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

 

Double shift 5K #347 (18 remaining)

A really rough night at work where it was call after call all night long. I also knew that I had a double shift to work today starting at 3pm till 7am the next morning.  I knew it would be important for me to get some sleep after working all night.

Unfortunately, I could only sleep 3 hours and don’t know why??  I just laid on my couch too tired to really run, but not sleepy enough to get back to sleep.  Therefore, I decided to get off the couch and at least get my 5K run in.  I knew it would be almost impossible to run once I got to work, due to only getting a half hour for lunch.

I had an absolutely exhausted run today.  I was feeling very achy, crickety and crotchety. I did manage to complete my run, but it was not pretty.  I contained my run to a little semi shaded loop in my neighborhood. 347th 5K

I still can’t believe my runs are now in the teens, with just a little over two weeks 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

 

Rolling hills 5K #324 (41 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.

 

Unshaded rolling hills anyone?

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 know, you’d leave me in the dust..lol

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.

 

 

Milestone 50 5Ks left to run

A special day, not only was it Friday 13th, but only 50 remaining 5Ks left on my yearly challenge of running a 5k everyday for a year.  It’s hard to believe that I’ve been doing this run everyday for 315 days in a row.  Running a 5k everyday is just what I do at this point.  I know that being this close to my goal, nothing can stop me.

I feel like life will throw me one last challenge, so I’m just mentally preparing for that day.  I know that I really need a massage, as I can barely bend over due to back pain.  I somehow strained by back and I can barely pick something off the ground.  My stretching has been compromised due to the back pain, but I’m still moving forward pain or no pain.

Because today was a milestone run, I tried to go a little faster in honor of only 50 runs remaining to reach my goal.  I also picked one of my favorite places to run, and that is the West Orange Trail.  The trail is filled with all sorts of wonderful sights, sounds and activities to keep my mind distracted from any body aches and pains I might be suffering.  I was able to run relatively well and actually recorded some PRs on my route today. 50 remaining 5Ks

Oakland Avenue Charter school giving out free ice cold water. They were learning about hydration.

Beautiful trees along the trail

a nice trail view

To top the day off, I got to see my daughter Amaya place 3rd in the county long jump championships at Cady Way Park.  Amaya has had to endure some nagging injuries from basketball this year, but has been an amazing track and field athlete all season winning 99% of her events this year.  She had second place locked up until she was beaten by the very last athlete of the day.  All in all a great day for me and my family.

My daughter Amaya flying through the air

 

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….