And the Sky is a Hazy Shade of Winter!

Simon and Garfunkel and the Bangles, a great combination while looking out on a dreary Detroit winter morning... anyway, I digress.

It's winter.  We haven't been hit like the East Coast, but its gotten damn cold. We've had snow and I've driven on several pieces of ice.  This is far more in the way of naturally created obstacles than I have dealt with in the last 3.5 years. And now how to run?  Do I still have any cold weather gear? Will I freeze to death?  After running in 110 degree heat, will I be more immune to frostbite?  The worries!

So far I have been able to handle teen's and a "real feel" of zero.  It sucks, but I'm determined to brave the Arctic chill.  I broke down and bought myself my first pair of running tights.  (I wear shorts over them) In the early going I found out that I had a compulsion to overdress.  The fear of the initial chill, was greater than my desire for the overall comfort of the entire run.  It's getting better, but I still have trouble keeping my hands warm all day. It's proof enough my body is not up to speed yet.

The finished product.

I'm reassured that all the ice and snow is gone, for now. It gives me hope that it won't stay like this. But I took measures to prepare for when its back.  Usually if you put tools in my hands, the worst will occur, but I am pretty proud of this DIY project.  I can't take credit for the idea, but I will take credit for the quality execution.  Basically, instead of buying something like Yak Traks or some other device for my shoes to keep traction in snow and ice, I just screwed in some 1/4" sheet metal screws.  They are short enough to not come through the sole, and the shape of the head, as I found out, does a great job at "biting" the ice.   Got out for about 3 runs with them last week, and it really made a difference.  Of course, I used my oldest pair of Hell Feet, for this.  No sense in messing with the newer one.

Like I said, I've been doing my best to brave the elements.  I got as far as January 22nd, before I broke down and joined a gym.  Close to the house, and just enough good treadmills to keep me occupied.   I think the grass is always greener on the other side.  And I've been on both sides of the yard when it comes to treadmills. I was not on one the whole 3 years we lived in Arizona.  And I thought it was great... it probably was. BUT because of that, I missed the handful of benefits that I see with Treadmill use.

1. The obvious, the ability to avoid the out side elements.



Moving.

2. Consistency, one thing we tend to knock, but does have benefit, is the metronome like nature of the machine.  If you set it at 8 minute miles that's what it will go at.  If you want to work on holding a tempo, a treadmill maybe the best tool in the arsenal.

3. It's an even surface.   While some would say, it could lead to overuse, which it could.  If you are currently dealing with a compensation injury, which I have been, running on a flat surface can take the strain off and help bring your body back into balance.

4.  Mechanical Motivation: Sometimes it hard to gauge if your holding pace on a road, trail, or even a track.  With a treadmill there is no question.  If you hit a button to slow down,  you know you quit on it.  Very black and white, and sometimes we need that.

But with all these changes, training is going well. I am down 7 pounds since the holidays and workouts are getting easier. I am actually mixing in good speed work and not quitting on my long runs despite the FREEZING temps!  First race of the year will be the Circular Logic Marathon in West Lafayette, IN.  This race holds a special place for me in that its the site of my current marathon PR.  More to come!

Flashback to this time last year. Racing in the Sierra Estrellas. 

"Running over the same old ground, what have we found the same old fears?"

I've been working on this post for the last two and a half years.  The story would get a little long in the tooth if I dug in too hard, so let's leave it with this... it's difficult to put into words my running time in Arizona. Lots of experiences and indescribable scenery. Great races and great people! But many challenges.

What I was looking at when my ankle went.

In December '13, a few months after my last blog entry, I ran in a 50 mile race.  Things were going well till at mile 9, while gazing at Four Peaks,  I twisted my ankle rather severely.  And for whatever dumb reason, I decided to gut out the next 41 miles, which resulted in...no, not a broken left ankle, but an internally jacked up right hip from compensating for it.  I spent all of 2014 dealing with this injury  There were times, during trips to the Neuromuscular  Therapist, whose job it was to torture my hips, back and legs, to try to get me bits and pieces of relief, that I thought, 
this might make for an interesting piece of writing." But frankly, I was just too down, and wondering if this thing would ever get better.




