Sunday, 12/23/12 to Saturday, 12/29/12

I ran 3 times this week, 16.0 miles.

Sunday, 12/23/12: 7.5 miles, 1:03:10, 8:26 pace, 35F, sunny, a bit windy, no stops, usual discomfort

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the streets of Irondequoit

Christine and I were creatures of habit and just lazed around all Sunday morning. Much later ... I did make it out for a much needed run. I just took it nice and easy. I added a trip down and back up Chapel Hill drive to my usual 10K course around the streets of Irondequoit. I could feel the usual discomfort in my right Achilles but just ran onward. The west wind when I was running west on Titus Ave was a bit nippy so I was glad to turn back onto Seneca Ave and be only 1.3 miles away from the apartment.

The Buffalo Bills were losing 3-14 to the Miami Dolphins down in Miami just before I left for my run. I caught the tail end of the game. Just your usual boneheaded play ... the Bills down 10-24 with the ball on the 1 with about 2 minutes to play. Fitz drops three steps and throws the ball to the left ... right into the hands of a Miami player who was more than glad to catch the "gift". Yet another game ending interception ... unbelievable! The usual result, link here.

Christine and I headed out to Newark to hand out the usual gift cards for her and my youngest son. I saw the Terrace at Newark assisted living center where she works. A nice looking place!

Monday, 12/24/12: Travel day.

Another shooting was playing out in West Webster where Christine and I were getting ready to travel west to Ohio. Two firefighters were killed and two more wounded while responding to a fire at 5:30AM on Lake Rd, link here. The shooter was found dead of a self-inflicted GSW later. A total of 7 houses were destroyed while SWAT was securing the scene. I have personally run by this area twice during the yearly Run around the Bay run in early March. Unbelievable!

Christine and I got on the run at 10AM which is quite good for us. The drive to the Country Inns in Cuyahoga Falls OH was uneventful. There wasn't much traffic and the roads were clear. Thank goodness for the Google Maps on my smartphone! We arrived at 3:30PM during the daylight which was nice. I was able to score a 1 bedroom suite for about $46 off the race price by using 5000 of my Club Carlson points. Christine and I settled in for a while, booted up our laptops and relaxed after a long drive. The suite was excellent except the constant humming noise that the refrigerator made ... a nitpick but still a pain!

Later we emerged to head out for a delicious Hawaiian Chicken pizza from Marco's Pizza. We were hungry so we made short work of it. After we digested our supper we headed down to the indoor swimming pool. Christine soon was swimming around ... I took a bit longer before I did the same. She floats well ... I don't at all. Then we relaxed in the hot tub ... sweet!

Tuesday, 12/25/12: Merry Christmas and 4.0 miles on a treadmill

I woke up early enough to make it down to the exercise room. I endured 4.0 miles on the dreadmill ... err, treadmill. The exercise room was hot ... so I was drenched when I got back up to the suite to wake my sleeping beauty, Christine. The breakfast at the Country Inn was excellent as always. Then we packed up and motored over to the home of Christine's brother, Bill, in Ravenna. There we met up with the rest of her relations and enjoyed Christmas dinner. We brought 3 pies (apple, cherry and lemon meringue) that Christine and Danny Wegman had slaved over ... OK, we bought the pies at Wegman's. They were very good .... yummy!

We headed back to Rochester around 3:30AM and arrived back at 8:10PM. There is a winter storm warning for tomorrow but we had no trouble. All in all, a nice overnight honeymoon ... hugs and kisses to my darling wife, Christine!

Wednesday, 12/26/12: Rest day

Just your usual day after Christmas day at work. There was a winter storm warning for Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Christine and I were cold ... so we went to bed around 8PM, snuggled and got a solid 10 hours of sleep. We woke up a couple of times to look outside to see the snow coming down ... solid in the knowledge that apartment living meant that we wouldn't have to shovel in the morning, sweet!

Thursday, 12/27/12: Rest day.

At least a foot of snow fell overnight but I made it to my meeting early out in Victor. After work I could have run and should have  run but I didn't. An argument ensued .. because I like to do things for my honey. I so need to run more.

Friday, 12/28/12: Frustration day, night run = fail, 4.5 miles, 25F, night, icy, 2 falls

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the icy Seneca Pond Zoo pond once - ouch

I took today off so I could take Christine out and about so she could change her name. We got out after much fuss. bother and frustration. We did get down to the Social Security office downtown before it closed so Christine could change her name there. Christine did get to New Nails for her bi-weekly nail appointment. She chose Ruby Pump from OKI as her nail color. We will get her DMV records changed on next Monday or Wednesday, I hope.

Christine went to bed early so I headed out for an ill advised run. I forgot one essential piece of winter running equipment ... my Yaks. I went up Seneca Ave towards Titus Ave and found that the shoulder was not cleared enough for my taste so I headed over to the Seneca Park Zoo. My bright (err ... stupid) idea was to head down to the pond and run around it several times. Well ... the road out to the Zoo was icy, the road down to the pond was even more icy and I fell on my left side bruising my left hip, left forearm and hurting my left wrist. I picked myself up and continued onward at a really nice, easy and cautious (I thought) pace. I made it 95% of the way around and fell again really hard on my left side. I acknowledged defeat and walked up the icy hill out from the pond. My left side hurt but I managed a slow run back to the apartment.  I applied ice to my left wrist and called it a night. I really should have worn my Yaks or stuck to the side streets that were just snow covered and had more traction. In retrospect, I was lucky. I could have knocked myself unconscious or broken a bone down there with the gate closed ... no one would have found me until morning. A lesson learned!

Saturday, 12/29/12: Rest day

I stayed in bed while Christine went out and got her shopping hat on. I was starting to get worried ... she arrived home around 3PM with her booty from the town of Webster. Let's see ... new flatware from Kohl's and a new Droid 4 smartphone from the Verizon Wireless. She has leapfrogged my Casio Commando smartphone ... technologically speaking.

I watched the Syracuse football team manhandle the West Virginia Mountaineers down in NYC in the Pinstripe Bowl, 38-14, link here.  Go 'Cuse!

I definitely called a rest day due to falling yesterday. I have a bruise on my left hip and left forearm plus my left wrist kind of hurt. I had trouble sleeping on my left side which is how I usually sleep.

Sunday, 12/16/12 to Saturday, 12/22/12

I ran 2 times this week, 12.0 miles.

Sunday, 12/16/12: Rest day.

Months ago I would have run two days in a row easily. Now ... not so much. My thighs ached more and more all day. Christine and I lazed around all afternoon. We watched "The American Werewolf in London" and "Splinter" off of the Syfy channel. "Splinter" was quite scary ... at least to me, not so much to Christine.

