David Jones - 06/30/08

I haven't done a long run in several weeks so I thought I would try to do 8 yesterday. I went out at about 3:30 and it was hot. I was hurting after about 6 miles. I had to walk a couple of times and all I could manage was about 7-1/2 miles. Time was 1:06:43. 7 weeks to race time and I am feeling slow. Going to have to really push it these final weeks.

David Jones - 06/26

5 miles on the Silver Comet trail this morning. I think I'll sleep in tomorrow and save up for a long run on Sunday.

David Jones - 06/25

The US Army 10K must have worn me down. I have been sick ever since the race. I haven't run for a week. I am back in now. I have started running in the morning now. I hit the Silver Comet Trail yesterday and today at about 4:45 am and ran for 42 minutes. I figure it was about 5 miles. Felt good running in the cool morning. 8 weeks to Hood to Coast.

David Jones - 6/14 US Army Hooah 10K

Saturday June 14th. US Army Hooah 10K Race Day. Team Plumb Crazy put in a great performace today. Congratulations to everybody on some great race times. There were quite a few personal best 10K times today. Hope everyone had a good time today. I thought that was a pretty good course. I did better this year because I remembered how far you had to go once you got on the army base and didn't push to hars as soon as we got on base. I paced myself pretty good and finished with a personal best 10K time of 50:20. I did get passed by the baby stroller at around mile 4 though. I am not sure how Tom and Robb and Nelson did, they were too far ahead of me to see. They were up front trying to catch those green sweatsuit guys. Their times were in the mid 40's I think. John and Don had personal best times of around 55 and 56 minutes I believe. John might have been a little faster if he wasn't fighting with his IPOD. Richard and Jody were making a strong showing just behind them in about 58 and 59 minutes. More PB times I think. Tim's son was next and first in his age group. Tim came in about 1 hr 4 minutes (or somewhere around there) Next came Austin, wearing those Dawg colors proudly. Not sure of the time but not too far from Tim. All in all a great showing by Team Plumb Crazy. I think we are all pretty well prepared for Hood To Coast.

After the race I got the family together, made some PB & J sandwiches and headed for the pool. A pretty good way to spend the day after the race. Had a couple of Mike's Hard Lemonades. That hit the spot. I did manage to get in another 4 mile run in at about 4:00. Felt good running but it was super hot and muggy. Not sure if I could go another 6 or 7 miles again tonight in the middle of the night. Still have some work to do. Here is a picture of before the race. I don't think we all looked so good six miles later.

Good job today everybody. Keep it up.

Running the Hills in VA-Highlands-R Goldsmith

Training is suppose to be harder than the actual contests. Based on the Va-Highlands 5K, I created a new 4.23 mile route that incorporated 4 significant hills. Hills are certainly a major part of Hood to Coast so it is past time to get serious about attacking hills. I finished this run in 46:39 which is a decent training time considering the 4 major hills. I am now ready for the Hooyah 10K Saturday.

Go TeamPlumbCrazy

David Jones - 06/10/08

Robb inspired me yesterday with his 3 runs. It is getting too hot to run during the day so I went out last night at about 8:30 and went 5-1/2 miles. At 5:00 this morning I was on the Silver Comet Trail for a wake-up run. Not sure of the distance but ran out in 20:38 and back in 21:37. Total time was 42:15. Probably close to 5 miles. One thing I forgot about was bringing a flashlight with me this morning. A little bit spooky running on the trail in the dark. I think I will get one more run in tomorrow and then take off a couple of days in preparation for the big race this weekend.

Virginia Highlands Summer Fest 5K R. Goldsmith

This race closed its registration at 1,000 runners. This year's route was new and if it is easier than last year's route, I would have hated to run last year.

Three words describe this year's race: Hot, Hilly and Hard. I am thinking that we had to run up 4 major hills which slowed many runners to a walk. I kept running, buy my pace was more like a shuffle.

I finished in 28:25, almost a minute slower than last week's race. However, based on the congestion during the beginning stages of the race and a much much more difficult course, this time is comparable to last week's.

Debbie and I are flying up to New York City tomorrow AM and returning Tuesday late afternoon. We are staying close to Central Park and have already researched the big loop within the park is right at 6.1 miles. I am hoping to run this route twice before returning to the A.

Of all the things I am concerned about in regards to Hood To Coast, is the heat index. I can't imagine it hotter and more humid than Atlanta in the summer.

Lastly, this week's race brings my total miles to 13+ miles. My joints are aching, but it certainly beats watching my stomach expand. (My goal has never been to be the skinny guy with no butt, and a large gut)

Go TeamPlumbCrazy!

David Jones 06/06

Kind of an off week for me this week. Got in one run at Sweetwater this week. Went about 4-1/2 miles on Wednesday. Last night got in about 5-1/2 miles around the neighborhood. Going camping this weekend so no running for me until Sunday night. Next week will probably be an easy week leading up to the race.

David Jones - 6/02

Well, no races for me this weekend. Good job Don and Richard. Great times. My next race will be the US Army 10K on June 14th. It looks like we might have all 12 team members running this one if John W. makes the trip. This will be a good gauge to see where we all stand on our training progress. Sunday is my long run day and I was bound and determined to get my 8 miles in. It wasn't easy but I made it, in 1:11:54. Not my best time but it was so hot I hade to walk a couple of times to cool down.

Keep up the hard work. Captain handbooks and driving guides come out this week. As soon as I get them I am sure there will be important info I will need to pass on to the team.