Marathon Photos...I Hope

At long last here are some photos from the Lewis & Clark Marathon on 9/16/07. It is so incredible how the photos tell the story of my energy levels.




I'm somewhere on the first half of the course in the photo above, I'm just not sure where, but I'm still full of &%#* and vinegar at that point. Bring on the world!!!

Here I am near the half way point just before or right around mile 13, being crazy. My running partner is just out of the photo doing the same thing. My tongue is not hanging out because I was tired...not yet anyway. There is hardly anything I do that my tongue doesn't try to get into the picture somewhere (ok Marcy here is your point to step in for comments).

This was taken about a quarter mile from the finish line. A whole different image than two pics above it. The vinegar and everything else has been drained or consumed. I'm running almost on empty at this point. I was so surprised to see that my Garmin showed I was able to get back into the low 13 minute per mile pace for miles 25 and 26. My guess would have been that I was crawling.

WHOOOSH!!!!! finished at long last. The time is gun time, my chip time was 5:56:02!!!! Just after this photo was taken I stopped dead in my tracks and realized I don't have to take another step, I finished I was a marathoner. Then I quickly realized that if I didn't move I would probably fall down. What an experience!!!!

Today's Question and Deep Thoughts

I noticed that in deducting the difference between the chip time and gun time of my Lewis & Clark Marathon I ran the first half about 5 minutes faster than what I ran my half marathon in April. I believe that the training at greater than half marathon distances was beneficial in the improved HM time. That leads me to today’s question:

In order to improve full marathon time and to build better stamina for the 26.2 miles, shouldn’t I work towards longer than marathon training runs? If I continue in my training to max at 20-22 miles, how will I ever see any significant improvement? What distances is everyone maxing at in marathon training? We are currently running 4-5 miles on Mondays and Wednesdays with our long runs on either Saturday or Sunday each week. Would it also make any sense to up my weekly mileage? We are currently in the 14-18 mile range just after completing the marathon less than two weeks ago. I do know that incorporating some speed work into my routine at least every other week will help improve time and endurance, so I’ve got to get beyond talking about it and just “get it done”. I know I may not be the fastest horse in the race but I also know I’m not the slowest mule on the course either. While I’m able I still want to do the best that I can in my runs and that means improving my times when possible.

It was sort of funny today sitting in the Oklahoma City airport, yes I’m traveling again. This time I am off to Colorado from Monday to Friday. Anyway, the fact that I finished the Lewis & Clark Marathon is finally sinking in for me. I sat and was people watching, a favorite time passer for me when I travel. In watching the other travelers I felt a pride in knowing that I’ve accomplished something that so many others haven’t even thought about much less attempted. I’m not really feeling all that cocky just good about what I’ve done and the journey that I’ve walked and ran over the past 2 years.

My shin problems are back again it seems, still in the right leg. Today the pain wasn’t as noticeable when I got up as it was yesterday. I’ve started taking my liquid anti-oxidant again (Monte Vie) and I’m wondering if that is truly the reason the pain is lessening. I know that anti-oxidants are capable of great things in the body.

It is so incredible to think that I’ve got a half marathon coming up in less than 3 weeks and I’m not nervous about it or apprehensive about the distance at all. The feeling is that it’s just going to be another training run. I’m really looking forward to what November, December and January will bring. Running 3 marathons within 90 days to achieve my first level as a Marathon Maniac, that creates a bit of the jitters.

The time between now and November 18 will be spent training again, building base mileage as I work towards new goals. Now that I know I can do the distance, I’ll be signing up for the Tulsa – Route 66 Marathon this coming weekend. I am already committed to the Honolulu Marathon on December 9 and the Houston Marathon on January 13. I’m excited to have these targets out in front of me and equally excited that upon completion of them I will have four marathons behind me in four different states. On a long term note, I’m toying with the idea of eventually running 50 marathons in 50 states, a lofty goal for a newbie, but food for thought and another reason to run.

Looking ahead to next year, at least the first half of the year, I see an entry into the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (running the full this time), then about a month and half later entering the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN because that is within an hour of our grandkids and a good excuse for a vacation with them.

Lewis & Clark 2007 Marathon Stats

Well here are the mile by mile stats from my race last Sunday. I was in great company it would appear. Dick Beardsley was running in my age group and managed to just beat me. He finished in 2:56:49, and I ran behind him at 5:56:02...waaaay behind him *LOL*.

Ok, now for my stats:
I believe these times are based on the gun:
First half: 2:46:55 Pace: 12:45
Second half: 3:09:07 Pace: 14:26

These times are from my Garmin:
Mile 1: 12:51
Mile 2: 12:37
Mile 3: 12:41
Mile 4: 14:01 (Think this included a potty break)
Mile 5: 12:09
Mile 6: 12:09
Mile 7: 12:13
Mile 8: 12:00
Mile 9: 12:12
Mile 10: 13:13
Mile 11: 12:15
Mile 12: 12:22
Mile 13: 12:35
Mile 14: 13:00
Mile 15: 12:34
Mile 16: 13:27
Mile 17: 13:04
Mile 18: 13:07 (Fatigue started to get the best of me from this point on)
Mile 19: 14:06
Mile 20: 14:47
Mile 21: 18:24 (I'm glad I didn't quit here)
Mile 22: 15:49
Mile 23: 15:20
Mile 24: 16:22
Mile 25: 13:18
Mile 26: 13:25
.02 Mile:13:27

So ok no negative splits, but after looking at things and blowing out Mile 21, I'm glad to see that I was able to get back into the 13 minute/mile range for the final two miles...I would have never guessed that I picked up the pace that much....again thanks to that nameless lady that finished just ahead of me for being an inspiration to get in under the 6:00:00 time frame.

Saturday...Home Again At Last

Well still NO race photos yet. Maybe later today. We are running either 6 or 7 miles this morning around Lake Hefner. I haven't run this week because of a pain I've had in my right shin but it feels better today.

I'm excited about running again, first time since the marathon last Sunday. Other good news is that I've confirmed that I did the marathon with no...none...nada...blisters and I feel great for that.

Thanks everyone for your comments on the race. Yes that was the first and it definitely won't be the last. We have a half marathon in Madill, OK that we are now going to train for that comes up in 3 weeks. I can remember feeling so strong at the half marathon point of last Sunday's race. Glad I felt that way since things seemed to fall apart after that.

I'm No Longer a Virgin!!!!!!! (Caution - - Long Report)

As of yesterday, Sunday September 16, 2007 I lost my virginity….again. This time it wasn’t as a teenager, or in the back of a vehicle, but it was definitely more memorable than that “other” first time. I lost it at 7:00 A.M. and was in a crowd of at least 5,000, no it wasn’t an orgy. A gun was fired and I officially started my first marathon. The location was St. Charles, MO, just outside of St. Louis and the event was the Lewis and Clark Marathon.

The day was great, low to mid 50’s for temps, cloudy, not much humidity, and little to no wind.

I ran with my two training partners from Edmond, Clyde and Rachel. Clyde was there to run the half-marathon; Rachel was there to run the full 26.2 miles with me. Rachel’s sister Alice was also participating as a walker in the half-marathon.

As for times, well Alice finished her half in just over 4 hours, Clyde finished his half in 2 hours 46 minutes, Rachel finished her full marathon in 5 hours 44 minutes…AND…I finished my FIRST marathon in 5 hours 56 minutes (13:28 pace).

Rachel and I ran most of the first half together and ran a pace of 12:34 for the 13.1 miles. Probably a bit fast for me to be effective with my finish of the last 13.1 miles, but I did finish. No negative splits today, not even close. But hey, the finish today was the key, the fact that it was under 6 hours was icing on the cake for me.

The end result for everyone was no injuries, no blisters, and no quitters. Well I must admit that around the 23 mile point I had some serious thoughts of quitting, I was tired, had no energy and couldn’t formulate complete thoughts, or so I thought in my own head.

This marathon has some fabulous scenery along the way. The last 13.1 miles is all on what is called the Katy Trail, a woodland area trail that is made of crushed rock and dirt base, so it was very easy on the feet and legs. We crossed the Missouri River at mile 7, in fact mile 7, according to their race map sit right at the midway point on the bridge. This was also the “hill” for the marathon. We ran through areas of rural farming (beans and corn and maybe more) through old town St. Charles that was originally established in 1796 and as I mentioned the Katy Trail. The run through the Katy Trail was often covered with tree foliage so we ran in shade, as the sun did come out at times but did not stay out for long. The races both finished on the west side of the Missouri River in the Lewis and Clark Frontier Park area.

Clyde and I shared a room and we were up at 4:30 to get ready to catch a shuttle bus to the starting line area by 5:15 A.M. We were the first on the bus and the driver got a bit disoriented where we were supposed to be let off and we had to get to the start line by a race official using a golf cart. We got there early enough that our first trip to the port-o-potties did not require standing in line, not so for the second trip just before the start time. We were able to hook up with Rachel and her sister rather easily so we were all in the mass start together. The beginning was a slow walk to the actual start gate that took about 5 minutes, so our gun time and start time should be off by approximately that much.

Early on in the race we were dodging a fair number of walkers but it wasn’t a big issue for us. Rachel and I soon were out ahead of Clyde. At the 2 or 3 mile point I suddenly realized for the first time in a long time I was running pain free (no shin pain, no feet or toe pain, no ankle pain) and my shoes didn’t seem to be bothering me.

Mile 3 saw us having to make a bathroom pit stop that was relatively short. Miles 3 and 4 were a short side-trip out and back through an industrial area that was neat because it gave you a really good indication of the number of people that were both ahead of us and then also that were still behind us.

Miles 5 and 6 were pretty uneventful. Well mile 6 led us up to the approach of the bridge over the Missouri River. While on the bridge I lost my visor and had to stop to grab that. I panicked briefly as I did not see my Oakley sunglasses laying with it as I figured if the hat went so did the glasses that were on top of my head at the time. When I didn’t see them I figured I had lost them earlier….till I reached up and felt them still on my head.

