Runnin' in L-town

houston marathon

2009-01-18T18:35:00.002-06:00

I wasn't sure I was going to run Houston when I found out my dad was going to be in the hospital this weekend getting chemo treatments for his lymphoma. He went in Wednesday and we weren't sure how'd he respond.
He's done great so far, but he really won't feel the full effects of the chemo for a week or so. He's been in a great mood while in the hospital, driving the nurses crazy. My dad and brother both told me there was no reason for me to run today, so I took their advice and did.
Left yesterday to go to the Hyatt and found out I was on the same floor as some of my best friends, the Webbs, from Diboll. Known them for more than 20 years and they live near my dad.
They had picked up my race packet for me so that worked out great that they were just right down the hall.
I didn't go to dinner with them, instead just staying at the hotel and resting and sitting in the lobby for a while people-watching. I ran three miles on the treadmill at the hotel fitness center and as I was leaving ran into Lufkin's Beth Filla and family. Beth ran the marathon and also was one of the people in charge of the St.Patrick's 10-mile race I ran a few months ago in Lufkin. Glad I finally figured out her name.
Didn't go to sleep until midnight and got up at 5 a.m. so I could be ready to walk about a mile to the George R. Brown convention center for the 5:45 a.m. church service led by my friend Rodney Bowman, pastor at Angleton's First Baptist Church. It was great to see him and Daryl Beatty, a member of BARRA running club in Lake Jackson who is in charge of the Surfside Marathon next month - a race I plan to run.
Walked around the GRB a little while and headed out for the start. Nice idea for them to put port-a-potties in the starting corrals, especially since the lines there were short.
Saw my friend Jason Culverhouse, from Lake Jackson, before the race started. I ran the 50K at Sunmart in 2007, the same day he ran the 50-miler. Great guy.
My race plan was to run somewhere between 1:50-1:55 for the first half of the race and see what happens.
Early in the race I was wondering why I was trying to do two of these things in 18 days (I ran Kingwood Marathon on New Year's Day), and also wondering what I was going to do when the temperature reached the upper 60s and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Was I gonna die out there?
My legs felt so-so, but not as fresh as they should be for a marathon.
I decided to hit every water stop and I did, getting Gatorade and water both at most of them. I had also taken salt tablets and potassium pills before the race and had a half pitcher of water at the hotel Saturday night.
It helped a lot. I had some Cliff blocks and two Accel Gel's and spaced those out during the race.
I ran much smarter today.
As the temps rose I backed off. I did want the same bad experience I had at Kingwood where I almost blacked out and had to walk a lot to happen this time. My goal was to try to hit 4 hours, but I knew I was gonna be a little bit off. But that's OK. I was having fun.
Around mile 8 or 9 a guy passed and I swear he smelled like he just got out of the shower. I was thinking, "How can this guy smell so clean?" Weird.
A little later I head someone yell at a runner near me, "Hey Delores, good job, keep it up." Reminded me of the Seinfeld episode in which Jerry couldn't remember the name of the woman he was dating and all he knew was it rhymed with a female body part. Made me LOL.
I saw Joe Carey at all three of his stops on the course, he even got a halfway decent pic of me. At mile 15 I started thinking about seeing Steve Bezner at the water stop at mile 21.5. I knew that would be encouraging.
My legs really felt dead and a couple times I thought I felt a cramp coming on, but nothing bad. I kept moving, kept running. I was enjoying it, even though it was getting warm and the sun was out.
I was having fun. Thought about my dad in the hospital and how he's fighting cancer. I remembered from the message this morning to be encouraging to other runners on the course so I was. It was a blast.
Somewhere between mile 21 and 22 (I think) there was a Michelob Ultra truck and they were handed out cups of beer (cold at that) to runners. I decided what the heck. I took a cup and took three drinks out of it before setting it on the curb. Didn't want to have too much.
Hit Allen Parkway and somewhere early there Jessica Alexander passed me. Again - just like she passed me late in one of the Houston races a couple months ago. Dang, she's running well.
I kept going. The underpasses in the last few miles suck, but I managed to keep running even while going uphill. I saw a lot of people walking and I felt good that I didn't feel the need to.
Once I got to mile 25, I knew there would be some shade downtown from the buildings and that was comforting. I kept going.
Reached the finish line in 4:12-something, off my PR by 40 minutes, but 40 minutes better than what I ran on New Year's, so I'm happy with that.
Tried to eat something immediately after the race, but no way it was gonna go down and stay down.
Got to see a lot of people, which always makes the trip worth it.
Talked to my dad on the way home. He goes home tomorrow. He doesn't say it and he gives me a hard time about being crazy enough to run 26.2 miles, but I think he's proud of my accomplishments running marathons. I hope he gets better. It'd be nice to have him around a lot longer.

HM walkers

2008-08-03T17:04:00.002-05:00

I'll offer a little different perspective of the walkers issue.
Last year I rode on a press truck at the front of the men's half marathon, which has been the U.S. Men's Half Marathon championships the last couple years.
Walkers who had made their way out on the course early were apparently not aware there would be lead vehicles and press trucks coming through. Nor did they seem to care on a couple of occasions. We came really close a couple times to clipping a couple runners. And we also got slowed down a couple times by walkers who would not move over to let us through, therefore causing the vehicles with the cameras to come close to hitting us. In turn that caused the lead runners to get too close to the vehicles. Those runners deserve not to have their races interrupted by people walking the course.
It is not a safe situation for walkers to be on the course early.
I have no probelm with people wanting to walk a marathon. But they should not get an early start time.

uh yeah...it's hot

2008-07-21T23:57:00.002-05:00

Running has been pretty good this month. Split between running through the neighborhood and running on the treadmill at the gym.
Right at 100 miles for the month. I'd like for it to be more, but I've felt pretty good lately.
Really ready to do a race sometime soon. Just can't make myself commit to driving somewhere. May need some prodding or motivation from outside sources.
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Ran a couple times last week with kids from Diboll's cross country team. Kept up with them pretty well. It was good for me. Got me to speed up a little bit.
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Treadmill hasn't been as bad as I thought. I normally dislike it, but my iPod helps as do the four TV screens in front of me. Though usually one of them is on something totally ridiculous.

treadmill is boring, but not so humid

2008-06-12T23:37:00.002-05:00

Ran 6 miles on the treadmill today. Did intervals with the rest setting and work setting close enough that I didn't kill myself.
Ran it pretty slow, but I'm just trying to get the miles in.
I didn't get in NYC like by friend June did. I'm a little jealous, but glad I have more time to get back in marathon shape. Still need to drop 10 lbs or so.
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Been riding my bike a little, but no swimming, so those that were trying to make me do a tri are probably disappointed.
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Jon texted me about a friend that was involved in a wreck and asked for prayer. I said a few after I got it.
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I'm ready to see some of my TIR and blogging friends again.

took the day off

2008-06-09T21:30:00.002-05:00

Rode 23 miles yesterday and ran 3 on the treadmill about an hour after that.
The bike ride was tough. I planned on 30, but hills and wind made me ready to quit a few miles early.
I wasn't too beat up from it and the treadmill run wasn't so bad. I picked up the pace the last mile or so running.
No swimming in a week, so I don't know how I'll ever do a tri. But I do like the bike riding. Even if it is tough.

more runnin' and bikin'

2008-06-02T23:36:00.002-05:00

Ran 6.5 miles this morning and was soaked by the end of the run. Actually I was soaked in sweat about halfway through. Run felt good.
---
Worked and did other stuff during the day and this evening got the bike out and rode 11.5 miles. Butt is a little sore. Well, a lot sore from 20 miles yesterday. Wonder how I'll feel in the a.m.?
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fyi - i start a new job tomorrow as an editor (not THE editor) at The Lufkin Daily News. Looking forward to being back in the office I was in from 1998-2000.

20 mile bike ride, 3 mile run

2008-06-01T23:38:00.003-05:00

My running and working out in general suffered last month. I was sick for more than a week and just couldn't breathe right when running. My nose would run and I'd break out in a sweat, which I knew I needed, but it didn't feel right.
I barely got more than 100 miles of running in May. Must do better this month.
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Today I got up and rode my bike. Didn't really have a plan for number of miles but after a few I figured I could go 20. So I did. Went through three different neighborhoods in town, not including my own. Got back close to home and was right at 17 miles so I went to the far end of our street which is 1.5 miles away. There and back put me at 20.
Didn't feel too bad.
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Didn't run this morning after the ride. Today is my 12th anniversary with my first wife so we went out to eat. We planned on driving to Tyler to eat at a very good Mexican food place. Those plans fell through when Ashton said she had a birthday party to go to. Geez....
So...Plan B apparently was Olive Garden. Nothing says 12 glorious years together like a good meal with your kids at Olive Garden.
We got there at 11, not dressed like we'd been to church. The waiter asked where we were from. What the heck? I guess when you live in the Bible Belt and you show up at a restaurant at 11 with shorts on....well, you must be just driving through. Then Donna topped it off with a margarita. At 11 a.m. On Sunday....geez... We're going to hell. Well maybe not me. I only had tea.
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We spent the afternoon at the pool and this evening I went out for a quick 3 miles. Planned on more, but I guess I had too much sun and I didn't feel right a couple times. Felt a little woozy.
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Anyhoo....that's it from here. May be some stuff happening for me in the next couple days that I guess I should share. We'll see.
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Update: Donna says it was more pomegranate than margarita. Whatever.

running i like, swimming sucks

2008-05-27T22:16:00.002-05:00

I went through more than a week with allergies/cold/feeling like crap and didn't run for seven days. Ugh....
But I'm back at it. Plus mixing in a little swimming and cycling.
Ran the last two days on treadmill, getting in four miles of intervals on Monday and 3.3 tonight. Did 20 more minutes on elliptical after that.
Got 10.5 miles on bike Sunday. Practiced dismounting the bike yesterday. Got a pic I need to put on here.
Swam Sunday and yesterday. That crap is hard. ugh...my lungs were hurting. Then today, my shoulders were pretty sore. ugh. ugh. ugh.
Swam around 120 meters plus Sunday and 200 yesterday. I was dying.

shtuffff

2008-05-25T11:10:00.001-05:00

Sorry for posting in two spots. Just wanted to share....