1st Place in the "Runners with Beer T-shirts" Division!

Even though, over the course of the 2014,  I still ran races, (Lost Dutchman Marathon, Coldwater Rumble 20 miler, a few odds and ends) I  just wasn't  having much fun with it.  Fast forward to the start of 2015,  the hip was a little better but still not 100%.  We had just gotten word that our move to Indianapolis was approved and realizing I was down to a 5 or 6 months left in Arizona, I decided I HAD to give a go at 100 miler.  Need less to say, I was poorly prepared. I gave it my best, and my best got me about 65 miles through desert mountains.   By the time I quit, my feet were raw, like sand paper had been taken to them... I had an ear ache that made any wind, let alone an iPod excruciating.  Plus, I was just tired, hungry, defeated, and the only thing I wanted was a couple Quarter Pounders and a chocolate shake.  As I dipped the first fry into the chocolaty goodness, I came this realization...

IF YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING GREAT, YOU NEED 2 THINGS:

1.  A desire to accomplish your goal that is greater than the goal itself.
2. Training or preparation that is so good, that quitting is not even an option.

It may seem simplistic, but breaking down a goal usually is.  Think about it, if you want to attain something, anything, your desire for it must be all you can envision.  If you don't have it,  doubt, or just plain disinterest will creep in.  That happened to me... I simply didn't care enough.   By the time I got back to parking lot, with 60 plus miles on my legs,  I could care less about finishing.  I was beat.  That mental edge is everything...or at least a high percentage of everything!

As for training, I knew my lead up was not good enough, but I hoped that maybe all the miles I had done over the years had to amount for something.  It didn't.   You can't fake it. Miracles don't happen on race day!

My home field, San Tan Mountains

But in the end I just loved running in the desert. so it was worth giving it a try.  No regrets. There's many worse fates in life than not getting a 100 mile race crossed off your bucket list... but the dream is still out there.   I have so much to still mentally unpack about our time in Arizona.  As I am back running in the very familiar Indianapolis public trail system, I've been able to really appreciate the places that I got to see, the people that I met.  One thing I came away with, is that, I don't care how tough you are, the desert is tougher.  And to be able to say you spent time out there, watch the sun rise and set, to have had the indescribable smell of a trail, right after one of the rare rains... is something I'll treasure for the rest of my life.    It felt so free, like you were the only person out in that inhospitable world, moving, breathing, burning.  Truly,  some of the most spiritual moments of my life have come out on those Arizona trails.  I'll forever have it ingrained on my soul.  


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And it's something...an openness to experience, that I bring back with me to Indiana.  Now its time to get back to running well.  The winter beard is fully grown in, ready to battle with my new Arctic terrain!

Vertigo

I was in the 6th and final 6.5 mile loop; it was about 2:30 in the morning.  I had just downed the last 8 ounces of a Starbucks Frappuccino, some blue Gatorade; a few bites of potato dipped in salt and 2 chunks of dill pickle… the final bit of fuel to get myself to the end of this 39 mile test.   And I was stalled!!!  Could not start running, my stomach was full of liquids and gunk, telling me, “if you even think you are going to pick up the pace….. We will give you other plans!”  Two choices: hike and hope it gets better or turn around and go back to the Start/Finish line and call it a night.  How did I get here, again?

My Arizona running, while it has been an almost exclusive singular pursuit, with exception to when Amelia (2) comes along, has been some of the most rewarding, thought provoking, reflective and meditative activities I have ever taken on in my life.  I always say this… “That many have gone to the desert in particular times in their life (think Biblical) not necessarily because they wanted to, but because they NEEDED to.  The awe and wonder that you can get out here by being truly engaged in the sunrise or sunset, or in “the warm smell of colitas rising up through the air”.  It’s magical. That is if you can break away from the fact your hair is on fire…literally on fire.   I love running on my local paved trail, which I still refer to as the Monon. (Our old rail trail in Indy, which is takes its name from a Potawatomi word for “swift running”.  I love running up on the hills and mountains.  Anywhere, it’s my medicine, it’s my brainstorming place, it’s my meditation… it’s my prayer.

