Friends, friends, friends

Today was the Zydeco 5k in Gulf Shores.  I had not planned to do this race but had several friends that were signed up.  A couple of days before, I received information that my friend, Ginny, might be coming down and was going to do the race.  I was excited.  So, I saw it as a no-brainer that I had to go watch it.  After all, it has been a few years since I'd seen and visited with Ginny.  I had a baby shower to attend mid-morning and knew I couldn't get cleaned up fast enough after the race so I dressed for the shower since it was going to be right around the block from the race.  This way I could stay as long as I could and visit with everyone.  Here are a few pre-race pics. 

Me and Ginny

 Susan and me

 My new friend, Josh.

Tim getting Go-Pro and camera ready.

Some action shots.  Get ready, set, GO...............

Some of my Sole Sisters. 

Go, Stephen!

My friend, Buck, finishing strong and fast!! 

Moe finishing strong, too. 

 

Here are a few post-race pics.

Another friend, Jojo 

Ann, Susan and Buck

Award info...Ginny got 1st place in her age group; Moe got 2nd and Susan got 3rd in their age group; and Josh got 2nd in his age group.  I was sad that Buck didn't place because he finished strong and fast!  He ran great today; he was 5th in his age group.  There were 442 runners...much larger than last year's inaugural race.  Also, runners were chipped which I think was a good idea.  It was VERY windy today and some of my friends mentioned how that played a role in their effort.  All in all, everyone did great and I am very proud of them.  I love my friends!! 

Before the awards began, I left for the baby shower.  This was for Pastor Lloyd and Leeanne Stilley's DIL.  It is their first grandchild and it's a girl...the first little girl in their line in a long while.  The ladies had the room decorated so beautiful and "girly".  I loved it!  Here are a few pics. 

Yep, this is probably what you are thinking: dill pickles and ice cream! 

Finally a pic of Vivian, Debbie and me.

It was definitely a very full morning of visiting, cheering, picture taking and showering!  Oh, did I tell you...I love my friends!! 

Until next time,

Run 4 It

Mileage is the Name of the Game

I entered a 100-Mile Challenge in January and shortly thereafter saw another challenge of 1,000 miles for the year.  So, I hopped on those trains and left the station.  The first quarter is "down" and I am feeling pleased with my progress.  Yes, I said QUARTER!  Here are the numbers:

January - 112.43
February - 114.62
March - 122.58

For a year-to-date total, this adds up to be 349.63 miles for three months.  I am very realistic and at times feel pessimistic; in saying this, that I do know things will come up and change your well-planned schedule.  It could be weather [and yes, if it's bad enough I don't even want to get out and go to the gym], illness, injury, company, special events and sometimes you just don't "feel like" doing anything and need some extra rest.  Don't give up!  Do what you can and it will all pan out for the good.

Yes, I've felt good this quarter and, yes, I've been injured and struggled to get back "up" again.  But I haven't quit!  Regardless of how hard things can get, how discouraged I get with my progress or ability or how much I want to quit, I now have a base to work on and history to prove that I can do this!  No, Sireee, Bob...I will NOT quit!! 

This week I began a month of personal training for the first time ever.  I'm doing it with two other ladies [to keep the cost down].  These ladies have been doing this for about 3 years.  I feel like such a sissy as I have so much to work on and learn and get up to "speed".  Some weight exercises, core and balance exercises and all-around ab workouts have been good.  I'm learning machines I've not known how to use as well as new exercises using free weights, balls, kettleballs and other equipment.  Regardless of how awful I am at this time, pushing on is the game in this arena.  Thanks, Pam, for good routines!  And, your patience with me!  I will be stronger at the end of the month and looking forward to new and exciting things at the Y. 