It's been a crazy, crazy week.
I was getting ready to do the Ride of Silence bike ride Wednesday night that Jeremy Webb put together. Two hours before the ride I got a call from my friend Andy Adams at the Lufkin Daily. He told me that Gary had passed away. Still stunned.
I did the ride and even wrote the story about it for the Lufkin Daily. I'm sure that's what Gary would have wanted me to do.
The next morning I get the paper and my story is right next to the story about Gary's death.
---
Also that morning I took my dad to the doctor for a colonoscopy. He was worried. His pastor (my father-in-law) showed up as did my dad's lady friend. I was way outnumbered. And they were loud and embarrassing. They talked about the heat, the humidity, the wind (it's apparently windier this year than in previous ones), mine and Donna's wedding (how her dad married us and he told me I could shake the brides hand - everyone in the doctor's office heard). I was dying a slow, painful death.
Dad was okay and then when we left we went out to the airport where his lady friend works as a cook.
We sat and talked with her for a while. We were talking about my brother's wedding and trying to figure out what year it was. I remembered that Donna was pregnant with Ashton at the time so I knew what year it was. I was talking about Donna being pregnant in the pictures and I think dad's friend thought I meant mine and Donna's wedding. I wasn 't sure, but she started talking about a couple she knew that got married and the bride was pregnant at the time of the wedding. She said they have a great marriage...geez.... I didn't know what to say so I said nothing.
I get home and tell Donna, and she's like, "Great, now she thinks I'm a slut." uh oh.
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Friday I take my friend Tom to Houston to the doctor for a procedure on his hand. First I have to drive to Nacogdoches to pick up Astros tickets I ordered. They are at the Fed Ex office cause I have to sign for them and they missed me at home. Twice. I can't find the dang place. I drive around the loop twice before finally getting directions. Geez...
We're running 20 minutes late. I jump in the shower before we go. I drop a shampoo bottle on my toe. Blood everywhere....geez.... I have to take a first aid kit with us. When will it end?
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Anyway, everything goes okay. I leave when he goes in at the doctor's office. Go to a Barnes and Noble. Finally, relaxed. Leave and stop at a Chick Fil A to eat a bite. Sitting there and the doctor's office calls and tells me he's done. Dang it, I coulda waited and we could ate somewhere good. Oh well.
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Anyhoo....it's Biggio mini-helmet giveaway night at the game to the first 10,000 fans. We get in a looooong line. We are about 10 people back from getting in when they ran out of helmets. On way home, Tom tells me it's all my fault we didn't get the helmet because I drove around the loop 20 times that morning looking for the Fed Ex office. geez...
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Saturday I'm talking with Jon on the phone. He asks me what time the celebration is. Meaning what time is Gary's funeral. I tell him the funeral is at 2. Celebration? What the heck? Never heard it like that before. It's a funeral.
So....the funeral begins with a guy playing a guitar and two girls singing with him. We all stand. They play three praise and worship songs. Just like Gary would like. Then the first of four people to talk about Gary starts talking about Gary's life. And telling stories.
Then it hits me. This is a celebration. Dang it Jon, you were right. Cool.
Lots of stories about Gary. All good. At one point I was wondering if this guy ever did anything wrong. Hmmmm....I really don't remember. Cool.
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Today, I get up early. Don't go to lake with Donna and girls and some of our friends. Ya know, I just ain't a fan of the lake. Kinda wanna be on my own today.
I ran an hour, rode 10.5 miles on bike, swam a little. Left to get a paper and then went to cemetery.
Talked to mom.
Told her about Gary. Uh, like she didn't know.
I sang. Horribly. Sang part of Amazing Grace to her. Told her I'm sorry that my singing sucks.
Told her I miss her. Told her dad is having fun. She should be happy.
Told her to tell Gary....right then I choked up...couldn't talk. Finally, told her to tell Gary we'd do lunch one day.

my friend

2008-05-22T21:41:00.001-05:00

I lost one of my best friends yesterday.
I've known Gary Willmon for more than 20 years. He was a co-worker for a while at the Diboll Free Press weekly newspaper back when it was at its best. Gary was an editor there while I worked there as sports editor.
We worked there together for a while in cubicles right next to each other.
I'd been there a little more than a year and at that time it was really just the two of us that were responsible for the weekly content.
It was a month before Diboll Day, the bi-annual city-wide celebration, that Gary went into the hospital. I don't remember if this was when he found out he had Chrohn's disease or not. But I know he was there out for about a month.
I had to handle all the fall sports coverage and all the Diboll Day coverage, plus do all the layout for those pages. I was in over my head, but I made it.
Gary was a little fella. Never weighed more than 120 pounds or so. And never looked like unless he was on some kind of steroids for a while and his cheeks got puffy.
He was always upbeat, never said anything bad about anybody. Never wrote anything bad about anyone.
Donna reminded me today at lunch, when we were with a group of his co-workers from the Lufkin Daily, of the time he came back to the office in Diboll after having been chased by some big truck driver.
If I remember correctly, he had inadvertently cut off a truck driver and made the guy mad. I'm not sure if they actually exchanged words. But I do know that when he got back that he told us that he'd driven around town for a while to make sure he hadn't been followed. He was worried that since our office was right off Hwy 59 that the driver might have spotted him or his car as he was getting to the office.
I had left the Free Press to teach at Diboll High School and had been there for a year and a half when I took over as sports editor of the Lufkin Daily News. Gary had been the sports editor there before he came to the Free Press. Weird how it works sometimes.
I remember he wrote me one of the nicest letters I've ever received. How he knew I'd do a good job at it. Knowing he had confidence in me felt great. He couldn't have been any nicer.
Gary was a great newsman, a great friend.
I'll miss hearing these two things:
* Hearing him finish his 5-second prayers over lunch with "Amen, dig in."
* Hearing him say, "Dude, call me, we'll do lunch."
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I went to visit Gary at the hospital last Friday. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone look as bad as I thought he did. His face was jaundiced and he was hooked up to many things.
I knew he was bad.
I got the call from my friend Andy yesterday around 5 p.m. Two hours later I was to participate and write a story about the Ride of Silence, organized by my friend Jeremy Webb.
Andy told, "Gary died a little while ago."
Couldn't say anything. I felt like I was punched in the stomach. No breath.
Just walked around numb.
Called to tell my dad.
He told me I should just go home.
Then I remembered I couldn't go home. I had to write a story for the Lufkin Daily about the ride. I know those guys there so I get to do some freelance work. I knew I had to go.
Their photographer showed up for the ride.
At some point I thought that that's what Gary would want me to do. To do my job. To write the story. To write a story about something great a friend of mine had put together. To give some praise where it's due.
That's what he would do. I know it is.
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At the bottom right of today's front page of the Lufkin Daily there's a story about Gary's death and a number of quotes from former co-workers. There's one from me.
To the left of that story is a my story about the Ride of Silence.
It's an honor that I get to share that part of today's paper with him.
---
Gary Willmon
Ride of Silence

uh...yeah, check me out

2008-05-15T00:22:00.001-05:00

Great pic of me

random crap about me

2008-05-13T22:09:00.003-05:00

Cause I got tagged and I fell to peer pressure yet again:

1. I highlight my hair, but I still have a pair.
2. I will run shirtless in a race if it's hot. I ain't scared. I've seen worse. Lots worse.
3. I'm jealous of Joe Carey.
4. I don't like to be bothered on Sunday afternoons during football season. At all. Seriously. Especially when Cowboys are on. I will not answer the phone.
5. I like to order books that apparently I'll never get around to reading.
6. My dad is a 73-year-old playa. And I'm impressed by that. Well, sorta. Sometimes it makes me tired.
7. I'd rather watch my Seinfeld DVDs than most anything on TV.
8. I'm really not sure how I lived without Tivo.

The Rules:
Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to read your blog.
I tag, well, anyone that wants to participate. I looked to see who hasn't been tagged and I feel as if my online social network is no better than Adrienne's. geez...i'm a loser.
Maybe Barbara and June. Or Jon. If there's anything left about Jon that we don't know.....

5-plus

2008-05-12T22:16:00.002-05:00

Got in 5-plus miles this evening.
Hate to say it cause I know I'm gonna get scolded, but I'm still having trouble with my knee. Played racquetball for about 1 1/2 hours this morning and my knee was a little swollen. Ran tonight anyway.
I know, flaxseed something-or-other, pollenate oil, or some shizz like that....some Theragesic (3 layers like Grandpa Joe), etc, etc, etc.....
Anyhoo, run felt good. But knee does not look so good. ugh....
It even pops ever now and then.
Is it possible I'm getting old? I hope not.

runnin' in Galveston

2008-05-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

Took a spur of the moment trip to Galveston Friday evening. I was exhausted and really didn't want to go anywhere, but two little girls were very persuasive.
Go to the San Luis Friday night about 10. First time to stay there. I like it. A lot. Will go again. Anytime.
Ran about 10 miles Saturday morning on the seawall. May have been too much as my legs were pretty sore all day. The pool helped. As did some refreshments.
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Got in a few miles this morning, but not sure how far. Ran out for 20 minutes, and got back to the San Luis a minute quicker. Not sure how as I was running into a pretty good breeze.
I love running near the ocean.

ughh...

