Blue Ox

 

The tale of the Blue Ox 5K begins five days before the race with a 3.6 mile assessment run. It seemed like a great training run to prepare me for the race. Afterward, Coach Ironfist was confident I would be able to complete the race in 28 minutes, which would be getting close to a personal best. Needless to say, I felt more than ready.

The next day - Monday - I woke up with so much pain I couldn't hardly walk! It was probably a mistake to play pickleball that morning. Agnes had one last run planned for me that day, but that would've been a big mistake. I rested the next several days till race day.

By Friday, race day, I was feeling a little better, so I decided to run. It was a beautiful day - kind of cool with bright sunshine. The conditions couldn't have been better.

There was a huge crowd. Usually I try to get up near the front, but this day the starting area was set up different than usual, and I couldn't get up very far. That, as it turns out, was a mistake. As the race began I was boxed in for quite awhile and actually had people close by for pretty much the whole race. I think this photo captures the situation pretty well:

My 77-year-old friend Jerry, from Perham, beat me by about 18 seconds. I actually beat Jerry last June down in Fergus Falls, but he wasn't to be denied on this day. He took first place for his division. (Jerry's the shorter one in the gray shirt.)

I ended up taking second in the 60-69 age group with a respectable time of 29:31. I didn't achieve my goal, but any time I can get under 30, I'm happy.

When we place we receive little blue ox cow bells:

Here is a snap-shot of my results:

Of course, after the race my bursitis flared up and I only started running again yesterday - two weeks after the race.

After the race we went to the Green Mill for some pizza. This time we were smart and called ahead so we could get a window seat. We had a wonderful waiter named Brett. We talked about the race and he revealed he'd be running in the marathon the next day. It would be his first. He thought he could win. What?!? His confidence was over the top. I actually believed he could do it - so much so that I asked him for his email address.

I checked the results the next day... sure enough - he won! 2:38. I'm so glad I was able to congratulate him. His next goal is to win the Fargo Marathon next spring. It looks like he'll need to get around 2:25. I'm confident he can do it.

Mount Roseau Trail Run

I had just run the day before. It was supposed to be a recovery day for me. But somehow I was drawn to it like a moth to the light... 

Yesterday was the first ever Mount Roseau Trail Run. It was also my first ever trail run. 

A few years ago I did a post on what is known as Mount Roseau. Here are a couple photos from that post:

Jamie set up two races - a 10K and a sort of 5K (actually 3.8 miles - .7 miles extra for no additional cost).

It was a pretty cold morning, so only three of us showed up for the 5K:

Since I was in recovery mode, my only goal was to finish. I fully expected to simply jog and probably walk a good portion of it. As it turns out, I didn't have to walk at all.

I was very careful to watch where I was going so as not to turn an ankle:

My watch kept track of every step. This is the map it drew of every twist and turn!

Finally, the end was in sight:

Finally, after 47:46, I crossed the finish line taking second place!

My First 10K!

Saturday was the Yellow Rose Race. I was looking forward to this one more than any race in recent memory. This was my first 10K. 18 years of running and I'd never run a 10K. I felt like I was ready for it. Coach Ironfist thought I could do it in 58 minutes. I thought she was a little too optimistic... I set my goal at 60 minutes. 

My plan was to start out at a 10:15 pace and aim for negative splits. I also planned to take my time and walk at the water stands. Well, that plan turned out to be too ambitious. My second split was probably negative, but after that things fell apart. I finished with a time of 62:48. Thankfully, it was good enough to go home with a medal. I have a long way to go to get a second place medal.

My personal photographer couldn't make it to the race. I managed to pinch this image off the race web-site. 

My next race will be a 5K. In the future I hope to do a 10K once every summer. 

Roseau ALS Walk/Run

Saturday was the Make a Difference for ALS Walk/Run

The weather was conducive to good times - low 60s, no wind, foggy.