After hitting mile 7 at the top of the bridge we had a long down hill off the bridge that allowed us to drive our pace time down in the neighborhood of 12:25 for a while….that felt good.

Mile 8 we had to give way to an ambulance that went running by in the same direction we were headed and we later realized they must have picked up a runner out near the 10 mile point. I hope they weren’t in any severe pain.

Miles 9 and 10 took us through a more rural area just outside of St. Charles, very laid back and quiet.

Mile 11 gave us our first exposure to the Katy Trail for maybe a mile, running alongside the Missouri River.

Mile 12 took us through the historic area of downtown St. Charles.

Mile 13 saw Clyde suddenly appear and pass us by as he finished his half-marathon. He ran a very strong race today, much stronger than the half-marathon that he ran in Oklahoma City in April.

At this point Rachel and I continued on our journey working our way back onto the Katy Trail. For this particular race there were over 4,500 entrants for the half-marathon and only 850 for the marathon. So after we left the halfers it got a bit lonely at times, or was that because my innate ability to run at the back of the pack.

We ran together until Mile 17 when I started to lose energy and then we seesawed some, but by Mile 18 Rachel and pulled away to a commanding lead. By the way, Rachel was the runner that I beat at the Oklahoma Half Marathon in April of this year and she vowed then that I wouldn’t beat her again. Little did I know how seriously she would trounce me in this race. I have to applaud her though, today she was “on her race” from the start and I just feel fortunate to have run with her for 17 miles.

Between Miles 18 and 20 she slowly pulled ahead to the point where I lost sight of her. At 19.5 we made the turn to return the Lewis and Clark Park, via the same Katy Trail and she was smiling as she effortlessly ran by me. Not long after that I lost sight of her for good until I got near the finish line and she was cheering me on along the sidelines.

It was at Mile 18 that the left side of my brain started to try and convince me that I wasn’t capable of finishing a race of this caliber. I kept reverting back to positive affirmations that seemed to keep me putting one foot in front of the other.

At Mile 21 Clyde found the two of us, first Rachel and then he waited on me. It was great to actually get my hands on a 20 ounce bottle of water and a baggy of sugar-coated mini-wheat cereal. During this stop a speed-walking lady passed me by. She was part of one of the several organized efforts that were participating for one cancer or another. By Mile 22 she was joined by a “coach” that had run out to catch her. I caught up with her about the time the “coach” caught up to her and overheard the speed-walker say that if she didn’t finish this marathon in less than 6 hours she would not participate in another. I thought, since I was getting more exhausted by the step I would follow them in, or at least attempt to do so. I was by now keeping a weary eye on my Garmin and the average pace for the race, straining to keep my pace faster than 13:34 which I thought I remembered would be right at 6 hours. As I ran behind this couple I found I could just catch up to them during a run but not pass them. Then when I walked I was left in their dirt due to the pace the speed-walker was maintaining. So I would walk my pace then run a faster pace to catch back up only to be left behind on the next walk. This went on from Mile 22 to the finish line.

At Mile 23 Clyde found me again and gave me a colder bottle of water, a God-send and my baggy of cereal again for several quick mini-munchie bites. Then I was off again to catch my speed-walker again and again. She crossed the finish line just ahead of me and we both finished in less than 6 hours. Without her to lead me in I suspect I would have finished far worse or perhaps not at all.

The finish was great, hearing my name as I crossed the finish line knowing that I had become a member of a select group on Earth that had completely such a distance run.

The end was a bit anti-climatic. We had to hurriedly go back to our hotel to shower so we could check out of our room. To lay some quick ground work here, I run in compression pants and a compression shirt. These are good for not allowing the armpits and thighs to chafe. However, there is an area between the cheeks that I forgot about and the shower reminded me that it had become sore. An error that I hope I don’t make again in the near future if ever.

Overall we had a great time driving over together, meeting Rachel’s sister, preparing for the race and participating in the race. Even though I was doubting my sanity for wanting to accomplish this event around Mile 22, I finished and I feel great now as we drive home Sunday evening.

One last observation, I have to give a great deal of credit to both of my running companions (Clyde and Rachel) for being great coaches over the past 3 months in preparing for this day. I ran out of energy and that can’t be blamed on their training efforts. I feel that without their assistance and guidance I would not have finished today.

Sorry I'm Late...No Internet Connection Yesterday

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!

I ran the Lewis and Clark Marathon, finished in 5:56:02. I've got a more detailed race report written up that I will put online later today and photos to follow either tonight or tomorrow. Oh my God!!!! what an awesome feeling. I'm really happy and pleased with myself. I accomplished both of my personal goals, finish the race and finish under 6 hours. Thanks for everyone's wonderful support.

Finally Another Run

We did a very slow 4.12 miles this morning at a pace of 14:54...actually more walking than running, but none the less we were out on the streets again....YEA!!!!

We strategized about the marathon on Sunday, what to take, what to wear, what to do on Saturday...as little as possible, outside of eating and maybe visiting the race expo.

Last night my wonderful bride presented me with an early race present. Several weeks ago I had looked at some Oakley sunglasses and was amazed at how well they fit and the eye comfort they afforded out in the sun. We talked about maybe we could get them after I finished this marathon as sort of a reward....well, she sneakily ordered them for me ahead of time and decided I need them for race day so I got a present from her last night. It was too dark to wear them this morning but I'm looking forward to wearing them this weekend.....I Love You so much and so appreciate all your support.

I'm Getting Nervous.....5 Days

I'm getting nervous jitters and it's still 5 days until the marathon. I'm not nervous about finishing or anything, I'm just nervous. I'm really glad I'm running this first one with friends that will help, especially with the pace. I keep telling myself, go slow....just finish...don't worry about the time...just finish.. then I wonder what those last 6 unknown miles will be like...but then I can picture myself crossing the finish line and being happy with just being there...oh yes I'm so excited...did I say that already?

I didn't run at all while we were on vacation but did a far amount of walking on a couple of occasions and carried grandkids alot or pushed a double stroller for them...those of you that run and push a stroller my hat is off to you...awesome efforts....still I didn't run at all....

Then yesterday we were rained out of our normal Monday morning run, tomorrow we run and the weather looks like it will cooperate....we are running a very shortened route...more walking really....so tonight when Bonnie gets home we may sneak in a 2 or 4 mile route, if the mosquitos aren't too bad.....

Did I mention that I'm nervous? It's only 5 days.....but I'm ready to conquer the beast....

Where is Randy?

Well Randy and Bonnie are currently in Minnesota playing with the grandkids. We are waaaaaay up in the NE part of the state in Virginia, MN. Today though we will be taking Bonnie's son and kids to the NE corner of North Dakota to visit a few days with Bonnie's aunt.

I haven't run since last Monday. I didn't get any running in while in Wyoming but hope to run tomorrow morning (Monday) while in North Dakota. I did get alot of walking in yesterday when we visited Duluth, MN. We spent alot of time shopping for our daughter-in-law's birthday since we won't be with her on the actual day. We also visited the coast of Lake Superior, but it was total socked in with heavy fog. There is a story to tell while at the coast but it requires a couple of photos that I can't download from the camera just yet. It seems I left the download cable at home. I'm hoping to transfer photos from the memory chip to a CD or thumb-drive while at Target today.

Virginia is a very small town in what is known as the Iron Range of Minnesota. They do not have a Wal-Mart....yes that is true there is a town in America that does not have a Wal-Mart. They do have a Super-Target though and we will give it a try. So hopefully more photos to be posted later today or later this week.

While at Bonnie's aunt's home we will not have internet access, so may be out of touch for another couple of days. I really appreciate those that were asking about my whereabouts, and I apologize for not getting online sooner.

Run/Walk Monday

Well this day started out that we were just going to walk, then we finally decided that we would run, so let it be that we did a very slow hour....which after our 20 on Saturday this was a good recovery day. I'm not sore, have no blisters, and I'm ready to go more....

Total Time: 1:02:50
Mile 1: 15:25
Mile 2: 15:50
Mile 3: 13:57
Mile 4: 13:24
Last 0.38 mile: 10:59 pace
Avg HR: 131
MAX HR: 166

Nothing like starting out walking to assure yourself of negative splits....LOL...

20 Miler is History

Yesterday we ran our longest run before the Lewis & Clark Marathon on September 16...now we start to taper...which is good since we will be on vacation starting this coming Friday until September 9 in North Dakota and Minnesota....but back to the run...

We started at 4 AM...yes that is 4:00 AM. It was just Rachel and I to start with, then Clyde joined us around the 7 mile mark....it rained, or actually drizzled on Rachel and I between miles 1 and 2, so now I guess I can officially say I have run in the rain....it felt good, cooling, but then it was gone.

Oh before I get too far into this...my Garmin worked fine...a report from it will be down below...

In past long runs I've had issues with bathroom breaks....I've not had any urges to take them and have been wondering if something was wrong of if I was sweating out all the fluids I was taking in that my body didn't need...as a result I've been nicknamed "Camel" by Rachel. Well today between 8 and 9 I got the urge and had to stop at a Wal-Mart to use the facilities...oh baby what a relief. I know TMI....

At the 11 mile point I had to stop and take a small boulder out of my left shoe...I was surprised at how good my foot felt just being out of that hot shoe...like a breath of fresh air...I was tempted to "release" my right foot but the rest of me didn't want to take the time....so I'm off again.

Today I felt great until we hit the 18 mile point...I don't know if that was my wall...but at least temporarily I was glad I had other runners with me because I might have stopped otherwise. At this point I was starting to feel something on the forefoot of my right foot and feared a blister the size of Rhode Island...ok make that Montana....more on that later.

Starting at mile 14 we did some weaving through neighborhood streets to take advantage of early morning shade after the sun had come up and burned off the rain clouds that had been in the area. This felt good to be able to duck into some shade as we moved along.

Bonnie joined us at mile 15 and ran the rest of the way with us. She is such a trooper and great supporter...this time it was me that needed the words of encouragement that I could finish, that I was looking good....she was great, and I love her.

