Moving On!!

Thank you for keeping up with me and my 40yroldrunningman blog but it turns out that it's just too much to keep up with and it's much easier to simply post to Facebook - so, I've made the change!! From this point until I reach the 40th and final 5K, I'll be posting to Facebook at www.facebook.com/Runfor40 so "Like" my page and I'll keep you updated!! Oh, and I'm also open to sponsorships - jus sayin'! Thank you for joining me on this Quest for 40 5K's this year!!

Diaper Dash 5K (#11)

Another race down! Race #11 has come and gone and my goal to get the next 10 races sub-30 is underway.  I still had some IT Band issues but it wasn't as bad as before nor was the post-race pain as bad. I was a mile and a half into the race before the pain started so I am hopeful that with the continued streching and foam roller I can manage and eventually eliminate the pain.

So this race sort of had timing chips but I haven't been able to find results...I can't trust the RunKeeper app because it keeps giving me 3.2+ miles so for this race I only have my RunKeeper numbers and they aren't terrible - I have an internal Charles Barkley saying, "Turr-able."  This route was along the Campion Trail in Irving and it wasn't a bad route at all, it was especially nice being in some of the shaded areas.  At any rate, here are the results according to RunKeeper:

Ran 3.19 miles at an average pace of 9:18
The race was completed in 29:39

If I happen to locate the other information I'll add and additional post to this entry.  Until then, I'm moving on to race #12 - the Must Dash 5K in Richardson.

So I have to say, "Happy Fathers Day" to all the dads and if you're looking to get a little exercise come on out to Richardson for a jog.

Honor Connor 5K (#10)

Back at it!! This one was tough but so fun.  The Honor Connor 5K was in honor of a 15-year freshman who died tragically in a drowning accident.  The event to honor this kid was fantastic and overwhelmingly positive for the family of Connor.  The expected group of 500+ runners turned out to be over 1300, I think.  It was very easy to see the impact this kid had on his friends and his community and in a day and age where kids are just completely lost about life and relationships it was encouraging to see the family support regarding Connor.  I'm so happy my friend, Melissa, told me about this 5K - it was an honor to do it.

The race itself had a good course but I guess now I can see that my age is going to make the remaining races a bit of a challenge.  About a mile and a half into this race I started feeling pain on the outside of my knee down through the outside of lower leg and it progressively got worse.  So the run was plagued with pain and walking but I still finished.  Not my best run but still respectable in my mind:

Race Chip Time - 30:43
Pace - 9:53/M
Finished 208 out of 424 timed runners
Finished 15th out of 22 in my 40-44 age group

After the race was fun as long as you consider excruxiating pain as fun.  I could barely bend my left knee and couldn't really put any pressure on it once I got home so here's the fun part.  As soon as I crossed the finish line I asked my friend about the pain and she mentioned the IT Band as a possible cause of the pain. As you can see from the image below the ililotibial band is pretty important in running - heck, it's important in walking but all wasn't lost as several runners who have battled the injury advised me to stretch - so that's what I did and it was almost an immediate aid to the pain.  So, "Thank You, Melissa!"

I was planning on running the "Viva La Run" tomorrow but I think I'll just wait until this weekend to continue with the 40 5K Quest.  We'll see how I feel and go from there but I'll be in Irving this weekend participating in the 1st Annual Diaper Dash benefitting CLASP international.  Here is the website and race information - http://claspinternational.org/

Rest assured, I'll be stretching and streching some more in preparation for this week/weekends run...wish me luck!!!

Run to Fund CEF (#9)

Back at it after another short break from the 5K challenge and this turned out to be my best race so far.  The  first mile and a half of this race was pretty easy as far as getting a good pace set and getting the body warmed up. It was an absolutely beautiful day for a run so that just added to the whole experience.  During the run I was fortunate to see my family on the course so that gave me a little added energy boost as I neared the last quarter mile.  

It was really exciting the see how the community of Coppell supported their school community - there were elementary, middle, and high school kids participating in the entire event and it was great to see them actually working and not just sitting around...well, for the most part. At any rate, here are the race results:

• Finished this race at 28:12
• Pace was 8:53
• In my division (40-44) I finished 13 out of 24
• Finished 154th out of 450 total runners
• Finished 93rd out of 193 male runners

So, there you have it - I hope to continue improving and maybe I won't play in a late night softball game the night before a race anymore.  Still a little sore!!

I'm off for another week but will have my running shoes on in 2 weeks when I'm out supporting Liberty Christian.  Until then, stay active America!!

Sprint for Cancer (#7) & Running Moms Rock 5K (#8)

Race day Saturday was much anticipated for me, mainly because I've had a nagging injury during my last few runs and I wanted to see how my body would hold up.  So, this Sunday morning as I type this post, I don't feel too terrible - a little knee soreness but that's about it.

