The plan is to keep running
Chris Jennings/Herlad Democrat

Tomorrow I will surpass the 200-mile mark in my newfound running career. It’s not a big number but I noticed I was close to it in my training log.

The number I’m waiting for is still a month away. I read somewhere that if you do something for three months consistently, like exercise, it’s more likely to become a habit. So in another month I hope my running habit is formed. I’m not sure at what point I can start calling myself a runner though.

This has lead me to start thinking about what I’m going to do after the marathon at Cross Timbers. There is another trail marathon in the LBJ National Grasslands in Decatur, a month after the Cross Timbers run.

This may be to soon to run another marathon, so I will just have to see. They have a half marathon — so that may be what I put on the calendar with the option to do the full marathon if I feel up to it.

There is an endurance event called the Ouachita Trail 50 in Little Rock, Ark. that looks like something I might want to do. They give you the option of a 50 miler or a 50K. I think I would favor the 50K knowing what kind of climbing would be done in the Ouchita mountains.

It’s important to keep goals out there and put a few things on your calendar that you want to participate in. With these targets, you have a reason to go out and train. It’s also nice if you can talk some of your buddies into doing these events with you so you have someone to train with.
That’s what six local ladies did for the Chicago Marathon last weekend. Jody McGowan, Leslie Wood, Michelle White, Melanie Oelfke, Amy Post and Robin Phillips all ran in Chicago after training together here at home. Congratulations to them.

While they were running in the Chicago cold, I was running in the warmth of a Texas fall. The Waterloo race had over 50 runners and one walker, who told me after the race she cheated. I expect nothing less from my dear wife.

My training plan called for an 11-mile run Saturday so I did two miles for a warm-up, timing it so I would be back just in time for the start. I then did the race lap and kept going after the finish for two more laps to get my required mileage in.

At the end of the last lap, one of the volunteers told me I had gotten a trophy and I was surprised to get second place in my age group. I guess that’s what small fields will do for you.
I didn’t ask how many people were entered in my age group because it didn’t matter, I had the trophy.

I raced in the state cyclocross championships one year. There were nine people entered in my class. When people ask me how I did I don’t tell them I was second to last, I tell them I got eighth place.

There are two local runs coming up. First is the Waterloo 5K Race for Diabetes on Nov. 4 held in the neighborhoods surrounding Waterloo lake in Denison.

This race is sponsored by Texoma Medical Center, the TMC Foundation and the TMC Diabetes LifeCenter. Proceeds from the race benefit kids with diabetes by providing scholarships to diabetes summer camp, education and supplies for qualified patients.

The next weekend, on Nov. 11, you can run in the Rescue Run hosted by the city of Sherman.
According the city’s website, this is the third year for the run that offers a five kilometer race and one mile fun run.

The run benefits the Sherman Animal Shelter’s adoption program. The courses will begin and end on Mulberry Street in front of City Hall. When you’re done you can take advantage of the free adoptions of dogs and cats from the mobile, adopt-a-pet trailer and refreshments for the runners.

Last year’s Rescue Run placed 31 dogs and 30 cats with new adoptive families and generated $4,636.00 for the Animal Shelter’s Adoption Program. You can register online for the Rescue Run here.