Waiting For A Cure 8k...Plus

This week has been a very hectic and emotional one for me (and other running friends). Without going into a lot of detail, I'll start by commenting on my runs for the week. Getting in an 11-miler this week was nice with running 8 of them with my friend, Frank. I began increasing my miles before he began his program but we'll catch up in another week when my mileage drops back. The heat-and-humidity combo is getting better. As long as the heat is not high, I can deal with the humidity easier. This week I biked two days and really enjoyed it. Plans are to bike 1-2 times a week. Hope I can report that I've kept that plan.

On a sad note, I was and have been totally wiped out over the news of a good friend's test results. Bill G. is a picture of health and it was discovered that he has been diagnosed with cancer of the stomach and liver. He's a strong person and overcame another cancer episode when he was 30. I have no doubt that he will continue to live life to its fullest in spite of this diagnosis. Oddly, HE has encouraged me through his many posts as a result of this news. How ashamed of myself am I!! He played a big role during my first marathon training and race earlier this year and with yesterday's race it appears he will continue to be my role model and encourager during hard times/races. I began taking photos of other GCRC winners within the year and only have a couple to share of him. He's always a winner! Just look what good shape he's in...you're my hero, Bill!! I've also learned recently that he is an Ironman...oh, my gosh, I want to be like him soooo bad! He's #277 and #21.



On to the race...
Kent and I pre-regisgered for this race knowing it was going to be a tough one. As a matter of fact, the closer it got, the more "mind games" it began to play on me. Changing from last year, this race is now a TAC Certified 8k race and is now run over and back on the Ocean Springs Bridge! Man...this thing is tough just to run it, much less RACE it. At first, I was very excited and pumped. Then memories of the toughness of "just running" IT came back to mind. But this time it's a race. I believe I'm right in saying this is the first 8k race registered in the MS State Running Records. Congrats to everyone that made the new list! Here are a few pics. Although I HATE showing my finishing photo, I have few action pics...thanks, Ed W. for taking it! Check out "part" of the incline of the bridge in the background...whoa!

Now, tell me, is this not something you want to shield your kid's eyes from?? Scary, huh??

Kent crossing the line strong. He's doing so good in RW and actually had a really good time for this hilly race AND fighting a bout of gout at the same time. I'm sooo proud of you!! Muah!!! And, yeah, YOU are my first and foremost hero!

Tommy P. as he crosses the line. Congrats on 3rd place in your a/g!

Kent 3rd Overall RW...great job!

Nancy-2nd & Me- 3rd in our age group. Good runners out today...yay!

Ed W. on right.

Bob C. on left.

Race results can be found here.

Candid shots:

Pic with a great friend, Ed W.

Bob C., Adam F., ?, Leah, Mark K., Allen S. (standing)

Mark, you don't deserve that donut...quit smiling...you did NOT race today!!

Well, I'll say "what a different week this has been!" All in all, it's ended with keeping a positive attitude. Live the best and hardest you can with a smile on your face. You may never know how you influence others! Until next time...

Run4It

Just Running

Well, I've not posted since Labor Day but I have been running. The week of the race I was off more than I care to be, but "things" happen. A small cyst was removed on my shoulder blade and took me out one day (thankfully only one) and we were out of town visiting my Dad and this took out two more days. This left me with a lesser mile week than I would have cared to have done as I'm shooting for an average of 20+ miles each week now. But I must re-focus on the necessary things occasionally to keep me a decent person as well as keeping tabs on the state of my health at my age. Does that make sense? I'm not complaining about our good visit with Dad at all. He seemed to have been much better than he was the last couple of times we visited and I'm so glad about that.

With that said...my body does NOT understand why I won't take it for a run almost every day. It can be as bad as a dog panting to go outside to use the bathroom (sorry for the terrible analogy) but it has a way to dominate my thoughts and actions like nothing else does.

I experienced my first long run disappointment! Not so much as the run itself, but me personally. Monday held a 10-miler for me. I prefer doing them on Mondays because I enjoy a rest day on Sunday and this fits into my schedule easily without making a bunch of changes or arrangements. I felt "heavy", blah and got hot before I finished on top of that! The heavy and blah feelings I was experiencing I'm absolutely sure I know where that came from. Friday and Saturday's meals there were not what my body is use to. I know eating well is not as good as it should be but every meal is not consumed in that manner like it is when we go out of town. Saturday's filling was not completely "gone" before I did my long run. The overall pace was not so bad but, to me, the "mile" pace was not as good as I would have liked it to be. I'm trying something new with my longer runs and after a couple more I'll see if it's working or not...can't consider this one with not fueling correctly. Next week's 11 mile run will paint a clearer picture.

Tuesday I decided to do a short run and some cross training. The first time I've run after a long one but, again, I'm trying something a little different. It was on my treadmill and I felt really good. Then a 10 minute workout with weights followed along with 10 minutes of floor work and 15 minutes of ab and core. An addition of a few new floor exercises made me use different muscles in my legs and hips. I really liked the way it made me feel.

