Commit

I got in 21 miles Saturday morning in 5hrs.  I started at 5:15 and planned on doing the flat to Zilker, turn around and back to Spyglass, refill my hand bottle at the corner store and then up into the hills.  Well, I got down the trail a couple of miles and thought, "I HAVE to get in 20 miles today so I'm just gonna commit to it completely and continue to LBL."  And that's what I did, I committed to it. I had my bladder pack along with the hand held for a total of 70 oz so I had plenty to get me back to Spyglass.  I did the Mopac footbridge around to 1st street.  When I got to 1st street I filled up my hand held just to make sure I'd have plenty to get me to Spyglass.

Along the way I did something I've never done before.  After I finished the LBL 4 mile loop I crossed under Barton Springs Rd and sat on the cement picnic tables and ate a Clif bar.  At that point I had about 13 done and about 8 miles left so I decided to sit and relax for a few minutes.  Although I sat down for less 10 minutes, just sitting down for those few minutes really had a relaxing effect on me and I think it rejuvenated me.  Thankfully I was able to scrounge up a Clif bar at the last minute because I only had 4 gels for the whole run, so what few calories I had had to be managed carefully.

I continued on to Spyglass and bought two quarts of water and a 20oz Vitamin water from the corner store.  There is a very convenient cement wall outside the building that I was able to sit on while I topped off my bladder and bottle and I also took a picture of myself and posted it on FB .  I was able to maintain a pretty good pattern of walking and running the last 6+ miles to the HOL.  My bladder pack was a bit heavy due to topping it off completely.  I could have gotten by with less but am not taking any chances in the heat.

All in all it was another great experience out on the trail pushing my limits!!

100

According to the newspaper the temperature hit 100 degrees at the airport, and at Camp Mabry at precisely the time I was starting my run yesterday afternoon.  Wow, it seems like I'm doing better in the heat so far this year than I have in the past.  Part of it could be that I'm slowing down some or so it seems.  It took me 1:55 to do the 8 miles which is slower than usual but not terrible.  The important thing is that I was out there getting it done.

94

Ran and walked the 7 mile loop at LBL Tuesday evening after work.   Boy, was it hot!!  I enjoyed myself though.  I had a hand bottle with me and I just took my time.  I did it in 1:28.  I was more than satisfied with that time considering the conditions.  It was 94 degrees and a lot of it was in the direct sun!!

I'm starting the psyche job/ positive visualization/ pain preparedness plan, so I'll be ready for the mind fuck that is   running and walking around a 1k loop for 24hrs!!!  I love it!!

Saturday 9

Got in 9 miles at Barton Creek from the HOL.

LBL 7

7 miles on LBL in 1:20.   I've been a little concerned about running at LBL since my last experience wasn't good for my foot.  Well, yesterday evening was a bit better but not great.  I could feel the lump off and on for the first 4-5 miles and then it seemed to be okay for the last few.  Oh well, I'm gonna keep on trucking and treating it like I have been.

I've been thinking that there will be too many fun obstacles in the way of doing the Tejas Hell series of five 50 milers so I'm thinking I'll do the Rocky Raccoon 50k in Nov and the 24hr at Run Like the Wind in Dec, Bandera 100k and another late winter event to complete another fall/ winter event season.

 I've always wanted to do a 24hr around a loop and it makes so much sense to do this one.  One of my very best friends ever is the race director, close to home, therefore low cost as well.  Makes complete sense and I can start getting the old brainhousing group ready for the mind fuck that is 24hrs around a 1k loop now!!

Easy miles

Got in 4 easy miles at Bull Creek.  I started at the Dog Park parking lot and did the loop to Spicewood Springs Rd and back.  I've been running this loop for years and today with Runkeeper I found out the exact distance.  I was still a little groggy feeling from the weekend but got in some miles anyway and some heat training.  If I can continue these evening runs now maybe I'll be good for the middle of the summer.

Exploring Bull Creek

Got in 5 miles at Bull Creek early this afternoon.  I had planned on 4 hrs very early this morning but had a shit night sleep so I slept in.  Now that I've been using the Runkeeper App on my smart phone I've been checking mileage on routes I've been running for years.  I started at the Dog Park ran the road back toward Spicewood Springs....stayed on the north side of the creek.  It was almost exactly 2 miles to the far parking lot closest to SS Rd.  I crossed SS Rd and followed the trail back the opposite direction and then headed up to the hills to see where it would take me.  I think I found a pretty good very hilly add on to an otherwise flat boring run since the prick homeowner has fucked up the trail for us.  My mileage today included some backtracking so I can start fine tuning next week.  It runs like today where I just get some mileage in that really count, even if my original plan goes awry.

May 40 miles

Cool afternoon

Got in 7 miles at Barton Creek from the HOL.  We got the biggest single day rain since last September and you could barely tell on the trail.  The best part was that it was nice and cool and it's probably the last day we'll have like that till Oct.

First Hot

Got in 8 miles yesterday afternoon in Barton Creek.  Chris joined me in the heat.  According to the newspaper it was 96-97 while we were running.  I'm very encouraged because it didn't seem terribly hot to me.  That really bodes well for the rest of the summer, knowing I can get out in it and go.  Very good way to start the running week.  My goal is 30 miles this week!!

1/2 mile of torture

Got in 4 miles on the 1/2 mile loop in our 'hood yesterday.  The mind is a crazy thing.  I've finished a couple of hundred milers......can spend many hours on the trail on any of the myriad trails in the Austin area but it's ALL I can do to do 8 frickin laps around that darn loop.  If it was an event I wouldn't give a second thought to running around it for 12hrs but not on a casual afternoon run.  MADNESS

Tired

Got in 3 miles at Barton Creek from the pool parking lot.  I had planned on 6 but was just plain tired, mostly from lack of sleep.

Old friends

I got in 13 miles this morning at Barton Creek from the HOL.  It took well over 3hrs but it's all good.  I gave a good effort and mixed in plenty of walking.  There's no question I'm getting endurance back and I'm super happy about that.  I'm so glad that Mark Lindsey and Sam Voltaggio joined me.  It always good to run with them and we all know each other so well that just makes things more fun.  I really do savor anytime we get together.  I thought about Rick and Shan and Doug a lot today during the run.  Really good way to start the month.

Flat for a change

Thursday evening I got in 7 miles at Barton Creek from the pool parking lot.  I had a really good run considering I decided to run at the last minute....was pretty tired from some stressful days....and.....still taking it easy on my foot.  I had run that route untold number of times but it didn't matter, I was so happy just to be out there doing my thing.  I'm really happy with my 56 miles this month.  My foot is starting to come around some, or, at least it's not getting any worse with the running I'm doing.  Things are looking up.  I really feel as if I should get in 100 miles in May!!

Alltime mileage  13999