Monday Update - 24 SEP 2007

305.5

This Week: +2.0 lb
September Total: 1.0 lb
Total: 35.0 lb

Hmmmm.....up 2 this week? I'm not real sure what to make of it. I would like to say it's a water issue and will be back down tomorrow, but I don't have that feeling today. If I had to give some sort of reason for it I would say that I didn't make the best food choices and didn't adjust my eating considering the reduction in exercise. Because, believe it or not, you can't continue to eat the same way, stop exercising and expect to not gain weight.

52:23

That, my friends is my time in the School House 5k on Saturday. Well, at least the "recorded" time. As I expected I was at the back of the pack. But, I wasn't last!!!

After just the first 1/2 mile I watch the dust of all the ones in front of me run out of sight believing that I was bringing up the rear in last. As I approached the 1 mi mark I "knew" I was last, but didn't get down about it, mainly because I expected it and was just focused on doing the best I could do and finish under my goal of 55 minutes. When I reached the 1 mi mark the volunteer called out the split time at the same time my Garmin hit the 1 mi auto-lap. And that split time...14:59!!! Yes, a sub 15 minute mile! That sounds like a big improvement over my fastest mile but there is an explanation for it I will get to in another post.

About 5 minutes after I passes the 1 mi mark a woman started to pass me and I thought she was just somebody just out walking but as she got next to me I saw her race bib. At first I thought "WOW, I wasn't last, But I am now." She then told me there were 2 more behind her. "Yeah, I'm still not last!"

At one point those 2 got to within 30 yards of me....especially after I took a wrong turn. Yes, you read that right, I took a wrong turn in a race with the course marked on the road. However, some of the arrows were hard to see unless you were on top of them, and they were not always on the same side of the road. When I made the wrong turn I looked for the arrow on the right side of the road (as were all the other arrows), but in this case it was a left hand turn so the arrow was on the left side of the road. It didn't take me long to have that "this isn't right" feeling as I knew there was supposed to be a hill right after I turned onto that road. It was when I turned around and saw the hill that I knew what I had done wrong. That and seeing Mike (mgreene in the comments) coming down the hill from his 2mi mark outpost.

I make my way back on course and up the hill to the 2 mile mark. Ah, finally the 2 mile mark!! The best thing about the 2 mi mark is not that it marks the almost 2/3 point but because it is right at the highest elevation on the course and is all down hill for the final 1.11 mi. I took advantage of the down hill and ran for a couple minutes to cushion my "lead". Soon after I went back to walking, Mike caught up with me for the trip back to the finish line. Even though the last mile is down hill, it was almost the hardest. Not because of being tired or sore, but because the last 1/2-3/4 mi wasn't shaded and the heat was starting to become an issue (it was in the mid 80s at the finish).

So, I've now done my first race. I haven't yet gone back to the GPS log to figure out my real time...minus the wrong turn...and forgetting to hit stop when I finished. I actually think my real time might be sub 50:00. On top of the 5k, we had our company picnic Saturday. So, my legs are a little stiff and sore today, but will be back to normal soon. I am actually looking forward to tomorrow morning when I plan to get out and truly train for the next race. I now have something to go by as a comparison as I train. While improving my overtime is obviously a goal my real goal right now is to increase my running stamina. I have this 2-2.5 minute wall I hit in my running segments when I just feel like I have to stop and go back to walking. There no pain involved, just some fatigue. After a few minutes walk I can do another 2 minute run. I just need to push down the wall and start to increase my running segments.

And finally....this week is setting up to be something magical. The most exciting thing is the wish party this Friday. (Wow, its hard to believe its already here!!) Also this week I should be getting a check from Trideum for the employee match from August donations. That check will put us over the $5,000 mark in received donations!!!! Then, on top of that, I hope to finish the month with a good week and ultimately good results. I so much want to finish under 300 and hit the 40 pound mark!!! And speaking of a little magic, my wife and I are getting excited about our upcoming trip to WDW on Oct 6th. This trip will be pure vacation as we are staying in a cabin at Fort Wilderness.

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!