What a great way to start the year...running. Really, I mean that. It did mean that New Year's Eve was an early night. We toasted with sparkling apple cider when the ball dropped and then quickly decided that it was time to get some sleep. While that might sound like a late night, we celebrated the ball dropping in New York - so by 9:30 we were ready for a visit from the Sandman. He didn't disappoint.
Granted I wasn't completely convinced that this race was a good idea. I've been fighting off a bit of a chest cold and the thought of running wasn't having the charm it normally does. "Run for fun" was the mantra Sharon sang. It's easy to hear but not easy to do. I'm at the point in my running where I want to beat my previous time every time. You can't do this running for fun. The time clock is your enemy. At any rate, Albert and Sharon were all in and I enjoy running with them so there you go.
It was a bit on the cold side. Better than the Jingle Bell run but I do look forward to a warm Spring run. Needless to say it was another hat and gloves race (I made the mistake of wearing a coat too). This run gave you the option of taking the "polar bear" plunge at the end. As I was signing up (yes, race day registration - big mistake) John Curley from Evening Magazine was next to me. He asked if I was going to take the dip and I replied that only crazy people do that. He told me he was going to take the plunge - it'll feel good! He certainly didn't seem crazy to me and likely was thinking I was a bit of a girly man. I just straightened my skirt and walked away.
The course was not so great. Lot's of puddles, bumps in the asphalt, and mud. It wasn't all bad but mix that with cold weather and it has a stronger impact. Oh and least I forget, I'd like to thank all the SLOW runners who refused to line up according to their running ability and clogged up the first half mile. It was fun running around you which meant more puddles and mud than I and others would have experienced. Thank you yes, I do feel better now.
I struggled on this run and it was my slowest time in a year. 25:13 or an 8:08 pace. Not a proud moment for me and I could easily blame it on my cold or my sore ankle that put me out of running for seven weeks. In reality, I've not pushed myself hard enough in my training. I've taken the easy road a few too many times and I tell you right now that will change. I have a revised training plan (thanks Sharon) that starts Sunday and my next race will be better. I did manage to finish 12th out of 40 in my division.
How did my buddies do? Albert (the fastest 5Ker of the gang) ran an incredible 21:16 (6:52 pace) and finished 6th out of 40 in his division. I'm always amazed at how smooth he looks when he runs. Seems effortless yet cruises. Sharon did very well also. She ran a 22:30 (7:16 pace) and finished 8th out of 68 in her division. As usual she wasn't happy with her time. How can someone be 3 minutes faster than me and not be happy? I must have really sucked. Now where did I put that dress....
Friday, January 2, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
Snow Day
It's been a few days since I've been able to get in a run or for that matter, a dose of cardio. Snow has been my nemesis. What started as a flurry has become 12 inches of white hell. Maybe that’s a little harsh. After all, it’s pretty coming down, the brush of white coating the landscape, and kids with their sleds dashing to the nearest hill. Oh…and the hours of white knuckle driving, idiots who clearly believe that if their bumper is within a foot or two of yours they will have plenty of stopping distance, and let’s not forget the joy of shoveling. Stop before the goose bumps overwhelm me…face it, snow can really suck.
Sharon (younger and faster running buddy) calls and suggests that we use her elliptical machine along with some dumbbells to get in a workout. Cool. I should say cold. The elliptical is housed in the garage. So the plan is that one of us will do 20 minutes on the elliptical while the other does weights, switch and then do it again.
She must have been a tad grumpy (or maybe we blame it on the freezing garage) because it was an interesting workout. During the workout she accused me of “rushing” her on the elliptical (how does one actually do that?), then her iPod stopped working so she threw it across the garage (I’m omitting the curse words but let me tell you, she can really let them rip). Being helpful I pick it up and try and reset it. It’s not working. I hand it back to her in that condition and somehow I get the blame for its lack of functionality. I think to ask if the cold hard cement might have had something to do with it but decide to keep that to my inside voice.
I did get a good workout and logged a tad over 5 miles between the two sets. I reread that last paragraph and it might sound like I’m slamming Sharon. Not at all. We laughed about the workout over lunch and an extra hot latte (non fat/no foam). She has been the driver to my running. The many training workouts she has devised have helped me become a runner instead of a jogger.
I do look forward to clear streets and getting back on the road – or at least to the gym. Until then I will continue to find those opportunities to get in a workout, be it with a crazy lady in a garage or someplace a little safer…
Sharon (younger and faster running buddy) calls and suggests that we use her elliptical machine along with some dumbbells to get in a workout. Cool. I should say cold. The elliptical is housed in the garage. So the plan is that one of us will do 20 minutes on the elliptical while the other does weights, switch and then do it again.
