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



Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 Year End Review

To begin with I will start with this year's goals and the results. 

1.  Half Marathon.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen. 
2.  Eat fruit daily.  Much better.
3.  Overlook past failures.  Improving, more than I expected.
4.  Push through the hard times.  Excelled.

Comment:  I am pleased with the overall end of this year's goals.  No, I didn't accomplish them the way I had intended it to be; but, with the exception of the first couple, being aware of the other two has made me a better person. 

Activity
Miles run:  841.5
Miles walked: 118.1
Total miles on my legs:  959.6

Biked/Cycled:  186.3 miles

Comment:  These statistics I am well pleased with!  Having been inactive so much this year, I can't believe I almost reached 1,000 miles.  It wasn't until mid-October or later that I realized that I could reach 1,000 miles run/walked.  I see now that this can be accomplished if I am regular in my running and/or walking.  Staying on my feet is the key!  The next big plus is the miles biked.  I've rarely gotten on my bike and have now begun taking a spin class which I hope to be more regular with that.  I am very pleased with this figure and will make a goal for this next year. 

You see, this has been another tough year.  That makes TWO in a row!!  I learned a lot through the ups and downs.  Mental adjustment has been the main goal for me this year.  I have probably been "down" as much as I have been "up".  But the last part of the year, I began changing my thoughts by doing what I can do instead of focusing or looking at the things I can't do.  I know this slump is temporary! 

One of the things that got my attention is the fact that I turned 60 years old!!  I still can't believe it and haven't gotten use to me saying that age out loud yet.  But facts are facts.  That means I have entered a new age group.  Normally excited about this, I can see this age group will be a challenge for me.  This is a good thing.  I will work harder and do the best I can do. 

Another thing is my weight.  I have GOT to do something to lose weight.  I know how to do it...but...it's the doing it that actually counts, right??  I've got to get my "want to" in line!  Odd enough, my running pace is increasing again [even with this extra weight] and if I weighed less I would be a better competitor.  And, that's what I want.  We'll see how bad I really want it! 

I don't have to look very deep to see the next half marathon.  Guess it's just "in my bones".  I really, really love that distance.  For now, I am getting stronger and am building miles on my legs.  If this continues, I plan to do as many half's in 2016 as I can, ha!  No, seriously...

Unlike some of my friends, I don't have running goals for 2016 that will push me to another level.  A couple of my friends are really excelling in their athletic ability:  Deleica and Marsha.  I am so proud of you...keep up the good work!  My goal is to return to running somewhat like I was in 2013 before I fell and broke my shoulder. 

One thing I did this year that I want to continue to do is to be more creative in the cooking area.  I've tried many things this year and have bought new, healthy things that I've not purchased before.  Delicious foods, as well as healthy ones, are definitely on the forefront in 2016. 

I will now close this post with the mention of a couple of folks that inspire me.  First off, a friend that isn't even on the Internet [that I know of] but she inspires me because she is NOT a quitter.  My friend, Mo, is amazing.  She has come through such difficult times of cancer, surgery and treatment and never...quits...running.  I don't know how she does it.  Though I could never be like her, she will never know how much I think about her when I want to give up.  Thanks, Mo!!

Second, my new friends this year, Susan and Jean.  They are consistent, strong runners.  Your invitation of my being a part of the Sole Sisters has been inspirational.  Getting to know so many ladies that walk or run and stay healthy is a plus in my life.  Thanks for letting me be a part of your running and group.  You make me realize goals I want to make and achieve.

Finally and most of all, I want to mention my biggest inspiration, my husband, Kent.  I cannot tell you how many times he has inspired me to get off my butt and "do something" active when I didn't want to.  He has had many setbacks this year as well but he never quits!!  Even when I tell him that I had "this or that" to do, he would go on and do his thing.  When he would leave, I would feel guilty and many times I would stop whatever nonsense I was doing, get dressed and hit the road.  Thank you so much for being YOU!!  I love you to the moon and back and can't imagine my life without you. 

There are others I want to thank for your encouragement this year as I've needed A LOT.  I hope it makes you feel better knowing that your words DID have a positive impact on me...yes, it did!  You will find my 2016 goals listed.  All I can say is encourage someone around you.  You never know how much it means being the recipient.  So for now, get active, make new goals and go

Run 4 It

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Flora-Bama Make It To The Line

This turned out to be a very good day.  The air was real cool and the course flat which made for a good race for me.  Most of the race was run alongside my friend, Mo, who is also a competitor.  She did great, too.  Love visiting with friends I only see at races.  Here are a few pics...I'll start with "us".

I loved the cute shirt.  [Back, then the front]


Some pics during the race with me, Mo, Marsha, Irene and Diane.





Now some award pics.  Yay!!


The award and my first bib as 60 years old.



The post-race food was pretty good.  It was a very stuffed chicken tortilla with fresh lettuce and tomato with beef stew and yeast rolls.  Here's also some crowd pics.





This is the first 4-mile race I've run; hence a PR.  I finished so much better than I thought I would since I've hardly run since this raunchy bronchitis hit me a month ago!!  This is, also, the first race since entering a new age group.  I received 2nd place and am very happy with my pace.  My time was 28:02 [27:59 by my Garmin].  Yes, everything went well.  I am looking forward to a great 2016.  Now seize the day and go

Run 4 It

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

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