An Offer to My Devoted Readers

So last Friday was to be the cut off for my virtual run, but the turn out hasn't been good.  I know I don't have a ton of readers and would love to drawn more in.  So to say thanks to those that do, I'd like to offer extra goodies to everyone that mentions my virtual race on their blogs.  Just a quick mention about it and link to the race announcement and you're double entered for prizes!  Currently I've got less than 20 entries.  Come on guys, spread the word!!

I'm extending the deadline for entry to October 8th, and for the running reports through October 15th.

Double Duty Monday

Today I did a double run.  Well, technically you could say I ran a warm up with paige for .83 miles, then ran a 3 miler, but I’ll put the spin on it and call it a two run day.  I’m allowed, it’s my blog and I’ll do it if I want to……… Just try and stop me!!!! 

Ok, my temporary insanity is over.   My 3 mile run was great.  Wet and cool but nice out.  I started with a new pair of headphones I picked up at Brookstone last week when I misplaced my regular ones.  These have the sound isolation pads, and a retractable cord that I like.  Although I realized it’s not so good on a run, the extra eight for the retracting part just kept pulling the earbuds out.  I ended up ditching them about 1/2 mile into the run.  I was pushing myself pretty good and hit the mile mark at 10:26.  The turn around at 16:17 and finished up at 31:31.  Pretty dang good for being out of it I must say.  Especially given that I ran a 2/1 run/walk.  I decided it was time for me to calculate my walking pace, so at the end, I walked around our loop.  I calculated that I walk at a 12:50 min/mile pace. I then decided to calculate my running pace and it turns out that for I averaged running pace was 9:41!   That’s right….. 9:41!   If I could manage to keep that pace and not stop to walk, I’d be doing well…. although I am a run/walk convert.  At least until my foot issues are long behind me. 

I want to give a big congrats to Andrew over at Running Man Wannabe for completing his first 5K with an awesome PR.  He’s got an interesting blog and has done one hell of a job at training.  I wish I was as dedicated and analytical about my training as he is.  Congrats! and good luck on future races!

I registered for the Komen Race for the Cure yesterday.  I’ll be running with Jen (Although she thinks I’ll take off and leave her at some point),  We’re going to run/walk but I’m not sure what she’s got in mind.  I’m thinking 2/1.  The race is this Sunday and if you’d care to donate something, here’s a link to our team page. Team: Living For Leslie.

Paige’s Cross Country Race Number Two

Today Paige had her second race in a four part series of half mile runs.  Charm City Run hosts the event geared towards kids.  They break it down into small age groups (she’s in the 5-6 run)  and it’s a nice event.  The only complaint we’ve had is that they do not provide any post run refreshments, not even water.  How can a race NOT provide water after a run?  But regardless, it’s a fun time for all. 

Today, Paige learned a valuable lesson on practicing.  The first race she ran, she was last.  She ran alone and got distracted.  She didn’t even notice she was last, so it really didn’t bother her. This race, I ran with her, and she became keenly aware that she was in last place, by a far margin.  There were a few other kids that dropped the race, which made her feel better, but she was still very upset at how far behind she was.  We used the opportunity to teach her about the need to practice things. Referencing her ballet and school work as well.  I think it was a wake up to her that becoming a runner is tough work and you can not expect to do well in a race if you rarely ever practice.  We’re now planning a few runs this week and hopefully she’ll see a difference between today and next weeks race.  She also has a race at school this week, and I’m confident she’ll do better.  The kids in the race series are pretty competitive. 

Yesterday we went on another family hike.  We took five dollar footlongs (AKA Subway) and had a lunch break midway.  It was a fun time, but the kids did get hot and tired by the end of it. 

As for me, I’m starting to get anxious about the Army 10 Miler.  I really have not prepared myself near enough and it’s a month away now.  I’m confident I’ll be fine with completing it, but not near as prepared as I could have been.  I’ve decided to start running at lunch again, now that the weather has gotten cooler.  Running at lunch works really well for me and it’ll be nice to get back to that.

Now off to prepare for the work week!

Back from the Windy City

I'm back from Chicago where I was attending a conference (they called it a summit) on bed bugs.  It was a great few days.  I learned a lot on the cutting edge of bed bug research, management, and equipment; and made several new contacts.  The bad was I didn't take my running shoes, so I haven't run since Sunday.

This was the last trip on my schedule until March so things should start settling down from the summer.  Healthwise, things are going well.  I've been on gout meds for almost a week and no side effects.  Actually I feel like my toe joints are more flexible, although that's probably just my imagination.

On the agenda:
This weekend Paige has race #2 of her 4 race series in Annapolis.  The plan is that I will run with her and try to keep her from getting distracted.  She also has a fundraiser race at school next week.  Jen has the Susan G. Komen race on Oct. 3rd.  If we can get someone to watch Connor, I'll run it with her.  If not, I'll get pics from the finish line. 

Sunday Five Miler

I went for a 5 mile run this morning around Centennial Park in Columbia, MD.  This is the first time I’ve been running there but we go every few months to let the kids play on the playground and walk around.  There is a small lake in the center of the park which makes for a very nice view.  It’s got a roughly 2.5 mile loop which was perfect for my run today.  The weather was great, my feet and lungs felt good. A nice day for a run.  Here are a few pics I took on previous trips to the park.

 

 

Lastly here is one of my favorite pictures of Connor while on a hike around the park.