Christmas Eve Trail Run: Sheltowee Trail

Stopping for a photo-op

Every Christmas Eve, the leader of our local running club - the Falls Road Runners, usually has some sort of interesting run to celebrate his birthday.

On his 33rd birthday, Chris ran 33 miles to celebrate with a number of others joining him at varying stages to help him get to his goal. The first one I tagged along for was two years ago when we ran the trails at Levi Jackson State Park. That also happened to be my first trail run.

To celebrate this year's birthday, Chris decided to head out to Vanhook Falls on the Sheltowee Trail. In all, there were 17 of us to make the 5-mile trail run.

I'm not the most experienced trail runner even though I really do enjoy it, so this was my first trip on this particular trail. I am so glad I went on this run. It is amazing some of things you find in your backyard, and the Sheltowee Trail is a gem, especially the trek out to Vanhook Falls.

Sometimes Even I Question My Sanity From Time To Time

OK, I'll admit it.

There are times that even I question my sanity.

And before today's run was one of them.

For whatever reason, I texted my friend Chris after I saw him post he was going to do a 14-mile trail run ... beginning at 4:30 a.m. ... after it rained for nearly 24 hours straight (while it seemed like it did) ... in 32-degree weather.

Not going to lie, I was concerned about this run happening yesterday afternoon/evening as it poured the rain all day and the forecast called for the potential of ice on the roads. Fortunately, the rain pretty much stopped around 8 or 9 p.m. and the roads were fine this morning.

A Fun Time Was Had By All - Strawberry Plains Half & 10K Recap

The t-shirt design for this year's race.

This is a race I had circled on my calendar. I was so looking forward to this year's Strawberry Plains Half Marathon and 10K for a number of reasons.

First, this is my first repeat race. Since I began running in April 2010, I had run 10 races, but all of them different events. This was the first time I had run the same race twice.

Secondly, I really enjoyed this race. It's a small race with a beautiful course. It's a challenging course, but fun nonetheless.

Lastly, my bride was running her first 10K!!!

Yes, I've been a bit geeked up about Genople running, but especially with her pushing herself past the 5K and to attempt a 10K.

5 Weeks Down, 11 More To Go - Training Update

I can't believe how fast time flies. Seems just like yesterday I started my training plan for the 2013 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon. Yet, here I am with five weeks under my belt already.

Thus far, I am feeling good about things. My approach this time is more focused as I'm looking to find ways to improve my performance, and more importantly to me, my endurance.

Above everything, I want to be able to remain strong throughout the race. This takes place planning, focus and practice. Slowly but surely, I'm coming to understand it is OK to have a slower, consistent pace at the beginning of a run/race in order to have more in the tank at the end of the run/race.

This is not an easy concept for me to put into practice. Being a bit Type A, I want to go all out from the get go. And this approach wears me out, forcing me to take more and more walk breaks during the final stages of the run/race.

Taking Time To Say Thanks

Nearly four weeks ago, I completed my first marathon. Running is an individual sport, but there is no way I made across the finish line without the help, support and encouragement of others.

It was an amazing journey. Of course, the race is still fresh in my memory, but I believe the 2012 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon will go down as one of my all-time favorite races. And why wouldn't it be? It was my first marathon! I had a truly amazing experience, and I'm ready for more.

But before I get too far away from completing my first and before I begin focusing on my next race adventure, I want to take a moment to take those who helped me get across the finish line. I realize it's impossible for me to name each and every one of you all, and I don't even want to try to list all who were there for me during the journey. There are so many of you I know I would leave someone out. It's inevitable.

2011: My Year In Running

Man, what a year!

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I'd take to running like I have.

2011 was my first-full year as a runner, and it was a good year to say the least. I set out the year with four goals and reached all but one. (The last remaining will be crossed off the list in the coming months, however.)

I've got a long list of goals for 2012. But before I share those with you, I want to take a moment to look back at the year that was 2011.

So I Went On My First Trail Run ...

A trail running we will go!

For the past year, I've heard so many tails about trail running. 

"There's nothing like trail running."

"Just you wait. You'll love it."

"Trail running is the best."

Those are just some of the things was told over and over and over. From more than one person, and from more than just from my local running group - the Falls Road Runners. 

So, this past Friday, I met up with seven others from our running group and hit the trails around Levi Jackson State Park in London, Ky. 

So I Went Out on a Run ...

So Saturday was my long run day, and like most Saturdays, I met up with my local running group, the Falls Road Runners.

In training for a half marathon, I'm used to long runs. Ten to 12 miles has always been the norm for my long runs. But with a number of other runners training for a full marathon, I decided to see what I could do this weekend when the planned long run for the marathon group was 15 miles.

And this wasn't going to be an easy run either. We had some hills on this course.

But in my normal fashion, I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself, "Eh, why not?"