I ran the 5k sponsored by the Marines in Jasper this past Saturday. At the end of the race, I was very happy to learn that I ran the course at a personal best 22:44, which is quicker than I thought possible. An even greater surprise awaited as the were announcing the age category award winners. I ended up placing at the top of the 41-45 age bracket and was given a trophy. I was stunned. I stood there overwhelmed by what just happened. I know I wasn't burning up the road with my speed and perhaps the best runners were off at some other competition but it was an unexpected blessing.
Unlike my sons, who seem to manage to pick up trophies and awards in nearly every sport they play,
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Its Been Awhile * * *
That means either I slacked off from running or got busy doing it!
Still @ it and it looks like next week I will hit the 700 mile mark since running last October.
Since last entry I have had a couple positives:
I really want to put everything into that race and will keep gearing up for it.
Still @ it and it looks like next week I will hit the 700 mile mark since running last October.
Since last entry I have had a couple positives:
- My April 23-29 miles were a best 48.
- Ran 16 miles on May 5.
- Tomorrow is the Jasper 5K Leathernecks Marine Corp Race- Had to enter just so I could get that T-shirt!
I really want to put everything into that race and will keep gearing up for it.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Spring Running
Here are the reasons I like running in the warm:
1. It's a much better experience when I am not wondering if extremities will turn blue and fall off.
2. It takes a lot less time to get my muscles loosened up.
3. I sweat more and think that's got to chase away any fat that plans to hang around.
4. I usually feel like running "just one more mile."
5. I can soak up some sun in the process.
6. Ahhh, the sights & scents of spring are all around me.
7. I run faster when I am not tethered by 4 layers of clothes.
Up to almost 600 miles of running logged since late October.
This week I ran a 13 & half mile day, followed by a 12 mile day.
Have a shot at my best distance in a week. Personal best is 37 miles.
Next race is another 5k in Jasper on a different route ~ Marine Corp. League May 19th.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Jasper 5K Fun Run Completed
I really thought that a few more weeks would make the chill I felt in the St. Partick's Day 7k race a distant memory. But when I got up this past Saturday and was greeted by gusty 20 degree temp. I came to terms with the fact that I was heading out for another artic-winded race.
About 80-100 runners showed up, including 2 Shoals students and three teachers. When we lined up for the race, we were begging the starter to fire his gun so we could get warm. With a bang, we were heading up a slight but steady incline into a north wind for about 12 blocks. When the gun went off, my feet were quickly weaving through the crowded street. I felt this upward pull as we were edging toward the 1st mile marker. I looked at my watch and saw 7:15 after that point. I was both pleased and a bit nervous that I was probably running over my head at this point. I was aiming for an 8 minute pace, thinking that would be a challenge in this cold.
The next mile was rolling and it helped me maintain a good pace of 7:30. When we made the turn for the last mile, we ran along a river on a tree-lined path that wound continuously left and then right. I expected that on my final mile several runners would cruise by so I wasn't disappointed when just 3 left me in the dust. I could feel my ankles getting tired and my mobility becoming more limited.
Suddenly the trees disappeared and I soon realized I was a mere 2 blocks away. When I saw the finish line timer, I found my kick, seeing I could get a personal best. I crossed the line at 23:37 which did turn out to be a personal best for me.
I had set a goal of running a 5k in 23:30 this summer. I have decided that I need to raise the bar to 22:59. When I got across the line, I forgot about the cold. It was great to celebrate the race with Kelly and new running friends at a nearby bagle shop.
It felt good to run and then talk about running over a hot drink and big bagle. We even dreamed some about running a marathon.... SOMEDAY.
About 80-100 runners showed up, including 2 Shoals students and three teachers. When we lined up for the race, we were begging the starter to fire his gun so we could get warm. With a bang, we were heading up a slight but steady incline into a north wind for about 12 blocks. When the gun went off, my feet were quickly weaving through the crowded street. I felt this upward pull as we were edging toward the 1st mile marker. I looked at my watch and saw 7:15 after that point. I was both pleased and a bit nervous that I was probably running over my head at this point. I was aiming for an 8 minute pace, thinking that would be a challenge in this cold.
The next mile was rolling and it helped me maintain a good pace of 7:30. When we made the turn for the last mile, we ran along a river on a tree-lined path that wound continuously left and then right. I expected that on my final mile several runners would cruise by so I wasn't disappointed when just 3 left me in the dust. I could feel my ankles getting tired and my mobility becoming more limited.
Suddenly the trees disappeared and I soon realized I was a mere 2 blocks away. When I saw the finish line timer, I found my kick, seeing I could get a personal best. I crossed the line at 23:37 which did turn out to be a personal best for me.
