15k / 755 for 2013

I ran my first sanctioned 15k today. This is the 2nd race of a 3 part race series. I wrote about the first in the series in an earlier post. I finished 2nd in my age group. Today I had great trepidation going to this race. I really didn't care to, or want to run. Just wasn't something I was looking forward to doing. Added to this hesitancy was the fact I drank many more beers last night than miles I was going to run today. 

Anyway- I set my goal to run the whole race. No stopping. I didn't have any inclination that I would place today. In hindsight, I think I could have. I started the race listening to the Smithfield's Chicken n Bar B Q podcast. I really enjoy the podcast, but I don't run at a fast pace listening to 'talk'. My first few miles were slow- 9:20/mile. Slow for a race. On a normal day- I'm good with anything under 10/mile. After the podcast, I switched to music and my pace dropped to 8:15/mile. I should have listened to music the entire time. It was a fun race with some great scenery. I definitely recommend it. Also, it was the coolest medal I've seen, and the first one I've ever gotten...

It's a freaking bottle opener. It will get plenty of use. 

The next and last race of this series is a half marathon that finishes at the USS North Carolina. I'm really looking forward to it. 

7.09 miles / 727 for 2013

Cindy and I ran a new route today. It involved going under a fence and climbing over another one. I mentioned in a previous post I like to travel the unknown, sometimes. From a run perspective, it is great for me to rack up some miles. If I'm not sure where a road will take me, I just keep running. I also like to run in 'loops'. Meaning- I can't stand running to a spot and turning around and running back. That's boring to me. I just saw that route, I don't need to see it again so soon. 

On another note - I've had a cold spell of finding things on my runs. Today I snapped it with one of my best finds...

Those of you who really know me, know I love a good dive bar. Chubby Buddha's is one of the best. 

Also, congratulations to Cindy reaching her 150 miles in September with 9 days to spare. 

3.18 miles / 701 for 2013

Today I hit the 700 mark. That's an average of 2.72 miles per day. With only 299 miles left, I need to average 2.76 miles per day for the rest of the year. Although 300 miles is no small task, today I really grasped that I will reach my goal.

On another note, when I was running today I noticed my arm band ipod/phone holder (there has to be another name for that) really stinks. It's not the first time it has started to smell but today it was quite pungent. I found myself not swinging my arm completely forward to avoid getting a whiff. It will be thrown in the washer today.

5.06 miles / 698 for 2013

BAM!




If you didn't read the previous post, this will not make sense.

3.60 miles / 693 for 2013

Runners that I've talked to normally do not carry cash or even ID on them when out for their run. I've found the 3 reasons tend to be ...

1. No Pockets
2. Fear of being mugged
3. Just don't see the need

1. No Pockets- I understand the no pockets issue. Even if you did have pockets, why take the risk of it falling out. Or, if you're not financial fit and you normally pay your bills after a trip to coinstar, why add the weight??

2. Fear of being mugged - I've run in the pitch dark (tonight was a good example - I missed a turn because I couldn't see the road sign), early morning, and remote areas. I've only been nervous one time. That was in Hong Kong. It wasn't that I actually felt threatened. The problem was I didn't know where the hell I was, and didn't know where a wrong turn may take me. Wrong turns don't bother me, I find cool things and places because of wrong turns. That night I wasn't looking.

3. Just don't see the need - I do. I run for destinations as mentioned in previous posts. Tomorrow morning I plan on making a stop, and I'll need money.

10k / 667 for 2013

This has been a slack running week for me. With travel and classes, I just wasn't motivated.
However, today I ran in my first sanctioned 10k race and my first race that my time was tracked.
My average times last month were not great - to the point I was a little concerned why I all of a sudden I was running so much slower. So, yesterday I purposely try to push for a fast pace. I averaged under a 9 minute mile for a 4 mile run. This was much better and gave me confidence going into today's 10k. I didn't have any notion that I could win the 10k, but I wanted to place in my age division.




Kelly and Cindy ran, of course. If it weren't for them I probably wouldn't pay someone to let me run.
The race started as all races typically do- like a herd of cows trying to get to the feed trough first. As always, this herd thins out. In the past, I always run my first mile in a race at a fast pace. In my last 5k, my first mile was 7+minute mile. I think it's due to the adrenaline and trying to get away from the herd of cattle behind me.
Today about 1/2 mile into the 10k, this guy passed me...




(the guy with the headband)
He was running a steady pace, so I decided to just tail him. I did for the entire race.
I would try to have my right foot land the same time his right foot landed. It gave me the sensation that his foot was pulling mine forward. Time really flew and I was zoned out. I got so close to him at one point I almost caught his heel with my toe. I thought at any minute this guy is going to turn around and knock the shit out of me - or maybe he was oblivious to me being behind him. Not likely since we were clearly away from the herd and no one else was really around us.
Anyway, I stayed on him the entire race until the last 1/2 mile. I passed him, took off and sprinted for the finish.
After the race the guy I basically just stalked for the last 50 minutes came up to me. I thought - this is it, he's going to punch me. Instead he gave me a high five.
I thanked him for setting a great pace and told him that was the fastest I had run for that long. He in turned thanked me. Wow. He told me he wanted to stop and walk or at least slow down several times during the race. He could tell I was behind him the whole time and was using me to push him. He was going to keep me from passing him.
BAM!!!