"Cincinnati USA!"

It’s been a slow recovery from this infection (strep/sinus/other?). Last weekend we had a blast at BC and Hope’s place in Louisville. Spent the night Friday, and Saturday took all the kids to the Louisville Science Center. I was feeling better by Friday, headaches and body aches had subsided. I still had a little throat pain and congestion, but didn’t let that keep me from the rare opportunity to run with a buddy.

I love that BC is running now. I came to his house and HE asked ME if we were going to run after putting the kids to bed. Of course I was prepared with my shoes and gear. He was due for a two miler that day on his 10k training schedule (Bowling Green Classic). An easy two miler was a great way to get back out during my recovery. We took it really easy on the out and picked up the pace by a minute on the way back.

BC doesn’t know it now, but one day we’ll be taking some long runs together. He’s making good progress, but he’s not interested in any distance longer than a 10k for now. That will change. I envision us going for 10 mile runs in the next year or so; in a couple years we’ll be running a ½ marathon together.

As my second step in recovery, I planned to run the 5k at Bob Roncker’s in Loveland Wednesday night. It’s a free 5k held every Weds night between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It’s an out and back on flat bike trail; about 100-150 people show up every week. They give out door prizes every week as well. Free race + prizes = win/win. Unfortunately I haven’t taken full advantage of it this year… last night was only my third race with only one more remaining this year.

The first two were in really hot weather (90+) and I finished in just over 24 mins for both. Although the weather wasn’t such a factor last night, I didn’t expect a good time since I’m still recovering with some chest and nasal congestion. All I wanted to do was have a good tempo out and have enough left to run the back half faster. Accomplished. I hit the turnaround at 12’35”… nothing to be excited about but I felt pretty good. I wasn’t hacking up a lung like I’d imagined. So I tried to hold the pace until I thought I was about a ½ mile from the finish. Then I was able to kick it up a notch by picking out a guy about 30 yards ahead of me. I gradually gained on him and we finished side by side in 24’46”. I was pretty happy with my finishing kick. I typically can only kick the last 20 yards or so, but I conserved more last night and was able to kick the final tenth.

A 24’46” time for a 5k is not very competitive, but I know I will get better. As the weather cools off and I get back to normal training, I will shoot for sub 23 before the year ends. I’m targeting the Apple Fest 5k in Lebanon on September 25th for my 5k PR.

So what’s worse than getting “Dust in the Wind” stuck in your head during a run? How about a radio jingle? “We can go to King’s Island, the aquarium too, there’re so many fun things to do. Let’s book a trip today, to Cincinnati USA!”

As I’m trying to channel my inner Pre last night, that was replaying in my head the entire final mile. It didn’t help. Thinking about tourism in Cincinnati doesn’t motivate me to run harder, it makes me want to eat a brat at a Reds game.