State Champ

 The year tapped out at 2,211.9 miles, which was 699.3 less than last year.  Two non-running injuries affected the total and also increased the percentage of walking miles.  That's okay.  Averaging 6.06 miles a day means I'm still in the game.  

 Every year I post who went out with me, or we met up for a little movement.  The top 10 does not have 10 in it this year.  My minimum is 3 efforts for the year.  Now folks ask about the dog.  Unless I'm counting the mileage as a recordable effort, the dog does not receive credit.   We went out, but at 16 years old  it's mainly a sniff fest and hey watch this once type of slow effort.  Plus she would have won 12 years in a row had I counted the glory days, so I excluded her.  

State Champ - 26

Ten Bears (or beers) - 24

John Wayne (real name) - 18

Ginger Rockstar - 12

The Wife - 10

The Robert - 7

 There was a time long ago, when we were young in which we modeled parent behavior. One such behavior was transacting business.  Generally seen at the gas station (when they did it for you), grocery stores, and rarely some type of restaurant.  There was some verbal direction and then the payment part which was almost always straight cash.  Don't hold up anything at any cost because others need this service as well.  Also it's 5 degrees at the gas station and Goober doesn't need to waste time in the cold.

 It was real good training.

 But somewhere this waffle iron of consistency and being a good American disappeared.  I could stand on my head and spit $25 dollars in nickels before some customers and patrons figure it out.  The whole thing can be a circus.  Am I the bad guy?  Just pay, don't ask questions and move on.  

 

A time

 After talking with my sister on Saturday, we briefly began talking about ridding our lives of the excess.  We have gotten to this subject maybe 2-3 times, but never fully explored.  Mainly because we had been on the horn so long it was time to make a realistic run at accomplishing something the rest of the day.

 Is it necessary to accomplish something?  A good question.   I have learned what I accomplish probably has little to no value to anyone else, unless you domicile with other humanoids.  Then things such as general participation of cleaning and presentation of the abode matter.

 Now those things were not taught in college.  It was not until my participation in the family structure began in which everyone plays a role. Here is how it worked.  For five days a week you accumulated money to pay for stuff.  All this gets put in the fridge, bank, closets, and the shed.  On the weekends you had time to use some of this stuff and you moved it around until the five days started back up.

 Decades later you realize almost all this stuff is worthless, except the stuff in the bank. The bank stuff is another subject.  Not only is this worthless, but many of the activities, vocations, and minor milestones one may have achieved mean nothing to anyone.  Then, one day you realize they mean nothing to you.

 And this can be so freeing. 

 I'm not going to take the time to merge this into the excess.  Now is the time to look into achieving nothing and expecting nothing.  If the dog looks cold then I cover her up.  If the armadillos dig up the yard I repair it.  If we have food that needs ate up then I grill it.  One day a week I go into town and get two slices of cheese pizza for $4.77 and toss a dollar in the tip jar.  It is a weekly highlight.  

 Oh, and I jog around some in hopes of completing a 50 miler under the cutoffs in May.  I found the Florida National Scenic Trail is 6 miles from me.  Such a bonus.  Here's how many other joggers I've seen to date...zero.  Only hikers and dog folk.  Good by me.  Can't forget about the kayak and bird watching.  Love it.  Occasionally someone will ask about it.  You can pick up some good stuff from other junior enthusiasts when discussing birds.

 That's kinda how life is.  Be more interested in others than yourself and you get something out of it that doesn't go in the shed.

Word salad

 Off work today so just out attempting to be the best version of me.  This looks different for everyone, but today's version is geared towards not really letting the man over extend into my terrarium.  At some point what one does for earning cashola is going to cut bait and work on getting off the grid.  Nothing could be finer.

 So off I set on a 4.5 mile kayak at the first break of daylight.   It was a cool 40-41 degrees.   Not a soul out.  Saw the usual bird action and a couple to look into.  The smaller song bird types are hard to see that flitter between backyards and marsh.  It was very peaceful.   

