A Cold 6.6 mile run in Bay City

This past weekend I went to visit my parents in Bay City. Sandi was having her annual garage sale and I sold a bunch of my junk and made $84. The whole sale did really well considering April 17 was a COLD day with even some snowflakes falling! I was actually sore from standing all day in the cold.

I knew I had to get a long run in, a 7 mile, the longest distance that my 10k training plan calls for. Saturday was just too cold and heard that the weather was going to be a bit warmer on Sunday, so saved the run until Sunday.

I decided to run from my parents house to Sandi's house, about 5.4 miles, but I thought I would run more once I got to her house around her neighborhood to get the 7 miles in. Well, I didn't have to do that because I got a little confused on my route, so ended up running more by the time I got to Sandi's house, all in all it was 6.6 miles, I thought I went 7, but until I mapped it out later, it was 6.6, oh well.

My route:



My time was 73 minutes, but that included stops at the Riverwalk area (map here) to take some pics from my camera phone.



I run with a race belt that includes a small pint of water, phone and iPod in the belt. Here are some pics I took of the Riverwalk area in Bay City. My camera phone sucks, (well, my camera is from the 2006, so I need an upgrade). I felt good during and after the run, I will be so excited when I don't have to wear 2 pairs or pants, 2 long sleeve shirts and a fleece, the extra clothes bogs me down and makes me feel heavy. But 60s this week, so hopefully shorts on my runs this week!

I have also inlcuded a picture of a bar, the Rathskellar, that my mom and dad first met in 1974. She was on the pole, ha, just kidding.

5th 3rd River Bank Run

Amanda and I ran the 5k 5th 3rd River Bank run. Race started at 7:30 am sharp and we lined up in the 10:00 min mile mark. We were lucky it didn't rain on us until after we finished. Poor 25 k'ers got the rain! I am waiting for my race results, I don't think I beat my time, but we'll see.

This was a large race and the best turnout they have had. Over 16,000 people raced, about 38,000 watched (I counted them as I ran, I was bored), and 2,000 volunteers. According to WOOD TV, this is the largest 25 k races in the nation, but I think I will stick to 5k and 10ks.

Here are some photos taken by Keith with the zoom lens. Glad i gave him the zoom, because he was sitting in bleachers at the finish line along with Jason. I am in the pink shirt and black pants with the pink stripe, and Amanda is on my left behind me in the 3/4 length gray pants. CLICK ON PICTURES FOR LARGER IMAGE.

Irish Jig 5K

Well, tomorrow is my first race of the season, the Irish Jig 5K in East Grand Rapids. The course is near the Reeds Lake area, running on Lake Drive and Wealthy. Here is the course map. I haven't ran outside yet this year, so its been all treadmill workouts, but am confident I will have a good run. I am not the fastest when I run, so I am hoping to do my run in under 31 minutes. I pretty much average a 10 minute mile, later this year I hope to improve on that.

I hope to have some pictures posted this weekend of me at the race. I was going to deck my self out in green, but then I was afraid Keith wouldn't be able to find me when taking my picture at the end of the race, so I may just wear a bright hot pink shirt. :) After all, St. Patty's Day was last Tuesday!