On the run again

This past week I finally gotten back to running again. Here in New England we've had quite the winter which put a huge damper on my running on the road. I wasn't too keen on running on narrowed roads due to six foot high snow banks coupled with temperatures hovering in the single digits a lot of the time didn't make it too enticing to bundle up and run a few miles.

Before the 100 plus inches of snow I had signed up for a couple of 5k's this month thinking I'd be able to do them no problem. Was I mistaken. Of course I procrastinated getting back to running until the last minute. I could have used the gym and hit the treadmill but that also fell victim to my procrastination.  Needless to say I was totally not ready to run anything close to 3.1 miles(5k). I had ran a total of one mile the whole month of February. Even going back to January I was only doing a mile or so mixed in with some walking.

Not only was I not in running shape I had gained back the weight I lost year in a short amount of time which has pissed me off. It has given me added incentive. This was my original motivation to running in the first place.

I had also noticed I was more tense and irritable than I usually am. I was prone to outbursts at times which. I think part of it was i missed the release and endorphins that relaxed me after a run. I had missed running which is quite new to me. Since I've started these past couple of weeks I've been more relaxed. It's a good tension reliever for sure.  

Finally these past two weeks I've finally hit my favorite running spot in Mansfield, Massachusetts along a paved bike path that the snow and ice finally retreated to safely run. Just yesterday I finally hit the 2 mile mark for the first time since December. It also was the first three run week in 2015. Very happy to be back hitting the pavement. Already have a few 5k's in mind and hopefully won't miss anymore.

Until next time, cheers!

Two Weeks Until Flutie 5K!

Two weeks from today I'll be running the Flutie 5k. I run for a couple of reason's: 

1. To support what the Flutie Foundation does for families who are caring for someone with Autism. 
2. For my son 5 year old son Samuel who was diagnosed with Autism. Please help me support the Flutie Foundation and to also bring awareness of Autism. 

Visit my page on the event website and register or donate today.

P.S. I forgot to add that I'm donating an extra dollar for each mile I run in September my current total to day is 29.6 miles which makes it. $29.60 so far!

Update:Flutie Foundation 5k

 

Update: For those that don't know I'm running the Flutie 5k on October 5, 2014. I'm donating a addition $1 per mile I run in September. My total as of today is 20.6 miles which equals $20.60. I run also for my soon-to-be 6 year old son Samuel (pictured above)who was diagnosed with Autism over two years ago. Please help me support the Flutie Foundation which helps those families coping with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Visit my page on the event website and register or donate today. A special "Thank you" to those that have donated already. It really means a lot.

Flutie 5k Update

 

Sam waiting for school bus on first day of Kindergarten.

 

Along with participating in the Walk/5k I'm pledging a dollar per mile I run in the month of September. 

 

Had a great run along the scenic Cape Cod Canal this morning. After today's run I am up to $10.30(I know I'm slacking,lol). My goal is 50 miles which equals $50. 

 

My 5 year old son, Samuel, was diagnosed with Autism 2 years ago. Please help me support the Flutie Foundation that helps families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. 

 

Visit my page on the event website and register or donate today. I thank all those that have chosen to either participate or donate already and I hope to see more of you do so.

Flutie Foundation 5k

For the month of September I'm adding a dollar per mile I run and I'll add it to my donation. Started today with two miles so that's a $2.00 start. I'm running because my son Sam, the smiling boy in picture above, has Autism and Flutie Foundation helps kids and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Please help me support the Flutie Foundation. Visit my page on the event website and register or donate today.

My First 100 Miles and some lessons along the way

I've recently logged my first 100 miles according to my RunKeeper App on my phone. Here are some lesson's or observation's I've noted.