 Saturday was 22 miles.  Ran the first 6 miles and then went to .35/.15walk mostly on trail.  I was not rested so I could test myself.  At about 17 I went to .15/.10 walk and turned it around.  I ran the last 2 miles and ended up averaging 13:17.  Not bad.  Completely different  body to work with compared with last Saturday.   It's good though. 

 

Stone Elephant

 It was a good week for me.  I am pleased with the ability to run more, recover well, and just go with what works that day.

Monday: 7.0 (13:02 pace) .3/.2 walk

Tuesday: 6.5 (11:39) run

Wednesday: 8.0 (12:13) run

Thursday: 6.6 (13:50) random / walk w/Wayne

Friday: 7.0 (13:16) .3/.2 walk

Saturday: 18.0 (11:55) .38/.12 walk

Sunday: 7.5 (12:23) mostly run

Total: 60.6

Special happy birthday shout out to my friend Kris H today.  I miss our conversations and commeraderie.  Hope to see you at Ice Age.  Not sure, but this one might be a new age group.  

Parliament

 Today was a planned 18, though I cheated and stayed on the paved trail.  Using the .38 trot and .12 troll it turned out pretty sweet averaging 11:55 per mile.  Initially the pace after 6 miles was slow, but okay.  After about 8 miles it was time to quit jagging around so I purposely picked it up.  It turned out to be a good decision. 

12:57

12:26

12:17

12:32

12:24

12:28

12:35

12:25

12:00

11:57

11:37

11:24

11:44

11:48

11:31

11:30

10:51

10:15

I punched the time in a race calculator and it said 10:34 was doable for 50 miles.   This took a bit of pressure off.  Plus you would easily add an hour to that for trails.

Tomorrow I need to trim it back a bit and be smart.  Though I feel fine now after my Big Mac Meal with a Coke, I can't afford to uncut funk  the bomb again tomorrow.  I better stretch a bit.  Hate that bogus movement,  but 5-6 minutes won't kill me.

Hamburgers in your face

 The truck pulled off Fort Cooper road and was parked by the Withlacoochee Trail.  I avoid traffic this way and can take side roads on occasion.  Being off work today allows for a slow jaunt, alternating .3 mile jogs with .2 mile walks.  Seven miles completed at 13:02 pace.  I enjoy this format, but the miles come slow.  I know it is necessary for my training to survive, but would much rather have the ability to run 1-2 hours a day without any walking. 

 I find the longer distances still intrigue me.  If I was to throw it all in to try and break 24 minutes for a 5k then I'm sure I could do that.  The idea of completing 50 miles in under 12 hours somehow seems like the better challenge.   Mainly because I'm not sure I can do it.  It always might be your last one.

 

Just for the hell of it

 Today was another good day.  Not sure how the better days get strung together, but I'll take it.  The only thing I've been doing is stretching a little bit.  Still hammering the calories and just letting the jogging happen.  Of course this has always been the plan.  Run enough and the rest will be taken care of.

 Today was 8 miles without any walking.  The left leg was okay and only noticed a bit of tiring in relation to the right leg.  I averaged 11:40 per mile.

 So with 15 yesterday and 8 today,  it makes things appear possible.  I don't doubt with the fitness I currently have that I could stay under the cutoffs at Ice Age all the way to 30.5 at Duffin.  This is where it gets hard.  For us slower folks it is past noon.  If the sun is out it is a grind.  My reserves become tested and getting up the backside of confusion corner is a bear.  Once that hill is climbed you are about 2/3rds done.  I have really struggled here the past few years.  Mainly because I'm waiting to rally.  But the party barge has been gone and I ain't on it. Suddenly Jinx Dawson and the Coven is playing One Tin Soldier in your head.  "What are you gonna tell your neighbors, what are you gonna tell your friends."

 

Kick a buck

 Today was a longer venture.  I managed 15 miles at 12:20 pace.  It was mostly paved trail and roads.  Utilizing a .37 jog and a .13 walk ratio, the run went well.  I had a half peanut butter sandwich at 5.7 and drank water.  High 50s at start and mid 70s by the end.  No real rough spots, though 7 - 10 mile range had a laul.  Had a t-shirt on with a long sleeve t over that.  Had the mighty Preffered Pump hat on to break the sunshine.

