I won a trophy

The Rush to Brush 5K was held this past Saturday, and my goal was to break 22 minutes. I fell just short of that. I ran a 22:40 5K to place 31 overall (out of 255) and 3rd in my age group.

I was excited to place, but I was sort of disappointed that I didn't reach my goal. But there's always room to improve, so I'll probably make the St. Paddy's Day 5K my new 22 minute goal.

I've figured I need to work more on my speed work, running some intervals and sprints along with working a bit harder at spin class (which I have tonight). Hopefully, that'll pay off.

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Today started off with a bang. I'm having to finish a whole paper by 5 p.m. today, so we'll see how it goes.

"Active" season has started

I'm back! Actually, I've been here for a while, just been really busy. I've upped my running routine, trying to get it back up for running season, and I've started lifting (really lifting). Dan and Matthew have helped me out a bunch, and they push me to lift more, which is great motivation.

But like I said, "active" season is upon us. I've ordered (and received) a suspension fork for my mountain bike, a Yakima rack for my car and now I'm on the hunt for some Aerobars for my road bike. I'm on a kick this week to get my butt into gear to train hard for some long rides, 5Ks and a triathlon this year. I'm excited.

I heard a friend and coworker and fellow runner say one way they train isn't by attempting to finish lengths, but rather to run "times." Yesterday I ran for 45 minutes and did about 6 miles. Today, I'm only going to lift (but it'll be alone), and tomorrow I'm taking the day off.

Saturday I have my first 5K of the season, the same first one I ran last year: The Rush to Brush 5K benefiting the Blair E. Batson and UMC dental program. Glad I can help. Last year, I took the cold part of December and January off and finally laced up my shoes the day of the race.

My time was miserable. I ran 3.1 miles in 27:33 finishing 80 out of 216. Although it was good to finish in the top half, but I know I can do better this year. I'm better prepared. Last year, my last race (The Hap Hudson 5K at Mississippi College) I finished and set a PR at 22:52. My goal for the Brush 5K is to break 22 minutes. I think I can do it. I've got to push myself, but I can do it.

I'm also wanting to race the MS Heatwave Triathlon on June 6. I'm determined to do it. And we're going to the Double Decker festival in Oxford, MS, this April. They have an early morning bike ride that Saturday I think I'm going to ride in. They have 24, 50, and 66 milers. I can do the 66, but I might just do the 50. Who knows.

But today, I have to finish working. I have about 3 or 4 hours left. Then it's off to lift. I'll post my time Saturday after my race.

Never down and out

Today, I'm a domino

Been a while. Been busy.

Recently, I've been trying to hit the gym a little bit harder. I'm not wanting to be a meat-head or anything, but because of a few recent transactions, we've been lifting more.

Dan and Ashlea finally got engaged, so because of that, we're all wanting to look good in our wedding party clothes. Should be fun. I do have to admit that I'm enjoying the sado-masochist idea of beating myself up to make myself stronger.

But this week I've got to go hard because I've got a 5K in a week and a half. So next week is taper week.

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This past weekend, Meg and I helped with Wynndale Baptist Church's Discipleship Now. We had a good time. The format has a changed a bit since when we all were in high school. It was more conference/seminar style. Instead of it being a "retreat" it was more like a conference. The speaker was great: John Vermilya.

He not only was a good speaker who spoke a lot of truth, he had one quality I think most "cool" kids who grow up lose. He was still cool. I'm realizing I'm losing my "cool" (well, whatever cool I once had).

But the weekend was great. I learned to be a domino. In a "domino effect" I only need to be one domino. It takes millions of dominoes to make those cool displays. I only need to worry about being one. That takes the overwhelming task of saving the world and makes it null and void. I just have to be who God wants me to be, daily.

Instead of making me feel like it's impossible and quitting, I get to take care of today. In my group, we said we wanted to be fat oak trees. Takes some time. Be a fat tree. Be a domino.