My heart rate was so astonishing...it averaged 127 for the entire 20 miles and it only peaked at 158....I was so amazed.

Well the issue with the bottom of my right foot, turned out it was not Rhode Island nor was it Montana...when I finally got my shoes and socks off...after we had stopped at IHOP for the breakfast of champions...or at least tired runners....I discovered my feet were red and hot...but NO blisters!!!!! Yea!!!!!!!

I did sprint to the finish line, which surprised me that I had that left in me.

Today I'm tired, but happy knowing that I can finish the marathon, excited knowing that it will be my first....a little apprehensive about those last 6 miles that I have yet to experience though. I'm contemplating carrying an extra pair of socks with me just in case my feet need some relief on that last stretch.....any ideas there?

Total Time: 4:55:14
Pace: 14:37 (As a training pace I"m happy with that)
Mile 1: 14:27
Mile 2: 13:21 (rain)
Mile 3: 14:34 (bathroom break for Rachel)
Mile 4: 13:40
Mile 5: 14:24
Mile 6: 16:09 (bathroom break for Rachel)
Mile 7: 13:11 (Clyde joined us)
Mile 8: 15:16 (bathroom break for Randy)
Mile 9: 16:02
Mile 10: 15:22 (rock in shoe)
Mile 11: 15:47
Mile 12: 14:05
Mile 13: 17:07
Mile 14: 14:01
Mile 15: 16:08 (Bonnie joined us)
Mile 16: 13:16
Mile 17: 15:27
Mile 18: 13:36 (The WALL)
Mile 19: 13:13
Mile 20: 13:47
Last 0.19 mile: 11:12 pace

With this run I've finally gotten over the 500 mile mark for the year!!!!!

Garmin Update

I talked to Garmin this morning on the phone. They were most helpful and gave me instructions on how to reset the watch...."hit the mode and the reset buttons at the same time", then hit the power button. It came right on....so I'm hoping I'm safe for now. Time will tell, but I am getting a bit anxious as we get closer to marathon time in September.

This Saturday is our last long day (20 miles...yes a whole 20!!!!) and then we start to taper for the marathon...which is great as we will be leaving for Minnesota and North Dakota on 8/31, and will be gone for a week.

I'm getting excited about the marathon...about running the full distance....wow...yes!!!!!! I can do it!!!!

Another Bust For Garmin

I tried to turn on my Garmin on Monday and it worked and I thought all was well. But this morning I tried it again and it just sat there not responding. So I guess I will have to do the inevitable and write to Garmin to see what they will do towards a repair or replacement.

We did 5.0 miles at a 13.11 minute/mile pace for a total time of 1:05:55. It was warm muggy humid morning. I will try to write more later if I have time.

Have a Great Hump Day!!!

Back!!!!!! After a Hectic Week

Well last week was a very loooongggggg week. I was in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah performing due diligence on facilities that my company would like to purchase. That meant 14-16 hour days and NO running. At least not until Saturday.

Bonnie and I did a 5k race "Run With the Bulls" starting from the Oklahoma City Stockyards, fortunately there was a favorable wind that kept the aromatic aroma away from us most of the time. I think my time was 37:26, but more importantly Bonnie ran a 37:16...yes she beat me....it was one of those days when you start good and finish lousy. No excuses except it just didn't feel good. I'm proud of her though even though this wasn't a PR for her, you can't do that every time.

Today I did our typical Monday run/walk route. It was good to be back with my running buddies. I was able to finish strong but was tired when it was all said and done.

Well today I have budget work to finish, so I am not sure how much time I'll get to catch up on everyone's blogs, I'll give it a good try though.

Total Distance: 4.75 miles
Mile 1: 14:39
Mile 2: 15:24
Mile 3: 13:16
Mile 4: 13:28
.75 mile: 8:35
Total Time: 1:05:24
Pace: 13:45
Avg HR: 121
MAX HR: 164

Heart rate seems to be hanging in there, the Max is still coming down and continues to be the "sprint" that we do at the finish.

Have a GREAT Monday!!!! It feels good to be back.

Pancakes, Beer, and Nudity

According to Runner's World they have 15 ways to add fun to your run!!!!!

Today's run was actually 16.5 miles so the pace was a bit better at 13:20 minutes/mile....acceptable for me as a training run.

I got up super early (3:00 AM!!!!!) to get ready and also because I was responsible for 2 of our water/fuel drops. I got my legs warmed up via our heating pad and I was feeling really good. This run would be my longest to date and I was a bit nervous about it...actually apprehensive about it...after all, could I go the distance? I had done 14 two weeks ago and finished strong...but this was 2.5 miles further.

When I arrived at our starting point I was the first one there...go figure. I hit the start button on my Garmin and no go!!! I hit it again and nothing...then I panicked a bit hitting "all" the buttons and even looking for a reset button but in the end it was not going to be on my wrist. Again, I panicked and almost went home, neither Clyde or Rachel had arrived yet so I could just say I had slept in...but then they would find the water/fuel that I had dropped and I couldn't get them to believe some street person was feeling sorry for them, so I stayed. Clyde and Rachel both have other Garmin models and also Timex Ironman watches, so we were not hurting for technology....I just wouldn't have "MY" Garmin.

We set out together and enjoyed the early morning heat (around 80 degrees at 4:30 AM) minus the sun and much of the humidity. As it got closer to dawn though the humidity found us and we each looked like we had been running through lawn sprinklers.

Somewhere around mile 10 Rachel and I got ahead of Clyde for a while and he began shortcutting the route some by taking some alleways and meeting us on neighboring streets...see he's only training for a half marathon so he felt justified that he didn't need our training miles. We also ran into Bonnie somewhere in that 10 mile segment and she ran with me for several miles. Rachel had dropped back to run with Clyde for a while. Around mile 13 I got ahead of Bonnie...borrowing her Ironman to keep my run/walk intervals in check. She returned to her vehicle and had Clyde and Rachel coming by soon after that and ran with them.

Near mile 15 I ran into Rachel and Bonnie running together and Clyde some distance behind them. I decided to run back to our starting point with the girls. They had a good conversation going on...you have to know Bonnie...she can handle a conversation anywhere anytime. They allowed me to break in once or twice but were quick to point out that I was getting them off their subject...so I just ran with them....When I could see the end in sight I began to sprint...maybe the last 1/4 mile or so and I finished strong, maybe 45 seconds ahead of the girls and several minutes ahead of Clyde...but the important thing was that we all finished!!!!

I had run further than I had ever done and I had managed to sprint the finish....I have one sore toe...bruised nail on my second toe of my left foot but it's nothing serious...I'm not experiencing any significant shin pain and it's now mid-afternoon.

BTW...I'm sitting in the Denver Airport waiting on my connection to Grand Junction.

Several interesting features of our run today...I think we collected maybe .20 cents towards Rachel's future entry into a marathon from road change that we found...I thought I had struck a gold mine when I found .06 cents near a phone booth...until Bonnie told me that Rachel had found a dime while they were running together.

I found out after we were done that we had a "mad bird" experience...and I originally thought I was the only one that had it. Turns out I was the first....to be attacked by some crow/grackle looking bird. I had turned a corner and it flew up from somewhere, I didn't see where...to land on a nearby powerline. Then it was behind me. Well a few steps later I felt something brush across my head and realized the bird had just divebombed my head. I kept a wary eye for a bit, but no other episode from it. After the run I was telling Bonnie about it and she giggled saying that the same bird in the same area divebombed first Rachel and then her....grazing their hair before swooping away. It was as if he or she was playing touch and go wiht our heads...maybe it was considered an act of bravery in birddom and a story worthy of telling little fledgling flyer grandbirds that I touched the mighty human as they were toddling down the black mass of rock (road).

This day helped me discover that I would much rather run with people that I know than to run alone. I enjoyed the morning and I feel great now. I am getting big time excited about the September Lewis and Clark Marathon (9/16).

My hat is off to Bonnie as well for coming out and running with us, we figured that she ran at least 5 miles and truly closer to 6 miles. She's a trooper and is making great strides with her running.

The Longest 16 Miles....History!!!!!

Well this has to be short as I'm trying to get packed and take Bonnie out to brunch before I have to leave for the airport.....I did 16 miles this morning...starting at 4:40 AM....yes that is right....got done in 3 hrs 40 minutes, pace 13:45 min/mile. That's the short end of the long thing. I feel mostly good...my shins aren't bothering me...I have one toe on my left foot that was bruised, but I'm basically ok.

The down side to this....my Garmin didn't work this morning and it seems that it isn't charging. So I need to contact Garmin about it...I've heard they have a great service department...I hope that is true.

Saturday - A Day of Contemplation

No running or other workout today. We did errands and picked up some GU for my upcoming longer runs. In fact while we were out I got a call that our 16.5 mile run is on again for tomorrow morning. I'm glad to hear that, and I feel that I'm ready for it. This will be the furthest I've gone in one run ever. It should be excitig...plus hot and humid. It's 90 degrees now and it's almost 8:30 PM.

I hope that those who had races today did well in them and if you have a race coming up tomorrow that you will do your best!!!

This day has allowed me to rest yet another day and for that my right shin is starting to feel much better...so perhaps listening to my body was indeed a wise thing. I've noticed as the day progressed that any effort of getting up from a chair or out of a car was less and less painful to the point where tonight I'm not bothered at all. The pain has only been there when I get up and put some weight on the right leg...after starting to walk the pain goes away...kind of weird it seems.

I'm flying to Colorado tomorrow afternoon, so after a 16.5 mile run in the morning I get to sleep I hope on the way to Colorado. I will be on the west slope thru Wednesday afternoon and then back in Denver Wednesday night until Friday morning. So I should get in some more altitude running. I hope at least that it will be cooler than here and I know the humidity will be much less.

