Sensory Overload

I ran my scheduled 3 mile run this morning on the dark Fork Ridge Trail (area 51 with no sightings) in 24:34. I was trying for 8 minute splits but forgot how difficult that can be in the dark. When you can't see any mile markers or landmarks or, actually anything outside the cone of light that comes from your headlamp, your only choice is to run by feel. And I came within 34 seconds of being spot on for my pace.

It surprised me how short the run felt. This 3 miler is scheduled between a 7.5 mile run and my Sunday 10 miler. Today's three seemed like I ran to the store for bread and ran right back. I guess that's why you train so that the miles start to feel easy but it worked. The time felt very short.

Now for my sensory overload. I usually run with headphones. I listen to pod casts or audio books, and when I can smell the barn I switch to classic rock for the boost to get me home. Today, I turned everything off for the return trip. I concentrated on my breathing, my legs and how I felt. Before I was aware of the sky lighting up with the early morning sun,  I was in front of my house fresh and relaxed. That was a bit of an eye opener. Maybe it's time to chill and remember what I'm out there for. Long before I raced..........I just  raaaaaannnnnnnn.

Ultra Runner vs Iron Man

A friend sent this to me from the Ultralist. It is a comical and somewhat adult confrontation between a Triathlete and an Ultrarunner. I found it hysterical.

“Rest is for the weary, sleep is for the dead.”

Today is my scheduled rest day. For once I feel I need it. Maybe the bug I have been carrying will finally vacate my body. Yesterday, after my run I drank a few beers with the house "Goddess", cooked some shrimp creole and just chilled out. I love movies and I finally had time to see The Social Network. I like it but it wasn't as good as I thought it might be. A bit over-hyped by my co-workers.

Today I intend to rest which is hard for me and simply mend a little. But tomorrow comes. I hope I feel better and all of you are well.

My Body Is Telling Me Something!

My body was telling me something yesterday. I ran my scheduled 7.5 miler today but it was tough sleddin'. I started out wearing a knit cap and a wind jacket. I had to dump the jacket under a tree at around two miles because I was burning up. My water belt felt like it weighed four hundred pounds and my hat was making sweat roll down my face into my eyes. So I took my hat off, tucked it into my belt and then took off. Then I started to freeze so I had to put the hat back on then the cramps in my stomach started. Sound like I got a bug to you? Enough whining for you? I'm done.

Now the good part. It was beautiful out today. The sun was so bright that I had to wear sunglasses. When I could get comfortable, I cruised along a beautiful creek road clipping off the miles over nice, dry roads. The same roads that I was tip toeing over glare ice less than a month ago. I ran past cows, had a few friendly dogs bark at me and smelled the lovely scent of fresh cow manure. I mean that. You have to be from the country to appreciate that but cow manure means spring time here in the hills. It was a beautiful run on a sunny gorgeous morning. There is no place on earth I would rather have been. Now if only my stomach would quit grumbling.

My New Adventure!

My plan was to run an uneventful 3 miler before my long run tomorrow. It wasn't uneventful. I left the house in the dark, it was very warm and I could feel that I was overdressed. Damn Weatherman. I started to jog a little to loosen up. As I turned on my headlamp and before I got 30 steps along the broken sidewalk......down I went. I caught my toe on a big crack and since my concentration was on my lamp, I never saw it coming. I hit the pavement and bounced. You ever hit concrete hard enough to bounce? I scuffed up my right elbow, my right knee and both my palms. OK. I've fallen lots of times over roots, cracks and such so I picked myself up, waved at the lone laughing driver at the light, and continued.

Then it hit me. I had to go to the bathroom.......bad. Not the tinkle behind the tree sort of break. The full Monty. I hoped it would go away and since it was only 3 miles I figured I could just hope for the best. I finished my run...much later...at about 15 mpm pace running like Charlie Chaplain walks. Feet spread way apart and butt cheeks tight as a carpenters vise. I made it home....barely. Sorry if this is too much info (don't tell me you've NEVER been there.) After the attack squad yesterday and the incident today, I may hit the treadmill tomorrow. It's boring but normally uneventful.

Special Ops At 6:20 AM!!??

I ran my scheduled 4 miler today and two very strange things happened this morning. One much stranger than the other. I'll start with the semi-strange to normal one. My Weather-bug computer temp gage said it was 35* with no wind when I checked it out this morning. I dressed appropriately for that temperature and started out. It was like I was in Alaska. My breath was great blasts of white clouds as I ran through falling snow. SNOW! On a 35 degree morning. This, if you have been following the weatherman isn't really so strange. They haven't hit a temp right all season so why start now.

