Rest

I pushed it a bit hard Sat so I decided to take a couple days off.  My right hamstring has been bothering me and also, Sat I felt some discomfort in my right hip/groin area.  Nothing serious, but some tightness.  I rested Sunday and Monday.  I didn't do the gym or run. 

This morning I decided to give the body a test.  I went out about 10AM for a short run.  Went easy and 'listened' to my body.  Didn't have any ham issues.  I could feel the hip/groin, but no real pain.  Just some tightness.  I took it easy and ran a nice 5.7 miles.  Time wasn't important, just how I felt.  Well, I felt pretty good.  I'm a bit stiff now, but I think I'll do the gym later today and that will help loosen it up some more.

I have a half scheduled for Jan 15 and want to be sure I am not injured before the race.  So, for the next few days, it will be slow and easy. 

Race Day

Best T-Shirt Ever!

Awesome race at the Flora-Bama Lounge!  This is a 4-mile race out and back.  Today was the 23rd annual race. Weather started out terrible.  Windy, rainy, and COLD!  Thankfully, by 10AM, race time, the rain had stopped.  It was still windy and cold however. The weather kept a lot of people home as the total runners was about half of what they had last year.

I placed 1st in my AG last year so a repeat this year would be sweet.  I at least wanted to beat my time.  Well, I got my wish.  I ran a good race and ended up taking 1st in my AG once again. I bet my time by just under a minute.  This year's time was 30.22.  I was 14th overall.

I have to add that the race shirt this year has to be the sweetest shirt I have received to date for any race.  It is awesome.  My hat is off to the Flora-Bama for putting on this race.  I look forward to running it again next year.

Crazy Florida Weather

Got up to run this morning and it was 60°!  That is 30° warmer the yesterday morning.  It was a bit humid also, so the roads were a tad slippery.  Had a nice easy run.  I love running without my shirt and I was able to do that today.  Suppose to be nice again tomorrow and then we'll be back to some colder days! 

Volunteered to take over the "Grand Prix" duties from the Pensacola Runners Association yesterday.  The Grand Prix is a series of races put on by the PRA.  If you sign up for it, you have to compete in at least 6 of the races and 2 of them have to be over a 5K.  This year we are adding a drawing at the end for a weekend at the beach.  Hopefully, this will entice more people to sign up.

Slacker

Ok, I feel like such a slacker.  I haven't posted a blog entry in days.  I just get so dang busy.  Also, I work with computers all day and sometimes, I just don't feel like staying on one all night as well!  I have to make sure I comment on all my DM friends entries and that can take up to an hour sometimes.  LOL

Anyway, I had a bad week last week.  I did a long run the Sunday before and since I usually take Mon and Tue off, I though I'd have plenty of time to recoup.  Instead, I ended up feeling poorly for a couple more days.  The weather here has been brutal for this part of the country.  The temps got down to the teens in some places.  That and the fact that I didn't feel real good, keep me from running until last Fri. 

I had a 5K race on Sat and did pretty well.  I didn't post a new PR, but I did manage to take the Grand Master Award.  The course had some pretty decent hills and since I wasn't 100%, my time was a bit off my average 5K time.  Finished in 24.16.  That's about 30s off my usual time. 

This race was in a different town then where I live.  It was about an hour down the road.  It's kinda nice running some place different sometimes.  A chance to meet new runners.  There wasn't anyone from my area at this race.  Anyway, I did just that.  Got to meet some new people.  It was a YMCA race and they put on a nice event.  Great course and after party.  Always like fruit after my races and they did a good job having plenty on hand.  No complaints.  Oh and the awards were awesome.  The GM medal was sweet!  Probably the best one I have seen for a 5K event.

Last Sunday I got in about 7.5 miles.  Just didn't have the energy to push it any further.  I wanted to get more in since I am running a 1/2 marathon on Jan 15th.  Like I said earlier, I just didn't feel real great all that week.  The Sunday before I managed to get in 12+ miles.  I just have to make sure I have enough energy the day of my the race.  I'll push for 13+ this coming Sunday.