2008-05-05T21:42:00.003-05:00

My left knee was sore and a little swollen last week so I took it slow for a few days.
Ran only three miles Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Two of those days were on treadmill.
Knee felt good enough with no swelling at all so on Sunday I ran 12-plus miles. Felt pretty good. It was nice outside and I coulda gone longer, but decided to stop.
Played some racquetball this morning and went out for a 45 minute run this evening. About 30 minutes in, I felt a pull on the back side of my knee. Caused me to stop. I walked for a few minutes, but felt okay enough to keep running.
Ran about 15 more minutes to get in the 45.
But...now my knee is significantly swollen and I'm icing it.
ugh.......
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Oh yeah, I'm in the lottery for NYC, which was my first-ever marathon in 2004. Also, I registered for the Houston Marathon. Gives me stuff to shoot for.

this month

2008-04-30T22:50:00.002-05:00

Got in 163 plus miles for the month of April. Not as many miles as Adrienne, but oh well.
Feels good to get the mileage back up again. Makes the running easier.
Got in about 6 today after 3-plus yesterday on treadmill.
My knee has been bothering me for a few days, probably from racquetball last week, but I still got in runs every day since.
Knee feels better today, but a little swollen. I'm too dumb to take a break, so don't even try to give me that advice. I have to do it on my own.

running at the soccer fields

2008-04-27T22:08:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, before the kids' soccer games I got in almost 6 miles in the neighborhood.
Today after church I took the girls back out to the soccer fields. They rode their bikes and I ran. They played on the playground (cause that's what you do on a playground) and I ran some more.
We also played soccer for a while until Jenna started whining.
Got in a little over 4 miles today.
No long run this weekend, but that's okay. Maybe I'll make up for it tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after.

legs hurt

2008-04-22T23:03:00.002-05:00

Got in 4.5 miles last night and 5.7 tonight. Legs not fully recovered from Sunday or maybe it was Monday morning's racquetball games. Whatever the case, it's been tough running the last two days.
Work has been nuts and I really didn't want to run tonight, but I did. I figured that work stuff would still be there when I got done and if I let the day pass without running that I'd be mad.
So I ran.
There was a light rain for most of my run and it felt good. Loved it.
Peace out, playas.

ugh...

2008-04-21T17:31:00.002-05:00

Felt like crap last night.
Ran 3.13 on treadmill yesterday afternoon then planned on getting 12 in later. Could only get 11.
Maybe could've gone more but made the mistake of passing by my street. Couldn't stop myself from turning.
After the run I had chills, fever and generally felt like a pile of pooh.
Woke up at 3 a.m.-ish and was starving. Milk and Nilla Wafers hit the spot.
Fine today, especially after breaking a good sweat playing racquetball this morning.

my miles for the month

2008-04-20T21:34:00.001-05:00

April 1	6.00
April 2	3.00
April 6	13.00
April 7	7.00
April 8	4.50
April 9	9.00
April 10	6.00
April 12	1.20
	13.10
April 13	2.50
April 14	3.00
	6.00
April 15	6.30
April 16	7.80
April 17	9.00
April 19	6.20
April 20	3.13
	11.00










	117.73

it was fun while it lasted

2008-04-18T00:42:00.004-05:00

Shoulda kept running all night, but I stopped at 9 miles. Felt great. Weather was good. Legs felt good. Attractive ladies on golf cart waved at me (deal with that Joe).
It was nice.
Running feels good again. I'm enjoying it. A lot. Feel ready to train for a marathon again.
Got home and enjoyed sitting on the back deck for a while. Well, a little while. Anyhoo....
That gives me 876 miles for the month.
---
Saw this link on my gmail....what the heck?
Story

work playlist

2008-04-17T08:25:00.003-05:00

Working early today. Gonna run 9 tonight or until I feel like stopping, which would be more than that.
Placing orders while listening to:
Hinder - Lips of an Angel, Get Stoned
John Mayer - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, I'm gonna find another you, Your body is a wonderland
James Blunt - Beautiful
The Last goodnight - Pictures of you

okay, maybe i lied

2008-04-16T21:55:00.002-05:00

I guess it's not really 417 miles or whatever I wrote. Sorry.
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Got in 7.5 miles tonight. Felt good and the weather was about perfect.
Running feels good and it's fun again. That's nice to say.
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Anyhoo, I've neglected Karen's 6-word memoir thing long enough.

Only get to do this once
Words I stole from Jon a while back. I think about them often. Used it a couple times to make some somewhat tough decisions. Used to it decide whether or not I wanted to take a high-ranking position at a newspaper I once worked for. Made me think whether I'd regret it or not if I didn't take the job. Ultimately I didn't do it, but those words helped me.
Ya know, there are some things I want to do that are fun and things I want to try. We only get one shot at this life, might as well have some fun along the way.
Plus maybe some challenges along the way. I guess that's the competitive side of me talking.
I only got one shot at seeing my daughter's first soccer game. I only got one shot at seeing both of the girls ride a bike for the first time.
Hmmmm...my mom only got one shot at this life and she did a pretty darn good job with her one chance.
I hope I can look back one day and say I did a good job at my one shot.

heck to the yeah, i'm still runnin'

2008-04-15T21:13:00.003-05:00

Ran twice Monday. Got some interval work on the treadmills at the local club. Finally some treadmills made recently. Nice being able to set up intervals on them. Sweeeet. Did three there and then got beat at a couple games of racquetball.
Monday night I took my running gear to Ashton's soccer practice and ran around the fields, school and stadium and got in 6 more.
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Legs were a little sore this morning, but got in a little over 6 before working.
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If my calculations are correct that gives me 417 miles for the month. How's that Adrienne?
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Oh yeah, my playlist for paying bills tonight:
Prince- I wanna be your lover
Fall out boy - Beat it
Rod Stewart- If you think i'm sexy
Madonna/JT - 4 minutes
Pat Green - Everclear
Rihanna-Please don't stop the music
Taylor Swift - Our song
soggy bottom boys - man of constant sorrow
plus more, but that's embarrassing enough....

half marathon

2008-04-12T18:33:00.002-05:00

Davy Crockett Bear Chase 1/2 marathon, Groveton, TX
1:44:45 - 7:59 pace

Saw lots of people from all areas of my life. From Lake Jackson, Pearland, Huntsville, Diboll Lufkin, Spring, etc...... There were times when I couldn't figure out who to talk to first. Geez...
The race was pretty good for me. Put in a lot of miles the last month or so and it paid off okay. I doubt I coulda run 8 minute miles for 13.1 miles a couple months ago even though it was a nice, cool morning.
But today, I ran decent.
At every mile marker I was anywhere from 5 - 15 seconds faster than 8 minute pace. Very consisent throughout.
Ran near a fast marathoner for the first three or four miles then backed off a little and settled into a nice pace.
The terrain was varied. Started on the track at the Groveton football stadium (the Indians were a state power in Class 2A for a long time and beat my hometown high school (Diboll) a lot even though we were a 3A school), went through the parking lot and then around a cemetery onto a quasi-dirt/gravel-like road.
We went from there to a highway, hit some trails/roads again (where there were some soft spots, but mostly packed), and then turned back.
Was a little hilly in spots, but more of a gradual incline.
I was satisfied with my results, but am still looking to get better. My time today is almost 6 minutes off my half PR.
After the race hung out with friends for a long time. Didn't leave until around 1:30 or so. Much fun.

9 miles

2008-04-10T00:03:00.001-05:00

Got in 9 miles this morning. Maybe more than I need to run before the half marathon in Groveton on Saturday, but oh well.
Legs felt heavy today. Hope they are better tomorrow.

4.5 miles I think, but who the heck knows

2008-04-08T23:01:00.002-05:00

Tonight's plan was for 7 miles, but I was having so much fun enjoying the nice weather that I decided to stop after two miles.
Oh wait, forgot about the incident a little more than a mile into my room.
I got passed by this kid on a skateboard. He was probably about 16-18 or so and he was going down a hill pretty fast, weaving a little on purpose. Then all of a sudden he got thrown off the board and did a couple of rolls in the middle of the street. He was probably about 20 yards ahead of me when he took his spill.
I stopped to check on him and talked for a second, making sure he was okay. He had some good road rash (or whatever it's called) and his elbow was bleeding pretty good. I grabbed his board for him and asked if he needed help getting up.
He said he'd sit there for a minute. I then noticed that his shoe was about 10 yards past where he was and also his cap was a good ways away as well. I went and got those for him. He got up and seemed to be okay.
I went on with my run.
Got to about the two-mile mark and decided to call home. Got the wife and kids to drive to where I was and we walked a little ways on a trail and out onto the golf course. Just wanted them to see where I run and how nice it is.
Wife thinks she needs to take families out there for pics.
It was nice.
Anyhoo, ran about 1/2 mile with the two kids after that and finished up with another 2-2.5 miles.
Maybe that's closer to 5. Heck if I know.

