End is near

Time to reflect on the year about to end, 2012 anyway. I stopped the new years resolution thing many years ago, back in the days when I would go to the gym/workout facility. (Really handy/convenient located right on the work campus.) The week around the new year would be the most crowded of the year. All of the those with good intentions of working out, would be hard at it. At least for a day or two.

I'll more than likely pad my running log with a long run on the first day of the new year. Should end up with around 1,860 or so miles for the year just ending. No PR's this year, only mediocre races. Did get a century bike ride done, during my down time from running.

Time to concentrate on the sub 3:00 marathon. Minor set back the last week with the sprained ankle. Seemed almost healed this morning. Real test will be this sunday, when we head back out to Percy Warner Park. Think the plan is the 11.2 with a add on in Edwin Warner Park, plus Luke Lea. (just 'cause the guys need to do it at least once) I've never run anything in Edwin Warner Park. It'll be good to do something a little different, though the 11.2 never gets old.

Progress

Making progress in the return this go around. Not as quickly as I'd like, but can't get greedy. This week I ran 44 miles total in six days. Only one day off and no bike. Only one weight workout.

Made it back out to the trails at Percy Warner Park to run the red and white trails. It was the best effort to date. Cooler weather made a tremendous difference.

Minute on and a minute recovery workout showed my speed still needs lots of improvement.

Progression run this morning went ok, little warmer than last week. Planned on running 30 minutes easy (8:30 pace), 30 minutes moderate effort (8:00 pace) and 30 minutes harder effort (7:30 pace). Wore the heart rate monitor and planned on around 140, 150 and 160 bpm for each segment. Didn't quite work out to plan. The first 30 minutes were way to easy, didn't hit 140 until almost the last mile. It was a slower effort than a ultra slog pace; 10:00, 9:31 and 8:45.

Next segment went better. Ran about 152 bpm for the entire 30 minutes and felt really comfortable. Had the Garmin display set to only show heart rate and distance. I didn't want to know the pace until I downloaded. 7:42, 7:36, 7:47 and 7:49. Little quicker than I wanted but it was on the greenway, nice and flat.

Last segment just couldn't seem to get the legs to turn over. Only able to get the heart rate above 160 on the rises. Mostly it was stuck around 158 bpm and felt almost like a tempo effort. Happy with the results. 7:20, 7:32, 7:25 and 7:34. Total of 12 miles on the morning.

Tough thing about marathon training is balancing all of the workouts with everything else. I'd like to get one trail run, one speed session and one long run in each week. I'd also like to run with the guys at least once a week. This past week worked out really well. Did end up running solo for the progression run, only because I didn't want to run the hills with the guys or go back out to PWP. Next week I'll have to try meet the guys for at least one run.

6th Annual Dirk's Fat Ass 50k

Little scare first thing this morning. Weather radar showed one rain cell headed towards Murfreesboro. The only rain in the state of Tennessee, crap. Luckily, the rain ended about the time we started. Warm 60 degrees for the 33 runners who started. Only real concern with the weather was how much wind we'd get. Temperatures cooled to maybe 50 degrees. Awesome weather for a long run.

I don't consider myself an Ultra runner. So, it continues to amaze me listening to the different runners stories and races. That's one of the things that make the 50k a great distance. Lots of time to talk with lots of different runners. Only managed to get a few pictures, early. Really should have kept the camera for the second and third loops when the skies really cleared and the sun came out.

Only talked with Joseph a little before we started. He started early and had already run 15 hours. Wow. He ended up running 65 miles total for the day. What a way to start out the new year. (last year, 50k wasn't enough, he ran 33 miles with Lisa and Jennifer)

Lots of ultra veterans on hand again this year. Couple of hardy souls who ran the "Recovery from the Holidays 50k" Saturday and then today's 50k. (Rob, Mike Y.and Mike M.) Didn't realize David held the US 100 mile record for 50-59 year olds. Nor that Sue had run 91 miles in the same race where David just missed the 60 year old record for 100 miles. Seems at least half of the starters have at least 30 or more 50k to 100 mile races on their resume.

Tried to stick to my plan and not give up to much time at the aid station. Didn't do so well, in that regard, almost 15 minutes total, way to much time. Cost me the sub 5:00 hours I was shooting for, but did enable me to stay fueled enough that was able to run the last couple of miles with a little bit of gas in the tank. That's a damn good feeling, compared to some years.

