Struggling!

Ran or tried to do something resembling running this morning in the Miles For Malawi 5k race in Lincoln Park.
It was a nice morning but I struggled worse than I did last Sunday so I'm getting pretty discouraged and frustrated.
I keep thinking that if I stay with it I'll get a breakthrough someday but it's just not happening.

I know I should be grateful to be able to trot a little, and I am, but I want to get back that feeling that I can turn it on and off whenever I want.

Right now, I'm just involuntary shutting down, and I don't like it one bit.

I hope your runs and training are going much better.
Maybe someday I can give a positive report, you know the one that goes something like...."all of a sudden I felt I could really fly to the finish line?"
For now, it's a battle!

Father's Day Race

Sunday, Father's Day, Jacob, Jessica and I ran the 5k Loop the Loop race for Children's Memorial Hospital and what a way to celebrate my special day.

After a 1 hour delay because of wind, rain and lightening we took off in what felt like cool conditions but what turned out to be extremly humid conditions which made the little run quite a challenge for me.

I managed to finish the thing and met my predict time of a 12 minute pace, well a little off, 12:01 to be exact. I would like to say that each mile was an even 12 but in reality I ran the first two miles too fast and had to walk/run the last mile, so it wasn't pretty but I'll take it at this point.

J&J treated me to a nice brunch at Gibson's, a nice steak house here in the Gold Coast. We found a nice spot outdoors and the weather turned near-perfect so all in all a great Father's Day and I'm glad I felt good enough to enjoy it.

We plan to run another 5k this coming Sunday in Lincoln Park called Miles for Maliwa (not sure about the spelling but I'm too lazy to look it up). It's another charity run so I'm looking forward to it and hoping I can pick up the pace a little.

I'm back running as many of these little 5ks as I can find right now simply because they're doable and I enjoy them. I really miss the long runs with my running buddies and the anticipation of another marathon but I'm just not ready for the distance yet and hope I get a breakthrough someday that will tell me to go for it again. Will see.

For now, I'll take what I'm given and keep training.

I hope your runs, walks, quiet moments or whatever it is that gives you pleasure are going great.

Feeling Good!

My running is coming along quite well, surprisingly well.
Last Sunday Sara, one of my running buddies here, and I ran the annual Zoo Run 5k in Lincoln Park and we had a great time! It was a cool, breezy, sunny Sunday morning which is unusual this season with all the storms and rain around so we got a nice break in the weather.

It was Sara's first run in 7 months and I think she was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was for her, even though we planned to take it easy and did just that. Our goal was a 12 min pace and we averaged 11:57 so I was pretty thrilled with the pacing, especially in the narrow lanes packed with people, all of whom were in a good mood...which was a bonus.

I've always beat myself up for not being faster but after last year's setback I'm trying to mentally get a thrill out of pacing, trying to find a challenge in coming in as close as possible to a "predict" time. I think this is a good challenge for me as I heal up and my times are even coming down, without trying, so that is another bonus.

My first 5k since the injury was New Year's morning in the wind and snow in Lincoln Park and I struggled to run 13 min/mile so I know I'm improving.

Just running outdoors 3 days a week and from 3-4 half hour treadmill runs a week. Soon I plan to stretch my daily runs to 5 miles from the current 3 since I'm feeling pretty good but I'm sure in no hurry right now.

I had a wonderful two week vacation with family the last 2 weeks of May and that was good for me. We spent a lot of quality time and I was able to see my granddaughters play softball, a softball pitching drill with a professional instructor and a soccer match with 8-9 year olds. Now, that was a trip! Great fun! My little 5-year old granddaughter was in a dance recital the night of my 64th birthday and I've never had a better birthday present.

The markets are nuts but my work as a commodities reporter is going fine too so I have to say I'm a very lucky guy.

I'm looking forward to stretching out my runs someday but for now am focused on shorter runs for exercise and plan to pick up the pace and mileage when the spirit moves me...or something kicks me in the ass!

Hope your runs are going well!

Pissed Off

Yes I do get pissed off, especially when someone I really care about has a setback while following their dream.
The latest disappointment for me is my daughter Sarah's foot which hurts so bad she can't run. She started running a few months ago and worked up to a good solid 3 mile run, then it went to hell in a handbasket when what I think is tendinitis flared up in a foot.
I've had setbacks too but deal with my personal issues better than I deal with other peoples's issues.

Why that is I don't know, I just know that it is.

Freaking brilliant? Now get well and back to kicking butt Sarah.

By the way, I ran the annual Chicago Zoo Run 5k this morning with another Sara here in the Windy City and had a fantastic morning and good solid run so I'm scrambling back after a long layoff. It was Sara's first run in seven months and she was thrilled to know she hadn't lost it all, and that made me feel good all over. Ahhhh, yes I know I'm a fluffy ol' fart and it doesn't take much to make me happy these days.

Back from two weeks vacation with family and feeling frisky, well at least refreshed. Carry on wayward sons and daughters!