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



Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Shrimp Festival 5k & Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k

I'm still slow...ugh! But I'm pushing through. I'll lose weight one week then gain it all back the next. Seems I can't stay with anything any more. Many nights are restless and sometimes carrying over into the following morning making me sluggish that day. At least, I'm not giving up. NO, I won't give up!

I love the race environment and that's what is keeping me going now. I'm so glad that my husband supports me wholeheartedly and encourages me to go out there and do what I can...whatever that may be. Seeing those at races that you don't see at any other time is always so nice. People of all ages and abilities. Some stronger than they were and some struggling. You know, runners ARE family and everyone encourages everyone! We're all happy people!

We all wait patiently for the gun to go off and set us on our way to begin the race. These race reports will be short and sweet.

Shrimp Festival 5k
A couple of things I like about this race is that there are a lot of people there and you don't feel like everyone's watching you, and I love the Back Country Trail System. I met up with Susan and Moe before the race. Moe was doing the 10k and Susan was doing the 5k, like me. We got off to a good start. I really felt good...even when we had 2 treacherous bridges to cross. The BCT staff are repairing the two bridges that we had to cross. They just laid the new boards on top of the existing ones raising it 1"-2" higher and they were all scattered around. It wasn't smoothed out and was up and down the entire bridge[s]. I'm so glad I didn't fall!! That kind of thing usually takes me down no matter how much I try to watch my footing. After-race food was pretty good. I was glad that I did as well as I did. As it turned out Susan got 1st place, I got 3rd place and Kent got 2nd place in the 5k. Moe placed 1st in the 10k. I was pleasantly surprised ... but I'll take it! A win is a win, right?!

Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
This is a nice race, fast and flat. I hope one day to smoke it. I shoot for my best on race day, whatever that may be. There were only a few people that did it. Jean, Moe and Kent all received awards. Most of the people that ran in it was in my age group...you'd figure! But that's okay. It's such a good charity but wasn't advertised. I think those that showed up had done it previously and knew to look for it.They are making changes and hopefully more people will know about it next year and those that had run it previously will receive reminders that it's coming up. They have nice after-race food, too.

One positive thing about these races, I'm improving. This is exciting to me. I've cut my time every race since September. My goal is to run a race totally. I miss that SO much!! I never thought that would be a goal since I've run from the beginning, this kinda hurts my pride. But I WILL DO IT!! Yes, I will.

For those that are starting out, keep moving. And, for those that have had setbacks [like me], keep moving. It's always better than doing nothing. We got it, folks. So, go out there and

Run 4 It

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Don McCloskey 5k

We watched the weather a few days before signing up for the Don McCloskey 5k in Pensacola. It's been unseasonally warm this year. The deadline to sign up was getting closer and closer and there was only online registration available. The forecast was in the 60's on raceday; I was so excited. So...we signed up at the last minute. The week of the race, the forecast completely changed - upper 70's, lower 80's!! I was just sick. Summer races are totally out due to the heat and humidity and now we've signed up for a race that's going to be just that. Okay...I decided to go and enjoy it. I knew it was a large race and there would be a ton of people so I wouldn't be last coming in regardless of how hard it would be to run.

The morning of the race came and there was a little overcast to start the race but it quickly dissipated. I did my best and tried not to worry about anyone or anything else. I was hoping to do better in this race than the one I did earlier in the month but not sure now. The course is a good one with one section of a grade that's a little tough but it's short lived and the rest is totally flat.

I knew my friend, Moe, was going to be there but hadn't seen her yet and she didn't know I was going to be there. I started a little further back in the pack since there were so many people. After the first mile was over; I had run the entire mile and was still running. It wasn't long before Moe snuck up behind me. I had no idea she would be behind. We ran together a little while but I stopped for water and she eased on. She ended up having a good race but was one out from placing. Hated that for her. I finished "okay"; not what I had hoped for. Kent did pretty good placing 2nd in his age group. Go, Honey!

When we got home, I downloaded my watch and was pleasantly surprised. My first mile was great! I hadn't done that well in a long time. The other splits weren't as strong. I walked more but much not as long as I did in the last race. When it was all said and done, I had beat my time by 2:06! I was shocked. And, needless to say, very happy. TWO minutes faster!! Not a wash out at all. 

I hope I can keep strong. I do believe my trekking class is really helping me get strong. I look forward to it twice a week. I wish I loved biking like I love running and swimming as much as biking. Guess everyone has their "first love". Don't get me wrong, I still love my Trek bike and am so glad I chose to get a good road bike. It makes it more fun to ride than ever before.

My plan is to work on solid running and, second, to increase my miles to improve endurance for the half coming up at the end of the year. I got in 8 miles last week. Whatever your running goals are, never give up and keep going forward and last of all 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

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!

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