Mid season running report

This running season has been an early success.  I only have had a few minor runs under my belt, but they've been pretty good and I shouldn't take them for granted.  Back in April I did a Relay event with some good guys at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon.  We ended up placing 2nd in the Men's Open Division...our plaque finally came!!!

Several of us from our Race Committee continued involvement within the community and, as mentioned, we ran in the Bookin' It 5K for the Library.  I took second in my division and took 6th overall with a PR of 20:20.

At the end of May, I ran in the Medina Half Marathon.  That didn't go as well as I had hoped but I finished in 1:43:17 which is better than I anticipated.  But I was off to such a positive start and felt like I could set a Personal Record (PR).  Despite the heat, humidity and the hills it was a lot of fun and very well organized.

The Akron Marathon has started the Rubber City Race Series that started on June 27th, 2015.  It is a series of 3 races over the summer finishing at the end of September with the Full Marathon, Half and Relay events.  The initial races were a 1 Mile and 8K.  So I signed up for the 1 Mile.  The second one is in August and they hold a 10K and Half, in which I registered for the 10K. And the September final I'll run the Half Marathon.  Excited to see how it goes.  I've been training for faster times for several weeks now and even after the long day on the 26th for the Matchstick I was excited to see how fast I could go in 1 mile.  The weather did not cooperate at all and it poured all morning long. With about 4 to 5 minutes before the start of the race I was soaked.

In the end, there were 170+ 1 mile participants and 2100+ 8K runners.  I set a new personal record at 5:51 for the 1 mile.  I could kick myself because I got stuck in the middle of the front pack running the 8K and I had to push out to the side and then work my way back to the left for the turns.  After I finished, I didn't realize it but I finished 8th overall, 6th in the Men's division and 1st in my age group.  Never ran that fast before.  But now I know.

In June of 2010 I changed my life spiritually, mentally and physically.  I became dedicated to losing weight and being here for my wife and kids and being a better Christian (I'm not perfect by any means but my faith is what drives me).  I couldn't run a mile without stopping.  I always hated running.  I always thought to myself, "You are either built for running or your not.  You are either built for speed or you are not. You can't teach speed or get faster than you are."  In the last 5 years I've discovered, due to my own ignorance, that the body is an amazing thing and capable of amazing things.

We are capable of amazing things.  If you want to try something but you doubt you're able, don't doubt it.  You want to try running but never felt like you could or can, do it.  Push past that next challenge.  Set an obtainable goal and smash it.  Set another one and SMASH that one too!.  Just keep working, setting new goals and push your body beyond the next challenge and who knows what the rest of this summer or the rest of your fitness goals look like.

Keep working hard and God Bless.

Coach Bill

What a week!

Other than June 2015 most likely being the most active month in my entire life with Family events, the Matchstick Race, my test and...well work it was likely the most rewarding as well.

The opening of the festival is a parade through the middle of town and we had the best seat in the house.  Our committee along with several volunteers marched in the parade and we were 5th in line out of more than 150.  Yeah, those in back...sorry that is a long night.  But the best part was being able to do it with my family and great friends.  The volunteers for the race were issued very bright orange T-shirts.  Very bright.

The kids were nervous at first, but after they got into it and after my little girl heard hear name being called out from the crowd...she ate it all up.  She waved to all her friends (she claimed she wasn't tired...but I think otherwise) and my son threw candy and stepped in to carry the banner when needed. The neat part was we were right behind the Grand Marshal (they get to light the giant matchstick on the square during the parade).  It was a lot of fun and the weather was great!

That's us in the back ground...my son at least

After that, the rest of the week was preparation.  From Tuesday through Thursday night we pretty much had everything we needed in order to make Friday nights race a success.  Now we just had to get ready.  

Race Day!  Three of us met and ran the 10K course that morning.  Looking back knowing what I know now and how long I was going to be on my feet, running 6.2 miles at 6:30 am, 14 hours before the race, was probably a bad idea.  So after we cleaned up we started to set up.

Before the time keeper arrived

We then drove the route and set up all the directional markers and the mile markers.  Then came the race.  It looked like rain from about 8:10 (race started at 8) through 11 pm.  But that wasn't God's plan and it totally held off until the end.  And by God's plan, his hands were all over this on making it happen and making it a success for our church and the community.  

If you do one thing, please take 1:15 to watch this video.  This is what happened on Friday night that made the entire thing worth it.

What a night.  The rain slowly starting coming at about 10:30, but by 10:50 every single runner that remained on the course, finished the race.  And this is what it was like for them to finish...

The carnival continued in the back ground and all in all we can say after months of planning and preparation, we were done and it was fun.  What an experience and what fun.  Now I'm going to get some rest.  Then get ready for next year.

Keep working hard and God Bless.

Coach Bill