I just got back from spending a fun weekend in New Albany, MS with my in-laws. It is becoming an annual tradition for my brother-in-law Miles and I to run the BNA Tallahatchie River Run 5K. It's also a tradition for it to be a wet run. In the midst of a pretty severe drought, the cool rain moved in early in the morning hours and lasted through most of the run and into mid-morning. But, after a week of unprecendented high September temps, it was a nice relief to have a cool misting rain, especially climbing the last 3 hills. This course seems like it is all uphill, at least until the final stretch which is all down hill to the downtown finish line.
One of my favorite things about this year's race was that nearly the whole Hall family was running. Most of them for the first time, and some of them after only running a few weeks. It was a great time to reflect that we run to run against our own times, not really against other runners. I admired my brother-in-law Mitch who has had numerous health problems over recent years, and yet he found the enthusiasm to put on the shoes and tackle the course, hills and all. He finished a little over 37 minutes, and deserved a medal more than the guy who ran it in 17 minutes.
I'm already looking forward to next year's run, and seeing Mitch and all of the newbie Hall's improve on already great finishing times.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekend Recap
As predicted on last Wednesday, I had an absolutely wonderful time running with my daughter-in-law at the Cooper Young 4 Miler on Friday night. We ran/walked to a finish of 49:42 which was well back in the pack, but it was a fun time together. I am so blessed by this wonderful new addition to our family.
I love the Cooper-Young neighborhood of Midtown, Memphis. There were happy, rowdy crowds almost entirely along the route, cheering us on as we made our way past the decorated homes with bright, white lights in the trees and strung along porches. Some yard parties had bands with horns, guitars, and drums. And of course there was copious amounts of alchohol keeping the spirits high!
My son had a PR in the 4 miler, and admitted it was largely due to the boisterous crowds that spurred him on. We're not used to that kind of special treatment during our usual early Saturday morning 5K's. But, I told him, come December at the St. Jude-Memphis Marathon, it will be even more inspiring as we run by the nearly non-stop crowds. They'll be cheering us on, waving signs and banners for kids in their families, or kids they know, who've spent time at St. Jude. It will be just the thing to keep the adrenalin flowing. I'm very excited as this will be his first 1/2 marathon.
Saturday morning, on my long run, I was at the nine mile mark at the turn around point to head back to do the final 4 miles to the car. It was about nine o'clock and already 84 degrees, quickly ascending to an eventual 99 degrees. My knees were aching and my legs were kind of shaking, amidst all the other aches and pains creeping in. Did I say it was hot??? As I turned around to head back to the car, I wondered to myself if I could actually make it home...or would I have to walk it out. And then I thought of the kids down at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that very moment, who were undergoing all kinds of cruel and difficult procedures to rid their small bodies of cancer and other childhood diseases. At that point, my pains subsided and the miles ahead all of a sudden seemed short and insignificant. Thinking of all those kids were going through, I surely could make it back down the dusty road to my car. And I did.
I have to say it turned out to be the easiest 4 miles of the day. As I ran I considered: I'm so thankful for my two grown children who never had to experience anything like a devastating childhood disease.
And so I continue to run, toward my goal of running my first full marathon, and to raise money for St. Jude Children's Reearch Hospital. Maybe someday that beautiful structure will be empty, with cobwebs in the patient rooms and doorways, because there will be no need for their services. But until that day, let's work together to put them out of business, by contributing to help them cure all the kids with cancer.
I love the Cooper-Young neighborhood of Midtown, Memphis. There were happy, rowdy crowds almost entirely along the route, cheering us on as we made our way past the decorated homes with bright, white lights in the trees and strung along porches. Some yard parties had bands with horns, guitars, and drums. And of course there was copious amounts of alchohol keeping the spirits high!
My son had a PR in the 4 miler, and admitted it was largely due to the boisterous crowds that spurred him on. We're not used to that kind of special treatment during our usual early Saturday morning 5K's. But, I told him, come December at the St. Jude-Memphis Marathon, it will be even more inspiring as we run by the nearly non-stop crowds. They'll be cheering us on, waving signs and banners for kids in their families, or kids they know, who've spent time at St. Jude. It will be just the thing to keep the adrenalin flowing. I'm very excited as this will be his first 1/2 marathon.
Saturday morning, on my long run, I was at the nine mile mark at the turn around point to head back to do the final 4 miles to the car. It was about nine o'clock and already 84 degrees, quickly ascending to an eventual 99 degrees. My knees were aching and my legs were kind of shaking, amidst all the other aches and pains creeping in. Did I say it was hot??? As I turned around to head back to the car, I wondered to myself if I could actually make it home...or would I have to walk it out. And then I thought of the kids down at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that very moment, who were undergoing all kinds of cruel and difficult procedures to rid their small bodies of cancer and other childhood diseases. At that point, my pains subsided and the miles ahead all of a sudden seemed short and insignificant. Thinking of all those kids were going through, I surely could make it back down the dusty road to my car. And I did.
I have to say it turned out to be the easiest 4 miles of the day. As I ran I considered: I'm so thankful for my two grown children who never had to experience anything like a devastating childhood disease.
And so I continue to run, toward my goal of running my first full marathon, and to raise money for St. Jude Children's Reearch Hospital. Maybe someday that beautiful structure will be empty, with cobwebs in the patient rooms and doorways, because there will be no need for their services. But until that day, let's work together to put them out of business, by contributing to help them cure all the kids with cancer.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Staying on the Path
So far, so good. I've been able to keep to the plan, racking up the miles and staying injury free. As I say, so far so good. During the month of August I logged about 70 miles, which was slightly ahead of August '09. So far this month, half way through, I've logged nearly 40 miles. So, September looks to be a bump, and maybe my highest mileage ever for one month.
With Friday evening comes one of my favorite races, the Cooper-Young 4 Miler, with two of my favorite people: my oldest son, and his beautiful new bride. She and I are going to take in the route at a leisurely rate, and enjoy the sights. After a nice stroll through one of Memphis' best neighborhoods, with friendly porch parties all along the way, we'll all get together and enjoy a great meal in Mid-Town. And then, hopefully, I'll have the fresh legs to do a 12 miler on Sunday morning. It's going to be a great running weekend.
Don't forget to check out my St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraising opportunity on this page.
With Friday evening comes one of my favorite races, the Cooper-Young 4 Miler, with two of my favorite people: my oldest son, and his beautiful new bride. She and I are going to take in the route at a leisurely rate, and enjoy the sights. After a nice stroll through one of Memphis' best neighborhoods, with friendly porch parties all along the way, we'll all get together and enjoy a great meal in Mid-Town. And then, hopefully, I'll have the fresh legs to do a 12 miler on Sunday morning. It's going to be a great running weekend.
Don't forget to check out my St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraising opportunity on this page.
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