Spinx Run Fest Race Report

Holy unpreparedness Batman. If you've been reading this blog, you are well aware that I have been suffering in the motivation department lately. Well since I had already paid the $60 entry fee for the half-marathon back when I was getting out and running on a regular basis, I forced myself to toe the line on Saturday.

I must say that it was PERFECT racing weather. Cool, overcast, with no wind, but a slight mist that couldn't even be considered a drizzle. Running is a funny thing, because it can make you feel like you are invincible and can run as long as you want, but it can also make you feel like you cannot take another step. The first 3 miles of the race were the invincible part, the last 10.1, not so much. Maybe there is something to this whole "preparing" for a race.

The first 4 miles seemed like they were all downhill, which had me worried about when we were going to have to pay the piper. It came at miles 8 and 9. Almost completely uphill with no breaks. But by then I had found someone to stick to as a pacer. Mile 11 was the hardest for me because I wanted so much to walk for a little while, but I knew if I didn't stop I would have a shot at breaking 2 hours. Once I got to the 12 mile market, I knew I had a shot, but the course was set up so that you couldn't see the stadium and , thus, the finish line until you were right up on it. I kept wondering if the 12 mile market had been placed to early.

So finally the Greenville Drive baseball stadium comes into view and by this point I was ignoring some of the pain and got swept up in the moment. Mile 13 was run at 7:30 pace and I ended with a chip time of 1:59:11 and a clock time of 1:59: 53. Overall it was a great run.

Not preparing for a race and then running better than expected is a double-edge sword. Part of me says, "Whoa, I could have really crushed my pr if I had trained for this race." But then another part says, "Why train when you can break out a sub-2 hr half with no preparation?" A year ago, I was in the midst of training for the St. Jude marathon and ran this same race (on a different course) at 8:40 pace. So when all is said and done, that's still 30 seconds per mile faster. All I can say is next year, the kids should be healthy, Rachel should be sleeping through the night, and I should have ample time to really put some good speedwork in to rip off a sub 1:50. Write it down...

Against Doctor's Orders

Well, against the advice of my doctor, I finally got back out yesterday for a good 5 miles. No I'm not sick anymore, but I did have a mole taken off my back that required a few stitches. The doc said to lay off from running for about a week. But I've taken so much time off lately and my fitness level is probably the lowest its been in 3 or 4 years. And the half marathon is coming up on Oct 25th. So I had to get out. I had to run with just swinging one arm so as not to tear the stitches, but it was a good run. About 45 degrees, perfect running weather.

For the better part of yesterday I was so pumped about getting back into running and couldn't wait to go again today, but Rachel's teacher called Kristal in the afternoon and she had a 103 temperature. So Kristal took her to the doctor and found it is a virus of some sort. So she's at home today and tomorrow, which means we are tag teaming between working and taking care of her...bottom line, no running today. Maybe she'll get over it today and be back at school tomorrow.

As for yesterday, 5 miles even at 9:27 pace.

Playlist: Phedippidations episode 146 - Running in the Ancient Olympics

In case you were wondering, my first church service on guitar went very well. No obvious mistakes came from me. Also, Luke was so excited for his daddy to be playing the guitar in church. He came into the sactuary before the service started shouting at the top of his lungs, "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY" in kind of a chanting manner. It was a little embarrassing when it happened, but now when I look back on it, I think that is the most proud I've ever been to be a "daddy." I'm thankful for this blog because I get to write down these snapshots that happen as I go through life. When I'm on my deathbed, I'm sure that will be one of the memories that I recall as a great moment in life.

New Pics

Luke and Papa Jim
The 1st pony ride
Which one is the Orangutan?
Luke and Rachel "wrestling" mom on the bed.

Its been a while since I've posted any pictures. Here are a few from our trip to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia this past weekend.

Sick and Tired

Everyone loves the fall. Cooler temps, leaves changing colors, clearer skies...not me. I long for the long days of summer. When you can get up at 6 am for a run and it is already starting to get lighter outside. When you can pick your kids up from day care and still have a good 3 hours of daylight to run around and play outside. And when you don't have to deal with allergies and sickness as a rule of everyday life.

My family has been passing around a cold for the last 3 weeks. Anyone that has children will know that a 3 yr old, a 7 mo old, and a severe cold do not go well together. Its been a while since Kristal and I had a full night's sleep. Sure we're irratable, but at least experience tells us now that it gets better as they get older. Luke is very rarely sick (I secretly think its because he has built up a killer immune system because I don't make him wash his hands before dinner). Rachel has yet another ear infection and a bad cold. We are going to the operating room this Friday for her to have tubes put in her ears. Hopefully this will be the "miracle cure" that everyone as told us it will be.

As far as running, I've been pretty unproductive. I ran a grand total of 4.25 miles last week and have yet to get out this week. Until I can shake this cold, I don't see much running in my near future. Only trouble is that I am supposed to be in the meat of my half marathon training schedule for the Spinx runfest on Oct 25th. I hope I can get well in time to do a couple of long runs before it gets here.

I'm going to have to rearrange my schedule so that I can get out in the afternoon or some other time than my usual 6 to 7 am. It's still pitch black dark out at that time and my running routes around here do no have the best lighting. A couple of times in the last 2 weeks, I've set the alarm for 5:50 and just don't even roll out of bed. Got to work on my motivation...

On a different note (no pun intended), I practiced with the church band for the 1st time last night and it went really well. I don't play with others all the much, but that feeling you get when you're right on time with everyone else and you can actually feel the music is untouchable. I would rank it right up there with a great run. So I must have held my own at this first session because they invited me to play at the Sunday morning service. I'm nervous and excited about it. I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's our playlist for Sunday:

Lord Reign on Me segue into He Leadeth Me
God is Good All the Time
Change My Heart, Oh God
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)segue into Everything is in Your Hands