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I haven’t updated my blog since April, so to say its been a while is an understatement.  I am running as much as ever, just hadn’t blogged about it.  A quick update:

1)  Set a new PR in the 5K; 18:42 at the Labor day race, and then followed it up with a 18:49 at the Will Robinson run in Milledgeville.

2)  I went over the 1000 mile mark for 2009 last month.  This is the first time I have done that.  Also, I tipped the scales at 190 the week before Thanksgiving but ’ back up closer to 200 now (love the holiday food), but feel like by the end of my current training is over I will be back around 190.  The 190 means I have lost 70 pounds since I started three years ago.

3)  I talked my wife into running the half marathon in Warner Robins with me this January.  I’m in my 7th week of training  and I just went over the thirty mile a week mark.  My long run is currently at 11 miles. 

4)  I just checked the points and I think I won my age group in Macon Track point series.  I am also sitting third in the Grand Prix series.  Not because I run so much, but mainly because my age group is so slack.

I am planning on doing better with the blog in the future.  Time for easy 5 miler, hope the rain holds off.

I was a little overzealous with my last post.  My wife had to work the Sat. of the Cherry Blossom race and my fatherly duties took precedence over running.  I did however get a chance to run this past Saturday in Fort Valley.  I really enjoyed the race, small field 50-75 runners if I had to guess, but very organized and it just had a good feel about it.  The course was great; flat and fast.  All but about a 1/2 mile was on a nice soft dirt road which was great for the knees.  I was able to come home 3rd overall and won my age group all while setting a new a PR(19:04). 

With that being said, I am planning once again to pull my first double this Friday in Eatonton.  It is spring break here in Sandersville so it worked out great.  Hope to see you there.

Tomorrow will be the first time I have run two races on the same day.  I haven’t raced since Cantrel so it will feel good to get back out there.  I have cut my miles back to around 20 a week since the half in Warner Robins.  Between golf season and me spending more time in the weight room, I haven’t had the time for those 40 mile weeks. 

Speaking of coaching golf, I can honestly say this year has been most enjoyable.  The ironic thing is this is the worst team as far as talent that I have had.  On the flip side they are a great group of kids who enjoying being outside and playing a game.  They help me realize that it is just that, a game.  I think about the times I have blown up on the course because I missed a 3 footer for par and realize; it’s  just a game.  Then I think about the times I get upset because I don’t have a good training run or I don’t hit the time I wanted in race.  Running isn’t about time; it is about being outside during this beautiful time of the year.  It is about being able to use your legs and lungs and heart that GOD gave us.  It is about getting together with a couple hundred of people on Sat. morning and enjoying being in the company of people who love to do the same thing you do. 

Not trying to sound to mushy and all, but it is amazing the lessons a group of teenagers can teach you.  Run hard, but more importantly HAVE FUN!!!

They weren’t lying when they said it was uphill for 1.5 miles and then downhill to the finish.  I have run some hilly courses in the past but never one like this.  Before I get into the race details, let me share my night before with you.  My wife, daughter, parents, and I stayed in Gray with my Uncle to cut out 45 minutes of ride time on Saturday.  It was great family time and I find myself appreciating the chance to spend time with my parents more as time goes by.  We stopped off at a place in Milledgeville, The Brick, and enjoyed supper.  The only problem; it was pizza and wings.  Not the best night before meal to run on.  We made it to Gray at about 10:00 so by the time I got to sleep it was about midnight.  About 4:30am I woke up to good ole cramp in the calf muscle.  I have been awaken at night by fire before in my life and let me say a cramp gives that a run for its money when it comes to the worst ways to be awoken. 

Race morning was little colder than I thought it was going to be, but by 9 it was really nice.  After warming up and seeing the course I new it would be challenging and actually told my dad if I could get to the turnaround in less the ten minutes I might have a shot at a PR.  I made my way to the start and got a spot out front only to have an older man and woman get right in front of me.  I didn’t want to be a jerk so I just took it in stride and planned to get skinny at the start and dodge the traffic.  The start came and I felt real good for the first half mile.  I actually looked down at my Garmin and I was on a 5:30 pace going up the hill.  I knew I had to back off a bit and I settled into 7th place.  When I reached the top of the hill it was definitely a relief and I honestly felt a sense of accomplishment.  I made it to the turnaround in 9:40 or so.  I was happy so far, but thanks to the hill I could tell I wasn’t going to have much off a kick going down the hill.  I reached the 3 mile mark and heard somebody coming hard behind me only to turn around and see Ms. Tinkey charging hard.  I was able to hold her off, but my wife told me after I finished the she made me look like I was running in mud.  Grace is a remarkable runner.  I think hearing her caused me to burst at the end and come in with a new PR, 19:25.  I was able to take home 1st in my age group and 7th overall.  Best part of the morning however came after the race; breakfast at CRACKER BARREL!!!

See you in two weeks at the GEICO.

