Expert running advise

Thanks for these great tips, Kate!

1. Don't forget to stretch:

2. Let nothing stand in your way.

3. But don't be over-confident!

We have officially seen the close of the cross country season with the final Awards Banquet held at the coach's house.

Daniel and Coach Nelson.

Daniel received the "Rookie of the Year" Award!

One last shot of those crazy guys.

Inverness Jingle Bell 5k

Ran the Jingle Bell 5k in Inverness today. It was nice and cool but the sun was shining enough to get a big sweat going!
3 Gandees ran this race today: Me, Daniel(14) and Jaret(11)
Jaret did a great job on this tough course with a time of 27:05. He has only been running steadily for 2 weeks for this race. He did awesome!
Daniel was 1st place in his age group and had a good time with his cross country buddies.(and he refuses to let me get any pictures!!)
I was the 3rd overall female to come in and also the first female over 40 to come in so that means I was the Master Female Winner. Yippee! This was my course record at 22:32.

Mom and Jaret

Some friends...

One of my faithful running partners, tina.

Connie and Brooke

Joanne and Connie

Jacqueline...Kerri...Chloe! We missed you!

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!