Austin Half

I’ve had a few weeks to reflect on my disaster run/walk in Austin. I had made the comment in a training e-mail that you could have used a sundial to time me. I received a lot of return notes that all pretty much said that I am much too hard on myself. They were telling me things like I’m there with positive support for everyone else but when it comes to myself I’m the opposite. They’re right. I remember things from a different time in my life and it’s very hard to not compare. The Austin route is new but some of it was run on the same roads that I ran my PR on in 1986. Memories of blasting along at a 6:40 pace as Jon Walk pulled me to one 12 something mile among all the slower ones. I did have an issue with my shin that I’m yet to resolve completely but still gutting out a half marathon in over 3 hours is not what I had planned.

My thoughts after 3 weeks…

I have great friends from TNT, Luke’s, TWRC, and the Rebels
Don’t beat yourself up
Stay consistent
Stay Positive
I’m still scared of the upcoming CB&I Tri and the Cap Tex Tri
Rick Cook's Blog is not boring

Not sure if I should set performance or outcome goals for myself yet.

If I set outcome goals….Debbie & Jon…you are on my short list to finish in front of …. because you are both great friends.

If I set performance goals they will be to just have fun and not worry about time for a while.

Well….Saturday I ran a little with the Luke’s Beat program participants and I felt great for the first time in a long time. I was pretty pumped up about it. My shins were fine, knees fine, breathing was good, attitude was good.. I had a lot of fun. I followed that up with another good outing Sunday. I’m taking the day off today and I’m looking forward to our track run on Tuesday. Rick Cook may have to be the timer this week as I just might run with the group and see what happens.

Oh…..I don’t think I put this on the blog yet but we are expecting a grandchild (baby girl if the ultrasound is right) in about the next two weeks…..plus or minus. My daughters due date is March 23.

I’ve already been eyeing the baby jogger at Luke’s.

My guess is the baby will be born April 2 since I haven’t missed an Astro’s opening day in 15 years.