Slowly, but surely I have been jumping into some races out here.  I ran a bold 50K in the mountains behind my house.  I trained hard, ran smart, and with 2 miles to go I gave it all I had up the final mountain climb, in an effort to bag a momentous 15^th place!  However, like an engine out of oil I seized half way up.  The guys that smartly hiked gave me the nod… like it was a good effort, “Sorry you blew up, but we’ll be passing you now!”  I find no shame in playing as hard as you can!

The Vertigo Night Run 63K (roughly 39 miles) was held out in White Tank Mountain Park… or jus the White Tanks.  Living in Chandler, I have only gotten out that way a few times, not to run, but every time, I saw that range and thought that was some place to get to.  So when I saw this race, I was instantly intrigued.    I am training for some goals in the fall… and this mileage, the course and the fact that it was being held at night (5 am) cut-off had me sold.   The race is held by a Company (AravaipaRunning), whose races I really enjoy.  Its owned by  two brothers, who are inspiring runners: and that translates and ebbs from the races they hold.  They always have great swag, good food, and they know what a good course is!

The one question left to answer at the starting line, was something I gleaned off a much better runner than myself…am I ”participating” or am I “competing” in this race.  There is a definite difference.  You need to go out there and decide, am I going out to do my best, or am I just going out to chill, knock  out the miles, eat some M&M and be groovy.  Now when I say compete, make no mistake this plow horse is under no delusions that he will make the run for the Roses, BUT can I push myself, lay it all on the line… and pass that very last bugger that might just happen to be in front of me.  Playing hard is half the fun….   Each and every time, I pay my money; I answer that question… and because I am paying, usually means I’m racing!

So the race started at 7:00 pm, I have been doing most of my running and especially long runs at night, not going much past midnight, but I figured it would be K for close.  I didn’t get a final read at the temp, but I think the car was showing in the low 100’s.  Its funny after one year living in the desert, the heat was the last thing I was thinking about.   I’ll be honest and say that trails at night and stepping on a Diamondback has been more my preoccupation.  But with an 8 dollar upgrade to my pre-purchased lamp and the thought that there will be a bunch of people running on the 6.5 mile loop, I reassured myself that the coast would be clear.  

I don’t know what fast people do, but my mental approach to one of these races is to just stay in the present, don’t try to think out to mile 35; you are here at the start… no more.  I have an inner Tyler Durden about to put lye on my hand, yelling at me “Don’t go to center, this is you pain, embrace it”   So that’s what I focused on… and frankly, it’s not as bad as lye on your hand!  The race starts and I search for a rhythm.   The sun is still up, it will be gone in an hour, I keep my steps as light as a 200 pounder can… keeping the cadence up.   The trail is nice and wide, it’s a mountain bike sprint course, or something like that, so as I survey the land and just tell myself that someone is able to get a bike around this place so it can’t be too bad.   It isn’t too bad, it’s runnable, and once the darkness comes, it will cool down a little and should get nice! 

One lap down, and the sun was setting, the sweat was evaporating nicely, keeping all systems good and functioning.   I have gotten to a point where I just carry water with me if I know aid stations are within reach.  I find if I carry Gatorade or anything like that,  I take in too much and that just turns my stomach, I go with the plan of picking what I want at the stop, and then just have water for carrying.   It works well because I never have this “panic” that there is some magic solution I “must” have!  The first 2 laps I knock out in 1:07 and 1:10, respectively.  (A little more than 10:25 minute/mile pace)  I felt fine the whole time through laps 3 and 4, though I do have to confess to at times the Angel on my shoulder was telling me it was “OK, to bag it for the night, and go get some fries and a chocolate shake.  But instead I told her that we just need to get through the Marathon mark.    If I got that far, I won’t want to quit…..Riiiiiight!!!!!   

