Week 9, AMR Virtual 5K: Speedy vs. Strong & Something Nearly as Sweet as Running with Your Daughter

“After an awesome run along the Huron River.”

We’re in the homestretch of our Virtual 5K training, and this week we check in with mother runner Kafi, who talks about what she’s learned about herself after running on a treadmill and now running outdoors more often. She also shares something fun she and her 10-year-old daughter, also a runner, recently enjoyed doing together.
1.) In a nutshell, how would you describe your training at this point? What’s going well? Any particular hurdles?
Slow and steady. I’m in a pretty good routine of getting the practice sessions in each week. I’m having a harder time with the cross-training and fun workouts. I’ve been adding some distance to my runs, especially now that I can be outside more.
I’ve still been running on the treadmill because of weather and time constraints, but I have been able to get outside at least once per week. There is an awesome park/trail that follows the river—it has got to be my favorite running spot in town. I was so excited to be outside last Saturday that I did 5.25 miles!
One realization I’ve had is that when I run on the treadmill I’m speedy and outside I’m strong! And that’s OK! This has really changed the way I approach my outside runs and helped me get over a major mental hurdle.
2.) How are you feeling about the upcoming race?
I’m excited and nervous. I’m going to be running in my local Girls on the Run 5K on May 19. I’ll be running in a race with people I know, and that has upped the nervous factor. I’ve had to quiet the voices in my head negatively comparing me to others. Running the 5k in Chicago was easier because I was anonymous.

Matching mother-daughter shoes.

3.) You talked before about wanting to run with your family–how is that going? Are you running together much?
We haven’t yet. We talk about it, and are scouting vacation spots based on races, but have not actually run together yet.
My 10-year-old daughter and I did the next best thing, though: we got matching shoes. ;-)
4.) What have you learned from your training?
That getting up and showing up is way more than half the battle. My body knows what to do; I just have to get my mind out of the way.