Only Did 30 Minutes

My long run this weekend is 7 miles. I got up late and when I finally headed out the weather was beautiful. It was one of those mornings when it was hard to get comfortable - either too hot or too cold. I only did 30 minutes and decided I would do my 7 miles tomorrow.

4.5 Miles in Oyster Creek Park

Patricia and I did a 4.5 mile walk in the 30 degree weather this morning. It had been a really long time since I'd been to Oyster Creek Park. There was barely any greenery in the places that are usually so lush. One of the sections closest to Lexington, just before the bridge, had been totally "scalped." It was really sad. There were a ton of cardinals, though, that brightened the landscape. I tried really hard to get a good picture, but they kept eluding me.

 

One if many cardinals



On the Road

From Monday December 17th, through Wednesday December 19th, Stan and I walked the streets and sites of Atlanta. On Monday, we walked at least 4.5 miles, the rest at least 3 miles. Even though we ate quite a bit of the local fare which included a lot of fried foods, I only ate half f my portions. That strategy worked because I only gained 1 pound during our trip!

Today I ran the Jingle Jog for Jimmy 5K in Suwanee, GA. It was a charity fundraiser for a family of a young man who died this year. Unfortunately, the registrations were low, and because of the heavy rains, there were very few last minute sign-ups. It was pouring down rain when the race started. I had totally forgotten that the Atlanta area was hilly, but luckily this course wasn't too steep.
Since the turnout was so low, I managed to place first on my age group.

Before the race

Race Shirt

One of the hills

 

The finish 43.29

Bling!

Graduation - Achievement of a Life Goal

I graduated from college today - 47 years late, but I did it. Thanks to the distance learning program at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, I was one of 1000 students at Winter Commencement.

3 Miles with Patricia

My friend and running buddy Patricia is back for a long visit from India. We had a great walk in the cold weather this morning. I got to show her the Brindley trail as we caught up on the past 8 months.

40 Minutes in the Chill

There was frost on the grass and cars when I went out this morning. I warmed up pretty fast once I started running, but  the wind made it too cold to take my jacket off. I managed to survive and finished 40 minutes, with about 20 minutes of intervals.

It was nippy this morning. I had an early meeting and when I got back I went for a short walk - just 25 minutes. I'll take Tuesday off  and then plan to get 45 minutes in on Wednesday.

6 Miles

The watch I wore today didn't have interval timing on it, so I ran intermittant intervals. Part of my 6 mile route included the Brindley trail (I just love it there!). I started out late, so it was pretty hot by the time I was done. The temperature today was a record breaker with a high of 83. Pretty crazy for December!

 

 Brindley Trail

30 minutes of 1:00/1:00's

This morning's sunrise - I thought that was the moon above

 but since it's in the last cycle, it must be glare.

 



It's a good thing I layered because even though it was cool, I warmed up pretty fast. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals again after a 5 minute each warm-up and cool-down. It's feeling much more comfortable. If I can keep this up, I may be able to finish my half marathon under 3:30.

 

I got to thinking about how much easier it will be to do a few more half marathons once I've done the Sugar Land half. Maybe it will be a redux of 2006 when I went HALF- crazy.

I signed up for a 5K race outside of Atlanta on December 16, the Jingle Jog for Jimmy http://jinglejog.blogspot.com/  . It's a benefit race and starts at 3:00pm! I thought about doing the Santa Hustle in Galveston, which looks like a really fun race . You get a technical "Santa" shirt, a beard/mustache and Santa hat http://santahustle.com/galveston/ . They expect you to run wearing all that gear, something I'm not ready to do. I think I would rather run the Rhythm and Blues Half, right here in Houston on February 10th. http://rhythmandblueshalfmarathon.com/ 

30 Minutes Walking

This weather is crazy - 50's and muggy this morning. I really wanted to do intervals but I woke up with a headache that turned to a migraine, so I walked for 30 minutes. Hopefully, I'll be in better shape tomorrow.

1:00/1:00 Intervals

Boy was it humid this morning! I started out doing intervals - walking 1 minute and running 30 seconds. Then I switched to running 1 minute and walking 30 seconds, but realized I need more rest time. I went back to my old stand-by, 1:00/1:00's, which I used to do all the time. It felt really comfortable. If I can keep it up, I may be able to increase my speed and go from super slow to just plain slow.
I'm not expecting to win any races - just the one with myself.

Introduced Stan to the Brindley Trail

 

This morning I convinced Stan to explore the Justin Brindley trail. I tricked him in to parking in the main lot, (rather than the one by the dog park which is closer) so we could get a little extra distance in since we were taking a leisurely hike on the 1.5 mile trail. There were several mountain bikers that kept circling the trail, but it was very peaceful otherwise. There's a lot to see and hear if you take the time to look.

