How NOT To Train For A 5K

Ever noticed how many different runs there are these days?  There are Color Runs, Color Dashes, 5K's, Half Marathons and all sorts of other races, usually raising money for a good cause. I have yet to run in one-- except for this weekend, when I'll be hoofing it in the Bacon Chase 5K in Minneapolis. Yes, that's the race where you get all the bacon you can eat at the finish line!

I've been loosely 'training' for the run this weekend since early this year, in January, when I finally started hitting the gym on a regular basis. I usually run about 3 miles on the Curve treadmill a couple times a week.  No big deal.  I thought though, I should probably run at least once outside before this weekend's Bacon Chase.

So I headed out on the Cascade Creek Trail yesterday afternoon. I did about 3.3 miles in around 36 minutes, which, for me, isn't too bad. (There was some walking in there, too...) But running outside is A LOT different than just running on the treadmill-- a fact that became painfully obvious as soon I finished my run yesterday: My thighs are killing me!  We're talking massive pain, even when doing something as basic as walking down a flight of stairs!

I'm hoping all that lactic acid in my thigh muscles will be reabsorbed enough by Saturday morning so I can run the 5K (and get my share of the bacon!) without grimacing.  I should have just stuck to the treadmill...