even my tree is in the running spirit...

93 to go...

So far so good. My plan to get to 1,000 miles for the year is well on it's way. I am right on track to reach my goal. I was able to take Wednesday off this week, so I can give my body a little rest, and I ran this morning at a nice easy pace. I am feeling pretty good, a little tired as I am squeezing my runs in whenever I possibly can.

On another note, our Christmas tree was put up last weekend (a vintage 1960's aluminum christmas tree, complete with color wheel). Last year was the first time we put it up and we really liked it - nostalgic and sentimental for my wife (it was her grandmother's). As for Christmas shopping, I am 95% done with it, with only my wife to finish up. I am mailing off my three sister's and grandmother's gifts today.

Saturday is my wife's family Christmas party. We will head up to Muncie, Indiana to her aunt's house for the festivities.

Anyway, that is all for now. I will update my progress in a couple of more days... stay warm out there!

104.8

No, this isn't the temperature (far from it). This number represents the miles I have remaining to reach my 1,000 miles in a year goal (running only - no biking or walking). Last year I tallied up my mileage and it was 924... a little short of the 1,000 mark. So this year I am making the push to get there - sort of in the spirit of Dean Karnazes, but without anything remotely "ultra" about it...

Actually, by my calculations, I only need to run 4 miles every day through the end of the year, so I expect to have no problem getting there. I'll keep you posted...

jingle bell run

It was my last race of the year... the Jingle Bell Run 5k. I had high hopes of posting a quick time, and while it wasn't what I asked Santa for, it was a respectable time...

It was a very sunny, but very cold (28 degrees) morning. I got to packet pick-up with 40 minutes to spare before the race, so I took my time, did an easy jog to and from for a warm-up to find out I needed my hat! I almost NEVER wear a hat (not too shabby for a "folically challenged guy"), but this morning my ears were cold to the point they hurt. So I grabbed my hat when I got back to my truck and then headed over to the starting line with jingle bells attached to my running shoes...

The race was chip timed, but there was no starting mat, so I tried to start right at the front, but once again got behind too many people (I underestimate how fast I have gotten over the last year and a half) and I spent the first half mile weaving around people - but there was plenty of room for all runners and it was a great time. I love this race because it is kind of fun to run and hear almost nothing but the sound of jingle bells for the entire 5k! They had Christmas music playing on the track where the race started near and finished on.

I spent the enitre run thinking I was going too slow, and feeling sluggish. I tried to push as much as I could at the last mile - the slight hills felt like nothing surprisingly though. All of the races I have run on this same course (and there are a lot of 5k races that use the same course) I slowed on these inclines, but this time they were not a factor - I was keeping my stride.

I do not know how I did for each mile - I chose not to time myself, but just run by how my body felt. My overall performance was 23:51 for a 7:40/mile pace. A new PR! I was slightly disappointed that I did not place in the top three in my group, which was the "Santa weight" division instead of my normal age group, though I faired better in this race placing 5th.

So the remainder of the year is going to be focused on my mileage and trying to get over a 1,000 miles for the year... I have seen a lot of runners post much higher mileage for the year, and that is my goal for next year so I will hopefully become a stronger, faster and leaner runner...

Happy Holidays to all!

he who hesitates...

will find himself without a race...

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon sold out with 35,000 entries 500 Festival celebrates record registration

INDIANAPOLIS (November 27, 2006) – The 500 Festival announced today the 31st Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has sold out with 35,000 entries in record time. This comes five months in advance of the May 5,2007 race. This year participants from 50 states and seven countries have registered. Entries postmarked on or before today, November 27, will be accepted.

This marks the earliest sell-out for the event. The 2006 event sold out December 2, 2005 with 35,000 entries. The 2005 event sold out by December 13, 2004 with 30,000 entries. The annual road race celebrating the Indianapolis 500 has continued to grow since its inception in 1977 and a field of 800 participants

Well, it looks like I lost track of time and didn't get signed up. I was indecisive on whether I would run the Mini again or try something new. I guess my mind has been made up for me... I now have to choose a new race to run this spring... I am thinking it is time for a spring marathon... and my decision is the Flying Pig...

Training will commence in January -- I can't wait!