Tonight we were to have played two games of Softball. When I was on my way to the batting cages, I got the call that the 6:30PM game had been cancelled. That gave me time to eat dinner before the 7:30PM game. Rachel, Ryan and I went to Panda Express, and we saw there Tiffany Tice and Anna. It was nice to see Tiffany purchase a meal for someone who looked homeless. I think she really blessed that lady. After dinner, we went back to Lancaster park.

The game started five minutes late and we started strong in the first inning it was like 14-0. Overall we won by 28 to 8. I hit well, 7 for 7, all singles. I do not have the strength or speed to get much more than that. I like that I did not walk or pop out. It was cold, but I had four layers and wore gloves when idle.

The Eight day of Fitness was actually the seventh due to being sick yesterday. I got out to run at the Aquaduct. I choose the dirt side (it would be easier on my joints). It was windy and cold, but I was bundled. I got started and developed a side-switch early. It stayed with me the entire run. I did run a little longer, but walked a little too. The distance was 3.43 miles at 9:51 pace. The side-switch and running on loose material is what I think gave me a little slower speed, however the speed was 6.1 mph.

Again, I am cold. I feel cold most of the time these days. I got home from visiting my mother and Teri was out walking, so I leashed up the dog and went out walking. I saw Teri returning and we chatted, talked about going out the run at the aquaduct for something new. I did about two miles, when I started to get bad stomach cramps. (could it be the Sam’s Club hotdog, I had earlier?). I called Teri to pick me up, I have done that before. I got home and ended up taking an hour or two long nap.

The day after Christmas and the weather is cold again and also really windy. There is so much dust in the air. It looks like smoke of a fire. I wanted to get out on the street and cycle, but my joints are sore from yesterday’s run. I manage to ride the bike trainer for an hour.

Today is Christmas and it is a cool (not cold) day. This is the first Christmas where we are not traveling to family for dinner. Jim Pike was hospitalized and so Christmas has been delayed.

After brunch, I got out to run. The last time I ran I had “lead legs”, so I wanted to run well today. I have to say that I do not like running, but I am determined to become a runner. I ran 3.11 miles in 29:37 at a 9:32 pace. I struggle with keeping in my ear buds in my ears, so today I ran with a ear cover that held them in place.

Being Christmas Eve and a bit of a busy day. I walked with Teri for three miles in the afternon. I wanted to get out on the street and cycle. The wind was really up, so I did not venture out. I had to take pictures at church, so when I got him we had a small celebration and after that settled down, I excused myself to ride the bike trainer. I did an hour.

The Twelve Days of Fitness, are a take off of the twelve days of Christmas starting on December 21st until January 1st, I plan to do at least one hour of physical activity; either being running or riding. I stated them here, but I have yet to actually do all the activities, but I want to meet them as a goal. I will add walking to the list as the wife and I get out.

1) first day – Friday 21st – run 3 miles, walk one, play softball
2) second day – Saturday 22nd – 23 mile bike ride, walk three miles
3) third day – Sunday 23rd – run 3 miles, walk 3 miles
4) fourth day – Monday – Bike ride
5) fifth day – Tuesday (Christmas) – Run 3 miles
6) sixth day – Wednesday – ride
7) seventh day – Thursday – Run 3 miles
8 ) eight day – Friday – Ride
9) ninth day – Saturday – Run 3 miles
10) tenth day – Sunday – Ride
11) eleventh day – Monday – Running 3 miles
12) twelve day – Tuesday – (New Year’s day) – Mountain Bike Ride with the Highlife (High School Boys from church)

This morning was cold. It was about 30 degrees when Teri and I arrived at Marie Kerr Park. We got our bib and finished our registration for the Jingle Bell Jog a 5K run. It also have a 1K Elf run. There were about (my guess over 200 runners).

We saw quite a few friends. First was the Parson’s; Denece (worked the snack table) and her daughters, who ran Kristen and Michelle. Also we ran into Carolyn Standerfer and Christin Johnson. Clay Patton and Zac were here. Clay helped in the run, so he did not run. Zac did and finished well. I saw a few folks from work, Andy Fisher and Don Weiss.

I ran the 5K in 29:08 and finished 112th overall. It was a bit hard, but I liked it. I did not have much of a kick at the end, but did pick it up a little bit. This is my first time running under 30 minutes. I stated in an earlier post that I wanted to beat 30 minutes. The actual resolution goal was 40 minutes. I did well on beating this goal. I have to remind myself that I have only been running for 2-1/2 months. 

Teri ran and walked according to her plan. She finished (looked really good) in 38:12. This was her first 5K and did better that I did in my first 5K. She looks like a runner.

Tonight my wife Teri and I with good friends Tracy (my Healthwave’s coach) and her husband Sean Whittaker met at Joe Walker’s Middle School to run. I had decided that I wanted to run non-stop for a second time at a distance of 3.25 miles (5K distance). I wanted to be at or under a 10 minute mile. Saturday’s run was at 10.24 and tonight I ran it at 9:31 ave. I felt good and started strong, maybe too strong. I wanted to run hard to be ready for Saturday’s Jingle Bell Jog. I did the 3.25 miles in a total time of 30:52. I now believe it is possible for me to finish in Saturday run in under 30 minutes. My resolution is to do it under 40 minutes.

I stretched at home, but forgot (I guess) to really stretch my calves. When I was on lap 6 or 7, my left calf started to talk to me, it really cramped up. This is the first time, I have gotten a cramp. I ran with the pain. When I stopped, I walked two or three laps to cool down and stretch it out. We drove home and when I got out of the car, it was locked up tight. I am applying heat as I type. This thing hurts. It is tight as a drum skin, and I can’t it to stretch out or relax.

Everyone else ran strong as well. We are all doing different goals so we rarelly get to be able to sync up on the track so we can talk. Oh well… BTW, It was cold, at 38 degrees.

Because visiting with some great friends, I am unable to run Sunday, so I decided to run on Saturday. I left the house at about 9:15am and decided to run around the block using my families normal walking route, which is about three miles. I did not use a “lubrication lap” (for warm-up) and started out slow to get warmed up. It was about 42 degrees and windy. I felt some pain, but really no big deal. It always makes me think I may be over doing it.  

I ran non-stop for 3.39 miles. A little longer then a 5K. I am running in the High Desert’s Runners; Jingle Bell Jog next Saturday and have a goal of running that race non-stop. I believe I am able to do that. See the results by clicking on the Motion Based logo or map. This is my personal best. I have never ran that distance non-stop before. It was not fast (10.25 mph pace) My plan is to learn to run the distance than improve on the time.