2 hour run

2008-04-06T20:44:00.006-05:00

Took a few days off but got back at it today with a two hour run, easily running more than half marathon distance. At least I think, but I didn't keep track.
Felt great and if I wasn't going to church this morning I coulda ran forever. It felt great. Legs felt good.
Enjoyed the scenery and took a few pics along the way. First two pics are on the golf course, third pic is of Randy Quaid's huge motor home (there seem to be a lot in our neighborhood lately) and the last is the work being done at one end of my neighborhood that's gonna add some streets but mess up some trails.
Less than a week til the half marathon in Groveton.
I think I'm ready.

less than 200

2008-04-01T23:00:00.005-05:00

There was no running on Saturday and that was the downfall in the quest for 200 miles for March.
I got in 6.5 or so on Sunday, 4.5 on Monday and ended the month with a little over 185 miles. Not bad.
Got April started off with a 6-miler tonight. It felt cool, but I sure sweated a lot.
Not setting a goal yet for April. Well maybe to put in more miles than Adrienne.

top photo - hole #3 par 5. Doesn't look too good in that light. bottom photo is a dude in all white with a mask on, freaked me out when I rounded a corner and saw him. Looked like someone from the future. I know, hard to see in that photo. Oh well.

6-plus miles, maybe 7

2008-03-30T22:50:00.003-05:00

Had a good run tonight after the rains left. I ran a 7:41 first mile then turned off the Garmin and ran the golf course paths.
Stopped for a few minutes and called my dad. Yeah, I took my phone with me.
Ran another mile in 7:10.
Total miles were more than 6, but probably less than 7.
Unless I run 20 miles tomorrow, I'm gonna be short of 200.
Stopped to take a pic of hole # 11.

Jeremy

2008-03-29T23:21:00.002-05:00

My friend Jeremy, that I wrote about the other day in the Lufkin Daily, competed in a sprint triathlon today. It was his first back since his wreck and he set a 4 minute PR at that distance.
He called me when it was over. It's awesome that he didn't let the wreck slow him down. I'm in awe.
Via phone calls and text messages I got him to get in contact with Jon Walk and they were able to meet and talk today in Galveston at the tri. I'd sent Jon the story to look over before sending it to the newspaper.

8 miles today

2008-03-28T23:58:00.002-05:00

Got in almost 3 miles this morning on the treadmill. Was about to hit three miles and had it ramped up to 9.0 mph when it just died. Second time the same treadmill has quit on me. No fun at all when it just stops without slowing down first. ugh....
Worked up a good sweat in that workout.
---
Still trying to get to 200 miles for the month, and since I had planned on 6 miles today I went for a run this evening around 8:45 or so. Got in a little over 5 and called it a night. Wanted to watch some basketball. Shoulda ran some more.
---
At a little over 174 for the month with three days left.
6 tomorrow? 14 sunday? 6 monday?
we'll see.

more runnin', but will i make 200?

2008-03-27T23:11:00.003-05:00

Tonight's run put me at just over 166 miles for the month. That gives me four days to get in 34 miles. So....the plan is for 6 Friday, 6 Saturday, 16 Sunday and 6 Monday. Hmmmm.
Seems like a lot of running. I may split Sunday's into two 8-milers and do the final 6 Monday evening.
Tonight's run was a brisk 4.5 miles. Felt good the whole time. Ran part on streets, part cart path and part off-road.
I stopped for a second at the par 3 14th hole for a pic for Joe. Here ya go.

story about a friend

2008-03-26T22:21:00.002-05:00

Story about one of my friends that I got to write for the Lufkin Daily News. Known this guy his whole life. My neighbor for years. I'd tell you the nickname that me and a friend started calling him when he was little, but I'll pass for now. It's one that stuck.
I visited him in the hospital the night of his bicycle accident and he was a little bit out of it. Asked me a lot of the same questions over and over.
Glad he's recovered well.
Read here.

golf course pic

2008-03-26T00:07:00.002-05:00

Hole # 4 par 3 at Lufkin's Crown Colony Country Club. Lots of water. In background is par 5 third hole.
Taken with my iPhone. Part of the scenery I get when running the cart path.

5 miles

2008-03-25T23:27:00.002-05:00

Got in 5 fairly quick miles. The last in about 7:30 or so. I think. ughh....felt like I was running faster.
I feel much better about my running this month. Got in more miles this month than the two previous combined.
I sent off my application to join 7 Hills. That makes three clubs I belong to, BARRA (Lake Jackson area), HARRA and 7 Hills. hmmmm....7 hills doesn't rhyme like the other two do. I figured I'm more likely to run in Huntsville than I am in Brazoria County. I'm in HARRA cause I write some for ITR and one day I may get a discount on some shoes or something like that.

hour long run

2008-03-24T22:17:00.001-05:00

Legs were a little, well, not sore, more like numb from last night's two hour run. But I got in an hour anyway. Most all of it on the golf path. Seems to be a pattern there.
Puts me at 153 miles for the month, the most in who knows when. Goal is still 200.

tonight's run

2008-03-24T00:05:00.002-05:00

Came home tonight from a looooong day visiting family. Not that it was bad, just thought I'd never get back home.
Plan was to run two hours and as time kept slipping away I kept thinking I wouldn't make it.
But we got home at 6:30 or so, and I just made myself get out the door. The weather was great. Low 60s, nice breeze and the sun was not a factor at that time. Very nice.
I even ran some on the cart paths and was still in awe of how nice the course looks. I need to play sometime.
I mean, the grass was so green and beautiful I couldn't decide whether to smoke some of it or roll around naked in it. Sorry Joe.
Anyhoo...got two hours in with no trouble at all. Felt great.
But I was done at 9 and I'm still awake. Guess it got me a little wired.
---
Oops...forgot about Saturday. Ran 7 or so at home and 3 more on treadmill. The health club shelled out some bucks and bought some new treadmills that you can program intervals on. Nice. I forgot what speed I ran, but I'm sure it was pretty freakin' fast.

90 minutes + 3 more later

2008-03-20T10:01:00.004-05:00

Hmmm, I'm a slacker now?
Unlike at TIR, I finished my run today. Didn't call it quits after a mile. How's that?
Got in 90 minutes this morning, enjoying the cool air and the scenery on the golf course. No Joe, not women golfers, but just how green the course is getting and what good shape it's in. Geez...I sound gay.
Anyhoo, run felt great. Gonna go to the health club tonight and run on the treadmill and watch games.
Peace out.
---
PS Karen - I'm joking. Glad the moon cycle or something lame like that didn't get me.
---
Ran 3 more this evening while Ashton was practicing soccer. It took me a while cause I kept stopping to watch her practice. So...no treadmill. Went to watch part of a high school track meet and one of our customers came in 3rd in the 800 meters and fourth in the mile. Dang The Woodlands kids and that other fast dude in the mile.
---
Chillin' out on the couch watching hoops now. Drinkin' beer and scratchin'. Joking....geez

off day

2008-03-19T22:49:00.002-05:00

Yep, took the day off.
9 - plus miles in the a.m. and treadmill tomorow night.
That's the plan.
Didn't really plan on taking the day off, just needed to get some things done this morning and evening.
Legs feel good even with the increased mileage this month. Gonna get in a lot more miles this month and after the half next month gonna start working on getting faster.

two runs

2008-03-17T22:31:00.004-05:00

Got in a little more than 3 miles this morning on the treadmill. Last two miles were ran between 8:27 pace and 6:40 pace. Most were in mid 7:30's range.
Tonight ran 4 miles through the neighborhood.
That gives me 108 miles for the month. Looking to run 92 more in the next two weeks to get to 200.

trails

2008-03-16T18:02:00.002-05:00

Got 10-plus miles on the trails in Huntsville on Saturday with some of my friends from TIR. My friend Jeremy followed me over for the run.
I felt a lot better this time on the trails than I did in December at the Sunmart 50K. Probably because I ran only about a third of the distance I had to run back then.
Lotsa fun.
---
Got up this morning and put in somewhere between 6 and 7 miles, which puts me over 100 for the month. Will I make 200?

90 minutes

2008-03-13T23:56:00.002-05:00

Not sure how far I ran as a ran here and there and back. Then here, yonder and over there some more. Ran on the golf cart path, turned around when saw golfers on the front nine.
Listened to some Mike and Mike and Collin Cowherd (sp????) on ESPN radio and rather enjoyed the run.
It was a good morning to be out, but it was heating up a little toward the end. Not unbearable yet, but I can tell that's coming soon.
Peace out, playas.

40 minutes

2008-03-12T22:51:00.002-05:00

Got in 40 minutes tonight. Feeling pretty good. Only missed one day this month, so feeling much better about my running. Much, much better.
Did those 40 minutes then went to the health club and did some strength training and then got on elliptical for 45 minutes and read Runner's World.
Now have more than 70 miles in for the month. That's more like it. More like my old self. Just still not fast enough.

an hour

2008-03-11T22:08:00.001-05:00

Ran an hour.
That's it. My most exciting post ever.
Thanks for stopping by.

sunday afternoon fun run

2008-03-10T00:38:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I ran for fun. Ran two hours for fun. Listening to Dane Cook and George Lopez on my iPod. Don't know how far I ran, but I enjoyed it. Little tired now.
---
Also, today (March 10) is one year from the day my mom died. It's been a tough week.

track work

2008-03-08T22:03:00.002-06:00

first mile 7:06

second mile - 400s and 200s
1:26 400
0:39 200
0:41 200
0:41 200
1:37 400
0:42 200 =5:44 mile

5 minutes of stadium steps

4 minute half mile to end on.

My chest hurts and I can't breathe.