Slacker

I set my alarm for a run this morning and then I proceeded to go right back to sleep after it went off. Slacker comes to mind and today is supposed to hit 100 again, I think it did yesterday too. So I'm not so sure I could run tonight after work, maybe it's time to find my way back to the gym with Bonnie....to keep my eye on her eyeing all the hunks there....or them oogling her...don't get me wrong I'm not the jealous type...as long as they look at someone else....actually I'm very proud of her for her success in losing her weight and working hard to tone things up....I wish I could have the dedication to the weight loss that she's had....She's the most wonderful thing in my life right now. Well it's off to work we go...hiho...hiho....uhhoh...I don' want to go.....

Just Because It's My "Off" Day

Marcy tagged me and this being my day off from any running activity, I'll cooperate....otherwise I know she would run up my back. Here goes:

Jobs I've Held:
Health & Safety Manager
General Manager
Senior Staff Safety Representative
Safety Supervisor
Safety Engineer (starting to see a trend here)
Bowling Alley Manager (college)
Engineering Technican
Grocery Sacker (wow that goes back a ways)

Places I've Lived:

Palestine, TX (I was born here)
Corpus Christi, TX (I was raised there)
College Station, TX (I went to college here)
Bethel Park, PA (I finally left TX for the first time at age 23...it's a big state)
Lincoln, IL (not much happened there)
Pasedena, TX
Deer Park, TX
Corpus Christi, TX (again)
Rock Springs, WY (Wild Wonderful Wyoming) (My wonderful daughter was born here)
Fort Worth-metroplex, TX
Boulder, CO
Farmington, NM
Flora Vista, NM (I met Bonnie on the internet while living here)
Midland, TX (Just married again, life is good)
Edmond, OK (finally I caught up with myself)

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over:

The Great Escape
Forrestt Gump
The Right Stuff
The Wizard of Oz
A Christmas Story
Any John Wayne movie
Any Jamie Lee Curtis movie (she could eat crackers...oh never mind)

Shows I Enjoy:

Any of the CSI SVU series
CSI Miami
Any and All M.A.S.H. reruns
NASCAR races

Places I've Been On Vacation:

In no particular order:
Grand Canyon
Jackson Hole, WY
Grand Tetons
Yellowstone National Park
Zion National Park, UT
Arches National Park, UT
Steamboat Springs, CO
San Francisco, CA
Lake Tahoe, CA
Branson, MO
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Park City, UT
Padre Island, TX
Durango, CO
Pagosa Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Cancun, Mexico (this was the best of times anywhere, it was my honeymoon with Bonnie)
Grand Forks, ND
Drayton, ND
Petrified Forrest, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Pinetop, AZ
Grand Lake, CO
Big Bend National Park

Favorite Foods:

Isn't this a bit like asking a drunk what his favorite drink is????
Chicken Fajita's from Ted's Mexican Restaurant in Edmond
Good BBBQ (brisket, turkey, sausage, ribs)
Macaroni and Cheese....with catsup....yes...got to have it
Prime Rib
but even better than Prime Rib....a true Porterhouse steak, not a T-Bone
Lemon Meringue Pie
Chocolate Meringue Pie
Pecan Pie
Good spaghetti
Lasagna
Flounder...broiled, stuffed, fried
Shrimp
Clam strips
Scallops
Green beans
Corn
Fried or stuff mushrooms
Corn dogs
Funnel Cake
Ok....I'm hungry!!!!!

Websites I Visit Daily:

Work
Your blogs
My blog
Weather
RunningAhead.com
MyGarmin.com
Genealogy websites
Google (where would the world be without google)
MSN.com

Body Parts I Have Injured:

Broken Vertabra in my back in high school playing basketball
Heart.....quadruple bypass 2 years on April 9, 2005

Awards I've Won:

I'm sure this is supposed to mean like "The Best Dressed", or "Most of Something" but nothing along that line comes to mind....My treasured award that I've won has to be Bonnie when she said she would marry me....bare none...the best thing that ever happened to me!!!

Nicknames I've Been Called:
Dude
Trash (from college...signified the way I bowled...yet I averaged 185 or better and was on the university travelling team...even have my name on trophies at Texas A&M to prove it...)
Dad (not just from my daughter either.....several of my employees call me Dad as well...I kind of like it).
Old Fart
The names I hear from Bonnie...I better not repeat here

Tag Others:
Back of the Pack
Molly
WS
Akshaye
Jason

If I've tagged someone that has already been tagged...I apologize.....

Hump Day Early Morning 5 Miles

It's not quite 6:30 AM here in the heart of the U.S. and our 5 miles is history for this day. It started slow and got better which is what we are after. No significant shin pains running again in my aging NB 1061's. My new ones should be here on Friday!!!!

Tonight I'll do another quarter mile in the Brooks Vapors...also will be working on some of my strengthening exercises during the day.

Total Distance: 5 miles
Mile 1: 15:33
Mile 2: 14:04
Mile 3: 13:02
Mile 4: 12:29
Mile 5: 11:29
31 ft: 0:03 (Where did this come from?)
Avg Pace: 13:19
Avg HR: 127
MAX HR: 169

My avg HR is really coming down as I get more and more acclimated to the heat and humidity it seems. I can't wait for the fall cooler weather to see what happens with my run/race times.

Run for Today.....0.25 Miles

As I promised...only a 1/4 mile run today in the Brooks Vapors...now I'm sitting with my right leg wrapped up in a heating pad....then when I'm ready for bed....ICE....

My gait...wow...it's mine and everyone else has to be totally glad that they don't have it....according to James...in just about a 2 minute time frame he saw me doing 4 different gaits and at times it looked like I was attempting several left hand turns on the treadmill. Like Lisa stated...it's really wild to watch your feet working frame by frame in a video...I would swear that those couldn't have been my feet...no way....

With my left foot...which was the most sporadic of the two....I could occasionally have a good foot plant...but when my foot would come up off the treadmill my heel would kick to the right almost every time, then all of a sudden my toes would be planting as if I were making a left hand turn...but I'm still trying to go forward on the treadmill...there was no corner to turn....

At some points in time...both feet would end up totally in front of the other...tho again the left foot seemed to dominate this action as well...go figure I'm left handed....it would look like at times that I was a one legged runner.....or was that supposed to be a one legged wall paper hanger.....in a butt kicking contest....

In the long run...the Vapors did seem to make my gait move towards a normal motion that was more runner friendly and less likely to be causing injury.....so that is why I'm working on them very slowly....1/4 mile at a time...sneaking into them....trying to re-train the muscles in my fore-legs...and I can't remember their names....I'll have to get that information written down to blog it here.

As for exercises....I'm supposed to stand on one foot at a time...with the other foot tucked up behind the knee of the foot I'm standing on....for up to 5 minutes at a time...or until I wobble over...short of falling....to build up my ankles...

I'm supposed to write the alphabet with my toes extended several times a day.

He wants me to buy and "Ab Mat" from the net to do crunches with that will strengthen my obliques.

I'm stretching the front of my calves.....one foot extended back behind me....the foot pointing in a 45 degree angle inward...then 45 degree outward....stretch on it each way...then relax....then the other leg the same thing....

Butt squats

I'm going to have to get him to give me some better notes on some of these things....or better yet I'll take a pad in next time and I'll take notes and pass them along.....I sound so disjointed with all of this it seems to me.....and add to that I've never taken a physiology course and no little or nothing about various body parts....the foot is connected to the ankle..is connected to the leg....is connected to the hip....and inbetween is the knee....see

Well it's been fun...but it's time to stand for a bit like a pink flamingo.....night all....well maybe I'll be back when I fall over....

Awesome Group of Bloggers

I want to say that it feels really great to have such an awesome group of friends to blog with and to think we've never met. I so appreciate everyone's comments on my last few posts, what a great bunch of friends runners make.

This afternoon I stopped by our local running store, not by chance but intentionally. James knew I was coming in. I brought my NB's and my Brooks Vapors and my bare feet. He did a gait analysis for me on his treadmill, first bare footed, then with the NB's, then the Vapors, and then back to the NB's. My gait is TERRIBLE, I'm all over the treadmill, at times my left foot gives the appearance I'm making a left hand turn, at times I'm running with one foot totally in front of the other, at other times I'm striking almost flat footed, other times I'm more on my forefoot, then there are those rare times that I'm heel striking...and that's just barefooted and in the NB's. When I'm in the Vapors, which are more of a motion control shoe I tend to keep things closer to proper placement, more often I heel strike with them, but I still feel pain in my lower shins. He says that knowing now more about my gait he believes the pain, while it is associated with the motion control of the Vapors it's more related to my ankles not being strong enough, and that I've built such strong calf muscles and not worked on the muscles on the forefront of my shins...and that my obliques are out of shape as well...I'm a running wreck...in a funny sort of way...I said that he didn't. He's given me some exercises for the ankles and the shins and made some suggestions for the obliques (core area).

My question for the day is along the lines of core exercises. I've heard several bloggers mention that today or tomorrow or whenever is going to be a core exercise day....who has an established routine for core exercises and where did you get it from?

I'm going to start doing quarter mile runs in the Vapors and then a walking return for a week....then build up to half mile runs with walking returns...no repeats just yet....this will help to strengthen some of the along the forefront of my shins that I've basically been ignoring. He assures me that by going to more of a motion control shoe I will be saving my knees and possibly my ITB down the road. I'm willing to try the things he's suggested to see what happens for a month or so. He's also agreed to order my NB 1061's so that I can continue to use them at least thru the marathon in September...he agrees that it is the wrong time for me to totally be switching shoes. But also recommends that I not do more than one or maybe two marathons in the NB's...he says they are a more neutral shoe and that allows my ankles to go all over the place.

Indirectly I believe I've got him for a coach. He wants to continue working with me on my gait, he's willing to be a major sponsor for our TeamAutism running group going to Honolulu for the marathon in December....he wants to donate our shirts and and maybe more for the runners/walkers that are going. Stacey if you read this before I get a chance to talk to you about it...I apologize...I just felt the need to talk about my efforts with James at Elite Feet this afternoon...he's got me very excited. After seeing the vidoe of my gait...I was able to clearly see that I don't have good form when I run....and I believe he can have a positive impact on my future as a runner.

