Running
I like to run. I do this not for the pure joy of running but mainly for the health benefits I receive. There are times throughout the year that I get what is commonly known as the "runner's high."
My Running Beginning
While in Junior High my track coach, Mr. John Goodin, placed me in the 440 yard dash. That did not seem like a dash to me. It seemed like a run. Wow. One lap around the track. So I ran that for a while. I was not happy with it and after much begging, he placed me in the 75 yard dash, 100 yard dash and 220 yard dash. I did a lot better. I ran these distances up until the 10th grade. After that, I sort fell out of the athletic world.
While in college, I took up running again. It was 1979 and I began working out with the high school cross country team. I enjoyed that and then began working out on my own. I would run 5K (3.1 miles) a lot. My neighbor and former teacher/coach, Mr. John Strahl had started running, so I would go out and run along side. I think the farthest distance I ran that year was about 7 miles. I was getting ready to run in the Hard Dam Race but I developed walking pneumonia, which sort of took me out of running for a while. In fact, I would not run any more distances for 13 years.
Getting Hooked On Running
While working and attending bible college, I was also performing an 8 month internship in a local church. There was not a lot of time for fitness, it seemed. When my internship ended, I had gained some not wanted added pounds. For most of my life I have wieghed around 145-150 pounds. I tipped the scales around 170. Ouch! So i decided to get fit.
I started the year (1992) with a challenge printed in the Grand Rapids Press. A sports writer, Bob Beckett, who had some weight issues, was going to run the Old Kent River Bank Run (5th 3rd). He was using a training program provided by a local GR runner and Olympian, Greg Meyer. I printed out the training program and began training. The 1992 RiverBank run was my first 25K race ever. I was in pretty decent shape, with a race weight of about 145. I ran the race in 2 hours 11 minutes. I was quite pleased.
I would run in other races that year and the following year, I ran the 25K RiverBank Run in 2 hours and 2 minutes. That has been my best time ever. Over the next 7 years, I would be sort of an on and off again runner. I didn't run the 25K for some time. I would run variations of 5K races. However I didn't log as many miles as I did in '92 & '93.
Sidelined
From 2000 to 2006 my running was limited. I had increased my referee life which took a lot of my time. I also had some nagging knee problems which really closed me down for a while. I did run the Riverbank Run 25 in 2003 and in 2004, but was a lot slower. I took 2005 and 2006 "off" from running to help my wife with some medical issues and then we moved to GR. I did pick up the running again in 2007, running a few 5K & 10K races.
Races in 2008
My goals for 2008 I set on New Years Day. I wanted to run 10 races and maybe a marathon. With the help of some fellow running friends and my wife, I accomplished that goal. Here are the races I ran in 2008:
☞New Years EveWolverine World Wide New Year's Eve Resolution Run
This is usually at East Grand Rapids High School. It's a 4 mile run and the streets are well maintained for the runners.
☞February Fremont Frostbyte
This a 5K and a 10K race in Fremont, MI. Not real competitive - I finished 2nd place in my age group
☞February Kent City Ridge Run
This is 5K and a 15K race. They call it the Ridge Run because it has hills. Be ready. It's a challenge. Not real competitive - I finished 2nd place in my age group
☞ March Spectrum Health Irish Jig 5K
This is very well organized race. It too is in East GR and very competitive.
This is very well organized race. It's a big one. Lot's of people. The 25K is the most fun for me. A nice distance. It's a very positive event to experience.
☞JuneBrian Diemer 5K
This too was a very nice race. It's in Cutlerville, MI. Very well organized. Very flat.
☞July Kentwood Parks and Recreation put on a nice 5K race
☞July Byron Bank 5K
This was also a pretty flat course and well organized race.
☞AugustMitchell's Run 5K
This is a nice run in Rockford. A good cause, a nice run. There's a fun walk too. My Shelsie walked in the 5K fun walk for the first time
☞OctoberGreatest 5K ever
This was in early October by Riverside Park. Not too bad of a run. Very flat. Not too much competition. I finished 2nd in my age group so it could not have been that great of competition.
☞OctoberGR Marathon
My favorite race of the year. Very competitive and very well organized. I finished 3 hours 47 minutes.