Run Edgar Run!

This is my 2nd year in participating in this running event. But, instead of running in the half marathon, I ended up doing the 5k instead. One reason is that I was not as well trained to do the half marathon. Both my friend and I opt for having a less grueling run and at the same time enjoy the winter visit to New York City.  The weather was crisp, tons of fellow runners heading to the start line and looking forward to starting a morning run around New York's Central Park. I love watching people and supporters taking in the occasion. People are generally friendly and show a lot camaraderie. Thankfully, I was to finish this easy 5k run in just over 30 minutes, and I could take in the rest of the morning relaxing and enjoying New York City on a Sunday.  Heading over to the Start Line  Looking back on this run, it really wasn't that bad, I feel a little guilty I didn't train to do the entire half marathon run. This running route required at least 3 laps around Central Park, ...

Today, I received my latest blood test results. Cholesterol level came down to 220, way better compared to the last couple of years. I'm trying to get back to being under 200 and staying below that. I recently had a slight scare from my primary doctor notifying me that my A1c number went up mildly, meaning borderline prediabetic. That gave me more pause to get more back into shape.  Below are my before 11/23 and after 1/2024 photos between months. I think I still need more work.  So as of late, I've started to go to the gym every weekday morning to run on the treadmill for about 30 minutes or about 2 miles. On Mondays and Fridays, I'll do a 24 Hour Fitness BodyPump workout for about an hour with free weights in a gym class. Then on Saturdays when I'm free, I'll do a long run, 3-6 miles.  Nutrition has been much more promising, lots of fruits and more vegetables in my diet. Every chance I get in each meal, greens or a vegetable has to be on my plate. So far, this has...

Follow Up: Cancelled Kaiser 10k Run-it was the first time this race has ever cancelled that I can remember. On my bike home it was torrential! A good hot shower helped! Note to self, if the weather forecast says heavy rain, it's ok to flake out of run and do it another day. Kaiser cancels San Francisco marathons, runners still participate

This Sunday, February 4, 2024 will mark my 13th Kaiser running event since 2005. My first run in this event was a 5k, or 3.1 mile run. Off and on, I've ran the 1/2 marathon, 10k, as well as 5k. I'm reflecting on how much time and energy I've put in to running in this annual event.  I started running in my early 30s, back then I couldn't afford a gym membership, however, I lived near a lake, so with an adequate running shoes, I started doing brisk runs along the lake. Lake Merced 's running parameter was about 5 miles, so over time, I managed to run the entire parameter with some ease. As I became more engaged in running, I would at times train to run 2-3 times around the lake non stop. It was quite liberating, and darn healthy. However, as I got older, my running results were lagging due to less focused training and just going at a slower pace.  When I did my first 5k, I was able to finish in less than 30 minutes, it was amazing, about less than 9 minutes a mile!  ...