A 5K Newbie and Dog Power

Let's focus on the big news first.  Someone I personally know is stepping out of his comfort zone and running in (I think) his first 5K.  I could give you the whole scoop but this announcement is definitely better coming from the source.  Please click this link and scroll down to the August 14th post.  I'm proud of you man (for multiple reasons, not just the 5K) and can't wait for Race 29 of The 31 Initiative.

"Dog Power" felt like an appropriate sidebar because of my results in last Sunday's Dog Jog 5K.  I ran my 2nd best time of the year (20:33).  After hovering in the upper 21-minute range in recent races, this time felt great.  I don't know what gave me the extra jolt but it may have been due to the huge number of dogs running in the race with me (my guess, at least 100).  I don't run beside a black lab or gray husky everyday so the presence of these animals definitely added some excitement to the race.

25 races complete, only 6 to go in The 31 Initiative.

The BIG Debrief

It has been awhile folks so this is a big one -

I ran 2 races (#23 and #24) since my last update.  The first, the IGS Energy/Dublin Irish Festival 5K, was run on a hot day and the course had multiple hills.  Even though I ran a 21:46, I was very pleased considering the conditions.  The next race was the Hueston Woods 5K.  It was a cool day so I figured my time would benefit.  Unfortunately, a long climb up a very large hill right at the start threw me off.  I never really recovered (despite coming down this same hill on the way back) and finished with a time of 22:15.  Below are some pictures from the Hueston Woods race (including the first one with my amazing wife).

Tomorrow (Sunday August 19th) I run the Dog Jog 5K in downtown Columbus.  This race benefits the CHA Animal Shelter in Northeast Columbus.  Here is the link to the website of the CHA Animal Shelter if you are interested in learning more.

Finally, if you look to the left at the race calendar, you will see that I've chosen my final 5 races for The 31 Initiative.  I can't believe we are in the home stretch.

Thank you to anyone who has given a recent donation to the Jay Holdgreve Endowment for Testicular Cancer Research.  I'll have an update in a couple of weeks to see where we stand on the fundraising.

The 31 Initiative...24 races complete, 7 to go.

A Funny Running Vid

Most of you have probably seen this already but if you haven't, it is worth checking out.  Enjoy!

Mr. Consistency

Over the weekend, I ran 2 races to get back on track after the June 29th storm prevented me from reaching my scheduled race.  Amazingly, despite the fact that the two courses were different, I ran almost the exact same time; hence, this week's title.  On July 28, I ran the SIDS Awareness 5K in 21:48.  I followed that up with a 21:49 the very next day at the Giant Eagle 5K/10K Run.

Tomorrow (Thursday), I complete my 4th race in 14 days trek by competing in the IGS Energy/Dublin Irish Festival 5K.  I can tell my legs were a little tired over the weekend so I'll be glad to resume a more consistent schedule over the final 8 races.

The 31 Initiative...22 races down, 9 to go.

A Golden Pig Within Reach

The World Famous Pig Run 5K was run under cloudy skies but the spirits were high.  With the scent of ribs in the air (from the nearby Jazz and Rib Fest), I finished in 21:07, a positive time as I begin the last 1/3 of The 31 Initiative schedule.  My only regret was not finishing in the Top 3 and receiving one of the highly coveted pig trophies (I am kicking myself for not taking a picture and sharing it with everyone).

I researched some more races in the area and signed up for 3 more which means I am now booked through August.  These races include the Hueston Woods 5K on August 12th, the CHA Dog Jog 5K on August 19th, and the Mount Carmel Up and Away 5K on August 25th.  It is amazing to think that the next race I sign up for will be in September, the last(!) month of this endeavor.

As I near the end, I have been thinking about the future of The 31 Initiative.  I have an idea that will make it even more significant in 2013 and will share this thought in the near future.

20 races down, 11 races to go.

A Busy Stretch

Race 19 is in the books!  The Lifeline of Ohio Dash for Donation race attracted a great crowd (over 4,000) and had the benefit of a cloudy day (which seemed to dull the heat).  I ran a pretty consistent time for me these days (21:47).

The title of this blog "A Busy Stretch" refers to the next 14 days in which I will run 4(!) races.  The action begins tomorrow and the race schedule (as always) is listed on the left hand side of this page.

If you haven't donated yet to the Jay Holdgreve Endowment for Testicular Cancer Research, please consider a donation.  The money is going to a great cause.

19 down, 12 to go in The 31 Initiative!

Back On Track!

After the June 29 storm, it was good to get back on the road.  On July 4th, I ran the Clintonville July 4th Celebration 5K.  I ran a 22:01 and was pleased with my time considering the scorching temperature.

This Saturday (July 14th), I will run the Lifeline of Ohio Dash for Donation.  This race promotes organ and tissue donation and honors donor families.  It is a GREAT cause and I look forward to running for it.

I booked 3 more races.  On the weekend of July 28/July 29 I will run 2 races - the SIDS Awareness 5K on July 28 and the Giant Eagle 5K/10K Run on July 29.  This 5K double dose of goodness is due to the previously mentioned storm and my inability to get to the June 30th Defiance race.  The good news is The 31 Initiative will be officially back on track after that weekend.  The bad news is my legs may be a little tired for the race on Sunday.  It will be interesting to see if my time suffers.

The 3rd race I booked will be the IGS Energy/Dublin Irish Festival 5K on August 2.  This is a Thursday race and takes place right before the start of the Dublin Irish Festival, an event definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.

The 31 Initiative.  18 races down, 13 to go.