I'll try to make sure I do better keeping up with this blog.  Maybe not a post every day, but at least a few times a week. 

My next race is a 4-miler at the Florabama Lounge on the Florida/Alabama line.  It is an annual event and draws a good number of runners.  If you're there, look for me.

Remember my friends, "Real athletes run, others just play games!".

Sensational Saturday

Absolutely awesome morning.  I can say that now that it's finished.  Today was the PRA Cross Country 5K at UWF.  This is a true trail course complete with hills, sand, dirt, and roots!  Speaking of roots, I managed to find one of them at about the 1/4 mile point.  Fell smack on my face!  I thought, not again!  I fell at the 1 mile point at the Bay to Breakfast 8K last year.  Anyway, I got right up and keep running.  Didn't get too far behind anyone.

I have to tell you though, this was tough race for me.  I suffer from a couple medical conditions that make running a challenge for me.  I push through the initial pain when I run on the road, but these trail runs, well they're much harder on my body.  Today I must have told myself at least 12 times 'there is no shame in quitting', 'no one would give a rats if i quit'.  Those thoughts keep going on in my head over and over and over.  Finally, after about the 1st mile or so, I felt like I was getting stronger.  I managed to pass a couple people on the open areas and that encouraged me to press on.

It felt like forever before I finally got close to the finish line.  I could hear the music playing and them announcing the people crossing the line.  This was all I needed to push me harder.  I finished the race strong and managed to come in under 27 minutes.  That was my 'un-said' goal.

To my surprise, I ended up taking first in my age group.  Yippie!!  Time:  26:43!

Til the next time my friends, happy running!

Finally Friday

This has been a long week at work.  So glad it's Friday!  Great run this morning.  35°!  Did a short route this morning since I have a trail race tomorrow.  Instead of doing a longer run, I went for a faster one instead.  I was about 40s off my 5K race speed.  Good run!  Felt strong at the end! 

I thought about many of my new DM (DailyMile.com) friends this morning.  Wondering how their runs were going if they were doing one.  Wondered who might be running in weather colder then me.  Was anyone running in the snow?  It was weird, I could almost 'feel' their presence around me.

I couldn't wait til later in the day when I could check my DM updates and see who actually ran! 

Trembling Thursday

Yes, trembling!  It was 31° outside when I got up to run at 5:30.  But since I whimped out Wednesday, I had to tough it out.  I put my white tank top on, my shorts, and my gloves.  Oh and since it is dark in the mornings, I put on my reflective arm band.  Then I did my stretching and hit the road.

It was pretty dang cold, but there wasn't any wind at all.  It's the wind that chills me to the bone. 

Wimpy Wednesday

Yep, I was a big time wimp this morning!  Alarm went off at 5.  Went to the door and checked the weather.  Cold!  Went back to bed!  Yep, that is exactly what happened.  I have to get out there tomorrow.  And of course it will be even colder tomorrow!  Oh well, that is what I get for not going out there today. 

I did get a good workout at the gym today though.  I did a 1 hr and 20 min circuit.  Spent extra time on cardio to make up for not running this morning. 

My legs were soar when I finished and are a bit sore now. 

Til the next time, cya!

Crazy Tuesday

Ok, so why 'Crazy Tuesday'?  Well, it started off at 72°.  Now it is 48°.  That's crazy!  Anyway, got up early and got my run in this morning.  I was sweating my butt off it was so muggy.  I was lucky and got it in between rains.  But that is also why it was so dang muggy!  I was feeling all achy the past couple of days, so wasn't sure how I'd feel.  Started out slow to see how I felt.  Felt pretty good so picked it up a bit.  Keep my pace around 9.  I didn't get out exactly when I wanted to, so I had to shorten the run up a bit.  Was gonna go for 5 miles, but decided at the last minute to take the 4.5 mile route.

All in all, it was a good run and my body felt OK.  I did my usual circuit training at the gym after work and got in a good hour plus workout.  I'm still not use to this new gym and the weights.  Some parts of my body are sore as hell.  I guess they always will be with this damn Fibromyalgia and Palindromic Rheumatism.  Sometimes I wonder how the heck I can even run or workout.  Mind over matter baby, mind over matter.  If I don't mind, it don't matter!  OK, well I do mind, but it don't matter!