 

 

One of the winding trails



Standing in front of one of the biggest trees on the trail

 



 

5.6 Miles

This weekend's long run is 5 miles. I have a lot going on, so on the spur of the moment, I decided to extend today's training. I did 30 minutes yesterday and had planned to do 45 minutes this morning, but as I began my second loop around the lake, I asked myself "Why not do my long run?" After two lake loops I wandered over by the dog park to check out the Jeff Brindley trail. It's a one way hiking and biking trail. I should have checked the length of the trail before I went in, but I didn't. All tolled, I actually did 5.6 miles instead of 5! The trail was wonderful, very rustic, providing a feeling that you were deeper in the woods than you were. This was actually the trail that Bob and I forged back on April 29, 2008, back before the brambles and growth had been cleared http://marathonyears4and5.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html.

There's a great overlook with a park bench that provides a scenic view of the Brazos river.

View from the Overlook

 

 Now that my long run is behind me, the pressure is off. Yeah!!!

My Motivation to Get out Early

Another beautiful sunrise this morning - this is what motivates me to get up early! The weather was chilly again, in the high thirties. I did a little running, but mostly walking for 35 minutes. I've got a packed weekend, so my 5 miler will be a challenge.

I went out for 40 minutes yesterday morning and another 35 this morning. I guess yesterday was the last of this "cold" front because it was really warm this morning. The fog was so heavy at 7:00a.m. the sunrise wasn't visible.

I'll take a break tomorrow since Tuesday is my early day and go back out on Wednesday. The Sugar Land Half marathon is just 9 weeks away.  It's designed to be "everyone's marathon" and even slow pokes like me get to finish with dignity!

5 a.m. start: All Full Marathon participants taking six or more hours to complete the race

7 a.m. start: All Half- and Full Marathon participants expecting to complete in less than six hours

7:15 a.m. start: All 5K participants

There's still time to register for the full, half or 5K. Check it out here:  http://www.usafitmarathon.com/ .

3 Miles in the Brisk Weather

Since I did my long run at Thursday's Turkey Trot, I only did 3 miles this morning. The weather was terrific. I chose to walk rather than run, so I bundled up. It was a little embarrassing getting passed up by half naked runners who were burning a lot more calories than me. Maybe I'll be one of them tomorrow (just the running part) ........

Turkey Trot 5 Miler

The Sugar Land Turkey Trot is a great holiday tradition. There were over 1700 people registered for the three races that went on this morning. The first race, the Sean Scroggins Kids 1 miler was great fun. Although there were a few as old as 12, the majority were very young.

Texan fan Josiah Tomlin ready to start

The race that I did was the 5 miler. I had intended to do 1:00/30 intervals - running for 1 minute and walking for 30 seconds but flipped that around. My finish time was 1:17:49, pretty slow but at least I burned those calories before our big Thanksgiving feast. And I got my 5 miles in for the week.

Almost to the finish line!

A Little 20 Minute Run

Since tomorrow is the Turkey Trot 5 Miler in Sugar Creek, I just did a little "warm up". This is the 27th annual event hosted by Race director Andy Stewart of Finish Line Sports. I've done it several times and always enjoy burning those calories before Thanksgiving dinner.

It's About Time!

It's been over two years since I've posted at my blog. Part of my absence has to do with the injury I sustained in June, 2010 and which flared up after the Freedom 5K on the Fourth of July 5K. When I posted last, I was tentative about making it to Jeff and Brede's Sprint Tri that September. Although my knee started to improve, I never got in enough "saddle" time on my bike, so I was a no show. In October I ran the Houston Half. I didn't have any pain during the race, but when I finished, I was FINISHED! That was the last race I did until July 2011, when I did the Freedom 5K again, this time walking. That was my one and only race in 2011, and I had pretty much decided that I was through with running.

C-Different Tri with Race Director Patty Godfrey

In March of 2012, I was enticed by the C-Different triathlon that offered a super sprint - half the distance of a typical sprint tri. It had an open water swim and was literally in my backyard. I struggled to fit into my wetsuit after all sorts of tricks to stretch it. I did that race and actually won a medal for placing first in my age group. Of course, that was because I was the only one in my age group. Ironically, I received an email from the Olympic Trials committee inviting me to participate in the Olympic trials that Spring. I ignored their misguided invitation.........

Impact a Hero with Doug Turner - BBQ crew

That race rekindled my interest in triathlons and short races, so I completed the Memorial Hermann Tri in June and three 5K races - Impact a Hero, Skeeters Buzz Run and the Optimist 5K. I ran intervals at each and have had no problem with my knee but the plantar fasciitis that attacked me in April has been no fun. Plantar fasciitis causes a very painful burning of the bottoms of one's feet. I have tried various remedies, including orthotics, high doses of Omega 3 and Shape Up shoes. It's getting better, but definitely puts a damper on walking or running.

Dancing at the Freedom 5K after party on Fourth of July

I'm training now for the USA Fit Sugar Land Half Marathon on January 27th. I'm following Hal Higdon's http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program 12 week training schedule for my long runs. My last long run was 4 miles on Sunday. I'll be doing the Sugar Land Turkey Trot 5 miler on Thanksgiving.

Skeeter Buzz Run 5K

I'm baaaaack!


Optimist 5K