Saw a GUTS sticker in the parking lot, but forgot to ask about it. Georgia plates, from Cobb county. Pretty sure it was Karen and Don. Unfortunately I failed to mention the way under the train tracks, should a train stop on the tracks or you didn't want to wait for it to pass.

Ideally I'd like to find a venue for this run where we could build a fire, have a little bit more shelter from the wind and that would allow beer. Not that I'm really even looking. Pretty hard to beat the logistics of having the start/finish/aid station within 2 miles of one loop and 3 miles of the other loop. The 3 loops aren't that bad. Most of the other Fat Ass races I found have 5 or more loops. Probably helps to keep the costs down and only have a single aid station.

17 finishers this year. David, Sue, Charlie, Dirk, Brittany(1st timer), Mike Y, Kevin, Karl, Paul, Mike G, Lisa, Jennifer, Justin(1st timer), Rob, Mike M, Karen and Don.

Fat Ass 50k

Start time: 8 am, Tuesday January 1, 2013. What the hell, I'll be back out. 

Location: General Bragg HQ's trailhead,1540 W. College St., Murfreesboro, TN, 37129

This is an unofficial Fat Ass run so there is no entry fee, no awards, and no wimps. There is some aid and some post event refreshments. It's an out and back course so you can do any distance you want.

I'll provide water,  and gatorade (General Bragg HQ). Please bring something to share as well.

The course starts at the General Bragg HQ on the Stones River Greenway and goes out to Stones River Battlefield, around the battlefield and back to the greenway and on to Cannonsburg and then back to General Bragg's HQ for one loop. One mile to the battlefield, a two mile loop and the one mile return to the pavilion at Bragg. From there, a six mile out-and-back to Cannonsburgh. Each loop is around 10 miles and only minor elevation changes, no hills. Bathrooms at the battlefield, the start and at Cannonsburgh. The 50k distance is 3 loops. The pavillion at General Braggs HQ's serves as the starting and ending point, as well as the aid station.

The inaugural run.

Year 2.

Year 3.

Year 4.

Year 5

Year 6



Battle of Stones River Anniversary, December 25, 2011.

Battle of Stones River, from Wikipedia.

Jan. 1, 1863 The armies spend the day reorganizing and caring for the wounded.

150th Anniversary Events

long way out

Trying to coordinate my training plan with the plan the W brothers are using. We’re all doing at least 2 speed/quality workouts per week and some type of long run on the weekend. We’re 12 weeks out from Rocket City. Last week we were able to do one speed workout together and an easy run. I attempted to do their workout on Sunday’s long run.

My plan called for 16-18 easy miles. The W brothers were going 16 miles with the last 30 minutes at a moderate/hard pace. We tried a new route, which seemed to drop continually for the first 7-8 miles. Only a couple of small rises before mile 9 and only a few more on the rest of the run. The fast guys hung back with us until about mile 8 before they picked up the pace and took off. It was nice to have a different route. I ended up just chasing in the last 5 miles and never really got to close to catching them. Overall pace for the run was about a minute slower than planned marathon pace. Still to early in my cycle to start doing fast finish long runs.

Guys were talking about some new tapering plan in a book by Inigo Mujika. I couldn't find much about it on the web. I’ll wait and get the cliff notes version after these guys are done reading the book. Seems like the volume is cut more than in traditional tapers, but the intensity level remains high. Pretty much what McMillan does in his taper. It did emphasize the importance of recovery. That’s one point that I’m really trying to make happen this cycle.

This mornings recovery run was at a 9:33 average pace. That’s about the ultra shuffle pace I use in a 50k. I start out super slow, close to a 10:00 mile and gradually speed up. This morning I never speed up. None of the guys I run with can run this slow. This is the same kind of pace I used in the last marathon cycle, except on the golf course. I’m not getting on the golf course this year, I can’t seem to run out there without tripping in a hole.

This is the 3rd week of miles in the mid 60's. Next week I'll increase my daily runs to 9 miles. I'm targetting 70-75 miles per week for the next 3 weeks. The increased miles and the streak haven't been an issue. Endurance is coming around, but the ability to hold speed it isn't there yet.

Found a cool link that summarizes a couple of the more popular marathon training prorams.

Seven weeks out

Little less than 7 weeks to go until the marathon. Training went well this week despite the snow. Who would have thought we'd have snow stay on the ground for a week in Middle Tennessee. Can't really complain, it has been a little cold this year, but haven't really had the cold rain runs. What really blew my mind was how much snow was still on the road in Percy Warner Park. The fast master and I went back out there to double the 11.2 on Sunday. Ended up just going one loop, plus the Luke Lea overlook because it was to slippery. Lots of black ice, and sections of road which were still completely snow packed. We still got our 20 miles, but had to add on Page road and Belle Meade Boulevard.

