I miss the Earth

Big Kick was out in full force today as we mustered 7.4 miles through the cold rain.  I snuck in 50.6 miles for the week, which is about the low end of what I want to get in.  We did cover off the movie classic, "The Incredible Mr. Limpet."  Surprised 2 of the 4 of us had never heard of it.  It brings back the good days of being a kid.  It is worth a look in my opinion.

I'm seeing that races are still being cancelled or postponed through August.  Seems a bit over the top.  I can go to the grocery store, Mickey D's, or the cancer center, but running remotely out in the woods can't be figured out?  On another vein, why does everyone insist on explaining everything to me.  It's a garden...I get how it works.  Fill out this spreadsheet (that came with detailed directions)...and let's get together on a call.  Compost site...yes I know I can't get rid of construction material or old video games here.  I guess it's better than having no input. 

In the 90's I went directly to duct tape over the nipples.  I became soft.  My wife taunted me because if I knew anything about breast feeding that eventually they toughen up.  I'm not a flashy guy so I just leave it on.  Not always easy to get a good seal with hair, so I'm doing repairs a few times a week.  I'm not going to shave the area because my brain tells me that could mostly be wrong.  Vaseline stains the shirts, band-aids are completely useless, painter tape is worthless, and body-glide is too expensive.  A roll of duct tape last years though I'd be lying if it didn't occasionally confuse people about me.  What I may never understand is as often as one rips them off there is no lack of hair.  I recently saw a roll of duct tape that will last me until the end of the trail.  No flash and not overly expensive.  Tight as a vice grip, but very little residue.

One of my favorite snacks if a double hamburger and a McChicken.  That will run you $2.92.  I could eat that everyday.  Running to burn calories is a huge motivator for me and to be honest I could easily eat 5-6 sandwiches at the arches because they are tiny.  In fact as I type I just decided I'm going to go make a run.  I'll pick up tabasco sauce and a 6 pack of those nutty buddy things, you know...for the effort.

Been watching the MJ documentary series.  What's all the negative waves?  Guy wanted to win.  The people who didn't like the environment left.  He made some mistakes.  I could not imagine being in that position and not doing the same.  It's the NBA Brochiles.  Of course people are going to torch each other.  Any sport growing up meant you dealt with life.  We had apple fights as kids and the objective was to throw at the other guys head as hard as you could.  Not really any age restrictions.  You figured stuff out.  This week I was copied on a small issue via email.  I was off that day and watched as 4-5 people got involved with question after question.  I'm not a genius, but I picked up the phone, called the person at the receiving department (no idea who they were), asked 2 questions, sent an email to everyone saying what was going to happen and it was over.  No ones bombing apples at your head.  Pick up the phone and put stuff to rest.  Kind of like collecting money.  Send 20 emails or just get them on the phone and say you owe us money.  When can we expect it...Brochiles? 

Kentucky windage

Yesterday was a rewarding exercise in that I learned the reason I run slow.  My blood counts are down considerably.  At this point in time I don't know what the overall picture is, but the good news is I am now totally going to be Joe Hendersoning it.  Back in high school I read his book, "Run Gently, Run Long" and it made sense to me.  Through the years I have trained hard at times, but always enjoyed running more when it involved nothing more than the easy freedom of movement.

I noted my bit of disappointment in only covering 60 miles a month ago on the 12 hour virtual run.  Based on what training was recently done it made no sense to wash out early.  Last week on our venture around Lake Geneva it was a bit of work for what is typically an easier pace.  I was clearly the ball and chain in my mind though it was a good run for all.  I ran less this week because of tiredness.  My though process is I would have a little more zip on Tuesday and Thursday running with the Big Kick Track Club at 10:30 pace, but it was more work than I wanted it to be.  Now I know why.  There is a little less juice in the juicy fruit.

I took Friday off.  Today I had a great run down to the trail intersection at QEK and then jumped on the Ice Age towards the old Funk road parking lot.  Along the way I remember a tale told to me by a legendary Drake graduate of a one mile trail that goes up over the muscle ridge and circles back.  I keenly investigated and made all the proper navigation moves to get back.  There wasn't a soul out there.  Only the occasional  flaking of spring tree buds wafting down on me.  I did spook a big doe.  Evidently she saw the size of me lumbering down the trail in my $25 dollar pair of Avia shoes from Walmart and wanted no part of that.  Sound wisdom.  I have chucks of deer in my stool bigger than her.  Eventually one pours out near the bugline and after a few add on segments I completed 11.1 miles in 2:04:51.

That's the plan for now.  Just jog with what the day gives me.  Save some for tomorrow.  Learn to just make time disappear.  "You going huntin'?"  "Only if'n I lose something."

Two pounds of bacon and bread crumbs

About a month ago I took part in a virtual race.  How many complete 5 mile loops could one do in 12 hours.  I shot for 14 loops and managed 12.  It was a good experience.  It just was not my day.  Every time back you checked in on Zoom, took a picture of the watch face (for me) and emailed that in, and updated the information on the platform.  Then when acknowledged you headed back out.  My son helped so that saved time.  Those 12 loops took 10:49:42 in a time frame of 11:27.  I did not have enough time to complete another loop.  Dean and Clem came over on their bikes to check on me, and Robert who ran a 50k that morning came over and put in about 3 miles to see how I was doing.  It was good to have visitors for sure.  I was in the tank 25-40 miles into the thing.  It was very windy out, so I switched to running multiple out and backs were there was less wind.  The 20-25 mile winds gave me an ear ache that took a day or so to go away.  I forgot how painful those can be.

After a couple real easy weeks and slight pain I managed to get back to running again.  Last week I managed 57.9 and this week I hit 67.2.  Saturday, May 9th I was invited to run around Lake Geneva.  A beautiful run just short of 22 miles.  Joel, Christine, Robert and myself ran the complete shoreline route which literally goes through everyone's backyard.  The running surface changes for the most part every yard.  Concrete, patio circles, brick, stone, wood chips, etc.  Just outstanding lake homes, one after the other.  Then there are the impressive lake views.  I really enjoyed this adventure.  I timed it at 21.9 miles in 3:56:20.  Anytime we came to a complete stop I stopped my watch, but everything else was timed.  I'm guessing we walked no more than about a half mile or so, or at least me.  I did stop the watch when we walked up to the gas station in William's Bay.

Stop at Frank's for hot dogs.  Guy used to be 370 so he knows his way around a good dog.  He's half of that now.  His best time around the lake is 5:30.  Fries real good and not because we were half starved.  It snowed here Friday.  About 40 and rain right now.  I think my wife and I discuss everyday about when we are moving.  No matter.  Weren't no Grizz left anyway.