Monday

No running this morning.  Still letting my body rest.  I did get in my hour plus circuit training at the gym though.  It is suppose to rain in the morning, so don't know if I'll get a run in or not.  I hope so.

Sleepy Sunday

No running today.  I decided to take the day off.  I'm feeling a bit sore today. 

Jingle Jingle Saturday

Well, today was race day at the beach.  Pensacola Beach that is.  It was the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5K/10K.  Temp has dropped big time with this cold front.  Race time temp was 33°!  I don't mind running in the cold.  Actually, it can make the run better.  But when the race is at the beach, it is inevitably windy.  Today was no exception.  With the wind, the cold felt ever COLDER!

Today's race was the 10K.  My second one of this race season.  The race went pretty good.  Didn't feel my best today, but ran hard and strong.  Finished at 51.05.  Not a new PR, but a good run and a good pace.  Not bad considering the weather conditions.  When final results came in, I ended up taking 1st in my age group.  I was 16th overall out of 64 total 10K runners.  Not a big race by no means.

I couldn't help but look at the 5K results.  If I had chosen the 5K over the 10K, I would have taken Grand Masters.  Oh well, such is life.  LOL

I was hoping to meet up with some of my new DM friends, but didn't get a chance to meet any of them.  Maybe next time.

Finished Friday

That is exactly how I fell, finished.  LOL Damn did I eat too much or what!

Got on the road for a run at about 10 this morning.  Weather was nasty.  It was 75° when I got up at 7:30.  By 10 it was already dropping due to a cold front moving in.  Wind was pretty gusty around 10 or 15 MPH I'm guessing.  Pushed me back a bit when I was heading N and W.  Of course, that means it pushed me along when I was going the other way.

About 2 miles into the run, the rain started.  Didn't feel to good with the wind.  Fortunately, it didn't last more then about 15 minutes.  That was fine with me.  It succeeded in freshening up the air.  I love it when it smells fresh.  The cooler temp felt great also.  I did just over 4 miles on this run.  Didn't want to do too much since I have a 10K tomorrow.  At least I think I registered for the 10K.  Heck, it might just be the 5K.  I can't remember now.  I hate it when that happens.

Anyway, I finished the run in about 37 minutes.  Nice easy run.  Oh, and when I got back, the temp had dropped down to 61°.

Later

PS:  I skipped my gym workout today.  Since I am on fall break, I didn't feel like driving in to Pensacola just for the gym.  

Turkey Thrusday

Well, I lied about running today.  Got up and was feeling good.  It was one of those days where I was being drawn to the road.  Finally, after about 9ish, I had to give in and hit the streets.  I got a good 5K in.  I didn't do my race pace, but pushed it a bit.  Finished in 26. 

Well, I'm gonna cut this short this time.  We are off in a bit for some turkey eatin!!! 

Later.

Warm Wednesday

Yes, today was very warm for a late November morning, so warm Wednesday it is.  It was 74°!  I am off today on Fall Break from school, so I got to sleep in.  Didn't get up til 7:30!  That is about as late as my body will sleep.  Watched a bit of GMA and then stretched for about 10 minutes.  Finally got going around 9.

Wasn't exactly sure how far I was going to run this morning, so I let my body tell me.  I was thinking about maybe 6 or 7 miles.  As always, I my legs don't cooperate right away.  In case you don't know, I am 53 yrs old and have been running for only 22 months.  Before that, the only running I ever did was to the bathroom.  Anyway, back to the run.  At the 1 mile point, I was feeling OK.  Wasn't sure yet how far I'd go, but was feeling OK.  I continued to make my way through the neighborhoods.  At around the 3 mile point, I started to think "my legs are tired, but my energy level was still high".  It was at this point that I was starting to decide how far I was going.  It's funny, but I had about 3 or 4 different ways I could go.  I made 1 turn that I knew would add about a 1/4 mile.  After the 4 mile point, I made another conscious decision to add a bit more.  I knew at this point I wasn't going to be doing 6 or 7, so I wanted to add enough to feel good about it when I got home.

