Just over five weeks have passed since my third marathon of 2008, the Richmond Marathon, so it was great to receive a small package in the mail containing a special award – a very nice plaque confirming by place as 1st Masters Runner in the 2008 Richmond Marathon. Despite tough race-day conditions I fared pretty well and the award will serve to remind me of a very satisfying day.
Actually, the last five weeks have been equally satisfying to me. First off, there was a 35:56 PR (personal record) performance at the Turkey Trot 10k on Thanksgiving Day – my first time under the 36 minute barrier. Next up was another solid 10k – this time a 36:19 at the annual Army/Navy 10k held on Fort Story Army Base. To cap off a great post-marathon month and a very enjoyable and successful year, I blasted away my previous 5k lifetime best with a surprising 17:09 finish at the Santa Claus Shuffle 5k.
Training is going well and I’m really excited about racing in 2009. It also dawned on me this morning that I’m exceptionally fortunate to have such a supportive family and group of friends; not just friends in the real world, but also in various online communities too. Not that I take this for granted, but there are so many great people around and I wouldn’t be who I am today without their support.
I’m also really lucky I can make and afford healthy food choices, have enough exercise apparel and equipment to satisfy my “fit and healthy” craving and have access to all the training tools, technology and gadgets a man could possibly ever need. All I’m left to do is get out and log the miles……
Hope you all have a great Christmas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.
Thanks for reading!
–Steve
–a.k.a. British Bulldog