A clydesdale no more!

Day 1 of the slow and steady climb out of this hole that I have dug for myself.

First day of school for the kids.  It may take a few days for me to remember that I need to get out the door a little earlier.

A few slow miles followed by a couple of faster miles.

Another last minute fill in as the 1:35 pacer at Mt. Nebo.  I hesitated to volunteer because my fitness has dropped so much but knew how fast this course was and knew I would be fine.  The race director requested that the pacers be on the first bus at 5:00 a.m. and I didn't want to make Becky leave that early so I ran from the hotel to the bus pickup for a 1.9 mile warmup.  Pretty cold at the starting area which is always a good indication that we would have perfect racing temps. Was pretty much on target until mile 4 when I noticed the mile marker was coming early according to my Garmin.  I remembered from last year that the course measured short.  I was 28 seconds ahead according to the mile markers but right on according to my Garmin.  Tried to give a few seconds back each mile.  Walked all of the aid stations to get closer to goal time.  Was 10-15 seconds ahead going into the last mile and tried to get as close as I could at the finish.  Ended up 6 seconds early which is close enough for me.  Ran alone most of the time as 1:35 is an odd time and this isn't really a big race.  Did have a few people mention that they used me as a target which is probably the biggest job as a pacer.  Becky ran 1:33 which was close to what she ran last year.  She is really rubbing it in that she beat me today. 

My fitness is in a death spiral.  It is really pathetic what I have allowed myself to do.  Two pounds short of being a clydesdale.  I have got to find something to motivate me to get back into it.

I am in Virginia Beach for work.  Ran along the board walk in the rain.  Decent run.  Achilles tendons feel a little sore.

Another run on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.  After a full day of listening to presentations on the exciting subject of health care data, I decided to skip the dinner with the group and went for a run.  No rain but it was really windy.  Ran the first 3 a little quicker then ran 1 slow to take in the sites then the last mile a little quicker.  Lot's of people running on the boardwalk.  I'm guessing it is the best place to run in the area, especially for tourists.

In addition to turning 41 on Saturday, I also became a clydesdale.  I started my running journey 8 1/2 years ago at 220 pounds and was able to get down to 170.  I never thought I would see 200 again.  The last 2 years have been a steady increase.  I feel like I have become very undisciplined and am not sure how to pull myself out of this mess.  I have become one of those people who complain about their physical status but nothing to correct it.  Looking for any advice on how to get my head back in the right place.

Almost talked myself out of the run this morning.  Even stopped tieing my shoe halfway through the process.  I need to start being consistent again so I headed out for another 5.  Great running weather this morning.

Felt yucky.  Can't exactly pin point what the problem was.  Just an overall feeling of blah. 

This is the absolutely best time of the year for running. Despite being woefully out of shape, it is still great to get out in the cool, crisp air.