Yes, I Still Run

It's been a long time since I posted about races or any kind of running. I still run "socially", meeting about 3 times a week with my regular running partners Monique and Gene, and sometimes another run during the week, usually on my own.  I have not trained to race since spring of last year.  But I have run in some races.

Last September I joined some friends in the Chambersburg YMCA sprint triathlon relay. I ran the 5k in an "okay for not training" time of 23:48.  Our team was second in the masters coed division.

I also ran in two hilly trail races during November for social reasons.  One was the Twisted Turkey Trail Run 15k because a co-worker and her husband were running.  My time was 1:46:55.  The following week I ran in the Hex Hollow Half because my nephew Jason was volunteering.  My time was 2:46:37, good enough for 1st of 2 in my age group.

In May of this year I ran twice with my great niece Ada.  We did the mile in the Hustle for Health and Ada finished first.  Except for me, the other participants walked. A couple weeks later we ran in the Go Girls Go 5k.  She participated in the after-school program which included some run training.  We finished in 35:35.  Ada likes to put on a late unannounced sprint to cross the finish line ahead her Uncle Chuck.

Before the Hustle for Health

In early June I ran in the Race Against Poverty 5k at which I usually volunteer.  I thought I was running at a training pace as opposed to race pace, but by halfway it was feeling like race pace.  My 26:06 was third fastest of 10 or so in the 60+ age group, so now I have 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies from this race.  Of 16 5ks in my log, only one was slower.  That was 26:39 at my first race back in 2007 as a brand new runner.

I think I am ready to train again for goal races.  I have not registered yet but my fall racing wishlist is below.

September 8 - Old Forge Marathon or Half near Watertown NY.  The son of a church friend is doing his first marathon there.
October 14 - Mount Desert Island Marathon or Half at Bar Harbor Maine.  I've been hearing how beautiful Maine is and this would make my first visit.
November 4 - D & L Half Marathon goes from Slatington to Northhampton PA on a rails to trails route.  My run partners are considering this too.
November 10/11 - One Day 24 Hours at Sussex County Fairgrounds near Augusta NJ.  My one other 24 hour race was at the same place about 2 years ago.

I might also repeat at the Y Tri relay 5k on September 29.

I have gotten soft in my training mentality, often resetting my alarm for more sleep on days I intended to run if I didn't have plans to meet someone.  This will need to change for me to prepare properly for these races.  However this turns out, I plan to run regularly somewhere.