I started to watch the Buffalo Bills play the Seattle Seahawks at home(?) in Toronto. It was 7-24 when I left for the Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in Farmington to meet up with my youngest son. He had invited me to his family Christmas dinner since his girlfriend couldn't make it. He has another promotion under his belt. He is now a Drop Supervisor and an Account Supervisor. He will be getting more hours so he quit his second job at Byrne Dairy. I enjoyed talking with him. His laptop was having troubles turning on so I swapped his hard drive into a similar laptop to get him back up and running. He was pleased. The Buffalo Bills ending up losing, 17-50, link here.

So ... in the span of 8 days I have seen all three of my children. It was nice to see them ... sweet!

Monday, 12/17/12: Another rest day.

I had wanted to run but Christine had made ribs and they couldn't wait! They were overdone, didn't have enough sauce and were not so good ... but still OK. We just chilled and caught up on some of our regular shows off of Primetime OnDemand ... Grey's Anatomy, Last Resort, etc.

Tuesday, 12/18/12: Almost a run day.

I planned on running after work ... but I talked myself into not running. I am getting too good at making excuses for not running ... which sucks.

Wednesday, 12/19/12: 5.8 miles, 49:04, 8:28 pace, 38F, night, no stops, mild achilles pain

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the streets of Irondequoit

Christine and I enjoyed some hugs after work but I still got up and out for a much needed run. I bit off a longer distance, 5.8 miles. I took it nice and easy. I could feel the discomfort in my right Achilles but I continued onward. I have made up my mind to take the month of December off from running races. So ... Snow Cheap #1 (without the snow) was going on down at Riley lodge of Cobbs Hill, results with snowshoes here and no snowshoes here.

Thursday, 12/20/12: Just your usual rest day.

Friday, 12/21/12: 6.2 miles, 50:47, 8:11 pace, 35F, night, light rain/mist, no stops, usual pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for 10K around the streets of Irondequoit

Christine and I enjoyed some hugs after work like usual but I still got up and out in the crisp night while a real light rain/sleet mix came down and reflected into my headlamp. I wore my reflective vest so the Irondequoit drivers could see me. I could feel some tightness in my thighs and right Achilles so I just kept my pace nice and easy. Still ... my pace was faster at 8:11 versus 8:28 on Wednesday with what I considered less effort. Strange but true.

Saturday, 12/22/12: Rest day.
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The day dawned cold, snowy and windy. I thought of all the hardcore runners who went out and brought it. But ... I decided to stick to my every other day running and stayed in. Really kind of boring ... but it was what it was.

Sunday, 12/9/12 to Saturday, 12/15/12

I ran once this week, 3.5 miles.

Sunday, 12/9/12: Another rest day.

Christine and I cocooned all day. I was up early around 9AM. I let Christine sleep until noon-ish before waking her up with coffee. We were creatures of habit.

We watched the Buffalo Bills lose yet another close game full of inexplicable play calling and another game ending interception by Fitzpatrick though that his arm was hit as he released it. The final carnage was 12-15, link here. Not trying to kick a 52 yard field gold with wind when your team was nursing a 12-7 lead way early in the 4th quarter so you can play field position? Not giving your stud running back, CJ Spiller, the ball not more than 7 times out of 58 plays when he is leading the league in yards per carry?? The coach, Chan Gailey, was playing to lose not playing to win like usual. Almost everyone in western NY is crying for his head.

Monday, 12/10/12: Another rest day.

I am getting antsy to get out there for a run. I am within spitting distance of 1148 miles for the year which is the most I have ever run (back in 2009). But ... I had to do our laundry. Some blockhead left their laundry in the dryer downstairs so I headed out to our local laundromat and did it there. I only lost one Zensah compression sleeve ... which is not too good. Hopefully it will turn up ... yeah, right.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 12/11/12 - 12/14/12: Rest days.

I will run again someday ... real soon now. I can walk pretty soon with a slight nagging discomfort in my right achilles. But I still can't do a full eccentric calf drop on my right Achilles ... something I could do last month. I haven't been to physical therapy for 2 weeks. I got discouraged and just stopped going. Some days were good, some days were a bit worse.

Christine had her bi-weekly nail appointment at New Nails on Thursday. The color she choose was Red Pearl color from China Glaze ... nice!

Friday was a bit of downer day after I learned about the murder of 20 elementary children and 7 adults in Newton, CT. Why couldn't the shooter just kill himself? Forget the murder/suicide and just do the suicide!Why kill his mother ... and then why head to the Sandy Hook Elementary School? How can mentally deranged people get access to weapons? May the fallen find peace!

Saturday, 12/15/12: 3.5 miles, 28:41, 8:12 pace, 40F, cloudy, calm, no stops,

Christine and I are still on our honeymoon ... so of course we spent the morning just lazing around and such ... sweet!! While we were honeymooning ... 1280 runners were out and about at the first Reindeer 5K run, results here.

Christine had a 2PM massage appointment at MassageEnvy so while she was gone I headed out for a much needed run.

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the block in Irondequoit

I set out nice and easy on my first run in 18 days. I didn't know what to expect but just headed out in hope of the best. I limped just a wee lit at first but soon I found the endorphins that I had so long has been seeking.

Christine came home and after a quick shower we headed out to Newark to see my daughter. We learned more details of her trip to NYC to see another 2 concerts of Darren Criss. She was within 10 feet in not one, but two small and intimate concerts. She didn't get much sleep during her weekend down there ... oh, youth! Then we headed out to the Wayne County Nursing Home to see my father. We told him we had gotten married. He seemed more antimated than usual.

Sunday, 12/2/12 to Saturday, 12/8/12

I ran 0 miles this week, no running since 11/27/12.

Sunday, 12/2/12: Travel back to NY day

We are not early risers ... so after a leisurely morning at the Country Inn in Holyoke MA, we headed back to NY around noon. The weather on the way back was weird. Dense fog at noon? Soon we were back on the Mass Pike heading west. We climbed out of the fog and briefly saw the sun as we climbed a 6 mile hill into the Berkshires. Soon it was cloudy. We satisfied Christine's historical bent as we briefly stopped at Lindenwald, Martin Van Buren's home. Everything was closed but we were there and have a picture to prove it.

Soon we were back on the road and were met by rain and mist. A dreary drive indeed! We finally got home around 7PM. We were at odds with each other due to the close quarters and driving in the dark ... which is all I am willing to say.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills unloaded on a team with a worse record than them, the Jacksonville Panthers. They won an untelevised home game, 34-18, link here.

