doable

Shan and I had an excellent run this morning.  Or, should I say I had an excellent run.  A 1:05 7 mile is pretty routine for Shan but I'm ecstatic about it.  We even walked for 100yds or so.  If not for the walk we'd have been around 1:02 or so.  I should also mention that I did my fair share of talking along the way too.  I've had a quiet goal of getting under 1hr for the 7 mile loop for a while.  That looks very doable now!!

7

Another great Thursday morning run with Diana and Shan.  Crazy conditions, wind was gusting up to 30mph.  Temp was 44.  The last 3 miles were into the headwind and we still managed to finish in 1:09!!

I admitted to my pals that I've been a grumpy scrooge lately.  I need to get that fixed.  Life is pretty short.

bum

I've been a no good, lazy, overeating, beer drinking bum lately, but I got in a 5 mile run at LBL yesterday evening!!!

75

200 crunches 75 pushups

persevere

Been down a bit.  After getting all my shit ready last night I didn't much feel like getting out tin the cold this morning but I did persevere and get in 160 crunches and 60 pushups.  Better than nada I suppose.

hood

6 miles in the hood this morning.

tweek

Yesterday I got in an early 4 miles in the hood and at work did 160 crunches and 45 pushups.

This morning Shan and I did the 7 mile loop at LBL.  The plan was to take it easy because we're both recovering from long runs.  We did it on 1:12 with 2 substantial walk breaks AND we chatted the entire run.     I felt like I held back too!!  I suppose that means I'm getting in pretty good shape.  Now if this tweek in my right knee will go away I'll be good to go!!!

Dirty

Misty and I did the Dirty Du 10k trail run this morning.  We were slow but that's okay.

Birthday!!

This morning was Shan's birthday run.  She's been training hard for months to get in a good hard 40 mile run to celebrate her 40th birthday.   Mark L and I did the first 7+ with her.  Steve F and Nancy are doing the 2nd loop with her and Diana and Linda are doing a later loop with her.  What a cool way to celebrate such a milestone birthday.  And, she had goodie bags for all of us too.  A shirt that said, "40 for 40", a koozie that said the same thing and a Killians Red.  Her favorite beer!!!

2

My 3 mile run was cut to 2 this morning by the train.  Pretty funny stuff!!!

160

160 crunches
60 pushups
34 dips

Going long....

All was well.  Everything packed, on time arrival, feeling good.  Everything that is, besides the training.  Not just ANY training.  FIFTY MILE training!!!  I didn't do it.  The previous 12 weeks I'd had long runs of 17, 19 and 25 miles.  REALLY, for a 50 mile trail run?

That's what was hanging over my head as I began the 6 loop course.  If Vincent and I had not been planning this for 6 months I would have dropped down to the 50k, no question.  Letting him down was not an option.  I had to suck it up and somehow figure out a way to get to the finish line in under 14hrs.  I'm being a bit dramatic about the 14hr cutoff.  The course is not too difficult and I could make that cutoff without a lot of problems but I'd just as soon not drag it out the entire 14hrs.

And so we get started on a 3 mile loop and then proceed on the first regular loop. I focus on staying within myself getting warmed up the first few miles and after the single track start mixing in some walking.

First loop done and I'm at 11 miles in 2:20.  My neuroma is acting up with the new shoes so I ask Misty to find some tape so I can adjust the lift in my shoe when I come back around.  I'm not feeling very good.  Not bad just out of sync.  So, the real race begins now that I just have the 7.8 mile loops and can track my loop times, or at least try too.

Now the pressure is on to keep my loops under 2hrs and I'm not sure I can do this.  In my handbottle the first loop I had a watered down 350cal Boost.  At the end of the first loop I had Misty load my bottle up with another Boost and I also had gels to eat on the 2nd loop.  One of the things I knew I'd have to be careful of is staying fueled properly.  With my lack of fitness I had very little room for error concerning fuel, hydration or anything else for that matter.  I'm able to knock out the first 3+ mile section in 40 or so minutes, hit the aid station where Henry fills my bottle with water and I chat with Mark for a minute while I eat a gel. 

I'm still not feeling like I'm in any kind of rhythm at all and I feel like I'm having to push a bit more than I'd like to.  The clock is continually looming over my shoulder.

2nd loop done and I'm feeling queasy from too many calories.  Misty gives me a ginger pill to calm my stomach and she fills my bottle with straight water.  I take 2 Ibuprofen and head out on loop 3.  All I can think about is push, push, push.  Just keep on pushing and get this damn thing over with.

Still not feeling real good finishing loop 3 but now I know I've only got one more solo loop.  Help and renewed energy is on the way.  I'm actually able to stay under my goal of 2hr loops so far.  I've got 3 more left though. No telling what can happen with that many miles left.  Misty takes care of me again and I head out.  More push, push, push.   Just keep pushing through and running scared is all I can do.  Almost immediately upon leaving the first aid station my old pal Sam V is at my shoulder.  We exchange, "whatup Mr's"?  Sam is on his last loop of the 50k.  We live in the same neighborhood and have been buds for as long as I've been running ultra's, some 13 years.  We've run many miles together over the years and here we are again.  We hit the backside of the course together and enjoy our usual light banter. Sam is in the same boat as me with his level of training.  He had wrist surgery several months ago and has just gotten clearance to run on trails so all he's really done is some road running with his crazy dog in the neighborhood.  He encourages me in his own way to stay with him on the trail and I do a pretty good job of it for most of the back half but he gets out in front of me.  With several hundred yards to go we have to pass through a barn.  Well, there is Sam.  He turned around and waited for me so he and I could come through the start/ finish together.  AMAZING!!

Runners who have already finished the 25k are sitting in chairs relaxing, drinking beer and cheering runners as they come through, always a huge lift.  And there stand Erin and Vincent.  Misty asks me if I want to sit and I tell her no, if I sit down I may not get back up.  At the time I didn't realize that Erin and Vincent had only just arrived.  I asked Vincent if he was ready and he said no, he wasn't quite yet.  Oh well, it would all be good doing the first section my myself, besides 12+ miles would probably be better for Vincent anyway.  I hit the road again and did some more push, push, push on the first section finishing it in about 45 minutes.  Not too shabby considering I had been on my feet almost 38 miles.  Misty, Erin and Vincent were there waiting for me and he and I hit the trail.  I immediately told him I was whipped and may not feel much like talking.  I usually don't do much talking to other runners on the trail unless it's someone like Sam that I know well.  Vincent said that he was good with that.  We did end up talking a fair amount around to the main  start/ finish area.  I couldn't believe it when we got there and my watch was at 9:45.  Here I was after running scared all day long I was going to be under 12hrs if I could just maintain my current pace.  I immediately knew that I could as Vincent and I headed out on the last loop.

At this point with less than 8 miles to go I could relax and bask in the unbelievable feeling that is finishing a run this long.   It had been a while.  The Bandera 100k was 22 months in the past and a lot of stuff has gone down since then but here I was still out here doing my thing.  It couldn't have been done without the help and energy from Misty, Erin and Vincent. The thing I've dreamed about since I was a young teen.  Going long.....

easy, easy, easy

Easy, easy, easy 7 miler this morning.  90 minutes easy!!!  I felt pretty good, knees were a bit creaky but they'll be okay.  As I ran this morning my mind wandered to the Bandera 50k.  I've decided to do the 50k instead of the 100k to have less recovery time before the Nueces 50 mile.  I've been thinking of racing the the 50k but am now thinking that might not be a good idea.  If I just treat it as a regular long run I'll have minimal recovery time and can get back to some harder training much faster.  I think I'll gain as much as 2 weeks of good training if I take it easy on the 50k. This is kind of exciting actually planning towards peaking for a race!!