I'll share this but am not ready to be accountable to it yet.  I do a spin class once a week...I know, I know...many of you, and probably most, do several classes a week but I love to run and that's where all my effort basically goes.  Anyway, the first part of the year when I started spin, I had a real hard time.  My endurance was awful!!  And, standing up was almost impossible and I wanted to quit big-time due to discouragement.  I hung in there and after talking with Pam she asked if I ran before class and I said yes; she suggested running 1-2 miles or none and see if I could do the class better.  So I dropped my mileage and after a few more classes I was able to stand and do the class as instructed.  Soon I started my running before class again but very easy.  Doing a couple of miles didn't seem to bother me.  Well...to make a long story short...NOT...I stayed with it.  Now, I run 2 miles before class and 2 afterward, working on endurance and mileage in spin class.  This week, I ran my usual 2 miles before class at a decent pace, did class [achieving 21.6 miles], and ran another 2 miles afterward at a very good pace.  I felt really good throughout and strong.  Back to the first sentence of this paragraph.  If things keep going well and I get a little confidence, I'd like to do my first duathlon this year.  I think I can do this and that it is an achievable goal.  We'll see..........

So for now, I'm "banking" as many miles as I can, to meet my monthly and yearly goal.  Actually, I had no idea that I could do 100 miles a month and it's been three months down.  This builds my confidence and assurance that it can be done.  I am eager to get out and add more miles. 

Whatever you are doing, do it with all you have.  Do NOT compare yourself with others or it will be easy to get discouraged, quit or put yourself down.  There is only one YOU...be the best YOU can be.

Until next time get out and

Run 4 It

Azalea Trail 10k & More

Let me start out with the "More" in my title.  As I entered a new decade age, I thought it might be good to start out with making new PR's each decade.  After all, most previous ones probably won't be broken as you are younger and faster and not broke down.  There is one I hope to break but we will leave that up to the future to see if it will be done.  Making out my new list, I discovered that not only have I been racing a lot but that every one I've done since turning 60 have been different distances.  No repeats.  I thought how odd that was.  I couldn't have planned it any better.  The races done are: 5k, 4 miles, 8k [trail race which will be documented different than an 8k road race], 10k, 15k and a half marathon.  I've won medals in every race except for the 15k which is a large race.  The first one was actually the same week I turned 60.  The others, ironically, have been a week apart with the exception of one being two weeks.  All of this makes me a happy running girl.  Looking back, I would have had no idea I would have done all of this in a short amount of time. 

Azalea Trail Report

Initially, I had hoped to be injury free to run the 10k this year.  My distance is improving and my strength is better than it has been in quite a while.  Unfortunately, the 8k run in the sand took its toll on my right groin and hip.  I was bummed out about that; but in the last week I've babied that thing as much as I could keeping some distance on my legs even if it meant walking some.  By the time of this race, it was getting much better.  The Azalea Trail race is one of my all-time favorites and I was sad that I wasn't able to run it like I had hoped to.  On the positive side...I will return next year in better condition.  At least, I hope so. 

Friends from our hometown were coming to this race and I was excited to see them, especially my friend, Frank.  I haven't seen him since we moved a year ago!!  He and I are long time running partners and I've really missed running with him. 

And, I want to say that 3 of us trained for our first marathon together and though we got our picture taken per chance, it really brought back some really good memories of that time.  Here's D, me and Frank.

On to the race.  Here are some action shots of me and only some of my friends.  Unfortunately, not everyone's pics were taken...like my hubby's!  :( 

 Devon & Deleica

Professor Nestor 

Tommy 

Nancy 

Frank & Krista

Below are some post-race pics.

 

Then you always have those friends that just "can't help themselves" but let it all hang out, ha!  Life would be boring without them, for sure.  Love these guys...

Nestor

 

Kathy, Serina & Deleica 

And, Serina in true form!  She will dance with any/every one or even alone.  She's just FILLED with happy juice!

Kent did well in his 5k race.  He received 3rd Overall Racewalker.  I'm so proud of him!

