Victory Over Violence 5K: 'Patience, hell . . .'

During my first job out of college, one of my (many) bosses had a cartoon in his planner, that featured two vultures sitting on a tree limb. One looks to the other and said, 'Patience, hell. Let's go kill something.'

Last post, I mentioned something about becoming a walker, and I may have said something earlier about my company being a sponsor of the Women's Shelter Victory Over Violence 5K and that I thought I should participate.

Last week, during one of my walks, a runner zipped past me. I didn't feel compelled to chase the runner down, but I did decide that I would run in the VOV 5K and not walk. I haven't run in months, but . . . well, patience, hell . . .

I ran-walked my way to a 32:55 finish (no chips, my watch), which is just eight seconds slower than last year's time of 32:47, when I trained for about a couple of months. In 2005, I ran the 5K in 34:20, but I don't remember how much I trained. I just remember being hot and fat.

So, patience aside, I took off in a confident lope (after taking two minutes to walk up to the starting line) and zipped around lines of chatting walkers. I completed my first mile in 9:45, and I started one-minute walks around 12-14 minutes.

The question arises: how can you run the first mile in slightly less than 10 minutes, then slow to a run-walk and still finish at about a 10 1/2 minute pace? About 1/4 mile before the finish, the VOV course, which winds through Fort Worth's Trinity Park, takes a sharp right toward the finish line.

At the turn, I jokingly asked a college student who was directing runners if I was in the lead, and he just looked confused (hope he's not a pre-med student). I always accelerate when I see the finish line, and when I did, I heard corresponding footsteps to my right. I pick up my pace, and he picks up his pace.

I glance to the side and see that it's a teenage boy, and testosterone-induced second-wind kicks in. He and I are racing to the finish line, and I'm thinking that I can beat him with a strong finish.

Then the question that crosses every middle-aged man's mind during strenuous activity came up: Are you nuts!? At 52, it's difficult to tell whether you're pushing your body to its limits . . . or you're getting ready to have a heart attack.

He eased by me about 20 yards from the finish line, and I thought I could push a little harder to catch and pass him. Then I questioned my sanity and let him go.

I'm hoping he was tired and had to go take a nap, but I probably should've thanked him for pushing me to a strong finish and a time, with no recent training, close to last year's.

I'll return to walking (I've really enjoyed it), but I'm sure there'll be some evenings when a runner will pass me, and I'll look up the sidewalk and mutter, 'Patience, hell. Let's go kill something.'

Change of Pace

I'm thinking about becoming a walker. If you've read any of my previous posts, you can probably tell how hard it is for to stick to a running program. We have a really nice neighborhood for walking (a lot of trails and parks), so I can pick up for a 30-45 minute walk and carry on without looking like I've been for a swim (and smelling like I've been hiding in a gym locker). Plus, with the cost of gasoline, it'll be nice to wrap up my walk at the neighborhood grocery, or the Y, or the donut shop.

The Women's Center Victory Over Violence 5-K is in a couple of weeks, and I think I can run a 5-K without having to dial 9-1-1. I'm registered (our company is a sponsor), so I'll be there.

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!