45

120 crunches
45 pushups

Getting back into it.

Misty

Misty and I walked 2 miles Thanksgiving morning and we did a 6 mile run/walk yesterday with Stacy at Kens.

easy

7 miles this morning at LBL in 1:08.  Our agreement was for an "easy" 7 miler this morning in lieu of my 50 miler Saturday.  Well I suppose wasn't too bad but I'd planned on slower.  We even walked up the hill in Riverside!!  Shan said, "You set the pace".  It's all good and I was able to talk the whole way too.  Been doing some positive visualization this week and even though I'm terribly undertrained I'm feeling pretty good about the run.  I'm super excited about Vincent joining me at the 8hr mark.  It's gonna be a lot of fun!!!

brisk

5 mile hike in Barton Creek with Misty and Stacy.  Fairly brisk hike this morning.

TOUGH

Hard 10 mile this morning in 1:41.  That was tough but I pushed through.  We went through 7 in 1:12 which would have been a satisfactory time for me not that long ago.  So, I guess I'm getting stronger.  I'm still going to be behind the 8 ball next Saturday but I'll get through, most likely to take nearly ALL the 14hrs to get it done but that's okay too.

shake out

5 miles yesterday evening at LBL.  Took it easy on a shake out run.  First run since Bandera.  I had some bad allergies/ cold for most of last week and felt like crap.  Easing into the 50 miler next Saturday.  Going to get in a hard 10 miles tomorrow morning with the Thursday crew, an easy 10 Saturday, maybe a few junk miles Sunday.  7 next Tuesday morning and not sure about next Thursday, maybe a hard 5.

Almost forgot to add that I did 120 jumping jacks, 120 crunches and 36 dips this morning.  Getting back into it after a 2 week break!!

HOOKED

5 miles with Marc G yesterday at Kens after work.  Didn't have a lot of snap......talked too much at the start.  We talked about minor Bandera details.  I told him to prepare himself to be HOOKED on the place!!!!

Oct 110 miles

Time consuming

236 crunches, 94 pushups, 88 dips.  Making some strides with crunches but seem to be marking time on pushups and dips.  That's okay though, the important thing is that I'm doing SOMETHING!!!  This has gotten more time consuming as the reps have increased.  I did the first 2 sets at home as I took care of my usual chores and then wrapped up the final 3 sets when I got to work.

AND

11 mile trail run this morning.  1st half by myself 2nd half with Lovey.

196 crunches, 93 pushups, 89 dips

AND yardwork too.  Productive Saturday.  Heading down to tailgate shortly!!!

progress!

Great run this morning with Shan and Diana!!  Nice cool weather for another 10 miler.  We did it in 1:43!!  I'm really happy with my progress lately, 2 10 mile run runs this week in under 4hrs total!!  I'm starting to get excited about the Nueces 50 mile NOW.  If I can continue on this roll I should have a great run at the National Championship run in March!!

supplement

As I go on with the sit ups, pushups and dips it seems to get more time consuming to do all three.  This morning I did 4 sets instead of 5 and my totals were 138 situps, 76 pushups and 71 dips.  I think I'll need to supplement my sit ups in the evenings or start earlier in the mornings.  I can feel myself gaining strength though!!!

1:56

Got in a great 10 mile run this morning before work in 1:56!!  I didn't sleep so well but manned up and got up anyway.  I didn't even feel like I worked that hard this morning.  I mixed in plenty of walking.  I was very surprised when I realized I had a chance to go under 2hrs.  I planned on 2:15.

188

188 sit ups, 87 pushups, 74 dips

6

6 miles at Barton Creek today.

65

Did 175 situps , 74 pushups and 65 dips!!

10

Awesomely painful 10 mile this morning in 1:50.  We had the whole gang today.  Shan, Diana, Mark and Steve.  Shan and I wanted to get in 10 and Diana joined us on that.  Steve and Mark started with us and did the 7 mile loop.  Pretty cool stuff having all the regular gang back together.  19 mile work week miles for me.....super frickin happy about that!!!!

exercise

Got up at 430 this morning for a pre "exercise" 4 miler.  The "exercise" is the 100 hundred pushups program I've been following.  It's a 3 day a week 6 week program to get a person able to do 100 pushups at one time.  They've also got programs for 200 sit ups and 150 dips.  I'm incorporating those "exercises" too.  The reason I'm putting the word exercise in quotes comes from Mark L.  One Thursday morning when we were gearing up for a run I was complaining about an injury and he and Shan were giving me advice on some cross training stuff I could do to possibly alleviate the issue.  When they were done giving me the advice Mark said, " Man, I hate exercising".  We all cracked up because we instantly knew that was code for running is NOT EXERCISE for us.  I've never forgotten that one and pass it along to my running and non running friends occasionally!!!

Anyway, this morning I was on day 2 week 3 and I can definitely feel a change.  I'm making minor adjustments in the number of reps I'm doing and I'm sure it'll take me longer than the 6 weeks to achieve the goals but it doesn't matter.  What matters is that I've found a program that I can do on my own that keeps me accountable and is really doable.

My totals for 5 sets of each were 152 sit ups, 66 pushups and 61 dips

3

3 consecutive days of running have got me on a pretty good high this morning.  10 Saturday, 7 with Misty yesterday and an easy 5 this morning along with my sit ups, pushups and dips have me feeling good about things.  Nothing like feeling good about things on the morning of your 52nd birthday either!!

recovery

Decent recovery on my weekend miles.  We went to happy hour Thursday night and I lost control.....again.  My original plan was to get in 19 miles at Bull Creek.  There was no way I was getting up early Saturday morning so I slept in and ended up getting 10 miles at Barton Creek and then 7 with Misty today.  I'm barely holding on to the idea of running the 50 mile at Wild Hare.

slow

Great 7 mile run this morning with Shan and Mark.  Last 3 weeks times have all been within a minute and a half of each other so I guess that means I'm consistently slow.  Rain last weekend put the kabosh on my 100 mile month.  With my recent history if it wasn't the rain it would've been something else.

humidity

Painful but great 7 miler this morning.  It's incredible what a difference warmer temps and higher humidity make in a run.  Last week it was cool, low humidity, Shan and I ran 1:09.  Today Shan and Steve and I ran the 7 mile loop.  The temp this morning was 72ish.  Normal summer low is a few degrees warmer so it still felt a but cooler too me than normal.  Our time this morning was 1:10 but my perceived exertion felt like 1:05....06.  I couldn't believe it when I looked at my watch.  I was pretty disappointed until Shan pointed out the humidity and the warmer temp.  The really bright side is that a month ago I would have been at least 10 minutes faster and working my ass off still!!

rest

Started my rest week on a good note with an easy 7 miles at LBL.  I mixed in plenty of walking.

great day

Marc G and I had an excellent 19 miler Saturday morning.  We did Kens, the flat over to Forest Ridge, the flat 2 mile out and back along Old Spicewood and back to the Dog Park.  5:04.  We gave sub 5hrs a shot but came up short.  It was a great day on the trails.  Marc and I are very compatible together for an extended amount of time on the trails.  40 mile week!!  71 miles last 2 weeks!!  I'd really like to get 140 miles in Oct.  I feel like things are getting on track now!!

talked the entire time!

