2014 Looks Great!

Two Marathons

I'm feeling great! Since my last post, I've run two marathons and improved my times! I completed The Flying Monkey Marathin in 5:40. It was my training run for my latest reprise of the Warner Robins Marathon where I set a PR of 5:19.

Three Half Marathons

I've started 2014 with three half marathons. My first is a perennial favorite because it's in my hometown of Columbus, Georgia, AND it's always free: The Red Nose Half Marathon. I finished the race in 2:25, that's 10 minutes faster than last year. Plus, it's a course record!

The second half marathon was part of the Tybee Run Fest. I set a personal course record of 2:25. That's 10 minutes faster than the last time I ran it!! It was very rainy and I felt chilled before and after the race, but felt fantastic. Actually, I probably would have had a better time if my right shoe had not untied itself. I had to retie it twice because the first time it untied in seconds! Bad job! But a great run overall!!

The third half marathon was the Run the Reagan! Chilly temps were compounded be 29 MPH wind gusts in our faces for the first 6.5 miles. The wind seemed to help on the way to the finish of this out and back course which is run on the Ronald Reagan Highway in Gwinett County. My shoes were well tied, so no problems there!! The wind probably slowed me down, but I was able to set a PR of 2:20!!

Training with Christian Camfiield on the Covington Eastside Trail

It's got a good mix of hills!

Believe and Train

All I can say is I am feeling good about these results. Apparently consistent training and regular weekly speed work will get you to your goals. I'm planning to up the tempo for the rest of 2014. Who knows? Perhaps this old man has some fast paced running in his future. Feeling GREAT!!

Silver comet 10K: Finally Kicking it in My Nike Frees This Week!!

Ran a great 10K this morning in Mableton, GA. The Silver Comet. I had a time of 1:01:39. While this wasn't a PR, It was run at the end of a good week of running!

I think I've finally adjusted to my new Nike Frees. They are a minimalist shoe which have been working my leg and feet muscles in such a way that I've had to reduce my mileage. This week, however, I was able to run 5 out of the last seven days without ill effects. Next week I will attempt to run my normal schedule and attempty a 26 mile training run on St Patrick's Day. The coming week should tell me if I can safely sign up for the Louisville Marathon. I hope so, but if not, I will just continue to train in my minimalist shoes because the benefits seem to be coming as my legs feel stronger and my ankles and feet appear to be contributing to better balance!

I've had a good start to my running this year. I've set course PRs in the Red Nose Half  2:27, the Warner Robins Half 2:24 and most recently the Covington, Run for Hope 29:30!

I ran the Berry Half in Rome in a 2:34. I think the hills and my new shoes combined to slow me down, but thankfully, this week I may have had a real breakthrough with the shoes.

I'm ready to forge ahead and make 2012 my best running year ever!!