"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Monday, September 27, 2010

Bet This Hasn't Happened to You!

This morning we got up early to go run in the cool temps. It was so nice at 65 degrees. The funniest thing happened just before we began running. When I got out of the truck I looked down and saw something dark go underneath my leg as I was gearing up. The first thing I thought was that something fell out of the truck and the wind swooped it up and blew it under the truck. I was hoping I wouldn't need it because it was gone! Within a couple of seconds, I heard Kent yell out and throw open the driver's side of the door. There seemed to be something inside the truck; it was all happening so fast. All I could tell was that he was moving as fast as he could trying to get out. Then I saw something dark leave the truck. He said a bird flew inside the truck and was up against the window of the driver's side where he was sitting. To be honest, I don't know which was the most anxious: him trying to get the truck open or this small bird trying to get out! It was hilarious and we both had a good laugh over it...especially since neither he nor the little bird got hurt trying to get free.

Our runs were very good today. I had hoped to get in 8 miles like last week but I really wanted to increase it a mile. As of last night, I still wasn't sure whether I would feel like it or whether it would be too hot in the sun to run this extra mile. BUT...it rained a lot yesterday and brought in a cool front last night - a glorious, wonderful cool front. It was absolutely a beautiful, clear day with blue skies and warm sun.

When we finished we soaked in a hot jacuzzi...soooo relaxing. After we cleaned up, we went out for po-boys and a cold Barq's Root Beer and ate them on the patio outside. Kent had a sloppy roast beef and gravy po-boy and I had a shrimp. Yummm!!! It's been a perfect day...hope you had one, too.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Waiting for a Cure 5k

The race today was a great one! It started at 8:00 a.m. in pretty high humidity. The course took you through a very lovely, shady neighborhood. Did I say shady? I loved running through this area. There was even a little breeze to go along with the scenery. It was so nice. It wasn't as hot as it had been, but let me tell you, we're still having summer temps here.

Kent decided when we got there that he would change from running to walking. He's been nursing a pull in his hamstring for a couple of weeks or so. Though he ran in the race last week, he decided he needed to slow it down this time. I thought he did great. My plan today was to run as best I could without running hard. I'm still experiencing some pain in my left groin but am happy to say that it is getting better. I've finally found a good pair of shoes that I am loving. The pain I was experiencing in my right foot has gone away. I will be glad when my body starts cooperating again and I can start running like I use to...freely and painfree! Guess I can say that my year this year has been quite different than I had hoped. Maybe I just needed to go through challenges I've not had before.

Congratulations, Leonard, for winning first place and organizing a great race!! Out of the first 6 people that crossed the line, 3 of them were over 50! You can't keep us down...okay I said it, I'm over 50, too. I didn't get many pictures today but here are the few taken.

Jeanne getting her award


A couple of pictures of some really cute little girls and their awards

Kent receiving his 3rd Place RW Award

And, finally, Debra, me and Nancy (3rd, 2nd, and 1st)

Leonard and those helping him did a great job putting the race on. Run-n-Tri was a great sponsor, too (the race was held at their location). There was plenty of drinks and fruit (always a welcomed refreshment). There were even some door prizes. Congratulations to everyone that ran and, of course, to those that won an award.

For complete, race results, go here:

I'm so glad to go through the things I have this year and am so glad that I still love to run. You can never appreciate your health enough...God is so good!!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Bobcat 5k

Saturday (Sept. 18), we ran in the Jones County Jr. College Bobcat 5k Race. It was quite humid and warm. When we left the house, our gauge read 94% humidity. Though it's hot to me, it is difficult for Kent. There was a good turnout; this is their fourth year to have it.

The course was well marked and they had people posted on all corners. Many students participated, which is good and bad. I'm glad to see young adults out running but most don't take it serious and were kind of a hassel to race with. You were constantly dodging them after they sprinted ahead of you only to stop and walk until you passed them again...over and over again. But with all that said, it was a little better than last year. The race was mapped throughout the campus, to the President's home and along the streets ending with a lap in the stadium.