I had set a goal of running a 5k in 23:30 this summer. I have decided that I need to raise the bar to 22:59. When I got across the line, I forgot about the cold. It was great to celebrate the race with Kelly and new running friends at a nearby bagle shop.
It felt good to run and then talk about running over a hot drink and big bagle. We even dreamed some about running a marathon.... SOMEDAY.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Getting Ready for Jasper's Fun Run
This Saturday I am suppose to run my second race, a 5k. That's 2k shorter than the Luck Of Run on St. Patrick's Day. Since my first race, I've turned up the totally weekly miles and had a personal record on our local 5k course. I have learned that good things happen if I start out a little faster than normal on the first mile. My aha moment was confirmed a week later by my newest issue of Runner's World. It said to shoot for the first mile at about 6% faster than pace.
I will try to duplicate my final week work out before the 7k. Cut down distance, do sprints, eat really smart and drink a lot of water. Looking at last year's Jasper Stassenfest times, I have a hunch the pace will be fast. I just have to focus on running my race and yet know that being surrounded by others will probably help me shave time off. My running goal for this race is 24:30.
I will try to duplicate my final week work out before the 7k. Cut down distance, do sprints, eat really smart and drink a lot of water. Looking at last year's Jasper Stassenfest times, I have a hunch the pace will be fast. I just have to focus on running my race and yet know that being surrounded by others will probably help me shave time off. My running goal for this race is 24:30.
Monday, March 19, 2007
My First Bib #325! Run of Luck St Patty's 7k Race
Mission Accomplished!
Here are some reflections of my first race experience. I was wide awake at 5:15 am. on Saturday and rolled out to get geared up for my first race in 30 years. Kelly and I left the house at 7 am. and arrived in Evansville and hour before the race. Rookie that I was I realized about only 100 of the 602 runners had showed up by that point. The jitters, the excitement were running over. Could I keep everything under control until the start?
Did my stretching and warm up jog, feeling unusually comfortable. Sips of water, chatting with new running friends, figuring out how to attach my running chip and running thoughts kept me mentally limber too. At 9:45 am. runners started milling around the starting line. Got my good luck hug and kiss from Kelly and then weaved through the pack to the back third of the starting field. (I read that rookie runners should start back there.)
Runners were gabbing, drums were playing, national anthem was sung, and prerace instructions were given through a mega phone (heard none of that).
As I was getting set, Sue (Shoals high school teacher/runner), her friend Charity and I all exchanged thumbs up. And then the much anticipated words were shouted---"On your mark, get set, GO!"
The waiting was over. All the trainning miles in rain, wind, snow and sun would now be tested.
Since I started in the back, I weaved around the pack in search of my place and pace. I saw the 1st K marker and clicked my watch at 5:12. I wondered was that too slow or too fast? I really didn't know. I asked myself was my nervous energy carrying my feet fast than they should go? I didn't know. All I recall is that I past alot of people early.
At about the mile marker 3 guys passed me but I don't recall any others moving ahead. It must have been at the 2K mark that I heard footsteps to my right and a voice of encouragement. It was Sue. She said she was right here and that she saw my times on my blog and thought that it would be a good pace for her. The rest of the way she was running side by side. Checking to see how I was and reminding me that we were getting closer.
I was worried that I was hindering her but she was resolved that this was the pace she was aiming for. A few times I felt tired but was helped by the sound a feet running in sync toward the finish line. Along the way there were onlookers who cheered and reminded us of their support. The route ran through old parts of Evansville, along the Ohio river, through an old residential neighborhood and back to the convention Center.
The finish line was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting to end where we started. With that in mind, I started my kick but when I saw that it was moved, I let up. I kept looking for the end line but it was hidden from my view until I reached the top of the gentle incline. When I saw the crowd I knew I was almost there. Then I kicked it into gear for the finish passing 4 or 5 runners with less than a tenth to go.
When I crossed the finish line, I was huffing but smiling as I stopped my watch. I looked at it and saw my time: 35:25 or an 8:09/mile pace! Not fast by most people's standards but I was thrilled and shocked. I went straight over to Kelly and hugged my #1 fan.
I thought if I can run a 9 minute mile that I'd consider the race a success. The real reason I was acheive more was because of an unselfish runner and encourager who knew this was my first venture. Thanks, Sue, for not only telling me about this race, but going "the extra mile" to make the first run more than I dreamed possible.
I told Kelly at the end that I was hooked now. I am looking forward to the next race. Jasper 5k fun run??
A nice surpise to cap off the experience: I went to an online race result site the next day and learned I was able to finish in the top 3rd of 600 runners (184th). To end up 12/28 in the age 40-44 men's division was very satisfying. And to think that at race's start the goal was to stay in front of the ambulance.
