I'm baaaack! I cannot BELIEVE I haven't posted on this blog since 2009. I have taken a hiatus from running but restarted in May. To that I have added a healthy eating regime based on the Prism diet plan. Amazingly, the healthier I began to eat the more enjoyable the running became. Picking up this blog almost 3 years later makes me think of incorporating all the valuable nutrition info I've picked up in addition to documenting my running life....my running life...that sounds almost impossible that I would pick up running at age 49, dropped it at 51 and picked it back up at 52. Maybe I'll throw some hope out there for other people my age who want to finally become an athlete. I'm nowhere near that right now but as my running guru John Bingham says "I had the courage to start."

Quick catch-up of the summer of running

Heat. Heat is the word for the day regarding my running experience of the summer! Heat. Heat. Heat. Can't type it enough to illustrate how it dominated my running. When I ran. Heat.How fast I ran. Heat.How much water I drank. Heat. Heat. Heat!
Now, here's the good news. "They" tell me that my time will be SO much faster when it cools off because of the conditioning I've experienced this summer. While winter and spring were honeymoon experiences, the summer was when the "bloom was off the vine". I had to dig in and find deeper reasons for the love of running. It was a surprise, this heat, this dealing with the heat. Yet, I am glad for it. There is a core of love for this stuff, this running! I am willing to dig wherever and however I need to to keep it going! Running with Elvis at the gates of Graceland August 15th. Come join me!

Zoom through the Zoo evolved to Stumble through the Zoo

Well, well, well...what a difference 9/10 of a mile makes from a 5k to a 4 miler! Let's just say I have a healthy respect for those mastering a 4 miler. It was at night, it was hot, I was underhydrated and undernourished...a recipe for disaster. I will say that at least I ran the two miles through the zoo and had a last minute burst of energy in the last 1/10 of a mile to race over the finish line. Other than that, this race kicked my butt! I am still glad I did it. Last week I placed first in my age group, right? This week: 26 out of 32 women and I am thankful for THAT ranking! I didn't come in last, did I?
The next two weeks bring old fashioned training and gym workouts. No 5k looming in the horizon this weekend. I set my sites on the ultrafun Harbortown 5k...flat as a pancake passing by beautiful homes and the scenic Mississippi River on June 5. It's followed by beer, live bands and a party as the sun sets on the river. Certainly a nice reprieve from Thursday nights "not quite Zoomer" here...lol.
My marathon running triathlete 60 year old uncle was visiting from New Orleans this weekend. He gave me one of his running caps developed by my hero, John Bingham. It even has the penguin logo on the cap. It is now called my "lucky cap".
You know what? I don't care if I place first or last...I am running and I love it!

Facebook turned my blog mind into mush!

It's true! I totally turncoated on blogging! Facebook is like junk food! Hard to stop once you start ! Maggie at maggiereads.blogspot.com has enticed me back into the world of blogging by returning me to where this all began: The Southern Reading Challenge. I have no idea what I'm going to read,yet. I am looking forward to searching this week for a short list of nominees.

I resorted to using this page as a sort of journal of my running. Facebook even sucked THAT away from my blog. So much easier, so much instant gratification when you post something there.
I finished my 7th 5k yesterday. This one was my first hometown race and I won in my age division. Got myself some bling, I did! Most of runs have been in Memphis.I've run past upscale neighborhoods,golf courses,old churches, schools, universities, rolling farmland,lakes and ponds.I've heard the sound of the police cruiser's engine close behind me as we both closed down a course together, the sound of children cheering and grown folks clapping and waving.I've thanked policemen at busy intersections as they held traffic at bay, young kids reaching out to me with cups of cool water, been touched by the elderly couple, still running, but holding hands as they did.
Running has been the most dramatic internal transformation I have experienced in a long time. It amazes me, surprises me, pushes me and gives me a deep down kind of confidence no self help book in the world could deliver.
I have finished first in my age group, last in my age group, top half, bottom half, one spot away from a medal. Every race, I didn't care about the bling. Just racing against myself. My bottom line goal in every race is to start running and not stop, no matter what, until I cross the finish line.
This week I "Zoom through the Zoo". I'm looking forward to looking at animals as I pass my way through another race.
Here's hoping I'm back on track with the blogging.
Thanks to all who read and encourage me. It is appreciated!

I carved over 2 minutes off my 5k time yesterday!

Second 5k time was 38:17. First 5k time was 40:27. The fast runners in my age group "showed up" this week at this 5K...lol. I don't care, though, because I improved my personal best. That's honestly all I care about. Getting better. You just can't beat the sound of the starting bell and humanity starting run at the same time. Wow! Powerful stuff!
Running my 3rd 5K next Saturday! I'm hooked!

I am running my second 5K in the morning!

This week was so different in training for the 5K, this second one. I was aware of what I was eating and how/if it would slow my down,add weight to me. I added more miles and worked harder at the gym. I am pretty sure the real speedy runners from my age group will be there tomorrow but that doesn't bother me. I just want to run with the "brotherhood of man".

I ran my first 5k and place 3rd in my age group!

Yes! I did! I really did! On whim, I decided to just jump in and run a 5K. I had been in a mental slump with running and felt I needed something to jolt me out of it. I didn't do anything to prepare other than my usual running/weight lifting routine but I left off my Friday run to rest my legs for the Saturday 5k because I'd read that somewhere.
I didn't sleep too well the night before and I worried that I would be too fatigued to even finish. Also, I train on a flat course and this was a hilly course. It challenged me but I just kept my slow little pace and forged on. Frankly, I think the reason I even placed is because the fast runners in my age category weren't there. My finish time was 40:27 and the next woman up was under 34. See? So, I've signed up for another one next week in Memphis. Clearly, I have caught the bug. I met two women near my age who are runners and they were very encouraging. A neighbor's brother was one of the volunteers who welcomed me. It's a community, from what I can tell. But here's the thing...yes I loved the comraderie, loved the tshirt LOVED the medal and applause...but what I really loved was being a solitary runner, with my own thoughts, my own music, running in collaboration with all these different kind of runners... I don't feel competitive with others. I just want to beat my own time everytime it's possible!This 5K gave me the boost to keep going,the confidence that I am "on to something" and a renewed hope and excitement about hitting the pavement again in the morning. A solitary runner, once again.