So, I'll use the blog to keep updating everyone on the progress I'm making with the Brooks Vapors. I do agree with everyone that a pair of shoes should feel good right out of the box...but I've got to understand these shoes are trying to get me to run in a way that is different than what I'm accustomed to and I need to give my body some time to adjust.

Tomorrow is a rest day.....no running over a quarter mile...for the Vapors....I don't have to get up before the chickens...woohoo.

Again...you guys and gals are an awesome group....I hope there will come a day when Bonnie and I can meet as many of you as possible......

4:00 AM Rise and Shine....It's Monday!!!

Normally I type a title to a post and then work from that....today well a title wouldn't come so I'll add it at the middle or end of things if I remember...regardless it's Monday...maybe that's a title in and of itself.

Last night Bonnie and I snuck out of the house and did 2 slow miles on the park route near the house. We were back in the 13+ pace, but that was ok. I ended up keeping my Brooks Vapors and am trying to slowly get used to them....slowly....slowly...well we shall see. The two miles were somewhat painful on the shins to say the least, and I don't think I could have seriously gone much faster.

This morning, a typical Monday run/walk event with my running buddies. We did just over 4.6 miles in just over an hour....the numbers are all below.

Today, for the first time in a long time I felt like I could be running faster. I don't know if it has anything to do with yesterday's run or not. I ran slightly ahead of the other three people that I was with, never far enough away to be out of sight or anything, not even close....but just not close enough to be directly involved in any conversation. It felt weird, but it was as if my body was saying you need to be here. None the less the pace was pretty typical for our Monday route.

Sunday night totals:

Total Distance 2.01 miles
Mile 1: 13:19
Mile 2: 13:01
66.44 ft.: 0:16
Total Time: 26:37
Avg Pace: 13:13
Avg HR: 127
MAX HR: 148

Monday total:
Total Distance: 4.66 miles
Mile 1: 15:01
Mile 2: 15:14
Mile 3: 13:04
Mile 4: 13:35
0.66 Mi.: 7:46
Avg Pace: 13:53
Avg HR: 129
MAX HR: 170

Interesting fact: Through out the sprint at the last and my max HR would have been 147. Today's temp was 76 degrees, humidity 80%....down some that is good.

"That was Yesterday and Yesterday's Gone"

Wonder who can remember the rest of the words of that song....did Chad and Jeremy sing it?....I'm just an oldie.

News Flash: I did run last night. After working at church and then attending the last worship experience for the day, Bonnie and I did an easy 4 mile run in the park across from our neighborhood. We did two laps in a area that is relatively flat. This run was at a pretty slow pace, the humidity seemed high, probably was around 75% or so, temp was 88 and there wasn't much wind. I'm proud that Bonnie stuck with it and got the entire 4 miles done with me.

Then I got up this morning and did another 4 miles on the streets. I guess my bug has passed or is mostly gone. I appreciate everyone's thoughts yesterday, but I'm glad that I was feeling better to the point where I could run. I don't feel tight in my chest, at least not like I did yesterday morning. I'm pretty proud of the numbers with this run and this includes some minor hills too. I guess I pushed my envelope just a bit on this run, this is the best pace for this kind of distance (4 miles) that I've ever done...wow a PR for a training run...haven't done that in a while!!!!!

Good luck to Mary on her tri today, and to Michelle on her race.

Last night's run with Bonnie:

Total Distance 4.0 miles
Total Time: 51:56
Mile 1: 12:36
Mile 2: 12:51
Mile 3: 13:13
Mile 4: 13:14
Avg Pace: 12:59
Avg HR: 139
MAX HR: 152


This morning's run:

Total Distance 4.0 miles
Total Time: 46:26
Mile 1: 11:38
Mile 2: 11:51
Mile 3: 11:37
Mile 4: 11:19
Avg Pace: 11:36
Avg HR: 150
MAX HR: 169

Yesterday is a Long Way From Today

Oh how things can change, overnight....or even from hour to hour. Yesterday I ran 4 miles early in the morning. While I was running I was sucking on a throat losenge feeling a twinge in my throat with an occasional cough. Today I was supposed to be up again doing 8 miles with my running partners. I did get up at the appointed time but only to call and say that I wouldn't be making it today. The twinge in my throat has moved into my chest and I felt that any running effort on my part would leave me so short of breath that I would end up on some curb gasping.

So here I sit at 9:30 having slept in. Bonnie put me in a t-shirt at 4:45 this morning and attached a piece of flannel to it and rubbed Vicks Vapor Rub all over my chest under the flannel...don't ask...it's a North Dakota family remedy that she's brought south. I know that from about 5:15 on I slept totally covered and sweating and it felt great. I got up about 30 minutes ago and have already downed an extra large, extra tall glass of orange juice. I also took a Sudafed at 4:45 and can feel it working as well.

Do I feel bad for not running this morning? Not as bad as I might have felt if I had not wrote the post yesterday. My body needed the rest, and for once I was smart enough to allow it to happen. So no run today, and I may go back to bed before long.

There are several bloggers that are running today or tomorrow in races and or tri's of some sort....I wish you all the greatest of luck...actually I hate saying "wish you luck" because you are all trained to a point where luck isn't going to get you to the finish line...your intelligent ability to push your body towards the finish line will get you there, luck has nothing to do with it...therefore...I wish you to have your greatest effort in what you are undertaking this weekend...my prayers of safety are with you all.

Why Do We Beat Ourselves Up When We Have a Down Day????

It's such an inbred human nature to expect to always be our best, do our best, to perform at a peak level of efficency, yet because we are human and there are so many different working parts of the body that ALL have to function perfectly to have a truly UP day, we are way to quick to beat ourselves up when something isn't working as well as it should.

Even finely tuned atheletes will have days that aren't near their peak performance ability...they are still far out ahead of the rest of us, but still by their standards they too have those kinds of days...just as a baseball player falls into a hitting slump....something has to change to bring about other change. Don't let yourself fall further down by seeing a down day as a failure...perhaps it just your body telling you that it's ok to take it easy today, give me some rest and I'll show you what I'm really capable of tomorrow for that race....Going two or three sessions that are less than what you would expect doesn't mean that you are slacking...even a week with less than stellar performance can still be your body saying...I need a break today....look back at how hard you were training the month prior and maybe you can see the reason for what the body is saying.....if you cranked it up over the last month....there needs to be some down time to allow for recovery....

I am so glad that I can have conversations with myself in this fashion, it so helps me see that I'm not a 20 year old, that I don't have to lead the pack, that I can be slow and still be in the top 1% of the world that gets out and does something to continuously improve their health. Putting things in the right perspective helps and sometimes it takes a reality check to see that what I've done is far better than that person that hasn't crawled out of bed yet...or won't get out of the recliner tonight after work....popping can after can of beer through the weekend.

Today I went out and did 4 miles by myself. I had to talk to myself to get it done, to find the strength to not quit. My shins were hurting, my shoe came untied, it was soooo humid, I get tired of wondering if the car coming at me will yield to me, but in the end....I got it done. It wasn't my fastest time by any means...but it puts me further down the road, it puts me closer to my marathon....it makes me feel good now that I'm done....even at a slow pace I'm a success.

Food for thought: Don't wear a pair of Mizuno shorts...with the zipper pocket in the butt...and carry a throat losenge on a hot humid day....they get really sticky by the end of 4 miles.

Total Distance: 4 miles
Total Time: 49:32
Mile 1: 11:59
Mile 2: 12:44
Mile 3: 13:26
Mile 4: 11:21 (where did this come from??)
Avg Pace: 12:23
Avg HR: 146
MAX HR: 171
Temp: 73
Humidity: 91%

We Bleed Maroon

WE BLEED MAROON

The link just above will take you to a song that was written by a local Texas group that consists of at least one Texas Aggie in the group. This song entitled "We Bleed Maroon" is about many special things associated with one of the greatest schools (my opinion). It was first great as a Corp of Cadets College, then as an integrated University, integrated in the sense that you no longer had to be a member of the Corp to attend...then integrated amongst the sexes. When I was a freshman at Texas A&M the men outnumbered the women something like 10 or 12 to 1. When I graduated 5 long years later the ratio had already dropped to like 4 or 5 to 1. The population on campus had grown from 18,000 to just over 30,000.

We are a campus rich in tradition, deep in heritage, and so prideful of the distinction of being called a Texas Aggie. The campus has grown in the past 30 years in ways unimaginable. The university is far more than just a Corp organization, an engineering college, or an agricultural center, it has truly become an educational mecca and melting pot for many disciplines that are recognized the world over for their accomplishments and contributions to the world in which we live.

It is a difficult thing to understand the true meaning of being a Texas Aggie and the pride that the Aggie Rings symbolizes, the years of sweat, tears, and blood for the ability to say that I have become more than just a Texas Aggie...I've pushed the Spirit one step further and have become a "Former Student", yet still an integral part of a learning institution that is world reknowned. The Spirit that is weaved into this song brings tears to any Aggie that listens closely, we've lived these words, they are a part of who we are, what we are, and will continue to be a living part of the university we each called home during that time of our life when we were being molded to take on the world.

Some have grown into world leaders, others have become corporate CEO's, still others have raised families, while a chosen few have fought for the freedom and liberty associated with this great country we call home, a still smaller group have gone the ultimate path and given their lives serving in the manner that we were all trained as Aggies...in the forefront, leading the way.

The truth be known, we do bleed maroon, we bleed the spirit of Aggieland when it is necessary whether it be on a battlefield, or a courtroom, or as tillers of the earth, the Aggie Spirit lives as no other, a Spirit that runs deep and bonds one to the next....all it takes is a casual glance at the Ring on a finger, the diploma hung proudly, a flag in the yard...that Spirit is what we are all about....yes We Do Bleed Maroon.

I'm Lucky to have Great Running Partners

We can talk about anything from politics to potties, from ass-kicking marathon courses to aspiring new marathoners. We are consistently a trio that occasionally has another drop in on us. They are the veterans of the road where I am the newbie. They are training for marathon number XX while I'm still a virgin. It's just over a month until our Lewis and Clark Marathon in St. Charles, MO and the excitement is starting to creep into my daily thoughts already.

