ATL's cadet class run and chant with their instructors.

My husband loves it because it is the race where he gets to highlight his wacky sense of humor by bringing out his Reno 911 shirt and his fake police badge.  I know what you are thinking, but he is all mine, ladies.  The race this year had a new course.  Though I never thought the previous course was very hilly, this is Atlanta, everything has hills.  They rerouted it and made it flatter and faster.  This was not PR for me.  I just wanted a little speed workout before the Diva half.  I did not want to burn out my legs.  That and Atlanta this week is a lot like living on the sun, or as a friend of mine said "Good Morning Vietnam! We have 213% humidity!"  Of course my husband thinks it feels like home.  The race was hot, but honestly I expected worse so I was pleasantly surprised.  Still at the water stop took a sip and dumped the rest on the back of my neck.

Hubby and decided to run together.  We finished in 27 minutes 8:47/mile which is pretty good for conditions.  I ended up 4th in my AG, which is not bad.  I wasn't really racing because today I knew I had my last mid-distance run before Diva.  Also every race is better when we run together.  I mean I started running so we could share a hobby and both get healthier.  This race was really well organized, kind of a return to the Atlanta Track Club we love.  It also had a great shirt, though they clearly define small differently than I do.  I am looking for a nice belt; then it will make a fine dress.  The proceeds go to ATL PD and they make nearly every race we do possible so we love helping them out.

In mile two we were behind the Atlanta SWAT team.  They were chanting.  We wanted to stay with them but once they said, "My grandpa is 92 he does PT better than you."  I knew it was time to pass them.  I am not 92!

 Running and weight training were fun again this week and I felt like my old self.  All my goals were met.  I even went for a strength session after the race yesterday.  I am loving belonging to a gym again!

Diva is less than 2 weeks away.  Officially no more runs over 3 miles now until the big day.  I don't plan to go all out. Using it as a training run, but I look forward to the empowering experience of running with all women.

This week I ran everyday but Monday and hit the gym three times.  I finished my 5 miler today in the blistering heat since I got out later than I planned, but I stuck it out.

Today I am grateful to feel healthier and be enjoying exercise again.  I have cross training and strength training on the agenda for tomorrow after work.  That also means the luxury of sleeping until 5:30 AM.  I am grateful for that too!!

How is your fall race training going?  Folks on Silver Comet were looking serious today as all our goal races come bearing down on us!