I can’t believe I only have 30 runs left. I wanted to run someplace I have never been before on this landmark day. Legoland is the magical place I decided to go.
There were lots of cool photo ops. I didn’t go in the park itself, but the hotel and surrounding areas were nice.
I wound up running on some rolling hills which were not fun.
I was a bit tired at the end of my run, but the hills and heat took a toll. 335th 5K
I quit running after work because I decided it better to rest my body, than to tack on a 5K run at the end of me working all night.
Today I made an exception to my new sleep strategy as I knew I had to work a double and getting my run in would be very difficult.
I started my run like a sloth. Very slow and painful are the thoughts that come to mind. My run felt very labored as I imagined it taking me all morning at my current pace.
At this point, I’m just trying to survive these runs. I’ve long let go of trying to increase my speed or set course records.
For some strange reason the internal coach in me started barking motivational commands, “cmon you certainly can go faster than this”, “are you going to let that turtle pass you like you’re standing still?”
With all the positive thoughts in my head (insert sarcasm), I decided to try to beat my course record around this pond on my run route. Last time I tried to beat my record, I missed by 15 seconds or so.
The only problem with trying to beat my record was I ran that fast time a long while ago when I was still relatively fresh and spry.
I reasoned with myself, if I’m going to be out her, I may as well get it over with faster.
When I reached the pond, I began quickening my stride. I imagined my feet light as feathers instead of the tree trunks they actually felt like. I concentrated on running with good form, but carrying no tension in my body.
I began to feel the breeze going by me and my heart rate quickened. I was actually moving at a much faster pace than I expected from my tired condition. Before I knew it, I had completed my pond loop and couldn’t wait to get home and compare my time with my current record.
I beat my course record (CR) by 20 seconds!!!
The interesting thing about my run is that going for the record, now had me running at a much faster pace. When I tried to slow back down, my feet wouldn’t let me. So I decided to run the rest of my route at this new faster pace. The rest of my run went well, but I could feel the sore hamstring screaming at me. I told my hammy to just keep it together for 34 more days and I’ll give it a big reward. https://www.strava.com/activities/592381887/embed/515a53044a08d27c4f9eb838dc25c148b27acb72” target=”_blank”>#331st 5K
Note to self, GET A FREAKING MASSAGE ALREADY. SHEESH!!!
This last month or so of 5Ks are going to be particularly challenging from a mental standpoint. I’m just really bored of running the same routes over and over.
I actually live across the street from my old neighborhood of years ago. That’s the high dollar guard gated community of Stoneybrook West.
I have been thinking about running here for a long time, but as I mentioned it is a guard gated community. However, in my quest for something new, I decided to try to run through the gate anyways.
I was able to just squeeze around the liftgate while the guards busied themselves with the many cars passing trying to get in.
a mother duck and her two ducklings
It was a really nostalgic run as I took in the now mature landscaping and relived some memories of what seems like a different lifetime ago. The run itself was a bit labored. Luckily, I was distracted trying to notice all the landscape and neighborhood changes from when I was one of the first occupants in this area. As a side note, my right glute and hamstring continue to trouble me with soreness. https://www.strava.com/activities/588093350/embed/4e553386317cb0ed912ddd791342588c3d96a03d” target=”_blank”>328th 5K
Black Lake (yes there are gators)
I actually visited my old house, which seemed ginormous to me now. It was empty and looking for an owner. I’m told the house has not been able to stay lived in for various reasons.
It’s funny how my life has come full circle
Seems like a different lifetime when I lived here
My daughter Amaya has been sick and working hard on giving it to me. I’ve manage to fight off the germs so far. I’m wondering if all this running has made me almost bulletproof? A couple of times during this run streak I’ve almost caught a few colds and flu symptoms. I’ll get a scratchy throat or runny nose, but the bug will never fully take ahold of me.
My run was good without much drama. My main struggle seems to be with boredom of running the same routes over and over again. #326th 5K
This is the turtle I saw 2 days ago, not so bulletproof
I did subscribe to YouTube Red, which allows me access to all my old childhood music and videos even with the screen off. My best running song today was one of my all time jams. Mama used to say
At the very end of my run, I stop to take a selfie and my iPhone slips out of my hand cracking and scratching it up. Is there a worst feeling to dropping your phone??
