Jan. 23rd: Clearwater Halfathon Race Report
Got up nice and early this morning to go run the Clearwater Halfathon. This half-marathon is one of the more challenging races in Florida with four bridge ascents over two bridges. Except for the wind, was a perfect morning to run. Temperature started out in the 50's and stayed cool the whole race with clouds hanging around so it didn't get hot. I finished with a time of 1:33:50 and placed 38th overall. My main goal for this race was to run the distance in the planed time and pace. I had planned to pace myself at 7 minute miles and was pretty much on until miles 12 and 13 where the wind was solid and the final bridge ascent. Mile 12 was run at 7:20 and mile 13 at 7:35. So, I am pretty happy that I ran as planned . Average pace was 7:10. Didn't get lucky enough to place in age group. I am should be running 5Ks the next three weeks and then the Gasparilla Marathon Feb. 28.
Jan. 8th: Kids get surprise with David Reutimann!!
The kids got a major surprise when they got to have to meet NASCAR driver David Reutimann today.
Jenny's Grandmother did good! Before Christmas, she went to Reutimann's garage to buy a model car for the boys. They only had one car, so she would have to come back another day. The next time she went in, she talked with Buzzie Reutimann (David's Dad). Since she was buying two cars, Buzzie gave her a signed car and told her to bring the other one back to trade out for another signed car. Nice deal, but it got better. They kept talking and he took an interest in hearing about the kids. Told her David was going to be in town for a couple days and to bring in the kids to meet him. Sneaky as we are, we didn't tell the kids about any of it. Before we even had a chance to tell them that we would take them into the garage, they came up with the idea to make Buzzie a thank-you card. Perfect!! We told them that we would take them in to give it to him personally, we just had to find out when a good time would be.
Jenny's Grandmother called the shop yesterday to talk to Buzzie to see when David would be there. He wasn't there so she left her number. She heard back from Buzzie later in the day and told her David would be in the shop and he would call her when we could take the kids in.
We met Buzzie in the office and he took us back into the garage, the kids thought that was so cool in itself. Then, they noticed that there stood David Reutimann working on a car. The kids got to talk to David for a couple minutes and Buzzie was great showing the kids their newest car and some other racing memorabilia.
A huge thank-you to the Reutimann's for taking the time with kids. All of them are super nice, down to earth and easy to talk to. They are the kind of people that you immediatley feel comfortable around.
Jan. 2nd 2010: Madd Dash 5K Race Report
I am sub-19 minute man!!
First off, Happy New Year and hope everyone had a great Christmas!
What a morning! Cool weather in the low 40's and a good race. Ran the MADD Dash 5K at Al Lopez Park. This is the same place we did the Gobble Run Thanksgiving. The course is pancake flat and is basically a race track. This morning is the third time I have PR'd on the course. I have finally achieved my goal of running a sub-19 minute 5K with a smashing time of 18:41 besting my previous best of 19:02. Quite a few good runners there with some fast times. I ended up finishing 12th overall and 2nd in the 35-39 age group. My next short term goal is to run a 5K averaging less than 6 minutes per mile and get under 18:30.
The only minor bummer was getting nipped at the line by a 15 year old whipper snapper. Jenny was waiting for me to take him out, but I have mellowed and play nice now. I behaved and congratulated him as he was doubled over after the finish. At least I made him put everything out to beat me!! I had passed him before the 2 mile mark and I guess he hung on (I thought he was fading when I passed him). I heard him coming and sprinted as hard as I could to hold him off.
Next race is the Clearwater Half Marathon January 23rd. I am planning 2 weeks of high mileage with a week taper to get ready for the half.
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