3 more

2008-03-07T09:36:00.002-06:00

Got 3 more miles in this morning at the health club.
1 mile warm up 8 minutes or so pace.
ran 5 minutes at 10 minute pace
ran 5 minutes at 9:13 pace
ran 5 minutes at 8:34 pace
ran 5 minutes at 8:00 pace and sped up every 20 seconds or so all way down to 6:50 pace in last minute.
Sweated out lots of junk.

10 this morning

2008-03-06T13:12:00.002-06:00

Ran 10 miles this morning. First three at around 8 minutes, next 6 just enjoying be outside, the last mile in 7:32. About 1:26 total time, which was almost as fast as my first leg of TIR.....hahaha.
Felt pretty good.
Still battling upset stomach and not much appetite this week. Only eating half my meals. Oh well....life is good.

still recovering

2008-03-05T22:52:00.003-06:00

I feel pressure to blog more often now. I may have to combine my running and non-running blogs to make it look like I'm doing something. Don't know.
Anyhoo, ran two miles tonight on the track. First mile in 7:45 and second in 7:20. See, I can run sorta fast. Legs still sore from weekend.
Still thinking about how much fun it was and ready to do it again next year.

Part two

2008-03-04T22:00:00.002-06:00

My legs

They hurt.

First one was Leg 7 - pretty tough hills headed into Moulton. Pretty dang hot. I suffered. I wasn't ready for that. I'm ashamed of how bad I ran. I don't want any comments about it.
Second was Leg 18 at night on Hwy 71. I enjoyed. Didn't run as well as I wanted, but okay with the effort.
Third was Leg 31 Sunday morning at Bush Park. I was slow. Legs were tied in knots. Calves cramped last couple miles.

I've had with crappy efforts.
I ran 2.5 miles yesterday, 4 this morning and 3.7 tonight. The 4 was on the streets, the other two were on the treadmill at a pretty good pace.

Anyhoo, I had a great time this weekend.

TIR

2008-03-03T23:04:00.003-06:00

Whew!! I have no idea if I can put this weekend into words, but I'll try.
1. Jose - Wow. I have no idea how he did it. He manned the clipboard, handed out the water, gatorade, etc.. to runners on the move, stopped at the right spot every time, drove while everyone was asleep and yelled encouragement when no one else had the energy. We couldn't have done it without him. Thanks a bunch. I know Manny did a great job in the other van as well.
2. Jon - Where would we have been without him? He did an awesome job organizing and putting together our team. He also gave me three of the 10 most difficult legs. ugh... The best thing he did was put together a group that was compatible, didn't mind living together in a van and hotel room for a weekend and includes some of the best people anywhere. Thanks so much.
3. Our team of runners - an impressive and speedy group. I enjoyed seeing some people that I haven't seen in a while and meeting some new ones. I really miss being in the Houston area and seeing everyone more frequently.
4. Bill's team - It was fun getting to meet them and seeing Bill again. Thanks a lot for having Juliee run all the same legs as me and smokin' me. Especially the first one.
5. Race organizers - I don't know how they did it, but thanks. It was awesome.
More later....
But here's some pics.

TIR later....but for now

2008-03-03T17:11:00.003-06:00

Got to thinking about my mom today...can't shake it. Just sitting here. Very emotional.
I wrote this.
The Lord has promised good to me. And dang, He's been good to me. More than I deserve.

Legs hurt

2008-01-30T00:30:00.000-06:00

Did 3 miles on elliptical at gym yesterday, just cause I felt like it. Then ran a fairly quick 5 miles last night, though not exactly sure how quick since Pedro Jr's battery went dead just a couple minutes into the run. ughhhhh....
Ran for an hour this morning, mostly on the golf course cart path. My legs felt really heavy this morning. Sloooowwww running.
---
Still working on getting back in good running shape.
Spent 2 hours or so Sunday night reading my old blogs, mostly ones from 2006 when I was fast, and that got me motivated. Also got a little motivated watching "Prefontaine" on ESPN Classic.

so-so run

2008-01-27T23:02:00.000-06:00

Have already put in more miles this month than the previous 4, so at least I'm back at it somewhat consistently.
I ran 13.1 miles late this afternoon. The first 10 were so-so, the last 3.1 were horrible. But at least the first 10 were good enough.
Still working on dropping a few pounds. Once that happens, the speed should come back somewhat.
The cold air kind of got to me, as I've been coughing a good bit since I got back. Also pretty sore from the run (I think). Unless I'm getting sick. uggghhh.....I hope not.
---
Going to the gym in the morning. Gonna get in some miles on the treadmill, but will still run out in the elements tomorrow evening. Gonna work on holding my pace on the treadmill and get in some negative splits.

okay, i ran

2008-01-22T23:09:00.000-06:00

Ran the last couple of days.
Did three miles on an indoor track on Monday. Felt pretty good to run inside and work up a good sweat.
Ran 1 1/2 hours this morning with more than half of that coming on the trails of the golf course here in our neighborhood.
Feel motivated again and hope to keep it consistent.
--
Enjoying working at the studio with Donna.
Check out the website
Also, check out the pics of our kids.

i ain't no runner

2008-01-19T11:37:00.000-06:00

I'm struggling to get back to where I was in 2006. My last good race was the Half Marathon in Oct. 2006 when I set a half PR in 1:38:52. I ran a good 10-miler in early Dec. of '06 in 1:14:41, but since then it's been downhill.
I had a lot of things happen in 2007. Lots of things that will hamper you physically and mentally. Too much wear and tear on the brain can slow you down.
I'm working on getting my fitness level back, but I don't know when it's gonna happen.
I gained a few pounds that I can't seem to rid myself of and I know that has an effect.
My mom's poor health early in the year and death in March had a strong effect on me. I know it was mentally draining. I know that this summer when we moved back to Lufkin that it was even tougher. My running was pretty good for a month or so, but lots of times I would be out running and I'd start thinking about my mom. Sometimes it would be too much and I'd just stop running and walk. I'd walk for 10, 15 or maybe even 30 minutes. I just didn't have the desire to run.
I still have a competitive nature, but I've lost some of the desire to put in the work needed to be fit for races. I haven't put in the miles needed.
I didn't put in the miles I needed for Sunmart. I didn't put in the miles needed for the 25K back in November. I didn't put in the miles needed for the half marathon in Houston this month, which was a part of my decision to write about the races for Lance Phegley instead of run.
I started this month doing well. I was okay until this week. I haven't run since Tuesday. I guess I may run later today. I don't know.
It's just not there.
I left my running partners in Angleton. Coach Penders and Piper (his dog) aren't here to pace me. lol....
I'm hoping to get better. I need to for the Texas Independence Relay in March. I told Jon I would. I hope I didn't lie.

Houston 25K

2007-11-11T16:53:00.000-06:00

Worst. Race. Ever.
Hot. Humid. Pain. Lots.
Apparently, my training has been worse than I thought. I really struggled out there today.
I was okay through the first loop of the race, slowed a little during the second and almost died the last one. I got a huge cramp in my calf right at the finish line, which was a little embarrassing as I hobbled the last 10-15 meters.
It was my first race or more than 5K distance in a long while and I really expected to struggle. And I did.
I'll get better.
My mileage is not where it needs to be. My weight is not where it needs to be. Both will get there.
---
It was good seeing a lot of friends out there today, including one that I haven't seen in years. Again, thanks to Cassie for picking up my race stuff.

runnin'

2007-11-09T00:10:00.000-06:00

Still runnin' just no time to post. Working two jobs now, sometimes more. Sometimes working jobs without pay (thanks Jon).
Here's the deal.
We bought a photography studio in Lufkin a couple weeks ago. It's a huge business. I'm leaving the teaching biz at the end of this semester to manage the office there. Not necessarily to be a photographer, but to free up Donna to focus even more on what she does very well. Take pictures.
I've been going there a few days a week after school. Also taking a communications course at SFA, working on my Masters in Communications.
Also doing some freelance writing for the Lufkin Daily News.
---
Anyway, back to the runnin'.
Still getting in some mileage, though probably not enough to do real well at Sunmart next month. I'm running the 25K this weekend in Houston, though I'm not too worried about my finishing time. I'm just going to get the miles in and maybe run into a few people. Not literally, I hope.
I also signed up for the 8 mile race in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.
---
Below left: Ashton, me and Jenna before the first day of school. Then Jenna (far left) and her soccer teammates. Jenna scored three goals, more than any girl on her team and maybe more than any girl in the U5 league. She's very good. I ain't just saying that cause I'm her dad. She inherited a lot of my athletic ability. Duh.
Ashton is taking some art classes and doing very well at that.
I'm ready for the semester to be over - at Diboll and SFA - so I can focus on our new business.
Looking forward to seeing some friends in Houston Sunday morning. Thanks to Cassie, who volunteered to pick up my race packet. You're the best.

first race since June

2007-10-24T21:10:00.001-05:00

I ran a one-mile and 5K race on Saturday in Lufkin. It was the kickoff event for Red Ribbon Week.
I did the mile in 6:03, losing my 10 seconds to one of my students at the high school. She ran 5:53. ughhh....I'd rather be beaten by David Henry, who I'm sure I could beat now that he's been slacking at UT for a couple years.
I got more than my money's worth in the 5K, running around 3.5 miles as the lead runners went the wrong way early in the race.
I was ready for the finish at around 20 minutes on my watch, then realized we had to go up a pretty steep hill for the second time (third for me since I ran it in the mile). I was done. My time was around 25 minutes, which was at least 3 minutes off what it should have been had the course been measured correctly. The winner won in 18:30-something and he usually runs low 15s.
I was second in my age group in the 5K and first in my age group in the mile.
Next up is the Turkey Trot 8-miler Thanksgiving Day in Dallas.

runnin' stuff

2007-10-24T20:56:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago, Saturday, Oct. 13, I went to the track for a pretty decent workout. Took my two girls with me.
They played soccer and stuff while I ran 8 400s. All of them were between 1:29 and 1:44, with most in the low 1:30s. Not as fast as I used to run, but not bad for 8 of them.
Before we left, Jenna wanted to run a lap with me. I jokingly said she needed to run one by herself. So she did. She is pretty athletic so it wasn't a big surprise. I followed her around the track, well, I ran across the field and then cut across to meet her in the corner and run the last 100 meters with her. She didn't even seem tired. I guess it's from all the running she's been doing in soccer.
I ran a mile cooldown and on the last lap, she ran with me. We took turns leading, counting to 10 and then the other person had to take the lead. She ran that whole lap too. Not bad at all. If I remember right, she was asleep in the car before we got back home.

well...

