Back to Tampa Palms and a tour of the neighborhoods. This time we did 8 miles and it felt like an "easy" run. My how the distances have changed in 5 months.
It is hard to believe but I think that I will miss the way early get togethers with this crowd. It has been an incredible experience but it is great to see so many friends working so hard to get to a combined result. They are an inspiring bunch and I am very proud to be amongst them. Go TEAM!!!
Time to do more stretching, a little more running and just enjoy this experience. The race is only 2 weeks away. Wow!
Go Team
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Where are we now?
The nineteenth brought us to Bayshore for another group run. This was a 5 miler and again alongside the bay. Fun run with a good gathering. Told everyone that Jenn was coming on Friday and they needed to show her what a big group of runners was like since she has only three or four others.
After she arrived Friday night from VA, we bedded her down for the 4:30 wake up call. We were doing a 5:45 start since we had 12 miles to go and needed extra time.
Got to the site in New Tampa and everybody was real friendly and welcomed Jenn from another chapter. Good job team.
Did the same 8 mile loop that we did the last time there and then had to go two more miles further and double back. We did the whole distance and then some. We had a delayed start as Jenn put Bacitracin on her heal blister and that made the bandaid slide off just like butter on a hot skillet. After several tries and some of our hydration water, she was able to get it reasonably set in place. We then got down to business and put one foot in front of the other for a fairly long time.
Since there was the double back, we passed the faster runners as they were heading back so it was fun. Lots of high fives and Go Teams.
We both survived the distance and our time was still within the allotted pace to make us pretty darn sure that 13.1 was attainable within 4 hours.
No team running this Wednesday and Saturday is an "easy" 9. We are tapering now to get healthy and ready for the 13th.
The raffle still is going on and is getting good response. Fund raising has been tougher than I had expected but it is for such a good cause it is okay that it is not easy.
A big boost from the f0lks at Belfor for their big group donation. Also a special thanks to Mimi's for the second gift certificate for the raffle when I went in to discuss the expiration date which they so graciously extended as did the Outback Folks. Also a big Gracie to the Olive Garden, thanks Tom for your dontation as well.
Connie, you rock, and your donation will be very helpful.
We are almost there. I have visualized the finish line crossing and they say that is all I need to make it there.
Get the cameras ready cuz we got a photo shoot to prepare for.
Go Team
After she arrived Friday night from VA, we bedded her down for the 4:30 wake up call. We were doing a 5:45 start since we had 12 miles to go and needed extra time.
Got to the site in New Tampa and everybody was real friendly and welcomed Jenn from another chapter. Good job team.
Did the same 8 mile loop that we did the last time there and then had to go two more miles further and double back. We did the whole distance and then some. We had a delayed start as Jenn put Bacitracin on her heal blister and that made the bandaid slide off just like butter on a hot skillet. After several tries and some of our hydration water, she was able to get it reasonably set in place. We then got down to business and put one foot in front of the other for a fairly long time.
Since there was the double back, we passed the faster runners as they were heading back so it was fun. Lots of high fives and Go Teams.
We both survived the distance and our time was still within the allotted pace to make us pretty darn sure that 13.1 was attainable within 4 hours.
No team running this Wednesday and Saturday is an "easy" 9. We are tapering now to get healthy and ready for the 13th.
The raffle still is going on and is getting good response. Fund raising has been tougher than I had expected but it is for such a good cause it is okay that it is not easy.
A big boost from the f0lks at Belfor for their big group donation. Also a special thanks to Mimi's for the second gift certificate for the raffle when I went in to discuss the expiration date which they so graciously extended as did the Outback Folks. Also a big Gracie to the Olive Garden, thanks Tom for your dontation as well.
Connie, you rock, and your donation will be very helpful.
We are almost there. I have visualized the finish line crossing and they say that is all I need to make it there.
Get the cameras ready cuz we got a photo shoot to prepare for.
Go Team
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Revisitting the parking lots at Fort DeSoto
We were scheduled for another multi county gathering at Fort DeSoto Park yesterday. A 6:30 gathering time with an hours drive meant the alarm went off at 4:30 AM (in the middle of the night). Since I knew MacDonalds was closed, I opted for a double oatmeal and a high fiber, dense slab of bread with peanut butter. A couple of shake glasses full of water to start the hydration. I filled three of the water belt bottles with Accelerade to try that instead of Gatorade. Out the door in the pitch black of night and on to the run.
