Last time with the group was Wednesday night at Bayshore. Tapering, tapering, tapering. Easy 3 mile jog. Nothing to it. Kinda dark but exciting...this is the last group run before the big run. Wow.
Running with Coach Steve and Debbie. Hit the dark area. Sidewalk turns to driveway. Concrete turns to blacktop. I turn to talk with Steve. Debbie makes a slight misstep. Steve lurches toward Debbie to steady her. Debbie gets her balance. Debbie glides onto the blacktop like a gazelle. I sidestep like a lumbering bear. I step onto the blacktop. I topple like a house of cards. I drop to the blacktop and try to roll. I smack my forehead. I drag the top of my knee along the blactop. I slide on my forearm near my elbow. I roll my arm mysteriously and slide along the top of my forearm. I stop. Wait....I am in training. Try everything you are going to do in the half marathon during training. I don't need to fall during the half marathon. I get up. Steve says to wipe the blood on my forehead because it is about to go in my eye. I say no way until he takes a picture...I earned this for all my training.
I left bad mojo on the sidewalk because Marai comes up behind and trips in the same spot and twists her ankle.
Wow...maybe that was one training session too many.
Well I am okay and the bleeding has stopped. Judy has just landed at the airport from her business trip. I tell her about the fall and my battlescars. I am heading home when the flashes of white light start to flash in my right eye. Hmmm...concussion? Maybe I should have this checked out.
That was 8:00 PM. Got home from the hospital at 2:00 AM. Cat scan said I was okay and they couldn't find anything to stitch. Unproductive time spent and now I am pooped. Got some ointment to prevent infection.
We that is all behind me now. The event is Sunday.
Fly out with Judy and the team on Friday to Phoenix. Southwest makes a great announcement for the whole plane about us and our involvement with TnT and L&L Society. Wow we're celebrities.
Landed and met up with Jenn and then Frank Lisa and Miranda. Got a big van and headed for Flagstaff where we had rented a house for the week. Great run through Sedona and the Red Rocks. Beautiful!!
Back to Phoenix on Saturday to go to the Expo and get souvenirs, stuff, and our race packages. Met the team for shirt decoration and last minute instructions.
Short night sleep in the hotel and an early start with the team.
Bus ride to the starting area and met up with Jenn. Did not see Lisa but since she is going faster, she is in an earlier corral than Jenn and I.
We are jammed in with 1,000 half marathoners looking to go at our pace. There are a lot of slow folks here but all are really excited. We move forward every two minutes as another 1,000 move on. About an hour after the initial gun, we are off.
So incredibly exciting. The bands were terrific...the cheerers were terrific...the race watchers were terrific. Wow! Am I having fun.
We passed some, some passed us. Lots of purple jerseys of fellow TnT participants.
Frank got pictures from the van about the halfway mark. Judy got some near the end. Bea took our cameras out ahead and got some of us coming along.
The bridge from Scottsdale to Tempe was pretty and the night concert stand was being readied along the roadway. We are approaching mile 13. Down a narrowing chute as we approach the finish line. We are actually going to make it. I remembered Bill Conway's advice to enjoy the final yards....got time for some good pix. Cheered and displayed my honored teammates for all to see. What a great feeling. Crossed the line to the announcer's comments and learned that with the right preparation, mighty terrific results can be attained.
Team Daniel was united at the finish line and we celebrated, got pix and then went to join the rest of the family. Lots of hugs, cheers, and some stiffness.
After the post race festivities, it was off to the hotel for an icy cold tub to fend off the inflammation and an hour or so of power nap to get ready for the victory party.
Lots of fun and exuberance at the party as well as dancing. Roaring cheers for the results of the fund raising by TnT for this one event of over 3 Million Dollars.
The rest of the week was spent in enjoying Arizona's sights and the trip house with the hot tub and the trampoline. Note to self....13.1 miles is do-able with minimal distress to the body. 13.1 seconds on the trampoline nearly did me in.
Flew home on Friday and woke up on Saturday wondering what to do with all my extra time since I am not doing grueling distance runs to prepare for my first Half Marathon. I did however give some thought to another. Virginia Beach has another Rock and Roll Half Marathon in the summer which will net us our 26.2 mile pin to go with the 13.1 mile pin we have now. Well maybe another blog can be anticipated.