2007-09-30T23:42:00.000-05:00

I waited too long to sign up for the Houston Marathon or the half. Went to the website today and saw the notice that the races were sold out. Oh well.
Then I started wishing I had something to train for. So I went and did something crazy. I registered for the Sunmart 50K in December. I also registered for the Turkey Trot in Dallas since we will be there for the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving.
I'm excited to have something to train for, though a 50K in just over two months is quite a bit to train for. Anyway, I'm anxious to get back to some more serious running. Gives me something to shoot for.
It will be my first time for a trail run, so there's no pressure of finishing in a certain time frame. At least that's what I'm saying today.
My running has still be okay, getting in hour-long runs each of the past three days.
Wanted to go a little longer today, but cut it short to go to church.

again, but this time a crappy run

2007-09-25T20:21:00.000-05:00

Had a rough day today. Took the afternoon off to help Donna deal with some stuff. It all worked out, but was very stressful.
I figured a good run would clear my head and calm me down. Well, it did for a little bit.
I ran a pretty fast pace for almost 10 minutes, then got onto the cart path at the golf course at almost dark. I made it around a couple of holes then hit an uphill stretch that goes past hole No. 12 and behind the green on No. 11 at Crown Colony.
I felt a little weird and I stopped. As soon as I started walking I felt lightheaded. Enough to make me wish I had my phone to call Donna to come get me. But I didn't have it.
I took a path between some houses and got back out on a main street and headed home. But I was still more than a mile from home.
I still felt bad. Really lightheaded. Kinda weaving as I walked.
I finally decided to run a little bit as I got closer to home, but only made it a minute. I walked some more then tried again, but didn't quite make it a minute this time.
I walked the rest of the way home.
I only ran 17 of the 50 minutes that I was gone.
I still don't feel very well now and it's been almost two hours since I got home. Still feels weird when I stand up. Drinking lots of water, and that's helped a little.
Hope I feel better tomorrow. And hope that Donna's day goes better tomorrow.

wow...another post

2007-09-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

Headed out tonight for an hour-long run but immediately realized that my legs were a little sore from yesterday's 90-minute run.
Felt good but then just got lost in my thoughts and decided to just walk and enjoy the evening. I was at about 30 minutes when I started walking. I walked for about 10 minutes. It was nice to not be in a hurry. Thought a lot about how things have been since we moved here, what's next for us, etc...
Then finished up with 13 minutes of running at a pretty fast pace.

weekend runs

2007-09-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning's run was great. Got out about 6:30 a.m. and the temps had to be in low to mid 60s. Felt great.
Got in about an hour and a pretty good pace.
Got done in time to head out to a high school cross country meet in which a boy from Diboll won first.
Today I had my longest run since Aug. 1. I was out for an hour and a half and didn't really struggle until the last 10 minutes or so. Got out a little later than yesterday, so it was a little warmer.
--
Still haven't decided to run a race anytime soon. Don't know when it will be.
---
Best news of the weekend. Jenna, 5, scored her first soccer goal.
The first two games, she was pretty nervous.
Saturday she took the ball nearly the length of the field for a goal. Was about to score a second one, but a girl on the other team kicked the ball in for her. We're still counting it.
She's really pretty good and I'm not saying that cause she's my kid.

back at it....sorta

2007-09-18T23:04:00.000-05:00

This has been my worst month of running since I started logging my mileage in Jan. 2003. Not sure why, just been busy I guess. And tired.
Got in a little more than an hour tonight. Probably ran around 8-8:30 mile pace though I didn't keep track.
Felt pretty good.
For those that have asked:
Donna is in business at Studio 220 in Lufkin. She and Stephanie Davis are partners. Their website is studio220photo.blogspot.com
Ashton is loving 3rd grade and Jenna is doing great in kindergarten.
It's nice being close to family, but it sure has been busy since we moved here. I'm ready to slow down a little bit.

runnin'

2007-09-11T19:23:00.000-05:00

Been running okay lately. Not blogging very well though.
Here's where I am: I barely have any desire to run competitively. Races, that is. Not that I'm out running slow or anything. I have been to the track and I ran once with the cross country team. Actually, that run with the XC team was my best in a long while. I realized I still had some speed.
The problem with the speed is that I've gained about 10 lbs since this time last year. Maybe it's beer or maybe it's my dad's chocolate pies that he keeps force-feeding me and my 5-year-old. Maybe it's a lot of factors: moving, job change, working on my master's in communications (ugh, not sure how great a decision that is), etc...
Whatever. I don't like excuses but they are there if I need them.
I like running in our neighborhood. Gotten used to the inclines, so that's good. Found some routes I can run to stay somewhat flat.
I still enjoy it. A lot. I'm sure I always will.
I haven't signed up for the Houston marathon yet. Or the half. Not going to Huntsville for the half because Jenna has a soccer game that day. Priorities.
The prices for the Houston half or full marathon do not concern me. I'm not giddy to run the half just to run on the course that Ryan Hall ran a US record. I've already ran that course twice and that's not where I ran my fastest half.
I'm not sure what my next race will be. I'm sure there will be one.
Maybe when Bezner challenges me to a 5K. I noticed he's in the 20s now. Hey, I used to be there myself. He'd smoke me right now.
I'll try to blog more. It'd probably be good for me. If not, oh well.
For those of you that are interested my email is equarles@consolidated.net
For those of you not interested, oh well.

i'm here

2007-07-25T23:11:00.000-05:00

Still running.
Got in 9.5 Saturday morning. Ran all over the place. Even got chased by a few dogs on a street that is now marked off the list to run on.
Ran 5 Sunday evening, 6 Monday and Tuesday and a fast 3 at the outdoor track at the health club in Lufkin.
Legs are feeling pretty good, even though it took a few minutes to get moving tonight. Didn't have a watch on me, but I know mile 2 tonight was faster than mile 1 and mile 3 was faster than mile 2. That's how it's supposed to be done, isn't it?
---
Dang, I miss all my running buddies in the Angleton/Houston area.
Peace out.

maybe getting used to it

2007-07-13T14:49:00.001-05:00

Legs feel a little better the last few days. I've done better attacking inclines and I can feel it in my lungs more than in my legs. Which I guess is good.
An easy couple miles on Tuesday at the health club, 4.5 miles on Wednesday, Thursday off and 6-plus today.
Today was tough for a couple reasons. Today would have been my mom's 72nd birthday and I thought about that a lot while I was running. Also, I went to lift weights first and then came back to run. By 9 it was getting pretty warm.
I just took it easy today. I stopped to walk a few times just because. Didn't have to, just wanted to be away from everyone and enjoy the solitude. It was nice.
This afternoon we went to mom's gravesite and the girls let go of some "Happy Birthday" balloons. We decided that mom is in heaven eating some birthday cake today.
---
SteveS - I wish I could make it in the morning. We're headed to Angleton in the early a.m. for a wedding and have to take care of closing on our house.

7 plus

2007-07-09T13:16:00.000-05:00

Lots of folks out walking/running in this neighborhood which is nice to see.
It's comforting to see lots of people out exercising here, much like it was in A-town.
Got out at 7 this morning and got in a little more than 7 miles. The humidity is tough, but not as tough as the inclines. My legs are still adjusting, hopefully for the better.
Only missed one day of running so far this month, which means that maybe my schedule is getting somewhat stable. That would be nice.
No races in this area that I've heard of. That stinks. I may have to make a road trip out to a race sometime soon.

geez...