Got lulled into doing a marathon pace effort on Friday by BQ1 and his brother on Friday. They were doing a AT run and I didn't have a workout scheduled. (In hindsight, it was a down week in preparation for a big week coming up) Started out at their pace and it just wasn't clicking for me. So, I picked it up just a tad and tried to get into marathon pace. Ended up running about 6 or 7 miles worth and it felt really good.

Wednesday had to do my Yasso 800 workout on the road, because of the snow on the track. That was definitely tough. Not so much because of the rolling hills, but the inability to see where I was pace wise. At least on the track, you have instant feedback. My splits came in pretty close to the target, so it wasn't a complete bust. Plus, it's always a little tough to do that workout solo. Last cycle BQ1 pulled me through on some of the repeats. Sure makes it easier to chase or be chased, versus the solo effort.

The week ahead calls for a tempo run on Wednesday, 20 x a minute on/off on Friday and then a fast finish long run on Sunday. I'll probably be at about the maximum mileage for this training cycle, high 70, perhaps even 80. (not counting the 100 mile week with the 50k) That may really end up to be more of a setback, just because of the amount of time it took to fully recover from the effort.

Dirk's Fat Ass 50k number 5

These are the only pictures I took during the race. Have to blame the rain for the blurry shots. Really pleased with the turnout this year, 30 starters. We had the biggest number of finishers ever for the 50k at 12 (David, Chris, Greg, Karl, Rick, Wade, Paul, Naresh, Oldman) with Jennifer, Lisa and Joseph going 33 miles to celebrate his birthday.

The rain this year was a welcome change to the cold of the previous years. At least until the end of the second loop when the trail started to flood. About the time the rain stopped. A few braves souls continued on the trail through waist deep water, while the less hardy of us detoured through the weeds, woods and briars. Only 1 finisher to complete the entire "course" before it was completely under water. The rest of us added on miles at the battlefield or on old Nashville highway to get the distance. Naresh's race report.

Naresh, Wade, Karl, Paul and Rick

David Jones and the rest of our finishers, had already left or were still on the course adding additional miles when this finishers picture was taken.

Start time: 8 am, Saturday January 1, 2011.

Location: General Bragg HQ's trailhead,1540 W. College St., Murfreesboro, TN, 37129

This is an unofficial Fat Ass run so there is no entry fee, no awards, and no wimps. There is some aid and some post event refreshments. It's an out and back course so you can do any distance you want.

I'll provide water, gatorade, and some type of warm salty food to share at the aid station (General Bragg HQ). Please bring something to share as well.

The course starts at the General Bragg HQ on the Stones River Greenway and goes out to Stones River Battlefield, around the battlefield and back to the greenway and on to Cannonsburg and then back to General Bragg's HQ for one loop. One mile to the battlefield, a two mile loop and the one mile return to the pavilion at Bragg. From there, a six mile out-and-back to Cannonsburgh. Each loop is around 10 miles and only minor elevation changes, no hills. Bathrooms at the battlefield, the start and at Cannonsburgh. The 50k distance is 3 loops. The pavillion at General Braggs HQ's serves as the starting and ending point, as well as the aid station.

The inaugural run.

Year 2.

Year 3.

Year 4.

4th Dirk's Fat Ass 50k

Coldest one yet. 24 degrees to start, the sun was shining and a cold north wind.

Check out Chris's recap.

I really would have liked to have run the whole thing, but decided 20 miles was far enough. Foot held up well, longest run in over 3 months?

Would have stopped at 14 miles, but David twisted my arm to finish the second loop. He really pulled me through that loop and probably ran an extra mile waiting for me. Good to see him stride on out and finish the third loop. It was really cold hanging around afterwards. Everyone else wisely left after they finished their runs. 3 finishers for the entire distance this year.

3rd Fat Ass 50k

Another year, another fat ass. This years run had the best weather to date. Sunny skies all day long. Temperatures started out brisk at around 24 degrees but warmed rapidly to low 50's by the time I finished. Turn out increased over last year to 20 runners. Most ran one or two loops or some other variation. 5 of us did the 50k distance.

I arrived early to try and get the electric connection. Plugs in the restrooms still don't work. Park employee tried to flip breakers and still couldn't get any power. I tried twice to get a fire started. First attempt the paper didn't catch my kindling and the second time the grass was to damp. Just as well, I didn't feel comfortable leaving an unattended fire.

