Weekly Recap-7 Weeks Until Beach To Bay

Sunday.
Off-flying home from Dubai

Saturday
Walked 4 around the green community homes.

Friday
Off-work

Thursday
Off-work

Wednesday.
Off-work

Tuesday.
Long day. Walked / jogged 5k on hotel treadmill

Monday
Walked / jogged 10 on hotel treadmill.

Weekly Recap-8 Weeks Until Beach To Bay

Sunday.
Quick four on hotel mill.

Saturday
Traveling to Dubai.

Friday
Traveling to Dubai.

Thursday.
Good 7 on mill before going to airport.

Wednesday.
Well, after a week of good eating. Fell off the wagon with junk food today. Back on it tomorrow

Tuesday.
Ran 5 in afternoon. Walked one more

Ran 3 at night, walked two more.

Monday
Long 14 hr work day. Hit mill four fast four with 5 X 200 meter light strides.

Weekly Recap-9 Weeks Until Beach To Bay

Sunday.
Did three with girls down Oso in afternoon, then another 3 on mill walked one more.
Easy four down Oso at night.

Saturday
Worked part of day, but nice 7 miler with a bit of bump on incline. Good pace.

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Long work day

Wednesday.
Off-14 hour work day

Tuesday.
Surprised myself.  Hit the mill and after 4 was ready to quit.  Stayed with it and put in a decent, but slow nine.  If I could drop 5 more lbs, I could get back to consistent 8-10 milers.

Monday
Off-15hour day

Weekly Recap-10 Weeks to Beach To Bay

Sunday.
Off-Out of Country

Saturday
Off-Out of Country

Friday
Hotel treadmill. Walked / jogged 8. Really hot in room.

Thursday..
Off-Out of Country

Wednesday.
Off-Out of Country

Tuesday.
Off-Out of Country

Monday
Off-Out of Country

Weekly Recap-No Scheduled Races

Sunday.

Saturday

Friday
Wanted to get 5 or so. Went to a Bar Mitva instead. They had a huge desert buffet. Less the said the better.

Thursday.
Came on after a long trip. Slow 5

Wednesday.
Off-In Ecuador on business.

Tuesday.
Off-In Ecuador on business.

Monday
Off-In Ecuador on business.

Weekly Recap-No Scheduled Races

Sunday.
Off a few days -Out of country. Still 195, gotta drop 10-15 pounds before Beach To Bay.

Saturday
Girls had a 5k a couple miles away. I ran there, ran 5k with them, ran back. About 8 miles in all.

Friday
Long day-off

Thursday.
Hit pavement for easy 5 when I got home. Walked, mostly jogged 4 more at night

Wednesday.
Long 13 hr day. Hit pavement for slow 4.

Tuesday.
Walked / jogged 5.

Monday
Long 14 hr day. Still managed a fast six.

Weekly Recap-No Schedule Races

Sunday.
Fast 4 with some incline

Saturday
Worked part of day. Hit pavement for 6. Nice cool weather

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Six on mill but increased speed and incline throughout. Pretty good work.

Wednesday.
14 hr day. Off

Tuesday.
Hit pavement for four

Monday
Quick four on mill

Weekly Recap-No Scheduled Races

Sunday.
Quick four on mill at night.

Saturday
5k run with girls in the a.m.

Friday
Off-Too much work

Thursday..
14 hr day. No time to run.

Wednesday.
Long day. Hit payment for slow 4 right after getting home.

Tuesday.
Off

Monday
Off

Weekly Recap-No Scheduled Races

Sunday.

Saturday

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Hit mill for standard 5. Felt ok. Still to heavy

Wednesday.
17 hr day. Off

Tuesday.
Did 30 minutes increasing speed and incline a notch every mile

Monday
Off-Too much work. 13 hr day

Weekly Recap-Planning On Doing Galveston This Week

Sunday.
Well, not much to write about.  I noted in my previous race report four weeks ago that due to a overloaded work schedule, I'm not training much.  To add to my problems, I developed a cold the previous weekend.

Too bad, this is my favorite local event.  I've finished in the top 10 the previous two years, placing in my age division both times.  Today, I was just getting in a training run.

Weather not too good-about 58 degrees with 90% humidity at the start.  The gun fired and we were off.  By mile three, I was sweating pretty good.  By mile five I was soaked in sweat and having trouble breathing.  I step off the course and decided to quit.

About a minute later, I started jogging.  At mile six I stopped again and just wanted to walk back to hotel.  I decided to try to make it at least the first lap and get in a half marathon. 