Monday, 12/3/12: Another rest day

Back to work after a day off. I discovered that I could walk without a limp ... but it hurt more and more during the day. My perception of the pain increased from 2/10 to 4/10 during the day. It felt like someone was digging a nail into my right achilles while I walked. I wanted to run but knew that I couldn't. I am seriously considering just packing my running in for the winter season. Maybe if I actually do the exercises for my right achilles during the winter I will actually heal? The good thing is that Christine and I kissed and made up.

Tuesday, 12/4/12: Another rest day

The weather was warm during the day, 70F briefly during the day. But by the time I exited work, it was falling, 55F and raining. I ended up going out in a light misty rain to Little Caesar's to get a sausage pizza and wings for supper. Joy, joy! The good thing is it didn't hurt as much to walk normally. The nail that I imagined to be digging my right achilles seemed smaller.

Wednesday, 12/5/12: Another rest day.

Well ... back to winter. Just your normal December weather ... mid 30s, a stiff wind along with the occasional ice pellet. I walked better. I am on the fence about running Freezeroo #1 on Saturday. It's a 5 mile race out in Spencerport. I may just bag it and try to heal.

My darling Christine didn't feel good this morning. She had swollen glands and just spent the whole day in bed. I went to Skip's Meat Market on the way home and picked up 5 pounds of hamburg and a couple of chuck steaks. Christine whipped together a nice supper with the chuck steaks even though she didn't feel like eating. She is such a darling!

Thursday, 12/6/12: Another rest day.

I walked pretty good today. But I really think I will shut down my running in any more races this year. My darling Christine still on the mead with swollen glands cooked up spaghetti with home made sauce ... yummy!!

Friday, 12/7/12: 1 week anniversary, another rest day.

My right achilles felt worse today. The needle that seemed to be stuck in it seemed larger. Our marriage license still hasn't come in the mail. But that didn't prevent us from celebrating our one week anniversary ... something we hope to do every Friday night! Yeah, baby!!! Much later, Christine cooked up some delicious toasted tuna cheese sandwiches ... yummy!!

Saturday, 12/8/12: Another rest day.

One of Christine's brothers's named Rich and his wife, Jill, gave us a gift certificate to T.G.I. Friday's for a wedding present. So we headed out for the nearest one in Greece. We ran into lots of traffic on 104 and couldn't find it so we headed back out to the one in Brighton. We got there around 5PM ... soon the joint was jumping! I had the Jack Daniel's Sirloin & Shrimp and Christine had the Grilled Salamon with Langostino Lobster. We enjoyed our dinner ... thanks, Rich and Jill!

Meanwhile out in Spencerport, 221 people ran the Freezeroo #1, link here. Later in the afternoon, 2714(!!) people ran It's A Wonderful Run 5k out in Bedford Falls, ... err, Seneca Falls, link here.

Runners crossing the Bridge St bridge in Seneca Falls, NY

Once we got home we went to OnDemand and watched Dark Knight Rises ... an awesome movie! We watched it twice! Though I did fall asleep a bit during our second showing. We were still in honeymoon mode so we went to bed late.

Sunday, 11/25/12 to Saturday, 12/1/12

I ran 2 times this week, 11.2 miles.

During the month of November, I ran 18 times in 30 days, 88.29 miles, 4.9 miles/run.
During 2012, I have run 213 times in 334 days, 1141.75 miles, 5.4 miles/run.
My numbers of runs was up for both the past several months and year because I have been including warmup runs before races.

Sunday, 11/25/12: 6.2 miles, 53.23, 8:36 pace, 34F, night, a bit windy, a light snow, no stops, mild right achilles pain.

Christine and I cocooned a lot during the day ... romantic to be sure. We did watch the Bills lose ... yet again to fall to 4-7. This time they lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 13-20, link here. But I did break loose twice: one for a run and once to do some much needed grocery shopping.

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the streets of Irondequoit

I haven't run twice in two days for quite a while but I needed to get out. I struck up a nice and easy pace and enjoyed the sight of light snow pellets in my headlamp as I ran. My right achilles was just a mild discomfort that I ignored so I could get a dose of running endorphins. Sweet! Though I did spend 90 minutes after the run looking for my keys that I had laid down after I got back my run ... I found them inside an umbrella that I used about a month ago and left unbound! I can certainly lose stuff!!

Monday, 11/26/12: Rest day.

I paid for my running over the Thanksgiving holiday by limping all day at work ... joy! I bet my nickname at work is "Limp-a-long Doug"!

Tuesday, 11/27/12: Physical therapy, marriage license, Cobbs Hill run

Get 'er done! I was out early for physical therapy ... which sucked! My right achilles was sore and I couldn't do one complete right eccentric calf drop. Jeff tried to work around the tendon and ease into it but to no avail.

Christine waited in the car so afterward we headed downtown to get our marriage license. My philosopy when driving to downtown Rochester is to park where you find a spot and walk. So I parked by the Blue Cross Arena ... which is about a three block walk to the Rochester City Clerk's office at 39 W Main St. Well, we really wanted the Rochester City Hall at 30 Church St which is 2 blocks farther. Getting the marriage license was a lengthy process. Luckily they took my Newark Wayne Community Hospital birth certicate instead of what they really wanted ... my Wayne County birth certificate (I thought I knew where it was ... but its whereabouts are unknown right now). Christine was whipped by the time we had walked back to the car. I was walking ... err, limping ... slow ... probably still too fast for her.

I was tired but I had my running gear in the car so I changed at work and headed out to Fleet Feet Brighton. Before the run I finally got my Dirt Cheap Stage Race sweatshirt that I earned 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Garmin Connect Activity for FF Cobbs Hill run, 2 Y's
5 miles, 43:13, 8:37 pace, 34F, night, calm, no stops

I ran up nice and easy to the Cobbs Hill Reservoir. Everyone seemed to be doing Y's so I fell in with the crowd and did 2 of my own. Then I ran back slightly faster. I proudly donned my DCSR sweatshirt after the run. I asked Bill Beyerback to be my best man (he accepted) at our wedding on Friday since my two youngest children can't make it.

It is really weird how I can run better than I can walk. My right achilles pain just idles into a mild discomfort and off I run ... if you can believe it. I noticed today at physical therapy too. I know Christine thinks I am crazy.

Wednesday, 11/28/12: Rest day.

Christine's wedding dress (ordered by her) and wedding night attire (ordered by me, ;-)) arrived today. Later she tried the dress on. I approved of both!

Thursday, 11/29/12: Day before the wedding

First off, work was a bitch. My right achilles ached all day. I had to go between buildings all day as fast as I was could so I limped. If I moved fast I could walk without a limp but with some pain ... so I did most of the time. It was the usual day before a vacation ... in this case, my wedding. I had thought about going out for a run ... but there was too much to do.