 Felt really good the last few miles.  Had to cap it at 15, otherwise I get carried away.  Would like to achieve 17 next week.  Hoping I'm motivated to drive to the trails, but anything over 10 miles away is a hassle.

 Based on today's trek, one sees Ice Age in a much better light.  2 weeks ago when I aggravated the nerve in my back again I had big doubts.  Still a long way to go.  The only real way to determine if 50 miles in under 12 hours is possible is to do some really long sessions.  Once you get past 25 - 30 and get in the tank out at Ice Age it can be a nightmare.   I still maintained this false notion that if necessary I could grind out a few miles on sheer will.  Like Dandy Don used to sing, "Goodnight, the party's over."

 The last few 50 milers have been brutal past 35 miles for me.  I have to largely walk the majority of it with a few run efforts that just gut me.  Yes the runs have reached temps in the 80s and even 90s, so hopefully next May is different.  I'm hoping to master a walk/run strategy out there that helps extend my crash point somewhere past 40 miles.  Looking at last year's results,  I believe like 155 people finished.  Of those finishers, I was in 154th place at 9 miles, so it's not like I was lighting it up.

 I spoke to a few folks early about pacing as the heat was coming.  Some want to bank miles while it is cooler.  My experience with that is once you set the Kentucky windage it is hard to back off.  Like the Captain says in Cool Hand Luke, "Some men, you just can't reach.  That's the way he wants it, so that's the way he gets it."

BBQ wisdow

 Today was one of those days one enjoys.  Sunday was a brisk 2.5 walk to finish with 45.5 miles on the week.  Today was 6.5 miles with a .36/.14 run/walk ratio.  It went well and 11:48 mile pace was achieved.   The left leg is still weaker, but good progress has been made.

 An effort has to be made to monitor the distance and pace.  Was a time to just go after every run a bit, day after day.  Just go until it seemed like enough and stay there.  There is not a motivation issue, there is a capacity problem.  The rest of the week needs to be consistent mileage while and slower.  Save something for the 14 planned Saturday.   That will be a big jaunt.  The plan is to do it in the State Forest and practice at a run of the mill pace around .35/.15.

 My 60 year old XC teammate (college) returns to coaching this year for boys HS basketball.   It is a new school.  He has retired from teaching.  He had accumulated 289 lifetime wins.  I am pumped to follow along.  The papers say he is "old school."  What else would he be?  

Yessssss coffee

 Last week at the grocery store checkout, I attempted to load a heavier item and the lady told me she's got it.  Easily 65, she then announces she can bench press 375.  Those moments are treasured.

 On the same day I dropped an item off at a guy in the neighborhoods place.  He graduated high school with Alan Scharsu.  Alan ran 8:44 in the 2 mile, which was 3rd all-time then.  Funny what people tell you when you are a jogger.  We ran at the Austintown Fitch Relays so I did see Alan run.  He was a '78 grad.

 My friend ran against Glenn Herold in HS.  He tells the story of them being neck and neck and then the gun went off.

 I aggravated the nerve again and had to pull back.  This week has been good and I managed 11 miles yesterday out at the Withalacoochee State Forest.  They have some races out there on 1/7.  Thinking of seeing if I can cover a 50k.  The goal would be finish.  The wife suggested the 25k which is the smarter call, but I can do that on my own.  

 My friends are aging.  We are trying to cram in events before the door shuts.  I took a 2 hour nap yesterday.   Like in the middle of the day nap.  I have mixed feelings about naps.  Mainly because I then slept less than 5 hours last night which then increases the nap reflex today.  Complete nonsense. 

 I made note of 10 things I need to consider during the day/week.  It is my list.  Not a lot of deep thought.  No direction other then what should take preference on pushing the ball forward daily.  It has items most people would have.  Looking at it now I wrote down the word Mindful.  It is my attempt to consider someone else.  Not always a trait easily maintained. 

 Expanding on Mindful, I have older relatives that would love a note or card.  Mail is still big medicine.  Not doing this is not being Mindful.  That's the best way to explain this for me.

