Running is stupid

Not really the act so much, as some of the dumb things runners attempt. Like this morning, 20.9 miles shouldn't be that difficult. But, if the longest run you've done in the last 3 weeks was only 10 miles. Pretty dumb, especially when that was only yesterday. Got the idea for this little stunt from Strava. They have this challenge going on for July 27-29 to run 50k. Seeing as my last Strava challenge was a bust, this latest one was right in my wheel house.

Got up early, so I could get out the door by 5 am. In hindsight, probably should have started an hour earlier. Made sure I had a hand held water bottle, three gels, and six Succeed caps. Planned on taking the gels at 8 miles, 12 miles and 16 miles. The S-caps, I'd take every 5 miles.(brought extras) Decided to run from the house to the Stones River greenway, instead of in the country. That way I'd only be on the road for 2.5 miles each way, the rest on the greenway. The advantage of the greenway; lots of shade and a bathroom/water fountain at 4 miles, 6 miles and 8 miles on the way out and then again on the loop back.

Johnny's version of "Hurt" puts the Nine Nails version to shame.

Had to have a treasure hunt before I even left the house. My headphones weren't working with my mp3 player. One of the ear buds had already stopped working and of course now the other wasn't either. Least it happened before I left the house. Got out the door and probably only lost 5 minutes.

Started out slow and never really ever picked up the pace. 10 minute miles for the first six miles. By mile seven the sun was up enough to blast through the trees and it started heating up. I'd already taken my first S-cap at 5 miles. First gel at 8 miles was a Vanilla Bean flavored GU. Yuck, thicker than toothpaste, had to wash it down with water. Made a dumb mistake at the turnaround at 10.45 miles. (need 20.9 miles to get 50k) Instead of taking my S-cap, I took another gel. This one was a pineapple flavored Roctane GU. Just as nasty as the other GU. Took a little while to get back going again. That's way I don't like stopping.

So at this point I'm at the turn around point, 10.45 miles out. Half way home. I hadn't stopped to refill my water bottle yet. Did make that stop at 12 miles. The water was really cold at the water fountain. Also, re-wet the bandana around my neck and wrung out the one around my head. Shorts were completely drenched. Good thing everything had been lubed before I left the house. Decided to take my last gel at 14 miles, that should be good enough to get me home. It was a Hammer tropical flavored with caffeine. The first of the morning. Really hoped it would pick me up, because it was really warm.

Didn't stop at the next water stop. Thought it would be tough to get back going again. Should have made the stop. Within the next mile everything fell apart. Started to get dizzy. Uh oh. Started walking. Don't think I was dehydrated, though at this point I had stopped sweating. Fingertips were getting tingly. Finished off my water bottle. Lots of folks out on the greenway, figured I'd just walk to the next water stop and call the wife. Ended up walking 2.5 miles. Didn't get the 20.9 miles, only 17.5 miles. Maybe I'll run this evening or tomorrow morning to get the last 3.4 miles of the 50k. Now that would be stupid.

Creek crossing

Crappy picture from my crappy phone. Guys crossing the creek, in knee high water. That's a first for a bike ride. Last time we rode this a month ago, the road was dry. Lucky or probably because of the drought?

Comeback no.177.2

Here I go again. Week 3 of the latest running comeback. First week back, two runs for a total of 9.5 miles. Week two, three runs for a total of 15 miles. Longest run 6 miles. Did that again this morning, but wore the heart rate monitor for shits and giggles. Pushed the pace for a couple of miles but that's about all I had in me. Pace per mile: 8:43 and 8:47 at a maximum heart rate of 156. It's going to be another long slow process to get back to where that same 156 heart rate is good for a 7:00 mile. Hard to even fathom at this point.

Had to dig a bandanna out of the drawer for my run. Must be because I'm running so slow, but the sweat has been pouring into my eyes on the last several runs. Maybe when I'm running quicker it evaporates or is blown back? Plus, even though the heat wave has subsided, the rain over the last week or so has made it very humid at the crack of dawn. Still sleeping in until 4:30 am, not quite ready to get up at 3:30 am and run with the fellas. I wouldn't be able to keep up yet, anyway.

Hope to be ready to run with the fellas in another week or so. Won't make it back before we lose one of our regulars. One of the guys said he was the CEO of Optimism for our group. Fitting title, I'd always thought of him as Mr. Sunshine. He's the kinda guy who makes running in a pouring rain enjoyable. I'm gonna miss him. Seems like where ever I live the regular group of folks I run with build a strong core group. Always adding a new member, but also losing one as well. Running folks are the best.

16 year old shorts (before Verizon Wireless)(a)

Note (a). Took a picture of these before they go into the trash. Soft cotton shorts from when I lived in Atlanta. I worked in several different buildings over the years, but the best was the corporate campus that was built in Alpharetta. One of the nice perks was a onsite health center. This was all just before the Bell Atlantic merger with GTE and PrimeCo and the rebranding as Verizon Wireless.

The fall of Lance

Ok, so Lance Armstrong filed a complaint against the USADA that was rejected within a day or so by the judge. His new complaint is reviewed here by 150 Watts of Awesome. Wish she gave a cliff notes summation, but basically Lance is screwed. He'll probably lose his title's. (my reading into her analysis) He won't be allowed to compete in triathlons. Never mind that he's retired, past his prime and in the old man age group in any competition.

The "I've been tested over 500 times", has risen to over 600 times in the above reviewed new complaint. Disputed here and other places that I didn't bother to research. Plus, they weren't all negative. What? Little bit of EPO, some testosterone. No positives, really? But, we can't believe any of that right? Just because its on the interwebs doesn't make it true.

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin has now filed a letter questioning the authority of the USADA. What bike is produced  designed and developed in Wisconsin? What bike does Lance ride? Good thing Wisconsin's representatives are so concerned with a retired bike rider, who lives in Texas. Couldn't Lance get a Texas representative or Congressman on his side? Where's the love for Lance.

Once the tour is over this year, will more "witnesses" emerge? More skeletons come rolling out of the closet. Will George and Levi stand by him? This could get really ugly.

As much as I've thought this has been a witch hunt against Lance, I guess if you're a doper you should expect to be outed at some point. Cycling will continue without Lance, United States interest will probably continue to fade even more than it has since he retired. One "reporters" analysis of this years tour. The tour is 2 weeks in, and I've only seen one stage. Still love cycling. I'd love to go ride on any part of the routes the Tour has taken in its 100 plus years.

Guess the one big question that will be answered in the coming months. How much will Lance lose monetarily? How much does he have to lose? Couple of million? Less?


Still a fan of Lance but the luster continues to fade. I've always wanted to believe he didn't dope. Even if he loses his titles and some money, (surely they can't take it all) I'll be one of the Lance Fan boys. Just not as boisterous as some on the interwebs.