Christine got a bit frazzled. She received word that one of her brothers, Rich and his wife Jill, was coming up from Pennsylvania for the wedding. So our little intimate wedding was getting larger. After I got home from work we went to New Nails so she could get her nails done. They really did a nice job. She looked really sharp in her new shade ... OPI's Kennebukport ... nice!!

Though ... she did go to bed early ... alone. She said that she wanted to get a good night's rest. So .... I just watched TV ... :-(. Well, tomorrow and ... tomorrow night will be a big day!!

Friday, 11/30/12: Wedding day!!

Today dawned grey and just below freezing. Christine and I snuggled a bit before she leaped out of bed around 10AM. She said that she had to go to Macy's to get her face made up. Well, I took my shower, had breakfast and waited ... and waited. Our civil ceremony was scheduled for 1PM. I called and texted Christine around 11:45AM. Noon came, I got dressed in my navy blue suit that I bought way back in 1982 around with a white shirt and red tie. I called her daughter, Beth, and my best man, Bill. I was a bit worried. Bill swung over and was just coming in when Christine arrived at 12:15PM with a fresh head of curls from Super Cuts. I helped her strip and get ready. I knew better than to rush her and just stayed out of her way. We left for the Rochester City Hall at 12:30PM and arrived at 12:45PM in plenty of time. Who was I to get worried that we wouldn't make it on time?

We met up with everyone attending: Christine's two children: John and Beth and Beth's friend Diane; one of Christine's brothers, Rich and his wife Jill; two of three of my children, Karen and David and my running partner, Bill. We paid for the ceremony and chose to get married in the atrium. A woman named Hazel soon appeared and performed the civil ceremony. Soon everyone took lots of pictures of us and of each other. Here are the pictures that I have been able to get from the three that were taking pictures.

Rochester City Hall Atrium

Putting Christine's ring on her finger

Christine putting my ring on my finger

Christine and I

One kiss of many that day!!

My two youngest children, Karen & David

Bill Beyerbach, my best man

Christine's children, John & Beth

One of Christine's brothers, Rich and his wife Jill

Then we headed out to Keenan's Restaurant for a late lunch with those who didn't have to rush off. Soon we headed back to our love nest ... err, apartment. We changed our status on Facebook from engaged to married, Then we retired early for the evening, ;-) !!!

A bit of a backstory for those who may not know our history. Christine and I first met way back in February 1977 at a Phi Kappa Theta party at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland OH. I went to CWRU from 1975 to 1978 and was a brother of Phi Kappa Theta. I was tending bar when I saw her appear. She was going to Ursuline College, an all girls college, and had come down with a friend. I served her a tequila sunrise and asked to see her later. Well ... sparks flew and we went out until January 1978 when her mother broke us up. We were heartbroken. We both had marriages. Strangely, we both got married within a week of each other back in 1980 without knowing it. Hers lasted 11 years with 2 children. Mine lasted 28 years with 3 children. We both thought of each other from time to time over the years. She found me on Facebook in July 2009 and sent me an email in late August 2009. Nine days later I went out to see her in Cleveland after running the Summerfest 12K. We had not seen each other for 31 years and we were both nervous. I made it a point to kiss her within a minute of seeing her (with her permission, of course) ... sparks flew again over that Labor Day weekend. Christine moved in with me in Rochester on November 12th, 2009. We got engaged on September 3rd, 2011 after I ran the Summerfest 12K and she ran the Summerfest 5K. We wanted to get married with a minimum of fuss. We largely succeeded. I love my darling wife, Christine, and wish us many years of happiness.

Saturday, 12/1/12: Travel day.

Christine and I woke up on our first day of our married life ... we just hugged each other for a while before we made it out of bed to start our day ... hopefully just like we will do for the rest of our life together. We got on the road to see my oldest son, Michael, around 10:15 AM. Some people would have been on the road at 6 AM ... but not us. We just don't move fast on Saturday or Sunday mornings. We were at the Oneida rest area on the Thruway when we heard, "Hi, newlyweds!!". We thought that we had a sign on our backs ... but it was one of Christine's No-Bo coaches named Jennifer Bailey Ostrander who was on her way to see her in-laws up in the Adirondacks. It truly is a small world!

I realized that I had not printed out our hotel info so we had to stop at another rest area to download the Carlson Inns app so we could have some turn by turn instructions once we got to Holyoke MA. Ten years ago we would have up the creek ... now there is an app for that! We made it to our Country Inn around 5PM and then we at Michael's door around 6 PM. After we unloaded his stuff from our car we headed out to dinner at the Amherst Brewing Company. We had a very nice dinner. When we got back to his place, he and I put together his digital piano that we had stored for a year. He treated us to a short impromptu concert. Christine and I really enjoyed seeing him after two years.

Later back at the Country Inn, I enjoyed watching a PBS show about Johnny Carson while Christine enjoyed sawing wood ... err ... snored. Oh, the joys of marriage! I mean that very lovingly, my darling!!! Really ... I remember staying up late and watching the Johnny Carson show with my late mother back in the day when I could not sleep ... which was quite often. Good memories.

Sunday, 11/18/12 to Saturday, 11/24/12

I ran 4 times this week, 19.5 miles.

Sunday, 11/18/12: Rest day.

Christine and I cocooned all day. We started off with coffee and breakfast in bed while reading the Sunday Democrat and Chronicle. Then we progressed to the living room and watched Casablanca while we ate pizza for lunch. Later we watched our usual shows off the DVR. All in all, a very relaxing and romantic Sunday ... sweet!

Monday, 11/19/12: 5.5 miles, 43:26, 7:54 pace, 38F, night, calm, no stops, mild ache in right Achilles

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the streets of Irondequoit

I fought and broke free of the lure of the couch after I got home from work. Yes, it was comfortable but I needed to get out for a run. It was 38F but I wore my Brooks short tights anyway along with just a long sleve half zip long sleeve top, beanie and light running gloves. So ... since it was a bit crisp I set up a a bit of a crisp pace. Which after a brief warmup turned out to be miles of 8:11, 8:07, 7:48, 7:41, 7:48 and 7:38 over the last 1/2 mile. It was a nice night for a run ... sweet!

My darling Christine baked up a post-run nutritious supper of fish, baked potato and green beans ... she fed me well! She learned that her daughter and son will be heading up from Cleveland for our wedding. Hopefully, my daughter and youngest son will be able to be there too!

Tuesday, 11/20/12: Rest day .

I had a taxing day at physical therapy day. I got there early and worked my right achilles. I didn't really feel up to going out for a run .... so I stayed in. But that doesn't mean that I didn't wish I had gone out.

Wednesday, 11/21/12: Getting stuff done day.