I made to mile 10 Ok, but slowed bit by bit each mile.  After 10, I had to walk run the remaining three.  I finished the first lap, half-marathon, in 1:56 and called it a day.  The sun was coming out and I knew a second lap wasn't going to happend unless I walked most of it.  Not much value in that.

Well, it happens.

Saturday
off

Friday
Off

Thursday.
off

Wednesday.
got home late. Ran slow 4 on Oso parkway

Tuesday.
Really tired. Didn't think I had energy to run. But did good 7 miles

Monday
Long 13 hr day. Bad day at work. Got on mill, ran 1 minutes and quit. When inside an poured a couple of Jack Daniels on the rocks.

Weekly Recap-Might Do Galveston Marathon in 2 weeks

Sunday.
Walked / jogged 5 in morning. Walked / jogged another 4 in the afternoon. Just burning calories.

Saturday

Friday
Off-sick

Thursday.
Quick 4 when I got home. Slow 4 at night, walked two more.

Wednesday.

Tuesday.
8 when I got home

Monday
Long 13 hour day, but as soon as I got home a strapped on shoes and hit pavement for quick 7.  Weather was perfect, low 40s and barely misty.

Weekly Recap-Might Do Galveston Marathon in 3 weeks

Sunday.
Fast 4, walked one more

Saturday
Meet locals downtown for slow 12 in the am. Walked, jogged another 4 at might

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Met Jamie for slow six. Walked / jogged five more at night

Wednesday.
Slow slow four

Tuesday.
Off

Monday
Off, worked 17 hours

Fat

Stepped on a scale, which I rarely do. But feeling quite pudgy.

200lbs, about 25 lbs overweight.

Marathon # 22:Kingwood-New Year's Day

Marathon #22

Kingwood, TX

New Year's Day 2013

 

Of the 22 marathons I've run, I trained for this one the least.  I have been overloaded with work the last six months.

 

Here's the irony: I purposely accepted an international position with the knowledge that the investors set a goal to sell the company in three years.  My secret thought was—I might have time to run all I want after the sale.  I should have thought harder and realized it would mean working 70-hour weeks until then!

 

Accordingly, my training has gone to crap.  I've only averaged 25 miles a week the last three months, and I haven't run a race of any kind since March.  During the winter season, I normally run 60-70 miles a week and at least a half-marathon race every month.

 

Yep, I queued in the start line very fat and very out of shape.  It's unfortunate that I was so unprepared; the course is pancake flat and fast.  I finished fourth overall last year at this event, and that was after making a wrong turn and running a quarter mile in the wrong direction.

 

The weather—well, it was interesting.  It rained all the night before and drizzled most of the morning.  The path was quite wet, and I knew there would be several puddles, which meant water-soaked shoes—never good.

 

The sky was still very overcast, and a weak cool front was blowing through.  The gun time temperature was 57, but the wind was out of the north.  I knew that it would get cooler as the race progressed, so overall, except for the wet course, the weather was accommodating.

 

A fast time was out of the question, but since my Boston Qualifying (BQ) time is now 3:25, I thought it was a possibility.  Because I have been running for so many years and built such a strong foundation, I thought that maybe I could BQ in spite of practically no training.

 

When I mentioned the BQ attempt to John the night before, he laughed out loud. Then he offered an alternative strategy. "Look, you'll be lucky to do a 3:45 and even luckier not to injure yourself. So how about this: Crystal is having a party tonight.  There will be lots of food, and lots and lots of drinks.  Forget about the race and just enjoy New Year's Eve.  Tomorrow you can wake up at noon and then just make up one of your stupid race reports telling everyone how great you ran.  They'll be none the wiser."

 

I pressed my lips tightly together, looked down at my shoes, and exhaled with a long, low-pitched "Hmmmmmmmmm."  I looked back at John, paused a couple seconds more, and finally said, "Nah, I'd better just run."

 

So the next morning I queued up for the 8:00 a.m. start with the plan to shoot for a BQ.  The gun fired and we were off.

 

I went out at a relaxed stride and settled back in the pack.  I must admit it bruised my ego.   In my three previous small marathons, I finished fourth, seventh, and first.  I was a bit accustomed to starting with the pack leaders and all the pretentiousness that comes with it.   Now I was just some fat old guy shuffling along the course.

 

By mile one, I splashed through the first large puddle which was about two inches deep.  By the turnaround point at mile three, I had run through two more puddles, which were also muddy.  The course was out and back, which meant I would hit all three again; 6 puddles a lap X 4 laps = wet, cold shoes and lots of leg pain.

