FOOT SOLUTIONS

Where have I been for the last two days ? I was working at Foot Solutions. I found it interesting that a lady came in and wanted new shoes right before she is going to run a marathon. She is running the White Rock Marathon in 2 weeks. I don't think I would be getting new shoes before a big race. Not only did she get new shoes she also bought inserts to go in them.
If you are having foot problems it's a good place to go. They have lots of different ways to help you.

Next week I start my training program for the Disney Half Marathon in March.

IMPROVED

Like everyone else this morning, we headed down to Dallas for the Turkey Trot. This is one of the biggest Trots in the country. This year there were around 34,00 runners. Some were doing the 3 mile fun run and others the 8 mile not so fun run.

The dogs were signed up for the fun run and were given bibs and scarves. Cocoa was anxious to get started but she had to wait for the 8 mile runners to go first.

Here's a picture of the runners for the 8 mile waiting for the horn. I thought I got a better start this year but still got bumped and pushed with runners trying to weave their way out of the pack. I felt like I was doing good and kept thinking about how Tonya and Katy pushed my pace. There were more hills then I remembered and some of these I had to walk. This year I had my sports beans so I didn't have to look for any used gels on the ground.

One of my goals for this race was to improve from last year, which I did. I finished in 1:48 a pr. and 12 minutes faster than last year.

After the finish I found my family. They were standing at the finish line waiting for me to come in. They didn't know I had finished.

miles today 8 Time 1:48:29 pace 13:34

GETTING READY

Yesterday and today I was at the gym training. We worked on shoulders, back and abs. Of course while I was working out I was thinking about all I had do to get ready for the turkey dinner and the turkey trot. I don't know which is harder to prepare for.

And who even feels like eating a big dinner after running 8 miles. I think I would rather go straight to the desserts. Yum, just give me my pie!

WINDY AND COOL

It was feeling like Fall this morning when I finally got out the door to go for me run. Almost lost my hat and was wishing I had worn gloves. This is good practice for the Trot this Thursday. I guess I need to be prepared for anything.I changed my course a bit and it shortened my run by about a mile.
Miles today 4.33

ZOOMA RACE REPORT

Sunday morning and it was cold and windy. We were up at 5, ate a bagel with peanut butter and had some coffee. Tonya and Loretta were going to follow us to the race site.

Tonya, Katy and me before the race. As you can see the sun isn't even up yet. The only thing bright in the picture are Katy's pink shoes. They are the Newton running shoes I mentioned a few weeks ago. She was trying them out in this race.We had some coffee from Starbucks and they were even giving out oatmeal. That was a nice treat on a cold morning. By the time we got lined up the sun was starting to come out. There were 17oo (mostly women) who signed up for this inaugural race, 500 were doing the 5K. I did spot a guy with a blonde wig and a pink tutu. His hair looked better than mine. Katy and Tonya were nice enough to stay with me and actually pushed me a little harder than what I would have done. The course made a big loop with a straight down and u-turn back into the loop. It was at this point mile 2 that I needed a bathroom. We spotted a Starbucks so I headed over to it and they kept going. I rejoined them and we finished the race.

As we crossed the finish line we were handed a jewelry box and inside was our necklace. On the oval charm it says Atlanta Zooma 11.16.08

miles run this week 10.54

WARRIOR WAY 5K REPORT

Our first race for the weekend was the Warrior Way at North Cobb High School. Riley, Katy and I went over on Friday night to pick up our race packets. We loved the shirts! This also gave us a chance to check out the course. Hills, hills and hills. The first mile is up hill then you come down and turn left into a park which you loop around. I saw Katy and Tonya half way through the loop when I was turning in. As I was coming out of the park Michelle and Riley had started in. Once out of the park you have another steep hill to go up and then the last mile is down hill. At the bottom we turned right and headed behind the school to the track where we finished. My Garmin had quit on me at the start of the race so I had no idea how I was doing but as I entered the track someone said " you're at 38 minutes" that got me moving. I finished in 38:32 a PR for me. Katy and Tonya were there to cheer me on and then we waited for Michelle and Riley to show up. Riley had a strong finish. We were all really proud of her and what she has accomplished.

We're up early, eaten our bananas, had some peanut butter and are ready to leave. This is Riley's first 5K so we are all excited.