Wednesday another run was tackled. Looking over the log, I recorded that I was sore and was blaming it on Tuesday's workout. And, yeah, it was tough and muscles were felt I didn't know I had. BUT usually runs don't occur so frequent after my long ones.

My rest day was moved to Thursday as I had something else planned that day that couldn't be changed. This is the reason for the frequent running right after Monday's long run. Had a wonderful day scrapping my marathon that occurred earlier this year. I had been getting things together but it's usually my head that keeps things from occurring quickly. I'll think things through many, many times before I will actually put it down on paper. But it's happening and now I'm only a couple of pages away from completion! I'm so happy with it and the way it's turning out.

Friday, five miles were calling my name; so five it was. My body tends to be my "thinker" more than my mind. I can't help it. One thing...I'm learning to incorporate walking more into my warm ups and cool downs and with that said, I feel less guilt running so much...regardless of how good or bad they turn out to be. I felt "heavy" again, but good this day. Negative splits that day was such a boost to my ego and was glad I had run through this heaviness I've been experiencing this week.

Saturday I shot for 3 miles. I've been wanting to incorporate some hills in my training and cutting this one short I decided to tackle the little hilly track at the Sportsplex. We have a VERY hilly race coming up and I've not raced hills like this before. It sure wouldn't hurt doing a few of these. It wasn't as bad as I had dreaded. Isn't that usually the case?? The first mile was a warm-up normal run. The hills were the entire second mile. Had a 9:03 pace!! I couldn't believe that!! VERY happy with it...although I KNOW that bridge is much harder and more intimidating than that little piece of a track!! I know because I've run it several times...I know what's ahead...and can hardly wait...am I crazy??

This week's mileage is 25.25 running miles with a total of 27.75. I'm getting closer to where I want to be. I'm so hungry for longer distances...you hear me??? Once I get my body trained, in shape and less of it (5-7 pounds less), I want to commit to a 10 miler (or a double digit one) every 7-10 days. This is my "unwritten" goal!! So what's yours?? Until I see you again...

Run4It

Labor Your Legs...Really!

Today is the annual Labor Your Legs 5k in Hattiesburg. It was stated earlier
that it would be conducted "rain or shine". Well, we proved Tropical Storm Lee we were tougher! Oh, yeah...the 5k was run!

On the way to Hattiesburg it literally came a gully washer (you southerners know what I mean). I mean, it poured so hard you had to use the wipers as fast as they could perform. Once there and inside picking up our packet, the rain stopped. With fingers crossed, I had hoped it would stop long enough to run the race. So I took advantage of just some good old humid weather and hit the parking lot warming up. It wasn't long when Frank and I met up with some really "nice" rain puddles where we were officially "dunked". NOW we were ready to race. I mean why try to avoid them when you're drenched. One good thing...it isn't cold yet! [How can I write this smiling??] I would have been frozen after stepping into these ankle deep puds which happened along the route.

Something I had not done before was race without my iPod. I love my music and it helps tune out my breathing and foot strikes, of which I hate to hear. It causes such a distraction and I'll begin to focus on it and it slows me down making me think I'm overworking my body. I, also, believe it makes my pace slower. But a friend of mine had run 75 miles yesterday in these downpours and it ruined his iPod. I was really torn as to what to do. Then I decided it's sacrifice time; in order to have it available tomorrow, I left it.

One thing about humidity...it NEVER lets you down! It is one tough nuggie...one tough, silent, invisible enemy! Having struggled so much with my sinuses (caused predominantly by humidity) this summer I thought I was about over it. But today, proved to me it's not leaving me alone without a fight. Before reaching my second mile, I was struggling. I was taking breaths but they weren't getting into my lungs. Where in the world was it going? It's now I was hoping for a little sprinkle here and there or even the slightest breeze. But this was going to prove to be a challenge one way or another. Knowing at the beginning, I was going to "run" this one and not "race" it made me re-evaluate what this race was about...being careful not to slip down and not over-breathe. Once I got close to the three mile mark (up a hill), I could see the Finish Line and it was all downhill after that. It was a shame I was pooped!! All I can do, is just laugh. It was kinda funny. I don't know why, it just struck me funny. Maybe I was getting delirious, ha!

Many people showed up. Much more than I had expected with TS Lee all about us. I was glad because that spells "success" for the race directors. They did a good job with plenty of drinks, bananas, cookies, etc. for the runners as well as plenty of door prizes. Even some of our good friends from the Gulf Coast Running Club came. I'm always glad to run with them. Although I think they must have thought they were going to float home cause they came with a kayak strapped on their rooftop! And, let me end by saying, that every single person that came out today are winners...tough, running winners. Good job, everyone.

I won 1st Place and Kent won 2nd Place.

Many of our friends won awards. Here are a few:

New RW friends and winners (Kent & Brady)!

Congrats, Master Phillip!

Way to go Ms. Grand Master, Nancy!

Go Jenn!

Yay, Donna S.!

Good job, Joanna!

Go Tom & Bob!

Good job, Becky!

And, last, but not least, our great photographer, Frank! The Club would not be as good as it is without a good photographer. Thanks for all you do!


Until next time...
Run4It