 

I finished the first 6.55-mile lap in 51:10, exactly on a 3:25 BQ pace.  I felt fine aerobically and was breathing lightly, but I could already feel the extra 15 pounds of fat I was carrying.  I pulled back 15 seconds a mile.

 

Halfway through the second lap, I began seriously entertaining the idea of just calling it quits at the half-marathon point.  The race director actually said before the gun that if any marathoner stopped after the second lap, he would be automatically switched to the half-marathon event with the accompanying medal and time placing.

 

I finished the second lap posting a 1:45 half marathon.  I decided to see if I could push through the third, which would then guarantee a marathon finish as I wouldn't dare quit on the final lap.  My leg pain progressively intensified throughout the third lap.  I steadily slowed a notch every couple of miles.  I eventually finished the third, which put me just over 20 miles.

 

My legs were now in real pain and tight.  When I walked through the water stops, I limped.  I hoped to make it to mile 21 before walking, but when I reached the marker, I decided to push for another five minutes.  Five minutes became ten, then 15; I ran a full 20 minutes past the mile 21 marker, which put me just over the 23 miles.

 

As much as I wanted to continue to the end, my legs were just too stiff.  I pulled up and walked for exactly 45 seconds and then started running again to mile 24.  The final two miles were pitiful.  I would run a quarter mile, walk for one minute, and then run another quarter.  Aerobically I felt great and wanted to sprint off in a long stride, but my legs were killing me from the mid-step of my foot all the way through my hips.

 

I limped across the finish in 3:46:10 , placing 31 out of 248 full-marathon finishers.  

 

As I walked back to my car, I muttered out loud, "Note to self: Next time John offers running advice, drink up!"

 

 

 

 

Weekly Recap

Sunday.
Ran slow six, but lots of incline.

Saturday
Worked in am, hit pavement after lunch for 5. Raphael cruised up behind me. I ran with him for half a mile and let him go. Walked / jogged 2 on mill afterwards.
Walked / jogged 4 more at night

Friday
Walked / jogged 5

Thursday..
Off

Wednesday.
Off

Tuesday.
Kingwood Marathon (3:46)

Monday
Off

Weekly Recap-May do Kingwood, May Not

Sunday.
Met Mike at 06:00 for 6.

Saturday
Off

Friday
Quick 5 in mill

Thursday..
Off

Wednesday.
Off

Tuesday.
Christmas-Off

Monday
Off-Traveling

Weekly Recap-1 Weeks Until Kingwood.

Sunday.
Off-Traveling

Saturday.
Off-Traveling

Friday
Off-Traveling

Thursday.
Off-Traveling. Did walk / jog 4 at hotel, but facilities not conducive to working out hard

Wednesday.
Came home ran fast 9. Was going to 17, but too hot and too much on my mind. Came in took a shower, packed and sat down 15 minutes. Then at 10:00, hit mill for another 5, walked one more.

Tuesday.
Off-long day

Monday
Jogged / walked 3 at 6:00 -6:30 am, before work. Just burning extra calories.
Tried to run 5 at night, 2 miles in, felt dizzy. Not enough calories. Walked another 2

Weekly Recap-2 Weeks Until Kingwood

Sunday.
Jogged 4, walked two more. On low calorie diet, makes training very difficult.

Saturday.
5k with girls in the am. 5 miles on mill at night.

Friday
Quick 8 after work. Walked one more

Thursday.
Off-Long work day

Wednesday.
Off-Long work day

Tuesday.
Off-Long work day

Monday
Hit pavement for six

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One

Sunday.
Easy two miles to Yorktown and back with girls, then a good 6 on the mile. Hit the pavement for five more after dinner. Nice and easy.

Saturday.
Worked 7:00am to 2:00. Then fast five, walked one more.

Friday
Long 13 hr day. Quick 7 after work

Thursday.
Off-Too much work

Wednesday.
Hit pavement for slow six after work.

Tuesday.
Solid 9 on mill

Monday
Off

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One

Sunday.
Met mike at 6:00am for easy 6. Bad humidity. Another 5 on mill at night

Saturday.
6 on mill, walked two more

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Off-Busy

Wednesday.
Off-Busy

Tuesday.
Long 13 hr day. Came home from work and hit pavement for quick 5

Monday
Long 14 hr day. Came home from work and hit pavement for quick 4

San Antonio Marathon 2011

Too bad the weather was crap. I was in top shape. I know I look like half dead, but I ran a 1:29 half marathon on a hilly course just 3 wks before this race.

