10/25/08

Boston Georgia Mini Marathon.

This town is the definition of a Small town. In the middle of no where population almost nothing. I wake up this morning thinking the rain should be gone and the sky's a bit cleared up. Well that didn't happen. On the way to the race it was on and off rain. I arrived about 45 minutes early so I could pick up my shirt, get my number and get ready for the race. My only real plan for the race was to run with my Father to the half way point(the turn around) then run my regular training pace the rest of the way in and to finish in under two hours. The first three miles we took it at an easy 9 mm pace and picked it up just a tad to the turn around....turned around at about 57 minutes. At that point I picked up the pace a bit and ended up finish with a time of 1:50:49. This happens to be a new personal record for me at that distance. What is really surprising to me is number one I ran the first half of the race really slow and number two the course was really challenging. If I had been able to run as much as I like the past two days I would have gone out and really tried to get a PR but with the course as hilly as it was and the lack of running because of the rain I just said screw it and took it easy.

The two things I learned. One more base mileage makes these races a million times easier. Number two I am much faster for longer periods of time because of number one.

The race it self was pretty good. Plenty of water stations along the course. The mile markers were impossible to miss. The finish had plenty of spectators and the after race food and drinks were plentiful. I have one complaint and it is massive. The road condition was horrible. There where so many cracks in the road I wore a blister on one of my left foot toes. I the roads were paved I would definitely go back to this race but until that happens I might not return.

All in all I am pleased with my performance and I look forward to my training days ahead. Marathon scheduled for 2/1/09. I am considering doing the Jacksonville Half in December but the weather will have to be right. I have a 10k on Thanksgiving that I will run for time as of now. Time to head to the FSU game. Take it easy party people.

10/24/08

Rain. Someone forgot to remind mother nature that Florida is the fricken sunshine state. The last two days has been nothing but rain. It reminds me of living in TN during the winter. Days and Days and Days of Rain. Unfortunately this has kept me from running. I know I normally ignore the rain and go out there anyway but when the temp outside is below 70 I don't run in the rain. The good news is the system is pushing out of here this evening and it will be in the low 60's for my race tomorrow and great for running on Sunday. Look for more reports starting tomorrow.

10/22/08

During my runs the past few weeks, I have seen a kid with down syndrome riding his bike in the neighborhood and we always wave to each other as we pass. It has always been a pleasant addition to my run seeing this boy and on days I don't I always wonder if I just missed him or if he didn't get out a ride his bike today. Yesterday on my way home, I noticed a person I hadn't seen running in the area before heading in the opposite direction and wondered who it could be but he was to far away to even guess. Today on my run I was lucky enough to find out. My DS friend had decided to take up running. About .25 before my turn around on my out and back course I passed the mysterious runner and it turned out the be the boy when I turned around and started heading back we passed each other again and I was lucky enough to get a big smile a huge high 5. Talk about putting a smile on your face. I let him know I looked forward to seeing him out there again tomorrow and he said you bet.

10/21/08

Well being no one really pays attention to this any way I am guessing you haven't missed my boring rants. However if you have I am sorry but I had a really easy week last week. My body was tired and I was dragging around so I decided to take it easy and it was a damn good idea.

I went out today after three straight days of not running and had the best run I have had in a while. While I only put in 5 miles I felt great the whole time and enjoyed myself. Averaged 8:13's which isn't fast by any stretch but it felt like days past where 8:13's where comfortable and sub 8's are the ones that where really pushing it. Hopefully I can keep that up as I move forward.

10/15/08

We have a presidential debate this evening. Should be relatively interesting to see who does the best and not answering the questions or whose answers make the least sense in the over all scheme of how the government impacts our lives.

I have taken the last two days off from running to ensure that my calf doesn't give me any more problems. I was a bit tight from my run on Sunday today but I don't think my calves are going to be an issue any more. I will keep my fingers crossed. I have a relatively easy week. I am going to try and put in 7 tomorrow and Friday , 6 on Saturday and 9 on Sunday. The following Sunday is the Boston Georgia Mini Marathon.

Work is more glorious than ever. I can't wait until that changes. All in All things are running there course. More pointless dribble tomorrow.

10/12/08

I got back from St george around 4:30 this afternoon and immediately headed out to get my run in. I went over to Tom Brown park. The place was crowded as can be. They had a mountain bike race going on . the kids kingdom area was slammed and half of the pavilions were cram packed with people grilling and hanging out. Even the bike and running path had people blocking it. You would think people wouldn't block the path that people run and bike on but nooooo I had to bob and weave more than anticipated.

I put in 13 miles today. 3.25 per lap and I ran 4 laps. I think some of the people in the dog park thought I was crazy. I passed one lady on 3 of the laps and she finally asked me how many more times I was planning on passing by. Always puts a smile on my face when people can't believe you are still running.