When all was said and done, I ended up doing my 5.4 mile route.  I had intended on going slow, but I always have a hard time doing that.   I finished up in 45 minutes with a 8:30 ish pace.  Overall, a pretty good run.

I wonder, does anyone else talk to themselves this way?  Maybe I'm just a bit strange!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  A time to share with family and be grateful for all we have.  I hope everyone has a great day.  Oh and no running tomorrow or gym.  Mom (my wife), says I have to take the day off.

Surprise Tuesday

I got up and surprised Tuesday today.  Yep, got up at 5 and hit the road.  Running that is.  I usually take Monday and Tuesday off, but when my 'running' alarm (yes I have a special alarm for running) went off, I said what the heck and got up and got dressed. 

I'm glad I did.  It was relatively warm for this time of year.  It was 63°.  But since I would rather run shirtless, it was pretty nice.  I always have a hard time running 'fast' on my non-race days, so I just pushed it a bit harder then usual.

I knew I didn't want to go 4 or 5 miles this morning so I did a shorter 3.5 mile route. To mix it up, I even did the streets backwards from my normal routine.  It's strange how just changing the direction on a run can change the whole thing.  I was like, 'hey, I don't recall seeing that, or that".  Weird!!

Anyway, I came in about 31 minutes.  Honestly, I felt like I was going a tad faster.  But like I said, I always find it hard to run fast on my normal runs.  I remember last year, I ran a virtual 5K after New Years called the "Hangover 5K" and I really had to concentrate to make it feel like a real race!  I don't recall my time, but it wasn't my usual 5K time.  Maybe if I ran with a partner I might be able to run fast on my training days.

Til the next time.

Rest

This is my scheduled day off from running.  Got my usual hour plus circuit workout in at the gym.  Might hit the road in the AM for a run.  Then again, might not!

Later!

Energy

I got up this morning thinking about doing a long run.  I felt pretty good after yesterday's race so I thought why not.  I also wanted to get my miles for the week up to at least 25 and I had 18 when I started out. 

I headed out around 9:15.  The temperature was 64° when I started out.  I had already decided what 'route' I wanted to run, so off I went.  No sooner did I get started did I sense my body was not in tune with my mind.  While I thought I felt good, my body was tired.  I always am a bit slow when I start, so I thought my body would catch up.  The route I picked for today had a couple major hills on it so I knew from the start that I would have to step it up this morning. 

Have you ever had one of those runs where you find yourself thinking that it's ok to stop and walk?  You know, you keep saying "it's not a race, no ones here checking up on you, just go ahead and walk"?  Well, this is what was going on in my head this morning.  On this particular route, there is a point where I have to decide if I am going long or longer.  If I choose the 'longer', then the run ends up being 11 miles.  I knew when I got to that point, it wasn't going to happen this morning.  I made the turn for the long run and not he longer one.

Funny, as I was heading back home, I felt guilty about deciding on the shorter route and took a side street through a neighborhood that added a bit more distance on my run. 

All in all, it was a good run this morning.  And NO, I didn't stop and walk, but I sure tried to convince myself to.  LOL

Til the next time my fellow runners.  My you feet take you as far as your mind will let them!

Wild Turkey Trot 5K

Well, this is my first ever blog.  Since I am in to running, I thought I'd use the blog to talk about how things are going for in my running world.  The Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5K run in downtown Pensacola, Fl. was great.  I didn't PR today, but still did pretty good.  I was hoping to place in my age group, but there seemed to be an awful lot of fast runners in my group today.  These guys keep passing me and I was like, dang that looks like he is in my age group.  That one does too!  LOL  Anyway, all is good.  I ended up placing 6th in my age group out of 19.

One thing I also like to do is to get on the first page of the results.  Today I was the first name on the top of the second page.  Still pretty good.

The after party was great.  They had lots of turkey chili and plenty of free drinks.  Oh and immediately after the race they had plenty of fruit and bagels.