My time was way off as far as competing goes so I wasn't looking for a single bit of recognition.  BUT...as it turned out, I placed 6th in my age group.  They go 10 deep in the 10k.  I was 6th out of 34 others.  Woo-hoo!!  I am such a happy girl.  On top of that, I had no pain throughout the race.  There was some soreness and achiness but NO pain.  And, a big shout out to Kathy for placing in her age group, too!!  You go, girl!

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that there was 80% chance of rain!  I was so dreading this.  For some reason, the rain went away and not a drop fell; the sun even came out a little.  It was perfect! 

Kent and I would like to encourage you to do what you can with what you have but never give up or give in. 

Now, go

Run 4 It

St. Patrick's Leprechaun 5k

Today's race didn't start out as I had wanted it to.  If you are my blog reader you know that I have had my up's and down's.  Though I wouldn't change a single thing from the 8k Cross Country Race in the sand last week, it definitely had its toll on me.  My right groin continues to feel pulled and my right hip and knee are bearing the brunt of it.  Thinking it would be alright for today's race...well, that didn't happen! 

I've been working on my speed and strength lately and began to maintain a 9:22 pace for 3 miles.  I was so excited as it's been a while since I've kept this for that long.  I was feeling much stronger and confident.  Then last week's race came.  I've always wanted to do a trail race though not so sure I wanted it to be solely in sand, ha.  Today's race was not a major race for me so I focused on doing what I could.  After warming up some, I realized that a good race time was not in the cards today and really felt like a walk/run was what I needed to do. 

I began to see more and more friends show up and didn't think I would see but only a couple of them.  Let me start my photos with a couple of race ones.  The first couple were Kent finishing up and one of Diane coming in. 

There was pizza, fruit and stew afterward.  Also, at the end of the room was some ice cream.  It was all good but I think the fellowship with friends topped it all off.  Here are a few pics during this time while waiting for the awards to start...which was F.O.R.E.V.E.R!!!! 

Okay...Kent and Buck were 1.) not happy, 2.) not ready, or 3.) tired of waiting for the awards to begin.  Either way, I just had to post this.  It's all good...lol.

Shortly, we found out that my friend, Mo, provided a birthday cake for her husband, Henry.  Yep...it was pretty good!  Thanks, Mo, for sharing it...and Happy Birthday, Henry. 

Many of us received awards.  The ones I remember are Mo, Irene, Jane and Norm, and I'm sure there are others I don't recall offhand.  I, personally, wasn't expecting a single thing since my run was so bad.  BUT...I received 1st place in my age group.  Susan received Senior Grand Masters and Buck received 2nd place.  Kent got overall male RW and Diane got 2nd in the RW divisions.  She is super and should r/w more often. 

A quickie friendship pic with Diane.

Here's to you, Buck.  See you at the next race!

Be safe, keep moving and go

Run 4 It

Bay to Breakfast 12k Trail Race

What can I say?  This was an absolutely beautiful weekend and everything was right for a race: cool temp, no wind and sunny.  Saturday I did my first trail race; hence, a new PR.  Right??  Of course!  It was at the Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, FL.  It was an 8k, which equals to 5 miles to my non-running friends.  I saw where there were only two water stations and that it was recommended to bring something to drink in-between those stations.  I've never used a camel back water reservoir [okay, I can't think of the right word] but we had one and I decided to wear it.  After the last race where I needed more water than was provided on the course I didn't want to get caught without something to keep me from dehydrating like then.  Just before the race began, I donned my water and walked away from the vehicle.  Within a few steps, I could tell that it might "bounce" and that would NOT do at all.  After all, I had not tried it in a run before and I KNOW that's a big no-no to do something different in a race then what you've done before.  So, off with that thing and I took my chance and winged it!! 

