Is spring coming this year?

Ok, I am a native Kansan and pretty accustomed to winter here, but COME ON! Enough already... I have avoided the "dreadmill" this winter, but I know all you runners in the area can agree this year has been just unbelieveable. We usually get a break each month through the winter with a minor warm up and some sun to remind us that we dont live close to the Artic Circle, but not this year. A friend of mine told me yesterday we have set a new record for the number of days below 60 degrees. Looking at the forecast, we've got another week to 10 days before we get there too!
If there were ever a year we are ready for Spring, this is it. Not just for the weather to warm up, but it is also racing season! There are so many great runs to take part of in the area, whether you are a trail runner, walker, competitive athlete, or just enjoy being a part of local races.
It has only been in the past two weeks that I have finally been back to a semi-regular schedule for my running (thanks to weather). With the Kansas Marathon only six weeks away, I need to get busy! On a nice 15 mile run yesterday with friends, I was sharing that my only goal for this race is to start and finish healthy. In the three other marathons I have ran, there has always been a not so pleasant ending for me. Whether I didnt finish due to injury or had to take off 2-3 weeks for recovery, something has always gotten the better of me. For the mental encouragement alone, I need to finish a marathon and be able to run later that week. That would be a great accomplishment for me in April.
My two other goals this year are to compete in the Topeka Tinman Triathalon long course (and finish top 25) and run a fall marathon under three hours. I plan to run other races throughout the year to support our local running community and spend time with friends, but achieving those two items will make my year.
Thank you for taking time to follow this blog. God Bless!

New PR!

I decided a week or so ago that I would run a local 5k to see how I was in my recovery and fitness. Being out of commission all of December and not having any speed work yet this year, I was eager to see how well I could run a shorter/faster race. At the Lions Club Journey for Sight Blizzard Run 5k yesterday, I set a new PR! 18:39 is a time I certainly didn't expect to hit this early in the season. That certainly makes a believer out of me that rest and recovery is important. Like most of you crazy's out there, I pushpushpush myself all the time. It seems like I am never running enough miles or pushing hard enough on the hill or track work. I guess there is something to be said about letting your body rest...
Now that I have said all of that, I hope that I can remember that this year as I seek to stay healthy and injury free in 2010. Many friends have suggested that my past injuries were due to pushing to hard, or ramping up miles to fast. They are probably right! The million dollar questions is, can Kevin be smart enough to train in a way that he doesnt overdo it? Man, I sure hope so, being unable to run is depressing. I certainly don't want to spend 4-5 months in recovery mode like I did in 2009.
I want to give thanks to God for giving me the talent and ability to run well. Without His hand on my life, I wouldnt be where I am. God Bless...

Group runs

The last two weeks it has been nice to be back out running with familiar faces. One of my favorite things about running is the time spent in groups, both with people I know and those I don't.
A year ago, I was introduced to a small group that would challenge my fitness level. It was great having 3-5 others pushing each other and me to get better. The past six months, everyone of us has been out with an injury at one time or another. It will be nice tomorrow to have most of the group back on the road.
If you run, or are considering getting started, I can't stress enough the importance of running with others. I don't know anyone who has just hopped out there and done it all alone. It is tough to start running anyway, a very easy to get discouraged on your own. Believe me when I tell you there are LOTS of people out there just waiting for you to come along and run with.
When you run by yourself, your mind will get the best of you. "you hurt, you're too slow, this won't help" and other demovitating thoughts will run rampid in your head! You get out with others, they will encourage you, educate you and empathize with where you are in your fitness level.
Remember this, almost everyone out there started off unfit just like YOU (and me). I was 45 pounds heavier and couldnt run 1/2 mile just a few short years ago.

YOU CAN DO IT!!! Find a group and get in...