No moon pie this year, not even a training run. May go on my bike as a out and back from the house, after I build up some miles. Pumped up the tires on the road bike yesterday. Time to get out and get some miles in the saddle or was it TITS?
The Moon Pie is a fun race that I'm never really ever in decent enough shape to run to my potential. I've run it 2 or 3 times, done training runs on it about as many times, but usually on my bike. It's a great course with rolling hills and lots of country. But, the one thing that gets me every year is the heat. I'm just not a warm weather runner. I've run half marathons at a faster pace.
Did the Cardiac Center 5k route twice this morning before the race started. It was run on the old Pace Center course. Phil and I did the timing for the Murfreesboro Pacers. Eric M. won it in 18:21 on a sunny hot morning. That's what really sealed the decision on Moon Pie. I just can't get excited about the heat. Debating whether or not to start at 4:30 am tomorrow to escape the heat. Probably just sleep in a little bit and start at sun up.
May didn't really pan out as a very good training month. Only got 169 miles versus 208 miles for April. Took 5 days off for the upper calf strain. Really think it was more tendon than calf. Strange spot, never hurt in that area before. Tweaked the groin climbing the fence at the track on Thursday. Took Friday off, still a little sore. Uncomfortable but tolerable this morning on the run. Hope to get back up to around 60 miles per week and make another fast 5k attempt around the first or second week in July. Should have plenty of time to acclimate to the heat. Just need to stay uninjured.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Back to the track
Pet Peeves, locked tracks. What a pain in the ass. Four tracks in Murfreesboro and they're all locked up. Could drive 5 miles and then run another 3 miles as warmup to one track that has a gate a runner can squeeze through. Or do like I did this morning; run from the house, the long way to get in a 3 mile warmup at the track that's only a mile and a half from the house. Only downside is climbing the *&^%$ fence.
During the warmup this morning I decided that it was time to HTFU in my workouts. Jeez, that's why I'm back doing intervals this morning anyway. Thought I was being smart, chose the track instead of the road for its soft surface. Also, did some warmup exercises coach G. had us do last year at the Fleet Feet speed sessions. Don't know if it was climbing the fence or doing the leg swings, but somehow I tweaked my groin. Yep, I'm big sissy. Part of the warmup was some strides. Damn thing was very uncomfortable trying to accelerate for the strides. Decided to gut it out and do the 12 x 200 meter workout anyway. First several intervals were very uncomfortable, no pain. So, decided to run through it. Never did diminish, actually had to back down on the next to last interval, because it was becoming even more uncomfortable. Haven't looked at my splits, but first couple were a touch slow, got on target and actually went to fast on a few and just tried to nail the target on the last 3-4. Slow slog home. Ice and Ibuprofen, a runners best friend.
On my walk around the track this morning before I started a bird was just laying in the gravel next to the fence. So I thought anyway, it was a mama killdeer sitting on her nest. Don't know that you actually could call a pile of rocks a nest, she had 4 eggs.
During the warmup this morning I decided that it was time to HTFU in my workouts. Jeez, that's why I'm back doing intervals this morning anyway. Thought I was being smart, chose the track instead of the road for its soft surface. Also, did some warmup exercises coach G. had us do last year at the Fleet Feet speed sessions. Don't know if it was climbing the fence or doing the leg swings, but somehow I tweaked my groin. Yep, I'm big sissy. Part of the warmup was some strides. Damn thing was very uncomfortable trying to accelerate for the strides. Decided to gut it out and do the 12 x 200 meter workout anyway. First several intervals were very uncomfortable, no pain. So, decided to run through it. Never did diminish, actually had to back down on the next to last interval, because it was becoming even more uncomfortable. Haven't looked at my splits, but first couple were a touch slow, got on target and actually went to fast on a few and just tried to nail the target on the last 3-4. Slow slog home. Ice and Ibuprofen, a runners best friend.
On my walk around the track this morning before I started a bird was just laying in the gravel next to the fence. So I thought anyway, it was a mama killdeer sitting on her nest. Don't know that you actually could call a pile of rocks a nest, she had 4 eggs.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
this blogging thing
My 100th post has come and gone. Didn't even realize it until yesterday. Knew I was getting close. This has actually been easier than I thought.
Check out this definition of a blog. Swiped it from Bad Ben's other blog.
Definition of "Blog" -
1. an acronym for Boring Loser Of Grand-design. 2. an abbreviation used by journalism drop-outs to give legitimacy to their shallow opinions, self-absorption, and amateur photography, which seem permanently stuck in the first draft.
My first batch of home brewed beer is a little green. I'll try again, but first I'm going to make sure all of the ingredients are fresh.