Here are some reflections of my first race experience. I was wide awake at 5:15 am. on Saturday and rolled out to get geared up for my first race in 30 years. Kelly and I left the house at 7 am. and arrived in Evansville and hour before the race. Rookie that I was I realized about only 100 of the 602 runners had showed up by that point. The jitters, the excitement were running over. Could I keep everything under control until the start?
Did my stretching and warm up jog, feeling unusually comfortable. Sips of water, chatting with new running friends, figuring out how to attach my running chip and running thoughts kept me mentally limber too. At 9:45 am. runners started milling around the starting line. Got my good luck hug and kiss from Kelly and then weaved through the pack to the back third of the starting field. (I read that rookie runners should start back there.)
Runners were gabbing, drums were playing, national anthem was sung, and prerace instructions were given through a mega phone (heard none of that).
As I was getting set, Sue (Shoals high school teacher/runner), her friend Charity and I all exchanged thumbs up. And then the much anticipated words were shouted---"On your mark, get set, GO!"
The waiting was over. All the trainning miles in rain, wind, snow and sun would now be tested.
Since I started in the back, I weaved around the pack in search of my place and pace. I saw the 1st K marker and clicked my watch at 5:12. I wondered was that too slow or too fast? I really didn't know. I asked myself was my nervous energy carrying my feet fast than they should go? I didn't know. All I recall is that I past alot of people early.
At about the mile marker 3 guys passed me but I don't recall any others moving ahead. It must have been at the 2K mark that I heard footsteps to my right and a voice of encouragement. It was Sue. She said she was right here and that she saw my times on my blog and thought that it would be a good pace for her. The rest of the way she was running side by side. Checking to see how I was and reminding me that we were getting closer.
I was worried that I was hindering her but she was resolved that this was the pace she was aiming for. A few times I felt tired but was helped by the sound a feet running in sync toward the finish line. Along the way there were onlookers who cheered and reminded us of their support. The route ran through old parts of Evansville, along the Ohio river, through an old residential neighborhood and back to the convention Center.
The finish line was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting to end where we started. With that in mind, I started my kick but when I saw that it was moved, I let up. I kept looking for the end line but it was hidden from my view until I reached the top of the gentle incline. When I saw the crowd I knew I was almost there. Then I kicked it into gear for the finish passing 4 or 5 runners with less than a tenth to go.
When I crossed the finish line, I was huffing but smiling as I stopped my watch. I looked at it and saw my time: 35:25 or an 8:09/mile pace! Not fast by most people's standards but I was thrilled and shocked. I went straight over to Kelly and hugged my #1 fan.
I thought if I can run a 9 minute mile that I'd consider the race a success. The real reason I was acheive more was because of an unselfish runner and encourager who knew this was my first venture. Thanks, Sue, for not only telling me about this race, but going "the extra mile" to make the first run more than I dreamed possible.
I told Kelly at the end that I was hooked now. I am looking forward to the next race. Jasper 5k fun run??
A nice surpise to cap off the experience: I went to an online race result site the next day and learned I was able to finish in the top 3rd of 600 runners (184th). To end up 12/28 in the age 40-44 men's division was very satisfying. And to think that at race's start the goal was to stay in front of the ambulance.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Crossing The First Line?
I think a runner has to cross many lines before he gets to the ultimate finish line. Yesterday I crossed another one. I registered for my first race since I ran high school cross country, 30 years ago! This Saturday I plan to run in a St. Patrick's Day 7k race at Evansville.
Now my mind seems to be consumed with the starting line. Honestly I am both excited and nervous at the same time.
I have to remind myself that I have already crossed some other lines.
On so Saturday I will cross a new line when Kelly and I jump in the car and make the two hour drive to my first race. A new running friend sent me this quote from a book she read: "If you can make it to the starting line of a race, you will finish because the biggest obstacle is making it to the starting line." I'll keep that in my head when I place my toe on the starting line this week.
Now my mind seems to be consumed with the starting line. Honestly I am both excited and nervous at the same time.
I have to remind myself that I have already crossed some other lines.
- I crossed the line of will, knowing that it takes more than talking about running to do it.
- I crossed the line of endurance too, recalling some of winter's harsh elements blowing in my face and through my bones.
- I have crossed the line of self doubt going from success if I could run thirty minutes non-stop to running nearly 2 hours uninterrupted.
- I continue crossing lines with personal best times and distances which has meant passing a line of greater expectations.
On so Saturday I will cross a new line when Kelly and I jump in the car and make the two hour drive to my first race. A new running friend sent me this quote from a book she read: "If you can make it to the starting line of a race, you will finish because the biggest obstacle is making it to the starting line." I'll keep that in my head when I place my toe on the starting line this week.
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