Dropping my iphone while taking this pic, makes this one costly selfie (I did find 20 cents)
I like to keep my phone in a case, but take it out sometimes when I run as it fits easier in my waist belt without the case. Plus I like to have my phone ready for any photo ops that I might miss taking my phone out.
Oh well, what’s done is done. Onto my run in the 30’s remaining.
I spent a lot of time procrastinating this run. I stood outside for 10 minutes contemplating which direction I should go. I finally decided on a familiar route and off I went.
With the soreness in my right hamstring and calves, I’m amazed that I’m still able to run. Sitting at work has become a liability and I must get up frequently to avoid sciatic pain as well.
While running my usual route, I had a spur of the moment inspiration to run a route that I had been contemplating for months.
What was my apprehension regarding this route you ask? Well it was all rolling hills and no shade. I generally try to any and all hills during this streak as it requires additional recovery time that I can’t afford to take.
Following my moment of inspiration off I went in the direction of the hills. When running hills, I like to take short, choppy steps, to maximize efficiency and reduce impact on joints.
The new route was just what the doctor ordered as I was awakened with new sights and sounds of the open road.
I’ll know over the next day or so, what price (if any) I’ll have to pain for the added load on my muscles. 324th 5K
I love exploring my surrounding neighborhoods
I’m also making a concerted effort to stay hydrated as the weather continues to get hotter. The countdown continues as day 325 arrives tomorrow.
I learned about Mr. Tyler’s passing through my good friend Wendell. I guess I hadn’t allowed myself to grieve when he told me about his funeral last night. Dave Tyler
I was procrastinating about running today. It actually took me almost 3 hours from the time I woke up, to the actual time I started my run. I couldn’t figure out what was causing me to procrastinate so badly? However, during my 5K run, I began to have thoughts of Mr. Tyler. I realized, I really hadn’t had a chance to process the news of his death.
As I thought about Coach Tyler I began to run just a little faster. These tired, sore legs gave one final push for Coach Tyler. 303rd 5K Also during my run, I couldn’t help but to reflect on my life. Some of my successes and my failures. Life is too short to waste sitting on the sidelines. Time to really step it up several notches.
Mr. Tyler was a very positive male role model in my life. He taught me how to drive a stick shift. This was a difficult feat on a car where the shifter was located on the steering column. I remember him being very patient with me as I grinded his transmission to dust.
The famed Duster
Coach Tyler was one of the first coaches to teach me my beloved game of basketball. I remember him picking me up for the various games in different cities and all the practices in that ole reliable Dodge Duster.
Mr. Tyler had an infectious smile that was always warming to be around. I lost touch with him as an adult, but never forgot the positive influence he had on a young black man growing up in the 70’s.
Always giving of his time for the kids
I saw Coach last year delivering fruit to my mom’s house in Ohio. I gave him a big hug and we talked fitness. I didn’t know that would be the last time I’d see him. I would have certainly requested more time to thank him for all he’s done for my life. Perhaps a lunch or something like that to catch up. How we always take next time for granted.
My heart goes out to his sons I balled with Kevin, Gary and David, and all his beloved family.
RIH….
On this day I beat “the man”. LOL
Overshadowing my 300th consecutive 5K run was a day in court for a speeding ticket and a second ticket for not having my driver’s license available. I really didn’t have a reason to be fighting it in court. I mean I was speeding and I had misplaced my driver’s license on said day.
My only hope was that the officer who issued the tickets wouldn’t show up. When the judge got to me she asked “how do you plead? Your choices are guilty, no contest or not guilty”.
The difference about this court is they don’t tell you if the officer had showed up or not. I rolled the dice and said not guilty. After a brief pause, the judge told me the officer was no longer with the department!! All charges against me were dropped. Had I plead guilty or no contest, I would have still had to pay ticket and court cost. Who hoo, a sign of a good day!
After my victory in court, it was onto my 5K run. My 300th consecutive day of running 3 or more miles. What seemed like a mild undertaking to me at the time I made the challenge to myself, slowly took over my life.