Easy 10 miles from the house to the Stones River Battlefield. Super slow. Rain the entire time. Ran in the freshly plowed field adjacent to the battlefield. I'd hoped to find some flint, arrowhead preferably or perhaps a mini-ball. Nada. Dirt was very wet and my shoes were mud covered in the 100+ yards of dirt I covered. About the only thing I saw in the mud were the deer tracks entering and exiting the field.
Freshly plowed fields or bulldozed work sites were always the best places to find arrowheads in my youth. Dylan found a couple of arrowheads up at the farm last summer. I still have a box of broken arrow head pieces that I've held onto for over 30 years. Below are some of the perfect to near perfect points I've found.
Center most point in the frame was given to my Grandmother, the spear point next to it was found by my brother, (who evidently forgot that he gave it to me) he can have it back.
Check out this definition of a blog. Swiped it from Bad Ben's other blog.
Definition of "Blog" -
1. an acronym for Boring Loser Of Grand-design. 2. an abbreviation used by journalism drop-outs to give legitimacy to their shallow opinions, self-absorption, and amateur photography, which seem permanently stuck in the first draft.
My first batch of home brewed beer is a little green. I'll try again, but first I'm going to make sure all of the ingredients are fresh.
Easy 10 miles from the house to the Stones River Battlefield. Super slow. Rain the entire time. Ran in the freshly plowed field adjacent to the battlefield. I'd hoped to find some flint, arrowhead preferably or perhaps a mini-ball. Nada. Dirt was very wet and my shoes were mud covered in the 100+ yards of dirt I covered. About the only thing I saw in the mud were the deer tracks entering and exiting the field.
Freshly plowed fields or bulldozed work sites were always the best places to find arrowheads in my youth. Dylan found a couple of arrowheads up at the farm last summer. I still have a box of broken arrow head pieces that I've held onto for over 30 years. Below are some of the perfect to near perfect points I've found.
Center most point in the frame was given to my Grandmother, the spear point next to it was found by my brother, (who evidently forgot that he gave it to me) he can have it back.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
back to work
Long holiday weekends take a toll. Today was catch up at work. Slept in this morning and only had time for 4 miles and weights this morning before work.
Saturday we went fishing in the tail waters of Cordell Hull Dam. It was all of the guys. We went late in the afternoon and didn't really start catching any fish until it started cooling off a little bit. The boys used worms we dug up at the farm. No big fish, mostly blue gills, some pretty good sized though. Highlight of the trip, a bald eagle. Darrell spotted it. It flew towards us and then turned and landed in the trees on the cliffs overlooking the tail waters. That may be the second time I've ever seen a bald eagle in the wild.
Sunday we chopped up the downed cedar tree. Tim and I cut up some pieces to make a bench. The first attempt was pretty lame. I gave up and Tim took over. Between him and a little input from everyone else they finished up the bench. It turned out really nice. Lots of character. Took the boys back to the same place to go fishing, but waited until around 6:30 in the evening. Lots more fish this time. Darrell only caught one, but it was a decent size Sauger. We didn't get back until late. Darrell and I stayed up to clean all of the fish and everyone else went to bed. Took some benadryl for my allergies.
Monday morning it rained before we got up. Everyone stayed dry in the camper. I went for a 8 mile run down Little Creek road. It was just a 4 mile out and back. It was already hot and sunny when I started. Saw a 6 foot black racer and pileated woodpecker.
Saturday we went fishing in the tail waters of Cordell Hull Dam. It was all of the guys. We went late in the afternoon and didn't really start catching any fish until it started cooling off a little bit. The boys used worms we dug up at the farm. No big fish, mostly blue gills, some pretty good sized though. Highlight of the trip, a bald eagle. Darrell spotted it. It flew towards us and then turned and landed in the trees on the cliffs overlooking the tail waters. That may be the second time I've ever seen a bald eagle in the wild.
Sunday we chopped up the downed cedar tree. Tim and I cut up some pieces to make a bench. The first attempt was pretty lame. I gave up and Tim took over. Between him and a little input from everyone else they finished up the bench. It turned out really nice. Lots of character. Took the boys back to the same place to go fishing, but waited until around 6:30 in the evening. Lots more fish this time. Darrell only caught one, but it was a decent size Sauger. We didn't get back until late. Darrell and I stayed up to clean all of the fish and everyone else went to bed. Took some benadryl for my allergies.
Monday morning it rained before we got up. Everyone stayed dry in the camper. I went for a 8 mile run down Little Creek road. It was just a 4 mile out and back. It was already hot and sunny when I started. Saw a 6 foot black racer and pileated woodpecker.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Day 2
Holiday weekend started yesterday at noon. I left work and went to Dylan's bike day at school. Plenty hot, the kids had fun. One teacher would only let her kids play on the playground, another had a water day with about 5-6 different water slides, pools, and sprinklers. Dylan's class and another class did the bikes and scooters. Saw 4 kids wipe out, lots of scraped knees, and few tears.
