Shamrock Race Recap and Other Musings

I don’t have much time (as I get off of work at 2:00 PM and need to go to the groceria directly after, so as to have time to sandwich a run in between readying some tuna casserole and attending school), so this will need to be short and sweet:

1.) I placed third overall in the March of Dimes Shamrock 5k, with a time of 16:19. It is becoming increasingly clear to me that this run is becoming a sort of destination race, and that it will take a gargantuan effort indeed for me to pull off the win I so covet. FYI, I once again bettered my time from the year prior, lowering it by 4 seconds.

My legs felt ok—not great (not super lively or springy), and somewhat lethargic, but not the worst. My breathing was pretty ragged, as I was parched from the get-go to about 1.5 miles in (despite my best pre-race hydration efforts). If I keep training like I am, and proclaim a need for more speedwork leading up to next year’s race, it should be interesting to see what I can accomplish.

Pledging allegiance to the flag, pots chock-full of gold, and Guiness (I'm the tall guy in the middle, in red).



Finishing strong. Mostly.



2.) My legs are decently tired and heavy, but not enough to cause me concern or stop me from running every day. I did have to cut a workout short late last week, to insure I still had the use of my legs for the week’s remaining workouts, but that is not altogether odd…or unforgivable (I hope). I’ve already got over 150 miles under my belt for the month, with another week and a half to go (reaching 200 miles, for the very first time, in the process).

3.) I’m currently working on a lengthy, numbers-based school project (which is due by the end of the week) wherein I have to make countless graphs and charts to help highlight the ethnic, social, and demographical diversity of two separate Georgia (I chose South Effingham and Treutlen) Elementary schools. I think I almost resorted to stabbing myself in the face with one of my old Pinewood Derby cars to bypass moving any further ahead with the process today.

4.) As I previously mentioned, Calli is currently being featured within the Best Looking category in South Magazine’s inaugural South Greatest Pets Contest. Please click on the link to see and vote for her (only one vote per IP address, so if you want to tally multiple votes, I shan’t stand in your way if you decide to vote from both your home and place of employment).

More Miles and Modeling Calli

My mileage total for February came in at 142.68 (click on the screenshot below to expand), while I’m slated for significantly more—as per my coach’s instructions—in March (through March 8, I’ve already tallied 52.78 miles—I’ve provided a screenshot for this as well).





In fact, Friday, March 4 is/was the only day I was slated to refrain from running all month (and if that doesn’t get your mileage up, nothing will). Because I’m registering faster and faster times while putting forth the same amount of effort, I know my legs are getting stronger, so I should be able to handle the extra mileage and lack of rest days (days wherein I’m actually taking the day off, as opposed to running just a few miles, slowly). And though I’m not used to running so often, including running the days directly prior to a race (this Friday’s March of Dimes Shamrock Run 5k), I’m buying into my coach’s philosophy (“a day off is usually followed by an off day”); as the old adage says, I’m in for a penny, in for a pound.

As for Friday’s race, I’ve finished in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, the last two years—in a time of 16:28 in 2009 and 16:23 in 2010. And though I’ve not been doing much speedwork in preparation for the race, I’m going to stay on the shoulder of the race’s leader and just ride him into the ground, even if it means I have nothing left in the tank for the final straightaway; I’m sick and tired of getting gaped during mile two, only to find that I can rally in mile three (yet still fall short because of my lack of heart earlier). Let the chips fall where they may.

And now, a couple of non-running related things:

1.) I recently enjoyed a white chocolate encrusted Twinkie (below, pre-mastication). Let it be known that, whether it was the sweet shop’s tampering with the Twinkie’s natural chemistry or simply the natural chemistry itself, Twinkies do indeed go stale. So there goes that myth.



2.) A local magazine—South Magazine—is hosting the first annual “South Greatest Pets Contest,” into which I have entered Calli. Her headshots (which are likely repeats of those you've seen on this very blog before) are below.