She must have been a tad grumpy (or maybe we blame it on the freezing garage) because it was an interesting workout. During the workout she accused me of “rushing” her on the elliptical (how does one actually do that?), then her iPod stopped working so she threw it across the garage (I’m omitting the curse words but let me tell you, she can really let them rip). Being helpful I pick it up and try and reset it. It’s not working. I hand it back to her in that condition and somehow I get the blame for its lack of functionality. I think to ask if the cold hard cement might have had something to do with it but decide to keep that to my inside voice.
I did get a good workout and logged a tad over 5 miles between the two sets. I reread that last paragraph and it might sound like I’m slamming Sharon. Not at all. We laughed about the workout over lunch and an extra hot latte (non fat/no foam). She has been the driver to my running. The many training workouts she has devised have helped me become a runner instead of a jogger.
I do look forward to clear streets and getting back on the road – or at least to the gym. Until then I will continue to find those opportunities to get in a workout, be it with a crazy lady in a garage or someplace a little safer…
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Jingle Bell Run
Last Saturday I ran the Seattle "Jingle Bells Run" with my two speedster friends Albert and Sharon. Once again they both beat me. However usually they have time to grab a sandwich and a coffee by the time I cross the finish line, this time it was a little better...I think. I do remind them that I am closing in on 50 while they just hit 40 this past year. Sometimes I think I should find some new running pals that are oh, I don't know, maybe in their upper 60's...
The official results still aren't in but I believe my pace was around the 7:56 minute mile mark. Not as fast as usual however this was a tough one. The first third of the race was an incline (and I don't recall ever finding the decline to offset it). It was 22 degrees and snow and ice pockets were here and there. They closed the expressway (fun to run on the freeway) and one of the tunnels - once in the tunnel hundreds of people were singing jingle bells. Freaky....I did my best to pass anyone who was singing as it would be embarrassing to have someone sing AND run faster than you.
At the start line we were packed in so tight you couldn't lift your arms. The guy next to me took his shirt off and decided to run topless (again, it was 22 degrees). His girlfriend standing next to him declined to follow suit - had she, I might have found two new running buddies. There was somewhere between 6000 and 10000 runners I would guess.
My next run (weather permitting) will be on January 1st - the Resolution Run. There are two options to sign up for. One is the normal 5K and the other has you jump in the lake just before the finish. I won't be going the water route. I fear that water that cold will deliver a shrinkage level that I may never recover from. I'm also looking for a race the weekend after my birthday so I can do my first run as a 50 year old. So far no luck but there will be one within a month.
**UPDATE** Times are in and gun time was an 8:03 minute mile. I stand by my 7:56 since it took quite some time to get to the start line once the gun went off. In my age group I came in 14 of 174 which is better than I thought for how I felt the race went. Sharon finished 2 of 223 for her age group. I couldn't locate Albert's results and I'm confident that he isn't still out there - though in one of last years races he did run the wrong way.
The official results still aren't in but I believe my pace was around the 7:56 minute mile mark. Not as fast as usual however this was a tough one. The first third of the race was an incline (and I don't recall ever finding the decline to offset it). It was 22 degrees and snow and ice pockets were here and there. They closed the expressway (fun to run on the freeway) and one of the tunnels - once in the tunnel hundreds of people were singing jingle bells. Freaky....I did my best to pass anyone who was singing as it would be embarrassing to have someone sing AND run faster than you.
At the start line we were packed in so tight you couldn't lift your arms. The guy next to me took his shirt off and decided to run topless (again, it was 22 degrees). His girlfriend standing next to him declined to follow suit - had she, I might have found two new running buddies. There was somewhere between 6000 and 10000 runners I would guess.
My next run (weather permitting) will be on January 1st - the Resolution Run. There are two options to sign up for. One is the normal 5K and the other has you jump in the lake just before the finish. I won't be going the water route. I fear that water that cold will deliver a shrinkage level that I may never recover from. I'm also looking for a race the weekend after my birthday so I can do my first run as a 50 year old. So far no luck but there will be one within a month.
**UPDATE** Times are in and gun time was an 8:03 minute mile. I stand by my 7:56 since it took quite some time to get to the start line once the gun went off. In my age group I came in 14 of 174 which is better than I thought for how I felt the race went. Sharon finished 2 of 223 for her age group. I couldn't locate Albert's results and I'm confident that he isn't still out there - though in one of last years races he did run the wrong way.
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