Electric Bolt 8K

Yesterday I ran the Electric Bolt 8K.  It is put on by Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3) which is an organization that raises funds for research for a cure for ALS.  My Grandfather had ALS so it has affected my family.  They also put on the Twinkie Run on April 1st every year. 
This race was run on parts of my favorite running route in Riverside Park, Argo and Bandemer Parks! 
Since I had run my long run the day before, I was planning to just run easy.  I normally run three miles easy on Sundays.  Sometimes my legs are still sore or tired from the day before and my Sunday runs can be really slow. I thought that if I ran the race at a pace anywhere near 9 minutes that it was going to count as my tempo run for this week.  I usually do a tempo run on Mondays. 
My running group friend, Larry, was there and said that he was going to run with me since he hasn't been running much lately.  Of course, I went out way too fast.  My first mile was 8:14.  Mile two was also fast at 8:38. The remaining miles came in at:  9:12, 10:12, and 9:15.  That fourth mile was the hardest part of the race.  It ran along the boardwalk from Bandemer Park to Longshore Dr.  It's a gradual uphill rise and I'm usually running along it in the opposite direction which is downhill!  There was also a hill on Longshore that was part of the fourth mile.  I was very glad to be done.  The medals were nice.  I also got a glass for first place in my age group. 
I found this picture on their Facebook page.  I'm not sure what I'm doing with my hands!  I look like I'm going to grab something.  Maybe I'm in the process of bringing my hands together to shut off Garmie, who knows.  I also think I look huge in this picture.

finishing!

I don't ask anyone for contributions but I do try to talk people into participating in the events.  I was able to get two friends to do this event! 
I did decide to use that as my tempo run for the week.  Today I had a dentist appointment in the morning and then I came home and have been trying to get some cleaning and organizing done around the house.  I'm starting a new job in two weeks (more details on that later) so I want to get some things done before I start.  I'm pretty excited about it but that's all I'm going to say right now. 

Runner Nerd
runs for a cause

Tutus and Twinkies

I ran races on Saturday and today.  Saturday was the Tutu 5K in which I, Runner Nerd, wore a tutu for the very first time!  I think I mentioned it the other day when I wrote about the tutu bashing in SELF magazine article.  Here I am:

Runner Nerd in a tutu

I ran my fastest 5K ever!  Well, I guess I should mention that the course was a bit short, .43 mile short to be exact!  Yep, Garmie says I ran 2.67 miles which makes perfect sense for a time of 22:45!  That's an 8:32 pace; I can believe that.  A 22:45 5K is 7:20 pace and I know I can't do that!  I don't even know if I could run one mile at that pace.  After the race I ran 3.5 more miles without the tutu.
Today, April 1st, was the annual April fool's Day Twinkie Run in Ann Arbor.  It takes place on April 1st every year, regardless of the day of the week it falls on.  This race is one I like to do because it is for ALS.  My Grandfather had ALS back when almost nothing was known about it.  I get to eat Twinkies!  Those who participate in the Twinkie eating have to eat a Twinkie before crossing the start line after the gun goes off and then halfway through the race.  You have to stop at the Twinkie station to eat the Twinkie and cannot start up until it is eaten.  You get a minute deducted for each Twinkie!

Twinkie ready at the start

Twinkie medal

After finishing the race I got a drink and then took off on a different trail in the same park and ran another 2.6 miles.  I went to my car to get my jacket and then got back just in time to hear my name called for winning my age group! I got a glass with the race logo on it.  

Age group win! 

It was 50 degrees!  It was also quite windy.  The trails where the race was run are cleared all winter so they were clear and dry but where I ran afterward isn't cleared during the winter.  Most of the snow is gone but there were areas on this trail that still had snow.  I hope that today is the last time my shoes step in snow for a long time.

snow on the boardwalk

Well, that's about it for now!
Runner Nerd
eats Twinkies for a good cause