Half Marathon Training

It was March 2018. I was halfway through a 9 mile run when it happened. There was nothing to do except go with the flow. I had been hogtied by a mangled coat hanger!

I eased my body off the ground and assessed the physical damage. Apparently, not too much. After telling passersby that I was fine. I stood up and completed the final three miles of my run.

I everything seemed to be okay. The only immediate after effect appeared to be a bruise on the left side of my torso. A couple of weeks after the fall, I developed a sudden pain in my knee which made it difficult to walk up the stairs at work. I held off on further training.

I had registered for the Covington YMCA's Cheerios Challenge 15k. After some light jogging, I felt like my body could handle the race at reduced pace. I was able to complete the race and get an age group award. After that race, I really eased up on my training.

During 2018 spring and summer seasons, my knee was a constant bother, so I cut back on my mileage and did not enter any races.

In September of 2018, I decided to train for the Atlanta Half Marathon. Training progressed well for the month. In early October, I went hiking on some difficult terrain at Cloudland Canyon. This exacerbated the knee problems.  I scrapped my plans to run the 2018 Atlanta Half.

In recent days, I have begun ramping up my mileage. Just completed a 22 mile week! I feel healthy enough to train for the 2019 Atlanta Half.

So off I go to my next running adventure. Sometimes rest and light exercise are best for a knee problem. I'm finally ready to get with the program! I have the Will to Run!

100 Mile Month!

Wow! It's been a great September! I managed to run 100 miles and complete three races.

My first race was the Macon Labor Day Road Race 10k. I love this race. Since I hadn't done much speed work, I decided not to race it, so I jogged along at a comfortable pace and finished it in 67 minutes. I felt great! At mile six, someone shouted, "You don't look tired at all!" They were correct, I wasn't tired. I stopped at the local Starbucks and had a coffee. Then I enjoyed lunch with my friend Milton Southerlin.

The Labor Day Race went so well, that I decided to pick up the pace for the Covington Fuzz Run 5k. I had a great run! I didn't push myself too hard and managed a 32 minute finish. I came in 5th in my age group among 18 finishers! I wasn't too tired after the race either.

Yesterday, I ran the Covington Autumn 5k. I decided to push myself a little harder and completed the run in just over 30 minutes! My overall finish place was 75 out of 177 finishers in the race and your age group finish place was 2 out of 6 finishers in the Male 65 to 69 age group. Your total gun time was 30:52.3 and your pace was 9:57.

Overall, I would say it's been a good month and my running is improving. I should be able to break the 30 minute 5k barrier before spring.