My calf did start to give me trouble on the last lap. I made sure I ran with good form and it never hurt too bad but I am going to make sure a stretch the rest of the week on a regular basis.

10/11/08

5k Race on St George Island. This was an out and back race. the first half of the race was rather quick. We had 15mph winds at our backs. the problem with that of course is having to turn around and run back into it. The last mile and a half was definitely much harder but I came in with a time 2 and half minutes faster than my goal time so overall I was very happy. My calf didn't bother me which of course is a good thing.

10/9/08

Ran 5 miles today. I tweaked my calf on the return leg of the run. I am going to be taking tomorrow off just in case. I hope it isn't a real problem.

10/08/08

Six miles in the pouring rain today. Good times all around. My over all run time was a minute and a half faster than yesterday even with the puddles and heavy soaking wet shoes and clothing to deal with. I received at least 15 looks of what the hell is wrong with you as I was passed by people on the way home from work. I also received some waves and smiles from the regular walkers in the neighborhood who came out toward the end of the run when the rain was calming down. The whole community thinks I am nuts and I am loving every second of it. :)

10/7/08

Back from a well deserved day off. I put in 6 miles in the rain today. I had a cramp the whole run but pushed through it anyway. I am putting my mid range runs at the beginning of the week so I can run 3 on Friday before my race on Saturday and so I will be rested for my twelve miler on Sunday. Should be an interesting week. I am going to watch the debate. Later.

10/5/08

Today was an interesting run. When I woke up this morning I was very tired. My body felt like it hadn't rested in months. I watched the Titans barely beat the Ravens and decided to go get in my run regardless of how I felt I was at least going to get the mileage in even if it was really slow.

The first three miles took me ages. My legs were screaming at me and my body was getting close to telling me where to go. But after the third mile I started to loosen up and was sort of able to get into a groove. By the end of the 5th mile I decided to pick it up a little bit....at the end of the 6th I decided I would finish the last two miles in a decent time. The seventh mile I ended up running in 8:46 and the last mile I ran in 7:30. Over all it took me and hour and thirteen minutes which is slower than I should be running but considering how my body felt and the last two miles of the run I really can't complain. Tomorrow is my day off I hope to recover well so I can get back to my training and be ready for the 5k on Saturday and the twelve miler on Sunday. Too bad I have to work tomorrow the weekends just aren't long enough.

10/4/08

Tomorrow I am going to get 8 miles in. I ran an easy 3 today. Upper 80's a little humid out but not too bad. I expected my time to be about 30 seconds slower per mile than I ended up with so I think the extra miles are starting to help me out. I have a 5k next weekend on Saturday and a 12 mile long run on Sunday. The miles start adding up from here on out. Half marathon on the 25th is right around the corner. I am going to be using that as a training run and nothing more but it is still weighing on my mind.

Go Titans!

10/3/08

TGIF for most people. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Quick and sweet today.

5 miles in the books. My legs were rather tired from the hills yesterday so I took it easy the whole run just making sure I logged the miles. I felt great after the run was over as usual and look forward to 3 or 4 tomorrow and 8 on Sunday.

10/02/08

6.1 Miles today. I fell short of my goal by 50 seconds. The hills made it difficult but I gave it a good try. Not a bad showing being my first time to try the course. I started out the run with a stitch in my stomach but I was able to breathe it out about 2 miles in. The First hill didn't really phase me but the second one reminded me I still have some work to do. I was able to take the last hill in stride considering. I had a negative split and ran the last mile faster than the previous five but the second hill just messed me up. I fell great now that I am done and look forward to doing it again tomorrow. I am not sure if I am going to run that course again or hit up the local park so I can check out the "scenery" I guess we will find out tomorrow.

10/01/08

Well September is over and October is here. My little sister has a birthday this month, Halloween in around the corner and I have a new budget to be concerned about.

Things accomplished on the first day of the tenth month that have no significance in the over all picture of life. 1. I purchased a bottle of the new Versace. 2. I paid for a years membership in the Gulf Winds Track Club so I can receive the newsletter and get all the discounts lol. & #3. Decided I will never again purchase something from Sports Authority.(That places close out prices are the competitions every day price. Ridiculous)

Today I only had to run 3 miles. I ran 8:06 per mile. A little bit faster than I have been running but still 30 seconds per mile slower than where I want to be so I of course have room for improvement. The good news is I feel great now that the run is over. I get to put in six tomorrow. I have plotted out my course and I have to say it is rather challenging. I am going to have to get my self pumped up for this run. The run has 3 hill all at points in time I would prefer not to have to run up hill. I love to torcher my self it builds character. You would think I wouldn't do that to myself but in the end it is for the best. I am going to shoot for sub 54 minutes...