My running partners are friends, coaches, competitors, and cheerleaders....all at the same time. We pull each other along, not leaving anyone behind, a team effort. They provide a consistency for me that I couldn't do by myself With them I do more and go further than my feeble mind would allow me to do on my own. Being accountable to them has helped me this summer beyond belief.

For all this I so appreciate their efforts and their presence and I look forward to my first marathon with them.

Today's Stats:

Total Distance: 4.68 miles
Mile 1: 15:55
Mile 2: 13:27
Mile 3: 13:34
Mile 4: 13:34
0.68 Mi.: 8:15
Avg Pace: 13:49
Avg HR: 122
MAX HR: 153

4+ miles further down the road. Have a great day everyone.

PS: I wore my old NB's again and again no leg pain. I'm going to switch back to them and away from the Brooks.

Shoe Update - Maybe I'm Not Meant to Wear Brooks

I got home early today and decided that I would try to do a 2 mile route from the house. Yes the heat was up...87 degrees, but the humidity was also down....64%...wooohooo, far cry from the 90+ this morning. I ran in the Brooks Dyad's (the ones that replaced the Beasts). It didn't take long to realize that I was going to be hurting again in my shins (same as with the Beasts). I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm not designed to wear the Brooks line. I ran this morning in my old New Balance 1061's and didn't have any troubles with shins or blisters. The Dyad's didn't give my blisters any problems either. I did try to put the Brooks Vapors on before the run, thinking I should give them another try but they still rubbed my right heel at the point of the blister they caused earlier this week...even with a large bandaid covering the spot.

I'm giving serious thoughts to telling my shoe expert James that he just needs to order me another pair of NB 1061's. They may not be what he thinks my feet and body should be in, but they don't hurt me like the Brooks have that he's tried to get me to wearing.

This afternoon's run:

Total distance: 2 miles
Mile 1: 12:33
Mile 2: 12:07
Total Time: 24:40
Avg Pace: 12:20
Avg HR: 131
MAX HR: 158

Not too bad on the heart rate considering the temperature. I think if I had run in my NB's I would have been alot closer to 12:00 minute miles or maybe slightly under. I did manage to run a couple of 2 minute cycles instead of all 1/1.

My confidence in the Brooks Beasts/Dyads/Vapors is at an all time low at the moment.

It's Hump Day....put some wax paper on the slide and before you know it Friday will be here!!!

Easy 4-Miler for the New Month

Today was an easy day, no speed, testing the new orthotics and the blisters and everything seemed to have gone well. No new owie's no new blisters, what a relief.

The humidity today was about the same as we've been experiencing, according to the Weather Channel it stands at 94%....uugggghhhhh....no wonder my clothes were so wet, I was running within my own rain forest. But I am pleased that my heart rate stayed lower than normal.

Today's stats:

Total Mileage: 4.15 miles
Mile 1: 15:15
Mile 2: 13:55
Mile 3: 13:16
Mile 4: 13:35
0.15 Mi: 1:15
Avg Pace: 13:48
Avg HR: 120
MAX HR: 149

Well it's off the showers, more later....

Noon Hour "Quickie"

No I didn't go home for lunch, nor did I meet Bonnie at some sleezebag roachcoach motel either. I decided for my last thirty minutes of lunch I would get up and try out my new orthotics. I wore my old and trusty NB's to work today. I didn't bring any walking/running clothes tho, so I need to work on that for the future. Anyway, for the record I eeked out another two miles for the month, 113 miles and some change for July. But even more importantly, I did run some, maybe not quite half of the distance and I did not feel any blister pain. So better socks, better orthotics, and a couple of strategically placed bandaids (that conjurs up thoughts...but I won't go there), seemed to be helping nicely and has proven that I should be able to run tomorrow morning as planned.

Distance: 2.00 miles
Time: 26:00 minutes (MOL...more or less)
Pace: 13:00

Not bad for being in jeans and a button up collared shirt.

Rest Day

Well today will be a day of rest. I'm curious does anyone have any tried and true remedies for toe blisters? I would appreciate any advice. I've taken a needle under the skin outside of the blister and drained the fluid from both of them. I also got a new orthotic yesterday that seems to take the pressure off my toes and as a result the blisters aren't too painful now. The area on my heel is doing ok, I still have it covered with neosporin and a large bandaid. If I HAD to run today I believe I could and I'm supposed to run 4-5 miles tomorrow morning, so I'll see how things go in getting that accomplished.

Why is it that when we get one pain going our way (shin splints in my case) something else pops up (blisters). The blisters are totally new to me. I wore my older New Balance shoes on Saturday for our long run (14 miles), same shoes I ran my half marathon (13.2 miles) in back in April. In April though I did not experience any issues with blisters...I don't remember any that is. Frustrated.

This is a photo of some flowering plant that I took when my brother and I went to Vail, CO in June for the mud run. It's amazing how heart-shaped the blooms are on the plant, sorry I didn't get a photo that was more focused. Does anyone know what this is called?

Another Humid Monday

There ought to be a song with that for a name. This was a recovery day from the 14 miles on Saturday. I bought a new pair of shoes on Saturday during the Edmond Crazy Days Sale, a pair of Brooks Vapor 7's, and I can't remember if I mentioned that in yesterday's post or not, oh well. I ran in them this morning. I work my normal low profile "dri-fit" socks, but these shoes hit me a bit higher in the heel than my other shoes. When I took them off I had a bit of a bloody mess on my right heel. I don't think it is anything bad but it did rub quite a bit, calling for a bandaid back there for a while and a taller sock it seems too.

Total Time: 55:01
Total Distance: 4.04 miles
Mile 1: 15:10
Mile 2: 13:11
Mile 3: 13:33
Mile 4: 12:45
198.59 ft.: 0:20
Avg Pace: 13:37
Avg HR: 128
MAX HR: 161

Temp was 73 degrees and humidity was 94%, after the first mile I felt as if I had a shower running over me.

I don't plan on running tomorrow....so with today's mileage I finish the month with 111.70 miles...woohoo...that will be tough for me to match.

Have a tremendously wonderful Monday!!!

I've Been Tagged - Thanks Nikki

Caution, go pee before taking this quiz....not responsible for you laughing so hard you piddle. I am tagging Michelle, Mary, Scott

I hope I get this right:

Take My Quiz on QuizYourFriends.com Can you Ace my quiz? Yes! No Let's Find Out!

Ok, I had to change colors on several things, most obvious was my background to make this quiz thing work....next week I'll change things again...isn't that a man's perogative...or....is it a woman's perogative to tell the man how it will be. Whatever it is, don't forget to read the post below about our training run yesterday.

14 Miles of Training and 107.66 Miles For July

Oh my God, Wow, incredible. I set my alarm last night at some godawful 12:30 plus time frame to get up at 3:30 AM, barely 3 hours of sleep, because I also iced my left shin for a while in bed. I fell asleep and woke up at 1:10 or so and took the ice off and promptly went back to dreamland. The next thing I knew my cell phone was ringing and it was 4:05 AM, one of my running buddies was calling to confirm we would run today. In a frantic motion I got dressed and ready, and he picked me up at 4:25 instead of 4:15. No time to sit and wake up as I heated my shins up with a heating pad. I did get some heat on the left one, and thankfully neither were hurting much if at all from the 5k at midnight.

We were off and picked up our other running partner. I had grabbed things as I ran out of the house (OFF spray, Garmin, wallet, cell phone, bottle of water, visor, hand towel) and we were on our way. At the partners house I got in the back seat and in the process I dropped first the can of OFF and broke the plastic lid/cap but if you held it right it would still spray. Then I dropped the Bio-Freeze and it rolled away from me. That took a while to find in the dark and it turned out to be in the middle of the street. Now totally collected we were off again to our running route.

We put out bags of water/gatorade at 3/6/9/12 miles. Side note here that my two partners have been doing this alot longer than I have and have had water bags mistaken for trash and have had to recover them from trash cans, so now they attached preprinted labels that explain it is NOT TRASH but fuel for runners in training and PLEASE do not throw away.

We did a rather circuitous route through various areas of Oklahoma City and Nichols Hills, yes I do mean hills, not tall ones, but still they count as an elevation change associated with a larger number and while on foot they might have well Mt. Everest at several points. I love running, oh yes I do indeedy. But why do we have to have hills on a route. If I wanted hills I could have stayed in Colorado or Wyoming for the weekend.

Before I forget....somewherer around the completion of mile 7...I surpassed 100 miles for the month of July...woohhoooooooo!!!!!!! Yes I'm excited about that...I feel great in fact. Not much pain in the shins, way less in fact that I had invisioned after doing 14 miles on top of a 5k race last night.

Someone wrote about things they saw this week along their running route, so I thought it would be interesting list things that we noticed:

Nails
Beer Bottles
Beer Cans
Pennies
Dead Bird
Bunnies (yes these bunnies were still alive)
Dogs (all on leashes thank the Lord)
Dead Cat
Dead Cat Odor (pee yewwwww)
Old Sock
Squirrel (alive)
Beautiful Full Moon
Glorious Sun Rise
Gallons of Sweat!!!!!!

We did 14 miles exactly for our early morning efforts. I can't believe I lasted that long. I got very big compliments from both of my partners for enduring the 5k at midnight and then sticking out this long run just a few scant hours later. They both felt I finished strong which made me feel very good.

Total Distance: 14 miles
Times:
Mile 1: 16:45
Mile 2: 15:12
Mile 3: 13:20
Mile 4: 14:00
Mile 5: 16:07
Mile 6: 13:11
Mile 7: 14:57
Mile 8: 13:06
Mile 9: 13:47
Mile 10: 13:22
Mile 11: 14:17
Mile 12: 12:47
Mile 13: 14:22
Mile 14: 13:26
Total Time: 3:18:38
Avg Pace: 14:11
Avg HR: 140
MAX HR: 164

We conveniently parked our vehicle at a local dining establishment that serves a great breakfast so after we had cooled down we went inside for breakfast.

