Wow... so much to do:  Just getting this page started.. so bear with me.

In the 40-44 age group.  Have been running since April of 2004 for enjoyment and have really only done it for enjoyment, averaging a measly 25 miles per week the past 3 years.... That's gone up quite a bit getting ready for my first full Marathon in May of 2008, but really use it only as a fitness base and as well as a spiritual connection when out on the road for the long runs.

2008 "Possible" Race Schedule:  BOLD for definite races:

May 31st - Swede Hill 5k in Gig Harbor (speed training run)- 18:17

June 7th - GIGFEST 5K in Gig Harbor (fun local DT Gig Harbor run... speed training)-Goals: (have fun, easy start with negative splits.. no time goal). GOAL achieved... negative splits and lots at the end.  Went from 7th to 4th the last 800m.  Only 2.85 mile course.

June 14th - SOUND TO NARROWS 12K - HILLY and Huge participation... yearly run.  Goal:  under 47:50.  YAY!  Another goal achieved... shaved off over 80 seconds.  46:40 and felt great at the end.

June 29th - update - did Cushman Challenge 8k in Gig Harbor ...update, ended up running 8k Cushman Challenge with family... push double stroller (90lbs worth of kids)... HOT DAY ( 90 degrees)... ran a 34:40 (7min pace) and got 4th OA (small local race)... but good workout with the kids and what a nice summer day. NOT a day for a marathon... Scott did the marathon in a scorcher of a day... even though starting at 7am, finished at 89 degrees.  OUCH!!  Lots of hills, too.

July 4th - update... ended up running with John in Elma for a little speed work.. ran the first 5k with John to pace with him for a 5k... then ran another 5k (signed up for the 10k) and goal was to just do the second faster than the first... good flat course for pace work... and made goal.

July 19th - update-  Ran Frankies 5k for fun... practice to do neg splits.  Ben Mangrum was there (great local runner) and winner was local HS XC guy from a couple years ago and son of the named event, Nick Crowll who ran a 15:32.  And I did what I planned, which was peel off 10 seconds each successive mile.

July 26th... headed west to Silverdale and DID the "Whale of a Run" 4 miler... course said "fairly flat, but there was a half mile long hill in the middle of mile 2.  Ran a minute slower in that mile than the last (down hill) mile.  Finished strong... still building for September.  Fortunately got 1st in my "old man" age bracket... 1,000 runner.. nice event and great prizes and awards after, plus a parade!

 August 16th - FRIDAY HARBOR 8.8k  Weekend in the San Juans camping with family !!

August 2nd- Over the Bridge 1/2 Marathon... will run group run with the guys to try and pace them for a 1:30:00.  Will be fun to do a race as a group.

then off to Crecent Bar in eastern WA for vaca.  Will do "the hill" (just over a mile and very steep) from the river up to the highway.... and repeat a couple times.  Sort of a morning ritual at Crecent Bar.. and a GREAT view....  then speed work for the rest of August!!

September 7th - BANK TO BAY 10k - Annual run with guys.. only 10k run all year!  Goal race... only 10K - want to run 38.

September 20th - NW TREKs RUN WILD 8k- GOAL RACE (below)... wanna break 30 minutes!!!

Reaccess winter and start building up long runs/bank... maybe do Tenino, Octoberfest 1/2 and/or Seattle 1/2 again??  Mainly start building up long and slow runs... easy. No hard "killer hills" or intervals.....

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 Local Gig Harbor Running store

(and "the" general guru on running, Miguel):  http://route16runwalk.com/

Small update of races/PRs:

Marathon: (First and only marathon):  Tacoma Marathon May 2008-  3:03:24

1/2 Marathons:  Seattle Half-2007  1:26:22

20 miles-FSRC series:  2:17:38

10 miles- FSRC series:  1:04:34

12k:  Sound to Narrows:  (tough hilly run):  48:05 *new:  46:40 (2008)

10k:  Firecracker Multisport-  38:07

8k:   Lakefair  30:12

4 miles:  23:52 (hilly course)

5k:  18:17 - Swede 5k in Gig Harbor

2008 GOALS:   Full Marathon-Tacoma City:  3:06:00 (some hills)  CHECK!! Yeah... thanks to "the guys", training went well and my FIRST marathon (hills and all) checked in at 3:03:24 and fortunate enough to win the Masters Division.  One goal down!!

1/2 Marathon:  1:25:00;  12kSound to Narrows:  47:30;  10K:  38:20 (achieved-38:07, but want to double it up at Bank 2 Bay); 8k: 29:48;  5k: 17:58    - stay healthy, have fun!!

2008 running blog...

Just checkin things out here on runnerspace.....  figured I'd start a little blog:

Ran 6 today.  Easy 3 out, downhill for two, down to Ollala plus 1 flat...then turned around and picked up just a little to go back up the hill faster than I came down.  Nice long slow grinder.  Out in 23, back in 22:30.  Easy effort out, Moderate/medium back up hill.  Lots of bikers out today (Memorial Day 2008)  Nice cool weather.

Then, met Schierman family (wife's side) for coffee and some trails in Gig Harbor later in the day.  Kids LOVED the woods.  Ron and Monica did the 2.0 out and back on the main trail.

Then, worked on the garden at home ... planted pumkins and Zucchini.  Garden is full.. just water and wait now.  Nice day.  Lots of activities.  Back to work tomorrow.   Uhllll!!!