We started out on pavement for about 3/4 of a mile or so, then we headed onto the trail.  I wore long pants mostly because I had read on their site to be prepared for sand burs and I definitely didn't want to "tangle" with those things; thinking long pants would protect me some, that's what I wore.  The trail consisted of mostly deep, loose sand with some grades.  Once on the trail, the fun began.  Did I say, "fun"???  Come on, all of you that did this KNOW it was fun...from the beginning!  Actually, it wasn't bad I thought to myself.  Well, it wasn't long before we were introduced to a little deeper sand.  Then the story goes without saying things only got "deeper"...no pun intended.  I've run in sand one time before and it was on the beach up close to the water where it was more "padded".  I thought THAT was hard.  This doesn't compare!  People began to spread out going their own pace as best they could.  When deep sand appeared I tried to run as steady as I could but my calves literally SCREAMED making me walk a few steps until I was out of that area and my calves calmed down.  That went back and forth throughout the race.  Good running, then deep-sand-calf-yelling running.  Marsha and I passed each other off and on until the last mile or so.  We went through one area that appeared to be marsh-like.  Boy, was it soft to run on and just about the moment you thought you could make some time you started hitting little pockets which made running more cautious so as to not turn an ankle or fall.  You were blinded to them as the grass covered them up.  Fortunately, there were some places that leveled off after this with a few grass runners here and there.  It didn't take long to realize that that's where you could actually get traction and run a little harder.  Don't get me wrong...the running harder did NOT mean longer!!  Usually after getting through those easy parts, beautiful, white sand appeared again, sometimes deeper and looser accompanied by a steep grade.  On pavement or hard ground you might not think much of the grade but when you're pushing as hard as you can to move forward UP a grade it doesn't take long to realize that you take one step up and slide back two.  Boy, was I glad to hear spectators cheering those crossing the Finish Line ahead.  I knew it was about over even if I couldn't see it yet.  I looked at the clock and was totally amazed at my time.  I had NO idea I would come in under an hour and a half but was much better than that.  It made all the heavy breathing, struggling times worth it. 

Not exactly the order of finish but it was Justin, Kim, Eric, me, Marsha, Becky, Irene and Diane.  We were all whipped, exhausted and some vowed not to do the course again!  Well......all I can say is I like a challenge.  And because it was tough and I came 28 seconds from breaking an hour, all it did for me is to assure that I would be there next year and do better hoping to clear the hour.  The girls all got together for a goofy picture [goofy? well, it's probably more like the way we REALLY felt at this moment, ha!].  I love these girls!!!  There's never a dull moment. 

No pics were taken of the post race food but it was good.  There were bagels, pancakes, bacon, breakfast burritos, fruit/granola/sorbet [my favorite], coffee and orange juice. 

We knew a couple would be getting awards.  Hanging around was easy to do because everyone was really enjoying themselves.  I was pleasantly surprised [actually shocked] to see that I had placed in my age group.  Yep...I was beside myself for sure.  Irene got 1st place, Becky got 1st and I got 3rd. 

 

About half of us received medals.  It was exciting.

Then we had to get a pic of all of us.  So, Voila [that's for you Justin...and Diane...ha!] 

Thanks, John, for taking the pic of us! 

Here is the long sleeve tee we got as well as my medal.  My time was 1:00:28.

We all left Pensacola and decided to go to The Gulf for lunch.  I wasn't hungry but it was such a gorgeous day it was exciting to think we would be sitting outside enjoying the sun, soft breeze and beautiful water.  Oh, my...what a great day it was!!  I really didn't want it to end...except that Kent was with me.  He was playing golf. 

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Last but not least, I want to share a couple of pics of the birthday girl.  My friend, Jean, had a birthday on the 4th.  Bless her heart, she has been on the injured list for a while now.  A few of us got together to celebrate her birthday.  My sweet friend, Mi, invited us to lunch at her restaurant.  We had a great time reminiscing our running together.  Here are a couple of pics.  Get well quick, Jean, we miss you!

Jean and me

Susan, Mi, Jean

I am so thankful my running is getting better...most of all, that I am feeling better and stronger.  So, for those in a slump, NEVER give up.  I know I've said this a lot but there is so much truth in it.  Keep going, do what you can and I'll see you at the next race. 

Run 4 It