So since my last post, among other things, I've managed to complete a few things:

1. A 5+ mile run which was a gradual uphill track all the way to the halfway point, then downhill all the way home.  I highly recommend that, made me feel really fast even though I consider myself to be pretty damn slow.
2. The YMCA 2012 Back Road Ramble, held at Camp Watchaug in Charlestown, Rhode Island.  Very scenic trail run through the camp, and awesome trails.  The run was held at 1PM, though, and it was pretty warm out, and the course ended up being 3.4 miles, not 3.1, but I came in 17th place and felt pretty good!
3. Did a very hilly 11 mile run a few days later, my longest run in the minimalist shoes I wear.  I still think that as long as I had the time, and was not trying to push the pace at all, I'd be able to do 26.2 without an issue...just have to prep, pick a day and do it.  As for the 50K trail race, well, I haven't hit the trails nearly as much as I'd like, and I'm going to have to make a point of finding some good ones that are close by...

Something Every Day

Sunday was a day of surfing with my nephew Gino, and some other friends at a different spot, good times and a really nice day, but not up for a run after several hours in the water.  Monday was a brutal Muay Thai workout in the morning, followed by an equally active karate class.  Again, I'm getting in some serious cardio every day, all adding to the goal.  Tuesday was a day of "miracle" waves, as there weren't supposed to be any, and it bumped up to chest high and clean at Matunuck...

Yesterday.  Started with another killer Muay Thai class, followed with a bruising karate class.  Got home and realized that it was National Running Day, and went out for a run here in NoSto.  Just under 6 miles in about 53 minutes, got caught in the rain, and although it was really humid I felt good in spite of the morning's workout.

Today is going to be all about the lawn, if the rain holds off long enough...

Well!  Drove down to Matunuck with a bag of running gear on Thursday, with all intentions of the surf being flat and going for a run.  As I pulled into the lot, a clean waist-high wave peeled off without a single person in the water...so of course I had to suit up!  Surfed perfect little longboard waves for an hour and a half, then went home and took care of some much-needed yardwork.  Friday was a family day, and didn't get a run in...

This morning, I got up at 4:45 and went to watch the black belt candidates at the karate school I train at, do their 3-mile run in a torrential downpour and cheer them on, and watch the rest of their test.  They all passed.  Great family at the school, one which I've come to be very proud of and I'm happy to be a student there.

After the test, I went down to Pawcatuck, CT to run the Lions 5K at 10 AM.  I wasn't expecting a lot, as there was a brisk headwind along the river, and the ground was very wet.  Now I'm not fast, but I've been trying to improve my short distance time...and I did!  Came in 17th, with a 24:07 time, and a 7:47 per mile average.  Came in 17th, and I was really excited about my result.  Pretty proud to say that at 41, I'm faster than I was 20 years ago...


So I'm shooting to get a run in early or late tomorrow, and will be hitting at least one trail race next weekend, the inaugural "Back Road Ramble" in Charlestown, RI - meantime, have to get offroad for some miles...