Three cheers to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for their great work. Three more to Team in Training for making such a successful program to support their work and to support all the athletes who Train, Endure, Achieve and Matter. Go Team!!
Three more for the great folks in Suncoast Chapter who were so supportive all the way along. Coach Steve, Mentor Marai, Aimee, Bill, Marianne, Robin, Sandy, Rick, Coach Bea and all the others who helped me through this very memorable process. Old and fat...a Clydesdale...but now I can add the title of Runner.
Also special thanks to my new friends who were out there both first time and alumni, Linda, Kelly, Joe, Phil, Eric, Tommy and all the rest for your great spirit and sharing this with me, you are a great group.
Lastly, my one more really big cheer for my inspiration, Janice...I hope you know how much you helped me on this and I know we will do more of this together.
I guess that is all for now....thanks to all those that made contributions on my behalf...You are all heroes....thanks from the bottom of my heart.
And thank you Judy for all your support.
Go Team!!!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Happy New Year
It is now January 6...6 plus 7 equals 13...our race will be over in one week. Wow! How the time has flown by but how much has been accomplished.
I am glad that I kept my early notes on my initial struggles to move my feet. I don't think I would really believe the amount of change and that I really kept to this. For a guy who has been able to drop out of almost every physical training endeavor with minimal excuses, I am thrilled to realize that this has gone on for nearly half a year.
I am a runner. I am not fast but I saw a sign the other day at a running store that said " Your easy run is probably longer than most people run in a whole week." I do believe that is true. And I can handle running and I enjoy it.
I have enjoyed my solo runs and my runs with the team and the runs with my daughters. Running has united the three of us in a way that adds a whole new dimension to our relationship. And that is so much better than sharing needles or smoking pot or doing shots to find something that we all can enjoy together. Thanks girls (Kiss Hug Kiss Hug)
This week brought winter to Tampa. Our Wednesday run was down at Bayshore again and it was cold. Hats mittens and sweatshirts on this bunch was a strange sight. We have mostly had 80+ weather and high humidity to deal with, even in our night runs. We all seemed to run faster and nobody seemed to want to hang around and chat afterward.
We did a tapering 5 miles but we did get to see each other and that was good.
Saturday was at the Upper Tampa Bay trail. Started at 7:00 AM and was nearest to home. I almost felt guilty sleeping in so late on a Saturday.
We did another 5 miles but this time the weather had softened to 40 degrees and that is race weather for us. 40 to start and 65 at the finish.
I ran behind Linda who has been a good pace runner as she is a bit faster than I. She was in good form Saturday though and I was catching up while she walked but then she started to run again and was pulling away. I decided she was out of reach so I walked for a short bit. I started my run again and I heard a voice from behind say "How am I going to catch you if you keep running like that?"
I turned and saw Janice behind me and I merely said "Don't worry, you''ll catch me soon enough." She did by mile 1 1/2 when I stopped for water. We ran together from then on. She had her pace set for walk 1 minute run 2. We had a good chat and a good workout. We were nearing the starting pavilion and knew we had to run in so we waited til we were the right distance out and got the run going. We hit the final turn and she had Rocky music on her MP3 player so we had a good pace going. Then I let the long legs loose and we busted for the finish. Finished to cheering and high fives for the last long run. Good feeling and lots of fun with the friendships I have developed along this path.
Joined the crowd (18 of us) at First Watch for breakfast and stories and laughs. A really nice way to finish.
One more Wednesday and we are off to Phoenix. WOW!
I look at the money that is being raised by TEAM DANIEL (and that includes the runners and the my major fund and moral supporter, Judy) and I feel very proud to be one of the Team. We don't often get a chance to make a difference in the lives of strangers. Fortunately for the whole Daniel bunch, we have mostly been spared the challenges that face Leukemia and Lymphoma patients daily. I am truly blessed for not having to have had to explain chemotherapy to my girls or grand daughter and tell them what they would soon have to go through to try to get better. But this does happen far too often. I know that we are providing some assistance to those patients and families with our efforts here.
Also I am so pleased with the response from friends and family and strangers who have opened their hearts and wallets to assist us in our fund-raising efforts. I can not say "Thanks" with enough enthusiasm to get my true feelings across.
