4/21/07 Bulldogs Unleashed 5K

Second time running this little race. Fundraiser for the Middle School arts programs. Directors do not have tons of experience but they try hard and care. I was the first person to arrive at the school and had plenty of time to warm up, 3 miles and sign up. Nice weather and T-shirt.

Start - small crowd, trying to guess the age group of those around me. Looks like a good shot at another dog bone award.

Finish - Gosh these 5Ks are short. Just barely made it under 7min pace. Very pleased with time and 2nd place in age group bone is a fun treat.

Fastest 5K in 6 years
21:36
10th of ???
race #109 5K#38
****

4/7/07 Easter Marathon

I like the idea of a training run of 26 miles about six weeks prior to a real marathon race. Time for a low key Bob Green race as part of CCM training. Problem is though that I taper a bit and think about the race and feel like I could run well, so why not go for it? Light rain.

Start - Small group. Who are these people in funny yellow shirts? Marathon Maniacs? What is up with that?

Mile 1-17 - Might as well be on a solo training run. See photo. Nice to have Billy and Tammy drive by a few times to cheer.

Mile 18 - Uh oh, getting tired. I did run 55 miles last week.

Mile 21 - Give up on PR and shoot for staying under 4 hours.

Mile 26.2 - Hop across the finish line. Always satisfying.

3:56:48

6 of 22

race #108 marathon #10

****

3/3/07 Run for Luck 10K

Third consecutive Run for Luck. Pretty sure that I will not be able to out run last years time, but looking forward to this great little race. Perfect weather

Mile 2 - Been doing some training on this trail, this is familiar territory

Mile 4 - Losing my form. I can tell that I am falling apart. Just hang on to the turn off the trail to the finish

Mile 6.2 - Done, a little slower than last year, but I'll take it. Now eat some food and wait for the results. Sweet - third in age group ribbon. Post race raffle goes well too as I bring home a Seahawks sweatshirt.

45:34
12th of 57 runners
Race #107 10K#16 Run for Luck#3
****

2/24/07 Resolution Run 15 miles

Goal: sub 2 hours, that is an 8min/mile pace. The 15 and 20 mile Resolution Runs are not for the casual runner. At that distance the racers are spread out and most of them are very very fast. The course is boring. Great mental training for longer distances however. What could make this even tougher? How about a steady rain? Wearing my rain jacket the whole way.

Mile 7.7 - Say hi to Cherish. Gosh, she is not far behand me, so cool to see her training for her forst marathon and doing great. Natural talent.

Mile 12 - Some bad patches. Struggle through.

Mile 14.75 - Tiring but now on the track. I can always run once around the track. Love seeing that clock and knowing that I will PR!! Dry off and warm up.

1:59:21
70 of 115
Race#106
****

2/10/07 St Martins 5K

After last years rain and wind we were happy to just have fog this year. Jody and I using our free entry that we won last year. Billy training with the CCM group. I still think this course is long and I never run well here.

Mile 2.5 - Falling apart, losing form.

Mile 3.1 - Sprint to the finish. Back home by 10:30AM

22:25
1st in age group ribbon, but never saw overall results
Race#105
****

1/1/07 Steilacoom Resolution Run 5 miles

Favorite way to ring in the new year: go to bed early, get up and race. Billy and Raymond make the short trip north. Have not raced in two months. Cool but nice.

Mile 1 - Feeling strong, running smoothly

Mile 5 - That went really well. Ran a rare negative split and managed my best time to date on this course. Great way to start 2007

36:18
65 of 154
****

10/28/06 Tenino Ghostmuster 5K

Last week was frustrating, I just could not kick it into high gear. I am a little worried about that today, especially here will so many friends and family. Love the Ghostmuster though and plan to have a fun time regardless. Good long warm up and I seem to be ready. Cool fog, little wind.

Start - Jared will stay behind and run the one mile race in 8:30. Jody starts toward the back. Billy is right with me.

Mile 0.25 - Wow Billy is going fast, I thought I was starting too quick, he is surging ahead

Mile 1 - Finally catch Bill, I am feeling relaxed and smooth. Just under 7 minute first mile.

Mile 3.1 - It is good to finally know this course and know when to sprint to the finish. Much faster and better race than last week. Second place in age group ribbon. Later I would get a letter in the mail stating that "due to a missapropriation of the ribbons I should have received a 3rd place ribbon"

22:07
13th of 45
****