I have started competing in a few running events in 2007 as a way of preparing for the run portions of my upcoming triathlons.  I ran the Red Nose Run in Birmingham on January 20th.  This was a 15K event on a paved walking, running and biking trail along Lakeshore Drive.  This was basically a flat course, but had some short uphill and downhill sections.  I ran this 15K about 12 minutes faster than I ran the Firehouse 15K at the end of last year.  My time of 1 hour, 19 minutes and 25 seconds is now my fastest 15K time in recent history.  I finished this event 144th out of 376 or in the top 38 percent and 15th out of 27 in my age group or the top 56 percent.

One week later, I ran the Rickey Harrison 10K in Tuscaloosa.  This is the first event of the Grand Prix of West Alabama as sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Track Club.  This course had more climbs than is really noticable while driving.  It was the State Championship for 10K so many people from the Birmingham area also ran the race.  My pace was not as fast as the longer race last week, but I was also trying to maintain a more consistant and controlled pace.  However, I did set a new recent record for the 10K distance (53:56).  I finished 62nd out of 112 racers or in the top 55 percent.

I have just completed my first half marathon and did much better than I had figured I would do.  I started off with four goals.  The first was just to finish and to finish without walking.  I completed this goal, although I did slow and speed up at various times.  My second goal was to beat the marathon runners to the finish line.  I reached this goal and was getting something to eat when the marathon winner was announced on the stadium's PA system.  I was very sure I was going to accomplish these first two goals, but the next two I did not have a clear idea since I had never ran a half marathon race before.  My third goal was to finish the half marathon in under two hours.  To do this, I would have to run at a 9:09 per mile pace.  I had planned on starting off around 9:30 per mile for the first mile or two and then pick up the pace from there.  I changed this plan and planned on following the 4 hour pace team members.  I followed them for the first two miles and then paced them while going around some curves.  I never saw them from the point.  I ended up completing the half marathon in 1:57:42.  While doing this, I accomplished my last goal of averaging under 9:00 per mile.  I averaged 8:59/mile.

With the race being over, I am very excited and waiting for my next half marathon on February 11, 2007.  However, one day after the race, I am a bit tired and sore.  Most every muscle from my waist to my toes are tired and/or sore.  I will take a day or two off and then hit the pool to loosen up.  And then it will be time to start working on getting ready for Mercedes.