In one of the more awesome none running related happenings… I saw a giant fireball coming down from the sky… like picture the moon on fire flying across the sky.  I really had no ability to express how cool it was to  the blessed guys working the aid station.  (Bless you guys) But it was like the Almighty coming down and saying you will stay out here and finish this Race!   So I come into the end of my 4^th lap a little pumped up.  Instead of fueling up on the blue Gatorade, and rest of my Starbucks Frappuccino that I had packed in my drop bag, I read a text from Rose, that the kids seemed to be pretty much in good shape.   So with that concern out of my mind I darted out on to the course with 2 full water bottles and no other calories… with 4 miles to the next aid station.  

I got back out onto the trail and 5 minutes in, realized what I did.   I have to tell you, it was not an easy lap.   Not that a handful of gummi worms was going to make it better.  But I think the thought process of knowing you’re out of gas and you have nothing to fuel up with, while proceeding onto your 30^th mile, starts to weigh on you.   So it wasn’t pretty.  My fifth lap, I came in around 1:35; almost a half hour slower than my first.   So what did I do to get ready for the 6^th and final lap? I OVERCOMPENSATED.  I chugged the blue stuff and got crazy on the Frappuccino… oh and yeah, pickles seemed like a good choice!  So there I was trudging back onto the course.  Full bloated gut, cursing myself! (But at least I wasn’t sleepy!)  I stopped for one second, starred at the brilliant starry Arizona sky and made the quick decision of either to head the hell back or start “hiking” forward till I could run again. 

I chose the latter, in about 10 minutes I was able to get my legs back under me.  And at this point in the race I seemed to be the only person out there… just me, on a dark trail trying not to wake up a rattlesnake.   I dug in and got across the line… at about 4:00am, 9 hours and 5 minutes.   It wasn’t the pace that I hoped or thought I could pull off, but being that 34 started the race, and only 14 completed all 6 loops… I must have done something right.   For a Dad of 3 that has to work, travel, cut the grass, blow-off the rocks… or whatever the hell you’re supposed to do with desert scape,  I’m proud of the effort.   Now back to running with Boo Boo and listening for the Almighty, as I train for the next adventure!

FOR THOSE THAT MADE IT THIS FAR: Type in the Facebook Comment Section "Free Coupon" and you will be very lucky to receive One FREE night Stay in Chandler, AZ and I might make you pancakes!

Pass Mountain

“Made a wrong turn, once or twice.  Dug my way out, blood and fire.

Bad decisions, thats alright…Welcome to my silly life!”

 

The desert.  The mountains.   Great people that I have read about have gone there in certain times of their life.  During struggles, challenges, or in time of reflection.  I am not sure our move to Arizona will qualify as such a magnanimous time.   But it sure does feel like.   We touched down on June 25^th.  It was well over 100 degrees.  It’s hot here in the summer, no doubt, but I was adamant that I would adapt and that my running would not suffer.    I got in a lot of quality running, high heat, lots of climbs, but a little low on the quantity.   Its beautiful out here to run, the way your sweat works the way it was designed to work, evaporating, cooling you and allowing you to function,  the sunsets, the stars… and the trails, the mountains!  I am not sure what it is about them , but it’s like they are a lightning rods for all the physical forces of the Earth; a direct result of the amazing power of the is world.  

Enough of waxing poetic, and on to the running.  If you talk to me about my running it is no secret that  a race in the Mountains has been on my list of things to do.    I am not sure I like the idea of a bucket list, because I don’t like the thought of mentally checking something off, for the sake of checking it off… as Mr. Keating said in Dead Poets Society, I want to “suck the marrow out of life.”  This means to stay a while to hang out, to soak it in… so anyway, I found a race that I was able to get on the schedule.   The Pass Mountain 50K in Usery Mountain Park in Mesa, AZ.   Nothing like running a course sight unseen, but based upon what I have run in the past… it seemed manageable.  Funny how in life you can be both right and wrong!