Did an easy 10 miler from the house today. Same route as yesterday. Last night's rain washed away the pollen from the bushes on the greenway. Plus, yesterday's heat and sun must have baked the flowers, they were about 50% brown with the rest white. Heading back I passed 2 runners I know and 2 steps later a young doe jumped out of the woods 5 feet in front of me. Startled her as much as me, she didn't know which way to go. She ran in front of me for about 20 yards, before she found a path to jump down.
Lots of people out on the greenway for that time of the morning, not even 7 am yet. One woman was sitting in a chair directly on the path smoking a cigarette! She was taking up a third of the trail. 10 years ago I would have had something smart ass, to say, mellowed over the years. Did tell Tommy when I ran into him on the other end of the greenway. He's the one were I got the Old Man. Both of us are 40 somethings'.
Did an easy 10 miler from the house today. Same route as yesterday. Last night's rain washed away the pollen from the bushes on the greenway. Plus, yesterday's heat and sun must have baked the flowers, they were about 50% brown with the rest white. Heading back I passed 2 runners I know and 2 steps later a young doe jumped out of the woods 5 feet in front of me. Startled her as much as me, she didn't know which way to go. She ran in front of me for about 20 yards, before she found a path to jump down.
Lots of people out on the greenway for that time of the morning, not even 7 am yet. One woman was sitting in a chair directly on the path smoking a cigarette! She was taking up a third of the trail. 10 years ago I would have had something smart ass, to say, mellowed over the years. Did tell Tommy when I ran into him on the other end of the greenway. He's the one were I got the Old Man. Both of us are 40 somethings'.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Holiday weekend
Memorial Day
The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:
______________________________________________________
PJ interviewed for a position in Murfreesboro, yesterday. She'll start on Wednesday. It's 4 miles from the house or around 4.5 via the greenway. Her commute before was about 30 minutes to Smyrna, now it'll only be 5 minutes. Same company, they just built a new office in the new Medical Center corridor. It would be cool if I could get a job in that area as well.
We'll head up to the farm on Saturday morning. No big plans, just chill out. Probably attempt to make a bench out of the cedar tree the wind blew over.
Really miss the running. My allergies have been giving me fits all week. Even PJ has allergy issues. Almost tempted to take some kind of over the counter antihistamine. Probably will if I don't get back running soon.
Headed out the door this morning for a easy 4 mile run. Got to the main road and decided I needed a real bathroom so went down to the greenway. Gate was locked and so was the bathroom. No problem, just go on down the greenway to the General Bragg trailhead. The greenway was a tunnel of white flowers. Don't know what kind of bushes, but the aroma was overpowering. Not sweet smelling like the honeysuckle and completely overpowered it. Quarter mile into this and my throat felt like it was swelling shut. Arrgh, Lisa I can feel your pain. Felt better coming back through on the return leg. Ended up with 7.95 miles. Dumb runner mistake 101, going to far coming back off a injury. Calf felt good, iced it as a precaution.(note to self, TP regardless of run length) Bathroom at Bragg was locked as well.
Check out this cool tunnel. Free State Trail Run.
The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:
- by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
- by visiting memorials.
- by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
- by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
- by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
- by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
______________________________________________________
PJ interviewed for a position in Murfreesboro, yesterday. She'll start on Wednesday. It's 4 miles from the house or around 4.5 via the greenway. Her commute before was about 30 minutes to Smyrna, now it'll only be 5 minutes. Same company, they just built a new office in the new Medical Center corridor. It would be cool if I could get a job in that area as well.
We'll head up to the farm on Saturday morning. No big plans, just chill out. Probably attempt to make a bench out of the cedar tree the wind blew over.
Really miss the running. My allergies have been giving me fits all week. Even PJ has allergy issues. Almost tempted to take some kind of over the counter antihistamine. Probably will if I don't get back running soon.
Headed out the door this morning for a easy 4 mile run. Got to the main road and decided I needed a real bathroom so went down to the greenway. Gate was locked and so was the bathroom. No problem, just go on down the greenway to the General Bragg trailhead. The greenway was a tunnel of white flowers. Don't know what kind of bushes, but the aroma was overpowering. Not sweet smelling like the honeysuckle and completely overpowered it. Quarter mile into this and my throat felt like it was swelling shut. Arrgh, Lisa I can feel your pain. Felt better coming back through on the return leg. Ended up with 7.95 miles. Dumb runner mistake 101, going to far coming back off a injury. Calf felt good, iced it as a precaution.(note to self, TP regardless of run length) Bathroom at Bragg was locked as well.
Check out this cool tunnel. Free State Trail Run.
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