I had to take it easy in this race. Originally, we had signed up to walk it. But when we got there, I knew I had to change. If I wanted to run, then I would be disqualified if I had signed up to walk. But I could walk if I signed up to run. After I did that, Kent got to rethinking his decision and eventually changed his to running, also. I'm so glad I did. I had experienced some left goin pain earlier this week but was able to "baby" it. As it turned out, I felt well enough to run this little hilly race in its entirety. I didn't push it and just ran the best I could.

After Kent got rehydrated, we had good refreshments and enjoyed great fellowship with several friends. There were lots of wonderful fruit with drink which was soooo welcomed after such a hot race. Then there were cookies and crackers, too. We saw some with Smoothie King cups but never found the smoothies. Below is a group picture of Audrey, Ginny, me and Kent all absolutely drenched but brandishing huge smiles. It is so much fun to run with friends.


As it turned out there were many Pacers that won awards. Frank not only took pictures but was the recipient of an award, too; thanks! Congratulations to all the winners!

I was excited I had fully run the race. The results were wonderfully unexpected and paid off, too. I received the Grand Masters Award and all I wanted was to be able to run the whole race. What a surprise!!




For complete race results, you can go here.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Wonderful Cool Morning Surprise

All I can say is how great I feel today. I woke up to a 61 degree temp and a spring in my step. Soon we were headed out to do our morning run. I took off yesterday and was anxious (with the nice temp) to see what I could do. My run started off the same as Saturday with walking a half mile followed by a slow jog for a half mile; I did this for 3-4 miles all the time thinking I had put in about as much as I could. Then I caught up with a lady I'd seen last week and talked with her. She was walking and I was ending my walking. She is very nice and close to my age. Sylvia and I walked a little and then we began running slow. She does not run much (but I'm going to work on that). Before I knew it, we had gotten back to our vehicles and had put in a couple of miles or so. We exchanged phone numbers and I'm looking forward to doing this again. When I looked at my Garmin I was shocked to see that I had clocked in 7 miles even!! I hadn't even realized it. Most of it ended up being a good, slow run. First, I didn't think I would be able to run and second, it's been a while since I'd run that far. In all honesty, I really believe the weather had a lot to do with it; but who cares? It's done!! I'm now happy and sassy!!

Don't let anything stop you from doing something good for your body today...

Running is Never Boring...

I'll have to admit last week was unusual. I thought having certain "things" were down-pat but guess my running is making a change...for the positive! Being off from any exertion for a couple of days, I was about to go crazy. Funny, how you can talk yourself out of running and it's okay but when you're told to stop a few days, you're dying to get out again. Anyway, I thought...okay, I know that can be dangerous; but in this case it was a breakthrough. Why can't I just get out and do some walking. I mean, after all, walking a Walmart Superstore or a Lowe's is about 3 acres (maybe not that many) but by the time you go from one end to the other a time or two, you're bound to have walked a mile or so.

Friday came along and with that thought still bouncing around in my head, I decided to go with Kent and see what I could do. I was able to get in 4 easy miles with no running. I tried to add a little running but knew by the third step that was NOT the thing to do. On Saturday, we had a funeral to attend at 2:00 and waited to do our run/walk after then. This time, I was able to add a little bit of slow jogging throughout the 4 miles I got in then. I felt pretty good but did feel a "pull" and some pressure at that site. My running/walking total miles this week ended up with a tad over 20. I'm real excited about this as I wanted to maintain a weekly mileage of 20+. Maybe I'm learning how to listen and control my body better.

Each day brings a challenge of sort to all runners, whether it is to increase your speed or your mileage, whether it is to overcome heat and humidity or to brazen the cold and wind. Running is NEVER boring!!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Totally Tuesday

So much happened on this day. It started out with my regular run with two others at 5:00 a.m. It was not as cool as it was a day earlier. Although running this early did help keep the heat from being too bad, the humidity was VERY high. After running a mile, Catherine said she was not up to running any more. She had run 10 miles the previous day and I guess it had caught up with her. So we walked the rest of the way ending with 4.21 miles according to my Garmin. She walks fast so it was a good workout.

When I got home, Kent mentioned that he wanted to go run. I began thinking that "Yeah, I want to, too!". So off came the wet clothes replaced by some fresh, clean, dry ones and away we went. Within a short time, we were running. I decided to run on the treadmill because I wasn't sure how far I would feel like going since I had done 4 miles on the streets. BUT...I felt great!!