Special thanks to Boss Ron, Sandy and Art and Janice for the recent donations. You guys are great and will be in my thoughts as I run next weekend.
Also Special thanks to Steve, Marai, Sandy, Bea, Aimee, Kris, Marianne, Robin, and Bill. You are all exceptionally special people and I am very happy to have met you all and your training and support have gotten me to this point in a healthy and positive way.
I guess that is all for now. May the best of results be received by the patients, may the researchers make HUGE strides this year, and TEAM and TRAINING continue with overwhelming results for the elimination of these terrible diseases.
GO TEAM
I am glad that I kept my early notes on my initial struggles to move my feet. I don't think I would really believe the amount of change and that I really kept to this. For a guy who has been able to drop out of almost every physical training endeavor with minimal excuses, I am thrilled to realize that this has gone on for nearly half a year.
I am a runner. I am not fast but I saw a sign the other day at a running store that said " Your easy run is probably longer than most people run in a whole week." I do believe that is true. And I can handle running and I enjoy it.
I have enjoyed my solo runs and my runs with the team and the runs with my daughters. Running has united the three of us in a way that adds a whole new dimension to our relationship. And that is so much better than sharing needles or smoking pot or doing shots to find something that we all can enjoy together. Thanks girls (Kiss Hug Kiss Hug)
This week brought winter to Tampa. Our Wednesday run was down at Bayshore again and it was cold. Hats mittens and sweatshirts on this bunch was a strange sight. We have mostly had 80+ weather and high humidity to deal with, even in our night runs. We all seemed to run faster and nobody seemed to want to hang around and chat afterward.
We did a tapering 5 miles but we did get to see each other and that was good.
Saturday was at the Upper Tampa Bay trail. Started at 7:00 AM and was nearest to home. I almost felt guilty sleeping in so late on a Saturday.
We did another 5 miles but this time the weather had softened to 40 degrees and that is race weather for us. 40 to start and 65 at the finish.
I ran behind Linda who has been a good pace runner as she is a bit faster than I. She was in good form Saturday though and I was catching up while she walked but then she started to run again and was pulling away. I decided she was out of reach so I walked for a short bit. I started my run again and I heard a voice from behind say "How am I going to catch you if you keep running like that?"
I turned and saw Janice behind me and I merely said "Don't worry, you''ll catch me soon enough." She did by mile 1 1/2 when I stopped for water. We ran together from then on. She had her pace set for walk 1 minute run 2. We had a good chat and a good workout. We were nearing the starting pavilion and knew we had to run in so we waited til we were the right distance out and got the run going. We hit the final turn and she had Rocky music on her MP3 player so we had a good pace going. Then I let the long legs loose and we busted for the finish. Finished to cheering and high fives for the last long run. Good feeling and lots of fun with the friendships I have developed along this path.
Joined the crowd (18 of us) at First Watch for breakfast and stories and laughs. A really nice way to finish.
One more Wednesday and we are off to Phoenix. WOW!
I look at the money that is being raised by TEAM DANIEL (and that includes the runners and the my major fund and moral supporter, Judy) and I feel very proud to be one of the Team. We don't often get a chance to make a difference in the lives of strangers. Fortunately for the whole Daniel bunch, we have mostly been spared the challenges that face Leukemia and Lymphoma patients daily. I am truly blessed for not having to have had to explain chemotherapy to my girls or grand daughter and tell them what they would soon have to go through to try to get better. But this does happen far too often. I know that we are providing some assistance to those patients and families with our efforts here.
Also I am so pleased with the response from friends and family and strangers who have opened their hearts and wallets to assist us in our fund-raising efforts. I can not say "Thanks" with enough enthusiasm to get my true feelings across.
Special thanks to Boss Ron, Sandy and Art and Janice for the recent donations. You guys are great and will be in my thoughts as I run next weekend.
Also Special thanks to Steve, Marai, Sandy, Bea, Aimee, Kris, Marianne, Robin, and Bill. You are all exceptionally special people and I am very happy to have met you all and your training and support have gotten me to this point in a healthy and positive way.
I guess that is all for now. May the best of results be received by the patients, may the researchers make HUGE strides this year, and TEAM and TRAINING continue with overwhelming results for the elimination of these terrible diseases.
GO TEAM
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Taper and get healthy
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
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
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.
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