My daughter and I ran in a local 5K (3.1 mile) race in town and create new personal best records for ourselves.  Monique did the race in 34:47 which is about 10 minutes faster then her last run.   My time was a bit of a shock for me.  After the race started, about 50 feet into the race, I took a bad tumble banging up my knee and hands.  I though I was going to be trampled!  I got up as quick as I could and ran fast - to try and make up for the lost time.   While running I thought about Eric Liddell stumbling in a race - only to come back and win.  While I was far from winning, my final time was 24:44 [7:52 per mile] which was over a minute faster then my last personal best.   


Megan cheering on Dad; "Go Daddy Go!"                                              Megan cheering on Monique "Way To Go Monique!"

Monique running for the finish line.


Me coming up to the finish line. 


All of us pose for the picture. 

One thing I noticed from my stats is that my heart rate was higher then its ever been.  I guess that just from pushing myself hard. 

It was a beautiful day today so I decide to run in Lower Manhattan, particularly over the Brooklyn Bridge, and back.   It was a 2 mile run which was good considering I wanted an easy run today.   I did the run in 17:16 minutes which is a 8:33 pace.   It's not easy running over the bridge in the middle of the day with all the tourist taking pictures.   There was a lot of dodging and weaving through the people, and I'm probably in a dozen photos.  : )

 

 Today I ran 3.1 miles down on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ in 26:36 [8:34].   Not a record - but it is my third best time for the 5K.   I did the run with my brother Pat.   I enjoyed the company and the opportunity of getting caught up with what's going on in his life.

Only one week left before the Denville Run!   (I believe my brother Pat will be joining us for the run)

Eight and a half weeks before the Corporate Challenge!

This was a tough week - with allergy season beginning - on top of that I forgot my asthma medicine (again).   Considering those two factors I did OK running today (was my third fasted 5K), but it's nothing to write home about.    

This here is my schedule for the next three weeks.   As I complete each day's task - I will change the text color from black to red.   What I hope to accomplish in such a short time is to bring my 5K time down by at least 27 seconds, making it about 25 minutes and 30 seconds.  In addition to my practice - I will seek to watch my weight.  Just dropping 5 pounds in these next three weeks could assist my speed.   

Today was 60 degrees and cloudy.   I ran a 3.1 distance setting a new personal record by 6 seconds (25 minutes, and 57 seconds, pace=8:23).   What is amazing to me was not the 6 seconds, but that I forgot to take my asthma medicine and had difficulty breathing.   I was contempating stopping several times - but pushed through, wanting to prove I can do it even with asthma (the Army did not allow me to join, because of my asthma). 

The Map showing today's course - this is the course which me and Monique are registered to run on April 18th in Denville, NJ.   

 

Today's Stats:

 My heart rate by Distance/Time

Now that my 1/2 marathon goal has been completed - I need a new goal.   So I registered for the Corporate Challenge which will be held in Central Park, NYC on June 11th.    The distance is 3.5 miles and I'm hoping to do it in less then 29 minutes.   Here's a schedule I'm going to start using next week.   I'll have to add to it because it only goes out 5 weeks. 

INTERMEDIATE PLAN KEY
Weekly mileage: Except where noted, all weekly mileage should be run at a perceived effort of 6 out of 10, with 10 being your maximum effort.
Strides: After completing the designated mileage for the day, find a flat, preferably grassy area to perform the strides: Run hard for 20 seconds and recover with easy jogging or walking for 45 seconds.
Core workout: Do a series of basic exercises to strengthen core muscles and improve running posture. For a sample core workout routine, go to runnersworld.com/core.
SS intensity: Intervals at Steady State Intensity should be run at a perceived effort of 7 or 8 out of 10. Do 5 minutes of easy running between SS intensity intervals.

*Chart modified from a Running World Magazine online article.

The other day it was reported by The Associated Press, that "....births to unwed mothers reached an all-time high of about 40 percent, continuing a trend begun years ago."

The stigma of have a child outside of wedlock is all but gone.  Talk Radio is the only place you hear anything negative about this tread.  You won't hear much in the way of God's law, but you will only hear that this is not ideal for the child, because poverty is likely for these families.   This is not only 'not ideal' but it is the fruits of a nation which has abandoned God and His moral law.   Over several generations we have created a culture which calls evil - good and good evil.  Fornication is not lovemaking - it's sin. 

God very clearly wrote in the Ten Commandments.."Thou shalt not commit adultery."  And if you are unchurched - you may need to have it spelled out for you. This means any unchaste thoughts, words, or actions dealing with sex or lust, outside of wedlock is a violation of that commandment.   Jesus showed the extent of the commandment when he indicated that even unclean thoughts were considered violations of the seventh commandment.  

It is time  that people get called to task for violating this commandment.   Not just the men and women which do the act of fornication - but also all those in society which encourage, condone and glorify this sin.   Whether music, movies, tv, art, books, or magazines.  This means reading, listening, watching or creating filthy communications is the breaking of this commandment.  Finding pleasure watching others on TV or movies which enjoy themselves breaking this commandment is the breaking of this commandment.  Going to a pubic beach or swimming area where people are inappropriately dressed so people are ogling - each other is the breaking of this commandment.  

Christians need to get away from talking about a single solution - and talk about a complete change in attitude.
The funding of quasi-secular programs like abstinence education is not going to do it.  As a solution, it's too little, too late.  Kids are emersed in this sex crazed society which promotes sex at every corner - and then then have a class which they are advised to wait to have children - because it's economically sound!   Huh!.... This nation does not need a tuneup -  they need a complete overhaul.   They need their eyes opened to the truth, needs to repent and call on God for deliverance.  All of society needs to get off the fornication train and get on the God train!

I woke up at 4:30 am and arrived at the D.C. Armory at 5:30 am.   Which was earlier then I needed to be there.   It was so cold, it was in my bones.  The race began at 7 am, and just moving helped warm me up.   The run was enjoyable - in that there was an excitement in the air, which continued through out the run.    There was a couple women one which had "Birthday Girl" and the date of her birthday on the back of her shirt.   So the lot of us sang happy birthday to them while we ran.   

All types of people came out to encourage us on.   One fellow was standing there in his PJs with a cup of coffee in his hand - as he rooted us on.   Many people created posters to cheer on their friends and family and others were just there to root on everyone.  About a dozen people thanked me for having Isaiah 40:31 written on the back of my shirt.   "...they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary".  

When I came across the finish line there was so much excitement in the crowd. The crowd was really cheering and the TV cameras were rolling - but not for me..you see, the winner of the full marathon came in just 30 seconds before I did.   Wow it's amazing that a person can run so fast - to lap me doing 13.1 miles!  Humbling really. 

There is so much more I could write....anyway to keep it short.    I completed the run - in 2 hours and 15 minutes.   This was my first 1/2 marathon so just the fact that I completed the run was wonderful in itself. 


In the beginning of the run  - going around a small park.


Running down Constitution Avenue.  Washington Monument on left.


Me running over the finish line. 


After finishing the run - taking part in the celebration. 

Got to Washington D.C. at about 11 am today, and went for a long walk.  Not a good idea considering I have a long run tomorrow.   Any way the weather was nice and I enjoyed walking around the national mall.   For dinner I went to an restaurant for a plate of pasta and took a cab back to the hotel.   Now I am going to rest the reminder of the day and get to bed early.   


Michelle Obama was working with some children on the front yard off to the right.  


In front of the capital building.

In front of the Supreme Court

In front of the court - where the justices meet.

In front of the library of congress

The washington monument in the distance


Cherry blossoms in the national mall.

The Washington Monument