 

I’m not here for your entertainment. You don’t really want to mess with me tonight”

“Cause you know it’s over, before it began!” 

I take the drive out to the park at 5 am, down a Red Bull and start getting dressed in the Truckster.  It’s cold, like 39… ideal conditions to start a marathon, but when you’ve been training in 110, a 70 degree swing is a big deal.   Few minutes to the start, I breathe in the cool mountain air and look up to where I will be going.   Even though I know I am under trained, when I get to the starting line, I deep down feel it would be an insult to the racing gods to not give what I have… at that moment.   The gun goes off and down the trail we go.   Looking around, I gauge what trails we are on and based upon the 2 X 15.5 mile loops we will do, I recalibrate my race strategy.  Instead of taking it easy on the flats, to have enough for the mountain climbs… I decide… to take it easier on the climbs so that I can stretch it out on the flat lands. And as we all know “The best laid plans of mice and men… and those that barely have a 20 mile training run under their belt…go often awry!” (See Robert Burns)   This all made a lot of sense, as I am trailing two gents when…. CRASH!!! 

“I'm safe up high, nothing can touch me.  But why do I feel this party's over?

No pain inside, you're like perfection.  But how do I feel this good sober?”

I missed getting over that rock by half and inch and came slamming down to the parched, rocky, sunbaked earth.   I hit hard.   Those around asked if I was Ok. I was too stunned to mutter anything, but just scrambled out of the way so that no one fell over me.   It took me a second… hell no, it actually took me about 9 miles to come back from that.   Pain, and dare I say, anger, coursed through my body… the pack that I had been trailing headed off laughing, and singing like a pack of mutant clowns, dressed in the colorful shoes and self-absorbed camelbacks… I hated them… because 1 minute ago, that was me, all happy and shit and running well.  Now I am a crumpled mess on the side of a cactus!    It’s amazing how quickly your mind can make a situation dark and ugly.  And that is one of the real lessons in this whole life.   Can you get into a hole, and somehow dig back out.    So I kept moving forward,just after my fall is where the inclines started, so I had to climb with this kind of an attitude.  But somehow, I buckled down and got up and over the mountain.   The views so spectacular its not even fair to describe and a picture does no justice!   Finally, I get to the next aid station… at the half way point and start to refuel.   I am making good time too… 2:45 or so… perhaps a sub 6 hour finish is possible?  At the start of the day if you told me sub-7 I would be happy… but less than 6 hours!  Might have 2 beers for that!   

“Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears.   She's so pretty, that just ain't me.” 

It never ceases to amaze me just how quick the turnaround can be in your mindset.  As dark and as deep as you can get, the resulting high that comes is striking.   People often smirk and snicker at the thought of the “runner’s high” but I am here to tell you it is real and it is wonderful .  The chemicals that your brain can produce are better than anything you can buy… and they’re safe!  Win, win! To feel your body move, cutting through the air, moving the ground with each pace.   It is true transcendence…. Stop reading and go put your shoes on and move around…. 

Ok, you’re back, good.   So from mile 15 to mile 20… pure joy and bliss…. Just as I headed to the last aid station before the 9 mile un-aided mountain climbing station.  Reality began to sink back in.   All those long runs I wish I had gotten in… well the resulting effects of them were desperately needed.  When you don’t have that kind of mileage under your belt, you have not trained your body to be miserly with its glycogen, or its fuel.   Basically, we all have enough energy in our body right now to get through 20 miles.  It’s your training and your fueling plan that can get you past that.    

“When someone said count your blessings now, For they're long gone.