I took today off from work. Christine and I got up early. Christine had a mammogram appointment at 8AM. I waited out in the waiting room with all the other guys while she had hers. An A-OK was given. Then we went to pick up my wedding ring from Zales. Christine insisted that I give it a "test drive" all day to make sure that the size 9 fits ... which it did. Since we didn't have her duplicate divorce papers from Cleveland we couldn't get our marriage license at the Monroe County Clerk's office. Then we headed out to Lyons to get 3 certified copies of my father's POA. We saw my father at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons also. We brought the Lyons-Clyde Shopping Guide in for him to read. We noticed that he didn't have his glasses but he still could read! Where were his glasses? I searched his room to no avail ... first his bottom dentures now his glasses have been lost?? We drove back up to Rochester on the Thruway, I-490 and I-590 ... everyone was in such a hurry!!

Thanksgiving, 11/22/12: Race with Grace 10K, 6.2 miles, 46:04, 7:26 pace, 48F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, right Achilles pain

This was my first Race with Grace 10K so Christine and I got over to the First Bible Baptist Church up in Hilton around 8:15AM. Everything at registration was well organized so I had no trouble getting all set for the 9AM start.

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before the Race with Grace 10K
Just a short 0.8 miles warmup at 8:16 pace to warmup my legs. Everything felt OK.



There were "only" 1133 lined up at the start. I lined up in my usual spot ... about 25 feet or so back. The start came and off we all went! I started out hot with a first mile at 6:48.

The start of the 22nd Race with Grace 10K on 11/22/2012

During the start - photo by Tim Matthews

In the 1st mile - photo by Heather Danielson

Everything was going well, the 1st 5K sped by in 22:03. My right Achilles was starting to hurt so I walked for about 100 feet. I eased off my pace and just endured the pain until the end of the race. The miles just seemed to last forever. The second 5K took 24:01. I was kind of happy that none of my miles were above 8:00 ... all things considered. My darling Christine was at the finish to yell encouragement as I cruised across the finish line in 46:04.

Under a mile to go - photo by Heather Danielson

All in all, I did OK. I finished 169th out of 1133, link here. I finished 9th out of 55 in my M55-59 age group, link here. I ran in 10 out of the 12 Rochester Runner of the Year races this year and was 6th out of the 18 who completed 4 races or more, link here.

The food spread inside the church was quite impressive. Bagels, bananas, greek yogurt, chocolate mile, water and coffee. I limped over and had a couple of bagels and chocolate milk. A very organized race, I will be back!

Christine drove home ... which is becoming the norm after I race. I tried not to be a sideseat driver and mostly succeeded. Meanwhile over in Webster over 4400 people ran in either the Turkey Trot 4.4 or 2.5 mile race and 217 runners toed the line out in my old haunts of Newark to run the Newark Turkey Day 5 mile run.

When we got home around noon Christine busied herself in the kitchen cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I collapsed on the couch and iced my right Achilles while I caught up on Facebook. Three hours later Christine had cooked up a delicious dinner of turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, peas and cranberries. Yum!!!! I had seconds and then thirds! I think I will marry my darling cook! Christine also washed most of the dishes. 

Oh, the joys of apartment living! The kitchen sink faucet suddenly had low water pressure while Christine was preparing our Thanksgiving meal. She called maintenance. He came right over and replaced the filter ... problem solved! I don't really miss not having to mow the lawn or shovel the driveway either .... though I do miss a bit more room between our neighbors and their choice of "inside" voice or music!

Friday, 11/23/12: Rest day.

I woke up at 8:15AM and washed more of the dishes from yesterday. I let Christine sleep 2 more hours before I woke her up with coffee. I still had trouble walking so we didn't go to any Black Friday sales ... i.e. we cocooned all day again which was way more romantic! Oh, Christine got her duplicate divorce papers (with postage due of $1.05) from Cleveland so we can go downtown to get our marriage license!

Saturday, 11/24/12: 7 miles, 1:02:35, 8:54 pace, 34F, night, windy, a bit of sleet, no stops, right Achilles pain

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the streets of Irondequoit

I got early and finished up the last of the Thanksgivings dishes. Christine and I cocooned most of the day. My right achilles still hurt from the Race with Grace 10K two days ago but ... I did slip out for a really nice and easy run just before dark anyway. I had read on Facebook about everyone doing their long runs so I just had to get out there. Yes, I did have moderate right Achilles discomfort when I first started out. Gradually the pain sank to a mild discomfort. It was what it was. I have gained 5 pounds so I was glad to get out to burn some calories and get some running endorphins to boot.

Monday, 11/12/12 to Saturday, 11/17/12

I ran 3 times, 17.7 miles.

Monday, 11/12/12: Rest day.

I was still coming down from the Dirt Cheap Stage Race high ... like a lot of runners. I felt a bit off all day. Christine and I started our long overdue laundry. I lasted 2 loads before I called it a night and went to bed at 8:45PM. I haven't gone to bed that early for a long time. I fell sound asleep quickly.

Tuesday,11/13/12: Physical Therapy and 5.1 miles, sweet!

I arrived 25 minutes early for my physical therapy appointment with Jeff. I did a lot of self direction with my exercises while he critiqued points of how to do some exercises better. He added another exercise to strength my hips. I really need to go back to Planet Fitness!! I really worked my right achilles. It felt used but not painful.

Garmin Connect Activity for Fleet Feet Cobbs Hill run, 2 loops, long way back

I changed at work and headed over to Fleet Feet Brighton for a long overdue Cobbs Hill run. I got there a bit late but was able to give a hug to "Katie from Cali" who was in town for Thanksgiving. I ran up to the Cobbs Hill Reservoir nice and easy in the 36F "heat". I didn't want to stress myself with Y's so I just did loops. My right achilles didn't really bother me much. I took the long way back and kicked it up a bit to around 7:45 pace. I was passed on Highland Ave by a young guy and his dog doing about 7:00 pace like I was standing still, lol! My right achilles felt a bit tired so I backed my pace down.

Wednesday, 11/14/12: Rest day.

Christine has been snoring lately and spent the night on the couch. But our day did start out on a positive note ... sweet!. I really should have exercised today ... but didn't. Ah ... well!

Thursday, 11/15/12: Around the block in Irondequoit, 5.5 miles, 37F, night, calm, no stops, just an ache.

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the block in Irondequoit

The couch tried to suck me in after work but I managed to break out for a while. I tried to go nice and easy ... settled in a 8:10-8:20 pace into the night around the streets of Irondequoit. It was a very nice run and I hiked up the pace a bit for the last mile, 7:58. All in all, a very nice run. I was about 20 feet from the apartment outside door when I saw a skunk just waddle past the door. We gave each other a wide berth! So ... now a couple of woodchucks, an opossum and a skunk reside near our apartment parking lot! Not to mention the usual squirrels and birds in the pine tree right next to our windows.

