1st Race Down, 30 To Go!

The Arnold 5K is complete.  It was a cold day (32 degrees on my car temperature gauge) but my spirits were high.  Jay even came down to root me on (thanks Jay!).

My unofficial time was 22 minutes 59 seconds.  Honestly, I was hoping to be around 24 minutes so I am thrilled with the result (especially for my first race).

My next race in The 31 Initiative is this Saturday March 10, the Pi Day 5K.

The 31 Initiative 1st Race Is Here!

The moment is finally upon us.  The start of The 31 Initiative begins this Sunday March 4 with my first race, the Arnold 5K.  I'm very excited to finally kick off this endeavor.

In order to remind everyone what this is all about and why I am doing it, it seems appropriate to re-post my first blog entry below.  Again, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has already donated in support of The 31 Initiative.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  I'll be back Sunday with a recap of the race.  And now, a trip down memory lane, my first blog entry...

What is The 31 Initiative? Here is the gist.

But first, a quote:

"They are able because they think they are able."  Virgil

OK, now back to the point of this blog:

• What is The 31 Initiative?  I plan on running 31 races for 31 straight weeks.
• What kind of races are you talking about?  A 5K which is 3.1 miles (get it?).
• Why do this?  I'm trying to raise money for a noble cause, the fight against testicular cancer.
• Why testicular cancer?  A friend of mine was afflicted by this disease.  Rather than sit back, he's paying it forward by starting a website, TCARE.org and an endowment.
• How can I donate money?  This link gives you all the details.
• How much should I give?  I'd love for each person to give at least $31 ($1/race) but no one would complain if you gave more.  Honestly, every dollar helps so ANY donation is appreciated.
• What is your charitable goal?  $3,100 would be appropriate but I'm aiming higher => $5,000.
• When does this Initiative start?  Due to Ohio's frosty January and February, I'll start running in March (I want to make sure there is a race available).  I'll let everyone know the exact date when it gets closer.
• What do you plan to blog about?  The race I participated in, my time (which will hopefully improve over this 31-race stretch), and any other tidbits I find interesting.
• How often will you post information?  At least weekly.
• What if you can't find a race in Ohio?  Then I'll go out of state.
• What makes you think you can do this tough guy?  Please see Virgil quote at the beginning.
• Anything else you want to add?  Yes, please spread the word via email, Facebook, Twitter, and any other form of social media out there.
• Are you finished?  We've only just begun.

4th Race is Booked!

My 4th race will be the World Race for Hope 5K on March 24 in downtown Columbus.  You can learn more about this race by clicking this link.

It has been a very windy day here in Columbus.  It makes me wonder whether all of this great weather we've experienced this winter is going to disappear just as I get ready to start The 31 Initiative.  If winter does show its true face, I'll just have to deal with it.  Blizzard or no blizzard, I will be at the Arnold 5K on March 4 (although I hope I don't have to buy a snow mask).

3rd Race is Booked!

My 3rd race has been booked.  I will be running the St. Patrick's Day 5K at Flannagan's (in Dublin) on March 17, 2012.  I've run this race in the past and it is a lot of fun.  They serve a free pre-race breakfast and you receive an all-day pass to their St. Patrick's Day Party.  Here is the link.

We are now less than 2 weeks away from the start of The 31 Initiative!

My Weekly Advertisement for TCARE.ORG

I just designed (and ordered) the shirt I will run in during The 31 Initiative.  Here it is:

2nd Race Is On The Books!

I have found my 5k for the 2nd weekend in March - it is the 2012 Pi Day 5k!  Here is a link with details of the event which brings attention to mathematics and science education.  This 5k is actually 3.14 miles (get it?) instead of the normal 3.1 miles but since I was struggling to find a race that weekend, I'm not worrying about the extra 4/100 of a mile.

On a personal note, I just purchased new running shoes (Nike of course) and I am currently breaking them in.  The first race in The 31 Initiative is less than 3 weeks away!

Until next time...

Time Goal Is Up!

Since creating The 31 Initiative, I've had numerous people ask if I have a time goal.  Honestly, I never had a time I wanted to achieve.  I just wanted to steadily improve my race times over the 31 weeks.

After thinking about it, I've decided to post a 5k time goal.  I think it is ambitious and probably out of reach BUT it will be a challenge.  The goal: to break the 20 minute mark.  I think this is close to a 6 minute 30 second per mile pace.  I'm estimating I'll start off this endeavor at an 8 minute per mile pace.

I don't think I've broken the 20 minute mark since high school but if there is a time to go after it, I can't think of any better time than now.