Bellin Run Blog: Neither Pretty Nor Fast, But done!

Schedule: 6.2 miles (10K)
Goal:          90 minutes or less.
Time:         93:47

Other: What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time, I could only run for 20 seconds at a time. Four days short of one year later, I ran my first 10K. It was neither pretty nor fast but it was done. I missed my goal of a sub 90 minute 10K by 3:47 but I beat my six mile run by 4:56. All in all, it didn't suck.

Highlights of the Bellin Run (for me and in no particular order):

1. Running with my sister Trisha.

2. Watching a harried volunteer try to get people to go into the corral through the entrance rather than just jumping the barrier.

2. Witnessing the winner (Lani Rutto) cross the finish line mere moments before I began my run.

3. The banjo guy at one of the entertainment stations. In my oxygen deprived state of mind, I thought I was in the movie "Deliverance" and that caused me to run faster... a lot faster!

4. That wonderful person at 2.5 miles who was smoking a cigar in the crowd. If I wasn't running a fricking race you would have found a size 14 swimming in your large intestines.

5. The two teenagers at the last water station who decided to get into a water fight instead of handing out water. Feh!

6. The "Look Lively Your Going Past A Cemetary" sign was the best one of the day!

7. The incredibly guiltless Monster Burger and curly fries I had at Hardees after the race!

8. Being beaten out by an 81 year old woman. True story. She was amazing!

9. Seeing my parents and my two nieces cheering us on at the finish!

10. All the well wishes I got from my friends.

So ends my quest to run a 10K. Other quests and improvements on this one are out there. However, for today, I will say I did well.

As always, stats down below:

Bellin Run Blog: Workout 22 (Time To Wind Down)

Schedule: 45 minute run.

Result: 3.06 miles in 45 minutes.

Other: Remember that sore foot I was talking about last Saturday? Well, it was bad enough to make me skip Tuesday's workout. I still felt it today but it didn't feel too badly.

Today's workout was done in the warmest weather we have had since the Cellcom Marathon. The humidity was up and I could feel it a bit. Happily, I was still able to post a longer distance than last week's run. I also, wisely, chose to take some water with me and that kept my hydration level up. In fact, I had to pee as soon as I got home.

After today, the workouts start to get dialed back a bit as we are quickly approaching race day. Saturday's workout is just a three mile run. Tuesday's is a 30 minute run and next Thursday is a 20 minute run. We're almost there!

Post script: This is the last workout recorded as the rest were pretty boring maintenance workouts.

Bellin Run Blog: Workout 21 (Ready For Action!)

Schedule: 6 mile run. (Dress rehearsal)

Result: 6 mile run

Other: I tried to make this workout worse than running  most 10 K's. I did this by making sure my route had three significant hills on it. Two out of the three hills I do admit to baving to walk a bit (probably a total of about 3 minutes) but having those hills makes it tougher and (hopefully) will help my performance in two weeks.

I was a hair slower than I would have liked but between the hills and traffic it really doesn't surprise me. To be honest, this run went as smooth as I could expect it and I am a hair surprised I was able to run just about all of it.

The only thing that's hurting right now is my left arch but it is being a bit of a bitch. Knees are hurting a hair and my leg muscles are kind of stiff. Other than that, I feel good.

HappilyI decided to reward my efforts with wings and beer tonight. I can't wait! I am starving!

Stats down below.

Bellin Run Blog: Workout 20 (It Was A Workout Charlie Brown)

Schedule: 45 minute run.

Result: 45 minute run

Other: I started off on a brisk pace but I slowed down after the first mile. Miles 2 and 3 were OK if not outstanding.

As of this writing, I registered for the Bellin. Two more weeks until the race.

Stats down below.

Bellin Run Blog: Workout 19 (My Performance Running Up Hill Went Down Hill)

Schedule: 45 minutes Hill Training

Result: 45 Minutes Two Hills

Other: Coming back after being sidelined for a week can be a bit depressing. On this run I wanted to do Jefferson Hill once and Georgia Hill twice. Sadly, for me, after struggling to get up Georgia  Hill once (I had to take two breaks) I used my remaining time on a normal run.

Mind you, the humidity level has shot up in the last week and that seemed to hamper things but I don't expect a cool and dry day to run in about three weeks. I expect lower to mid eighties with a relative humidity percent to match. I kind of wish the weather would continue to be warm and humid but the rest of the week looks to be cooler with rain.

Anywho, it's tough workouts like that which cause the most and fastest improvement so hopefully Thursday's workout goes well. I am just a bit concerned about Saturday's workout, that's my six mile run and I chose a tough route. The object is if I can't finish running, hopefully the interval training will get me in good enough of condition to finish the Bellin running.

Stats down below.

Bellin Run Blog: Workout 18 (Back On Track!)

Schedule: 5 mile run.

Result: 5 mile run.

Other: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is the longest run I have ever done. Ever. Period, amen! Since I first learned to walk. Not even in HS did I ever run this far. Not only is this the farthest run I have ever ran, the 10.2 miles I put also qualifies as an all time best amount of mileage I put in for a week.

You might have noticed, I am pretty proud of myself. To think, just one year ago I would have died trying to run such a distance. I probably wouldn't have been able to put a half mile in before I either just collapsed from exhaustion or fell down dead.

This run also puts me back on track to do my primary goal which is to run the entire length of the Bellin (all 10K or 6.2 miles). I might not look the prettiest doing it or have the fastest time (both are understatements) but I will be able to do it.

Today was good.

Stats down below.

Bellin Run Blog: Workout 17 (Just Another Day At The Office)

Schedule: 35-40 minute run.

Result: 40 minute run

Other: I felt pretty good going in and I felt pretty good coming out. I kept my pace up to an average of 4 mph for the whole run which doesn't suck. All in all, this is really the first workout that felt (more or less) routine. I'm not sure what I think about that.

One thing I just realized is that in four weeks I have my last workout before the Bellin. It is coming up quick and I am pleased with my progress but not satisfied. I do believe Mr. Todd has more in the tank.

Stats down below: