Last double digit 5K (10 remain) #355

Today marks a very special run day. Not only is this the last of the double digit 5K runs (10 remaining), I also was honored to be able to run with one of my real life heroes Jordan Flores!  Jordan qualified for the para-triathlon national championships this past year!

A real life super hero Jordan Flores

Jordan had a 4 mile recovery workout planned, so I decided to do his plan with him. I programmed the workout on my Garmin 910XT watch and off we went.  This is the first time I’ve run farther than a 5K in a long time.

With my recent calf strain problems I should have been reluctant to run much past 3 miles. However, I was so honored that Jordan wanted to run one of my last 5Ks with me that I threw caution to the wind.

Jordan is a winner in every way and inspires me to keep pushing forward.  His high energy and positive outlook is contagious.  I first met Jordan at Lucky’s Lake  and our friendship continues to grow.  I’m sure we will see even greater things from Jordan this year!!

A smile that could melt an iceberg

The actual run went by very quickly for me as we talked and shared stories about triathlon races and such.  Also, the left calf pain that was trying to take me out yesterday, was non-existent during the run.  355th 5K

 

My brave Ani 5K #340 (25 remaining)

 

My sweet Ani

It is with a heavy heart that I’m posting this about my daughter Ani who is a student at  Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida.

While hanging out with friends whom she knew, she was raped over the weekend.  The roommate of a co-worker offered her a ride and committed this cowardly act on her.

When I first found out about it, I went numb and didn’t’ quite know what to do.  Then the usual emotions of rage, anger and sadistic thoughts of chopping one’s member off and feeding it to him through a straw came to mind.

For a brief moment I thought Ani would be the covered in shame and hide in a shell.  But, anyone who knows Ani knows she is a very outspoken person.  Not only did she press charges against the rapist, but she posted it on Facebook, included a picture of him and brought him to swift justice!  This monster is now sitting behind bars because I’m guessing he was counting on her being so ashamed that she’d keep it quiet.

Often times these cowardly predators count on their victims hiding in shame.  Ani, instead was more concern about other girls who may need the strength to come forward too.   I’m very proud of Ani for facing her fear and coming out about what happened to her.

Please ladies (and guys), if someone violates you, the best healing is to talk about it with others.  Come forward and bring the villain to justice.  Shame can only exist in isolation.  The moment you share an awful experience with another, healing begins.  Chances are great that you are not alone in your suffering.

A friend of Ani’s has created a support page for her if you would like to help her in this healing process.  Anais Rape Treatment Fund

I dedicated my 5K run to my beautiful, caring, funning, jovial, intelligent, creative and loving daughter Anais.  I decided to run in a place that I know to be full of beauty like her.  She loves butterflies, so I thought what a good place to start my run at the Butterfly Garden on West Orange Trail.

 

Ani loves butterflies

My run times are slow, as I stopped quite a bit to take pictures of beauty to remind myself that even when life gets ugly, there is beauty if you look for it.  To find some place I can begin to process all the emotions of such an experience.

finding beauty during an ugly time

finding beauty during an ugly time #2

 

finding beauty during an ugly time #3

beauty #4

beauty 6

beauty 7

beauty 8

A nice cushy run route

beauty 9

beauty 10

Beautiful house along the trail

A great place to sit and reflect

Butterfly garden photo op

beauty is everywhere

 

As a final positive word, I came across the sign during the final steps of my 5K.

The route I chose was the perfect place to get healing.  Lots of beautiful flowers, pond, birds, trees, and a soft covered trail to ease my sore body.  I ran a really fast loop that I dedicated to Ani to symbolize a speedy healing for all impacted. I was hoping that my 25 remaining 5K would be about something other than this, but we can’t control what life throws at us sometimes.  https://www.strava.com/activities/602281279/embed/7dd4d959b8d569d108547b05bc7da82db3df0ead“>Ani’s rape awareness 5K #340 (25 remaining)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s go Lego 5K #335 (30 remain)

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

 

Course record 5K #331 (34 remaining)

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.

 

My Course Record Pond 

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!!!

 

There goes the neighborhood 5K #327 (38 remaining)

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

 

I cracked my iPhone 5K #326 (39 remaining)

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.

 

Family 5K run #305 (60 remaining)

Today was one of those ho hum days.  Feeling quite drained and sore, I was not in the mood for running a 5K.

As it often is in life, when you set out on a great goal and you get down and out, help will come from the least expected places.  Today my unexpected help came from my daughter Amaya aka “The Female Flash”.  Amaya wanted to get one last workout in before her big track meet tomorrow.  Amaya was quite excited to run and stretch with “The Old Man”.

While I didn’t quite share Amaya’s enthusiasm for running today, I could certainly get excited about helping my daughter work through one last training session before her big meet.

We went through an extensive warmup and stretch routine and then a light 5K run.  My son Amante went along for the “ride” so it became a family affair.  The kids didn’t stay with me for the entire 5k, but it was just the boost of energy I needed.  305th 5K

The remainder of my run was nice and steady with no music, just my thoughts.

 

A speedier 5K #304

Again today I woke up an hour before my scheduled time to awaken.  With sleep being at such a premium, I need to figure out what is going on lately and quick.  I did not procrastinate as much as I did yesterday.  I also made good use of the roller to “iron out” my sore muscles.  Rolling out my muscles must have released some form of hidden energy.

I set out to run a casual pace,  and felt really comfortable at whatever pace I was running.  My curiosity got the best of me and I looked down at my watch to find out what my current run pace was.  Only to realize shouldn’t have looked down at my watch as I was running at a sub 9/min per mile pace.  I was actually running at an 8:14 pace.  I haven’t ran at that pace in a very long time.

I was shocked that I was running that fast as it did not feel like I was going at that pace.  The funny thing about the mind is as soon as I was aware of how fast I was running, I began to fatigue and slow down.  I really believe if I hadn’t looked at my watch, I would have had one of my best run times in months.

As it panned out, I slowed down to a still respectable sub 10 minute pace.  Next time, I will just listen to whatever pace my body wants to run at fast or slow.

https://www.strava.com/activities/563636371/embed/67b16b742b36f7ed45dd261d08dc3233a9560f27

 

Dave Tyler memorial 5K #303 (62 remaining)

Seems he was always looking like this

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….

 

I beat “The Man” 300th consecutive 5K run (only 65 remaining!)

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.

 

An unusual mix of nature and residential

The trail offers a mixed of beautiful lakeside views, rustic bridges to cross and residential housing of various income levels.

 

 

A symbolic 5K sign

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.