Two Weeks to go

This year I will attempt to keep a blog of my running. I started taking running a little more seriously about four years ago as a way to improve my health and reduce stress. Each year since I have gone a little farther in my commitment running one marathon in 2007 and 2008 and three marathons last year. This year I am registering for four.

My PB is 4:30:32 which I ran in San Antonio in November, 2009.

In two weeks I have the Houston Marathon (the first time I have run that race). I had very high hopes of a personal best since the course is flat and the temperatures will likely be cool. However, the holidays, snowy weather, and long office hours resulted in an average of less than 10 miles of running a week over the last 2 months. Translation: once again Patrick will be trying to "finish" not to improve his race time. I have never been a "race planner" employing a strategy and some refined technique. Mostly I am a guts racer who decides I will finish by first deciding I will not quit. Grimmacing and serious self doubt are frequently involved and overcome.

This year I hope to change some of that. I would like to qualify for Boston (3:30) before I am 46 years old. I will turn 43 in a few weeks. Guts racing won't get me there. It's time to work smarter and harder. I figure a blog might help me maintain some focus and maybe bring some readers along for the ride.

Yesterday I ran 5 1/2 rolling Anne Arundel County Suburban Hills in the park near home. It's a run I make all the time. However, this time it was 25 degrees and windy. Very windy. Even with my UA tights, knit hat, and gloves when I got to the hill tops I felt like I was going to freeze in place. I think the tears streaming from my sunglass covered eyes may have left a path of tiny snow flakes in my wake.

Note to self: trendy thermal undershirt is not equal to UA cold gear.

Also, my Brooks continue to give me trouble. More on that another day. Suffice it to say that the old shoe addage about "the more you pay the more trouble you have" applies. Never wanted to be an "equipment geek" but I may have to make an exception regarding my running shoes.

Well, let's see where this all goes. If you don't run maybe give it a try. If you do run keep going!

In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never Give In"