Reading, Biking and Running

So, it's been a little longer than I would prefer, but these things happen.  I've been busy.  The school year is winding down.  The Ride for Roswell is 10 days a way.  And I've run a bunch of races.

I'm so happy school is almost over!  We've all had enough!  I'm looking forward to reading lots of books that I want to read.  For ME.  Not for school.  I have a huge 'to read' list.  I don't even know where I'm going to begin!  But I'm excited!

As you may remember, I'm doing the 45 mile Ride for Roswell on June 21st.  I've passed the minimum for donations, but if you'd still like to donate, click here.  I'm riding in memory of my Aunt Renne.  This past Saturday, I did my first ride longer than 20 miles (this season).  I've been doing some of the official training rides.  It was rainy and me and another guy were the only ones to show up.  So we basically did the ride.  We went just over 41 miles.  We returned on the bike path instead of the roads, like we will on the day of the ride.  Without police presence, we thought it safer to take the path back.  The last 10 miles were a struggle.  My thighs were on fire!  But I got back to my car.  I was sore the rest of the day, but other than a little leg fatigue, I felt fine on Sunday!

My running has been progressing.  Memorial Day week, I did 3 races.  I did the 3rd leg of the Buffalo Marathon Relay.  As long as I've been paying attention, this day is always HOT!  This was an exception!  It was freezing!!!  Ok, it was actually perfect for running, but since I wasn't running until mile 12.4, I was freezing while waiting my turn.  The first mile was just working out the stiffness from waiting around, but after that, I felt really good.  One thing that did bother me, and this is totally a me thing... not long after I started running, it was just me and the marathoners on the course.  Every time a spectator cheered me on, I felt bad.  I just started running.  These other people are running 20 miles more than me!  And anytime I passed a marathoner, I wanted to yell out that I was just a relayer... not one of them.  But anyway, that's just a me thing.  My leg of the race was 10K (6.2 miles).  Not sure how, but I ran almost 2 minutes faster than any of my previous 10Ks!

On the Thursday of that week, I did the first Gay 5K in Buffalo.  It was awesome!!!  That's me on the left!

Buffalo's first Gay 5K

They better have this race every year!  For a first time, it was very well done.  Everyone was very friendly and very welcoming.  The after party was great.  It was a very hot day.  Probably the hottest I've run in so far this year.  I finished Sub-30, but it wasn't a PR.  However, and this has nothing to do with the race, I do have one complaint.  I was disappointed by the people I call friends, who were horrified that I would support "those people".  "Those people" are my friends.  "Those people" are my family.  They are PEOPLE.  And they deserve the same rights everyone else has.  And just who are you to judge??


I ended that week with the Girls on the Run 5K.  I've done this race in the past.  It's not a great race if you care about your time.  But I totally support the cause.  Wish I could start a program at my school, but we're a poor district and our families just can't afford the $150 per girl.  Anyway, it was a rainy day.  Not really raining at the time.  It had rained and was going to rain again.  Very windy.  And very humid.  I was tired and I felt like death.  Girls were stopping all over the place.  A lady from the Checkers running club kept running right on top of me.  Every time I moved to get away from her, she followed.  It's like she was stuck to me with glue!  Ugh, get away from me!  I just wanted this race to be over!  When I finally crossed the finish line, I looked at my Garmin.  29:19.  20 seconds faster than I've ever ran a 5K.  What?  How is that possible?  Was it a true 5K?  Yup... 3.13 miles.  Holy crap!  Imagine if I didn't feel like death!

So, I'm definitely getting faster.  I'm trying to figure out why.  I haven't run as many miles as I had at this time last year.  I don't do speed work when I do run.  The only thing I'm doing different this year is Boot Camp.  I've been going once a week since the beginning of December.  Maria and I tried it last Spring when we saw a Groupon.  I enjoyed it, but at the time, I was always exhausted by the time I got to my long runs.  So after the Groupon ended, I didn't join.  But I knew I needed something, so I went back.  It is expensive, but i enjoy it and it keeps me accountable.  And I'm running faster!  So, it's working!