Since I was already in Polk county, I decided to find someplace new I had never run before. I found this run trail called Mackay Gardens and Lakeside Preserve.
The trail offers a mixed of beautiful lakeside views, rustic bridges to cross and residential housing of various income levels.
I saw three jack rabbits seemingly coming out of the woods to greet me along my path. Every time I would stop to get my phone to take a picture of the rabbit, they would scurry back into the woods. I guess some experiences in life are for your eyes only.
The run itself was more of a dogfight with myself, as my legs after working 5 consecutive nights of third shift feel like iron poles. The weather is starting to get really hot and today was no exception with the temperature around 90 degrees. 300th 5K run
I somehow survived my run and finished my day with another Zumba class. The class was high energy and fun.
All in all, a very memorable 300th 5K. I can’t believe I only have 65 more to go. I’ve even amazed myself at this point. I’m most proud of my 50 year old basketball knees holding up this well.
I’m actually looking forward to not having to run, and mixing in more variety to the activities I do.
After getting a good nights sleep, it was off to my ritualistic Lucky’s Lake swim. I’ve been listening to Tower 26 podcast regarding swim technique and improvement.
I highly recommend this podcast for any triathlete looking to improve their swim. I find the podcast very informative, funny and easily digestible. The podcast is kept short on purpose to give you just a few things to concentrate on whilst swimming.
Get your dog paddle instructions here
Even the turtles came out for a swim
For this swim, I focused on full arm downward extension in the front and faster underwater hand rate. The swim first crossing of the lake was rough, as it had been a week since swimming. Swimming is the one sport where you need frequency versus time in the water. For example, if you can swim 20 mins a day 3 times a week versus 75 minutes once a week. Choose the 20 minutes for 3X a week for better improvement.
I’m trying to mix in something different and fun to supplement my running, so I’m trying Zumba. I think sometimes it’s good to confuse the body with some new moves and a totally different exercise or sport.
A friendly gator keeping me company around the lake during my run
My run started off ok , then I began to experience some right hip pain. My pace started off fast and finished slow once my hip started to bother me. My back is much stiffer than it has been in a long time. I need to spend more time treating my muscles, massage and recovery. https://www.strava.com/activities/554730493/embed/c3a67ded440efc8e46525e69c0c7672b5855f9a5
On this day I had an amazing run in the rain. A portion with my son and the rest of my 285th 5K with the wonderful sound of pouring rain and lightning thunderstorms. I must admit it seems a little eerie to see only 80 runs left to complete my 1 year goal.
I love the cooling effect on my skin, I love how the sky lights when lightning strikes and then the subsequent booming sound. I even like dodging the water puddles as they form in my path. The only thing that I don’t like about running in the rain, is soaking wet shoes.
I’m missing the 8 and 9 minute miles I used to run. At the same time, I’m just thanking God that my body is resilient. https://www.strava.com/activities/544976433/embed/b4afb0a260b682d8c1938110272715c5edc05a92
Soaking wet and loving it!!
I appreciate all that God has given me. As many of you know, one of my favorite things to do is to swim at Lucky’s Lake.
Therefore, anytime, I can do anything to try to give back or help the man who has been so generous to me and everyone, I’m willing to do. So, today was about giving back and showing my appreciation to Lucky by helping him with his passion of underwater hockey. https://ycfunderwaterhockey.wordpress.com/
all hands on deck
one tile at a time
finished underwater hockey court
After helping with the sport court, I went home to get some much needed sleep.
I needed to incorporate my kids workout into my 5K run. We did basketball drills, wind-sprints and then kids ran a portion of my 5K with me.
As I’ve learned along my journey of a year of 5Ks, running with others gives me energy and today was no exception. The portion I ran with my kids felt great. The remainder of my run felt really gimpy. My right ankle locked up several times and I had to stop to rotate it to get it unlocked. #282nd 5K
During my warmup routine, I forgot to rotate my ankles. I guess because I was focused on making sure the kids warmed up properly. Another lesson reminder, don’t take shortcuts to your warmup routine.
blacksdotri 