2007-07-05T14:04:00.000-05:00

Bunch of anonymous jerks that won't put a name to their comments. I hate that.
Anyhoo...I'm off the beach. Though I would have liked to stay.
Been in Lufkin going on three weeks now. Running is tougher here. Lot more inclines to deal with. Couple of pretty good ones.
But I've been more consistent with my running.
The runs through the neighborhood are (depending on which streets I take) are considerably tougher than running on the flat streets of Angleton.
I've done a couple of 9-10 miles, but mostly 4-6 miles each time I've headed out.
I can definitely feel a difference in my legs.

still runnin' on the beach

2007-06-15T10:13:00.000-05:00

Thursday's run was cut short cause I was lazy and didn't get up until 9 a.m. The plan was for five miles, but once I got back close to the condo I decided to stop at 3.6 miles. It was hot and even the breeze didn't help.
--
Today was much better. Got in 6.2 on the beach and some streets.
Two things made this run great.
1. Some peace and quiet just sitting on the jetties 1.4 miles into the run.
2. Just half a mile into the run I came across a photo shoot on the beach. There's some kind of cheerleading competition on the island this week and one of the squads (all girls, college-age we'll say) were getting photos taken on the beach. Ahhhhh....nice.
I really don't want to leave.

even more beach runnin'

2007-06-13T10:48:00.000-05:00

Started out a few minutes after 7 this morning, planning on running 10 miles. Yeah, right.
Headed down Padre Blvd. which may have been a mistake. Not enough shade there like on Gulf Blvd. which runs behind the hotels, condos, etc....
The plan was to run 4 out, 4 back to where our condo is and then 1.4 more to the jetties, .6 back and then walk and enjoy the scenery.
I took off and made it a little over 4 miles, past the convention and to where some new condos are going up. I then went over to the beach for the run back, but I was so hot that I took off my shoes and socks and got in the water for a few minutes. Felt great.
I got close to our condo and decided that was enough. I walked some and just enjoyed being on the beach. Finished with a little under 8 miles, but who cares? The run, the beach, the being away from everything was good.
So was the pool after the run. All three days I've spent about an hour in the pool before coming back in the condo.
Ahhhhhhhh, life is good.

more beach runnin'

2007-06-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

Hanging out in the condo for a while before an afternoon at Schlitterbahn.
Ran 8.6 miles on the beach and streets this morning. Ran 1.4 to the jetties and sat there for a few minutes watching the sun come up.
Run felt great, but not as good as the hour and a half in the pool after finishing up.

for steve b

2007-06-11T09:35:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm awake and I've been running. Life has gotten in the way of blogging. Running has not been what I would like it to be, but it has gotten better this month.
I'm in South Padre on vacation until Saturday and got it started off right with a 10K run this morning. Not a race, of course, just 3.11 out and 3.11 back. Out fairly quick, back fairly slow just enjoying the scenery.
Feels good to get away for a few days.
We are moving back to East Texas next week. Leaving Angleton on Monday. Gonna teach Journalism in Diboll, Donna's studio will be in downtown Lufkin, we'll live in Lufkin and the kids will go to school there. Both our families are from there. So I guess that's good.
Gonna go enjoy the beach.

Yuri's Night 5K, 22-flat

2007-04-22T14:40:00.001-05:00

I didn't really know until I woke up at 5 a.m. that I was going to run Yuri's 5K. I wanted to and I knew that Sarah Graybeal and Jon Walk would probably be there. Haven't seen them in a while and since Sarah was the race director, I thought I'd go run.
Turned out to be a good idea. Saw the blazin' fast Joe Carey, who was in the wrong age group yesterday, and Holden Choi, who I assume is making some kind of comeback to the sport.
Nice to see all those people, plus the red-haired princess, Waverly, who ran her first race since the 5K in Houston in January.
Side note: I feel as if I butchered all those sentences. Oh well.
The trip over was difficult with fog being so thick that at times I had to slow to 30mph. Ugh....
There was a good turnout for the race. According to Jon's blog, it was bigger than the last two years. Nice.
Got to meet Bruce Mansur and do a warm-up run with him and Joe. Nice guys.
---
The race:
I took off a little faster than my previous 5K and I felt pretty good for a while. Then we ran up a hill for no apparent reason. WTH? We could have ran down the paved road a little longer, but whatever. Geez.... Who would want to run up that hill?
Just kidding.
It was kinda nice running on the trail. It was only muddy in a couple of spots. I heard one person complaining after the race, "There was only one guy out there on the trails to tell you where there was mud." Seriously? Can't you look for yourself? And didn't you read the info on the race off the website? It said the course may be muddy. It said there was some cross country running involved. geeez... Get over it.
I ran pretty well. Backed off a little on the second loop and held off some guy at the end. I was able to sprint (if you can call it that) the last 150 meters or so and stay ahead of a guy that I'd been hearing his footsteps once we had gotten back on pavement.
I thought it might have been Joe and that's why I was making sure I held my spot. It wasn't.
I was exhausted at the finish and went over and fell down in the grass.
I finished in 22:00.
Turns out it was Gerard Beaudoin (50-59 age group) that had been gaining on me. Another runner (from the 20-29 age group) finished right behind Beaudoin.
I was still sitting on the grass and talked to Beaudoin, telling him "nice race" or something like that. This other guy walks over to him and tells him something like, "You're faster than you look." Beaudoin said that he'd take that as a compliment.
Funny stuff.
Congrats to Waverly for her third-place finish in her age group.
---
Sarah - great job on the race. I loved that awards (even though I didn't get one) were given out less than an hour after the race started. Very efficient. Nice job. Congrats.

quick run

2007-04-10T23:01:00.000-05:00

No racing for me last weekend. Went out of town to visit family.
Got in a little more than 4 miles today. It was a little warm out this afternoon and I broke a pretty good sweat.
Someone needs to give me a 5:15 a.m. wake-up call the next few days. I don't want to run in that heat.

good friday run

2007-04-06T17:09:00.000-05:00

Nice run this morning.
Left home about 7 and the weather was great.
Ran a few miles to the track. Ran a mile at the track in 6:52 then ran the stadium steps for about 6-7 minutes.
Ran slow back home.
---
Thinking about the Resurrection Run in Clear Lake tomorrow morning. Maybe.

more runnin'

2007-04-05T23:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday - A little more than 4 miles, listening to baseball. Nice, easy run the day after a race.
Two days off. Unplanned.
Wednesday - Two miles out, two miles back with a negative split of about 40 seconds. Nice to run faster the last two. Got this run in after the rain stopped a few minutes after five. Had already gone 1 mile on the treadmill at the rec center.
Thursday - 90 minutes before work. Couldn't sleep. I've had a lot of nights lately that I've been restless. Decided to just get up and go for a run. Weather was awesome. Legs felt good.
After I got to work the legs didn't feel too good. Feel fine now though.

gator gallop

2007-04-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

Ran both races yesterday, placing fourth overall in the mile in 6:08 and second in the male masters competition in the 5K.
I had no chance of winning the mile as Grant Parker won it in 5:22.
I was trying to hold off Ian Harris and Greg Jones.
I tried to pull away from them a couple times in the last half mile, but both times I did Ian caught up to me quick.
I knew if I was going to hold them off it would have to be at that point because I figured they both would have a stronger finishing kick. They did.
There are two turns in the last quarter mile and I beat them to the first one, but not the second. I know Greg and I yelled encouragement as they sprinted to the finish. Ian beat him by a second, 5:58 to Greg's 5:59. I was just a few seconds back in 6:08.
Last year I ran the mile in 6:07 so it appears I'm losing a second a year. So when I'm 80 I should run the mile in 6:47, which won't be too bad I guess.
---
I knew in the first few strides of the 5K that my legs were sore from the effort in the mile. I held back and ran a slow first mile, passing the marker in 6:58.
The next two miles were run a little slower than that as I settled into a spot, just trying to hold off a masters runner that was about 60 yards or so behind me.
I was able to do that and finished in a relatively slow for me 22:35. But it was good for a second place masters trophy.
---
More info here and here.

more runnin'

2007-03-27T06:35:00.000-05:00

A 50-minute run this morning in the somewhat humid air. Felt pretty good.
This entire year has been a struggle, running and otherwise. It's good to know that I can get up early and get a run in before work.
I was supposed to meet our hoops coach, but he slacked off. To top it off, I was about 15 minutes into the run and I saw him returning home from getting a cup of coffee at the store. Slacker.
---
Monday's run was about 8 miles, running on some streets in town that I haven't been on before and I doubt I'll run on again. Some seedy neighborhoods I haven't seen before. The one lady looking at me like I was a piece of candy unnerved me a little bit. I picked up the pace at that point.
---
Gator Gallop in Lake Jackson on Saturday. Don't be scared. It's a nice race, flat course.

running

2007-03-25T23:36:00.000-05:00

Sat., March 17 - 4.5 miles
Sun., March 18 - 3.5 miles
1 mile - 6:57
15 minutes stadium steps
1 mile - 7:39
Mon. March 19 - 6 miles
Fri., March 23 - 6.3 miles
Sat., March 24 - 9 miles - some cross country running
Today - 1 mile - 7:22
1 mile - 8:06
.6 miles - 7:45 pace
1 mile - 6:54
5 minutes stadium steps
2.72 miles

Last Sunday and today were track work. Felt good both times. The stadium steps were tough both days.
Getting a couple miles under 7 minutes wasn't so bad.
---
Running the Gator Gallop 5K and 1 miler this Saturday.

mom

2007-03-10T22:45:00.001-06:00

She chose today. More here.

speedwork, short run

2007-03-05T22:11:00.000-06:00

Sunday - Ran a couple miles to the track, where I ran 4 200s, 1 quarter and part of another. Then ran a little more than 2 miles back to the house.
mile 1 - 6:37
mile 2 - 7:45
.11 - 43 seconds - 5:48 pace
.29 - 2:29 - 8:33 pace

200s
:43 - 5:48 pace
:39 - 5:18 pace
:38 - 5:09 pace
:38 - 5:10 pace

400
1:37 - 6:30 pace

1 mile in 8:06
then 1.45 miles back home untimed.

Monday
3.5 miles slow...