Both counties were well represented and we had a good turnout. We did a group stretch and then headed out. Just then the two shake glasses of water got my attention. A quick detour through the men's room and I was out on the trail behind just about everyone. I am not daunted by being last thanks to my preparation in previous training events so I just started my pace that I ran last Wednesday. I had fun as I approached and passed some of the walkers. Lots of Go Teams and Good Mornings and Boy is it Dark still.
When I hit the first water stop at around 1.5 miles, I was just about to hit the Parking Lots That Go On Forever. I was still running and feeling that my pace was good. I ran most of the way through the parking lots and by the time I turned around, I was a little past 38 minutes so I was around a 15 minute pace. I made a quick water stop at the near end of the PLTGOF and refilled my water bottles and was off again. I had passed a lot of the runners as they finished the parking lots while I was starting them and we High Fived and Go Teamed a bunch. It is fun to have the camaraderie even if I can't run as fast.
After the parking lots I didn't see any one else until the 5 mile mark which is in the center of the island. The sun was up by then and I was just plain marvelling at how far I had come since July. This is the real kick from the training. I was completing nearly 5 miles and not feeling any pain or exhaustion. I was determining that my pace is the same as the beat for Scott Joplin's Mapleleaf Rag. Now music is playing in my head and I am enjoying my surroundings, seeing the flock of birds taking off, the warmth of Florida Training and how well the wicking material in my hat draws the sweat to the end of the bill of my cap and drips it out in front of me.
Good health is a blessing we so often take for granted. Now I take a moment to think about the struggles of those that are involved in their chemotherapy treatments. I know that this Team in Training stuff is really worthwhile. I shake out my hands and know that 10 miles are to be done today. I sail by the 5 mile water stop and for the next couple miles I get to see my faster teammates again as they are on their way back from the other end of the island to complete their runs back at the 5 mile water stop.
I reach the flag pole at the 6 mile mark. Turning now to head back was what I did on my first 7 mile run. I remember how tired I was then but here I go on to the cul-de-sac that marks the far other end of the island. This is the only part that I need to push since when I get out there, I know that have to get back so there is no pushing yourself to new territory when you are returning. I get to the end of the trail and out onto the road to go to the cul-de-sac now in sight.
Now I can see the full span of the Sunshine Skyway bridge...nice view. I round the turn and head for the finish. All 10 miles done in 2:31 avg 15:06 and energy to spare for a dash for the final 100 yards. 13.1 is now within reach.
Both counties were well represented and we had a good turnout. We did a group stretch and then headed out. Just then the two shake glasses of water got my attention. A quick detour through the men's room and I was out on the trail behind just about everyone. I am not daunted by being last thanks to my preparation in previous training events so I just started my pace that I ran last Wednesday. I had fun as I approached and passed some of the walkers. Lots of Go Teams and Good Mornings and Boy is it Dark still.
When I hit the first water stop at around 1.5 miles, I was just about to hit the Parking Lots That Go On Forever. I was still running and feeling that my pace was good. I ran most of the way through the parking lots and by the time I turned around, I was a little past 38 minutes so I was around a 15 minute pace. I made a quick water stop at the near end of the PLTGOF and refilled my water bottles and was off again. I had passed a lot of the runners as they finished the parking lots while I was starting them and we High Fived and Go Teamed a bunch. It is fun to have the camaraderie even if I can't run as fast.
After the parking lots I didn't see any one else until the 5 mile mark which is in the center of the island. The sun was up by then and I was just plain marvelling at how far I had come since July. This is the real kick from the training. I was completing nearly 5 miles and not feeling any pain or exhaustion. I was determining that my pace is the same as the beat for Scott Joplin's Mapleleaf Rag. Now music is playing in my head and I am enjoying my surroundings, seeing the flock of birds taking off, the warmth of Florida Training and how well the wicking material in my hat draws the sweat to the end of the bill of my cap and drips it out in front of me.
Good health is a blessing we so often take for granted. Now I take a moment to think about the struggles of those that are involved in their chemotherapy treatments. I know that this Team in Training stuff is really worthwhile. I shake out my hands and know that 10 miles are to be done today. I sail by the 5 mile water stop and for the next couple miles I get to see my faster teammates again as they are on their way back from the other end of the island to complete their runs back at the 5 mile water stop.
I reach the flag pole at the 6 mile mark. Turning now to head back was what I did on my first 7 mile run. I remember how tired I was then but here I go on to the cul-de-sac that marks the far other end of the island. This is the only part that I need to push since when I get out there, I know that have to get back so there is no pushing yourself to new territory when you are returning. I get to the end of the trail and out onto the road to go to the cul-de-sac now in sight.
