Dear Running of the Pink friends,

    We are hoping to still hold the race on June 6^th. Because we spend so much on advertising, we are waiting a little bit to make sure our JRMC and Women’s Way partners are satisfied with your safety before we go all out on spending. Regardless, there will be a run and we will keep you up to date.

    Last week, on a Sunday no less, I taught my Grandson to cheat. I was pleased that it made him uncomfortable and resistant, but I suckered him in when I divulged my plan: I am too old and have run too many miles to have to run against an 18 mph wind. Micah, age 13 has started to run to prepare for Cross Country and he wants to run with his grandpa. While I am thoroughly pleased, running with a real runner is tough. We have done two three milers and after getting a ride to the up wind end of the road, he has been (more accurately my ego has been) forcing my creaky old knees to run a 9:20 first mile. I am smart enough to release him like a bird from a cage to finish with 7:30s and better. One result is I am mad at all of you for forcing me to run a stupid 10K. My last two 5K runs have been 9:19 per mile (wind aided).

Purpose of a running watch 

    I am betting that if I asked you about the purpose of a running watch, you would reply it is to see how fast you are running so that you can speed up. I think the opposite, as usual. One of the biggest enemies you can face is a first mile that sets a new world’s record and leaves you figuratively or actually on the curb. If your goal is a 30 minute three mile, I don’t want you running a 9 minute first mile. Use that watch to slow down. If you really have it, you can gradually bring it on. I would applaud a 9 minute last mile, but I don’t want you suffering and begging the bad devil to let you stop.

    In that same vein, I see a lot of beginning runners looking over their shoulders to see if they are being caught. What is that all about? If you have given the race all that you have there is nothing you can do about it. If you are looking because you can run faster, then run faster; don’t be looking for someone beyond yourself to push you. You are in charge, run your own race and don’t be leaving something in the tank. Sure you shouldn’t start too early, but with a half or quarter mile to go burn it up. You are racing against your bad devil, not some other runner.

Thank you

    I have run a 5, a couple of 4’s and a couple of 3’s in the last couple of weeks. Against my advice, I have started some too fast. With a mile to go I started listening to the bad devil, “you can walk, you have earned it, you weren’t planning on a 5 miler anyway”. I then thought of each of you who are trusting my advice as we get into shape and I pushed through each time. As we have discussed, this isn’t especially about being ready physically, it is putting in the work so that you can achieve your goals mentally.

Bragging Time

    I told you about my idea of deskside Olympics, where I do sit-ups and pushups in small sets beside my desk without having to get sweaty and needing a shower (or so I claim). This is working startlingly better that I imagined. I have slowly grown my push-ups to 200 every other day in sets of 35 and am up to 350 sit-ups in sets of 70 on the alternate days. Considering I started at 3 push-ups and 20 sit-ups total, if an old man like me can slowly grow the numbers, so can you. I will recognize you from your smiles and the extra foot of belt flopping from your waist. Keep it up.