Friday was a long day, and I was so worn down that I did not want to run in the fifth annual Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Selfless Elf 5K, a fundraiser to feed the hungry. I put in a full day at The Daily Record newspaper before heading out for a magic show deep into Amish Country, which required travel over snow-covered, narrow, winding and hilly township roads. It took me about 55 minutes to make a 33-minute trip. And, then I had to drive home after the magic show. I was tired and hungry … [Read more...]
Zest for Life Podcast: Four Reflect on Running Turkey Burner 5K
My wife, Wendi, the founder of this blog, decided we would run the Turkey Burner 5K in Hinckley, Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day morning. We ran around the lake at Hinckley Reservation. Wendi's sister, Randi, asked us if we wanted to run it with her and her husband, Shaun. We did. It marked the third 5K we ran since October 28. The first one was in Ashland. You can read about it here. The second one was in Dalton. You can read about that experience here. And, listen to the podcast below. We wanted to … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two 5Ks in 8 Days: Learning to Never Say ‘Never’
As I write this post, I am able to say that I just finished my second 5K as a "runner." Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of walkers who finished before me, but I ran both times, the whole time. Believe me, that is quite a statement for someone like me. I never, ever, ever would think that running would be part of any sort of exercise that I would do. I'm a couch potato through and through. But when your husband comes home from the doctor saying, "The doctor told me that my joints are … [Read more...]
I Ran My First 5K and Lived to Tell About It
On Saturday, Wendi (my wife and founder of this blog) and I ran the Ashland YMCA Fritter 5K. While I have run the distance before in high school (not as part of a sanctioned race) and have walked a couple 5Ks, this was my first time running a 5K, if you can call it that. I think you can because, as my brother-in-law Shaun Vahl says, "If you have two feet in the air, you are running." So, how did I get there? My new physician encouraged me. My primary care physician had moved his practice … [Read more...]
Heart and Sole 5K
I participated in a 5K today. I say participated, because God did not create my body for running. The 5K was part of the Ohio Challenge Series Buehler's Heart & Sole event. There was a half marathon, 10K and a 5K Run/Walk. I don't know how many people participated-either walking or running-but my number was 498 and Bobby's was 499. I heard them announce that there were 12 teams that represented different organizations/groups. Bobby and I were part of The Village Network's team. Last … [Read more...]