Turkey Trot 5k

We participated in the Turkey Trot 5k in Pensacola on Saturday for the third year.  We always enjoy this race.  It is flat and we love running along the water.  But this year they changed the course and there was no running by the beach with a view of the first beautiful bridge crossing to Pensacola Beach!  It's a gorgeous scene.  A little disappointed in that, but we still like the race.  Due to the course change, we ran through more of the neighborhood where there are many turns...not so thrilled about that.  It makes it harder to gain speed with having to slow down for the next turn.  The good thing this year is that the weather was much nicer.  One year it was so cold and one year it was cold AND raining pretty hard.  This time the temp and weather were on our side. 

There were over 600 participants in the race this year!  The one thing we really like about this one is that all the proceeds go to providing a nice Thanksgiving meal to those that will otherwise get a meal from a soup kitchen.  A meal that will give them dignity and unity with their families in their own home.  They raised enough to provide 130 meals this year!!  And most of the top winners donated their turkeys making it more than that. 

There were different goals for this race...as was the last couple of races.  Participating in races again since my fall is giving me the confidence I need to be stronger.  As a matter of fact, right now I'm fighting discouraging thinking...stinking thinking, I'm going to call it.  All in all, I'm gradually getting my racing ability back...I said, gradually.  Negative thoughts tried to disillusion me to walk some in the race but I focused on my music and sang louder (to myself) than those thoughts.  It worked!!  When I felt like I needed to walk, I slowed down some and kept going.  That was my first goal...to run it entirely with a little pushing.  Not running fast in a long time, my body wanted to fight the "push". 

As I got close to the Finish Line/Clock I still had more push in me.  I knew what I time "wanted" to come in but had little hopes of actually reaching it.  When I saw that I was close to reaching it, I ran harder to reach the FL.  Looking again, I knew I was going to have to kick it up a little bit more.  Stretched out a little more...all the while passing several folks.  Last look and I didn't think I was going to make it.  My last deep reach, I ran as hard as I could trying to beat that clock...looking up as I got under it...I saw I made it!!!  By one second!!  I am soooo excited to have run it all, feeling good and even accomplishing my time goal under 30 minutes.  I finished with a 9:38 pace for the race!!!  I am so excited about that because I've not run that fast for that long in so long.  I was hoping for a 10 minute pace...yay!!  This is the first 5k I've raced running solid in months!!  It was a great day. 

There were 55 racewalkers, who had a one minute delay after the runners started.  Here's a picture of Kent coming in strong.  He felt good and reached his time goal, too.

He was 3rd overall male racewalker and received 1st Place in his age group.  He got a beautiful autumn colored, leaf shaped dish.  It is so pretty. 

A good friend from Ontario, Canada, is in the area for the winter.  It was good to see her, too.  Got a quick pic of her coming in.  Great job, Irene D!! 

Then there's a couple that we have fallen in love with over the last couple of years...the Ambrosi's.  They are huge role models for us!!  They will never know how much we look up to them.  They are in their 80's and we hope to be moving like they are when we arrive at this wonderful age...you'd NEVER guess they were over 80!  They are amazing!  Oh, yeah, he nearly always lets her cross the line a step in front of him though he happens to be just in front of her here.  Such a gentleman!  We watch them and they are so loving to each other.  He was hugging her while waiting for the awards for their age group...so sweet!  He, also, served this country as a Marine...many things to love about these people.  Anyway, when they came through, I had to get a pic.  They run a race every weekend in the Pensacola/Gulf Shores areas.  Love you two!!

Something I learned in this race.  I CAN overcome negative thinking if I refocus my thoughts.  I now have two sayings I repeat throughout a race:  "This is MY race and no one else's" and "Finish Strong".  So, I leave you with congratulating you on your race or run this weekend and hope for you new PR's before the end of the year.  Now, go

Run 4 It 

My First Virtual Half Marathon & Other Things

I went to my physical therapist yesterday for a check-up.  Being out of town, PT has had to come to a halt with him.  In one sense, my shoulder is much better.  I can raise my arm straight out in front of me over my head almost to a normal range.  It won't be long now.  But the outward raise of my arm's range of motion is poor.  He suggested I go back to the doctor for a shot to release the scar tissue he feels has built up and that he thought he would do manipulation of the shoulder; then for more physical therapy.  Said that my limitation is very indicative of a torn tendon!!  I was sad about that because this is impossible for me right now.  I am going to try harder to move that shoulder out and maybe between Kent and I it will release some and give me a better range of motion.  I have decided that if this doesn't work that I will go back to the doctor when I can.  Maybe I should have had the surgery...sad about this news!!  Please pray with me to keep working on this. 

My friend, Diane F., posted a challenge to run a 5k, 10k or half marathon for Put Kids First Virtual Race for St. Jude's.  Though I am going to participate in the half marathon at St. Jude's in Memphis in December, I just couldn't resist signing up for this.  This is my first virtual race.  They are done on your own time wherever you are whenever you can do it.  Since my training long runs are up there now, I decided to go ahead and shoot for the half today. 

This morning was beautiful!!  A perfect day to run.  The temp was 46 degrees and sunny.  With the exception of the WIND, you couldn't ask for anything better to be in place for a long run.  My run was a slow one because I wanted to try to run as much of it as I could.  I finished 10 miles running and my feet were getting tired.  So, I stopped my watch at 10 miles and reset it so I could tell how I did on the run without stopping.  The last 3.1 miles were ran/walked and recorded separately.  I ran more than I thought I could...again, I'm pleased with that regardless of the pace.  Throughout the entire run, my mind was continually on those sick children.  We are so blessed!  Never take a day for granted. 

Also, my friend, Barbara H., didn't get as good a report from her chemotherapy treatments yesterday as she had hoped.  My heart cries for her.  She is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and is so giving.  I wish I could take this away from her but undoubtedly God has more plans for her.  People she hasn't met yet so God can touch their lives through her.  Her future is bright though it may not seem like it now.  Barbara, I prayed for you throughout the morning today in my run...I love you, my friend!!  You are NOT alone in this trial! 

Another thing that was on my mind today was the woman that died right after the ING NY Marathon last weekend.  A quote from the following link: "The 86-year-old athlete, who had said she wanted to die running, was found on her hotel bed Monday afternoon."  Another quote: "Johnson, of San Jose, Calif., completed her 25th run in the marathon on Sunday. She stumbled and hit her head near the 20th mile, but still managed to complete the race and carry out her annual interview with the 'Today' show's Al Roker the next day."  And, finally, "Joy Johnson, the oldest woman to compete in the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, died in her sleep the next day, her sneakers still laced on her feet."  God undoubtedly let her leave this world doing what she wanted to do.  Below is a link to the full article.  It is inspirational!  This is the third thing that I thought about a lot while running this morning.  I named my run today "Run with Joy".  For one, joy in God and second to run for her.  I think I will remember her for a long time.  RIP, Joy Johnson.  You are/were an inspiration to many, including myself.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/oldest-woman-new-york-city-marathon-dies-86-article-1.1507052#ixzz2k5RsFbgh

Until next time, I hope you will put your shoes on and go

Run 4 It