 Next week in training I want to get somewhere around 3 hours on Saturday.   I also want to pick out a day in which I extend the period of running without walking a bit further.  Also, if a good day is being had then when doing the .35 jog and .15 walk, I'd like to run a little faster on the .35 part.

Quest for Easterly

 Got back out on Old Floral City road today for 5 miles.  It was a go as you pleaser and the watch claims 5 miles in total was reached at 12:45 pace.   All in all it went fine.  I achieved the 33 miles penned down this week.  Next week I have 36 miles to play with.  Thinking of investing 9 in the long run.

 Progress is slow.  It should be as only covering the miles and a small bit of stretching going into the hopper.   We have had visitors since Tuesday and this runs through Wednesday.  Good to see folks, though wings will be achieved 3 times.  The last round is the wing king's famous recipe, which was copied from Mr. Legend himself.  Squiggs...RIP buddy.

 It would be helpful if I could find an exercise or two which would aid in strengthening my leg.  It just does not seem to fire properly.   It is really noticeable when walking faster.  I should work on finding an idea this week.

Let me go

 Went out for my scheduled 7.5 today.  Early on the decision was made to go with the .35 jog and .15 walk sequence.   It was a wise decision as the left leg grew tired around 5 miles.  The pace never slowed the last 2.5 miles.  Probably because decades of running has secretly implanted a chip somewhere in the cortex which prevents this.  All the other parts participating pick up the slack.  It's automatic,  no sequence initializing needed.

 Of course all this stumbling around is done in relation to Ice Age comparison.   Today's course was dead flat and paved and 12:50 miles achieved.   Maybe, if required another 3-4 miles could have been achieved.  The way it stands now I am good to get to Duffin Road (13.1) in the back reaches of the field.  Places were dreams go to die.

  And I really mean that.  In the back you have folks towing around a bunch of mass, others completely under trained, and hanger ons such as me.  In some ways I tick off all those boxes.  My advantage is my body has leather feet, tendons and muscles trained for distance, and the ability to manage what has to happen.  When you know it's going to get into the 80's, this just adds to the fun.  Yet, some just go crash and burn before 20 and rack it up to just having a bad day. 

 So in this light, the idea is to do what is needed to create a mind set, carried out in training, that insures a high percentage of finishing.   I am not anywhere near this.

7 years ago

Got the 30 miles for the week in.

Sunday weigh in 185.  Bad.

Saturday long run 6.0.  Okay.

Stretching.  Borderline. 

Squat work.  Bad.

Going to have to start ridin' the clutch if this is going to work.  Can't depend on ram induction any longer.  Running alone and throwing more miles on the pile is done.  Just live life and throw miles into the void.  I just wanted to drive the school bus.  

Now I am engaged in a great civil war.  Testing what used to be, against what ought to be.  Not only is direction difficult for me, it appears following me may be more difficult.  I can't overtake someone's body and just run the crap out of it.  I'm stuck with this.  

I've had to set my sights on a potential 50k in January.  It should help me focus.  My immediate goal would be to break 7 hours on this trail event.  

I have 33 miles scheduled for next week.  I look forward to portioning this out.  The weight has to come off, or it compromises everything.

I wanna see some history

 Went out to Flying Eagle Preserve and put in 6.  Did the .35/.15 run/walk and it went fine.  

 I did see a bald eagle when leaving, perched in a tree top.  Pretty striking. 

 Cookie the cattle dog turned 16 today.  She's has grown old.  I see me in her a lot.  We all eventually get old enough that people take you were you don't want to go.  

 I am a sales representative.   Have been for decades.  What has changed over the years?  Nothing.  People still think we hardly do anything, but drive around and have lunch.  

 Fat, old, and tired.  That's me.  For those who haven't heard I am staying on with the same company of 38 years and working Florida.  It is good for me.  More folks who think, "What does that guy do."  You have no idea.

Ice Ice Shuffle

 Monday was walk only and did 3 miles at 15:56 pace which was good for me.  Left leg started tiring at about 2 miles.  Tuesday was a much anticipated 4 mile effort to mostly run and stretch it out a bit.  The run starts in pitch dark, but using Master Chief senses was able to navigate the course well.  Surprising the pace average was 10:59, about a minute faster than expected.   The leg held up well.  Weakening noticeable about 2.5 in.