I came into the race very optimistic. I wanted to break 29 minutes, and based on my recent workouts I felt quite confident I could do it. As extra incentive, I told myself that if I met the 29 minute goal, I would run a 10K in my next race. There was a 60-year-old guy from Texas in the race. I was concerned that if I didn't beat him, I wouldn't medal. He was slightly faster than me. I had him in my sights the whole race. That motivated me. In the end, I didn't beat him, but I did finish in 28:33 - my best time in ten years! As it turns out, I medaled after all. I came in third place for the 50+ men.

Coach Ironfist couldn't be more proud.

6.8 Miles

I celebrated my 68th birthday a few days ago, so naturally I attempted to do what every 68-year-old should attempt on his birthday - run 6.8 miles in 68 minutes. I'm happy to say I accomplished the 6.8 mile part of it. I can count the number of times I've run this distance on one hand. Unfortunately, 68 minutes was beyond my capabilities. My time was 69:54. Close. I think 6.9 miles in 69 minutes is within the realm of possibility for next year.

A few days before the birthday run I completed Running Every Street for the 14th time! Thanks to everyone who's supporting me and Living Hope.

68 Push-Ups?

I turn 68 next Wednesday. I thought that would be a great day to run 6.8 miles in 68 minutes. Also, I was thinking I could record myself doing 68 push-ups. Then I'd post it all on Facebook.

I been rather proud of myself being able to do my age in push-ups for the last several years, so this was not going to be a problem. As preparation we decided to do a practice video a few days ago:

Unfortunately, I didn't realize until watching the video that my form is not correct. I'm doing partial push-ups! I had no idea. When using proper form, I can only do about 45 push-ups. 

What this means is that I need to go back into training. I will be going back on the HundredPushups plan. This plan has me doing about a 100-150 push-ups, three days a week, until I get to the total I desire. I will keep you apprised of my progress in the comments.

Fergus Falls Lake Region Run

 

Yesterday was the Lake Region Run in Fergus Falls.

The weather was perfect - mid-60s with a slight wind.

This is a nice course, running around a lake and residential areas.

Preparing for the starting gun.

I gave it everything I had. I couldn't have finished any faster.

The finish line.

I met my goal of 30 minutes. Here are the details:

Year 14

 

Yes, that's right - I'm actually a jogger! Much of the time, anyway. Coach Ironfist always has me begin with a 10 minute, very slow, warm-up run. So, if you see me during the start of the run, I'll be jogging. Also, many of the runs she has me do are what she calls 'economy' runs - which are also slow runs. 

So, I've begun Year 14! Actually, I began in March. I can't believe it's taken me this long to post. I should be done in a couple weeks.

Seaside School 5k

On Sunday we raced in Seaside FL to help raise money for the Seaside School.

It was the biggest race I've ever been a part of. There were 1500 runners for the 5K. This meant that it took several seconds to reach the starting line after starting gun. Also, other runners surrounded me the entire race. If I wanted to pick up the pace, I would have to weave around other runners.

My time was 31:09 - a little disappointing, but with discipline and determination, I should be able to shave a couple minutes off that time this year.

I came in 476th place overall.

Of the 21 men aged 65-69 in the race, I came in 5th.

It was our first Sunday race. The race was supposed to start at 7:30, but due to inclement weather, the start was postponed till 8:45. I cleaned up as quickly as I could after the race, and we were able to worship at the Seaside Chapel.

Men In Tights

Saturday was the FSU Torch Run in Panama City.

1. There were 199 participants in the race.

2. The temperature was in the low 40s, so I decided to wear tights for the first time in a race.

3. My time was not stellar: 30:54. I came in 7th place for the old men. 64th overall. At least I'm lifting my rear foot to a good level...

4. Here I am carrying the Torch at the end. (This photo taken by the race organizers.)

5. I don't feel Coach Agnes had me properly prepared for this race. I'm finally going to ask her why she's only been giving me short, slow runs lately. Nonetheless, it sure is good to be able to run and compete this time of year.