Getting back to running

My post-Boston running hiatus is over. Yesterday Kathleen and I drove out to Clear Lake - about 50 miles from where we live via I-10 and I-45 - to run the Summer Kickoff 5K. It is a long way to go for a 3-mile fun run, but Kathleen knows the race directors and this is a race we've been wanting to check out for a while now. We were not disappointed. The race organization is top-notch, the course fast and flat and the post-race refreshments were excellent. One really needed to run much further than 5K to 'deserve' the bountiful array of fruit, bagels, sweet pastries and sandwiches. And an icy cold towel at the finish was a nice touch. As for the running part of the race, we did ok but not great; I did not expect to be competitive as this was only my second run in about 12 days. Kathleen is getting back into shape, she was just a few seconds behind the 3rd place runner and she should be able to place in many of the local runs with a bit more speed work.

The lower back injury caused by one of the plyometrics exercises in the P90X program turned out to very pesky and despite three chiropractic adjustments, I am still feeling it today. Just to make sure that there's no real problem, I will be seeing an orthopedic specialist tomorrow. Maybe it will be a good idea to put the P90X program on hold for a while, and revert to my tried and trusted core workout, some lifting and a variety of other exercises using a physio ball and stretch bands.

Otherwise it has been rather quiet around here with the two boys being away in Africa. It looks like their Botswana safari was a blast - they saw leopard, lions and wild dogs in just the first three days. I am looking forward to publishing some of their best pics here, hopefully by some time next week.

Kathleen and I have made plans to slip away to Anna Maria Island near Tampa FL for the Memorial Day weekend. I first learned about this vacation spot from fellow blogger John King and I am really looking forward to a few days of doing pretty much nothing. Except of course for some running on the beach, and maybe a little fishing.