Base Camp and 5k PR

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been busier with school than I ever have been before. On top of an extra health class full of papers and projects to correct, I have an entirely new class to prepare for - fitness fun. This week past week I took my kids on a field trip to Base Camp, an interactive learning center run by the Boy Scouts of America. The kids get to go for three days from 8:10-9:15. They rotate through rock climbing, archery, and COPE, a high ropes course. Base Camp has only been open for a month, but the staff is great and the kids are really into it! Monday and Tuesday this week are their last days and then we go bowling until Thanksgiving. I've taken some pictures to display for parents during conferences, which are Nov 18 and 22.

The rock wall is made to look like Taylors Falls, MN. This is the front section and there are two more walls behind.

Archery

High Ropes/COPE Course

Yesterday I woke up and decided that I needed to start practicing my 5k again. I've signed up for the Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5k in downtown Minneapolis. It was 41 degrees when I left the house and 48 degrees when I returned. It was sunny, but windy. I decided to chart a flatter course, as the downtown course will be fairly flat. I decided to start by Caribou Coffee at the corner of Eagle Street and Shepard Road, down by the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Starting a little east of the parking lot and jogging to Randolph and back is 3.1 miles. I did the first half, to Randolph, in 19:38 min. My lungs felt like they were going to explode so I stopped my HRM for about four minutes and then started back. Oddly enough, with the wind to my back, I recorded 20:01 min for the return trip. I felt better though and almost felt like I had rhythm to my jogging. I was so excited to PR at 39:39 min!! My best 5k time to date before yesterday was around 42 minutes at the James Page Blubber Run. 

Today I returned to walk the 3.1 mile route and did it in 45 minutes. My legs and lower back muscles are sore, but I feel good. I also lost 1.6 lbs this week. I'm on a roll! 

After PRing on 11/7/10 - wearing my new "wicking" long-sleeved running shirt!