• Walking on Sunshine -  When I first started I could barely jog more that a minute without becoming severely winded. My "Couch to 5k"  app I used did a run/walk/run/walk type of training which helped. Gradually I've expanded my time and distance.
• Every Breathe You Take - Like I said I could barely jog for minute before gasping for air. I then began learning to breathe different. I read some where that to ttry and breathe using your whole gut rather than than my diaphragm. Gradually my breathing wasn't as much of an issue as it was before and my distances soon lengthened.
• Should I stay or should I go now - Use the the bathroom before going out. Just like long car trips it's a good idea to go before you go. Avoiding large meals the night before is probably a good idea although I've discovered no sure trick to avoid it totally. If you do let me know. Nothing much ruins a good run that having to hit the porta-potty and there's none around.
• I still haven't found what I'm looking for - It helps to have a goal in mind when going out for a run. Sometimes two in case something comes up. A minimum goal and perhaps a strentch goal if things look well. Right now I feel a 2 mile run is my minimum goal with 3 being my average and 4 being an extra good.
• Running with the devil - Running sucks. You push limits of your endurance to the limit voluntarily. Despite my body disliking it I do miss when I miss  or postpone a run. I used to hear of this before but never understood it. The during the run itself is the challenge but afterwards is when it hits you. My body almost has a cleansed feeling of burning off extra fat or something.
• The Long Run - Never thought 3.11(aka: 5k) was so far away. I'm still a relative newbie so even a simple 5k run is still a challenge and I've only broken the 5 mile barrier once. It's about average run for me now. I'm comfortable with that but it still feels great to finish. 
• Lyin' Eyes - While signing up for my second 5k a gentleman signing up nearly floored me as he stated he was 80 years old. Although I'm hardly the cocky type I thought I'd at least finish ahead of him. Guess what? Yep he did. Not only that, he power walked it too. It was a humbling experience and told me I still had a way to go.

I feel as I'm constantly learning more. I'm sure the next hundred miles will bring more revelations and thoughts. I'll be back again then.

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation 5k - Please Support

It turn's out Doug Flutie and I have something in common, we both have son's with Autism. Doug Flutie started this foundation to help those families that have been touched by Autism. I signed up for the 5k this coming October 5th for both my son, Samuel, and to help others who are affected by this. Please support us any way you can. Run, walk, cheer and or donate. Have a great day!

Thank you,

Robert Plumer Jr. 

Post by Robert Plumer Jr.

King Philip High School Alumni 5k - Today!

My Dad's watch.

Today I'm running my third 5k this year. It's the King Philip High School Alumni 5k. in Wrentham , Massachusetts. This run I'm doing for my Dad who passed away almost two years ago to cancer. He was King Philip graduate in 1961. All told about a dozen "Plumers",aunts,uncles,cousins, have gone through this regional high school. I did not as I graduated from nearby Foxboro High School (1985). I'm looking forward to it.

Update:

Race is finished. Third 5k in the record books. A nice run through Wrentham Started at the high school. Down Route 140 circled around going by Lake Pearl Ballroom and then going through the center back onto Route 140. Then finishing up at the school again.

My official time was 36:49 at an 11:53 per mile pace. First 5k under 12 min mile and best time overall. My Runkeeper app had me at 3.20 miles at 37:00 @ 11:34 per mile pace.It had some mild hills but wasn't too bad. I should start adding some more hills to my training. I hit some last 5k that kicked my butt. 

Top 5 Running Songs.

The practice of plugging my earphones cranking the tunes out in my brain have been a staple of my running ever since started recently. It was a worry of mine when I did my first race whether or not I'd stick out using it. I've grown so used it and I'm not sure how I'd do with out it. I still carry my phone in hand with headphones stuck in. Runkeeper app tracking me and music rocking out. In the two 5k's under my belt I've found although the majority of fellow runners don't use them but enough do that I don't feel so self conscious about it. If anyone has any input I'd be glad to hear it(pardon the pun,LOL).

That being said hear are my top current favorite jogging songs in which to hit the pavement with.

Uprising - Muse

Beat the horse - Pomplamoose

I'm Alright(theme from "Caddyshack) - Kenny Loggin's

Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Kickstart My Heart - Motley Crue

What are your favorites that put a little extra pop in your step?

Phinney's Harbor Day 5k

My second 5k proved to be harder than the first. The event was the Phinney's Harbor Day 5k in Bourne,Massachusetts. The race starts and end at Monument Beach which is home to the Bourne Community Boating. 