Lots of different foods this year. Rick brought his world famous energy bars, super yummy and packed with energy. I brought chicken and dumplings and they did stay warm at least through the second loop. Also, some excellent cranberry and walnut cookies, bagels, croissants, tangerines, assortment of muffins and cupcakes, and candy.

Pictures are stuck in my camera. I don't have my SD card reader to get the photos'. Maybe next week.

Dirk's Fat Ass 50k III

Started thinking about the 3rd running of the Dirk's Fat Ass 50k, a couple of weeks ago. Puppymeat shot me an email last night and wondered if it's still a go. I'll be out on January 1 running a 50k from General Bragg's HQ at 8 am. I need redemption for my DNF last year. Come out and join me.

Last year we had 14 runners. The inaugural run we had 6 runners. 30 runners this year would be a success. The course will remain the same, 3 loops on the asphalt of the Stones River Greenway and Stones River Battlefield. I'll use the General Bragg Headquarters as the staging, start and finish area. This is an unofficial race, no entry fee, no bibs, no times, no awards, no wimps, just the satisfaction of starting off 2009 with 50k in your log book. Or just one loop for 10 miles or 2 loops for 20 miles. We had some folks do different distances.

The course starts at the General Bragg HQ in Murfreesboro, TN. The course out to the battlefield is basically a lollipop. One mile to the battlefield, a two mile loop and the one mile return to the pavilion at Bragg. From there, a six mile out-and-back to Cannonsburgh. Each loop is around 10 miles and only minor elevation changes, no real hills. Bathrooms at the battlefield, the start and at Cannonsburgh.

Report from Fat Ass 50k III

ultra slow

Another slow run this morning. I use the same route for my recovery runs since I stopped going to the golf course. Pace is the same on either course. Can't justify driving to and from the golf course for a 5 mile run. Stopped doing the 8 milers, that was getting way to monotonous. The current route is from the house out to Miller Coliseum. The road use to be gravel by the horse corrals, they put tar and gravel down, which is a step below the smooth surface of asphalt. I run on the shoulder on what's left of the gravel. Only about a half mile of true gravel road is left. But, it's a soft surface for about 2 miles.

Fair or really just a carnival is coming to the 'boro. They've set up in the back gravel parking lot of the Miller Coliseum. According to the website it's the Middle Tennessee Fair from October 22-26. Funny, haven't seen a thing about it in the news. At least not on the Murfreesboro's Post website. They stopped delivering to my house long ago, and I don't read the DNJ/Daily News Journal.

The pace I ran this morning is what I've come to call the ultra shuffle. It's a pace that would get me through a 50k at least. Hopefully a 50 miler, which I've really started to have second thoughts about. Sure hope I don't get reduced to that at the monkey. I've run or biked every section except for the mile or so of the start of the course. The race director has managed to get every hill in Percy Warner included in the 26.2 and just for fun, you get to do the main drive in both directions. I've only been out to PWP twice in the last couple of months. I'll just enjoy the course, time is secondary. Realistically, 3:30 is doable. I figure about 10 minutes extra time to my best marathon time. Don't know if I'm in quite the same shape or not. Speed wise yes, endurance is where I have the doubts. Oh, and all of those pesky little hills. Either climbing or descending, only flat section is the start. Climbing is ok, it's the descending that beats the crap out of my quads and hammy's

monkey marathon plan

This has got to be the easiest marathon plan I've ever laid out. Took me 20 seconds. Usually I have a time goal in mind and very specific workouts for the 16 weeks or so leading up to the target marathon. Not this time. This time, its about finishing. That's it. But, this marathon supposedly has a few little hills. I know, I've doubled the 11.2 in other marathon training schedules. This time around I'll just plan on making it out to PWP every 2-3 weeks.

The plan. Hills and more hills. As many 20 milers as I can get between now and race day, it's 6, according to the calendar. That was the 20 seconds of prep time. Down week from 20 miler, 14 miles at marathon pace. That's it. Oh, plus a tempo workout once a week, just to try and keep a little bit of leg turnover. Two week taper. The last marathon I ran was Boston in 2005. Trained for a fall marathon in 2006, but didn't make it to the start line. But, I did a 50k in 2007 and dnf'd another in 2008. This marathon training is fun stuff:)

August 17, 16 miles
August 24, 18 miles
August 31, 20 miles
September 14, 20 miles
September 28, 20 miles
October 12, 20 miles
October 26, 20 miles
November 9, 20 miles

OCD? Perhaps, after all I'm the one the ladies at work move the door mat, just to see if I'll put it back were it's "supposed" to be. This morning was a easy recovery on the golf course, 6.1 miles, plus weights.

