So what have I been up to...

Nada. Zip. Zilch. Following the HHH last year, I more or less shut down for the winter, spring, and summer. In the process all that weight I loss well it's right back around my midsection. Instead of tipping the scales at between 230-240, I know run 250-260. Not good!!! What happened you may ask. Work, my boss more or less disappeared from the picture and IU had to pick up some of his slack. So instead of working 45 hours a week I was working 50+.

Well in February he turned in his notice, so for about two months I played Controller. My stress levels went through the roof. During this time I was also appointed the race director for WF Runner's Club Dam Run 5K. In my opinion I did a piss poor job of it but I think we broke even or maybe even made a wee bit of money. The money we are suppose to make we then donate back to the city for improvement of the trail system.

My company is in the process of changing ERP systems and since the previous controller was our designated Superuser and the new VP of finance had other concerns I took on that role. It was about two months before HHH and I had to be in Cleveland for two weeks. The Italian guy that I rode with pleaded with me to ride this year and I was like no how no way was that going to happen with me riding maybe 20 miles a week... both guys rode sub 5 hours this year racing in the Cat 3/4 race. No way was I going to be able to keep up with them.

I have attempted to get back into running, but that has been a pitiful attempt as well. I am lucky to get in two runs a week and normally not anything long nor very hard, 8:50-9:30 pace is all I am good for these days with my extra tonnage. There is going to be a Trail Half Marathon/Marathon sponsored by the Wichita Falls Streams and Valley. I figured I wouldn't have to drive far and fairly inexpensive $35, plus I would probably volunteer so why not run it if I can get in shape for it.

Last Thursday I made a club run and ran 4.5 miles at 9:30 pace so that is a start. After the run a group was talking about running Saturday morning. I knew they were running 12 miles and I have not built up to run that. Yes, I know that is a big no, no, but you have to start somewhere right?!!!

So I show up a little late they are just getting ready to leave. I am in a pair of insulated wind pants that I need to get off so they leave me to get out of my clothes. Oh yeah it was about 35-40 degrees, everyone else was in running tights and bundled up. I had on shorts and a wicking shirts and my Half windbreaker. Well needless to say I caught the group and settled in at their pace. We were cruising along at just under 10:40 pace when we came across a McDonald's probably about 2.5 miles in. I thought I probably ought to stop and take care of some stomach problems, but I of course didn't want to lose the group since I didn't know the route. Well I heard we were stopping at gas station about 1.5 down the road. My stomach starting acting up so I took left the group to give me time to take care of my issues. I stopped at the first place that had a public restroom and since that wasn't where the group stopped they didn't know if I had taken off without them so they left me.

Well I caught back up around mile 6 and cruised back home with another runner. In our their was a guy running at 9:30ish pace, then the woman I was running with at 10:30 pace, and another back even slower. So we got separated from the fast guy who knew route and the slower pack that knew the route so we made up our own route and ran 12 miles according to my Garmin. Total run time was 2:01.08

Surprisingly my body held up well. My achilles tendons were a little sore and my calves felt like they had rocks in them until Tuesday. Ran 2 miles last night at 9:30 pace was hoping to do 5 but stomach issues again. I guess I need to get on a bread and water diet so my stomach doesn't get upset!!!

12 mile run splits
Mile 1 10:32.59
Mile 2 10:39.23
Mile 3 10:22.52
Mile 4 9:17.14
Mile 5 9:32.31
Mile 6 9:25.12
Mile 7 10:35.39
Mile 7.91 9:07.91 (10:01 pace per the Garmin)
Mile 8.91 10:11.46
Mile 9.91 10:17.07
Mile 10.62 7:21.31 (10:20 pace)
Mile 11.62 10:04.15
Mile 12 3:37.25 (9:32 pace)

Don't know what happened at 7.91 and 10.62 if I hit lap instead of stop when trying to figure out where we were suppose to be going to get in 12 miles!!