Race #2 - Shoals 5k - Shoals, NC

Shoals Baptist 5k

6/24/10

8:30 AM

Shoals, NC

Time: 24:07

Place 3rd out of about 30 or 40

The Shoals 5k was a benefit race for a group from the church going on a mission trip to Honduras later in the summer. Summer, myself, and her Mom paid to enter and her Dad ran along with her mom most of the way. It was a humid June morning and the race couldn't start soon enough!

I thought I may have a chance at winning this one so I decided to get out early. I took the lead out of the gate and headed up the road. The course had us go up a hill and around one building only to come back down and hit the road again. It was then slightly uphill to the second and only road on the out and back course. Going up this hill, I slowed my pace and was passed by a fellow probably 12 years older than me, and two 17 year olds. I let them go as I knew it'd be downhill on the way back.

The course also had us going around Summer's church twice, and then heading back to the start. I grabbed some water on the first go round and then took my second loop. I know of one kid who definitely didn't make two loops around the church.

After my second loop, I noticed one of the younger guys who started to walk. I immediately smelled fresh meat and made the pass not to see him again. The leaders however, were not in sight so I figured I would be best to finish 3rd and I should just hold off any chargers from behind me. And so I did, finishing 3rd overall.

The winner had a Garmin watch and informed me that the course was actually 3.22 miles so I was well pleased with my time. Especially since it was 24:07 and I knew that the course was longer than it should have been. I consider it a sub 24 minute race if you only count the 3.1 miles.

I was awarded a medal for finishing third. Summer was awarded a medal for finishing 2nd in her age group and her mom was awarded a medal for finishing 3rd in her age group. Overall, a successful race that we enjoyed!

Race #1 - Race for the Cure 5k - Winston Salem, NC

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k

5/1/10

8:00 AM

Winston Salem, NC

Time: 24:39

Place: 139/12,000+ (runners & walkers)

A great day for my first race. Not only is it now May, the month of my birthday, but it's a nice spring morning and there is a record crowd of around 12,000 out to support the fight against breast cancer.

Summer and I met up with my sister and her "team" from work and were given shirts and posed for a picture. We then moved toward the start line to try and get in front of the thousands of people who were there, most walking but some running.

As the gun didn't sound (they just yelled Go instead), the amoeba of people took off. I remember AC/DC's Thunderstruck jamming loudly in my ears as I ran with my iPod. The first .8 mile was uphill and as a beginner runner, I didn't know how to pace myself but I just went for it. Summer quickly decided she couldn't hang with my pace so she stayed back and ran her race while I trucked on.

Once up that first hill, it was flat for the next mile or so and folks were out downtown cheering everyone on. After the next turn, it was time for some downhill. You could tell at this point people were slowing down but I was keeping up my pace (even though I don't know what that pace was). A guy I work with, whom I passed around the 1.5 mile mark, caught back up with me and passed me. I didn't try to compete.

Let me just say that when you've never run 3.1 miles in a race before, you don't know when to ease up and when to press hard. I remember feeling a little dizzy, so I slowed down slightly. The unusual feeling subsided and I trekked on. The last half mile was great. Seeing a long line of people cheering you on is a great feeling. I didn't have the energy to sprint like I should have so I just kept my pace as I ran through the finish line.

Overall, a success in my first race. I was quite content with my time and place.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

This will be considered the beginning of my new adventure(s). Running. Doesn't sound like much. Sounds stupid to some. Some only want to do it if chased. Others do it has a hobby. And yet others are obsessed with it. Me? Well when I set out to do something, I tend to give it about 163.7%. I don't know what it is, but I go all out.

My new (sort of) obsession is running. My sister talked me in to running a 5k as part of her 'team' from her office for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Winston Salem in May 2010. Myself and future wife Summer agreed, because it's for a good cause and why not, I didn't have anything else to do that day. Little did I know that this would start something that could potentially spiral out of control and be a staple in my life (for how long, I do not know. that's TBD).

So after 7 months of it, I decide to start my own blog. Not like anyone will read it. But something maybe some day I can look back on and laugh at how crazy I was, or boast at how proud I am of myself, or who knows what. What I do know is that I've found something I enjoy, so I'm going to see where it takes me.

This blog won't be posted on daily. Most likely after races I complete and maybe some other times here or there in regards to training etc. But thanks for reading. Enjoy!