Officially Fifty...

First race in my new age group today. A 5K in downtown Fort Collins, called Sharin' of the Green, part of the St. Patrick's Day festivities. Parade, beer drinking, and other fun.

I woke up early on purpose so I could run this 5K, just to see how I did, as a 50 year old. Turned out not so bad. I won my new age group, 50-59, and on a cold, windy morning, I managed to run about the same time I've been running for 5K for the past two years. I ran 23:05 and fairly even splits, and the wind was fun, whipping dust, leaves and other junk in our eyes as we ran the streets of Old Town. The wind was generally not too bad, at least I didn't notice it much, but the gusts were a challenge, up to 30 mph, they said.

It was freezing after the race, but I waited around with Joanne and Hunter while they did the awards, had to enjoy the perks of my new age group. I got a twenty dollar gift card to Sports Authority, which will be useful, I'm sure. I still have another 6 or so miles to do today, but I need to warm my frozen body up and put a few more layers on.

Right now the wind is howling and bending the big trees, but I have to get out and finish my run. I always think of Cleveland, I have to do it, because you never know what the conditions will be on race day.

This week was pretty much unproductive work-wise, but it was a decent running week so far. I had a good 20 mile run at Horsetooth where I pushed it on the hills, and averaged a minute and half per mile pace faster than I was running earlier this winter. My legs were sore the past two days from that workout. I plan to start real speedwork in the next few weeks. Wheaties Boy and I are going to start some morning mile repeat sessions once the early morning gets a little lighter.

My niece Jenny was in town this week along with my brother and sister-in-law, and we had fun touring Fort Collins. We celebrated her 17th birthday, and after a day here, they went to Boulder afterwards and it sounds like Jenny's favorite school so far is CU, so maybe we will have another Buffalo in the family after next year. Jenny is a junior in high school, so a lot can happen in a year and a half, but we would love it if she decided to go to school in Boulder.