Half Marathon

Up at 5am, meet up with the gilrs, drive to Gainseville, a bit nippy....very tired.

We made it to the Tom Walker Half Marathon and we had a great time. (I don't know who Tom Walker is)

Kerri and I both grabbed third place in our age goups. Jacqueline had an awesome run as well and was fourth(we're in the same age group) We all made it in less than 2 hours!

Here we are:

Kerri, Jacqueline and Me(post run and looking it)

Jacqueline's daughter, Chloe, is running the state meet today in Dade City! She's only in 8th grade and is the top runner in our county and is ranked pretty darn high in the state!

13.1, here I come.

Today I ran my first 11 miles. It was grueling. Jacqueline and I started out a bit faster than usual and we were certainly toast by the end of it. We're shooting for the half-marathon coming up in 3 weeks. Our goal is to knock this thing out in 2 hours. We shall see...

I beat the Sheriff! But I did not beat the deputy...

Do you just love this guy!!

What a gorgeous morning for a race! It was nice and cool and about 250 people came out in support of Jessie's Place again this year. I think this is my favorite race in Citrus County. Maybe because it's 5 minutes from my house right there at the courthouse and there are real bathrooms available. I like that. I just love the whole small town feel around the courthouse, seeing all the familiar faces-young and old alike.
I wasn't really sure how it would turn out for me today but I was pleased. I did get my best time at 21:35 and I did get1st place in my age group. I was the 6th female overall, but most importantly I finally caught up to a friend of mine who I've been chasing for a few years! We had a good laugh about it. She knows it's been a big goal of mine to pass her up but I won't get used to it. She said now she's really going to train. Another tidbit...she ran 4 miles before showing up for the race this morning....ugh. So did I really beat her?!?!
I wish I had some pictures to post of the races but it seems so vain to ask someone to take my picture! Oh well.
Congratulations to Tina for beating her time and getting 2nd place in her age group!! Hooraa!
While I was at the Sheriff race, Daniel was running at his Cross Country Meet. He got his best time as well: 18:54! That's crazy! He ran for the varsity team today and I think that made him go faster! You rock, Dan!

New Shoes!

Yippee!! My feet will be so pleased! I got a pair of Asics Gel Equation 2. Such fancy names! They were on sale for 50 bucks, normally 70. Can't wait to break 'em in!

Red Mule Labor Day 5k

Was that Daniel??? He's a blurr in blue shorts! 1st mile down.

Coming in around the 2nd mile...got him this time.
Finally...through the shoot at 20:20. Didn't beat his best time of 19:29 but he's going to be working hard at it now that Cross Counrty has begun!
This is Jaret, Daniel and Ben, a friend on the team.

Great job, Ben for his sub 19:00! (Ben's a senior!)

Just a note...the first overall male--an insane 15:33!!

Feet Soaking

I ran 4 miles today after taking a whole week off completely. I'll be heading to the mall soon to get those new shoes that I need so desperately and in the meantime I decided my feet needed a break. The top of my foot still hurts a bit even after all this time. I'm going to try to soak my feet in ice water after my runs to see if that helps at all. I find the ice water to be extremely painful and hate it!
The run today was a treadmill run. Tropical Storm Fay is blowing through this week and she forced me onto the belt! Did a nice, easy run.
I don't think I'm going to be ready for my 5k next Saturday that's on the calendar. I had to skip the last one! I'm not too happy about it all but I really need to listen to poor, neglected body!
God is good...I still have a body to listen to, eh?

I desperately need new shoes. I've got well over 800 miles on my current Asics. I should be ashamed of myself. I know that this only increases my chances of injury. As it is, my feet have been so sore and feeling like somebody stomped on the top of my foot. I've been running my regular courses and mileage so I guess it's my poor tortured Gel Kayano 13s that are begging me to give them a much needed retirement. Replacing them is the issue at the moment. I don't want to grap up any old sneaker from Walmart(which is actually all I can afford!!) so I've been looking for some good deals online for my current shoe. Meanwhile, I've taken off a couple days to give my Barney Rubble feet a break!