Toastmasters Area Contest

This morning was the area contest for Toastmasters. I delivered my Tall Tale with great hopes of winning, but came in second place. I had a momentary relapse and fumbled, but I don't know that it would have mattered, as the winner was very deserving of her prize.
My friend Kathy, with whom I walked my first Marathon, had invited me to join her and her sisters in Nashville on the 28th for the Nashville Half Marathon. I had told her that the next Tall Tales competition was on that day and if I progressed I would not be able to join her. Since I did not place I seriously thought about going. After much contemplation I decided that although I would love to see her, Seabrook was really "my last hurrah" for the season. Now I just need to get in gear and continue with my work-outs.

30 Minutes Brisk Walking

I walked briskly for 30 minutes this evening while it was still light outside. There was a nice breeze. I practiced my Tall Tall for the Toastmasters competition that's being held on Saturday. Since it's about the pesky geese by the lake, it was a bit strange.

30 Minutes in the Heat

It's definitely spring. The lake was teaming with activity - dozens of turtles and baby ducklings. By the time I got out at lunchtime it was pretty hot. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals for 30 minutes.

Long Run

I hadn't been out since Wednesday and was beginning to feel like a real couch potato.
Since I didn't get to sleep in yesterday - I got up at 4:00am to volunteer at the Education Expedition Bike Ride- I slept in this morning. I thought it was going to be another day without exercise, but after my morning appointments and a few household chores, I decided that I had to get out. And, instead of doing just a few miles in the neighborhood, I did intermittent intervals on my old 6 mile route. I walked more than ran, but it felt good.

Taking a Break

My marathon season is officially over. I can't believe that I've been at this since July of '05. I plan to continue my weekly runs, and participate in an occasional 5K. I don't plan on doing another marathon until Houston '08 (that is unless I make it into New York in November).

I figured that 2 days was enough of a break from the weekend, especially since I have been pain free. But, since I wasn't ready to run yet, I did a brisk 30 minute walk.

Seabrook Half Marathon Part 2

I was surprised to awake this morning with no pain. Bob drove me, Steve and Susan to Seabrook. The weather was cool again, but this time I had my jacket(which I handed off to Wes as soon as the race began). There was a big crowd from FBF, including 3 relay teams which placed 3rd and 4th.

Our FBF Group on Sunday

I ran intervals until mile 10 when I switched to mostly walking. I was tired, decided that there was no need to hurt myself trying to PR, and that a time that was faster than yesterday would be acceptable. I finished with a time of 3:12:20, a whopping 2 minutes faster than Saturday. Bob finished in under 3:00 hours and placed 3rd in his age group.

Bob and His Award

I'm glad I did both races. They were well supported and lots of fun. Kudos to Race Director Robby Sabban for a job well done. And I completed my Love the Half Texas Challenge. But the best part, besides being with friends, was the medals! Take a look.

My Bling

Seabrook Half Marathon Part 1

The only down side to the cool weather this morning is that I dressed for summer and for the first time ever did not even bring a jacket, gloves nor ear muffs. Luckily, Melinda had an extra jacket which I wore for the first few miles. Since this was a double loop course I was able to drop the jacket off at my car, even though I lost a minute on my time.

There were several folks from Fort Bend Fit at the race today, including Pat Q and Melinda, who rode down to Seabrook with me.

Our FBF Group

I had intended to walk this morning and save my energy for tomorrow, but I couldn't resist the terrific weather and did irregular intervals for the whole race. My time was 3:14:17. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and getting my 2 additional medals, one for the second Half and the other for doing both - the Pot 'O Gold. It's really pretty!

Another Round of 30 minutes Intervals

My original intention was to just walk this morning, but the weather was great and before I knew it I was doing intervals. I actually got to my turn around point about 3 minutes sooner than usual. I'm hoping my stamina continues over the weekend.

1:00/1:00 Intervals for 30 Minutes

I don't know how I managed it, but I made it out in between the rain storms this morning. It was cool and sunny during my 30 minute training, but started raining the second I got home. I'm hoping to do another 30 minutes tomorrow. It looks like it should be clear tomorrow and through the weekend with morning temps in the 50's, warming up into the 70's. A little warm for a half marathon, but not too bad.

30 Minutes of Brisk walking

I made it outside right after the rain stopped. It was slightly cool. Since the sidewalks were slick and the paths were full of puddles, I decided to power walk instead of doing intervals.

Bayou City Classic 10K

The weather started out with a little chill, but rapidly increased as the fog lifted from downtown. Bob and I, along with Steve and his friend Bob did the Bayou Classic 10K. It ran through a bit of downtown to Memorial Drive and then West to Shepherd and back down Memorial Drive to City Hall. A few of the "hills" of Memorial Drive were a bit of a challenge (nothing like Austin) and it was very hot (high 70's), but it was a nice race. Bob had a PR of 1:16:10. I did better than the Rodeo Run with a 1:21:56, but not a PR.

CALL ME CRAZY
I felt good after the race, so I decided to go ahead and sign up for the half marathon on Saturday, too, at next week's Seabrook Lucky Trails. I figured that I would walk on Saturday and do intervals on Sunday. We'll see if the paln works.

Steve, Rob, Me and Bob

W and Laura were there

Another 30 Minutes of 1:00/1:00 Intervals

This morning I dressed for the weather - short sleeves and shorts. I did 1:00/1:00 intervals and it seemed a lot easier than yesterday. My knee has been fine all day! I'm taking tomorrow off. The weather is supposed to be great for the 10K on Saturday.

The Seabrook half is next Sunday, the 18th. I had been debating about whether or not to do the half on Saturday, too. I had just about made up my mind that I was only going to do Sunday, but today I started thinking that I would do both. A big part is that I will be short one half marathon for the Love the Half Challenge if I don't.

1:00/1:00 Intervals for 30 Minutes

I should know by now that I can't trust Stan's assessment of the weather. He told me it was really cold out this morning, so I wore long sleeves, leggings, ear muffs and gloves. When I got outside, it felt like it was 80 degrees. I did 30 minutes of intervals. My knee started hurting again and I'm not sure what is going on with it. I'm going to try to get one more training in before Saturday's 10K.

30 Minutes Walking Briskly

It was cold again this morning, but very pleasant. I walked briskly around the lake for 30 minutes. I'll do intervals on my next training.

6 Miles in the Park

Bob and I met at Oyster Creek Park at 7:00am. It was chilly, but beautiful. We walked briskly for 6 miles. The break from running was a nice reprieve. We bumped into a bunch of FBF people who were doing anywhere from 6 to 20 miles depending on their training schedules.

30 Minutes on the Treadmill

When I finally got out, it was raining, so I did my 30 minutes on the treadmill. I finished watching on of my favorite movies, "Almost Famous" . I'm not planning on doing another training until Saturday. Bob and I will do 6 miles. Next Saturday is the HEB Bayou Classic downtown. It's a 10K race and I hope to beat my Rodeo Run time.