Later, my left and right calves did tighten up. I probably should have iced my right achilles afterward.

Christine and I have moved our upcoming wedding on Friday, November 30th, from 10AM to 1PM. Planning is progressing ... with just some minor stresses. We were going to visit my oldest son this weekend at UMass in Amherst, MA but have delayed it since he is extremely busy with writing a lot of pre-Thanksgiving papers.

The Buffalo Bills had a rare home prime time game on a Thursday night against the same lowly 3-6 Miami Dolphins. They took a 19-7 halftime lead and barely held on to win 19-14, link here. The defense had to save the offense with 2 interceptions in the last 2 minutes to seal the win. Realistically, the Bills have to go 5-1 to reach 9-7 at the end of the season to have a shot at making the playoffs in the AFC East. Doable? Yes, most likely .... not.

Friday, 11/16.12: Rest day.

Just an off day from running. I headed down to Fleet Feet Brighton to pick up my Brooks Racing Team order. Everything but the Nightlife socks came in. I used my $15 gift certificate from winning my M55-59 age group at the Safe Journey 5K to buy more Powerbar Gel for upcoming longer runs. I also checked our Cavalier's air pressure. Christine had noticed that the tires looked a bit low ... her keen eyes were right. The fronts were 23 and the backs were 25. I used my handy dandy air compressor to fill them up to 32.


Saturday, 11/17/12: Around the streets of Irondequoit, 44F, sunny, calm, 7.1 miles, 8:42 pace, no stops, no pain.

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the streets of Irondequoit

Christine and I slept in after a late night the night before. So I didn't roll out of bed until after 9AM ... long after when a lot of runners were already started on their long runs. I dawdled, hemmed and hawed while I conteplated what to do. How long to run? What to wear? It was 33F, then 37F, then 41F. I finally decided that I should go longer than 5.5 miles but not 10 miles. So I decided on around 7 ... just a bit more than 5.5 miles but not too much. Just baby steps as I try to build my body and right achilles back.

So ... I headed out at a really, really nice and easy pace. I took off my Brooks running jacket about 2 miles in and draped it around my neck like a preppie sweater. My right achilles was just a dull ache and didn't bother me. I got back just before noon.

Later, Christine and I got out so that she could go get her nails done at New Nails and then onward to do some pre-Thanksgiving shopping at Wegmans in Irondequoit. Man, what a zoo of people just zooming around in their shopping carts! Heaven forbid if you should get in their way!

11/10/12 to 11/11/12, Dirt Cheap Stage Race

A bit late ... but the Dirt Cheap Stage Race deserved its own blog post!

11/10/12: Dirt Cheap Stage Race #1 and #2

Saturday morning dawned damp and a bit foggy, around 39F at 7AM. Christine and I struggled to get ready. I wanted to leave at 8AM but we didn't get going until 8:15AM. We didn't forget anything but probably brought too much! We got to the intersection of Douglas Rd and Pond Rd in Mendon Ponds Park around 8:35AM and then walked up to the race site on Pond Rd.

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before DCSR #1
I had enough time for a 0.7 mile warmup at 8:15 pace on the road. Just a nice and easy warmup.



The DCSR #1 at 9AM was a time trial race with runners going off every 5 seconds. My bib was 117 so I had a bit of time to get in line, loosen up and get ready. I was off! I said "Hi" to most runners that I passed and the runners who passed me. The trail was a bit muddy and wet with dew. The start and the first 1/2 mile was uphill ... in fact most of the course seemed uphill.

I think I went out too hot in the first mile and paid for it. I didn't get lost at the one tricky right turn like I did a couple of years ago. I walked the major hills like most runners and survived in 30:01. I finished 71st out of 155, link here. I was 8th out of 20 in my M50-59 age group, link here.

Christine and I headed back to the apartment between #1 and #2. We put KT tape on. I put mine on my right achilles. Christine put hers on her left ankle. Exciting stuff! We drove back in plenty of time to snag an excellent close parking spot for DCSR #2 up in Devil's Bathtub. We relaxed until about 20 minutes before the race before I geared up to get ready for the next race.

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before DCSR #2
I headed out for a 0.8 mile warmup at 9:06 pace to warm up my cold and soon to be aching muscles.



I barely got ready for the start but managed to get to my usual starting location just under a minute before the 1PM start. The weather had become overcast and a little bit warmer but was still damp and dreary. I started out well and found my running groove. I did find my share of mud in the bog at mile 1. I tried to go straight through instead of going around on the rooty trail to the right. I went in up to my left ankle at one point. Other runners went in thigh or knee high trying the same thing so I felt unliked by the mud ... until later! I saw some runners off course around mile 1.7 so I was passed by some runners twice. I flirted with more mud in other muddy sections until I got sucked right out of my right shoe at mile 3.9! My shoe didn't want to go back on ... so I got my white light running gloves all dirty (which didn't come out in the wash) twisting and turning my muddy sneaker back on. I wasted about a minute and several places before I got running again. I guess I didn't lace up tight enough! I kept on running and finally climbed up the infamous stairs to the finish in 44:27 by my Garmin, 45:18 officially. I finished 76th out of 178, link here. I finished 12th out of 24 in my M50-59 age group, link here.

Just after the start

I didn't splash Laura when I passed by ... unlike a couple of other runners!

Notice that my white gloves aren't so white anymore ...

I hung out for a while comparing running notes with fellow runners and chowing down hot dogs ... nutritious food for runners! Unfortunately, Michael Shortley fell just before the finish and punctured a lung. Running trail anywhere can be dangerous ... especially in the fall when the fallen leaves hide lots of roots, rocks, ruts and who know what else.

Thursday, 11/15/12, UPDATE: Michael Shortley is home mending. I wish him a speedy recovery.

I know full well how dangerous trail running can be. I fell and cracked a rib when I attempted Seghahunda I in 2010... I still have the scars on my right arm. A hospital stay after I attempted Sehgahunda II in 2011 was an adventure too. But crossing the finish line at Sehgahunda III this year was sweet! I fully credit the Sehgahunda Training program through Fleet Feet for giving me the strength and confidence to finish Sehgahunda!

Later, Bill Beyerbach invited Christine and I out to Starbucks at the Twelve Corners in Brighton for a post race coffee. We enjoyed catching up with him. Back home I just lazed around for a long while catching up on Facebook before I took my shower. I wanted to go to bed early but didn't ... like usual.