Excellent 7 miler this morning with Shan.  We did it in a shade over 1:09!!  Not only was it the fastest I've run in a while, we did not stop for any walk breaks and I talked the entire time!!  Very pleased with the run this morning.  My knee was bugging me a bit but I think it's responding well to the exercises I've been doing.

another

Another 7 miler this morning has me off to the higher mileage week I need.  Once again, I took my time.  I've had some pretty low mileage the last several months so I know I don't need to get carried away busting it hard out there.  Good steady time on feet is what I need right now.  7-10 Thursday morning and then 17-19 Saturday should get 'er done.  Feeling good too by the way.  Wild Hare 50 mile here I come!!!

430

Up at 430 this morning for 7 miles at LBL.  Good run and a great way to start the week.  It's amazing what can be accomplished when you don't give your liver a thorough soaking on Saturday.  On my way to a 40 mile week!!!!

bonding

David R, a friend of his Kemper and I got in an easy 17 miles at Bull Creek.  I basically gave them a Bull Creek tour.  We did Kens first then did the flat around to Forest Ridge and then back to the Dog Park.  The three of us are doing the 100 mile relay at Cactus Rose in October so we got to bond today.  We are short one runner but we should be able to find someone soon.  I really needed some trail time too.  A few days ago it looked like we were gonna get rained out but it worked out.

AM 7

Easy 7 at LBL this AM.  Starting to get excited about the 17 miler with David this Saturday at Bull Creek.  I've never actually put all these trails together at one time.  It should be a blast!!

really

7.5 mile run yesterday after work combining LBL and Barton Creek.  I really needed that one!!

not so bad

Got in a hot slow 5 miles at Lady Bird yesterday after work.  Even though the temp was over 100 it didn't seem that bad.  The large numbers of runners and walkers probably added to the feeling that it wasn't that bad.  Anyway, I'm struggling to get in my miles.  I really need to get in another 5 this afternoon and at least 5-7 tomorrow morning if I have any hopes of having a decent month.

I am looking forward to tailgating and the football game tomorrow with old chums.

Next Saturday will be good too with David Richmond and his friend coming for a solid tour of ALL the Bull Creek trails.  A few days ago Dave signed us up for the Cactus Rose 100 mile relay.  That should be a bunch of fun!!!

2

2 runs Sunday.  7 miles in the morning. 3.5 in the afternoon.

Excellent

Excellent 7.75 mile run this morning in the 'hood!!  I felt good and strong the entire run even though I did mix in a fair amount of walking.  I think the isometrics I've been doing is helping!!

63 miles

fartlek

Good 7 miler this morning.  Sort of a fartlek with the 1st 6 miles in a shade over 1hr.  Shooting for a 4 mile in the 'hood tomorrow morning.

30 mile week!!

13 miles in Barton Creek today in 3:00!!  Maybe I should just stop commenting that all my runs are good, not too shabby, happy with that etc.  They are all good.  I'm happy about a 30 mile week after not running for the first half of August.  I'm still going to end up with a decent mileage total and I'll be raring to go for September!!

early

Ran 10 miles at LBL this morning in 1:57.  I'm pleasantly surprised with that.  I fully expected to be around 2:15 or so.  It sure feels good to be getting back on track, and to have a goal!!

happy

Ran 7 miles after work at LBL in 1:15.  I'm pretty happy with that considering I haven't run much at all the last 3 weeks.  What really surprised me was knocking out the 1st 5 miles in 50 min......really happy about that!!

break

Life has continued to be quite the roller coaster lately.  I thought I had my goal miles in the bag for July but life got in the way again.

Monday July 30th our oldest male cat JoJo felt so bad first thing in the morning he didn't want to go outside.  He had lost some weight recently but things really seemed to crater that morning.  I took him to the vet and dropped him thinking that was the last time I'd see him.  I went home and waited 3hrs for their phone call to tell me he is diabetic. What a relief that was.  We are now giving him 2 insulin shots a day, one in the morning  and another in the evening and he seems to be back to normal besides not gaining any weight back.

So, after all that turmoil on Monday I was so emotionally spent I slept in Tuesday morning.  7 miles that morning would have gotten me my 120 for the month.  Oh, well that's the way it goes.

The rest of the week I spent preparing for mine and Charlies trip to Guadalupe Mountains.  I suppose I need to write a story on that but it would be filled with a bunch of negativity in regards to Charlie.  He didn't want to follow my advice about pretty much anything, quantity of water to pack, # of calories to consume, he ran his mouth the entire time we were on the peak.  It really was sort of a downer.  When I do something like that it's a spiritual thing for me.  For him it was just a trophy, something to brag about.

I haven't felt much like running since our return from the mountains.  I've taken care of some stuff around the house though.  I did 3 miles at LBL Tuesday morning and had a pretty good 6 miler (1:06 including warm down walk) this morning from home.

I'm gonna get fired back up soon enough!!!

momentum

16 miles at Kens this morning in 5:13.  Excellent outing today.  I started in the dark with no light at 6am.  It took much longer to get light than I thought it would.  I was 35 minutes in before I could run safely in the tree cover.  I took 3hrs getting in the first 2 loops (10ish miles).  Misty joined me for the last loop and we walked the entire 3rd loop in almost exactly 2hrs.
I could really tell a difference with the core-upper body stuff I've been doing.  I felt stronger at the end than I've felt in a long time.
Today was a great example of this month falling into place nicely.  I wanted to get around 5hrs on feet today and have my first day ever of 3 Kens loops and felt strong doing it even if we did walk the entire 3rd loop.  At this point that doesn't even matter.  It's still base building right now.
7 miles Tuesday morning will get me my goal of 120 miles for July and I'm very happy I'll reach my goal miles for this month.  That momentum will bode well for the future!!

July 113 miles

last post

I'm really proud of myself today.  I had a shit nights sleep last night and laid there for a few minutes seriously considering not getting up for my planned 7 miler.  I justified and rationalized but kept picturing my blog with anything other than "120 miles" under my last post for the month of July.  THAT'S what got me up.  Pretty darn cool!!!

pleased!

7 miles at LBL this morning in 1:20.  I'm really happy with that considering I did a lot of walking.  My running pace was obviously pretty decent.  Getting nearer the end of the month and am on track for my original mileage goal......pretty darn pleased with that!!!

target

7 miles this morning to LBL and back from the office.  Good run, took it pretty slow.  I pretty much took it easy over the weekend so I've got to get my miles in this week for sure.  At this rate I should still be good for my target of 120 miles this month.

plan!!

Misty and I did a 4 mile hike at Kens in Bull Creek today.  Misty didn't feel so hot but she powered through anyway.

This week I've slowly eased back into some core/ calisthenic's stuff.  Crunches, pushups, jumping jacks, other ab stuff.  After our hike today I did 8 sets of 10 of bends and thrusts (burpies without the pushup or the jump).  Doing some easy stuff at work after the phones slow down has helped with the stress immediately.  I HAVE to continue it!!!

I've decided on doing the 4 person relay at Cactus Rose with David Richmond and his friends, the Wild Hare 50 mile Nov 17, the half marathon with Misty at the Durty Du that Mark L is RDing, volunteer at Sam's race the next weekend and then go for sub 15hrs at Bandera and RR 50 mile in Feb!!