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One

Sunday.
Met Mike, Jeff, Sid, and Clay for 17 by doing 2 loops from Coffee Waves Alameda to Naval Base and back, through University Trail.

They left me behind pretty quickly. Wasn't pretty but I got in all 17.

Saturday.
Off
Friday
went out for 4-5, again saw Raphael running in opposite direction. Again I could only stay with him about 1.5 miles. I let him go and finished up to get in almost six.

Thursday.
4 mile turkey trot with girls in am. Walked / jogged another 9 throughout day.

Wednesday.
Quick 5, waked one more.

Tuesday.

Monday

Went our for a four miler right after work.  At mile 1, I saw Raphael running the opposite direction.  I did a 180 and ran with him for about a mile. 

A little to warm and humid for me to keep up with a top runner like that, I let him go after about 1.5 miles.  Had the weather been cold, I would done all 5 on his route.
 

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One

Sunday.
Fast 5 on mill. Walked jogged another. 6 at night.

Saturday.
Pretty good 15 with Huerta in the early morning. Nice cool weather.

Friday
Off

Thursday.
On road at 5:10 for two. Then met Mike and Jamie for four more easy

Wednesday.
Up early and jogged / walked a couple on mile.  Just buring calories.  Have to get weight down.
Jogged 3 on mill at night.

Tuesday.
Fast five on mill, walked one more.

Monday
Off

Weekly Recap-San Antonio Race Week

Sunday.
I haven't run a race, of any kind, in seven months. Normally this time of year I'm running 60 miles a week. In the eight weeks prior to race day, I only averaged 20. My longest training run was only 12 miles.

 Come race week, I knew I was kidding myself, but pretended that with perfect weather I could still run a Boston Qualifier. When I saw the weather forecast called for a high of 83, that was it, I was going to stay home. I sent an text out to my running mates saying I was out. I received a reply from Von, "Do it as a workout. I'm going to pace a friend to a 3:35."

That single sentence completely changed my perspective. Von is the top runner in our group, a solid sub 3:00 marathoner. I realized that if he was willing to set his pride aside and run a much slower pace, I should get off my high horse.--Yes, Von had it right, not every race has to be a PR attempt, or even a Boston Qualifying run.

I queued up 50 meters behind the starting line. This alone busied my ego. I finished in the top 100 in my last two S.A. marathons. I had become accustom to queuing 10 yards behind the start, with all the pretentiousness that comes with it.

 

The gun fired and we were off.  I went out slow, 8:00 min / miles.  Almost immediately I felt the heat and humidity.  But mile two I was sweating good.  By mile four I was drenched and sweat was literally flying off my arms as I swung them.

 

I step off course and walked a minute.  I started to jog again.  At mile five, I stepped off course, turned off my watch and ripped the official timing ribbon (chip) off my shoe. 

 

I walked / jogged the half marathon course and immediately went back to the hotel in digust.

 

Lots of work to do.

 

Saturday.
Off

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Off

Wednesday.
Well, Von, one of groups top runners (sub 3 marathoner) is pacing a friend to a 3:35-3:40 at the S.A. marathon.  Von told me I could join and it would be a good training run.

Well, weather looks bad.  Forecast is for 83 with high humidity.  But I do need the training.  I guess I'll give it a go.  Von is a good guy.   If will be fun to run with him some.

Did five on mill last night in new shoes.  Put on my 9 ounce racers.  Man it's amazing how much going from 12 oz to 9 makes in terms of feeling light in your stride.

Tuesday.
Off-Don't think I'll do San Antonio Marathon.  Out of shape and weather looks awful.

Monday

Off-Don't think I'll do San Antonio Marathon.  Out of shape and weather looks awful.

Too Fat

My weight was too heavy at the San Antonio marathon last year.  If I can lose another 10 to 15 pounds, I'll be perfect :)

 

--
Believe or not, I was about 172lb at the start of this race. It was that I had lost about 10lbs of water weight at his point. I nearly heat stroked.

 

81st out of 4,040 full-marathon finishers

 

I'm scheduled to run it next week, but I haven't done a single run over 8 miles in two months.  I'm a blimp.

Weekly Recap-2 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Met Huerta for slow 12 in the early am.

Saturday
5k with children in am. Ran another 3 afterwards.


Friday
Slow 7 on the mill. Gotta lose 10 lbs fast. Extra weight just beats you up.

Thursday
Off-being lazy

Wednesday
Off-being lazy

Tuesday
Off-being lazy

Monday
Took Juliet to dance class.  Jogged 6.5 around Country Club area while I waited.