Now to the strange part. I reached the trail head to Fork Ridge trail and turned right down the long stretch passed the ballfields toward the main entrance when large trucks started pulling into the park in the early morning pitch dark. There had to be near thirty trucks, large box trucks. I know they saw me because as I ran past, the column stopped to let me pass by between them. I could see very clearly "Special Operations" written on the side of at least one truck. As I rounded the turn past the soccer field, they all lined up and shined their headlights at me! They watched me run by as I disappear into the dark morning and then they turned off their headlights and pulled out of the park and left! What the hell was THAT about!? What had I interrupted and I began to wonder...did maybe even one of them say, "Ah, let's just shoot the idiot and continue on with the exercise." It went through my head I have to admit. I broke the land speed record getting the hell out of there. I'm afraid to call anybody and ask what was going on. I may have to be snuffed.

It's Quiet Today

It's quiet today. Monday is my scheduled Recovery Day. Hal Higdon says I have to rest. I've had three good hard days in a stretch so the rest makes sense. I covered 16 miles in three days here at the end of the week so I don't feel bad about sitting here typing my blog, drinking strong coffee and enjoying the silence.

I am totally convinced that I can cover the half marathon distance now, and I have 2.5 months to cover it quicker. I would love to break 2 hours for the race on Memorial Day weekend. I'm so looking forward to it now.

My water bottle has thawed out from yesterday and this week is supposed to be warm. I'm sitting here drinking strong coffee and enjoying the silence of the morning. All is right with my little world. Good morning to all my friends, have a nice day.

You Know It's Cold....When Your Water Bottle Freezes

I ran an 8 mile run out 4th street Creek. (Middle Grave Creek.) on what I thought was a 32* day. From my front door to the steel bridge just past the church (Ruby's House) is just a hair over four miles and it makes the perfect turn-around. Beautiful country out that way and the water in the creek is much lower and under control. One strange thing I never had happen before though. My water bottle froze. I hit the bridge, turned around and grabbed my bottle and I couldn't get a drink. It was full of ice. I shook the hell out of it and the ice broke and I could drink OK then. That is a very strange thing to have to put up with. (My energy beans froze too, so chewy they could break teeth but my GU was perfect.)

I'm getting in good shape. I'm starting to cover ground faster on my long runs that I was before on my short ones. Also I've noticed that I feel much better at the 5 mile mark than I do at the 1 mile mark. It is a very good sign for me when it takes me that long to warm up. That means I'm ready to go long. I may not be fast....but I can last a long time. Take that as you may :).

Fork Ridge Trail In The morning

This had to be the most enjoyable 4 mile run I've taken all year. I left my front door in the dark wearing my headlamp. I could already see the sun starting to lighten the sky and I only needed the lamp for about the first mile. What a trip! I didn't so much run as glide around that small, paved path through the park, around the ball fields and soccer pitches. The best part.....it was a cool 33*, I was dressed perfectly for the weather and I had the morning to myself. Sure it was 6:00 am but still, people should come out to watch the sunrise sometimes.

I ran the bridges, picked up the pace on the flats and slowed heading north as I watched the sun come over the hill crest. What a way to start a morning. I think the beautiful distractions were so nice that I probably ran my best pace I have run all year. I'll never know though.....I didn't even time it. Some things you don't need to know.

Why Do I Even Listen?

I didn't run today because I listened to the weatherman yesterday. He claimed everything from Noah type floods to 5" of snow and more to fall and treacherous winds and ice. I, of course like everyone else,  raided the supermarkets, stocked up on goods like I was never going to eat again and battened down the hatches. I went to bed hoping that my old roof would be able to stand the weight of the snow. To even schedule a run was impossible let alone DRIVE to the gym in an Antarctic style whiteout. I woke this morning to find the weather seasonable, dry (except for a little fluff on my car) and the roads completely passable for foot or car traffic.

I wish weathermen would shut up really. I think they are paid off by the grocery stores. Think about it. Commerce stops in the advent of a storm except for the grocery stores that eventually have empty shelves while customers hunker down in the homes, watching reruns of Two And A Half Men hoping to find Charlie's tipping point, and overeating to maintain their bulk in case the storm traps them and they are left living off their own body fat. Blah! A great day to run wasted.