Category: Running

Ran early yesterday and then had a long day with a work event last night so didn’t get to write about my run. Just a normal morning run with average pace to conserve for the race. Then went and picked up my race packet!

The Mesa Marathon is one of my favorite and this was my 8th time running the half. The course is mostly flat with a few areas slow downhill stretches.

The runners are bused out to the start line so it is a very early morning. Instructions said to arrive at the parking lot at 4:30am to be on the bus by 5:15am. I left the house at 4:30am and made it there with plenty of time to spare.

No fireworks this year at the start of the race, but there was a full moon. The temperature at the start was 47 degrees and I don’t know what it was at the finish. I know it felt good and I wasn’t ever too cold or too hot.

I felt strong and had several runners I used to keep me on pace. Fairly consistent pace of 8:58 average for the first nine miles. I slowed a bit after that and final average pace was 9:03 per mile.

It felt so great to start that last mile and know that I was going to come in under the 2 hour mark. That was my goal the last two years and I finally did it!!

I definitely ran happy today!!

There were a whole lot of meme’s out there on social media today for groundhog day. In Arizona we don’t really pay much attention to what Punxsutawney Phil has to say about how long the winter will last. We know we don’t have it that bad compared to most of the country and the heat will come back soon enough.

He did in fact see his shadow this morning so our unusually cold weather will continue a while longer. It wasn’t bad this morning in the mid 40’s and felt good. Again an nice comfortable pace, nothing too crazy, to rest and be ready for the race on Saturday.

Run happy!

I am not sure if it is just mid week tired legs or left over fatigue from the long run on Sunday. Either way, my legs felt heavy this morning and the run was a nice slow pace just to get them going and shake them out.

Interesting morning in Casa Grande with heavy fog that hung around a good part of the morning. I went from a sunny drive on I10 to a foggy and gloomy morning in CG. It didn’t affect the mood though as the office was buzzing with energy today.

Run happy!

And back to the treadmill and iFit 5k in Bryce Canyon, Utah. Did you know Utah has the most national parks of any state? There are five national parks in Utah…and I can not name them.

Run happy!

There is something special about every 100 days. Each time I hit a 100 day milestone I feel a sense of accomplishment and of deep gratitude. I am proud of the commitment and the stamina to keep up the streak. It isn’t easy and there are some days where I do have to sacrifice some sleep or an event.

Mostly I am grateful that I can still run every day. I don’t know how long I will be able to do this and I don’t want to take it for granted. People ask me all the time why do I do it and I usually just answer, “because I can.” It really is that simple. I love to run and I can.

There are many people who can’t run and I dedicated my run today to a very good friend’s son, Joshua Logan, who was in a motorcycle accident one year ago that left him paralyzed. With advances in medicine and with determination there is hope that he may someday walk again. He has a long journey ahead in order to do that and I will cheer and pray for him along the way.

Until that day, I will keep running as long as I can.

And I will run happy!

Today was a 10 mile training day to prepare for the half next weekend in Mesa. Didn’t keep the pace that I want to hit next weekend so a little worried I won’t hit the PR I am shooting for. My legs and hips were just not feeling it today.

Listening to the murder mystery still while running and that makes the time pass quickly. I will finish the book on the run next weekend and have to listen to something else during the week.

Tomorrow is another big milestone day.

Run happy!

Went on a short hike at CG Mountain this morning. The sun was shining so the 40 degree weather didn’t feel that cold. Beautiful day for both the hike and the run. Standard 3 .1 miles around Villago Lake where there were many people out also enjoying the great weather.

Then had a hair appointment and dinner with a good friend who always makes me laugh. We all need friends like that!

Run happy!

My schedule started fairly full and then I had some cancellations. So I took advantage of a slow afternoon and went to the gym for a late afternoon treadmill run. Today was a 5k near Salt Lake City, Utah.

I am feeling strong still physically and getting stronger mentally. One week until my next half marathon and attempt at the new PR of under the two hour mark. I need to shave about a minute and a half off my time to hit that mark.

Run happy!

I am finding out that a wet cold is preferable to this dry, windy cold. So I opted for the treadmill again today. The iFit 5k that popped up today was a trail run in New Hampshire. I didn’t notice a date or time of year for the run, however, it was very green with tall trees, shade, and some hills. The variety was actually a challenge and fun for a change.

Playing pickle ball a bit later today and am really enjoying that. Starting to improve and wanting to find a way to get a few more days a week on the court so that I can increase the rate of improvement. Still having a blast out there!

Run happy!

Yesterday I ran my old three mile loop through the Mission Valley neighborhood. I forgot how much I like that wide community sidewalk that wraps the neighborhood and is lined with shade trees. I ran about a 9 minute pace and felt great.

Today was an early morning and the temps are in the mid 30’s so I opted for a treadmill today. The iFit program on the treadmill featured a 5k that was filmed in Cottonwood, Arizona. It was fun to have the guided run and hear the commentary about the history of Cottonwood and the wild wild west. Great start to the day.

Run happy!