The last time I ran outside, it was 16 below zero. Five (5) days later, I got sick and could not do much. It was the germ from hell that had taken out half the staff at work, and it sounds like it now has gobbled up Matt Patten as well. I was thrilled that today I woke up after 6 continuous hours of sleep... That was great, considering I have been sleeping a little. So, the run outside could not be passed up.
I went to the Minnesota River bottom and ran for two hours. The footing was very mixed, with shaded areas like ice, and it was hard to climb the hills to slush. My foot would sink 4 inches as I ran along. I was wearing only a short-sleeve T-shirt with a long-sleeve T-shirt over it and was very comfortable the entire run.
I wore my Nathan and tried a few things I read somewhere once, but I needed to figure out who to give credit to. When I filled the bladder, I turned it upside down and sucked all the air out of the bladder. I was told this makes it ride better on the back. IT DID. Amazing how there was no sloshing around, and I did not know it was there. But, I discovered with no air inside the bladder, sucking out the water was so much more complicated. I will test this a little more to see if it was a kinked hose or something like that, but I sure loved how it felt on my back.
I also do not like powders on the bladder. So, I took straws and filled them with Gookinade powder. I would take the straw and eat the powder like the old sugar-filled Pixi-Sticks. I like this instead of drinking the stick drinks, which I manage to spill on me occasionally. I am interested in trying this again in the future. Have any others tried such a thing?
Anyway, I am so glad to be getting outside. I had some pains I did not like, but that is what happens when you take time off, at least.
Carry on!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tire flip, headphones and other rambles
I saw an article in the Star-Tribune yesterday. It was about a guy who wanted to run 93 miles in 24 hours on a treadmill (http://www.startribune.com/local/north/38239339.html?elr=KArksUUUU) At first, I thought, let Diane challenge the guy… She will always be the queen of treadmill training in my book! Then I thought, I know so many people that could do this easily… I might sound like I am diminishing his glory, but Adam flips a tire, and I think he can do over 100 in 24 hours on a treadmill… Enough said. What I know about most successful ultra runners is they are so humble.
I never thought I would get rid of that cold, which still lingers a little… I believe it is lingering as I need to get some sleep. After being sick all last week and sleeping for what seemed like forever, insomnia has hit me as I try to get caught up. I monitor my time sleeping and morning pulse rate, among other things; I have slept 20 hours in 6 days… (THAT IS LESS THAN 3.5 A NIGHT...I AM NOW ON AUTO PILOT AND FORGETTING WHAT I AM DOING.) I hate taking sleeping pills, but I think I need to head to the store and stock up. They just make me feel so depressed!
I did run yesterday and felt good. Just 3.1 miles in 32 minutes. I also got an e-mail saying Grandma's
Saturday looks like a great day to head outside. I finally have 3 weekends where my tennis team only has me working a match daily, which is nice. But then I have three weekends where any training is impossible, with tennis being 12-14 hours a day…
Starting March 21, I have only one whole weekend of tennis through May 16, so I look forward to getting a solid 6 weeks of weight loss and training. Until that point, I aim to build a solid, consistent base of 20-30 miles a week. Over the next 8 weeks, I plan on getting my average miles into the high 40's and slowly creeping into the 50's through Grandma's. At that time, I will decide whether to work an aid station at the
Two weeks from today, I will be in
Carry on!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cold and Flu
I am out of commission... For the past three weeks, I have been fighting pain in the midsection, which moved all over. Made it very hard to work out. Went to the Doctor, and he thought I may have a sports hernia, but I do not understand how Icy Hot helps a sports hernia? But Icy Hot helps a bunch. It is a groin strain. It feels better this week, but I am now down with a cold...
I have not had a cold and flu this hard in years, and I have not left work sick in years. Today was too much. Some think it is from running outside all week last week, even on the 20-below days, but I started feeling bad on Saturday Morning and did not run Friday. Either way, it is slushy outside, and I am stuck inside. Bummer, but at least I did get quality time in last week.
Even though I want to train as I enjoy it now, I can not... I am not getting worried about that issue as I am leaving for Germany in three weeks. When I return, we can get set for all the outside trail running... Yippee...
I have not had a cold and flu this hard in years, and I have not left work sick in years. Today was too much. Some think it is from running outside all week last week, even on the 20-below days, but I started feeling bad on Saturday Morning and did not run Friday. Either way, it is slushy outside, and I am stuck inside. Bummer, but at least I did get quality time in last week.
Even though I want to train as I enjoy it now, I can not... I am not getting worried about that issue as I am leaving for Germany in three weeks. When I return, we can get set for all the outside trail running... Yippee...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Regular runs...
The header sounds a little gross, but it means three runs this year—about 8 total miles! For those who may read this, that is not a big amount, but considering months ago, I did not ever want to run again—I had no urge, no desire, and no enjoyment lacing up and heading out—this is a nice number of runs and miles.
