DISCOVERIES

Yesterday morning I did a four mile run early (6:15 to 7:15) and I discovered what it is like to run the first half hour in the dark. Days are sure getting shorter. The sunrise was beautiful though and I had a good view of it as I ran back to the east on the return leg of my run. There is little traffic on the road where I run but I still have to be wary. Especially with something in my ears. My daughter Carolyn pointed out to me a few days ago that my cel phone can also serve as an mp3 player, which I didn't know, so now it is loaded with a few albums. I have found that the beat of most of the songs on Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" is a good match for my pace. But the biggie is that the Disco Beat of my old BeeGees albums is a perfect match for me to run with.
I always seem to forget some piece of equipment at that early hour and yesterday it was my sweatband. Yes I sweat, even at 58 degrees. Thankfully my running shirt had long sleeves.
I forgot to Tivo Ryan and Mary so I didn't see Jamey's Thursday morning visit with them until I checked out the INC Website last night. Those M & M's will get you every time.
Today I leisurely walked two miles, just for anyhow, since it was such a beautiful day. It took a deliberate effort to keep walking and not break into a run. But I wanted to see how much difference it would make in my time. 3 mph instead of 4. My take on that is--even if I have to walk some I'll still get the job done--so don't be discouraged.
Tomorrow will be my nine mile run. The BeeGees are going to run it with me.

KEEPING THE PACE

We have a training schedule laid out for us that will have us at the right level come Sept. 27. I'm glad that I have been able to stay reasonably close to where I should be. Today I tried for my eight mile run and was able to accomplish that. The course I run has some slight ups and downs and three real hills to go down and back up. Those were the spots where I walked briefly. Once again it was apparent that I have to run at my own pace, which is slow, but it enables me to keep on chuggin along. My time today was 2 hours and 15 minutes, which put me just under 4 mph.
There were a couple times when I had to overcome the urge to just make it a six or another seven. I had two 4 oz. bottles of water along and made them last through my run. That won't be enough to carry me through 10 or 12 or 13.1 miles so I will be utilizing water spots along the race course.
I don't want to add much more weight by carrying more along.
It has been five hours since I finished today and I'm now feeling some recovery. Happy for that. The first couple hours after I was pretty whipped.
I hope I can keep this up and add another mile this next weekend.

FUN RUN & LESSONS LEARNED

This morning's 5K run here in my hometown of Antwerp, Oh. was fun and we were blessed by great running weather. It was a family and friends affair. Daughter Leslye, granddaughter Erika, (running in her first 5K), and friend Lori joined me today. They did great. Lori was the fastest time in her age group. Grandson Ethan ran in the 1 mile fun run that preceeded the 5K.
Once again I found that when I am so eager to keep up with the herd at the start I suffer. I have to realize that I have my pace, even at the start, and I had better stick to it. Today my pace figured out at four miles per hour. I usually end up close to that when I am training. On the longer runs it falls a little below that. Today by running too hard at the start I made the first mile an uncomfortable struggle. The second half of the run I finally got into a groove and it went better. I guess I'd better be satisfied with stamina and not speed.
Three local gals who are ardent walkers really outpaced the walking contingent today. Which put them up in the area where I was at the whole time. So while I am jogging along at my four mph. they are right there with me the whole time. I shouldn't let that bug me but it does.

My training schedule called for an eight mile run today but that was dropped since I wanted to do the 5K. I hope to do that on Monday.

ANOTHER 2

Our morning trip to Indy went well and after my visit with my doctor we got something to eat and made a leisurely trip back home. I decided on a late afternoon workout so I did another two mile. Tomorrow a day of rest and on Saturday morning I'll run the 5K.

TODAY'S QUICK RUN

Early this morning I made an effort to get out for a quick run. Have a busy schedule today so I did a two mile run for today's workout. Not too spectacular but at least I did get something done. Tomorrow we must travel to Indianapolis so not likely to get any training done unless in the evening. Our local ART IN THE PARK day is Saturday and there is a 5K Run that I will run in. That leaves me behind a day or two in trying for my eight mile run. I'm shooting for next Monday for that.

JUST A ROUTINE RUN

I recovered well from my seven miles on Saturday and this morning I set out again in the darkness for a four mile run. I had to make an early start so I could finish before other commitments. At six A.M. the sun was barely lighting the horizon but the cool morning sure felt great. I can't believe I am saying this but "it was just another routine four mile run". No critters, no passing traffic, even the usual dogs barely noticed me and hardly barked.
I finished in just over an hour and chalked up a good session.

I didn't have anything along to listen to so I just made up pictures in my head. (SEE ABOVE)

I've decided to do some shopping--going to look for an I Pod.

I DIDN'T GET SKUNKED--I DID IT

I was determined to give my seven mile run a try this morning so I got up at 5:00 A.M.. Guess what? It's too dark to run safely at that time of day. The days are getting shorter more quickly than I realized. So I took my time getting ready, had half of a banana and some peanut butter for breakfast, and then went over to my river road running route. Began running around 6 A.M.. A beautiful morning to run. As usual the first mile is work and then I settled in to a comfortable pace. Somewhere up ahead of me a skunk had cut loose and it was pretty intense. I was wary and watched closely for him and thankfully never sighted him.
My run progressed to the 3 mile point and I was in great shape. That was a good feeling because I am planning to run a 5K here in my hometown next Saturday. I made myself continue on to the 3.5 mile point so I couldn't wimp out of going for seven. It did take some effort to not turn around and go back for another 6 mile and be satisfied with that again. By mile four I knew this was going great and I would make it.
The cool morning temperature and slight breeze certainly helped my run today. The transition through the 5 and 6 mile runs to the 7 has been tough but now I have done it and the physical and mental barrier has been overcome. Beating the 7 mile barrier makes me optimistic because it is more than half way to the 13.1 goal. Happy, happy day!