I guess I just didn't know how I was all wrong” 

The best way I can describe what happened to the insides of my legs, is to picture them turning into wicker and someone lighting a match… yeah, about that good and I still had a 1,000 ft climb to do.   Nothing to do but suck down the fluid I have and hope for the best and maybe take a GU…oh yeah, the ones that I left in the car!  Damn.   Then last ditch effort is to pray that all the fat in my body can slide into my legs to fuel them up.     So I gritted it out for 9 miles to the final aid station… at mile 30.  One mile left.   Being totally depleted, I filled my bottles, had a chunk of pumpkin pie and some ginger ale and got down the final stretch of trail.   One guy that I had “competing” with off and on along the course was starting to close in.  I tried to call upon one last push, but the wicker baskets dried up.   We gave each other a laugh, and a “see you at the finish”… he too paused for a second with about 200 meters to go… but I just had NOTHING in me to pull ahead.  See even mid-packers can dual out to the end.   There is nothing better than testing yourself, along with a fellow competitor to see just how much you can pull out of each other.  Pure Joy!  (Especially getting across the line and clasping hands as worthy combatants!)

 So I did it… I got my 31 miles done on a mountain.  And I have to say it feels awesome, and I am ready to get out there again for more.   So the question you may ask… “Kevin, why the P!nk lyrics?”  Well, other than I dig her music, and that most her songs have close to 180 beats a minute, which is perfect running cadence.   She has soul, she is brutally honest, and she cuts down to the human core.   Because in the end this whole running thing for me is my way of, in a microcosm, to capture the joy and pain, the suffering and the celebration of life.   To embrace it and to take it all in because you only a have a brief split second window to decide if you are going to live something to its fullest, or are you going to let it go by.   The choice is ours to make every day, every minute, every second of our lives.   Give Thanks for it.  So to give Alecia Beth Moore of Abington, Pa the final word…. 

Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame.

Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned. 

But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die. 

You've gotta get up and try, try, try.  Gotta get up and  TRY, TRY, TRY!

Specificity

Specificity: : the quality or condition of being specific: as a : the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms.

It's a terrible cliche' to use the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to talk about a word because you don't have the clear ability to use your own words to explain it. Alas, I love cliches'. I am training for the Strolling Jim 40 Miler in Tennessee. At least I think I am. I have not signed up yet, cause I am not sure if it is going to be 100% feasible with all that is going on. But I will train likes its going to happen. Which leads to specificity. It makes logical sense that what ever race you are going to do, to do training that will simulate the conditions and terrain that you will face on race day. I am still not certain this makes any difference whatsoever. I think of Hendrik Ramaala winner of the 2004 NYC Marathon, who used to train on the same flat one mile loop in a park in Johannesburg South Africa. So it begs the question, "what really makes a difference?" Specific or not, what do you have to do, to get your mind made up that you are going to go out and "let it rip", and see how it turns out. That's part of the joy of the Weekend Warrior!

The Strolling Jim, while it is actually on roads, not trails, is know for its constant uphill, downhill, the kind that you do not find in pancake-flat Indianapolis. The one hill in Upper Arden and the incline at Marrot Park are probably equivalent to the lightest climb. But it will have to do. Besides the mild elevations, the other things I can add to the training, is speed and more miles... and of course getting down to racing weight. (That's a big issue right now)

I actually went to see a dietitian. I think that got me more mad, and made me eat more. My training has been real good, but the sugar addiction is pretty ridiculous. Not to look for excuses, but I will anyway, but the new job transition, a lot more travel, and the impending move to Arizona is leading to some pretty mindless eating. Frankly, fast food tastes good, jellybeans and ice cream taste good... and if my company is going to pay for me to eat a Cheesesteak and Ben Jerry's when I am on the road... then damn skippy I am not going to get brown rice and steamed vegetables. Vicious circle, it is! No clear answers, just the same old suggestions you can look up on-line everyday. Maybe I need hypno-therapy. We'll try that next month!

