2015 Races

I'm getting back into doing some races.
I have the Shamrockin 1/2 marathon next Sunday.

The Elk Grove 1/2 marathon two weeks after that.

The San Francisco Marathon in July.

I also signed up for the California International Marathon in December.

It's shaping up to look like a good year.
I'm sure I'll have a few other races.

Time and Persistence of Memory

Going through recovery after prostate cancer surgery I’ve noticed some changes in my attitude about time.

I don’t get anxious about being late when I have somewhere to go. 

If I’m 5 minutes late to something it’s not going to change the world. 

If people get worked up about it that’s their choice, but I’ll get where I need to be when I get there. 

I’ll get the things done that are going to get done. 

If something doesn’t get done today, I guess it’s just not going to get done today. 

Maybe tomorrow?

I’ve always had a secret admiration for people who can show up 10-15 minutes late and don’t seem to even notice.

I want to be one of those people.

I think I value my time more than before.

I enjoy living in the moment more than I use to.

I take time to find the little things that bring me joy.

New year - new goals.

My big race for 2015?

I signed up for the San Francisco Marathon, July 26.

That will be just 4 days short of 1 year cancer free.

I also signed up for the Shamrock’n Half Marathon March 15 and I’m going to lead a pace group for the Elk Grove, Running of the Elk Half Marathon, March 29.

I’ll probably do some other half marathons, a triathlon or two, and maybe California International Marathon at the end of the year. 

I’m just going to enjoy running and being fit and healthy.

You'll never know if you can do it if you don't try.

Recovery

I’ve been feeling pretty good on my runs this week. 

I ran at least 3 miles four times this week.

I ran the 5K in 31 minutes (10 min/mi pace)

Not the fastest but it was the fastest I’ve run since surgery. 

My wife reminded me that I said I was going to do the 5K, even if that meant a slow shuffle with someone holding me up, and someone holding a catheter bag.

I made it.  I stopped numerous times but just to take pictures.

No soreness from running but I still have a little soreness in my abdominal area from the surgery.  It’s all kind of around the area where the incisions were made and the robot stuck it’s little arms in me.  It’s pretty mild and just feels like I did a few too many sit-ups.

I’m still not operating on full energy.

I was a little tired each day after work and after the 5K I was ready for bed about 7:30.

And... I went the entire day Saturday without a pad for incontinence.  I really don’t think I need them any more but I’ll keep using them at work just in case.

Goals

My brain still isn’t able to set goals for too far in the future.  It just doesn’t want to go there yet.  I’ve been getting a lot of emails from different group-lists about Ironman Lake Tahoe.  I just delete them. 

I want to take the rest of this year to recover and get strong and healthy. 

I do have a half marathon in two weeks and have no idea if I can do it or not.

I figure I can do a lot of walking.

I’m going to try.

And if I fail, I’ll try again another day.

I’ll get there someday.

I’ll get back and run marathons again too.

I’ll try for an ironman too someday.

I’ll never know if I can do it if I don't try.