Weekly Recap-3 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Walked / jogged 8 at hotel in morning. Walked / jogged another four at home at night.

Saturday
Walked / jogged five in morning. 5k in SA with girls at night

Friday
Walked, mostly jogged, four before work (6:00 am). Walked / jogged another 5 at night

Thursday
Quick five on mill after work, walked on more.

Wednesday
Quick four on mill.  Better than nothing.

Tuesday
Off-Busy with Work

Monday
Off-Busy with Work

Weekly Recap-4 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Jogged 7 slow and low on mill, walked one more. Man, carrying around this extra 10 lbs makes it so much harder.

Saturday
Quick six in morning, back home. Walk / jogged another 5 in afternoon.

Friday
Off-still in Dubai

Thursday
Off-still in Dubai

Wednesday
Off-still in Dubai

Tuesday
Off-still in Dubai

Monday
Off-still in Dubai

Weekly Recap-5 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Off-out of country

Saturday
Off-out of country

Friday
Couldn't sleep. Up at 5:00 am and walked / jogged six around saga park

Thursday
In Dubai-Walked / jogged 7 around Safa Park

Wednesday
Off-out of country

Tuesday
5 on mill. At halfway point, did a 1/2 percent incline increase every quarter mile. Good short workout.

Monday
Off-Busy with work

Weekly Recap-6 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Solid 7 on mill.

Saturday
Ran 5k with girls in am.

Friday
Five, with some striding, but not very good. Out of shape
Walked 1 more

Thursday
Off-busy with work

Wednesday
Off-busy with work

Tuesday
Fast 8 on mill. My short game good, long runs suck. Probably need to slow down.

Monday
Off

Weekly Recap-7 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Walked / jogged 5

Saturday
4 with bump in incline

Friday
Decent 5, walked one more. Man, I need to lose weight

Thursday
Off

Wednesday
Decent 6, walked one more. But still running like crap.

Tuesday
Off-Too busy

Monday
Off-Too busy.

Weekly Recap-8 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Ran 5k with girls in the morning.  Did easy 4 on mill in evening, walked on more.

Saturday
Slow 6.

Friday
Fast 4.

Thursday
Fast 6 with a bit of a nudge on on the incline.

Wednesday
Off

Tuesday
Fast 6, walked one more.

Monday
Fast 7, walked one more.  Need to lose weight, hard to run smoothly

Weekly Recap-9 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Met guys downtown at 5:30am for 6.  Was very humid, really ran like crap.

Saturday

Ran 5k with girls in the morning.  Did 5 on mill in afternoon.
Friday
Off

Thursday
Walk / mostly jog 5. Just burning calories

Wednesday
Good 7 on the mill.

Tuesday
Off-Busy with work

Monday
Off-Busy with work.

Weekly Recap-10 Weeks Until San Antonio

Sunday
Went to Coffee Waves at 5:30 am, Jamie and Huerta no shows. New guy, Sam came along. We did 5 down to Dodridge nice and slow. One Back at CW, went out over Harbor Bridge, beautiful sunrise.
Ran some more on other side and saw Sid, Steve, and Kamie. Came back with them slow

12 in all.

Saturday
Off

Friday
Off-Got on mill, ran a mile and quit.  Just to fatigued.  Really need to get on a diet.
Well, autumn here soon, running will be fun again.

Thursday
Fast five with 5 X 400 moderate hills.

Wednesday
Off-Lots of work

Tuesday
jogged / walked 5 in the morning.

Monday
Off

Weekly Recap

Sunday.
Walked / jogged 7.5

Saturday.
Fast 5 on mill, walked two more

Friday
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Thursday.
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Wednesday.
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Tuesday.
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Monday
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Weekly Recap

Sunday
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Saturday
Off-Swamped with work.  Traveling out of country

Friday
Off-Swamped with work. Traveling out of country

Thursday
Off-Swamped with work

Wednesday
Off-Swamped with work


Tuesday
Off-Swamped with work

Monday
Off-Swamped with work

Weekly Recap

Sunday
Walked, mostly ran 11 throughout day

Saturday
5 on mill, walked 1 more

Friday
Off

Thursday
Walked two with girls than ran fast 5 on mill. Good speed

Wednesday
Off

Tuesday
Fast 5 on mill.  Walked one more.  Road 4 miles on bike with girls.

Monday
Ran fast 5 on mill.  Walked 2.5 more with girls.

Weekly Recap

Sunday
Fast six on the mill, walked 3 more.   Walked / Jogged another 4 at night.