Sunday, 11/11/12: Dirt Cheap Stage Race #3

Christine and I awoke around 7AM. I got ready for another day of trail racing fun down in Mendon Ponds Park. It was a bit warmer, 55F, so I thought about wearing my Brooks Racing Team tank instead of the short sleeve shirt but decided it was a bit too cool. We got down to the Beach parking lot around 8:30AM in plenty of time for the 9AM start.

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before DCSR #3
I got out for a really nice and easy warmup run to try to get my stiff muscles loose ... not so much.

My philosophy for this race was to finish. So I started out nice and easy without water and only 1 Gu and some Chomps (more of this later). I did run pretty well the first two miles at 9:15 pace along familiar trails.

The start along the beach ... just nice and easy!

I saw Christine at the mile 5 waterstop and had my peanut butter Gu. I was slowing down a bit. My mantra was "Relentless Forward Progress", just one foot in front on the other and repeat. I walked the major hills and ran the flats and downs.

Christine was also at the mile 7 and mile 9 water stops. Thank you, darling! The last waterstop was at the top of Devil's Bathtub. I found out here that I hated Chomps ... too chewy like Gummy Bears for my taste. I headed down the infamous stairs and then made a wrong turn at a leaning arrow marker, turned left and did this loop again. This time when I got back to the Devil's Bathtub Christine had already gone to the finish. I headed back down the infamous stairs again and made the correct right turn. I was running on fumes now ... my stomach was empty, I needed nutrition and it was a struggle to maintain a slow run. But I just walked when I had to ... even on the flats. I willed myself forward, and up the uphill finish. Christine and fellow runners were there to yell encouragement as I finished ... always sweet!

Trying to sprint to the finish ... my new Facebook profile pic!

I asked ... Ok, begged ... Christine to bring me food as soon as possible as I walked slowly to Stewart Lodge. I grabbed and ate a banana first ... then quickly downed 2 helpings of pasta and cookies. Soon I felt human.

Here are some photos of finishers that I knew ...

Beth

Boots at rest ....

Carl

Chuck

Courtney

Dave

Frank

Jim R

Joe

John

Kathy

He wanted to finish ... even with one shoe!

Patrick

Sandy

Sean

Tina with a 1:06 PR!

Wendy

 Anyway ... my Devil's Bathtub excursion cost me 0.9 miles and about 12 minutes according to my Garmin. But it was what it was ... getting lost during a trail race sometimes happens. I did OK, 11.29 miles, 2:10:54, 118 out of 158, link here. I was 22nd out of 27 in my M50-59 age group, link here. I was 84th out of 128 in the overall DCSR standings, link here. I earned my Dirt Cheap Stage Race hoodie, though my Large is on backorder ... a bit of a bummer that I didn't get to don it right away.

Christine drove home. I managed to get up the stairs to the apartment and then just plopped down on the couch ready for some coffee and Facebook. I watched the Buffalo Bills lose a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots, 31-37, link here, to fall to 3-6. It did seem that the Pats had the refs in their back pocket with several dubious calls. But the Bills did have a chance to win it at the end ... another costly interception by Fitzpatrick ended their chance.

Sunday, 11/4/12 to Friday, 11/9/12

I ran once this week, 5.5 miles.

Sunday, 11/4/12: Rest day.

Christine and I had a very lazy morning and throughly enjoyed our extra hour of hour as we changed from Daylight Savings Time back to Eastern Standard Time. Then we read the Sunday Democrat and Chronicle and drank coffee. Soon we headed out to Newark to see my daughter, Karen. My darling Christine stayed out in the car since she is allergic to cats. Karen came out to the car to talk to her before we headed back up to Rochester.

It did feel refreshing to NOT see the Buffalo Bills lose down in Texas to the Houston Texans. They did make a game of it, being only down 9-14 in the 4th quarter but ended up losing, 9-21 to fall to 3-5, link here.

Monday, 11/5/12: Another rest day.

Just another rest day. Christine cooked a most excellent bottom round roast (that we picked up at Savealot in Newark) along with rice and brussel sprouts. She outdid herself ... very yummy! We are definitely looking forward to voting for the candidates of our choice tomorrow and for seeing and hearing no more political ads on Wednesday!!

Tuesday, 11/6/12: Physical therapy day

Physical therapy with Jeff went well today. I didn't have pain today when I exercised my right achilles. I just had the sensation of using a sore muscle which was quite a difference. I learned that my knee and quad muscles are weak .... so I guess I really, really, really should start using my dormant Planet Fitness gym membership. I really need to strengthen my core! I had my gear and thought about going out for a run after work but my right achilles had gotten sorer during the day and I knew it wasn't up to the task.

We voted at the nearby Northridge Church for the candidates of our choice. It took about 10 minutes ... no fuss at all. It took much longer in other areas of the country ... like Florida.

Christine treated me to supper at Monte Alban Restuarant & Grill on East Ridge Road. I am not really into Mexican food but after years of her wanting to go, we went. It wasn't as spicy as I expected and wasn't too bad.

Wednesday, 11/7/12, Yet another rest day.

Just another rest day. I could have gone out for a run but decided against it. I took Christine to have her nails filled and colored ... Sacred Heart, a very nice red. Nice!

Thursday, 11/8/12: Around the block in Irondequoit, 5.5 miles, 46:13, 8:25 pace, 35F, night, no stops.

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the block in Irondequoit

I was a bit sore from walking at work but I needed to run after 5 off days. I could have let the couch suck me up, Facebooked all night while watching the DVR but I got up and out. I just took it nice and easy ... while I could feel my right achilles with every right footfall. Just like a dull ache ... over and over. But I did get my running endorphins. I got back just in time for Christine to leave for her massage at MassageEnvy. She came home all relaxed. Maybe one of these days maybe I will get one ... maybe.

Friday, 11/9/12: Decision day.

Christine and I set our wedding day today. We just up and decided on Friday, November 30th. We are going to get the marriage license on Wednesday, November 21st. Christine was so excited! We are going to City Hall and get married ... no church, no limo, no hall, no band, no photographer, no honeymoon, just keep it simple. Both of us have already had our first marriages with all the fuss and don't need any more fuss.

Sunday, 10/28/12 to Saturday, 11/3/12

I ran 3 times this week, 18.45 miles.
During the month of October, I ran 53.41 miles, 17 runs in 31 day, 3.1 miles/run.
So far in 2012, I have run 1053.46 miles, 177 runs in 304 days, 6.0 miles/run.
I have about 90 miles to run before I set a year mileage record.

Sunday, 10/28/12: Rest day ...

