Race for Hope 5K Philadelphia
November 4, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
November 1st, 2008. It’s been an eventful month. I hadn’t run a race in months and here it is, the fourth weekend in a row that I’m competing. Fran & I got up early for the trip to the Art Museum for the annual Race for Hope 5K run/walk that benefits Brain Tumor research. My aunt Sandy was diagnosed with a brain tumor many years ago and sadly, she lost her battle with this devastating disease just last week. Ironically, I just heard of this race after she passed and I felt strongly about running in her honor.
It was a beautiful morning to run but damn, it was COLD! We parked on the edge of Fairmount Park and walked down to the museum steps to pick up our numbers. There was actually another 5K that started on the opposite side of the museum at the same time.
As we waited around for the event to get underway, I was amazed at the number of people who were streaming in. This was a bigger event than I thought and to date, by far the largest group that I had run with. We met up with Fran’s cousin John who was walking with some friends of his.
I had a good breakfast before I left the house and grabbed a bagel before the race. I was feeling good though still feeling the effects from my 5 miler last weekend. I knew I was pushing it.
9:00. Race time. The start was delayed for about 10 minutes due to some late entrants. The troops were getting antsy because of the February-like temps. 
I was up close to the front. They started and stopped the pump-up-the-crowd music three different times and people were getting pissed. As you might imagine, there was quite a glut of people at the beginning after the gun went off.
I spent the first mile or so avoiding other runners and jumping over cones. The conditions were good though. The course was flat and the scenery was great. We ran up River Drive across the river from Boathouse Row.
I grabbed a cup of water from a volunteer about a mile in and almost choked on it. That was it for beverages for me and I concentrated on the run the rest of the way.
After the turnaround halfway in, I started looking for Fran coming the other way. I eventually spotted her and we high-fived as we passed (Awwwwwww) :). Shortly after, the walkers entered the picture. Now granted, this was for a great cause and a lot of money was raised, but there were people all over the road! There were volunteers trying to keep the walkers on their side of the road, but there was so many of them. They were all lumped together, many with dogs and strollers. I think there was about 4000 walkers. It was a challenge to navigate. I got a little taste of what the Phillie’s championship parade was like.
I came in 227th out of 805 registered runners at 26:36. I was thinking beforehand that I could come in under 26 minutes but I’m not unhappy with my results. I was a bit tight and for the next two days I was HURTIN’.
I still have a pile of weight to lose. My focus has shifted from losing weight to eating the right foods and overall nutrition. I’m concentrating on building muscle which will help kick start the weight loss naturally. I want to send a thanks to Michelle at work who has also taken up a healthier eating regimen and is helping me stay out of the snack box.
I want to dedicate this race and post to my dear aunt Sandy who was a strong, fun, spritual person who lost her life way too early. I thank God that she is no longer suffering and she’s in a better place.
Next race is the Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day. I need a few weeks off 
– D.
Race for Hope Philadelphia 2008 official site:
http://bts.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=08_PA_HomePage
5k for Katie
October 12, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
After what seems like an eternity, I finally got back in the groove and ran competitively this morning. This race was a last minute decision, made easier by the fact that my wife didn’t think that I would get out of bed for it. Ha ha Honey, proved you wrong 
This race benefits the National MPS Society. In particular, it is held in memory of Katie Shine who lost her battle w/ MPS in 2002 at age 13. She was from Downingtown, PA which is where the race took place.
I tried to extract some experience from my one previous 5k which was months ago. I controlled my pace from the start and ran my own race. I almost brought up my vanilla cappucino from Wawa about halfway through however. (Note to self: No flavored coffee before races from here on out).
The course was nice and flat which was part of the motivator to get me 
out this morning. I’m racing the next two Sundays and if nothing else, this was a training run. The competitor in me wanted improvement from my last race though, even though I was considerably less conditioned than before.
It started in town and was routed through Kardon Park and up the Struble Trail. At the halfway point on the trail the course was turned around for the runners and we finished where we started. There was also a one mile walk going on. There was a stretch where the runners and walkers were kind of lumped together even though the walkers started a half hour earlier. Even though I had a better idea what to expect for this race, it wasn’t any easier. I really tried to turn on the jets down the stretch but I was hurting. My calves were on fire and my stomach is still messed up. It’s all about conditioning. This is where eating better would really help me.
My official time was 26:55. 44th out of 86 runners. Middle of the pack. Not bad considering my recent slacking off. Actually I’m surprised that I did THAT well. I haven’t really run any considerable distance to speak of since early September. I want this to be a starting point for my resurgence. A 5K time of about 22 minutes is loosely where I would like to be by May.
So after I finished I had an apple, half a bagel and a bottle of water. It was about all my stomach could handle. I’m glad I made the decision to do this. Repetition will make it easier I’m sure. Fran wasn’t feeling well enough to run today but she’ll be back. I’ll let you know if it goes any easier next week.
– D.
Gluttony - The deadliest sin
September 25, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
OK, This is my first post in a few weeks. The reason is, I haven’t had anything very inspirational to write about. Since vacation I have not gotten out to run … or exercise at all for that matter. No excuses, just living my life. I got back from the shore and got wrapped up in football parties, fall food festivals, winery visits, well you name it. I’m human what can I say.
My weight after I got back went up to 178 last week, and 178.5 this past Monday.
I’m realizing that it’s going to take more than a few runs a week to make my goal. There was a time in the past when I couldn’t put on weight if I wanted to. That all changed when my metabolism came to a screeching halt when I was in college. I don’t think that my situation is unique or I have it tougher than others by ANY means. I have never really felt any urgency to lose weight or get in shape like I do now. Since I haven’t really felt the need to push myself, and am laid back by nature, this is REALLY HARD for me to do. Not to mention the fact that I absolutely love food and live by one of the greatest cities in the world for that. Old habits die hard.
My next scheduled race is October 26th, a 5 miler. I better get out there and practice, LOL. I’m looking at some different exercise and fitness regimens to try, some of them rather extreme. I also joined a gym which opens next month. So these are positive steps. This whole experience isn’t just about weight loss, running and fitness for me. I’m learning that it’s also an exercise in discipline and doing the right thing despite old habits and what others are doing.
It’s taking on a life of it’s own. Scary….
– D.