Saturday
Fast 7 on the mill.

Friday
Off

Thursday
Off

Wednesday
Slow, but decent 12 on mill. Could of cruised 15 with more time..

Tuesday
Off

Monday
Off

Week 11 in Summer Limbo-No Major Races Soon

Sunday
Walked, mostly jogged 5.
Saturday
Fast 6. Walked 1 more

Friday
Fast 7 on mill

Thursday
Off- swamped with work

Wednesday
Off-Swamped with Work

Tuesday
Off-Swamped with Work

Monday
Off-Swamped with Work

Week 10 in Summer Limbo

Sunday
Walked , mostly jogged 6.

Saturday
Walked , mostly jogged 6.

Friday
Fast 7 on mill in the morning. 8 morn at night, walked two more

Thursday
Off

Wednesday
Off-Swamped with work

Tuesday
Off-Swamped with work.

Monday
Walked / jogged 5 late at night. Couldn't breathe, soaked through

Run Report-Ten Minutes of Tranquility

"Sometimes I think that all you want to do on this trip is run!?"  By the frustrated way she said it, I knew Jen meant it rhetorically, so I had the deep sagacity to be reticent rather than say what I was really thinking, You're damn right about that.  See, those who are familiar with my yearly vacation Down Under know that for me, it's no vacation.  It is mainly due to the fact that I hate children.

Okay, that's not exactly true; I don't hate children.  It's just that I hate your children.  My own children; they're exempted because of the direct blood line.  I've also conditioned myself to somewhat tolerate the children who are the friends of my children, as long as I limit my exposure to them in intervals of ten minutes on followed by one hour off.

However, I can't stand snot-nosed, screaming, out of control children in general, especially when assembled in mass.  And there's the crux of the problem.  See, just about everyday of our annual three week trip follows this basic routine.  

We load up the minivan with my two girls and then drive to one of my wife's cousins or friend's house.  Then we squeeze their three or four children into the van.  More often than not, one or two more children laden minivans have been prearranged to join us.  From there, our little minvan convoy drives to the park, skating rink, beach, or any other place where children tend to congregate in the hundreds.  And for the next four to six hours, all the mothers sit and talk about how wonderful their children are, the whole while completely ignoring the fact that their kids are whining, complaining, yelling, hitting, spilling, breaking, and snatching everything they come in contact with.

So when Jen said, "We're going to drive over to Jane's tomorrow and take all the kids to Balmoral Beach, where Michelle and her boys will also meet us," I replied, "Hey, the map says it's only 13 miles from here.  How 'bout you take everyone in the van and I'll run down and meet you there?"

It wouldn't be a full pardon, but if I could get just two hours of solitude, I'd take it.   After some resistance, Jen finally acquiesced on the condition that I get there by 10:00 a.m. sharp.  So while everyone was still asleep in the predawn morning, I rolled out of bed and suited up.

By 6:45 I was on the road but the plan wasn't to run straight through as the course was less than a two hour jog.  Instead, I hoped to spend about an hour ambulating through the inner city, a place I rarely get to see since its mostly children free.  

I ran the first nine miles straight through and arrived at Saint Mary's Cathedral at 8:00.  I took the opportunity to say a few prayers.

Exiting the east side of the church, I walked a hundred meters to the Sydney Botanical Gardens, 200 acres of paved walking / running paths surrounded by the most beautiful landscaped flora and fauna.

I could have spent the whole day there.  But at 9:00, I knew that I better get running if I didn't want to be late to the beach and risk losing my running privileges altogether.   As I exited the Gardens, I heard off to the west an irritating high pitch noise that wax and waned. As I ran down toward the wharf, I started to think the noise might be a massive flock of squawking seagulls.

Passing the wharf, I turned north and then saw what it was. 



Yep, The Bieber is Down Under, and was performing live on the Sydney equivalent of Good Morning America. Circular Quay was inundated with hundreds of snot-nosed, screaming, out of control kids!  Crap!—There's no escaping it.

I made a 180 and ran back to the Gardens.  From there I followed the outer parameter of Circular Quay, and then finally made it to the Harbor Bridge.


I ran over and then jogged another 5k reaching the Beach at 10:06.  However, when I looked around, Jen, Jane, Michelle, and all the kids weren't there.  I took out my iPhone and saw an email from Jen, "We're running late, be there at 10:20."

I sat down on the beach and spent ten minutes listening to the soft, rhythmic, and tranquil waves brush up against the shore. It sure was nice while it lasted.