Right after I got started I realized that this was going to be a good run. So with about three miles in mind (this would give me 7 total), I increased my speed. As I got into my third lap, one of the personnel came up and told me that our lights were on in the car. This aggravated me because I was running so well. Now, how in the world am I going to register this with a break in the run. The treadmills cut off just seconds after stopping it; they don't pause long. So I ran outside real fast, hoping I could beat the time before it turned off but didn't make it. I had to start all over. So my total time is real close but not exact. Because of being in the middle of a lap my figuring ended up being a little weird, too.

Regardless I stayed focused; I felt so good, got back on and ran harder and faster than I did before getting off. Now, I've become quite a techy with my Garmin and recording my runs/times/paces/calories, etc., so when I began trying to figure when a good time to stop at the end of a mile would be, I'd add a lap, then say, no I need another 2 laps, then my figuring got off again, I added another lap...well, you see where this was going. I wanted to run and not spend mental energy on FIGURING!! So, when I thought I was at a decent length, I called it quits. The problem: I only needed a couple more laps to equal 10 miles for the day!!!! If only....BUT I'm so excited to record a total mileage of 9.5 miles. This is way more than I would have ever figured I could do without having "inched" up to that distance.

Though my day had ended as far as working out goes, it was just beginning with having to go have a minor procedure done in Jackson. This is done every 5 months and detains my running for 10-14 days. I know it takes about that long because I tried to run in a race 5 days afterward a while back and thought I would die. So, here I am writing my article and catching up on my blog. Feeling better than I ever have after this procedure, I'm thinking of going out to walk some today. Maybe this won't kill me and give me some endorphins to play around with.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Labor Your Legs 5k

We participated in the Labor Your Legs 5k at Cloverleaf Mall in Hattiesburg on Monday. The temp was great! Nice and cool compared to the sweltering heat we've been experiencing this summer. There was a great turnout and the ones that managed the race did an excellent job! There was plenty of water, drink and refreshments.

Here is a pre-race picture of Sonja, Ginny, me and Kent. This is a good picture but wish it was a little larger.


My goal was to run the best I could according to the way I felt. My running outside has been extremely limited and mostly been confined to treadmill workouts. So when I've run in races lately I've had the "challenge" of adjusting to the heat and humidity. And though my fall in the half marathon this year has been a while back, I was out of pocket so long that I lost my speed and gained some weight. Then summer came with a vengence and kept me inside. Even a few pounds can make a difference in your speed and how you feel. I still need to lose 5 pounds...these are the tough ones because they come and go so quickly and don't stay at the lower end of the scale for long. If you're not careful they will "stick" on the higher end. This has been a constant struggle for me. Believe it or not, I don't feel good inside when I have these 5 hanging on.

Today was an exception because everything seemed perfect for a change. Kyle and Myssey even came by to cheer us on. We've not had "an audience" before and was excited to see them. Well, I haven't. I've always been there for Kent throughout the years, but still this was different because our son and his wife was there. Thanks, guys!

I finished with a good time and now can't wait to get this back in order. Kent was able to run a better time than he had in quite a while. I received First Place in my age group. Many pictures can be found at Pat Mitchell Photography site and at Frank's page. If you have trouble connecting, please let me know and I'll get it fixed.

Here we are during the awards ceremony and lastly, me receiving my award.


2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

Free Online Health Calculators & Nutritional Databases

* Calories Burned Calculator - you choose the activity, total minutes doing the activity, and your weight.
* Target Heart Rate Calculator - you choose the activity, total minutes doing the activity, and your weight.
* Food Database - you type in the food category, the food and the nutritional label will come up.
* Weight Maintenance Calculator for Women - you input the info and the calculator will come up with the amount of calories to maintain your weight.
* Weight Maintenance Calculator for Men - same as for women.
* Body Mass Index - find out your BMI with this calculator.
* Healthy Weight Calculator for Women - determines your healthy weight for your height.
* Healthy Weight Calculator for Men - same as for women.
* The Longevity Game - a fun question and answer game that finishes with your "lifestyle" and how long you'll live. [I finished with a great 93 years of age!!]