RUNNING TALES

Before I get into today's run, I should first go over the event that lead to the outcome of today. Yesterday, (Tuesday 5/15/07), I was getting ready to run 5 miles and I was just about dressed to run except for my socks and sneakers. Then just as I was about ready to finish and leave the phone rings. It was the school calling about one of our Foster kids needing to come home since he was sick. Well, there goes the run. So, my five miles went by by's. So, now, today, after a morning full of business to deal with, I decided that I am going to run today. But, it's raining!!! Well, for those of you who have read my previous posts, you know my situation here. So, I ask you, did I run or did I chicken out? You know, I could stop right here and come back in a few days to see if anyone leaves any replies as to what was thought if I ran or not, but, I won't do that to any of ya. That was just to be funny. Well, yes, I ran 2 miles in rain. I didn't do 5 today since, I wasn't sure how the rain would be all day. The first quarter of the run was a slow sprinkle/drizzle combo. Then up until the last quarter of the run, the rain slowed more to just a drop here an there. Then during the last quarter, the rain increased. After the finishing the run, I realized that I made only one mistake. I should not have wore my glasses. I'm not a car with windshield wipers. I can say that I actually enjoyed the run. My time was 21:38 for 2 miles. I'm not complaining. Soon after I got home, my wife called and I told her that I ran in the rain, and she asked you mean in the pouring down rain ? I said NO, it wasn't pouring here. She was surprised. My water wings are not broke in - he he. I know to some of you my blog seems to be about running in the rain, well, it's just that it was a good subject to start with, there will be other stuff on running. Y'all have a good run now, ya here!

it's been far too long since i've been serious about my running; not since high school did i actually run for fun. running just came naturally to me back then - it was genetic apparently. My dad always told me about running track and being able to outrun most of the track team in his street shoes (even though he was too poor to participate - had to work his way through high school).

anyways...I'm in the ghetto of Durham, NC now. Fiancee doesn't like me running here, but i figure most folks will leave me alone if they think i'm crazy enough to run here, i must be too crazy to mess with. I'm moving to Burlington, NC to be closer to her as the wedding is at the end of this year...

Today was one of those wonder days. First tracks in fresh snow, sunshine, and... a stiff 30 mph wind blowing all the snow off trees and sending spindrift across the trail. One of those days you wish you had your camera, but at the same time you are happy to live in the moment. I couldn't help but to stretch my arms wide in the biggest gusts, daring the wind to lift me up (or at least knock me on my butt). The wonders of a cold front in Boulder.

Well, today had finally came. Today marks the first time in 2 years that I ran 4 miles. I had to much to deal with and for some reason or another just would not run much past 3 miles. That changed today. Last night at work, I decided that I was going to run 4 miles today, and I did. The journey out was much easier than the journey back. On the return run, the wind was very bitter cold and at times strong. Not only did I complete the 4 mile run, I did not allow the wind to keep me back. I ran hard at times and yes, there were times I walked took. The run walk percentage was about 70/30. == Ran 70%, walked 30%. The wind is why otherwise, it would be different.

It was in the low to mid 30's today and I was debating on working out inside versus running outside because to me it was that cold out. I had to leave the house for a while and on the way back I saw to guys running. At least one of them had shorts on. I thought, well, if they can, so can I. When I got back, I changed and started out. Wow, the temperature really didn't bother me. It was that darn wind. I don't do well in really windy conditions. Be that as it may, I am glad I went out for the run. I would have been stuck indoors had I not saw those two guys out there. See, this is another way how other runners out there motivate us.

I'm going to kick of my blog with a blog entry I wrote following this year's Leadville race.

August 20, 2006 -- 10:00 am, 3 hours after finishing.

I am one sore puppy today (and that will of course only get worse for the next 48 hours).

So, my goals for the race were:

1) Finish
2) Break into the top 100
3) Break 25 hours (and net the big buckle)

Final time was 26:47 ... only remarkable because I had such a difficult time with the double crossing of Hope Pass. I've run this double crossing several times in test, but yesterday my HR was 15 pts higher than normal and I could not get air in to power my legs.

Atherton / Redwood City: 45 mins – 4.5m.  The sun rose in Atherton after a monsoon yesterday – the air smelled great, the sky was clear, and the fall leaves were on the ground.  I put my iPod on and headed out the door sans watch (I left it in Keystone) for a quick out and back on one of my standard runs.  The air was thick – lots of oxygen down hear at sea level.

The first attempt of a car to murder me was probably my fault – I started to jog across Woodside Road against a red light since the only traffic was the final left turn folks.  Of course, just as a started, a car pulled a fast U-turn and tried to run me down.  Chastised – I backed up to the curb and waited for the light to turn green and the walk signal to come on.

We're one day from the Big Man's Big Race in the Big Apple. The family has congregated in NYC for support and to collect dinner table fodder. Here's a couple of great emails Mike sent everyone before he headed to NYC earlier in the week:

Wednesday, November 1:

Hey all-- the big day is this Sunday.

*gulp*

My "race number" is 39658-- so apparently I've moved up from the
forty-thousands into the thirty thanks to attrition (which is how I
plan on winning this thing, by the way)... Supposedly you can track my
progress on the web, but I'm not sure how yet... as soon as I know
more I'll email you all again.