Rough start, nice ending

Finally got off my duff and back out on the trails.  This weekend I had planned to run the Dad's Day 5k event downtown.  It's become an annual gig for me after I discovered it a few years back.  Sort of my summer penance for slacking off since the marathon.  I haven't been running as much lately because of work/schedules but, between you and me, that's just an excuse.  Every year I need some spiritual kick in the butt to get me motivated to start training towards the marathon in January and this is the perfect timing.  Great cause (Prostate Cancer) and gets me out of my rut/funk.  Of course, being downtown Houston in early June, temperature and humidity comes into play.  Was 82 degrees at the start and humidity was just a bit shy of 95%.  Lovely conditions for a run.  Since I haven't been running much lately, I did not have high expectations.  What really did not help is I got sick Friday night/Saturday morning.  Not sure what it was I ate but I woke up around 0200 with a seriously upset stomach.  Was up until 0430 until I finally settled things down to catch a few zzz's.  Work up around 0630 feeling like hammered dog do and questioning if I could really pull off a run.  With all of the strength and stupidity I could muster, I gathered myself together and made it downtown in time for the run.  It wasn't pretty but I survived, albeit a bit sore and sweaty (thanks, Advil).  The results were nothing I want to brag about.  I can live with being beat by some skinny 21 year old or the 5 year old kid running with his dad or even that 75 year old guy running for the 10th time.  But there is no damn way I was going to let the Michelin man pass me up in the last mile.  I may be old and achy and slow, but when some guy hovering north of 300 lbs starts to gain on me, I found motivation to kick it up a notch.  Pride sometimes makes for a good motivational tool.               

I managed to drag my sorry butt across the finish line upright, which is not a bad goal to shoot for.  Felt like crap but with a sense of accomplishment.  Went home to crash and recover a bit.  

Sunday turned out much better.  A bit stiff and sore, but not as bad as "she who runs with bears".  Able to knock out a chores around the hacienda.  Mowed the yard, got the edger working again, loaded up the recyclables, ran reports for the office.  Went over to nephew's house for an impromptu Father's Day gathering.  Nothing ornate, just a gathering of the tribe to drink beer, swim in the pool and talk smack about the rest of the family. Got a chance to spend more time with my dad.  He is doing pretty darned good despite his situation.  He is chomping at the bit to get the procedure done, but hasn't gotten a t-time from the doctor, yet.  Hopefully, he will get an update this week.  

A nice way to wrap up the weekend.