But I'm sick and have a temperature

Originally published June 6, 2007

Back in the days of three TV channels (four if you could get PBS), 'I'm sick and have a temperature' was the tag line delivered by a semi-faking kid for a sure-fire remedy commercial. That's probably what my excuses for not running for the last few weeks sound like. Actually, I think I pulled a muscle in my lower abdomen after my 5K, and it really seems to become aggravated when I run. I have been using the elliptical trainer at the Y, but it's not quite the same (not nearly the sweat and staggering and general overall misery). I'm hoping that I'll be back to full speed (me and speed used in the same sentence -- ha!) in about a month. Can't do any ab work, and I feel kind of like Santa Claus.

And, then there's the friend, another dad, who's devastated because his son has chosen to run cross country and track instead of playing baseball. I don't think that the boy's coming out of the closet; I just think he's chosen to run. Is run-o-phobe an appropriate diagnosis for the dad?

Speed of lightning, bolt of thunder . . .

Originally published April 15, 2007

I finished yesterday's 5K with a chip time of 32:47.9, which is about a 10:30 mile. Not too exciting for most runners, but I'm ecstatic. I ran in the same Victory Over Violence 5K a couple of years ago and finished in 34:20.75, #476 compared to this year's #317. Believe it or not, I've had much worse 5Ks, and I think my PR was only about 29 minutes, so I'm really happy. Given my current condition, lack of training, weight, age (and just about any other excuse), I think this a good stepping stone to another personal record (even snails have PRs).

Yesterday morning was COLD and WINDY. A cold front moved in Friday with tornadoes and hail. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to help direct early traffic, and I was SO cold. I think weather conditions helped my run though because I was happy to do anything warmer.

When I ran a couple of years ago, Kim fussed at me because I slowed down at the finish line. Normally, I'm like a horse headed to the barn when I see the finish line, but I usually won't pass anyone near the chute because I know how hard they've worked to get there (and I've seldom worked THAT hard . . . probably why my 5K PR is 29 minutes).

Yesterday, I started to sprint and passed all the other remaining slow-pokes long before the chute. I was pretty excited, then I heard footsteps behind me. I never looked back to see if the runner was possibly pregnant while pushing a triple stroller or an octagenarian pulling an oxygen tank, but I did find the burst to not get passed.

I told Kim (who wasn't there -- something about the early morning arrival) that I was THE MAN and showed no mercy to other runners at the finish. She just rolled her eyes.
So, no Underdog-caliber speed of lightning, etc., but the race was fun.

Una Mas five pounds

Originally published April 12, 2007

I think I know why Kenya produces so many great marathoners . . . because it's so far away from any Mexican restaurants. I'm running in Saturday's Victory Over Violence 5K, and I noticed that last night's beef fajita quesadillas and today's tamales for lunch have done nothing to improve my stamina, strength or speed.

I probably need to focus more on my running (ya think?). After I ran this evening, I went to my daughter's volleyball practice. While I'm watching, I look down at my shorts and wonder what happened to the black stripe that went across the bottom hem of my red shorts. Then I realize that I'm wearing my shorts inside out. Whew!