Josh Runs – Page 5 – and does other stuff

The birds are chipping

Spring has finally arrived in New Hampshire, which means one very crowded golf course opened this weekend. I got a late tee time at Windham Country on Sunday. A winter spent at the driving range, and all those hours putting in the living room seem to have paid off. My full shots were very solid and my putting under 10 feet was much better than last year.

It wasn’t all great news however. My chipping was terrible as was my lag putting. I also completely gagged on the first 2 holes but for the first round of the year it was generally a success. I finished with 5 pars and a birdie for a 91.

I’m fired up for Campbell’s Scottish Highlands to open so I can golf a few times a week. It is going to take a few rounds to get those chips and long putts in order.

Road to Recovery

I went to my Doctor a few weeks ago, and he bent me into a pretzel and then straightened me out again. It worked. I can run again pain free. So I’m slowly building up my miles, running 30-40 minutes at a time and feeling optimistic about my health for the first time in a long time. For now I have no plans to start training seriously for any races, but I’m excited to be able to run at all.

My competitive focus has shifted to golf. This year I have a membership to Campbell’s Scottish Highlands in Salem, NH. The goal is to play 27-36 holes a week and see if I can get my handicap into the single digits. It is at 17.6 right now. While I wait for the snow to melt I’ve been doing lots of indoor putting, and taking regular trips to the driving range. For the next year expect to see a lot more golf content here and a lot less running. After all Josh does run, but he does other things too.

Trying to sort out my over the top first move which results in a slight pull

Running again

I haven’t run much in the last 3 months. And by not much I mean not at all until this weekend. With my back still hurting despite taking all that time off I decided I might as well get out there and run. 5 miles of shuffling later my back is the same. So… progress?

The Ladies Run, Josh Cheers

Sunday was the Holiday Hustle 5k in Newton, MA. The whole family went down to watch Lisa run it for the 3rd time, and to watch Hazel run her first 5k.

Hazel has been talking about running a 5k for a few years now, and she worked up the nerve to give it a try after a few months of training (running a mile two times a week).

Lisa crushed her race with a 20:42! We think this is her fastest time in the last 15 years, and considering it was 15 degrees out, I know she can do even better.

Hazel did amazing. Besides a quick stop to pour herself some water at the self serve water stop, she ran the whole way. She said her rib started hurting (breathing cramps) but she ignored it and it just went away.

I’m very lucky to have these ladies to root for while I’m on the injured reserve.