Week 9 in Summer Limbo-Down in Sydney

Sunday

Saturday
Off -coming back to corpus

Friday
Ran into town in the early morning, 8 miles. Walked another 2. In afternoon, ran a fast 4.2 miles around Iron Cove, 31:20. Then walked / ran 5k with girls in afternoon. Bakery Run.
Thursday
Off

Wednesday
Walked 4 miles

Tuesday
Ran 8 to down town. Walked / jogged another 6 to Balmoral beach


Monday
Off

Week 8 in Summer Limbo-Down in Sydney

Sunday.
5k bakery workout with girls. Walked 2 more miles.

Saturday.
Out the door at 5:20am. Jogged / walked 5k to Ashfield Park. Met local running group, Sydney Striders. About 6:15, 6 of us (5 guys and one girl) headed out at a 8:30 pace in good cool weather.
Hilly course. At 10k, all runners except one broke off to finish the 15k loop. Dave and I continued on the 24k loop. I was kaput when we finished. I walked home another 5k.
Four the $4 contribution pre race, they had a nice snack table post run. I had a little fruit, that's all

Friday
Off

Thursday.
10 miles. Down to Iron Cove, around once and back. Slow and hilly.

Wednesday.
Off

Tuesday.
Off-Twisted ankle. But did walk 4 miles.

Monday
Off-Twisted ankle. But did walk 4 miles.

Race Report-An Involuntary Participant

I rolled out of bed before day break and strapped on my cold running gear.  It's Winter here in Oz and the weather was a perfect 45 degrees (7 for my metric friends).  My plan was a nice out-and-back 18 mile long-run starting at our Western suburb in Concord and pivoting at the Opera House, pausing just long enough for photo.

Being pre-dawn on a Sunday, the traffic was light which allowed me to run straight through the multiple city intersections.  However my route was hilly, hilly, and hilly.  There really wasn't a flat stretch the whole run.  After about 10 miles, the undulations begin to wear on you.  However, they also break up the course and add little interim challenges along the way.

About five miles in, I began the long stretch to the apex of Anzac Bridge, where I saw a beautiful unobstructed view of the inner-city just as the sun was rising behind the downtown office buildings.  In my mind, I imagined getting a great shot at the top of the Opera House stairs.

Then, with two miles remaining to the Opera House, I unexpectedly and spontaneously entered a race.  It happened just as I crossed over Pymont Bridge and started toward Hyde Park.  Running between two large buildings I saw a long stream of runners passing across an intersection about 100 meters ahead.

I thought, Awesome!  Some locals out for a Sunday morning long-run.  I'll latch on and chat about the local running scene.  However when I reached the intersection, I discovered about three thousand runners, wearing large race bibs, and stretched out over a half a mile.  The course was roped off to prevent spectators from crossing.  Unable to continue straight on my planned route, I turned left and started to run parallel with the racers, but outside the course barriers.  

About 25 meters along, a race official acerbically called out to me, "Back on the course!  Stay within barriers!"  I jumped across a roped barrier and voila, I was instantaneously 'entered' in some kind of race, but I had no idea what kind. This is so cool!

I looked up and saw a mile-marker that read "7".   I then realized that I had run dead smack into a half-marathon.  Oh, this was perfect!  I actually had wanted to do a half marathon while Down Under; how fortuitous.

I pulled along side a runner so I could start a chat, "Morning, morning.  What's the name of his half?"  "Uh, what, uh!" he curtly replied without even looking in my direction.  I figured he was struggling so I ran forward looking for some runners with a more relaxed stride or already in conversation.  

To my surprise, I couldn't find any.  There were absolutely no runners conversing.  If fact, most stared toward the ground with a focused determination as if they were trying to qualify for the Aussie Olympic marathon team.  I tried once more, "Morning,  where does this half finish?  Does it go by the Opera House?"  Again, "What!?  I don't know.  What?"  I asked, "Is this a half marathon?"  "No mate, 10k.  It's a 10k!"

Now my reaction was "What!?"  I then realized that it wasn't mile-marker "7", it was kilometer-marker "7" (mile 5).  I was incredulous.  Our pace couldn't have been more than 8:00 minute miles, and I had already 13k under my feet before converging on the course.  I felt great which was why I was a bit taken back at the labored effort and seriousness of the other runners.  At that point I thought it best to step off the course.

I wasn't three feet off when another official yelled out, "No no no!  You have to stay on the course."   At this point it became comical.  I couldn't stop grinning.  I gotta get a picture; Jen is not going to believe this."  I finally found an entrant walking on the side of the course;  I pulled up and handed her my phone, "Excuse, can I get a picture."