Now I can see the full span of the Sunshine Skyway bridge...nice view. I round the turn and head for the finish. All 10 miles done in 2:31 avg 15:06 and energy to spare for a dash for the final 100 yards. 13.1 is now within reach.
Wednesday by the Bay or You ate what?
Team training this week was back at Bayshore along Tampa Bay. I got tied up with work and got a late start. I was really anxious to run with the team since I had missed last Saturday so I rushed out of the house without any fuel in my stomach. I knew I needed something to eat but couldn't figure how to do it and still arrive on time. I looked at my Garmin and felt a quick stop might be doable.
I pulled into the Golden Arches and grabbed a large Number 1 meal (for those of you on healthy eating plans that is a Big Mac and Large order of Fries...of course, I orde red a Diet Coke). Well that all got consumed on the way to the park in Downtown Tampa. When I arrived, itwas really dark, no moon and the sunset is early now. I saw what looked like my team already out and running. I passed them and continued on down to the park where I parked my car and got out to a quiet area with no teammates milling around as I usually see before the run. I still wanted the fun of running with team and since we run out and back on the same sidewalk, I figured I would just go and see if I could catch any of the walkers. I did not take the time to stretch so I just started plodding along trying to figure what my plan was for this 5 miles. I had tried 4 minutes running with 2 minutes walking, 1 minute running with 2 minutes walking, 7 minutes running with 1 and a half minutes walking and none had been perfect. Since I was already behind everyone, I just ran. I got to the half mile mark where the neighborhood ends and the Bayshore begins. There is a concrete railing along the bay and a nice wide concrete pedestrian path separated from the car traffic by a wide grass strip. There is more light by this point from streetlights, car traffic and no trees. You can see the whole of Downtown Tampa and several high rise condos and across the Bay so the run is pretty. I was feeling pretty good when I got to Euclid which was the 1.5 mile mark and said "Why not just see how far you can run before you walk this time." I had my GU with me and my water belt so at 2 miles I took my first GU. Coach Steve had suggested one every half hour and at my pace, I was there, but still running.
I got all the way to the turnaround point at 2.5 when I finally stopped for a bit of a walk. I walked for about 2.5 minutes and decided I wanted to see if I could keep my time up since the first half (with all my MacDonald's carb and fat) really felt good. I started to run again and before I knew it, I was back at Euclid with only 1.5 miles to go. I was now trying to figure out how to get a Number 1 meal in Arizona at 5:30 am before the race. Coach Steve met me about 1.25 miles out and ran with me for a while. He asked how I was doing and I told him terrible. He said really? And I told him that I had been trying to eat healthier during my training but I never felt as good as I did tonight and I was all mixed up about how I should fuel for my half Marathon. Since he always said try everything during training so there is nothing new at race time, I began to think that MacDonald's Stock might go up by January 13 if my training took this new information into account.
I actually had enough energy at the end to kick it as I came into the parking lot and I flaunted my Superpowers as I came to the rest of the group. I explained my quandry to several of the others and they thought that maybe I had hit on the right plan for pre race carb loading.
It was a fun experience and my first Guilt Free MacDonald's meal in some time.
I pulled into the Golden Arches and grabbed a large Number 1 meal (for those of you on healthy eating plans that is a Big Mac and Large order of Fries...of course, I orde red a Diet Coke). Well that all got consumed on the way to the park in Downtown Tampa. When I arrived, itwas really dark, no moon and the sunset is early now. I saw what looked like my team already out and running. I passed them and continued on down to the park where I parked my car and got out to a quiet area with no teammates milling around as I usually see before the run. I still wanted the fun of running with team and since we run out and back on the same sidewalk, I figured I would just go and see if I could catch any of the walkers. I did not take the time to stretch so I just started plodding along trying to figure what my plan was for this 5 miles. I had tried 4 minutes running with 2 minutes walking, 1 minute running with 2 minutes walking, 7 minutes running with 1 and a half minutes walking and none had been perfect. Since I was already behind everyone, I just ran. I got to the half mile mark where the neighborhood ends and the Bayshore begins. There is a concrete railing along the bay and a nice wide concrete pedestrian path separated from the car traffic by a wide grass strip. There is more light by this point from streetlights, car traffic and no trees. You can see the whole of Downtown Tampa and several high rise condos and across the Bay so the run is pretty. I was feeling pretty good when I got to Euclid which was the 1.5 mile mark and said "Why not just see how far you can run before you walk this time." I had my GU with me and my water belt so at 2 miles I took my first GU. Coach Steve had suggested one every half hour and at my pace, I was there, but still running.