That's the plan and I'm sticking to it!!!

friend

Steve F call me yesterday afternoon at work and asked if the gang was getting together.  I told him no and that I planned to run by myself so we hooked up this morning.  The first thing that went through my head was  how frickin slow I've been in the heat and humidity lately and also my blog post about my Thursday morning "conundrum".   It went well this morning.  We did the 7 mile loop in 1:12.  I happy with that considering we talked most of the way and walked a couple of times.  Even though it hurts I really do need to be getting in a harder effort occasionally.  It's always nice to receive a phone call from a friend wanting to get together......hard to say no to that!!

track

Slogged through 6 miles at LBL this morning.  Put up or shut up month continues at a good clip.  I'm right on track for a 120 mile month even though my liver worked some overtime this last week.  Going to clean that up the rest of the month and finish strong by golly!!!

Misty

4 mile walk with Misty at LBL......nice n easy!!!

all to myself

Early 6 mile run the 'hood this morning.  I really enjoy the early morning in the streets while it's so peaceful.  No movement, only birds chirping.  It's as if I have it all to myself for a little while.

third of the way!

Well, the put up or shutup month is going well so far.  A third of the way through the month, another 7 miles this morning and I'm at 49 miles.  Not too shabby.  I've got to start mixing in something besides running and walking.  It's almost as if I see my muscle mass leaving everyday.  Misty has the login for our bootcamp regimen online.  I need to start mixing that in asap!!

proud

Pretty darn proud of myself for getting up at 430 this morning to get my 7 mile run in.  I didn't have a lot of zip but I got 'er done.  This time of year really gets me with the humidity.  It just weighs me down.  It's all good though, I'm getting down a good base and I'm healthy!!

Rick

Today was the 4th yr of Ricks Run.  It's hard to believe he's been gone 5yrs.  We had a great turnout and without Jim B there I was stuck doing the intro, and of course I cried some.  I just get overwhelmed when in that situation talking about him.  We (Dave R, Shan, Mark, Steve and Linda) finished just under 4hrs.  That's a really good time considering we spent several minutes at Rick's Spot, at the pool parking lot and at the corner store replenishing.  We did the old out and back on the main trail that was Rick's staple run.  We really enjoyed ourselves today!!

meander

Had a 6ish mile meander through downtown and central Austin this morning.  I went south from our office down to Shoal Creek and then back north up the creek.  It was a bit creepy in the dark but I didn't encounter anybody.  I followed the trail up to 29th and headed back towards campus and made my way back through the alleys to the office.  I took it pretty easy.  I didn't have a lot of snap again today.  I think it's due partly to the heat and humidity and partly to my 3rd consecutive day of running.

love it

7 miles in Bull Creek.....Kens plus some flat stuff. 2 human being sighting in Kens.  Gotta love it.  I didn't have much zip today, probably due to the cheese fest yesterday.

FOCUS

Got the month started out with a good Shiner Bock tequila sweat this morning.  7 miles at LBL at a nice easy pace mixing in plenty of walking.

Only 87 miles last month.  July marks the month when it's time to put up or shut up. I have to have some significant miles this month, at least 120 miles this month if I have any hope of doing the 50 mile at Cactus Rose in October.

There's no real reason I shouldn't be able to get in those miles.  I just need to get focused and get my priorities straight!!

one day at a time

5 miles at LBL this morning in 53:30.  Nice and easy.  Trying to stay pumped for 10 tomorrow, we'll see.  One day at a time.

87 miles

weekday morn

10 miles in the 'hood this morning in 1:53.  I haven't done that run in several years and never on a weekday morning.  The route included Raincreek Pkwy and Floral Park, some pretty good hills.  I've been getting some decent hill work in lately.  If I can finish out the week strong maybe I can still salvage a decent mileage total for June.

shit sleep

15 miles at Bull Creek in 3:55.  I'm pretty happy with that.  I did the first 11 (2 loops) on the hilly Kens loop and then dropped down to the flat for the last 4.  I was very disciplined stopping every 30 minutes to eat a gel and swallow an Endurolyte.  I ran the first 11 at a pretty even pace but cratered pretty badly the last 4.  4hrs for that distance and degree of difficulty is okay though considering I haven't been sleeping worth a damn lately and did not sleep well at all Friday night.

I got what I was needing most though, solitude.  I considered running at Barton Creek but I knew it would be a lot more populated and sure enough on the Kens part for 2:45 minutes I only saw a few people and 2 bikers.  I'll say it again, I love that trail!!

break

3 miles walking with Misty last Saturday and 6 miles at LBL yesterday evening

conundrum

Tough 8 mile run this morning.  Shan and I finished in 1:20:38.   I was very grateful when Steve left us with 2 miles to go to meet his friend Nancy for their scheduled 7 miler in Barton Creek.  Today I didn't have Mark L to help me keep the pace under control.  Steve and Shan made it look effing effortless, talking the whole way while I'm huffing and puffing doing my best to keep up.  The pace was fast enough that we took 3 walk breaks and only ran 1 minute slower than last week.

I feel like I'm in a helluva spot.  In work or at play we all have needs that need to be met.  I absolutely love and need the company of my Thursday morning running friends, Shan, Mark, Steve and sometimes Diana. However, my running needs are very different from theirs.  In a nutshell they are hare's and I'm the tortoise.  During our runs they are holding back talking the entire run and I'm struggling to stay with them throwing in a short sentence occasionally.  For me it makes for a stressful situation.  The evening before our group runs I find myself torn with a bit of dread thinking of the struggling I'll be doing but looking forward to the camaraderie we'll be sharing.

I think I'm to the point in my running career where speed is not much of a concern.  I'm finding myself very content to chug along mixing in some walking with the running.   And, I know I do need to mix in some faster stuff but to what end?  Not where I'm feeling some dread beforehand.  The last thing I want to do is ask them to come back down to my level and make the run about me.  So here I am, stuck in my conundrum.

5

Early morning 5 miles at LBL this morning.  I took it fairly easy but didn't mix in much walking.  The last 2 days I've taken my time and gotten in some good post run stretching too!!

get down to it

Got in a lazy 7 at LBL this morning.  I guess when you get down to it 7 miles is 7 miles no matter the effort.

camaraderie

Shan, Mark L and I ran a great 8 miler this morning!!  We did it in 1:19!!  We started at the pool parking lot because Shan planned to get in a swim afterward.  I can't remember when I've had a run of this length that was this fast.  It's been a very long time!!  What a great time we had too.  I was actually able to do some talking today too.  There is no doubt my running has improved with my weight loss.  Now if I could just get in some core stuff I'd really be getting somewhere!!

tomorrow

Hot 7 miles at LadyBird Lake.  I'm loving it and running it.  Feeling lighter than ever.  Looking forward to tomorrow..for now.

gals

Misty and I encountered a couple of topless gals during our 2 mile walk at Bull Creek.  That didn't suck!!

love

11 miles with Sam at Kens this morning.  Oh, what a great time we had talking about everything under the sun.  It may be my favorite trail to run.  I just love that trail!!

Ladera Norte

Charles and I did 6 miles from his new house on Ladera Norte this morning in 1:12.  It was an enjoyable time.  We ran at a pretty easy pace and mixed in some walking.  Definitely a great way to start the day!!!