Next

Busy weekend. Spent all day Saturday working on my car. Didn't finish until Sunday. My independent shop guy was right. It took me every bit of 6 hours. But, I saved $300. I don't mind working on my car. Just wish I'd had known I'd need a 18 mm wrench. Ended up taking a break about 2 hours into the job to go buy that wrench. Actually needed 2, one for each end of the bolt. Went to price it at Sears first. $35 for both wrenches, a open end wrench and a ratcheting wrench.(which ended up not working, not enough clearance). Next went to Northern Tools and bought both of them for half of the price at Sears. Same quality, just without the Craftsmen brand name. I quit working on the car, just after dark. I'd been going almost since lunchtime and ready to call it a day. Course I needed lots of hydration from my race in the morning and to prepare for Sunday's long run. Beer, water, beer, water. Work.

Sunday, Speedy and I went out to Cedars of Lebanon for 15 miles of gravel. We've been starting within the park with about 2 miles of road to the gravel. Decided next time, we'll park either in the middle or end of the gravel road and make it a all gravel/trail long run. We explored another trail to add a extra mile. Nice and soft mostly packed dirt with some mud holes from the 4 wheelers, with side trails around them. We could probably get 20 miles without repeating any of the gravel or the trails.

Monday recovery run on the golf course. Only did 7 miles. Legs were sore from the long run and the glutes were sore on Sunday from the race on Saturday. Slept in this morning. Doing another speed workout in the heat this evening. Won't exactly be hot though. Probably upper 80's at the most. Wouldn't mind if it stayed like this year round. Great bike riding weather. Little cool in the morning for the bike, but tolerable. Great for running. Looking forward to fall.

So, what's the next race? Maybe Fenton Payne, week after next. I'd like to shave a few more seconds off of the 5k time. Shift training focus to endurance. Keep doing at least one tempo workout a week, but concentrate on hills and 20 milers. Run a tough little marathon in the early fall and then a 50 miler in December. Haven't been able to find a 50 miler, may have to settle for a 100k in Chattanooga (Lookout Mtn. 100k). Plus, need to start getting in more miles on the bike to get ready for the Jack and Back? Haven't been able to find anything on the web about this years ride.

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:

1. by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.



2. by visiting memorials.



3. by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.



4. by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).



5. 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.



6. 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.

blogs

Started doing the blog thing in January and it's really becoming addicting. I spend a lot of time reading other blogs and following links to yet even more blogs. Very entertaining stuff. Haven't watched any television in quite some time.

Came back around to the SLUGS website this morning. The 50 mile trail run they put on has reached its limit. It filled faster than the big city marathons. Haven't seen BT in quite awhile, he's the one who suggested that run. He's hooked into the ultra scene, need to have him or puppymeat suggest a early fall 50 miler.

Recovery day today, 8 miles on the golf course.

Longer days

Slow recovery on the golf course this morning. Dawn breaking at around 5:15. I cut the run short because the grounds keepers were already pulling out the tractors on the second loop. 7.1 miles in a hour plus is plenty for a recovery run. It was good practice for the ultra shuffle. It's about the same pace we started out on the first Fat Ass 50k. That would be about the average pace were someone to walk the ups and run the flats and downs at Percy Warner Park. Hmmmmmm. Not thinking about the entire distance, but maybe 50 miles or 50k.

Saw a possum on the first loop of the golf course this morning. A single goose was honking the first time I went by the pond and still going on the second lap. Passed overhead honking within 10 feet of me. Usually don't see a Canadian goose by itself, maybe that's why it was making so much racket. It did scare off the Great Blue Heron that's usually hanging around the pond.

Goals

CMM is done, time for a new short term goal. Here's a laundry list of some of my running goals.

Fast marathon, fast for me being 3:10. On hold, I haven't done a marathon since Boston in 2005.



Fast 5k. Sub 19:00. I've run a 18:48.

That's the trophy, I was 3rd Male overall. But, that was several years ago, 30 degrees and a night race, with a downhill finish, and on a course I ran 2-3 times a week.

Marathon in 50 states on hold, at least until I get back to doing a marathon a year.

50 miler, probably attempt this in the fall when it's more comfortable doing 20 milers.

Re qualify for Boston. Boston rocks, I'd really like to run a decent time on that course.

