And we're back...

OK, so I took nearly a month off from writing new blog posts.  I didn't exactly have a whole lot to talk about.  I mean, I threw up a filler column on Spring Training!  If that didn't indicate how little I had going on, well, next time I'll just announce a layoff.  But, since February 23rd, I've actually been out doing things.  Running, for sure, and taking part in a couple of races in Manhattan.  I've been doing my best to stay active and keep my weight down.  I'm not kidding when I say that I put it back on if I take any sort of time off, so in that regard, I have continued to be successful.  I weighed in at 165 last week, so that puts me at 41 pounds down.  Not really focused on weight loss anymore, because I'm at a point where it is going to be tough to lose anymore, so now I just look to keep it off.  Anyways, that's boring.  Let's talk about some running, and a couple of races that I was able to run in.

February 25th

This race was something new, but something I would definitely do in the future.  The Manhattan Running Company put on a trail race out by Tuttle Creek Lake.  I have never run on a trail, and really did not have an idea of what was going to happen until I got there.  It was about 35 degrees out, and plenty of snow on the ground.  This made things a little bit tricky.  I had just picked up some new running shoes, but I really did not want to junk them up right off the bat with tons of snow, water, and mud.  I went back to my old shoes, and was assisted by the folks at the running store with the insertion of two dozen or so screws into the bottom of the shoes in order to grip the ice and snow.  It was an enormous help.  Anyways, running on a trail was something crazy.  Ups and downs, tons of turns, jumping over large rocks and down small ravines...and that was just in the first mile.  It was very challenging, but I'm glad I did it.  I finished right in the middle of the standings, so I thought that was cool.  I would do more trail runs if I knew of some good places to run them here in town.

March 19th

Manhattan again, this time for the St. Patrick's Day 10-K.  I was really, really looking forward to this race, mostly because of my fondness for Manhattan, and because this was the second 10-K I've ever been a part of, and because Abilene was only 3 weeks away.  I wanted to go out and put my best effort into it.  Then, after my long run the previous Sunday, I was pretty banged up.  My right leg was so sore I could not finish my Tuesday run, and I was worried.  I have not had a real serious injury since I started running, but I thought I had just received one.  Right through the outside of my knee was so tight, I could hardly walk.  I had to put in two emergency chiropractic sessions, many icings, many stretchings, and even some ultrasound therapy just to make sure I was in position go on Saturday.  I did not run at all after Tuesday, so I had no idea how my leg would respond.  Getting out early on Saturday to warm up and do some light jogging had me concerned.  My leg was still tight and had some sharp pain in the same area.  WTF was I going to do?  I had really been invested in this run, so I hated to think of skipping it.  I decided that I would start, and if it got too bad, I would just ease up and make sure I finished without hurting myself too much.  Once we started, the leg started hurting.  This was going to be bad.  But after the first quarter mile or so, it loosened up and stopped hurting.  I was hoping this would happen, but was less than optimistic.  With the relief that I was going to be fine, I decided I was going to have a great run, even though my iPod died at the starting line!  As it turns out, the run was everything I could have hoped for.  I was able to complete my second 10-K in a PR time of 47:42.  Pretty stoked.  Now, as for how that translates to qualifying for the Boston Marathon, I'm not even close, even though I felt I ran as hard as I could for this race.  But, that's why it is a 5 year plan, and not a 1 year plan.

So, it is nice to be back, and I will be posting a little more frequently as we are now getting into warmer weather and more races.  I would also suggest that if you are in the Topeka area, and are looking for a race to run, sign up for the Run for Ronald 5K, which benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Topeka.  It's a good cause, and I'm going to beat the drum for this race until it happens, so sign up.  Also, let me know when you sign up so I'll stop bugging you.  Catch me on twitter at @kyleseiwert, and until next time...later