May 96 miles

fucked

Walked 3 miles at LBL yesterday after work instead of drinking beer.  It was a very fucked day at work.  I'm really going to try not to stress too much on shit so much.  Strong like bull not weak like chicken......at least for yesterday.

rolling

I had a great 15 miles of rolling hills from Camilla to Coldspring and back.    I never felt particularly strong but the clock doesn't lie.  3:20!!  I'm very happy with that as I continue to get stronger.

sky's the limit

Mark L, Steve F, a friend of Steve's named Karen and I did the 7 mile loop this morning in 1:09:40!!  I'm pretty darn happy with that considering I haven't been working on any speed or stamina stuff.  I'm thinking that being down 12+ lbs is making the difference.  That means the sky's the limit as I continue to drop a few mores lbs and get stronger and faster!!

next week

Alrighty, anybody who knows me very well knows that my running plans can change week to week, sometimes day to day.  I've been giving a lot of thought to my running bucket list.  Here they are in no particular order of importance;

Rim to Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon
1000k jacket at Bandera
500m jacket at Rocky Raccoon
Running all 80 miles of trails at Guadalupe Mountains Nat Park
Running the 31 mile Outer Loop at Big Bend

With that list in mind I'm fairly sure I've changed my running priorities for this fall.  I've got 325k at Bandera so that means I cannot miss anymore Bandera 100k's.  Knowing myself I know that if I finished the Cactus Rose 100m at the end of October I would not have the will to run Bandera in January.

So, the focus turns to Bandera in January.  It's the last year for the National Championship 100k to be held at Bandera so I may as well really target that as a peak race.  And that timing should work out good for peaking again at the Nueces 50m in March which is also a National Championship race.

So, that brings me back to Cactus Rose in Oct. I think they best way to prepare for the 100k in January would be to do a series of shorter races.  Ever since I mentioned the 100m relay to David R I haven't been able to get it off my mind.  It really seems like it would be a lot of fun to do a team thing.  The 25k at Wild Hare would be a good shorter race.  Dec 1st is the Dirty Du marathon in Smithville that Mark L is RDing and that could be another good tuneup run.

I'm excited about my new direction.  Lets see how I feel next week!!!

back to it

5 miles with Misty at Ken's Saturday morning and 6 miles after work today.  Had a good off week last week.  It's time to get back to it this week.

shaded dirt

I sucked it up and went to bootcamp yesterday after work.  I haven't been in a couple of months partly due to laziness and partly because I really enjoyed doing it outside in the weather. The class Misty and I had been attending was held outside in the park parking lot.  Now they've moved to a place almost as close but it's inside.  After doing bootcamp outside the idea of doing it inside does not sound appealing at all.  None of the other classes are perfect timing so I've decided that Wed is going to be my bootcamp day.  Ty R., an ultra runner, leads a class at Auditorium Shores Mon-Thur at 5pm.  If I have to do deliveries there is also a class at 530 at the park inside the Triangle and if I can't make that there's a 630 at Canyon Vista MS.  So, basically I've given myself no outs for Wed bootcamp.

I had no deliveries when I got off at 4 yesterday so I was able to change and get to Auditorium Shores and park by 4:25.   I did an easy 1st street to Lamar loop for a warm up (1.3 miles).  When I finished my warm up run I expected to see people gathering near the parking lot but there was no one.  Then I noticed some people over near the trees across the main grassy area with yoga mats.  I made a quick and stupid decision to leave my choice parking spot and try to get a street side spot so I wouldn't have to carry my stuff all the way across the field.  Well, I get over there and no parking spots.  I drive down towards Lamar and make a u-turn in front of Butler pitch and putt and head back.  My only option is to head back to the main parking lot and of course, there are 3 cars already queued up waiting for people to leave.  What an IDIOT!!!!

It all worked out though.  I was able to park, grab my stuff and get over to the proper spot with 5 minutes to spare.  Ty immediately recognized my old ass even though we had never met before.  He came over, introduced himself and said he recognized me by the red Bandera 50k shirt I was wearing because he ran the same race.  We made small talk about ultra stuff.  He asked if I had ever finished a 100 mile race and when I told him I had he really lit up.  He's an excellent runner in his own right, finishing 2nd in the 30k Rogue race this past Sunday.  So, I was pretty flattered when he swooned over my 2 100 finishes.

He told me he had a fitness test scheduled for part of the regular workout.  The fitness test consisted of a 1 mile run, squats and how long you could hold a plank.  I wasn't sure what to expect from the run but I ran it in 7:30. I think the course was a shade short but I'll damn sure take it!!!  I held plank for 2:18 also!!  31 squats was pretty good too I thought.  The workout area was underneath some oak trees right in the shaded dirt.  I loved it.  Ty tried his best to encourage me to make one leg day and one upper body day a week.  I told him that for now one day a week would have to do.  I think I'm going to enjoy his class.

15,000

Today I went over 15,000 miles on foot since I gave up cigs on June 1, 1998!!  It was a great day.  Marc G and I started at the Mopac footbridge at 5am.  I tried to hold back but went thru 8 miles in 1:30 and 10 miles in 2hrs.  Marc and I decided we had time to do the 1st street loop instead of the 3 miler and make it back to the car by 8am.  Marc went on ahead but I walked up at exactly 8am.

Misty, Justin and David were there waiting.  After a toitie break we ate and drank and also had some of Misty's awesome peanut butter squares that tasted great.  After eating and drinking we hit the trail.  Misty went her own way and all us guys went the opposite direction.  We headed for I35 and the 7 mile loop.  I was surprised when I found myself doing a fair amount of slow running and feeling pretty good.  We met Misty when we came down off the I35 walkway.  We chatted for a minute and then Dave and I carried on by ourselves.

Dave and I mixed in running and walking all the way back to the car.  I was really happy about going thru 20 miles in 4:30.  We took a pretty good break at the car and just as we were wrapping up Misty, Justin and Marc showed up and were done.

Our plan had been to do all the loops but it occurred to me that we could run over to Rick's spot so Dave could see it.  We knew there was a chance the gate would be closed restricting access because of the rain we've had the last few days.  Well, we got there and sure enough the gate was locked.  A couple of women were there and said a biker just got busted putting his bike over the gate.

We turned around agreeing that we would leave it for the future.  We then headed back and did the 3 mile loop and when we were close to finishing Dave said I only had about a mile left to get in a marathon.  So, we did it!!  6:10 marathon!!  I'm very happy with that time considering how few miles I've put in the last few months!!

Ken's

5 miles at Kens this afternoon in 1:18, 19 minutes faster than 2 weeks ago!!  I felt noticeably stronger today.  I know part of it had to be the cooler weather.  It was probably 8 degrees cooler today vs 2 weeks ago.  I'll take it though.

bonus time

17 miles in Barton Creek this past Saturday mostly with Marc G.  We got an early start at the 360 entrance, ran back to Zilker.  Marc topped off his bottles and we headed for the HOL.  We maintained what I felt like was a pretty good overall pace mixing in a little walking.  Our time to the HOL (11 miles) was 2:35.  Not to shabby for still working myself in to shape.  We took an extended break of 15 min at the top replenishing and then headed towards Lost Creek.  As we neared the turn around we came to a sudden stop when we ran into a small landslide that had completely covered the trail.  It was passable but we would have sunk a bit in the soft dirt so we decided to just turn around.  After we crossed the dam I could tell Marc was ready to kick it on out so I told him to go ahead.  I told him it would be easy, what I forgot to remind him to do was cross the creek.  I suppose I take it so much for granted knowing it so well after all these years and miles.  I didn't bonk completely although I did do a lot of walking the last 4 miles.  I couldn't believe it when I got to my car and Marc's truck was still there.  I grabbed my recovery drink and walked back down to the trail and just as I was stopping Marc came around the bend.  He had gone up the hill to the Mopac entrance.  We laughed about it.  I told him that's the best way to learn the trail is get in some "bonus" time once in a while!!!

hour run

Got in a good hour at Bull Creek.  I did the 4 mile loop and added the hill up to the Mountain Goat trail and back down.  Great run, especially the day after having a few beers the previous evening.  I NEVER do that.  Pretty cool!!!

nice n easy II

6 more easy miles this morning at Barton Creek.   Plenty of walking too.  It seems the adjustments I made to my right insert are working.  Very little discomfort in my right foot the last 2 days!!!  I think I'm ready to start building my mileage toward the Cactus Rose 100 mile on Oct 27.  I'll be shooting for 115-120 miles for May and then I'll think I'll need to average at least 140 miles per month for June, July, Aug and Sept to give myself a chance at finishing.  Cactus Rose has only a 50% finisher rate by the way. I may as well go ahead and throw out my bigger overall goal of finishing the Tejas 300.  That includes the Bandera 100k the first Saturday in Jan and the Rocky Raccoon 100 mile the first Saturday in Feb along with Cactus Rose.  It's a pretty daunting challenge but for now Cactus Rose will be the focus.

