Running for River recap + April check-in

For the second year in a row, I participated in the Run for River 5K.  Well, the actual race took place in Alabama, and sadly I couldn't be there, but I did a virtual 5K, so I was with them in spirit.

Here's the story behind the race:

Run for River 5k and Fun Run benefits River Thomas and family. River Thomas is the 3 year old son of Matt and April Thomas. He had a grade 4 brain bleed in utero and was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy at 8 months old (as well as Cortical Vision Impairment and Periventricular Luekomalacia.) River cannot sit up, hold his head up on his own, crawl, walk, or talk. He needs 24 hour a day care as well as various medical equipment and several daily meds. This is the second annual run to benefit River and his family. A local home builder has offered to help build an accessible home for River and his family and we are raising money to help cover the costs. All proceeds from the run will go to this fund. You can learn more about this at the Raising River facebook page.

I've been friends with April (River's mom) for about 10 years. We met through LiveJournal, of all places, and she is one of the kindest people I know.  I'm happy to support her family and do this race year after year.  Anyone want to join me next year?

Sunday morning's weather was perfect for a run.  50s and sunny.  It was a bit chilly in the shade, but I warmed up pretty quickly in the sunny patches.  

My finish time benchmarks:

Good - 36:00 or above

Great - 34:01-35:59

Awesome - 34:00 or faster

My Garmin-official time was 34:31!

My watch said my average pace was 10:42/mile, which is a pretty good improvement for me.  I might be getting faster. I'm still on a quest for "awesome," but at least I'm staying in the "great" range.  My next race is in just a few weeks, and I'm looking forward to it.

As a music lover, my running playlists are very thoughtfully made. I thought I'd start sharing the song or songs for each race that really got me moving.  

Here was my power song for the day:
"Fight Song" - Rachel Platten

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And now, to take a look at my April fitness goals ...

I know the journey to getting in better shape is a slow and steady one.  And little goals along the way will help me reach my overall goal.  So I have fitness benchmarks I want to reach each month -- the first two are static and the third will be alternating.  I'll also be sharing my progress in terms of pounds/inches lost and one non-scale victory.

Goals

Sixteen workouts a month.  Grade = A

I nailed it.

BodyPump once a week.  Grade = F

I didn't go once in April. Oops.

Track my food each day on my WW app.  Grade = B

I've been better about tracking this month.  I'm still not 100 percent, but I'm getting there.

Progress

Pounds lost = -2 lbs.

Inches lost = I forgot to measure this week.

Non-scale victory = I completed two 5Ks this month, bringing my total for the year to four.  Only six to go to reach my goal.

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Last week's workouts

Friday: Off
Saturday: Off

Sunday: Run for River 5K

Monday: Spinning (45 mins) + chest/back/core (15 mins)
Tuesday: Legs (20 mins) + Zumba (60 mins)
Wednesday: Yoga (30 mins)

Thursday: Off