Feels good to sorta get back in a groove.

update on my no-running self

2007-03-04T16:22:00.000-06:00

Two months have gone by and I've ran only 25 days. Ran only 10 days in February, totalling just over 63 miles.
I ran on Feb. 3 and didn't run again until the 12th. Then I ran on Feb. 20 and didn't run again until the 26th.
Total mileage for the year is 163, including the 6 I ran on March 2.
---
What to make of it? I'm not sure.
I've had a lot going on. I've really taken to sleeping an hour later every morning and not getting in a run before work. I've been busy at work, but I've been busy before.
The motivation is not there like it was.
I'm hoping to get it back.

another hour

2007-02-28T22:30:00.000-06:00

Another hour-long run today with the hoops coach. Starting to get back in a groove with my running.
Recovering well from each run. Not any soreness to speak of. Feels good.
Today's run was tough headed south into a good breeze. But what I didn't realize until we headed back was that wind was keeping me cool.
On the way back it was still, sticky, muggy. ughhh....
Got a little warm about 50 minutes in, but held the pace for 5 minutes and picked it up a little the last 5.
May or may not run tomorrow. May keep on a schedule of a day off between runs.
Feels a little like I'm starting over. Oh well....

I ran

2007-02-26T22:51:00.000-06:00

After numerous days off, I ran again today.
It's been nice to have some days off from running.
Today's run was great. Weather was nice. Not sure how many miles I went, but I ran for an hour with our hoops coach. Felt great.
Ran up and down some neighborhood streets at a fairly quick pace.
I feel like my body is back to feeling normal.

No running

2007-02-25T23:48:00.000-06:00

I'm still a runner, but I haven't ran since Tuesday. That run wiped me out.
I'll get back to it this week.
Trying to get a grip on some things in my life and with the situation with my mom.
I went to see her today to tell her "Happy Birthday." It's not her birthday. It's mine. Get it? 41 years ago was the day she birthed me. Possibly the best day of her life.
---
I played basketball tonight. We won. As if you care. I got knocked down and as I fell one of my teammates fell into the back of my head. Twisted my neck a little and I could feel things popping. Okay, but I have a feeling it's gonna be sore tomorrow. Ugh....one day I'll give up this basketball stuff. But not yet.

90 minutes

2007-02-20T21:33:00.000-06:00

I went running for 45 minutes before meeting up with our hoops coach and running another 45 minutes. That's the first run of more than an hour since the marathon.
I was fine for a while, but started feeling the affects of the basketball game Sunday night. I guess that running, starting and stopping got to my legs.
I was especially sore the last 1/2 of the run. I feel pretty beat up right now. Kinda like after running a marathon. Really. That sore.
Not anything that I think will linger, but right now I freakin' hurt.
---
Info about my mom on my other blog.

quick 3 miles

2007-02-19T22:48:00.000-06:00

Ran 3 miles Sunday night before playing a basketball game. Yeah, I know, I should quit basketball. But, oh well.
mile 1 - 7:49
.5 - 4:06
.5 - 3:45
mile 3 - 7:34
Wanted the negative split on the way back and got it. Hard running in the dark on sidewalks.

4 miles

2007-02-16T22:50:00.000-06:00

Four miles today and all under 8 minutes. Quads still a little sore from runs earlier in the week.
Splits, according to Pedro:
1 - 7:48
2 - 7:54
3 - 7:49
4 - 7:34
---
Feeling better again. Nice to run a faster mile 4 than the previous three. Lots of slowing down during this run through town because of traffic and such.
-
Hope to get in a long run in the morning before going to visit my parents.
---
Went to the Rockets-Mavs game last night. Pics on my other blog.

okay, so I'm still a runner

2007-02-14T22:42:00.000-06:00

I was sick all last week. No details, but know it wasn't any fun. It was horrible. No running from Feb. 3 until finally getting back to it on the 12th. ugh ugh ugh ugh
Monday - Got out for right at 6.5 brisk miles. Felt good to get back to running.
Tuesday - Ran a fast first mile and a fast .8 mile. In between were three slow miles with the watch turned off. The first mile and the last .8 were each ran around 6:40 per mile pace.
Today - The legs were sore. Really sore from the fast pace yesterday. The quads were especially sore. Ran 6 slow miles to try and loosen up a little bit. Feels a little better now.

i'm not a runner

2007-02-07T20:07:00.000-06:00

Apparently, I'm not a runner any more. I haven't ran since Saturday. ughhh...
Sunday, I was just lazy.
Monday afternoon I started feeling sick. Just now feeling better. Really want to get out and run. It's killing me not to run.
I need to get out of the house and run. Soon.
---
Headed out to Surfside Saturday morning to volunteer at the marathon and half marathon. I see there's some bloggers planning on running. Look forward to seeing some of you.
I'll be helping with the parking.

running

2007-02-04T15:10:00.000-06:00

No run today or on Friday.
A good run on Thursday, with some work at the track mixed in.
Saturday's run was 90 minutes, slow.
Thursday:
Ran to the other side of town to the track. First mile was just a little under 8 minutes.
I then ran .22 miles at 7:04 pace.
At the track I ran the following:
.26 - 6:40 pace
.26 - 5:50 pace
.26 - 5:50 pace
.20 - 6:02 pace
Then ran a slow 2.72 miles to finish up.

60 min. run

2007-01-29T22:54:00.000-06:00

Got out today for an hour run. Wanted to go longer, but somebody had to pick up the kids. geez...
Ran 8-minute miles for the first five then stopped at the track. Ran a mile there in 7:17 and ran slow for about 13 minutes before calling it a day.
Legs felt better than they have in a long time.

Spectacle Spectacular

2007-01-28T12:12:00.000-06:00

I ran one of my slowest 5Ks. On purpose this time, so it's not that big a deal.
I've been hurting. My legs have felt dead. People tell me I need to get a massage, so I guess I will. geez...
Anyhoo, the Spectacle Spectacular was the first race I ran in my competitive running career. Back in 2003 I ran the 5K in 21:45. Saturday I ran it slower than that in 21:56. Wow, you'd think I'd improve in four years. Oh well.
I have not been able to pick up the pace on any run lately. Even in Dallas at White Rock in December I had trouble at the beginning of the race running 7:30-miles. At Houston, in the marathon, I ran smack into the wall in the back half.
Then, five days after the marathon, I hurt my right hamstring playing basketball. Thursday of this past week was the first day that it didn't hurt.
I knew not to run the 10K here on Saturday and I'm glad I didn't. My friend Lance Collins broke 40 minutes in the race, finished 6th overall and placed fourth in the 40-49 age group. That did get him a coffee mug. Lance is a fast guy. Dang, that was a tough group to try to place in.
I wouldn't have won anything in the 10K, but I did place second in the 5K in the 40-49 group, behind Brazoswood cross country coach Devin Theriot.
Anyhoo, my race.
I ran a good first mile, hitting the mile marker in 6:33. Nice to know I still have a little speed. Then I backed off. I was settled into a spot. There was no one close to me in my age group other than Theriot and I knew I wasn't going to beat him.
So I coasted. I ran right at 7:00-7:30 miles for the next two and felt great. Nice to know that I can get three miles at that pace.
It's more than two minutes off my 5K PR of 19:53. But I wasn't looking for a PR on Saturday.
I was looking to get in one fast mile and two semi-fast ones. Just so I'd know that my legs were capable of that still.
---
Co-worker, race director and Angleton Mayor Patrick Henry was standing about 20-30 yards from the finish line holding signs telling runners which side of the road 5K runners and 10K runners should finish. As I was nearing him and he saw that I was in the low 21s, he said, "Quarles, you are running a little slow today." Thanks.
But he was right.
---
Notes:
Luis Armenteros won the 10K for the third straight year with a 32:05 finish. No one was close to him.
Friend and fellow BARRA member Melissa Hurta won the 10K in 44:10. Sue Wheeler, who continues to improve as a runner was second in 46:02.
Got to hang out with buddy Jason Culverhouse and his daughter Haleigh, along with the speedy duo of Grant and Wendy Parker.
Grant was sixth overall in the 5K in 18:36, Wendy was the second female finisher in 21:06, and Haleigh and Jason crossed the finish line in 36:12 and 36:13.

faster run, still sore

2007-01-23T22:39:00.000-06:00

Got in a 7-minute mile to start a 5-miler yesterday. Ran the rest a good bit slower.
Hamstring still a little sore during the run, but I've got to work this thing out.
Feels much better today and I took the day off.
I'll get out for another run tomorrow.
Looking forward to running the Spectacle Spectacular 5K Saturday here in A-town.

6 - plus miles

2007-01-21T18:12:00.000-06:00

I'm not back to normal running, but I did get out today and run most of the 10K course that's used for next week's Spectacle Spectacular 10K here in A-town.
I didn't take a watch so I don't know how long it took. All I know is it's still sore where I hurt my hamstring playing basketball Friday.
I've been taking care of the injury the last couple days and am doing so right now.
Anyway, I got in 6-plus miles and am no worse than I was when I left the house for the run. In fact, I feel better and loosened up a little bit.
---
Went to visit my mom this weekend. She's not doing well at all. Sad.

ughhhh

2007-01-19T06:23:00.000-06:00

I ran 1 mile Wednesday night before my right leg knotted up. I walked/slow jogged back home.
Took yesterday off and decided to play basketball this morning.
Not a good idea.
I was running slow, then as I tried to make a pass downcourt, I pushed off with my right leg and BAM, I was done. Limped around, stretched a few minutes. No good.
Left and came home.
I know, I'm smart.
---
I'm not happy with my time in the marathon Sunday. Not at all. It's gonna get better. I guarantee it.

i ran today

2007-01-16T23:13:00.000-06:00

Ran about 3.6 miles today in about 30 minutes. Legs felt surprisingly good.