Sprint for Cancer (#7)

2 great events yesterday with 2 completely different races.  The first 5K, the Sprint for Cancer in Irving, was a family event and when I say family - I mean, I did the 5K with my family.  Taylor, Brady, Campbell, and Piper all joined me on the family friendly run.  I'm a little embarrassed to post a time of over an hour but I met some really fantastic people and it turned into a talk and walk-fest.  It was sooo much fun and Piper really enjoyed herself walking and running the entire race - I was impressed with my little 4 yr old. 

I talked with several people who actually see, first-hand, where the money that was raised will go; it benefits the program they are in charge of.  One of them, a young mother diagnosed with cancer at age 15, couldn't run because of a prosthetic but her spirit and passion for her program, a camp for diagnosed and recovering children with cancer, was apparent.  She was pushing a stroller with her nephew and was using the stroller to stabilize herself as she participated in the run. 

That's just one of several stories I was a part of yesterday in Irving.  I was reminded of those friends I have lost and those who are or have battled this killer.

Running Moms Rock (#8)

Another great event yesterday in Highland Village!  An extremely festive event with a winding course going through residential areas, parks, shopping centers, and jogging/walking trails.  I must admit that it was nice to run through residential areas where the residents were out in force encouraging runners with high-fives, signs, cheers, and water.  The route did have a lot of twists and turns but overall it was a fun run and I must admit a difficult run having already participated in a morning 5K.  I felt as if I walked this entire race but my 10 minute mile pace was sufficient enough for me at the time.  My legs were tight and heavy but I kept moving forward. 

I can't seem to locate race results so I'll post my unofficial results from RaceKeeper:

Race completion time 32:06 ( I'm a little disappointed in that considering last Thursday I ran in 30:01.  I was hoping to get under 30)
My pace was a 10:22 per mile

So, I am hoping by my next race that I will have had more sleep since baby boy Brady is starting to sleep a little better through the night, I think?  Funny thing about being sleep deprived is that I think your mind starts to make things seem better than they may actually be.  At any rate, 8 races down - 32 more to go and I'm feeling good about it all!

Off to clean the house and maybe take a nap (fingers crossed).  Have a fabulous Sunday today!  Until next time - Good Day!!

Hollywood Heights 5K (#6)

After a couple of weeks off to settle in with my new baby boy, Brady, it was back to the 40 5K quest yesterday at the Hollywood Heights 5K in Dallas.  I was really impressed with this event - it wasn't too big, it was a good route with a little bit of a climb the first mile and then a little bit downhill towards the end.  After the race there was a live band, Third Shift Amber Beer (my new favorite), pasta salad, and something else I really couldn't identify, but was delicious.  It was a little cool but nothing a good run wouldn't warm up.  This Saturday I have 2 runs coming up so this will no doubt be a challenge considering the fact that it takes me a couple days to recover.  The first run will probably be a walk as I will be doing this one with the whole family, minus Bash.  Taylor, Piper, Campbell, and Brady - 2 strollers and 3 kiddos!!!  The other 5K is the Running Moms Rock 5K in Highland Village where I'll hopefully be able to run that one.

Now, on to the race results:

• Finished this one just over 30 mins (30:01)
• Pace was 9:39 
• I finished 18th out of 27 (40-44 yr olds)
• Overall I finished 181 (450 runners)
• And finally, 120th out of 193 men

For some reason whenever I use RunKeeper I always seem to run 3.24 miles but here are the results from that:  Finish time 30:03 at an avg pace of 9:17.  I don't know???

Well then, until next time which will be Saturday as I try to double up - look for a new post soon.  Until then be safe!!

Champagne Shower Run (#5)

Little Elm's Champagne Shower 5K was the first for Creationsplus and it showed.  Although my race time improved, I may have ruined a pair of shoes - so frustrating!! The Tuesday leading up to this race was the day that my son, Brady Christopher, was born. He was 9lbs even and almost 21 inches long. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting much by way of time for this race, in fact, I thought I might have my worst time on this race due to fatigue.  Brady had good nights and bad nights leading up to the race but it didn't deter my desire to go through with the run. Apparently, there was a storm Friday night that soaked the course for Saturday morning which wasn't bad; in fact, it was easier on the joints but it did turn into a mud run and I feel for anyone who had a fall because it was a tough run. All in all, it was a decent course despite the mud and water puddles and here are the results:

• Finished the race in 30:37
• Pace was a little slower 9:47
• I did finish fourth in my age group (nevermind that there were only 7 runners)
• Overall I finished 43rd (173+ runners)
• I finished 25th out of 54 men

Also, here's a pic of my little boy, Brady, who is a week old today!



Now, I'll be taking at least a week off leading up to my big week when I'll be doing 3 runs and 2 runs in one day.  If I can make it through that - I'll be feeling much better about completing this challenge.

Well, I wish you all a very prosperous week and enjoy your rest as I'll be searching for it high and low.