real hill *

Bike ride number four for the month. Met G. at the MTSU parking lot across from the frat houses. He rode from home and had already ridden 4 miles. Pretty humid morning but not to warm. I'd forgotten how much shade this particular route had compared to some of the others I've ridden. Lots of little hills and twisty roads. Little to no cars on the way out. (mostly because we started at 6 am)

Rode all the way to the top of the hill at Burks Hollow road this time. This was only the second time I've ridden up the hill. This time though we went all the way to the top. The elevation is 1,367 feet according to the Tennessee County High Point web site. Rode the brakes almost the entire way down because of the 90 degree turn with gravel. Actually went faster down Rock Hill road.

Short Mountain in Cannon county appears to be the closest high point at 2,096 feet. All of the other adjacent counties high points are about the same as the one in Rutherford county. No telling how the roads are leading up to or close to those points. Think that will be the next "hill" climb bike ride. Need to get some more time in the saddle before I'll be ready to attempt that ride. I don't even know if the road up is paved. I talked with someone once and I think he said it was gravel?

It's been a week now since I've run. The foot seems better, may try it out tomorrow. Really enjoy riding the bike. Going to try and get a couple rides in a week and maybe attempt the Hot 100 on august 21st. Maybe even the 100 mile route.

* Edit to add, for the middle Tennessee area as reminded by the fast master.

Break away

Watched a few stages of the Tour de Suisse last week. Some guy named Lance Armstrong finished second overall, with Frank Schleck taking the overall win. Lots of great scenery and drama. Lots of big names riding and a couple of serious crashes. Really gets the bike bug going. I've ridden my bike three times now in the month of June. Time to get in some serious bike time in preparation for the Tour de France.

Sunday was the second day of bike riding the day after the RC Cola Moon Pie Race. The race was typical for this time of year; hilly, hot and humid. The bike is different, don't really seem to feel the heat as much until you stop. The greenway was packed with runners and walkers. I don't care to ride on the greenway for just that reason, but wasn't quite ready to head out into the country for the open road and hills.

Monday, I decided to head out for the country. No more slow cruising on the greenway and dodging the runners and walkers. Though you do have to be aware of the cars, but mainly just on the way out of town. Forgot how much fun it is blasting down a hill and leaning into a curve at 30 mph. That's the big payback you get for suffering up a hill on the bike. Don't really get that when you're running. I rode the Spain Hill loop which has almost become a running staple the last couple of months. I only got up to about 41 mph coming off the big hill, but that was without really any pedal on the descent, just a tuck and fly. Great to have the wind blowing in your face.

One of the down sides to riding the bike versus running is the time to get out the door and even the time in the saddle. Biking is some much more time intensive. But, it's the simplicity of running that has me hanging up the shoes for a week or so this time. I can't understand why the same brand and size of shoe can wear so dramatically different. This third pair of shoes has one foot hurting after every run. I thought they were worn out but the sole actually has lots of tread left. I made the mistake of wearing them for the race on Saturday, after feeling better and not wearing them for the last couple of weeks. You'd think I'd learn by now............

humbling heat

The heat and humidity the last several days have been mind numbing. Temperatures in the uppper 90's and super soaker humidity levels. The only edge I may have is getting out in the heat every day for a couple of hours with the boys while we've been fishing. Though throwing the casting net and wading in the creek or river doesn't really count as fishing. Guess the time spent building LuAnn's pergalo on Saturday, helped as well.

I've been doing speedwork for the 16th Annual RC Cola Moonpie 10 mile race. Even doing one speed workout a week in the heat, with EB's help again. 2 weeks ago, I decided to sit out the race. I really enjoy the race. Racing 10 miles in the heat, not so much fun. After our long run on Sunday, I was even more convinced I didn't want to race.

I've decided to run Moonpie. This will be the 4th time. Wishy, washy, huh? It'll be to warm to race, so plan to go out easy and then pick it up after the hill. Tried that last year and it was a success only in the fact that I did run a negative split. Main goal this time out will be to start slow. No warmup before the race. Start at the back of the pack and chit chat and have a good time until we reach the hill and then it's go time. (if the heat hasn't sucked all of my energy by then)

Funk

Running lately has been in a funk. Aches and pains seemed to have disappeared lately but that was only part of what's been going on the last couple of months. Plantar Fascia only talked back a little bit this morning. Just haven't really been able to pinpoint the problem. Speed workouts have been pretty good actually. Long runs seem to be a lot of work, but mostly because I'm trying to keep up with the faster guys. Some of it is the warm weather, it just slows me down.

One thing is for certain past performance is only a indicator of potential not a standard that can be readily recalled. That was really evident in this mornings workout. Yesterday, I overslept and never did do a speed workout or even a slog. This morning I planned on some kind of speed workout, at least a progression run or tempo workout. Ended up only running 4 miles worth of steady state at slightly quicker than my old marathon pace. Just couldn't seem to get the legs to turn over any quicker and the breathing was way to labored.

Shoes seem to need replacement. That's about the only thing left to change to account for the soreness in my feet. I'd thought a stress fracture was forming in my 3rd metatarsal, yet again. That's the reason for several days off and even the one day off per week the last month or so. I've been alternating shoes every other run, so typically no successive days of running in the same shoes. In the past, my shins were usually the first indicator of worn out shoes. Strange.

It's all relative though. Stepped off the curb this morning and rolled my ankle, but still able to loosen it up enough for a mediocre speed workout. Only after the battery on the mp3 player crapped out and I fought the swarms of mosquito's. As I finished my workout this workout it all was good, some poor commuter on their way to work drove by with a flat tire slapping the ground. At least I'm still running, slowly.