We both stopped and she took a few seconds to focus the shot as the stream of runners passed behind me.  "Okay, ready?" she asked, and then she began running.  What the Hell!  Oh!, I get it; she thinks I'm racing and that I want a live action shot for prosperity.  I couldn't stop laughing.

As we ran along the water, I had no idea where we were going.  I did hear another runner tell a friend, "We're almost to the Rocks," which I knew was by the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  Sure enough, a few minutes later we ran straight under the south riverside of the Bridge.  Best I could tell, the course was headed back toward Circular Quay.

I tried one last time with two kilometers remaining, "Morning, wow, beautiful weather for a run."  Nothing--Not a reply, not a nod, not a grin.  O' righty! I decided, You want to race, then let's race.  I dropped the hammer and split through the pack, "On your right; to your left please."  "Coming up between you; excuse me please!"  I was on a 6:30 pace buzzing runners left and right.  With half a mile remaining, a pack of four came up behind and were about to ask me to move.  Oh no no no.  I dropped to a 6:00 min pace and pulled away.

Within 100 meters, I could see the finish.  Not only where there hundreds of yelling spectators, they were giving out finishers medals.  Finisher medals for a 10K?  The humorous (pronounced "smart-ass") in me decided to have some fun.  I was going to spring across the finish, grab a medal, triumphantly flare my arms over my head, and scream out "YES!"

But with 50 meters remaining, I just couldn't do it.  I turned perpendicular to the course and slid through two barriers, cutting straight across an open restaurant patio, where the patrons looked at me like I was nuts.

About 10 minutes later I found my bearings and headed toward the Opera House for that fantastic photo I planned.

Unfortunately, all I got was this.

The area was blocked off by construction.  I turned back and rounded home to get in my full 18.   

Well, what I planned to happen turned out to be crap.  What I didn't plan to happen turned out to be great fun!  Yep, running is a "real-life" experience.

Week 7 in Summer Limbo-Down in Sydney

Sunday
Off-Twisted ankle.

Saturday
18. From Concord to Opera House and back.

Friday
Jogged 4 with girls around Iron Cove, ran back to get in 7.

Thursday
Off

Wednesday
Went to Olympic park and did 3 with girls around track.

Tuesday
Walk / jog 10 through out day

Monday
Walk / jog 5k with girls around QE park. Then at night, two laps around Iron Cove and back to Concord for 11. Feeling all beat up. Hills have really taken a toll on the legs. Will need to take it easy a couple of days

Weekly recap

Sunday
Off-swamped with work. And in Dubai Middle East

Saturday
Off-swamped with work. And in Dubai Middle East

Friday
Off-swamped with work. And in Dubai Middle East

Thursday
Off-swamped with work

Wednesday
Off-swamped with work

Tuesday
Off-swamped with work

Monday
Off-swamped with work

Weekly Recap

Sunday

Saturday

Friday
Off-traveling

Thursday
Off-swapped with work.

Wednesday
Off-swapped with work.

Tuesday
Off-swapped with work.

Monday
Off-swapped with work.

Sunday

Saturday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday
Off

Tuesday
Off

Monday
Off

Week 6 in Summer Limbo-No Major Races Soon

Sunday.
In Sydney. In morning, 10 miles down to Anzac Bridge. Really really hilly.

In afternoon, 5k around Queen Elizabeth park.

Saturday.
Traveling

Friday
Off-traveling

Thursday.
Off-packing

Wednesday.
Off

Tuesday.
Easy five around Oso parkway at night.

Monday
Quick four around Oso parkway a sunset

Week 5 in Summer Limbo-No Races Scheduled For A while

Sunday.
Meet Mike for a planned 10 miles at 5:30am. Humidity bad, soaked through at 6. Just before 7, I called it quits. Need to remember to bring extra shoes to switch out

Walked / jogged another 5 later.

Great news, treadmill seems to be working. Hope it stays fixed.

Saturday.
Met Mike, Mcalister and some others at Coffee Waves on alameda at 5:30am. Did 15.

Walked / jogged another 5 on mill at golds after lunch.

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Nine in morning (5:15 a.m.) with John and Mike.  It was raining on and off.  Walked / jogged another 2.5 at night with Cate.
BAD BAD news.  Treadmill console not working!!!!! Hope and pray I can get it fixed ASAP.

Wednesday.
Off

Tuesday.
Fast 7 on mill after work. Jogged walked another 7 at night.

Monday
Easy five on mill