Monday, November 26, 2012

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.