Monday Runs are Always the Hardest

Memorial Day means no work and all play so I took the time to get a run in around the Perimeter area. I decided to stick to a short route that was just about 3.5 miles. This route also included a couple of long hills. The run felt great and the pace was good.

The short run had me thinking of running longer and for some reason thoughts of running a marathon came to mind. I might just take myself up on the idea. It has been a while since the last marathon I ran and I think with a little training I might actually be able to run a personal best by December.

Run Summary
Distance: 3.5 miles
Pace: 7:45/mile

Sunday's are for resting the legs and reseting the brain

I spent a good amount of time on the couch with our dog today. Not for any other reason but to try and recharge my body for the training that I want to commit to over the next 2 months. An increase in distance and pace always has me thinking of the worst case scenario like injury from too much or sickness from generally not taking care of myself as I continually beat my body down to a withered pulp.

I've got a couple of goals in mind that include running a marathon before the end of the year and seriously adding swimming and cycling back into my run routine. I think the swim and bike efforts will help with prevent injury and the marathon race, well that will just be fun.

So, until I get started down that path I'm planning on spending some time on the couch with the dog. Good times.

Missed a 5k but gained new perspective

I woke up this morning at 7am to the sound of a Race Director's voice blaring over the loud speakers at the starting line of a 5k. I jumped out of bed and looked out the window to see hundreds of athletes milling around our neighborhood waiting for the starting gun to send them on their 3.1 mile journey.

I put Cooper on his leash and made my way down to the race where volunteers were setting up stations for registration, water, food, t-shirts, awards, and other various goodies. The amount of effort that they were putting into making the race run as smoothly as possible was admirable. They weren't running. They weren't there to win any award or set a personal best. They were there for one purpose: to make sure the runners, no matter how fast or slow, had a great time.

Standing there watching this unfold was a new sight for me. I can't remember ever being at a race without actually racing so this perspective shed a lot of light on the efforts that actually go into making these races a success.

I made a decision after watching the race come to an end and the volunteers packed up their stations. I plan to volunteer for an upcoming race. I want to help support the sport I love to see if I can't make others like it as much as me.

You Should Run a Race With Your Significant Other

Today marks the first day I've ever had the chance to run a race with my wife. It was an awesome experience and I hope to be able to share it with her again soon. Running is something that I have come to love and to be able to share it with the person I love more than anything else... well it was pretty amazing.

She did a great job for this being her first 5k. I gave her a lot of space and upheld her request that I not run with her. I have a bad habit of talking when I'm running at a slower pace. I guess that is why they call it conversational pace. However, keeping up the chit-chat while running with my wife is not her idea of a good time, so I ended up running off the front of the pack to make sure I didn't feel the urge to start blabbing.

The great thing was that the route allowed me to run past her a couple times. I waved, smiled, and cheered as we went our separate ways. She smiled back, which was an amazing feeling. However, each time after we past each other I prayed she wasn't cursing my name since it was extremely hilly!

I crossed the finish line 7th overall and ran back on the course to finish up the last 1/4 mile with her. She smiled and thanked me for the gesture, but after the first minute of me telling her how awesome she was doing, she asked me to get the hell away from her and to let her run. So I did.

It was an amazing day and I recommend to anyone reading this that if you're contemplating doing a race with your significant other. Do it. Don't wait. If you love running as much as I do, it will take it to another level. Hopefully a good one!