Fast half marathon. Anything under 1:28 would do. I've run that time twice, once in a marathon buildup and another training solely for the half. Perhaps this fall at the Murfreesboro Half.

Immediate goal through this summer is the sub 19:00 5k. Three quality workouts a week on six days of training. A tempo or progression run of around 4-6 miles on Tuesdays. Just hope EB is healthy and we can continue those workouts. A speed session of 12+, 200's with 200 recovery at R pace. Most of these will be on the road, but maybe some on the track for a little break from the asphalt. Long run of 12-13 miles at around 7:30 pace. Longer if coach feels its needed. The other 3 runs will be recovery, with at least 2 of them on the golf course or trail to give the legs a break from the asphalt.

Run this morning was 10 miles at 7:30. Felt great, used the trick from TR and took a hand held water bottle filled with a 50/50 ratio of water and lemonade. Honeysuckle is in full bloom. Pretty flowers, great fragrance, but a nasty vine that takes over everything and the pollen gives my allergy fits. No effect this morning?

no chain

Felt great this morning. First mile was slow, ankle took awhile to loosen up. Eased into half mary pace. Heart rate has come down a couple ticks, for the same effort. Don't know if its the result of the miles building back to pre-ankle sprain level or the cooler day. It was taking around a 146 heart rate to average 8:00 minute miles, this morning 142 was getting the same thing? Looking at the log, I've gone from 40 to 46 to 54 miles in the last 3 weeks.

Still thinking about a 50 miler. I've been reading Dirt Diva's blog and some of the other ultra blog writers from her blog. I can see why houses cost so much in California. Look at all of the trails they have to run on. Flip side is the crime in places like LA. CNN had a blog regarding the homicides in LA county. Sobering stuff.

Strange find on the road this morning. Trailer hitch pin, pretty normal, but then a Canadian 2 cent piece? It's been run over so much its' hard to make out. Looks like a bust of a woman on the front, the queen I'd suppose. The reverse has a fleurdelis and the number 2. Appears to be copper, about the size of an American quarter dollar.

Ouch with the old

Now I remember why I haven't worn the old trail shoes. Last time I remember wearing them was the Grasslands's 25 mile run in 2002? Fun time, it even earned a nickname that year as the mudfest. But, the reason why I haven't worn the shoes except maybe once or twice at Long Hunter State Park, is blisters.




Funny how some memories fade quickly. I remember the shoe sucking mud and the beautiful countryside we ran in. I stopped and took a bunch of pictures along the way. The race that year only offered 2 options a 25 miler and a 50 miler. I ended up running extra, because I took a wrong turn. That was the longest time I'd been on my feet even at the marathon distance, up to that point in time. The course is a giant clover leaf design with four different loops on mostly single track horse trails.

This morning I put the old shoes on to run the golf course. Still a light dusting of snow in spots and I thought the extra traction would be beneficial on the slippery surface. The increased traction was great. It wasn't until I finished, that I realized I had a blister on my achilles and after removing my shoes, one on the other achilles as well.

Hate to throw out the shoes, they've probably got less than 50 miles of running and plenty of sole left. Think I'll use them next week, but prep the hot spots. The ultra folks use tape or body glide to lube potential hot spots.

50 miles

Been throwing around the idea of doing a 50 mile race. First off I'd really like for it to be on the trails. Secondly, I don't really want to travel to far, either. Talked with Puppymeat and he suggested doing a 12 hour run instead. Makes sense, lot of the 50 mile races have cut offs. Most of the 12 hour runs are multiple loops of a short loop, usually a half mile to 3 or 4 miles. Bigger benefit is having all of your food and drink readily available each loop.

Really seems feasible after doing the second loop on the golf course this morning. Each loop is 4 miles. This mornings run was almost surreal. The dusting of snow we got yesterday was still on the shaded and windblown spots. They were almost a dayglo white, compared with the putty colored grass. The frozen spots were shiny black, not to many. Plus, with the cloud cover the lights really reflected on the frozen grass.

So far I've only looked at a couple. The Delano is to soon. Nice and close, though. This one in Indiana sounds promising. I can't find out anything about the one in Kentucky.

Actually I volunteered at the UltraCentric race in Dallas, a few years ago. Same concept except 24 and 48 hours. I was a lap counter. It was on a quarter mile track that year. This past year they did a larger 2 mile loop on the roads at Meadowmere Park in Grapevine, Texas. (Dylan's birthplace) Grapevine, not Meadowmere Park, though I've done many a run through that park.