I got all the way to the turnaround point at 2.5 when I finally stopped for a bit of a walk. I walked for about 2.5 minutes and decided I wanted to see if I could keep my time up since the first half (with all my MacDonald's carb and fat) really felt good. I started to run again and before I knew it, I was back at Euclid with only 1.5 miles to go. I was now trying to figure out how to get a Number 1 meal in Arizona at 5:30 am before the race. Coach Steve met me about 1.25 miles out and ran with me for a while. He asked how I was doing and I told him terrible. He said really? And I told him that I had been trying to eat healthier during my training but I never felt as good as I did tonight and I was all mixed up about how I should fuel for my half Marathon. Since he always said try everything during training so there is nothing new at race time, I began to think that MacDonald's Stock might go up by January 13 if my training took this new information into account.
I actually had enough energy at the end to kick it as I came into the parking lot and I flaunted my Superpowers as I came to the rest of the group. I explained my quandry to several of the others and they thought that maybe I had hit on the right plan for pre race carb loading.
It was a fun experience and my first Guilt Free MacDonald's meal in some time.
Disney does me in
Judy and I took advantage of the Disney tickets which we bought when Frank, Lisa and Miranda came to visit and went to see the lights at the MGM studio last weekend. They light up all the back lot building and string a lot of moving displays over the street. Lots of fun and lots of music (sometimes the lights dance in time with the music). That kept me away from the team run on Saturday so I tried to do it myself on Sunday. I went to the Upper Tampa Bay Trail which I had run before since I had wanted to do a 9 mile run. I got a late start and was feeling worn out from the trip to Disney and the drive back that morning. Just did not have it in me and fizzled at about 6 miles. It was getting late and the park was going to close soon anyway so I justified stopping early. Still got in extra distance but not as much as I had planned. Maybe we will postpone any more weekend distractions between now and PF Chang in Arizona.
Running with the animals
December 5 we moved our group Wednesday run to an new location...the Lowry Park Zoo. There was a Christmas 5k Jingle Bell Run which drew a really huge crowd. This was my first race. We arrived early and had plenty of time as a group before the race. I was registered by a little after 6:00 and the race did not start until after 7:00 PM. One of my team brought jingle bells so we decked ourselves with a lot of jingling.
The parking lot was loaded with people when the flow of bobbing heads started to move. The mass moved along slowly until we hit the first bridge over a culvert. That slowed us even more. After the bridge, we started to move and by the turn at the big tree we were spreading out. After we got less crowded we went into the Zoo entrance and cones were set up to move us around the zoo. I have never seen the zoo so fast. We raced on the wooden walkways which overlook the bears and flamingos and down through the displays for the snakes and manatees. A lot of doublebacks so we would see one side of the walkway going up and the other coming back. We were directed back outside again and then back in for another spin by the animals.
Most were sleeping but the Christmas music was playing and it was lots of fun. The finish line opened out to the area where the spouting water sprays usually cool off visiting little ones but this time instead of water sprays, we had decadent chocolate cake, pizza and beer. That is a fun way to finish your running.
We had a good team turnout and lots of fun. My 3 miles finished in 44:10 which is below the 15 minute mark which will finish my half Marathon in fine fashion.
The parking lot was loaded with people when the flow of bobbing heads started to move. The mass moved along slowly until we hit the first bridge over a culvert. That slowed us even more. After the bridge, we started to move and by the turn at the big tree we were spreading out. After we got less crowded we went into the Zoo entrance and cones were set up to move us around the zoo. I have never seen the zoo so fast. We raced on the wooden walkways which overlook the bears and flamingos and down through the displays for the snakes and manatees. A lot of doublebacks so we would see one side of the walkway going up and the other coming back. We were directed back outside again and then back in for another spin by the animals.
Most were sleeping but the Christmas music was playing and it was lots of fun. The finish line opened out to the area where the spouting water sprays usually cool off visiting little ones but this time instead of water sprays, we had decadent chocolate cake, pizza and beer. That is a fun way to finish your running.
We had a good team turnout and lots of fun. My 3 miles finished in 44:10 which is below the 15 minute mark which will finish my half Marathon in fine fashion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
