Friday, December 5, 2008

Cool Runnings

No, this isn't a post about the Jamaican Bobsled Team. It's a look forward to this weekend's running events.

Temps around these parts have been hovering mostly around freezing. This weekend will be more of the same.

Tomorrow's event is the Jingle Bell Run 5k in Frederick, MD. This was not an event I had planned to do, but a local soon-to-be-formerly-fat blogger, Aaron, picked this as his first 5k and it's too close to home not to join in for the fun.

This brings back memories as my first 5k was the Jingle Bell Run just 2 years ago. Will be heading west with the family early. Looking forward to temps in the upper 20's at the start. BRRR! I'm thinking those temps outta get Aaron to the finish a couple of minutes quicker than he's thinking.

I had a great 8 miler on Saturday with the Team in Training crew. Ran the full distance other than water stops. Even better, I was able to run the uphill mile or so back to the start -- a first for me. This was a great final long run leading up to this Sunday's Columbia Metric Marathon. With my times still consistently running between 10 and 10:30/mile, my concern about finishing in under the 3:30 time limit is all but a distant memory. Now I'm more concerned about being able to start out slow. The goal is an 11 minute pace -- just enough to break 3 hours.

For the first time, I'm excited about a race in a very different way -- there is no worry about times or IF I can finish. Baring injury, I KNOW I will finish. It just feels different. I can hardly wait!

(Oh yeah, forecast for the 8:15 start -- 32 degrees, windy and dry!)

Looking forward to sitting on my couch Sunday night watching the Ravens kick the Redskins butts writing my race reports.

Have a great weekend everyone!

L'Chaim!

6 comments:

Pat said...

My first half marathon started at 28 cold degrees. I showed up with two pairs of sweat pants, a sweatshirt from Goodwill, a parka, hat and gloves.

They had a UPS drop off for most of my stuff. But, the gloves and sweatshirt were left on the course.

Stay warm and good luck.

Ohh - take lots of pictures for Aaron. I bet he'll appreciate it. Can you run backwords?

Daiquiri princess said...

Awesome Jeff. Stay warm it is damned cold here. Good luck and looking forward to hearing all about both runs.
I'm told the walmart in the hunting department has battery operated socks to keep you feet and legs warm. LOL

Anonymous said...

Totally awesome man! Your doing it.
Your getting out there and doing. Thats what will keep you going.

Aaron said...

Jeff, we did it. I am so glad I got to do this with you guys, you are so supportive.

It was cold...one day I will run a race that is at least 40 degrees or warmer...I just know it...

J~Mom said...

Did you get to run it after all?

Andrew is getting fit said...

You seem to be improving by leaps and bounds!