On the way home we stopped at one of our local specialized running stores and I bought two new pairs of running shorts for $10 each. After getting home and getting cleaned up Bonnie and went back to the same store where she bought several new running tops and shorts as well as 2 running skirts (a first for her). Then we went to the other local running store where we've been buying our shoes because she had some foot problems last night. She got forefoot inserts to help her stop "toe clawing" as she runs and of course we had to purchase some other apparel while there. I got 3 more pairs of running shorts, a tank top and matching shorts that look somewhat like the stars and stripes, and...AND another pair of Brooks shoes (Vapor 7's). I'll try to get a photo of them tomorrow sometime. They were on sale ok!!!!!

This was Crazy Sale Days in Edmond, OK and everyone that does retail was having a sidewalk sale of some sort. So overall we did really good on our buys, some of them were 75% off, most were 50% off.

I did get about an hour nap this afternoon and I'm sitting here rather content with myself and all that I/we accomplished this weekend.

Midnight Streak Update

Well we are done and I need to get to bed so I can "maybe" get up early and do a long run. Actually I will say a prayer that we don't run until Sunday morning. My shins are aching tonight. We ran the race, it was hot...around 82 degrees, and humid too, probably at least 80% I'll have to look and see.

Bonnie PR'ed again!!!!!! She finished just under 37 minutes, around 36:50 I think. I did 36:47 just ahead of her. She was a trooper in the heat and humidity. We did see plenty of topless runners, unfortunately they were all men.....sigh...just didn't get my motor running. We did chase a girl that had USAF across her butt though and tried to stay close to beat her. However, she found some energy at the end and beat us....but she was probably a good 25 years younger than we were too.

My times:

Total Distance: 3.16 miles
Mile 1: 11:33
Mile 2: 11:50
Mile 3: 12:10
.16 Mile: 1:13
Avg Pace: 11:39
Avg HR: 152
MAX HR: 178 Humidity working on me again!!!

Sweet dreams to all you great runners from the back of the pack.

Midnight Streak (5k) in OKC

Tonight Bonnie and I will be streaking in OKC at the Fair Grounds....no we won't be running in the buff. It's a Midnight Streak that benefits the City Arts Center. How it got it's name is something we don't know. It starts at 11:00 PM so the temperature should be hovering around 80 degrees or so, it's 82 currently at 9:15 pm.

When I was in college at Texas A&M back in the dark ages of the '70s there was actually a streaking team on campus. "They"...notice I did not say "we"... prided themselves in always being able to elude the campus cops, which didn't really take alot of effort in those days. They would even announce a streaking event...almost to give the cops a headstart but the streakers always seem to have "more skin in the game" and could out run the best that the cops could throw at them.

At this point I'm not sure if we will be doing our long run (14 or so miles) tomorrow or Sunday morning. As a result Bonnie has agreed that as soon as we are done with the 5k we aren't hanging around for any door prize giveaway (unless they are really cool) instead we are heading straight home to bed just in case I need to get up and be ready leave by 4:15 AM. No rest for the weary it seems.....but maybe we won't run until Sunday morning.

It feels really cool to know that I don't even have 10 miles left to break the century mark for the first time ever for a months total mileage. That just seems cool. Yes I'm kind of proud of that mark.

SHOE UPDATE: I've run twice in the Brooks Dyad 4's and they seem to be doing ok. I'm going to wear them tonight and see how I do in them. I'm going to go back to my tried and true NB's when we run long this weekend. Next weekend if all goes well I will do a long run in the new shoes.

The Body is Weird

Well no I didn't run yesterday or this morning. So I'm back in Denver tonight and decided to get my run in just before dark. It was risky business as there are storms brewing in the metroplex and after I got started I did see some lightning in the area but it never got close. Tonight I struggled. Probably the heat (86 degrees), maybe some humidity with rain close, and yes I guess the altitude may have had an impact tonight. Or it could have just been the fact that I was running in the evening instead of the early morning hours where I'm more accustomed to run.

I did three miles, the time was not respectable at all, but I'll log it anyway....it gets me over 90 miles for the month....woohoo...with our long run on Saturday I should pass the century mark.

Total Distance: 3 miles
Mile 1: 12:05
Mile 2: 12:27
Mile 3: 12:33
Avg Pace: 12:21
Total Time: 37:05
Avg HR: 137
MAX HR: 151

Even at this altitude my heart rate stayed within good limits.

Altitude Running

Several have asked me about the effects that I may experience normally running in the Oklahoma City area (elevation roughly 1,100 feet) and then running in Colorado (ranging from 5,000-8,000 feet). While there is a significant change in altitude between the two areas I don't feel that much difference with my body. My times seem slower, but not noticeably so, maybe a minute or so slower. I can't explain it. I wasn't any more tired after my run yesterday than I normally would be after running 4 miles.

I didn't get my wakeup call this morning in time to run, so there is a chance I might run late this afternoon or early evening. I think today in Gillette, WY the highs are supposed to peak around 86 or 87. Yesterday it was 100 degrees when I drove into town around 6:30 pm.

Great Hump Day to all.

Monday Run on Tuesday

I didn't get to run before heading to the airport yesterday morning, I didn't get to run last night, or I should say I ChOsE not to run last night after dinner. We at Italian, at Mazziono's, not sure on the spelling. It was on the 16th Street Mall here in Denver, and we ate family style so we got to try several dishes. I had a bit of chicken marsala, lasagna, chicken parmasian...well you know what I mean. I took smaller portions than anyone else so I generally felt good about what I had eaten. I had also eaten a grilled chicken salad for lunch. Not too bad a day....and I surprised myself, no liquer and no wine last night.

I did get up this morning and ran 4 miles here in the Mile Hi City. The times are listed below:

Total Distance: 4.02 miles
Mile 1: 11:16
Mile 2: 11:38
Mile 3: 13:03
Mile 4: 13:31
Total Time: 49:43
Avg Pace: 12:22
Avg HR: 135
MAX HR: 150

Not a bad run at this elevation I would think. And I'm impressed I was able to keep my heart rate down.

It's Tuesday make the most of it!!!

Delayed at the Airport

Well here I sit, delayed on my flight to Denver for about an hour it appears. I could have ran after all this morning if I could have foreseen the delay.

As I sat here I watched a soldier preparing to board another flight. Apparently TSA relaxes their restrictions on non-travellers being in the boarding area for our brave fighting men and women, as he had his family there with him (wife, 2 daughters and son). I'm not sure how many might shed a tear for someone they don't even know, but I'll admit that I did. Watching them saying goodbye, all the hugs, photos, kisses, and more hugs and kisses, to the final wave as he entered the jet-way, it was very touching. That has to be the ultimate in goodbyes, not knowing if you will see him again. He was dressed in desert camo so I assume he must be headed to Iraq. His son was trying valiently to not cry (he appeared to be about 14 or so) and I don't if he was successful or not. I said a prayer for the soldier and his family and for all men and women defending freedom around the world. What a tearful sight.

I read an article in the current Runner's World magazine here at the airport about Project Hope, where two American women are dedicating efforts to help under-priveledged kids in Kenya gain access to running shoes and clothing, giving these kids, most of whom are orphans from parents that have died of AIDS, an opportunity to do something with their lives. It got me to thinking....

When I was at my cardiologists office in late June she was jumping up and down excited about my running and my progress since my bypass surgery in 2005. She said she wanted to make me her poster person for cardiac rehab work. I'm just an "over-the-hill" runner wanna-be, but it seems that I'm doing more than most that have gone thru this type of surgery. I may talk further with her to see if there is anything I can do to encourage cardiac care patients to get out and exercise more.....not just give up and sit in the easy chair. I know I can't "make" people exercise...but if they can see where I've been....what I've overcome, not just with the cardiac surgery but also with my weight loss perhaps they will see a light for themselves, an opportunity to extend their own life by improving their health through some form of consistent exercise. It doesn't even have to be running...or as with my case at the moment...run/walk. I enjoy speaking and wouldn't mind addressing rehab groups if that would be an appropriate avenue to take. Just thinking outside the box so to speak.

Yesterday was a day of rest and I feel that it was good to have that down time. Today I will run but it won't be until this evening after I get settled in Denver. I have to caution myself and remind myself to eat a light dinner, as I am sure I won't get the run in until after dinner sometime. Last week I had another 30+ mile week...woohoo....and it felt great. I've got 83 miles and some change for the month...with a goal of doing 100+ for the month...first time ever if I can get there. We have another long run scheduled for this weekend so I should be able to make it.

I hope everyone has a great Monday and a fantastic week!!!

Long Run Does Not Quite Equal 12 Miles Today

Well, our long run started about an hour later than it should...for a personal reason of my running partner and it was ok that we were late. That caused us to be running across the dam (3 miles) directly into the morning sun and it was reflecting off the water and eventually affected both of us...draining what energy we had left....we had already done about 7 miles...so things were cut short at 11.36 miles.

Bonnie met us just before the dam and ran the last 4.5 - 5.0 miles with us. Clyde and I were tired, she was fresh and it showed. She was even flirting with some fisherman in a boat that was near the dam at one point and threatened to flash her ta-ta's at him because he kept looking at her....ohh boy am I in trouble. She later said that the only reason she didn't do it was that she got no encouragement from me. My wife the exhibitionist.

The run was a good one overall. I do need to invest in a pair of good sunglasses....hint...Oakley's are really all they are advertised to be. I think I might get a pair as an award for finishing my first marathon....September 16, St. Charles, MO. I ran again in my old NB's and they did me well...no significant leg or ankle pain. I am wearing the heels down on them quite a bit so I hope I can find a replacement....maybe the Brooks bad boys shown below will fit the bill....I hope so...

Total Distance: 11.36 miles
Mile 1: 14:10
Mile 2: 12:55
Mile 3: 14:02
Mile 4: 12:42
Mile 5: 14:45
Mile 6: 12:40
Mile 7: 13:31
Mile 8: 13:16
Mile 9: 13:31
Mile 10: 14:48
Mile 11: 13:38
Last .37: 5:12
Avg Pace: 13:40
Avg HR: 138
MAX HR: 163

Long Run

Today will be a long run, 12 plus slightly more. Since my running partner drew up the route I don't know yet what the "slightly more" will be, but I'm assuming it will be something "slightly less" than half marathon distance, or we would be callingit 13 miles.

