Pumpsie Green

I traded 500 baseball cards for a 62' Pumpsie Green, NY Mets back in the day.  It was cool, but he doesn't appear in my collection today any longer....hmmm.  I have about 125,000 cards, which I seldom look at anymore.  Occasionally someone will say something like, "My parents grew up by Ray Sadecki in Kansas City".  Next time I see them I'll bring them one of their cards.  I get stuff like, "Do you remember Wayne Granger".  Sure, who doesn't.  Which team do you want him from.  It's about the only way to get rid of commons now-a-days.  Thinking back, I told a Red Sox fan Pumpsie was the first black player for them.  It's now in his collection of 20 cards.  I think the last card I gave away was a Twins - Phil Roof card.  The one he's squating with that huge catchers mitt.  I have given away Aaron, Mays, and Clemente cards to younger kids, but I am a little more reluctant today.  They didn't print 2,000,000 copies by seven companies each back in the day.

Voyageur is Saturday.  I am looking forward to just jogging out and see what happens.  I just hope the power lines aren't as slick as last year.  Any decisions concerning Sawtooth/Superior will wait until my return.  I am in okay shape.  40-50 miles a week, some long runs, but a pile of heat training runs.  Caught some grief, but the best part is...I don't care.

I see Brother Grub was kind enough to document my running gear choices.  I would buy some of that stuff if I do another 100 miler.  I just go and buy stuff at a regular store because that's what I have always done.  I have had people not go on a run because they forgot Body Glide or a water bottle.  Are you serious.  Here's an empty Pepsi bottle and I have the cap...grow a set.  I've won two fuel belts, which I gave away...to marathoners, go figure.  I like that stuff Kevin showed and I might buy that shoe dryer...by wife's orders.

Brother Grub looks solid.  If he reads this, I would say stay the course and don't get greedy the last month.  Remember your mantra.  "Live for another day". 

Personally, I have to quit telling others in the greater running community what I want to do.  I all about committed to a team for Al's Run (claiming I could break 30 for an 8k) and now I'm not that interested.  I'm really into this run about 50 a week and do what I want mode.  Plus the Northern are hitting like a German Shepherd (had to look that spelling up, it didn't look right) on a rib roast.

Give me 40 acres...

and I'll turn this rig around.  Like this old trucker song, I have came to the conclusion I don't have enough space to get ready for Sawtooth.  I'd have to give up some things needed done around here and I wouldn't get to fish much.  Went out the first time Friday after work and caught a couple Buffalo fish which were a first.  I fish in the Fox River and was running the bottom with crawlers.  I wasn't exactly sure what they were, but with internet available on the cell phone was able to make the match.  I was thinking that's what they were and was glad I got an ID.  Soon I was after the Northerns and must say I am out of practice.  The first one sheared my freakin' tackle off at the bobber.  I never set the second one and my bait got mauled.  The third one I missed was either because my line is too old from last year, or I did a bad job tieing; which is possible because the mosquitos were brutal and I skipped having a leader which I normally employ.  It was fun to get out there either way.  The beaver who moved into my spot a couple years ago seems to have been washed out.  He must have moved on because he wasn't cussing at me this year.  If I got up on his stuff he let me know he was there.  The muskrats either moved or were hiding.  They generally come out after an hour, but didn't see them this year.

Three weeks from Voyageur.  Average training.  I might try and sneak in 50 this week and do a two week taper.  I need to get back to some solid heat training as the past week was weak for that.  I am going out real conservative this year...kinda like I do at Ice Age.

Back to fishing.  I grew up in Pennsylvania as a hunter and trapper.  Sure, I fished some, but it easily was replaced with baseball, frisbee, football, etc.  I am not a great fisherman.  I prefer to just figure stuff out myself.  Kind of like running.  I'll listen to people and perhaps goof around with their ideas, but I am best left to my on conclusions.  I'll stay on something a long time to see if it has any merit.  Lately, I have been working the bottom just because it has a different feel.  Bobber fishing in the river can be a hassle when the current is fairly strong.  Plus I can stay where I want longer.  The longer I'm in the water, I figure the better off I am and you can catch some cool stuff.  So far in my spot I have caught:

Northern
Walleye
Crappie
Buffalo
Bullheads
Blue Catfish
Blue Gills
Sheepshead
Rock Bass
Largemouth Bass
White Bass
Suckers

I have not caught a Muskie, Carp, or a Smallmouth yet...though they are in there.  There is probably
other stuff, so that's why the fascination with the bottom.

Bullet Proof

You better be to finish the Sawtooth 100 and I am coming to terms that perhaps I am not.  Ran 27 with Brother Grub Monday and through 20 I was feelin' solid, but the last few miles waxed me.  I basically was useless the rest of the day.  BG is going back out tonite for night bonus miles, so he appears willing to become bullet proof to coin his words.

Yet, I haven't written it off.  I think I'll go for 13+ tomorrow and see how this goes.  One thing I came to realize is I can't really taper much for Voyageur if Sawtooth is looming.  My biggest hang-up is how does one move along for like 30+ hours?  I just can't get my head around this and I will have to if I line up on 9/9.

Of course I'm 50 on 9/11, so perhaps the Superior 50 is in order.  Perhaps this would give me a peak to the future.

I came to terms after my only 100 mile finish in 2003 that I am no 100 mile guy.  Fifty miles is a solid effort and I can handle pain fairly well, but I don't see how you get through Sawtooth without major life ponderings?  I want one of those jackets though.