April 80 miles

nice n easy

Nice and easy 12 miles this morning.  Sam V and I started at 630 and did the old Wed night run and then met Misty at 360 and ran walked back to the HOL.  My time was 3:25.  I think it was a good start back.  My knee was a bit achy but the adjustment I made for my neuroma seems to have worked very well......no flare up!!!  I take it!!!

hot

Marc G and I got in a hot 5 miler at Kens and the Mountain Goat trail yesterday afternoon.  Wow, does that run in the heat kick your ass!!   I was pretty sure my heart was going to come right out of my chest!!!  It took us 1:37 to navigate the 5+ mile course.  We did a lot of walking and recovering.  It was a new trail for Marc and he enjoyed it.

I think I feel a little zippier ( is that a word ) when I'm running lately.  I'm hoping the clean eating is beginning to pay off.  More good news.  190.5 this morning.  I'm thinking that 183lbs really can be a reality!!

Adjustments

Ran 5 miles at LBL/ Zilker/ Barton Creek Greenbelt in 56 min yesterday afternoon.  I started at the mopac footbridge, ran the first mile and continued on the RR tracks thru Zilker to the BCG trailhead and turned around at the 1 mile point.  Good run, everything felt pretty good besides the neuroma.  It was debilitating but it did flare up.  I think I can make some adjustments to get it it fixed..

Houston

Got in 4 miles at a park near my sister in laws house in Houston Saturday morning.

Dark

Good 7 miles this morning at LBL.  I did the first 6 in 1hr exactly.  I definitely feel like I'm starting to get back in shape now.  My knee seemed better but my neuroma acted up a bit in a weird way, not as bad as it could be though.  We're 4 days away from a New Moon so it was pretty dark on the trail this morning.

Saturday

Saturday Misty and I both got in some good trail time.  We started at Spyglass and and both did our own thing.  I got in 10 and Misty did 5.  It was Misty's first time traversing the trails solo and there were a couple of hiccups but she made it okay.  My 2nd run in the NB 1110's went okay.  My neuroma did act up some starting around 7 miles but never got bad.  I'm hoping it was just due to wet shoes.  Sometimes that'll do it.  My time was 2:23, a little slower than I had hoped for but all in all a good run.

193.8

Got in a good 6.5 miles at St Eds yesterday afternoon!!  I'm really enjoying exploring the inner trails there after so many years of doing the same ones over and over again.  The 2 mile flat out and back is a perfect warm up before getting up into the hills too!!

I believe this was just my 4th run after my layoff but I think I felt strangely energized at times yesterday.  I wonder if the "cleaner" eating really is making a difference?  I weighed 193.8 this morning down from 202.7.  Pretty fancy scale weighing my fat ass in tenths!!!

The maiden voyage for NB 1110's went pretty well.  It's not a great shoe, the sides aren't very stable, my feet move around in them quite a bit but, the important thing is that my neuroma did NOT flare up.  That is hugely positive!!

35 minutes of yoga this morning!!

LBL

7 miles at LBL this morning!!  I did it in 1:18.  I'm pretty happy with that considering I purposely held back a bit.  Bootcamp tomorrow morning is gonna have me sore as hell from a long layoff.  The Thursday morning run I have planned with Shan and Mark is going to be painful but it'll be good to run with my old pals.

The RESET I posted on Mar 26 was mine and Misty's first day of no meat.  We are attempting to go vegan.  Our good neighbor Mark has been all natural for a month now and has lost 25lbs.  What he's most excited about though is how much better he feels and how unbelievably high is energy level is.  His life has completely changed in a matter of weeks.  He also reports that his otherwise dormant libido has returned.  Misty and I have talked about doing this in the past but after literally seeing the overnight change in Mark that made up our minds.

So, I started out that Monday morning at exactly 200lbs.  We ate well all week but then pounded some beer Saturday and ate a bunch of veggie pizza and the next Monday I was up to 202.7.  That is my high of alltime.  Talk about a backslide!!  I got back on track though and was down to 195.1 yesterday morning.  After eating a bunch of peanuts and snacking on some chips and hot sauce (yesterday evening we looked at the ingredients of Julio's, our favorite salsa, and the last ingredient was the dreaded MSG) my weight was 197.1 this morning.   It's all good though.  I know it's going to be a bit of a roller coaster with the weight.  I do feel like I'm in position to dip below 195 by Friday morning.  That's the goal......we see!!!!

Life

Misty and I did the Hell's Hills 10k yesterday.  The original plan was for me to do the 50k and Misty to do the 25k.  Well, life got in the way again.  During my 3 week hiatus from running I decided to move down to the 25k and do it with Misty.  I think she was a little nervous about being out on the trail by herself so she was pleased with my move to the 25k.  Well, life continued to get in the way.  Misty's back flared up really badly during the week to the point where she got a steroid shot Thursday morning.  At that point I was pushing really hard for us to NOT do anything at HH's.   Misty's stubborn self wasn't having it though.  We did the 10k and she killed it.  Due to her work schedule she has been inconsistent with bootcamp and hasn't done much walking either, but she rocked it in 1:34!!!  I couldn't believe it.  I was really astounded with how much running she did. I told her several times that she would be hell on wheels if she even got in a little training!!

This morning I joined in the club run.  Chris H hosted it because David J was recuperating from a successful 50k at HH's yesterday.  I swear it seemed like that course is 6 miles.  I had some fun and met some new peeps too!!

I'm back...

I got in 5 miles at St Ed's this afternoon.  It was my first run in 3 weeks.  I took the time off to give my tingly knee a rest.  Last week I decided to go ahead and set a Dr appt and after a thorough exam amd x-rays the news was positive.  The Doc said my knee is good to go, no problema's!!  It sure was nice being out in the woods exerting myself, exploring new trails.  The knee was still weird. though.  The Dr said it could be some sort of nerve thing going on and maybe I should see a neurologist at some point.  Glad to be back!!

Reset

The reset starts today

Mountain Goat Trail

Got in a much needed 6ish mile trail run this afternoon.  I connected the tricky, rocky part of narrow trail again to the Sunday club trail.  I'm gonna call this the Mountain Goat trail.  It really is too.  It's a lot of fun and treacherous too.  You really have to watch every single step otherwise it could be disaster.  Since I've had trouble tying all the trails together they run on Sundays I ran it backwards today and got in a great 1:20 that I think I'll be able to repeat.

Recoup

Recouped 5 more miles this morning that I wouldn't have had had I done the 50k Saturday.  12 miles recouped so far so I'm feeling a bit less guilty about pussing out.   This morning was made doubly nice because I came very close to NOT getting out of bed.  Misty and I knew neither of us would get a very good nights sleep due to the time change and sure enough we didn't.  After laying there for a few minutes I went ahead and got up.  I sure am glad I did.  I ended up up having a decent run after a not so good run yesterday afternoon.  My knee and my neuroma were both acting up yesterday.  Today both were feeling good.  I'm hoping my knee was better due to getting busy with the foam roller yesterday evening.

