Thursday, September 30, 2010

5 in the rain

 I woke to the sound of what seemed to be gail force wind hammering rain sideways into the house at 0500. My alarm had not gone off, I did not want to run. I adjusted my clock and went back to sleep hoping the torrent of wind and rain would die down before my next wake up call.
 There was no change in the weather when my alarm sounded a hour later, I could not believe I had gone back to sleep. Unfortunately, it was raining even harder. I had to run, I would have to run on race day so I had to get up and run today. I was not looking forward to being wet and cold but I had to run.
 It was surprisingly warm 63F, I had that going for me. I warmed up on the porch avoiding the inevitable I did not want to step out through the vail of water cascading off of the roof. It was enough to feel what water the wind was blowing onto the porch UGH!
 This could no longer be avoided. I told myself "the sooner I get going the sooner I can get into a hot shower". The storm had not subsided while I procrastinated. In fact it continued to build as if daring me to run. I left the porch and was instantly soaked to the bone. I set my watch put my head down and ran. Suddenly it dawned on me I was zig zagging down the street making every effort to avoid puddles, my socks already sloshing in my shoes. I laughed at myself, I am sure I looked like Gene Kelley, Singing in the Rain. My next step sent water over the top of my shoe but I was now running with more purpose. Straight through the puddles and into the wind. I could feel my hands and feet pruning with every step, I was glad that I had stepped off the porch.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

A Quick Run?

 I have heard people say "I am going on a quick run." I never really payed much attention to what that meant. I certainly had not experienced a "quick run" myself. When I started running 2 years ago the idea of a quick run seemed impossible. I would go out every other day or so and walk a little, run a little, walk, walk, walk then run a little more only to discover it took me longer than the day before to cover the same 3 miles, a distance I thought for sure was a good place to start.
 Progress was slow, my first goal was to run the entire 3 miles which I eventually did but far from quickly. Then I set my sights even higher, a 5k race. If anything could get me to cover this distance faster than I ever had it was a race. I did run faster than I ever had: 43 minutes-no quick run either.
 So when can a runner honestly say "I am going on a quick run"? For me it was today, two years later, a half dozen 5k and 10k races, a 1/2 marathon and 12 weeks into training for my first marathon under my belt. I didn't say to anyone when I was leaving the house that I was going on a quick run. It just kinda happened it was an experience.
  I felt strong when I headed out, running a little faster than normal in the first mile, my pace was better than normal into the 4th mile and I felt strong at the finish. It was not until I finished that I said to myself "that was a quick run", what a great feeling. I realize now that a "quick run" is not about time or distance. It is about a feeling a feeling you get when your firing on all cylinders and you finish feeling like you just crossed the finish line in first place.
 I guess people say "I am going on a quick run" in anticipation of the run they are about to do will be as good or better than the last. I wish you all a "quick run"!

Monday, September 27, 2010

"THE SHORT"

 20 miles yesterday equals a rest day today. I am thrilled about running my first 20 miler, I've recovered well and am ready for tomorrows run even looking forward to it but, what to write today? Something running related hummmm......
 Like few activities running requires very little to get started. All you really need are shoes. By no means do I discount the importance of the quality running shoe and would never say any shoe would do. It has taken me some time to narrow down what works best for me as it is. However, a good deal of information has been written and studies done to help one zero in on finding "THE SHOE" that works best for you. "THE SHOE" if you do your research is within reach.
 No the struggle for me has been finding: "THE SHORT" a much more elusive item. Very little has been written, probably no research done to point one in the right direction here. I have seen product views, every outdoor magazine has them comparing this short to that but very little direction on how to choose "THE SHORT" exists.
 This category reads much like a Dr. Seuss book:
 long shorts/short shorts, baggy shorts/tight shorts, shorts with pockets/shorts with out, some have a belt/some have string/ some with an elastic thing, some with a split up the side others with mesh to keep your stuff inside, have trouble with those legs rubbing compression tights are up and coming.
See.... no real information for an educated choice on what short may work best for you.
 Sadly I am no closer to figuring out a secrete formula for "THE SHORT" myself. Trial and error is my only advice here and when you find a pair that is exactly what you are looking for buy a few of them because you will never find them again.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

15 miles in the middle of the road

 I was solo last night, had an order of broccoli chicken for dinner and went to bed early. My plan was to be up early and get in my first 20 mile run before Church at 0900. I slept restlessly looking at the clock every 30 minutes as if I had to check to see it was still working. I was quite annoyed to wake prior to my 0300 alarm sounding unable to get back to sleep, red numbers glaring at me daring me to roll over.
 I dressed, ate a bowl of oat meal, warmed up and was out the door by 0400. I was nervous, pre-race nervous, uncertain of what to expect. I had never run 20 miles. I carried water, gels, my trusty reflective vest and head lamp, "was I missing anything?"
 It was 20F cooler than yesterday mornings bike ride. The moon shown like the sun blocking out the twinkle of the stars, not a cloud in the sky. A perfect morning for a run.
 I ran in the middle of the road, I did not anticipate seeing any cars for a few hours. If you run you understand running in the middle of the road. If you don't: It is liberating! Like running bare foot in the grass. While running in the middle of the road you have room to move. Running on the top of the crown in the middle of the road is flat you are not compensating for the pitch to the ditch with every stride. When you run on the side of the road you feel you are being drawn towards the ditch by some strange anti running power, you do not have that when your in the middle.You'll find less debris in the middle of the road less worry equals forward progress. I did have to side step a road kill skunk but I had room to make that adjustment, I was in the middle of the road. It was more of a challenge to hold my breath for as long as it took me to run through the smell, one just zips by it in a car.
 As I headed into mile 15 Farther Scott turned past me giving me a wave and toot of encouragement he was only the second car I had seen this morning. Sadly I knew I had to relinquish the road soon, cars passed more frequently now some giving me wide respectful birth others seemingly attempting to read my t-shirt. No matter I'd run my first 20 miles most of it in the middle of the road and I felt fantastic!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Bike Ride at 0500

 September 25th 0500 it is 79F already. Dark clouds roll over the moon allowing inconsistent patches of light for a morning ride. This morning I am wearing a Princeton Tec-Aurora head lamp, it is lite and I like the beam it puts out use it to run as well. I am also wearing a Colorado DOT certified reflective vest "one must be seen." A stiff breeze is warm, uncharasticly warm even on a moving bike. I rarely go very far 15-20 miles and never very fast (the ol' Surley single-speed wont allow it). I ride to cross train in between runs, loosens the legs.  My goal: The Marine Corps Marathon October 31st.
 10990 is old Dairy and Apple country, narrow rodes criss-cross a landscape of rolling hills a patch work of hay fields, cow pastures, orchards and housing developments. A perfect place to link together 3,5,7,9,12 and 20mile loops for training purposes. Over the last 12 weeks I have become quite familiar with these loops and despite the arrant driver have come to enjoy being out there.
 This morning darkness seems to be holding back the rising sun with all it's mite. Moon light and head lamp make for tricky shadows as I link together a 15 mile ride. Those tricky shadows make me do a double take more than once. Playing tricks on the mind only to hide again as a cloud passes over the moon.
 As I lean into my last climb it appears something is standing in the middle of the road at the top, tricks again I put my head down and climbed. Another look and still something appears to be in the road, tricks, I climb. A snort like you may hear from a bull snaps me out of rhythm. I bring the head lamp level with a deer standing in the middle of the road, no trick she turns hooves clicking on the pavement and crashes into the woods. I take a breath, my heart beat resumes I head for home.