TUESDAY JANUARY 15, 2013

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself."
-John Bingham, running speaker and writer

I think that this quote by 'the Penquin', John Bingham is true for life. I sometimes let worn-out beliefs stop me. Like, 'Oh your too old for that' and I think maybe I am. But I still go on and try to do what I believe that I can do it and it turns out that I did do it!!!

I ran the Nookachamp Winter Runs 1/2 marathon Saturday. It was run in Mt. Vernon, WA. 

This is why I like this run. There are Swans in the fields and Swans flying overhead while we are running. The logo on the t-shirt has a Swan flying in the middle of it.

The race started out with the temperature at 26 degrees. No wind and sunshine....

I started out with the plan to run 12 minutes and then walk 3 minutes. I did this pattern because it is easy to keep track of the times to run and walk. But I still goofed up a couple of times and had to run farther than the 12 minutes to get back in rhythm. 

My time for the 1/2 marathon was 2 hours and 47 minutes which is 12 minutes and 48 seconds per mile.  I ran my last mile in 11 minutes and 20 seconds. Not too mad for 80 years old. 

I was next to last until mile 11 when I passed a male walking and then I passed two females who were walking and jogging and the last one I passed was at about 12.5 miles. It was a good run. 

There was hot Chile and bananas, oranges and several kinds of bread. I thought that I would get a hot mocha but they had run out of coffee beans by the time I finished. Bummer, Bummer.  

I got first place in the 80 and up category. I was the only one.!!!!

Total miles for January 7-13, 2013

           Monday 12.47 miles                                                                                                                                                
           Saturday 13.1                                                                                             

                                                Total                   25.57

Total for 2013                                                     37.57

FINIS

   

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
-Jesse Owens

I like this quote. I met Jesse Owens in Bellingham when he was there one summer in the 1970's. He was a great man and great athlete.

What I like about running is that you can take some time off and it is always there waiting for you to come back to you. It asks no questions just accepts the person back and says let's go. No status or lofty heights. Just go out and run. 

I think that I am still recovering from my 80 mile run on my birthday last year. I guess that the run took more out of me than I realized. But I am doing OK. No aches or pains. Shirley says that it is winter depression!!!!!

My running this last week has been minimal at the best. I turned out at anytime fitness on Monday on the bicycle for a set of 8 hard load workouts. Very exhausting!!!!

 I ran 6 miles on Thursday.  

Then today, Saturday, I ran 6 miles with Philip and Rosaura. Cold and windy. Ran into the wind for 3 miles then ran with the wind for the next 3 miles. Great run. 

I am going to run a 1/2 marathon next Saturday at Mt Vernon, Washington. If I can run just under a 12 minute per mile pace I will be very happy. Last year for this run it was raining , raining. Temperature was at 40 degrees for the race. Maybe this year the rain will not be present. 

This is my advice for myself for the year 2013.

                                           

                                             HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Running total for the year 2013.     

        Wednesday                             6.0 miles

        Saturday                                 6.0 miles

Total                                             12.00 miles

FINIS