Now onto race results. In spite of my extra fluff, I ran a personal best in a Marathon this past weekend. I came in 7Th (out of 74, which is crazy and awesome) in a time of 3:39:23! And even more crazy is I won my age group 31-39.... that will probably never happen again...so we'll take it! More importantly, a major goal has been hit. I have wanted to get below 3:40 for about 3 years now, and I finally did it a the Circular Logic Marathon in West Lafayette, IN. I was just looking to do this as "some training miles". But the race director was a real nice guy. He sent me an email saying that he read my blog, and that his daughter-in-law went to Rutgers, too. Small world. So anyway, I am not sure why, just being shown some human kindness maybe, but I felt like I needed to go out and do my best for him, and myself. I went out an ran 8:10 to 8:20 miles the first 23 or so, then started to wither on miles 24 and 25 with about 8:45's... basically I needed to run a sub 9 minute mile to come in below. So I "sacked up" and ran the toughest 8:38 mile of my life. My left foot felt like the flesh was ripping off, which it wasn't, my guts felt like they were pouring out, which they certainly were not.... yet I flew into the finish just as the Who's Babba O'Reilly was beating in my ear. I least I felt like I was flying. I sure it looked pretty pedestrian, but the high of really "letting it rip" and having it pay off, was so worth it.

A note on the move... Yay, I got a promotion. But we are moving to Arizona for it! Looks like it will be around the first week in July. If you had talked to me 12 years ago, when Rose I just got married, it was a dream to move there. It's funny or not funny depending on how you look at it, how the Almighty Universal Power can take its time answering you. It is not going to be easy, the Fine's have done well in Indiana. (Can't believe it, but I may cry when I hear "Back Home Again"... before the 500!) But I think something special lies waiting in the Desert for us. I am not sure what..... but there is something good. I feel it in my whole person. As for running, keep it on the down low, cause Rose will read this... but the trails are going to be pretty awesome, too!

Be.

Kevin

Cold Weather Training

Yeah, I don't do it! This is the time of year that the YMCA membership gets some good use. Sad to say though, this past 30 days has probably been the least I have run in 5 years. That might be a good thing physically, but mentally its a big struggle. I will say that the runs that I have done, have been more quality than usual so its not a bad trade off.

I have a three pronged approach to the Spring Season. 1. Stay Strong 2.Get the lead out 3. Don't do anything too dumb! The goals are to run my fastest 5k, my fastest Marathon and to run a great Ultra. The Ultra goal is a little different because I may be running a race that I have wanted to do for a while. The Strolling Jim 40 Miler in Wartrace, TN on May 5th. (You can all breath a sigh of relief... I'm not doing a 50 miler!) http://sj40mile.com/ It was named after a great walking horse, named, you guessed it "Strolling Jim". If you can finish under 7 hours you get a gold t-shirt....as you know if there is a t-shirt involved... I am in. Plus, I have positioned this to Rose, that this would give us a great chance to go Nashville, someplace we have not been. So, sounds like a "Win-Win" to me!

The next goal race is the Carmel Marathon on April 21st. I was looking at this as a "tempo run" for whatever ultra I ended up deciding to do. this might be a little, well maybe a lot closer to the Ultra time wise. But I tend to do better with a 2 week taper! ;-) I did Carmel last year, fair, flat course, that I set a PR on it last year in June heat, so I am feeling like if I get a good day weather-wise, it can come together. The goal food for after the race is a Big Ugly at Bub's so we may all have to have a get together there for some large burgers!!!

The most pressing goal coming up is in March and April to go after the Holy Grail of the Fat Runner... the Sub 20 minute 5K!!!! I just need to see 19:5X.... I will confess that I have that number up on the fridge. I was once told stories of Olympic swimmers putting times up on the wall and hitting it by thousandths of seconds! that is fine just as long as I get into the 19's!!!

To hit these goals of have enlisted the help of Nationally Recognized Coach Carl Egbert. You may have heard of him from 3HS fame or from his Flying Delaware Blue Hen days. (If you need an online Coach you should give him a try... he's way better than Alberto Salazar) Carl and I have taken my based, and how should I say... We are sharpening steel, with steel. The quality of my workouts have improved tremendously. And I am doing speed work outs in ranges that I have never hit before. So well see... first shot will be March 11th, for the Big 10 Hoops Classic 5K... I am sure Rose will let me race for my 12th wedding anniversary!