There are around 300 runners. We find a spot to line up and wait for the start. The morning is cool and damp from the rain the night before.

Riley and Michelle are behind us. They are going to walk with some running.

The track where we finished .

Katy, Michelle, Riley, me and Tonya pose for a picture after the race.

Here is Riley getting her medal for third place in her age group. Way to go Riley!

My turn for a medal. I took first place but I think I was the only one in my age group. When you get to be my age there isn't a lot of competition.

After the race Katy, Michelle, Riley and I went to The Whistle Stop Cafe for a great breakfast.

Last Workout

Today was my last workout before my races this weekend. Tomorrow I fly to Georgia to run The Warrior Way 5K in Kennesaw on Saturday and then on Sunday The Zooma in Atlanta.
I was so glad she didn't have me work on legs today. We did triceps and chest and some core.

GOOD RUN

Sword Beach in Normandy

It was up to the gym for a 9a.m. training session. Today was 30 minutes of ab workout. Seemed easier today for some reason. After training I went home and changed into shorts and went out for my run. It was a beautiful morning to be running. The temp was around 60 and the sun was shinning. I added some extra streets to my usual run to make it a little longer.

Miles today 5.83

THIRSTY

I didn't want to be a turkey today and miss my run, but is was a little cold this morning. I waited until 12:30 and then went out. I took the usual trail through the neighborhood. About the time I hit the old path I was thirsty and wishing I had brought some water with me. You know what they say " be careful what you wish for.' As I was running down this hill I spotted something out of the corner of my eye. A bottle of water! It didn't look like it had been open so I scooped it up, uncapped it and poured some in my mouth. It hit the spot. I usually don't do this but I was thirsty. Last year during the Dallas turkey trot I was sooo thirsty and hungry I considered picking up a discarded gel pack on the ground and squeezing the last remains out of it.

This coming weekend I will be going to Atlanta to run in two 5K races. One is for my granddaughter's high school and the other is the Zooma Women's Race.

Miles today 4.77

Miles for week 16.32

COLORS OF FALL

One thing I'm enjoying about running outside this time of year is the beautiful Fall colors. This morning I went out for my run and some of the trees are simply gorgeous. I did the usual trail from my house running down past the tennis courts than up to the trail that runs through the field. If I'm lucky some days I see the roadrunners out. Then I go back into the neighborhood and try to make it up the killer hill. Down the hill and on the old path and heading home.

Total miles 4.87

NEWTON RUNNING SHOES

Has anyone seen these shoes ? Yesterday when I was at the gym I saw this couple with these different looking shoes on. Hers were in pink ( Katy you would love these) and his were white and orange. I asked my trainer if she knew what they were, nope she didn't. So the only thing to do was go "excuse me, what kind of shoes do you have on" They couldn't have been nicer and explained that they were Newtons and were designed to make you run faster by mimicking being barefoot. I went home and googled to find out more and see if any stores in the Dallas area carry them. The only thing negative is that they are a little pricey.

Tuesday I trained doing triceps and chest and then I ran 2.43 miles
Wednesday I trained. It was 30 minutes of leg workouts.
Today I trained doing biceps and back. My quads are sore from yesterday so I decided not to go run. Will go out tomorrow. ( I know I'm being the grasshopper.)

ELECTION DAY

WHICH ARE YOU ?

As I was doing my run this morning I noticed a lot of very busy ants. It got me thinking about how training for a race is a lot like the Aesop's fable about the ant and the grasshopper.You can be like the ant and follow your schedule and do all your runs and workouts and when it is time for the race you'll be ready. On the other hand you can blow off workouts or have excuses why you can't run and when it's race time you may not be prepared to run a good race.
Sometimes I think I'm a little like the grasshopper, but I'm trying to be an ant.

Miles run today 4.25

DON'T FORGET

It was a beautiful morning and Allie and I headed over to the soccer fields in Plano. She had to be there 45 minutes before her game and that gave me the chance to get my run in. There was a slight breeze and plenty of shade on the trail. My first mile I did in 11:36, not too bad. By the time I finished my run the game had started and I got there in time to see their team make a goal. Sadly they did not win the game.
Just a reminder don't forget to turn your clocks back, This will give us all an extra hour of sleep before we have to do our Sunday run. I know Jenny will like that. She has 18 to run.


Total miles 2.70