Inspired by Katie's thread, I thought I'd start this one....

If I may say so, my running group is the best there is. We usually run on Wednesday evenings (tempo) and long run on Saturdays. Here's our core group:

Dave- 68 y.o. pshrink. He's everyone's hero...ran a sub-4 at Napa 2 months ago.
Bill- He's the oracle...58 and ran a 3:34 last fall in super-hot/humid running conditions. He's the one to ask about anything running-related.
KB - She's tall and runs like a gazelle.
Rod - Retired Master Sargeant...ran a 3:26 last year only to find out at Mile 20 that he forgot to put on his chip.
Jerry - Retired cop and former airborne guy. Very tough. 2 winters ago, he ran 10 miles in 10 below F temps without gloves. He was in pain the whole way but nary a whine. After that, he instituted the 0 degree rule....he doesn't run outside when the temp is below 0.
We also have two 20-somethings that started running with us this last year.

We run year round through snow and sleet, through wind and rain, through sun and heat.

They make running a heck of a lot more enjoyable.

I ran 13 miles for my long run yesterday (Saturday). Today, I was going to run a slow 6 miles....half mile into it, I experienced a momentary sharp pain just below the knee cap, front part of of the knee. I stopped, massaged it for a bit, tried to continue only to have the pain return....decided to turn back home. The downhill back home was uneventful (i.e., did not feel the pain).

Decided to go for a swim instead....ended up swimming a little over a mile.

At any rate...this is the first time I've experienced sharp pain on my knee. I played it safe by stopping.

Any thoughts?

Current Location: Saint Paul
Current Mood: anxious

This has been an incredibly cold winter - even for Minnesota. So today's heat wave (Sunny and a high of 35 F) was very much welcomed. Decided to run to the Y today, determined to "take it easy".

Ended up running the 6.5-mile uphill route in under 9 min/mile - and felt good throughout the run. Must have been the weather!

Current Location: Saint Paul
Current Mood: chipper

Frozen Half

The 7 AM WEATHER forecast was for a high in the teens with blustery, northerly winds, and wind chill in the single digits below. Dave and Rod arrived promptly at 8 AM. My wife, Judi, and the guys hopped into the warmed up car for the short drive to downtown St. Paul, and the Securian Frozen Half Marathon!

Packets picked up, numbers pinned, faces glazed over with Vaseline. Over 1300 runners are braving the cold Minnesota morning to tackle a hilly, concrete-floored course along the Mississippi River. Today’s goal was to break 2 hours. I told myself I’d be ecstatic if I finish at 1:55.

We lined up at the start…standing elbow to elbow with the other runners muzzled the cold.

The horn sounds and off we go. As usual, Judi goes towards the front of the pack, as scores of runners run passed me. I was determined not to get caught in the first-mile frenzy.

Mile one….a volunteer calling out the time…8:40…41…42…I run past him as he calls out 8:45…..Perfect, I thought. Just the right pace.

The field is starting to thin out a bit as I run past Mile Marker 3. Folks are staring to get into the rhythm. I get a tap on my shoulder....my 66 year old friend, Dave, runs by me….we exchanged a few encouraging words and off he goes….27 minutes elapsed….feeling very comfortable….tempted to go faster but decided to hold off.

Mile 5….my Garmin 205 finally gets a consistent satellite signal. I promptly reset the device…. Up ahead, I can see the lead runners heading back…..shortly after, I spot Matt. He gives a wave, and I reciprocate….around the 6 mile marker, I spot Judi heading back.

The time at the turn read 57:15. I was right on schedule and feeling good. Seeing all the runners approaching the turn as I start the trek back gave me a boost. My cadence increases.

Mile 8…I’m starting to pass runners who passed me 1 hour ago….feeling surprisingly strong, I pick up the pace as I run downhill towards 35E. The almost half-mile uphill that followed did not bother me….my Garmin shows an 8 min/mile pace.

Mile 12….I braced myself for the steep uphill approach to the finish…turning from the river road towards Jackson Street, I see several people walking up the hill as I maintained my pace….feeling my heart rate go up with every step. As I approached the crest, I slow down to recover….with about 100 meters to go, I spot a shadow behind me. That does it. I shift gears and sprint to the finish. Looking up and seeing the clock at 1:51 gave me the rush. Wow! A negative split! I ran the 2nd half in under 54 minutes!

Tags: half marathon, marathon, running
Current Mood: accomplished