Now, is it cool to run outside again (No pun intended - it is winter!) Again, I really have completed minimal running since the ST 100 attempt... My current runs are small, fast runs or that athletic in effort, but I have enjoyed the outside. Just short runs of 2.5-3 casual miles. Not at all hard. It seems simple, and I did not do much. I would have more runs in, but January will be a minimum month for increasing miles of running. That is because I have four weekends in a row of tennis, which means 16 plus hour work days on Fridays and Saturdays and 8-9 hours on Sundays. When I finish Sunday, I usually go home and sleep. I am on my feet most of the day for tennis, and it is really tiring mentally and physically. I am only focused on training and preparing for Grandma's. No other thoughts about any other race. I will see what happens when the snow melts... So, I am looking at January as a base month. To run at least 3-5 miles every other day on average. If I do not, then who cares? I am just thrilled to enjoy lacing up the shoes once again.
Then tennis is much less in February through April due to my schedule changes. I decided not to apply for the Carson, CA event in April as I am taking my first non-tennis vacation in years (I only had one in the past 7 years?)... Although Carson is all chairs and top-level officiating. So I should have a chance to get more outdoor time in with the reduced tennis, and I am looking forward to my real vacation!!! A visit to Germany for over a week with my son in February. Then there are some great running partners out there I am looking forward to spending some weekend time with...
I also wonder how my 6 weeks of Vitamin D therapy have impacted this positive attitude about running. I have 6 more weeks to go. I am less fatigued and sleeping much better, but I still need improvement. I also purchased DietController, one of the best programs I have seen to monitor all aspects of diet and exercise. I do not want to slip into the lack of nutritional balance noted in my blood tests 7 weeks ago. It is hard to believe how off-balance I was, and I'm glad the physician found these issues. Either way, things in my personal life are in a strange situation right now, and I miss Dana more than ever. I am not sure I ever let me feel about her death, but I know for sure, I was so dependant on her for encouragement, I am now reliving what we went through 3 years ago, alone... Hard to believe she died 2 1/2 years ago as it seems like yesterday.
But as I know, she would want me and anyone else in this situation to continue with the good things in life. Running is one of those things again; that alone feels good. I hope this continues, and I will see you all on the trails in the future.
Until then... Carry on...
Now, is it cool to run outside again (No pun intended - it is winter!) Again, I really have completed minimal running since the ST 100 attempt... My current runs are small, fast runs or that athletic in effort, but I have enjoyed the outside. Just short runs of 2.5-3 casual miles. Not at all hard. It seems simple, and I did not do much. I would have more runs in, but January will be a minimum month for increasing miles of running. That is because I have four weekends in a row of tennis, which means 16 plus hour work days on Fridays and Saturdays and 8-9 hours on Sundays. When I finish Sunday, I usually go home and sleep. I am on my feet most of the day for tennis, and it is really tiring mentally and physically. I am only focused on training and preparing for Grandma's. No other thoughts about any other race. I will see what happens when the snow melts... So, I am looking at January as a base month. To run at least 3-5 miles every other day on average. If I do not, then who cares? I am just thrilled to enjoy lacing up the shoes once again.
Then tennis is much less in February through April due to my schedule changes. I decided not to apply for the Carson, CA event in April as I am taking my first non-tennis vacation in years (I only had one in the past 7 years?)... Although Carson is all chairs and top-level officiating. So I should have a chance to get more outdoor time in with the reduced tennis, and I am looking forward to my real vacation!!! A visit to Germany for over a week with my son in February. Then there are some great running partners out there I am looking forward to spending some weekend time with...
I also wonder how my 6 weeks of Vitamin D therapy have impacted this positive attitude about running. I have 6 more weeks to go. I am less fatigued and sleeping much better, but I still need improvement. I also purchased DietController, one of the best programs I have seen to monitor all aspects of diet and exercise. I do not want to slip into the lack of nutritional balance noted in my blood tests 7 weeks ago. It is hard to believe how off-balance I was, and I'm glad the physician found these issues. Either way, things in my personal life are in a strange situation right now, and I miss Dana more than ever. I am not sure I ever let me feel about her death, but I know for sure, I was so dependant on her for encouragement, I am now reliving what we went through 3 years ago, alone... Hard to believe she died 2 1/2 years ago as it seems like yesterday.
But as I know, she would want me and anyone else in this situation to continue with the good things in life. Running is one of those things again; that alone feels good. I hope this continues, and I will see you all on the trails in the future.
Until then... Carry on...
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Random thoughts...
I ran yesterday. And I ache today. I am like a rookie all over again!
I have read many blogs about 2008 and look forward to more in 2009. The recent message tends to be great or miserable about the year, but everyone has hopes for 2009, with very little in the middle. There is one thing that amazes me, that being that all of us who thought I year sucked (including me), we are actually better off than most of the world. We work out more, have food and housing, great friends, and a smile.
For some, no matter how much we dislike our runs, our Duff’s, our diets, or our relationships, there are some who have had the worst DNF experiences. The death of a friend or relative is the ultimate DNF. DNF of a life, DNF my time with them, DNF our desires… But I think back to some of the deaths I have endured.