The race starts at the beach house. Goes out into nearby residential neighborhood. Which started early in my main weakness of my training..lack of hills. It was so bad until the path started going off on an adventure to speak. It eventually went off onto a dirt road which was ok at first other than a few soft spots. The recent Tropical storm "Arthur" had left some massive puddles, small ponds I think, that left runner scrabbling to the sides of the road dodge bushes and branches. This was just the warm up though. It eventually went off onto a a single file trail off road. Which meant dodging more obstacles like roots and branches. Let's also add that much of the trail was going up hill which I'll be honest this was my version of "heartbreak hill". I'm man enough to say I did slow it down to a walk until I was over the worst of it. The rest went gradually back to residential neighborhood. Which found its way back to the beach to the finish like. Where I eagerly found some water and claimed my goody bag with t-shirt and some other goodies.

One humbling and inspiring thing was that an 80 year old guy finished ahead of me.  Which tells me I have a ways to go and to never to give up.

I had fun and I'm already looking for more. I'll have to work some more trails into my jogging program to mix it up 

Post 5k Report

This past Saturday I did my first 5k run in South Yarmouth located on Cape Cod. It was an overcast morning when I headed out to the Culture Center of Cape Cod where the race was being held. I signed in and found out I qualified for a free t-shirt too which was pretty cool. I went outside to warm up and put my shirt in the car and warm up.

 

My first racing bib!

Being my first race this was a learning experience. I tried to observe how other people warmed up. I tried not to look too much like a newbie. During my training a warm up consisted of a brisk walk for about 5 minutes then starting up. I saw some stretching and some warm up jogs. So i did a little of both. 

Big question I had was my phone/music. I generally listen to music while I jog but wasn't sure I if it was acceptable during a race(officially or just frowned upon by others). I did see others that were using  them so I thought I'd be OK. I had bought arm band to hold the phone but had some issues on best way to use it. It worked alright but was hard to make any volume adjustments or use the touch screen while on your arm. I did listen to music but at a much reduced volume to be able hear whats going on around me.

 

 There's a bridge over a river there somewhere.

It was an overcast and foggy morning. The run was started down the street from the Culture Center itself and circled around it before heading out for the main stretch. The pack stretched as the race went on through the quiet moderately populated neighborhood. The view of the Bass River was covered with a blanket of fog so even seeing the other side river wasn't happening. Temp was in low 70's I believe so conditions were actually pretty good for this type of race.

Being pretty slow and new at this I was bringing up the rear of the pack. Near the halfway point the race looped back onto itself and caught  glimpse of the leaders pass me going the opposite way. Soon I'm among only handful of people. 

I learned not to spend too much time drinking water from the water stations. Throws you off your rhythm of running and breathing. It did help though as I did seem to have a short burst of energy afterwards. Perhaps from just quenching my dry mouth. 

That elusive third mile marker, I missed the others, came insight. I seemed to find an extra burst of energy near the finish. I see the time clock and cones lined up where I'm supposed to funnel into. People are clapping and yelling words of encouragement. I finish only having a vague notion of my time. I grab some water off a table and cool down.

It feels great to have finished my 5k race.Felt proud and happy. It's the longest race I've ran since my Army days over 27 years ago.  After quitting smoking four years ago I had proved to myself it could be done. It felt good to be apart of this group of runners.  I can't wait to do it again. 

Not last!

Pre 5k Run

I

Today I hit the trail for my last run before my first 5k this Saturday morning in West  Yarmouth.  My regular training path is the World War 2 Veteran's Memorial Trail located in Mansfield, Massachusetts. It's little more than a mile and half paved path stretching from East Street near the center to Fruit Street across the street from Mansfield Municipal Airport.

I believe this will be a the last full jog(or run) before my first 5k in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts for Run/Walk for the Arts at The Cape Cod Cultural Center. I chose this because it seemed beginner friendly and a low key event.

The first few weeks were perhaps the hardest. Just between the winter weather that seemed to linger on in this area and getting used to jogging regularly. Felt awkward at first but soon got used it. Now amazingly I look forward to it now.

Another motivation was that when I was in the Army back in the Reagan era I did very poorly on the morning PT runs. I probably held the record dropping out of runs at my unit which was not something I was particularly proud of. So to do this and even do something like a 5k run would be a personal victory for me.

 

This is my latest stats(runners love stats, lol). I'm slow as molasses but I am improving. Can't wait for Saturdays 5k. I'm nervous and can't wait at the same time. Later.