I'm excited that we've worked our way back up to almost the half marathon distance that I was running in April. I will be running in my old shoes again, since I just picked up the new ones yesterday and haven't had a chance to turn even a mile in them yet.

According to the Weather Channel, it is 73 degrees, 88% humidity, and no rain in this mornings forecast.

If anyone has races this morning or any time today I wish them all well.

News!!!!!@@!!!!!

I took my Brooks Beasts in and exchanged them for Brooks Dyad 4's, and got some money back too. They are still motion control shoes but not near what the Beasts were. I'm running long tomorrow so it may be Sunday or Monday before I can try them out.

Here are the new bad boys....

Another 4 Mile Day

It's Friday, woohoo and it was another 4 mile day. 73 degrees and according to the Weather Channel, it is 90% humidity, and according to the way I was sweating I believe every percentage of it. Maybe my brain went into a humidity meltdown, I can't think of a single solitary thing to write about, how incredible.

The mosquitos weren't bad, I didn't get chased by any dogs, there were no irate drivers that can't seem to understand on the route that I take they generally have an entire other lane that they could use rather than try to crowd me to the curb, oh and truly great news, there was no rain, no lightning, and very little wind.

Total distance: 4.01 miles
Mile 1: 11:02
Mile 2: 12:42
Mile 3: 12:28
Mile 4: 11:41
40 feet: 0:05
Pace : 11:58
Avg HR: 139
MAX HR: 162

TGIF....it's time to parteeeeeee!!!!

Running in the Rockies!!!!

My work schedule got changed for next week. I will be in Denver early Monday morning till mid-afternoon Tuesday so I get to run in the Mile High City downtown area either Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Then I motor up to the great state of Wyoming for at least one night in Gillette and then a night in the Douglass/Casper area, so I'll get the opportunity to run in that wonderfully wild state as well. Thursday should see me staying out near the Denver airport and will give me an opportunity to run in that area and will hopefully get a great backdrop view of the Colorado Rockies. If my feeble old mind can remember I'll try to take a camera along and take some photos of the different areas I run in.

Today was a rest day. I'm going to do 3 to 4 miles tomorrow morning at an easy slow pace in preparation for a long run on Saturday morning of 12+ miles. I'm getting excited....this is approaching the HM distance for me again, and if I forget the struggles with the Brooks Beasts and just focus on using my old shoes, the running is alot of fun and I am left at the end of each run feeling as if I could run further. According to Jeff Galloway that is how you should feel when doing the run/walk routines that he advocates.

Everyone recognizes that yesterday was hump day, but does everyone realize that this is a "happy day" it's "So Happy It's Thursday", so make the most of it.

Quick Wednesday Update

I ran this morning in my old NB's and was able to do a full 4 miles run/walk normal routine. I felt some shin pain in my left leg, but that has been there at about that same level for a while. No pain in my ankles though and nothing that made me want to stop at any point in time.

Total Time: 48:56
Mile 1: 12:17
Mile 2: 11:50
Mile 3: 12:14
Mile 4: 12:29
10 ft: :03
Pace: 12:18
Avg HR: 129
MAX HR: 150

For a run where I was alone I feel that it was a good run. I did slow down, normally if I'm alone on a run I will start out faster, in the 10:30 range or so. If nothing else, the numbers are consistent.

Happy HUMP Day everyone

Tuesday Update

I'm in Liberal, Kansas tonight. As I packed to leave this morning I decided to leave the Beasts at home and wear my old and somewhat trusty New Balance shoes. Even though I had some pain this morning as we ran, I have to admit that the pain has significantly lessened as the day progressed. I'm not painfree as I write this at 10 PM but I feel alot better. Tomorrow morning I will attempt a very slow easy run here. The humidity is around 30% here and maybe that will help things too.

Sorta Run...Sorta Walk

It was one of those days this morning, actually it started last night when I stepped on something in the house and felt like I had a piece of glass in my right forefoot. I looked and thought I could feel it and pulled but only took off small flap of skin. Now it was painful to walk barefooted. Bonnie wanted to try a walk in my new shoes so I put them on and off we went. We did 2 miles, I'll detail it below, and my forefoot was a little sore but tolerable.

This morning I forgot my watch, but wore my heart rate monitor, go figure. So we were going to do 2 and 1's. We did that for about 1.5 miles, maybe 2 miles and the last mile I had to walk, my shins and calves were quivering. Is this stemming from the new shoes or is it the mileage? I'm training harder than I did for the HM in April, but not that much harder. I'm going out of town this morning and will be back tomorrow night, so I may not run tomorrow morning and see how things are by then. This pain seems to start around my ankles and then moves upward, which makes me think it has to be related to the new Brooks and their motion control. I'm tempted to put them in the closest for a week and see if this clears itself up.

Last night:
Total: 2.01 miles
Mile 1: 17:07
Mile 2: 16:03
42 feet: 0:11
Pace: 16:37
Avg HR: 109
MAX HR: 120

Special Note: Last night we should get extra credit for additional effort of constantly keeping our arms moving to ward off the mosquito's even though we applied OFF.

This morning's guesstimate:
Total: 3.00 miles
Time: 42 minutes
Pace: 13:59

Two Runs - Night and Day Difference

Last night Bonnie and I went out at 9:00 PM to do an easy run. I think a combination of things came into play that presented road blocks for me. 1st - it was only one day after doing 11 miles. 2nd - it was still 88 degrees out. 3rd -the humidity was over 90%. 4th - I was wearing my new Brooks Beasts that I'm still not adjusted to yet. 5th - I don't think I adequately warmed up. So the end result of all this was we only ran 2 miles and I was in pain most of the way. My ankles and shins hurt beyond belief. It got to the point when we got back to the vehicle that Bonnie thought I might collapse and I might not have been far from it. That was most unusual to say the least.

Fade to this morning. We did 4.59 miles, very little pain, not completely gone away but not anything like last night. But the temperture was around 72, granted the humidity was still around 90%, but I was wearing my old trusted New Balance shoes again, and we did more of a warm up walk than we did last night.

The really big change I think were the shoes. I'm still not used to them being so controlling of my foot motion and I think that was causing me some of the pain.

Times:
Sunday:
Mile 1: 13:32
Mile 2: 13:48
Last: :51
Total: 28:12
Pace: 13:38
Avg HR: 135
MAX HR: 149

Monday:
Mile 1: 15:23
Mile 2: 16:07
Mile 3: 13:31
Mile 4: 13:32
Last .59: 7:20
Pace: 14:22
Avg HR: 131
MAX HR: 157

Slow and steady for Monday, but I needed that.

8 Miles of Training + 5k Race

We got it done!!! My male running buddy, Clyde and I ran just over 8 miles this morning "before" the 7:30 kickoff of the Code 3 5k Race. We met Bonnie, my wife, at the start line just 25 minutes before the race started, changed into Edmond Running Club shirts, so we get additional club credit for running the race, put on our bibs, and I thought we were ready.

Well it turns out this was not a chip run. Instead we would operate off of gun time only. Fortunately there weren't too many running so it wasn't hard to hit the start line once the gun went off. But before that Bonnie and told me that I needed to write my name and age on the tear-off section of my bib. Did I listen? Noooooo. So she had to write it for me after I had it pinned to my shirt, sigh. As she says "if I would only listen twice as hard, I would hear all that she says" (or something resembling that idea).

I'll just say that I did not PR, but she did (by "4" seconds) and that is great. The humidity had started to climb already and so did my heart rate. I did 8 miles and it averaged 128 beats/minute. In the 3 mile race it averaged around 165, good grief, where is the cooler weather?

Oh, somewhere around the 6.5 mile mark I managed to stop my Garmin, stupid me. Fortunately for me Clyde had his own Garmin so I was able to more or less resurrect the last 1.5 miles or so.

Training Run:
Total Miles: 8.16
Time: 1:54:04
Pace: 13:59
Avg HR: 128
MAX HR: 158

Code 3 5k:
Total Miles: 3.18
Time: 36:11 (And I thought I might be strong enough to PR.....duh!!!)
Pace: 11:23
Avg HR: 162
MAX HR: 175

Not the best times in the world, but hey, I got my 11+ miles in for the day, actually 11.34.

Race Day - 5k with a New Twist

Since we didn't get to run long yesterday and Sunday won't work because of church one of my running partners has suggested that he and I run 8 miles before the roosters get up this morning and then get our other 3+ miles in with the 5k race that we've signed up for this morning at 7:30.

It looks like the rain will hold off until we finish both. Crossing my fingers. Someone asked if all this rain was unusual for Oklahoma and to say the least yes it is. I heard day before yesterday that we've already exceeded our annual rainfall average and it's only July.

I wish everyone that has a race today swift feet and to be injury free. May God have Peace for all on this Earth.

Friday the 13th - Rain Out

It's another one of those beautiful days in Oklahoma, the frogs are happy, the turtles are happy, the grass and all the weeds and flowers are in exstacy, but us runners that won't run when Mother Nature is angry and throwing lightning bolts all the place are a bit disappointed.

On a good note, the right side of my brain has me totally psyched up to run long this morning, now I'm not so sure I can go back to bed for another couple of hours....good grief I've been up since 3:15, oh what a nut I can be as a runner.

When they say that road racing/running can be hazardous to your health, they mention the cars and dogs and things, but they fail to add to that warning that some of your brain cells may fall out along the way from all the jiggling....no Nikki I'm not referring to you here. I'm just saying that we do some wild and strange things to beat the heat...oh and to beat the road traffic too I suppose.

Well, I'm going to try to head off to dreamland again, maybe a dream of finishing a 5k in under 25 minutes, a 10k in less than 50 minutes, a marathon under 4 hours, oh yes dream on mighty warrior......