7

7 mile loop at LBL in 1:13.  Sluggish, didn't feel to good.  Out of sync.  We bailed out of Prickly Pear this weekend due to the shitty weather.  I can take the cold OR the rain but together.......no thanks.  I'll recoup some of the miles I would have had at the race but not all of them.  Oh well....

46:57

46:57 was my time this morning for the Congress to Mopac loop at LBL.  We got the "running band" back together this morning.  Shan, Steve, Diana, Mark and myself all together again.  In a nutshell I was still the big fat lumbering guy huffing and puffing to keep up, but I made it.  I'm going to use this as a starting point.  That's why I'm posting my time.  Next week should start the barefooting in Zilker with the time change coming this Sunday.  There are most likely NOT going to be very many, if any, people behind me at the Prickly Pear 50k this Saturday in San Antonio.  It's all good though.  I'll be ahead of all the people at home on the couch!!

Almost

Got in an easy 5 at LBL this morning.  Pretty darn proud of myself this morning getting out of bed when the little voices were saying," sleep.....sleep."  I didn't sleep very well and almost didn't get up.  I suspect Misty would not have gotten up to do bootcamp if I had turned over.  It all worked out good though.  I detoured over to Zilker Park and drove the big loop to measure it.  As soon as the time changes I'm going to do some barefoot running around the loop on the grass.  I really think this will help my running.

Great weekend

Had a great weekend of running and walking.  10 miles in 2hrs at LBL Saturday morning and Misty and I got in a great 6 mile hike in the Barton Creek Greenbelt!!

1st Double!!

I'm totally psyched!  Today I pulled off my first double!  Bootcamp in the morning and a 4 mile run after work! Seeing and experiencing the progress is so damn cool!!  I'm really getting March started off on a positive note!!

Buckle

This morning was the only day of bootcamp for me this week but it was a good one.  Lots and lots of lunges and squats.  If I can alternate weeks with 2 days and then 1 day of bootcamp that should be good.  As long as I can maintain some crunches and pushups in the interim I should continue to get stronger.

This month I'm really going to make a serious effort to buckle down and get in some good miles and lay off the beer some.  As I stated in one of my early posts in January my goal is to maintain 93 miles per month this year. If I can do that, that will bring my the yearly totals for 2010, 2011 and 2102 all up to a 20 mile per week average.  This month I fucked away a lot of days being hung over so I fell short.  Thankfully January was good so I've only got to get 106 miles this month to get my average back up.

I not only need to put down the beers for the sake of cutting down but I've got 4 upcoming events I need to get ready for.  Prickly Pear 50k next weekend ( I guess about the best thing I can do to get ready for that now is to not drink between now and then).  April 7 is Hells Hills 50k in Smithville which I still have a chance to get reasonably ready for.  Pandora's Box trail marathon is in Burnet on May 3 and then a double out and back (30 miles) on the Barton Creek Greenbelt the very next weekend!!!

Then, a decent rest period the last half of May thru the first half of June and that will leave me 18-19 weeks to focus on getting ready for the Cactus Rose 100 mile Oct 27th.

Time to buckle down!!!

4

Ran the 4 mile loop at LBL after work today.  Good run, ran hard, mixed in some walking and had a good cool down.

Feb 73 miles

Ken's

Wow!!  What a great bootcamp this morning!!  Today we did the stuff I hoped we'd be doing.  Lots of running  and movement drills, stuff that seriously gets your heart rate up.
My hope is that everthing we're doing will help my knee come along.  Very interested to see how I'll be feeling for my scheduled 7 miler early Saturday morning.

Almost forgot about my 4 miler yesterday at Ken's in Bull Creek.  I left work a few minutes after 4pm yesterday not knowing where I wanted to run.  I had hoped to get in 7 miles somewhere.  One thought was to go home and do it on the roads but I really don't enjoy running in the hood in the afternoon.  Early mornings are much better.  Much more peaceful and no cars to contend with.
So, I considered the Dog Park and the 4 mile flat loop.  That trail really made sense because the bootcamp would most likely be legs the next morning but I've done that run a lot recently so I decided against.  So, I crossed the creek for the first time since we've had the rain and headed sort of toward old Kens'.  Since the asshole owner blocked off his part of the trail it's been hard for me to duplicate the 5.5ish mile run the club runs's on Sunday morning (If I wasn't such a drunken piece of shit Saturday nights maybe I could join them).  Instead I hooked a hard right once I got on the main trail after the creek crossing and worked my way onto a crazy hilly trail I'd been on a couple times a few years ago.  Man o man were those some tough but fun trails.  I did part of them and then connected with old Ken's, bushwacked my way over to a connection for the club run and then made my way back over to the first trail.  Wow, did I hit some crazy cool trails.  They were slightly rolling, very tight, very technical and a bit dangerous.  The trail is cut out of a very steep hill with one side dropping steeply and the other rising steeply.  This part of the trail is only .25 but a bunch of fun.  I can't wait to go back!!  That is all.

After work

Ran 7 miles at LBL after work yesterday in 1:16.  Not too shabby all things considered.  I didn't feel especially good but managed to do the first 5 in 50 minutes.  I slowed dramatically the last 2 miles.  I had a shit nights sleep the night before and my body is definitely still adapting to the few bootcamps I've done.  The current plan is to get in another 7 after work today, bootcamp tomorrow morning and another 7 early Saturday before most likely consuming a crapload of beer Saturday at my sisters house.

Bootcamp day 4

Got in bootcamp day # 4 this morning.  We had a good workout focusing mostly on abs and upper body.  The instructor also had us do some cardio.  Fast running followed up by either walking or slow running and repeat for 5 min or so. I really enjoyed that.  Today was my first non-leg day which was also really enjoyable!!  Now if I can get over these doldrums I'll be good.

Running creek

I had a pretty good run in Bull Creek this morning.   Even though the creek was really running I was able to keep my feet pretty well dry for my 10 mile run.  I started at the Dog Park, made my way along the creek edge to the trailhead for Forest Ridge.  Did all of Forest Ridge and back.  My time was 2:18.  Unless I run Forest Ridge next Saturday morning, today was it until Aug 1.  My right foot was a pain.  My neuroma flared up late in the run and when I tried to flex it I strained my broken pinkie toe.  Oh well, another good run in the books!!!

Tracking

Got in an easy 5 this morning at LBL in 56:30.   I felt a bit better than yesterday evening.  I'm sure the stretching I did last night really helped.  I'm going to get back to putting my times on here so I can track my progress as I hopefully grow stronger.

Rough 3

Oh my!!  That was a rough 3 miles this evening!!  My abs felt like I had been stabbed in the front edge of each rib cage.  My glutes and high hamstrings were tight too.  Running just felt plain awkward.  I'm so glad I'm getting started with boootcamp now.  It's pretty obvious my miles are gonna be pretty minimal for a while!!

BC 3

Misty and I had a good workout at bootcamp this morning.  It was a leg day but the instructor included a lot of abs stuff too.  Lots and lots of lunges and squats!!  So far so good, it doesn't look I'm going to be very sore.  That is just my 2nd leg day of bootcamp, the first was 3 weeks ago.  So, even with that break it looks like I've gained some strength.  My damn toe is still broken though.  I'm afraid it's going to be a while healing.  I wanted to get in some time on feet tomorrow morning but it looks like rain so I may put it off till tomorrow afternoon.  Hopefully I'll actually be able to run!!  I didn't do anything last week recovering from my 40 mile power hike with Naresh.  Besides my toe I think I'm good to go!!

