Tag Archives: Fitness

Step 3 Done – Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K

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I am sure everyone is waiting to see the final results of the inaugural 5K race, well not so much “race” as a fast trot…..

I guess the good news, I did not stop, I did not walk, I did finish, I did not finish last even! (Sam I am…) I did not have any unpleasant medical issues which is always a nice thing.
There was a total of sixteen runners in my age group, I managed a twelfth place. There were 899 finishers and I made a 696 overall. (It looked like about 1100 entries, so some either never showed up, or quit before they went through the timing gates.) I could whine about the crowded start, being almost two blocks behind before I even crossed the start line, but I’m not gonna. I am going to mark that up to lessons learned and future race strategy. I was hoping they would have a chip timed start but it was not, but rather a “gun start”. That’s okay, just makes it easier to improve in the next race.

The Infamous Purdue University Toe-JammersTM team lives on! After a recent resurgence in activity by the Toe-JammersTM they have worked to regain the old Esprit de corps, coming out of retirement to continue on the proud tradition.

Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Some other numbers, my average pace was a blistering 10:28/mile (Odd they run all races in metric but always give the times in miles, especially since you have to deal with that little nagging extra “.11 miles” somehow.
Total time was 32:34, which is a new PR! Like I said in the previous post… it is the first 5K I have ever run so it HAS to be a new PR.
Click on the picture to see a larger image.

The official photographer was on hand to capture a number of thrilling action shots which have been posted on the web site.

The motivations for entering this 5K were:

  1. have fun
  2. do something different
  3. see how I compare against other runners
  4. finish – not first, but not last so call it a personal challenge
  5. set a benchmark to gauge future efforts against

I feel good about the goals, and think I met all of them.
Now the big decision. I made the 5K okay by my current standards. Coming up is the Martian Meteor, which is a 10K. I have looked and I think my times will keep me at least within reason, certainly not gonna be first, but think I would not be last either.
Have to try a few more 6.2 mile runs before I commit though.

Okay, I think that is about it, looking at the picture above I think I am gonna head out to the running shop now and pick up some of those man-tights to wear. The old sweats are sorta baggy… they look like they belong in the original Toe-JammersTM locker room.

Until the final event goes into the books,

Optimistic or Realistic – time will tell.

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If you have been reading the Kazology posts all along, especially those on some of the trips, you will know I have made comments about being out of shape. For example when I visited Canadas Jasper and Elk Island Parks. I had pretty much the same reactions in Yosemite and Sequoia parks. Feeling really out of shape after these experiences – you know the 82 year old that blew by me hiking in Jasper . . . I started to get a little more exercise. When it seemed like I may stick with it more than two days, I bought a pedometer. As many newer technological devices this one downloads into software on the PC. So I am pretty confident when I say since August 2007 I have logged over 600 miles walking and jogging.  (I do not count regular walking in this, only “exercise” time. ) I could go on about all the aches and pains I went through getting started, but that isn’t why I was writing this. After six months of pretty regular workouts I am thinking about trying a 5K race in March 2008. Ann Arbor has a “Shamrocks and Shenanigans” 5K that may be the inaugural Kazology sponsored race (or leisurely stroll . . . time will tell.)

Until the final blister heals,