The one thing I am content with is... unless it warms up a lot I have no intention of going outside...(except for the trip to Mexico at the end of January) most miles are getting logged on a Treadmill. I just hate getting over dressed and I certainly can't try to run up-tempo in it. Another interesting wrinkle is I have my first appointment with a Registered Dietitian on February 24th... so I can unknowingly enlist the help of another professional into my mania! Until next time... Be!

2012 Resolution

Happy New Year! I have never been one for resolutions, 'cause I'm not a fan of broken promises, so If I make one... I like to really give it a good try. I am getting back to documenting my idiotic tales of running. 1. It helps me to remember. and 2. Maybe one day it will help to completely confuse my children as to why their Dad was in running clothes most of their life. 2011 was a good year. I set personal bests for all the distances I raced. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can do better.

This year with Amelia as a new training partner, I was able to get a little closer to the recreational runner's Holy Grail... the Sub 20 minute 5K. It was the only 3 month period where I kept my crazy eating under control. Lighter means faster.

I ran 3 marathons this year, Flying Pig, the Carmel Marathon, and the Indianapolis, running consecutive personal bests at the Indiana races, getting down to 3:41. I have been trying to get the clock to read 3:3X:XX for about 3 years now. The Indy race I really had a good chance, but a 25 mile per hour wind in the face really took the steam out of me.

I also ran my fastest 50K this year, dropping 45 minutes off my time at Germantown, getting down to 5:23, on trails. It was a great day weather wise and I felt amazing through all 31 miles. It was a transcending experience. To drop that much time, to feel that good, I must be doing something right! Most importantly not one day, did I not run due to a "running related" injury. Its getting close to 5 years, since I had anything that's stopped me, so that's a big deal too!

I still think I have a couple years left of getting faster. ( I think) This of course, goes against the rule I subscribe to... that you can only have 7 years of improvement, at anything. All things, work, sports, life, you can only try to improve on the same thing for 7 years and make it better, after that it falls apart. You either have to go do something else, quit, get fired... or reinvent the thing that you do. So this year my reinvention has to be how I eat. I can't continue to run 50 up to 70 miles a week... but eat like I'm running 120! Plus the fast food obsession needs to get some serious work. (Rosaries and Proverbs is just not enough to get me over the hump) I am thinking of some radical scenarios (radical for me, that is) to try to get my eating issues under control... seriously, if I did not run like I do...I'd be in line to be a Biggest Loser contestant, no doubt in my mind!

So for the tentative 2012 race schedule: this is just target races, there is no telling when something may pop up or get substituted.

March Big 10 Hoops 5k.... will need to run some 5K's before and after this... but this is the target for running a 19:5X. I have enlisted the help of famed Florida running coach Carl Egbert to help prepare me for this feat. (he's working pro bono) I know I have it in me somewhere... more fast running and 15lbs off the frame should help!

Then next target is the Marathon. I currently plan to run the Carmel Marathon again, which has moved its date to late April. (Much better than the Inaugural which was in mid-June this year) I was really proud of myself for running a PR in the heat, and I look forward to being on the starting line 30 years from now as an old codger that has run in ALL of them!

A well as being a shot to run a best time, the marathon is also going to serve as a "tempo run" for another go at the 50 mile distance. There are 2 events in mid-May that I am considering. Either doing the Dances with Dirt Gnawbone race again, or going up to Wisconsin for the Ice Age Trail 50..... the cons of the going to Brown county is they get stupid sometimes running you so far off trail...(not looking to go Hoosier Hiking) and the con of the Kettle Moraine race is driving 5 hours. So we'll see.

For the fall, I am just hoping to have a real nice training effort at running a great Marathon again. My training is always best going from the summer into fall. Not sure what race.... I would love to do Steamtown (Scranton, Pa)... if it could coincide with a Rutgers game. I have never done the Monumental so that is an option. If we head back home then maybe Philly. We'll see, plenty of time to figure that one out.

Thank you for the indulgence, I just wanted to get my thoughts down for the year. I have resolved to keep up with this, so I am shooting for a monthly edition! All in all, 2012, should be a fun year of Going, Going, Going!