Decisions are easy when you really don’t have a choice (I should trademark that).  I have decided to put my marathon plans on hold for a year.  Soon after the half in Warner Robins, my knee began giving me problems.  While I have to be honest and admit that I really was leaning against doing the Marathon in Albany, this made that decision a no brainer.  I have cut my miles back a little and bought a new pair of shoes (back to the good ole asics 2110) and I can feel it getting better.  There was about a week or two where I had to actually walk back home because I could no longer run through the pain.  On a positive note, I have been able to do a little more strength training.  I can feel my core getting stronger which all the experts say is key to running fast and efficient.  I don’t know if that is necessarily true, but it cant hurt either.  I have registered for the Al Toll 5k so I look forward to making it over to Macon next weekend.

Man that was fun!  It was cold, but not nearly as bad as I expected.  Being my first half, I was extremely anxious yesterday afternoon.  I was rather calm this morning; and after sitting in traffic and looking for a parking space, there wasn’t enough time to get nervous.  Actually walked out of the Museum, to the line, stopped for about 30 seconds and took off.  I didn’t get to start up front so I had a few obstacles at the start and I was actually surprised with the pace at which the race started.  I may have went out a little fast, but it is hard not getting caught up in the moment.  I felt real strong the whole run except for the last mile or so.  I never ran over 12 miles in training so I was kind of expecting that.  My goal going in was 1 hour 35 minutes and I came across in 1:33:07.  I was drained at the end; to the point that I told my wife after finishing that I would never do that again.  However, it is about 4 hours later and cant wait to run another one.  Before my next half though I have to figure out if I want to continue to work towards Albany and a full, or hold off and enjoy the many local 5, 10, and 15 k races coming up.

Only 9 days left until my first 1/2 marathon.  It is crazy to think how fast it has gotten here.  I am going into it a little uncertain what to expect since a 5k if the only distance in which I have raced.  I read where you should consider the Half to be a 10 mile run with a 5k at the end.  I think I like this Philosophy.  I have thought about what kind of time I would like to run and I have set a goal for an hour and 35 minutes, but at the same time, have told myself to be happy with anything under an hour and 45 since this is my first one.  My training has gone well.  I recently ran a 12 mile run in 1:26 minutes which gives me confidence that I can reach that above goal.  This past Tuesday I did some interval work around the school track and according to my Garmin I ran my first mile repeat at 5:32, which is about 15 seconds faster than I had ever done before. I am excited about my progress through this plan; I can really feel myself getting faster and stronger.  The biggest difference however is with the recovery runs.  I find myself running 4 to 5 miles at an easy(7:15-7:30) pace and when I get done it is almost like I haven’t gotten started good.  One negative however is that I have developed black toe on my left foot.  It isn’t painful, but it looks awful.   

My little girl celebrates her first birthday tomorrow.  Man, I think 08 was the fastest year of my life.  Along with looking back on the year that is coming to an end, I can also look forward to what awaits me in 09.  I am pushing myself to new levels both physically and mentally.  I have already entered the half marathon in W.R. coming up in January and I am still planning to run a full marathon in Albany in March.  People (including me) don’t realize how you have to push yourself mentally during long runs.  Having never ran a race further than a 5k, I have never truly respected the mental side of running.  I still have only done a long run of 11 miles(12 coming up this Sat.),  but I can see how you have to both prepare mentally and physically for this sport.   

I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas.  This was a special Christmas for myself because it was the first for my daughter.  She really didn’t know what was going on, but she had no problems ripping into some presents.  It is amazing how fast the last two days flew by.  I am now officially a full time runner, because every gift I received had something to do with running.  The biggest was a Garmin(totally caught off guard).  I haven’t figured everything out with it yet, so if anyone has some tips, please share.  Also this holiday season we get to celebrate my daughter’s 1st birthday.  She was born last year on New Years Day.  And lastly, in keeping with the celebrations, I will be turning 27 on Jan. 3rd. 

…I love sleep.  I originally planned to run in the raindeer run this past Sat., but my love for sleeping got the best of me.  When I woke up at 9:15 I realized I wasn’t going to make the start line.  Of course when I looked at the results I immediately regretted missing the race.

Training is still going well.  I am hitting all my distances and keeping a pretty good pace.  I recently did my first speed workout and was able to hit the goal times I set for myself.  I couldn’t walk the next day in comfort, but I ran a handful of 800’s between 2:52 and 2:58.  I have an 8 mile long run scheduled for Saturday.  I have only run 8 miles once before so I am about to get into some uncharted waters.  Also I have been reading about the problems runners have with dogs and I can sympathize now.  Recently I have started encountering 3 familiar faces in the neighborhood.  One is a friendly terrier that is sort of the neighborhood dog.  He will run with me about 1/4 mile and then stop and wait for me to come back.  He greets me at the finish with a smile.  The other two however are a pug and a chihuahua that aren’t as friendly.  When they come for you it is like you have a magnet in your Achilles heal.  They don’t chase long, but when they do it is time to pick up the pace.