The Buckle

Naresh and I mostly power walked the last 40 miles of his Rocky Raccoon.  His official time was 28:58.  My official time was 14hrs of hell!!  Well, for me at least, a kind of a hell.  I REALLY dislike power walking.  To me, walking is a time to gather myself, a reset, a break from running,  Not a means to finish a race.  But, when you agree to pace somebody you are giving yourself to that person and therefore are tasked with getting that person to the finish by whatever means necessary within the rules.  So, we power walked, because that's what Naresh had to do to get it done.  It wasn't pretty.  There were highs and lows as usual and thankfully my lows weren't too low.  I don't believe Naresh had any serious thoughts of DNFing at any time, at least that never came out of his mouth.  In the end all that matters is the finish line.  The blisters will heal.  The aches and pains and disagreements will be forgotten.  The bottom line is that there is very little that can be compared to finishing an ultra, especially a 100 mile run.  It was my finish too.  I have no buckle to show for my efforts or the previous 4 times I've done this, but I've got the memories and the satisfaction of knowing I've helped a friend(s) get the buckle.  And that makes it all worth it.

Lazy 2

I got in a lazy 2 miles this morning in some light rain to get my first 100 mile month since August!!  This morning was actually a bit of a breakthrough.  With the doldrums I've been in lately I would've found some excuse to NOT get in 2 miles on the last day of the month.  I would have rationalized some seemingly good reason not to get it done, but I didn't.  I got out there and got after it, even if it was only 2 miles.  I'm really quite amazed how little soreness I have today after doing nothing but lunges, pushups and sit ups at bootcamp yesterday morning. I thought my legs were gonna be torn up but they're not.

January 100 miles

Lost running

Got lost today in the Barton Creek greenbelt and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I headed up on the Toys r Us trail and wound round and round and got off on some trails I've never been on before. What a joy that was, traipsing around on new trails in my 13th year running the greenbelt.  I'm gonna make it a point to do more exploring, and I'm gonna volunteer to lead some people new to the trails on the main trails so they can fall in love like I have!!  11 miles today btw!!!!

Chilly Saturday

Misty and I walked 7 miles in the Barton Creek greenbelt this morning.  It was windy and cool but we warmed up the longer we walked.  We started and ended at the 360 access.  We are walking it together in sections so Misty will be able to navigate the entire thing herself in May for Rick's Run.  She's feeling more comfortable each time we go out.

Lead legs

I made it around the 7 mile loop this morning without walking.  I seriously did not think I could do it.  Our time was 1:13 and change.....not too shabby considering I had bad lead legs from Tuesday bootcamp.
Come to think of it, today's run is actually encouraging.  I was ABLE to do the run in 1:13 even though I was still achy and sore.

Imagine the possibilities after several months of bootcamp!?  I'm gonna keep working!!

Bootcamp tracking

This morning was my first day of bootcamp.  It was leg day and I worked it hard enough for my adductors to be SCREAMING now!!!  The instructor is a pretty cool cat and I think it's gonna be very beneficial for my running and overall fitness.  I guess my anal ass needs to keep a running total on # of bootcamp days too!!!

Miles with Misty

I think I'm going to add a gadget on my blog to track my "Miles with Misty".  
Today's 7 mile walk with Misty gives me 73 miles for the month.  30 of them have been with Misty.  It seems we've started a pattern so I may as well track it.  It'd be a pretty cool to be able to know how many miles we've walked together 5 or more years from now!!!    

Old chums

Two old chums.... Mark L, Steve F. and I ran the 7 mile loop at LBL this morning in 1:08:48!!  I'm super happy with this time.  It's been a long time since I've done any "fast" running like this so I didn't really know what to expect.  And I didn't feel like I held them back too badly.

I made the decision to join the bootcamp craze with Misty.  She's loving it and I know it'll improve my running. If I'm really going to get serious about doing Cactus Rose getting my entire body in shape is going to be very important!!

130 miles!!

Very easy and relaxed 7 miles this morning at LBL.  I think my relatively new Cascadia 6's may be getting broken in now (130 miles)!!!  They did not fire up my neuroma this morning.  Of course I'll want to push them a bit further than that to know for sure but if a shoe is going to flare it up it usually happens in 4-5 miles.  I sure hope they are good now.  That will keep me from having to buy a pair of shoes again very soon!!!

1/2 day

I only had a to work a half day today so I was able to get out and get in a 4 mile run at Bull Creek this afternoon.

Achilles

Misty and I did 7 miles at Forest Ridge today in 2:25!!  We did a fair amount of running after Misty's achilles warmed up.  The really are her "achilles heal" so far.  They are really tight for the first 2 miles or so.  I suggested she doing some easy stretching several times everyday.  We had a great time together on the trail!!!!

Cold Friday morning

Marc G and I got in almost 15 miles this morning!!  Next Monday is MLK day and being the guy that I am I usually volunteer to run a skeleton crew to service the few clients who will be working.  I was seriously using my noggin last week and preemptively set it up where I could take this morning off.  Of course it was all about getting in some running miles.  Marc has the opportunity to work overtime during the week and be off on Friday's so I let him know last week and he was able to pull the trigger.

We did the first part of SDSM loop......got to the main trail and then turned around and did the hills again but added some variation.  When we got to the beginning of powerline we turned right and went off on the trails that way.   At the bottom of cedar chip we had 12+ so we ran and walked to Lost Creek Blvd....doubled back and headed back to the HOL.  I'm pretty happy with our 3:45 time.......not too shabby for running a bunch of hills!!

Temp at beginning was 27!!

Bandera 25k

Misty and I did the Bandera 25k together last Saturday .  I'm so happy I gave her a little push into it.  She's done so well with the 100 day challenge and now bootcamp and the 3hr last month, I really felt good about it not being too much for her and it wasn't.......thankfully!!!
Misty had only been to Bandera once and that was last year to crew me and kick my butt back out on the course at the halfway mark.  You really can't appreciate the beauty of the place until you get out on the course and Misty really understood the lure once we got out on the trail.  We finished in 5:45!!  I think that's a great time considering it was mostly power walking with some running mixed in.....actually we may have ran 2-3 miles.
Misty is already looking at other events and I think she's decided to do the 10 mile at Prickly Pear in SA while I do the 50k and the 25k at Hogs Hunt in Huntsville S.P. in April.  I'll do the 50k there and try to redeem myself after my out of shape performance at Little Rocky in October.

1110

1110 is the number of miles I need to run in 2012 to get bring 2010 and 2011 back up to my 13+ years of a 20 mile per week average.  That comes to 21.3 miles per week or 92.5 miles per month......very doable!!

The last 2 years have definitely not been good for my running.  Not to mention getting into my 50's now, a natural slowdown combined with my emotional eating has me hitting the scale at an even 200lbs now.  The food does not melt off like it used to so I've got to try to get a grip on that.

The good news is that I'm still running and fairly healthy.  No major drawbacks physically.  My left knee is still a minor issue but I think it'll be alright.  Even better news is that I'm probably in better shape than 80-90% of men my age.  This week I've gotten in 7 and 4 mile runs and Misty and I have the Bandera 25k that we are hiking together this Saturday.  That course is so beautiful I've really pushed for Misty to do it with me.  I hope it ends up being a positive experience!!