All About That Pace, 'Bout That Pace

If you've been following my fitness journey since the beginning, you know I'm a runner—it's that spark that fuels my fire! If you've been following me since I joined the Air Force, you've seen some big fitness changes happen—and some big goals get set (and achieved!). The Air Force has seriously re-ignited my love for running.

When I joined the Air National Guard in November of 2013, my 1.5-mile time was a 10:53—which I determined by jogging circles around my neighborhood on a snowy day, just to see my starting point. I made it my goal to achieve Warhawk (the highest PT standard) at BMT and earn the title of Top PT (given to one male and one female in each graduating class). In June of 2014 when I graduated Air Force Basic Training, I ran an 8:47, BMT's 5th fastest female run time in history, awarding me those coveted titles of "Warhawk" and "Top PT Female." I had done it!

Fast forward to almost a year later (how did that happen so fast?), and I'm now back to my civilian job at the hospital and working at the Idaho Air Guard one weekend per month. My annual PT test is coming up in June, so I'm beginning to train for it. This morning, I decided on a whim to put myself through the Air Force PT Test of a 1.5-mile run, 1-minute of push-ups and 1-minute of sit-ups. While my push-ups and sit-ups need some work (47 and 58, respectively), I finished my 1.5-mile run in 8:33. Eight thirty-three! When I graduated BMT, I thought I'd never beat that run time, but here we are, almost a year later, and I'm feeling like I'm in the best shape of my life. It feels darn good!

In addition to training for my PT test, I'm also focusing on speed and distance work and learning how to run fast for longer distances—like more than 6-miles. I'm trying to figure out which distance I like best—5K's, 10K's (I've never competed at this distance but run it for practice often), half marathons, and full marathons. Full disclosure? I don't have any desire to do another full marathon anytime soon. Yuck. But the other distances are open for discussion. I have one half marathon coming up next week, in which I'll try to PR (my best is a 1:48—I know I can beat it), the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon scheduled for May, and the Sawtooth Relay in June.

I know a running update might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's super-exciting for me lately. I'm enjoying challenging myself and pushing my legs to the limit. I'm not sure where they'll take me next, but I can guarantee that wherever they're going, they'll be running there!