More Spartan fun

And here are Walter and Hayden dressed as a Ninja and Luigi, the only guys in costume, I might add.

Second Annual Nun Run

I did a 10K Nun Run in Kiwanis Park. Great weather, great crowd. Where else can you see teens wearing "I love nuns" T-shirts and begin a race with 3 Hail Marys and the National Anthem? It was hilly, hadn't run all week, and knew I wouldn't be setting any records. I finished this my 3rd career 10K in 1 hr 13 min, not my best, better than my first. Afterwards I drove over to where Brigette was finishing her Spartan Race at Rawhide. She did 8 miles and many obstacles finishing with a mud crawl which I got see. Then the 4 kids did the Spartan Kid obstacle race. Awesome stuff!

Spring again

I read that conditioning is about the good, the bad, and the ugly runs. I must be in the ugly phase; can't seem to go very far, can't go very fast, and stuff is hurting. Just not sure whether to rest my heel or just push on through the discomfort. On the brighter side, the weather is great. Days in the 70's and 80's, flowers blooming, and plenty of sunshine.

Texas inspiration

So inspired by the Austin relatives and their family-style half-marathon/marathon adventures, I went out for a longer run. 5.5 miles, that's long for me, still trying to stretch my sore heel and figure out what slowed me down yesterday. It's been suggested to me that I shouldn't feel bad when I don't set a new PR but really, I set the bar so low--I just think each run has the possibility.
Also I have new running shoes and new inserts, even better than my last pair. I didn't break my new shoes in yesterday because of the muddy conditions.

10th Annual Lost Dutchman

Brigette and I ran the 8K which was supposed to be a trail run along the foothills of the Superstition Mountains but after the rains they changed it to a road run, same course as the 10K route. All the rain held off, it wasn't too cool, sunny at times and very well organized with parking, shuttles and bag drop. I struggled until after 2 miles then felt steady and began to falter after 4 miles. I tried to keep running, walking only to drink water but felt completely depleted by close to the finish. We were running on some hilly roads but I couldn't help but wonder what is going on with me? I finished in 57:04, slower than my last 8K but 7th out of 19 in my age group. Brigette finished in 39:51, 3rd in her age group and 11th in all women and 57 out of 492 runners in the 8K. We enjoyed lots of snacks then headed back to the hotel for a trip to the hot tub. By then it was pouring so we opted for a pita place for lunch.Great run, even better company.

Weighty matters

This morning I ran a little over 3 mile using just one of my hand weights. That way I could switch it from hand to hand when it seemed too heavy. At first I tried to switch every half mile but then it was more often with my right arm able to carry the load longer. I can't believe how it wore me out (maybe the constant switching had something to do with it) -- it's only 1.5 lbs. It made me wonder about the 5 lbs or so I fluctuate in weight and how that impacts my runs.

14th Annual Alhambra Foundation for the Future 4K

Last year, my grandson, Hayden, and I ran this 5K, our first one together, so we were looking forward to doing it again. Very cool and brisk in Papago Park but sunny. Hayden was the only student from his school. He took off and I didn't catch up to him til after the 1 mile marker. Not a large group running but it was hilly and winding around the canal and park. It was a race where you just noted your own time crossing the finish line and then told them. I ran back afterward, to watch for Hayden and cheer him on to finish. He ended up 2nd in the 8-12 yr old group(he's 8) and I came in 3rd in 50-59, male and female. We also both won door prizes and enjoyed bagels, muffins, fruit, and juice.