I keep coming back to the death of my 3-year-old nephew, Aaron. I recall those words from that unknown pastor so often. He said Aaron did not DNF; he lived his life fully. His life of three years god gave him was full and complete. Those three years seem short because we have these expectations of life being 70 or 80 years.
It is hard, but if I remove the expectations I had about my time on earth, my race times, my race distances, and my weight goals, they are less impacting. At the same time, life is dull and empty without expectation. Where is that balance? I will never know, but I bet I will think about it…
I’ve never been an absent-minded person. Perhaps that’s the wrong way to describe myself. Not intense enough? The truth is I can’t ever stop thinking. When I’m bored, my mind drifts off, and I explore situation after situation and idea after idea. So, one day, as my mind drifted, I played the “what if” game. What if I were born a monkey? What if I could read minds? What if I did not break up with Shari Felted in High School? Then a more troubling thought entered my mind and I haven’t able to shake the question since.
What if there was an epidemic?
What if a new disease breaks loose and begins to ravish the population? And suppose there’s only a limited number of vaccines. What do we do? It was this train of thought that I am musing over still.
See, an epidemic is a natural occurrence in this world, just like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. However, in so many ways, an epidemic can be worse. While natural disasters only affect one small area, diseases aren’t limited by any geographical barrier. They can go anywhere and infect anyone. They don’t stop; they spread, leaving desolation in their wake.
So, if one of these were to break out here in modern-day America, my question is: There is only a limited number of vaccines and medical supplies, so who gets treated? How would we justify who gets saved and who isn’t worth saving?
It’s a hard choice when one is forced to play god. Who would be the ones to not be treated? The old, the sick, the mentally unstable? Or do the rich get treated and leave the poor to die? Who could be allowed to make this decision? It’s all so complicated. Morals and family ties make the choice almost impossible. How would you justify it? Kill the few to save the many? It is scary to think of what I would have to do in such a situation. What would you do? It may be a question that is moot… but if I am occupied thinking about something, it goes all over the map.
So, as I start 2009, I think about stupid things like the above when I have nothing else to think about. I think about things I can never answer, or at least I hope I never will… And I am thankful for what has been given to me, even though I find many faults or issues with much of it.
Carry on…
I have read many blogs about 2008 and look forward to more in 2009. The recent message tends to be great or miserable about the year, but everyone has hopes for 2009, with very little in the middle. There is one thing that amazes me, that being that all of us who thought I year sucked (including me), we are actually better off than most of the world. We work out more, have food and housing, great friends, and a smile.
For some, no matter how much we dislike our runs, our Duff’s, our diets, or our relationships, there are some who have had the worst DNF experiences. The death of a friend or relative is the ultimate DNF. DNF of a life, DNF my time with them, DNF our desires… But I think back to some of the deaths I have endured.
I keep coming back to the death of my 3-year-old nephew, Aaron. I recall those words from that unknown pastor so often. He said Aaron did not DNF; he lived his life fully. His life of three years god gave him was full and complete. Those three years seem short because we have these expectations of life being 70 or 80 years.
It is hard, but if I remove the expectations I had about my time on earth, my race times, my race distances, and my weight goals, they are less impacting. At the same time, life is dull and empty without expectation. Where is that balance? I will never know, but I bet I will think about it…
I’ve never been an absent-minded person. Perhaps that’s the wrong way to describe myself. Not intense enough? The truth is I can’t ever stop thinking. When I’m bored, my mind drifts off, and I explore situation after situation and idea after idea. So, one day, as my mind drifted, I played the “what if” game. What if I were born a monkey? What if I could read minds? What if I did not break up with Shari Felted in High School? Then a more troubling thought entered my mind and I haven’t able to shake the question since.
What if there was an epidemic?
What if a new disease breaks loose and begins to ravish the population? And suppose there’s only a limited number of vaccines. What do we do? It was this train of thought that I am musing over still.
See, an epidemic is a natural occurrence in this world, just like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. However, in so many ways, an epidemic can be worse. While natural disasters only affect one small area, diseases aren’t limited by any geographical barrier. They can go anywhere and infect anyone. They don’t stop; they spread, leaving desolation in their wake.
So, if one of these were to break out here in modern-day America, my question is: There is only a limited number of vaccines and medical supplies, so who gets treated? How would we justify who gets saved and who isn’t worth saving?
It’s a hard choice when one is forced to play god. Who would be the ones to not be treated? The old, the sick, the mentally unstable? Or do the rich get treated and leave the poor to die? Who could be allowed to make this decision? It’s all so complicated. Morals and family ties make the choice almost impossible. How would you justify it? Kill the few to save the many? It is scary to think of what I would have to do in such a situation. What would you do? It may be a question that is moot… but if I am occupied thinking about something, it goes all over the map.
So, as I start 2009, I think about stupid things like the above when I have nothing else to think about. I think about things I can never answer, or at least I hope I never will… And I am thankful for what has been given to me, even though I find many faults or issues with much of it.
Carry on…
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