Running on Empty!

That's what it felt like I was doing out there this morning. I could blame it on many things but I think I'll go with the heat and humidity. It seemed like the whole run (9.6 mi.) I was in a sauna and had no way to get out.This is the time of year that runners have to be extremely careful until they get used to the heat and humidity. I know it bothers me much more now than in July and August. There is good news though-I just received an e-mail that my new running shoes have been shipped and are on the way. Hopefully here by June 1st National Running Day!

Light My Fire!

Lately my runs have been a little sluggish and I am not sure why. I was staring a 9 mi. run in the face so I knew I needed something to light a fire under me(now you get the title). Time to go from my training playlist to my race playlist. On my training MP-3 I have all my cd's downloaded but on my race Oakley's I have only 50's, 60's, and real early 70's music. I mean if you can't pick up the pace when you hear Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels blasting out "Devil with Blue Dress On " then something is wrong.
      Needless to say I had a much better run today and now I think I can go back to my regular playlist for my easy training workouts and use my race playlist for my speed and hill workouts. This worked out so good I even think I will start using music for all my post titles. I am sure that at some point in my runs a certain song or lyric will standout and it will make a great title.

Houston I'm one step closer!

This morning about 5 A.M. I got a text message telling me my qualifying run got me into the Houston Aramco half marathon. I have been stoked up ever since. I have never run this particular race even though I have run the Houston marathon twice(one good-one bad). The most exciting part of the whole race weekend to me is the fact that I will actually get to see the Olympic Marathon trials live. This race will be special to me because I will be watching someone run in the trials who I coached during her high school cross country and track seasons. It will be a special moment for me when I see Meagan Nedlo pass by as one of the best runners in the USA. Did I mention that I am stoked for this race! Ithought I did.

Whatever Happened to the Easy Runs?

What a difference 20+ years make. When I 1st started running it was so easy to run after work. I couldn't wait to get home, lace up the shoes and hit the pavement. It didn't matter what kind of workout-easy,speed, tempo,hills, or a long run-"it just didn't matter". Now I come home(trying not to talk myself out of running while I'm driving home-thank goodness it's only a 25 min.drive) and struggle just to put my shoes on. The runs seem harder to get thru also and all I am running are easy runs that aren't so easy anymore.
    The question comes to mind if it hurts so much then why do I do it, I could say that what doesn't kill you makes you better but the real reason is simple. I still feel a great sense of accoplishment and pride everytime I finish a run no matter the distance or time.

Was I Accepted?

Got in this morning from work at 6:45, took a shower and laid down. Alarm went off at 7:55 a.m. so I got up and signed on to the Houston Chevron Marathon web site. At 8:00 a.m. I began filling out the early registration form. So far so good, I finished the registration and hit submit-of course it didn't take because I had done something wrong(did I mention I am technology challenged).  It seems that I had put my qualifying time in the wrong spot and of course when I tried to correct it, I not only messed up again but somehow I managed to lock up the web site.After 3 more tries I did manage to submit my actual entry( even though Mary said she didn't realize I knew that many different bad words). Now I am just waiting to find out if my qualifying time is accepted and if I will be running the half at Houston this year.

Team in Training

This morning I ran with Jessica's Team in Training in Mckinney. I always enjoy these runs not only because it gives me the oppurtunity to run with my daughter but also because I just enjoy running with Team in Training. In case you are not familiar with TnT, they run for others who cannot. They run and raise money for Lukemia and Lymphoma research. They also raise money for patient care among other things. Jessica's team is made up of 1st time runners, seasoned pro's, and everything in between. It is great to run with runners who are not only helping themselves but helping others. I guess the purpose of this post is to urge you if you have a chance to donate to the TnT runner of your choice. This will make you a part of the Team!

Running after 60

It's hard to believe but I have been running the roads around Pittsburg Tx. since 1989 and I have chronicled every mile run in a log book of some kind or another. Now that I am over 60 It now seems like a good idea to me to share my thoughts about running. I do hope someone will get some enjoyment out of it as I share my daily workouts and runs with everyone. There have been so many changes in running in the last 20+ years that it will take a while to talk about them all. This is one area that I will enjoy talking about because all of you that know me know I don't have a problem talking about running. So check back and see what an old man has to say about running