I felt like such a slug all day. I read Facebook posts about people that ran down in Mendon Ponds Park at 8AM and others who did the Dirt Cheap Stage Race preview run at 9AM and 10:30AM. I should have set my alarm, got my sorry ass out of bed and gotten out on the trails ... but I didn't and slept in until 10AM. But ... Christine and I made do instead ... I fixed her breakfast in bed, then we read the Sunday Democrat and Chronicle. Hey, I was kind of sore from yesterday's Pumpkins in the Park 5K so ... it was all good. But still ...

The Weather Channel was in full end of the world mode with Hurricane Sandy expected to hit New Jersey dead on Monday evening. The forecast models have it hitting Syracuse by Wednesday.

Monday, 10/29/12: Another rest day.

The rain started around noon with a light rain. By the end of the work day, I thought I was a wise idea to stay in for the evening. Christine cooked up spare ribs so ... we stayed in and enjoyed supper while we listened to the rain and wind against the apartment windows. Hurricane Sandy, packing 90mph winds and a full moon driven storm surge, made landfall just south of Atlantic City, New Jersey around 8PM. I actually went to bed at 10PM to try to get a good rest before tomorrow's physical therapy.

Tuesday, 10/30/12: Physical therapy in the morning and a 5 mile run in the evening

First, physical therapy sucked! I just couldn't get my right achilles moving smoothly so every exercise was a chore and hurt besides. I would say the pain was a 4 out of 10. When I walked during the day, I was not comfortable. I limped whenever I started to walk and then the discomfort never went away even when my right achilles had warmed up. I was like a half second slow on my right side when I walked.

Hurricane Sandy wrecked devestation on New York City and the eastern seaboard during the night and then disappeared into Pennsylvania. All upstate New York got was rain and wind which knocked about 10% of RG&E's customers out of power. Runners were asking ... will the NYC Marathon be held on Sunday?

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the block at RTP-B6

Anyway, I had my running gear with me so I was going to run. It was still daylight after work so I decided to run when I was. If I drove anywhere it would have been near dark by the time I got there. The result was the same ... my right achilles never really warmed up. I felt the discomfort with every right footfall. I had to just tell myself to keep running ... I ruled my run not my right achilles. I did a nice, easy, but uncomfortable 5 miles around the Rochester Tech Park, 8:45 pace, and got my running endorphins. And yes, I am signed up for the Mendon Ponds 20K Train Run on Saturday. Am I stupid? Probably ... but I am still running it.

Wednesday, 10/31/12 through Friday, 11/2/12: Rest days

Just your usual rest days. I tryied to do my physical therapy ... not always succeeding but I tried. The days just seem to run together without a run to break them up. What was left of Sandy managed to get lost in Pennsylvania and caused days of clouds, a bit of rain and wind ... nothing too exciting. The NYC Marathon was cancelled on Friday afternoon after it became a divisive issue among New Yorkers who were suffering without adequate power, food or water.

Saturday, 11/3/12: 1 mile and 12.45 miles

My right achilles felt kind of OK on Friday so I was hopeful about my attempt at the Mendon Ponds 20K. The weather dawned a battleship gray, 38F ... typical for any race in upstate NY in November. My darling Christine and I made it down to Mendon Ponds Park around 9:05AM and luckily got a parking spot about 200 yards from the start. The 50K race, 5 loops of a 10K loop, had already started at 8AM.

Garmin Connect Activity for Warmup before the Mendon Ponds 20K
I put in a nice and easy 1 mile warmup at 8:51 pace to get ready. My right achilles was a nag and a bit tight.



Well ... this year's Mendon Ponds 20K started without me. I got back to the car from my warmup, got my gear and headed to the start at 9:28AM and everyone was already gone. So I just stashed my gear, watered up, took off my Brooks Nightlife jacket and headed out about an estimated 5 minutes late. It was my fault. I cut my preparation too close.

So ... I basically gave everyone in the 5K, 10K and 20K a headstart. Plus I didn't turn on my Garmin for a tenth of a mile as I headed out to track a lot of them down. I did say "Hi" to almost everyone that I passed. I felt pretty good on the first loop. I was dressed perfectly for the weather: CW-X tights, a black long sleeve tech, my Brooks Racing Team short sleeve tech, heavy running gloves and Christine's red/black ear warmer. The course was a bit muddy with leaves covering some of the roots and rocks. The weather itself was very variable: a mixture of light snow, light mist, sun and wind ... sometimes within five minutes of each other. My 1st loop split was 1:08:05 according to the official timing, my timing had 1:03-ish. I spent a couple of minutes in transition to get some water, a Gu and a Gel before heading back out.

Loop 1 ... my sleeves are down.

The second loop was more of the same with a lot fewer runners since the 5K and 10K runners were done. I thought it got a bit warmer for a couple of minutes ... but that soon passed as more light snow, light rain and wind put that notion out of my head. My left hip started to hurt around mile 9. I gave a couple seconds of thought to walking it in ... but I decided to walk the hills if I had to and find a nice and easy but slower run pace to run the flats and downs that didn't hurt too much. I am sure that my left hip pain was due to compensation for my right achilles that was giving me a bit of trouble but not as much as I expected. I continued onward. There were quite a few people on the trails that I kept seeing: a group of 20 or so men, a group of Cub Scouts and their leaders, the usual dog walkers with their dogs and three military types with heavy packs. I got to the last downhill and headed in to the finish. I could hear Christine yelling out as I came in at 2:22:13, a 2nd loop of 1:14:09. My Garmin had my total elapsed time of 2:16:45. I figure that I wasted a minute at 9:20 pace for 0.1 mile before I turned on my Garmin so my unofficial time was 2:17:45 ... about a 4:30 difference.

Officially, I did OK. I was 27th out of 41, link here. I was11th out of 15 in my M50-59 age group, link here. The other races were well represented:. the 5K had 19, the 10K had 63 and the 50K had 52 with 20 DNFs. The Grocery Run 5K in downtown Rochester had 910 runners. Meanwhile, several Rochester runners ran the Hamilton Marathon up in Canada and Jim McLaughlin became an Ironman again in 11:34 down at the Ironman Panama City. I tracked his progress from the comfort of our leather couch, link here.

Christine and I spent a lot of time in the East Lodge warming up, reviving and eating bagels with peanut butter and coffee. My left hip hurt quite a bit whenever I moved. We saw Tina P come in from her 20K looking a bit white-faced. So we made sure we got her some soup so she could revive a bit.

I ambled to the car and Christine drove back to our apartment. Later, a hot bath seemed to work wonders on my left hip along along with some pizza and coffee. We had a late supper of salmon ... tasty. My darling Christine takes care of me just like I do her! All in all, a great day! The Dirt Cheap Stage Race with 3 races of 3, 5 and 11 miles over 2 days next weekend beckons!