Holiday Hustle

This week I was happy to receive a picture of me approaching the finish line in the 5K I ran in Dexter on December 13. Although I surely don't look thrilled, I was actually quite happy, as I neared the finish line and could see that I was going to break my half-hour goal (I finished in 29:29). Now to keep pushing it downward! I'm contemplating doing another 5K on March 15, and am tentatively thinking I'd like to shoot for 29 minutes.

Winter running

In recent weeks, I have switched to inside running at Bally, on their track. The cold wouldn't bother me, but with the footing less than optimal, and my balance destroyed by my accident, I dare not try to run outside. It's going well, though - I'm set to close the books on 2008 with about 1180 miles ... slightly short of the 1200 I thought I might make, but still a substantial improvement over 2007. The hamstring injury I suffered last December held me to 932.2 miles, missing the goal I had set of 1000 miles. But this year I've done much better, even with the late start after my hamstring healed. (I couldn't do my first run of 2008 until March 17.) So that gives me hope that I can make 1400 miles in 2009 ... or perhaps even 1500.

Official results

The computer results from Saturday's 5K ("Holiday Hustle") are now in. I'm not precisely certain how many runners were in the field, but they told us almost 800. I finished 360th overall, and 191st among men - #12 our of 19 in my age group, with a chip time of 29:29:52. Not bad improvement over how I've done in the past, and now, onward and upward!

Post-Holiday Hustle

Today's 5K in Dexter went well, though was not without its adventures. I had misread the materials, and didn't realize the 5K was at 4:15, preceded by a 4:00 1-mile "fun run," so when the 4:00 event took off, I went, thinking it was the 5K. Running without my glasses, I didn't discover my error until the closing seconds, when I was coming up at the finish line in just shy of 9 minutes. But then, I just considered it a good warmup, and after a brief rest, we were off for the 5K. It had been described as a "hilly, silly out and back course," and that it was - quite pleasant, winding through the small town of Dexter, and although I had been concerned about the footing, it turned out not to be a problem. A light snowfall (in a 32-degree temperature) made it seem quite festive and seasonal, and, although the light was waning by the time I finished, and gone by the time Michelle and I got back to our Ann Arbor home, this was not a problem. Best of all, my protracted warmup didn't hurt, but rather, seemed to have helped me. I had aimed at a goal of a half hour, and, though I will wait for the final word of my computer chip time. I recorded 29:32 (9:31 pace) on my watch, and saw about the same on the clock at the finish line, so I'm quite certain I made my goal. I had been advised to aim at a split of 9:00 for 1 mile (I hit the sign at 9:26, concerning me somewhat) and 19:00 for 2 miles (I never saw a sign). Now ... onwards! I think I'll shoot for 29 minutes in the next one I run (March 15, I believe).

Holiday Hustle

In two days (Saturday, Dec. 13) I will run another 5K race ... the humorously named "Holiday Hustle," in the small town of Dexter, about 10 miles west of us. I will once more be attempting to break my goal of a half hour, but much will doubtless depend on the footing. If I have to pick my way carefully, then forget it. But if I can turn it loose (at least such as I am able), then at least I have a chance, I believe.