 Found my pacing splits from Ice Age.  There is a lot of gold to mine in those numbers.  The pace for the first 9 mile loop was 12:35.  I thought it was quicker that this.  Not sure why as I was way back there.  I mean way back.  I had penciled a goal of doing 12:18 for the first 10 next year.  That might hold up.  We shall see. 

 Here are the pacing numbers from 2022:

0 - 9.0  (12:35)

9.0 - 21.7  (13:41)

21.7 - 40.3  (14:39)

40.3 - 50.0  (16:19)

Overall pace was 14:22.  Lots of room for improvement.  Of course if we have a cooler day than reaching the '80s, this would be helpful.   Maybe training in Florida will aid this.

Silverheels

 The week was anemic, registering 21.2 miles.  It is a starting point.  Next week the goal is 30 miles of mixing up jog/walk sessions.  Nine of these miles was Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday the 4.5 miles was done by jog/walk .15/.10 mile segments.  I blistered this at 13:28 pace.  Not quite in the chick's dig me stratosphere, but pounding on the door.  Sunday was down sized to .13/.12 and this was 14:17 pace.

 My left leg is compromised.  Whatever obstacle has occurred is leaving the leg feel weaker and unable to coordinate strong push offs with the right leg.  After a couple miles one can feel the difference and more brain force is required to keep some form.  Otherwise it appears the leg is being thrown forward on purpose as if pirate movie auditions were taking place.

 Confidence is high.  The other things which need done besides the moving around part have to start happening.  Eleven miles a day and a  hearty hi ho silver won't be shining around any longer.  Holding back from undertaking a 2 hour plus effort is difficult.   Gonna have to lay in the weeds a bit.

Fast times

 Last week the decision was made to try and rehabilitate and make a stab at the Ice Age 50 in May.  Now this would not be any surprise for the folks checking in here now and then.  The satisfaction of barely finishing my 20th this year apparently was not enough.  The beatings will continue until moral improves.  The larger issue at hand is when is the last one?  

 About 10 days ago a 5 mile bonanza run was completed with Dew Master and State Champ.  All flat, paved terrain.  Averaged just over 14 minutes a mile.  Again, with all the years and mileage beat downs we were happy to get it in. Though walking only was required the next day, it gets one thinking of the requirements to even considering lining up next May. 

 Last year the 11:57:31 meant just over 14:20 per mile.  Granted it was in the 80s a large part of the day, so cooler weather would be a bonus in the calculations.  The finish percentage was like 46-47.  Without going into all the other rehab stuff, the though is to be capable of averaging 11:15 per mile, on flat Florida unpaved road for 20 miles.  This, coupled with some modicum of volume might allow for a finish.

 In my head it is not enough.  Automatically one should add 2:30 per mile slow down and as high as 1:15 per mile slow down from the terrain here to the Ice Age Trail.  That equals 15:00 per mile which means no shoes, no shorts, no dice.  This week so far, a 3.4 mile effort was completed at 13:39 pace on paved roads.  Looking for a boss set of tools.

 Optimism is high.  Once some leg strength is achieved and a bit of stretching accomplished, them maybe speed will follow.  But, one actually has to do those things to make it work.  People mention the lack of appreciation experienced on my part for the advice offered.  It comes across as being told what to do.  Authority is understood, but when it comes to power jogging, stand aside.

Made to wave the flag

 Long, slow recovery it appears.  Today I executed the 2 mile lightning an had splits of 16:02 and 16:00 flat.  Just a bit outside.   If I am able to ever get up and get going, not sure how to mimic trails like Ice Age.  My one leg is significantly weaker for now and it plays on my balance.  I will worry about this if it ever gets that far.

 Took the bird app yesterday on the kayak and recorded 30 different birds.  Spent too much time looking at the phone, so I will limit that exercise.   It recorded birds I never knew existed.   Pretty cool. 

 Off work today.  Have a few tasks I should take on.  Generally those are skipped over as the work/job part gets tended to.  I know.

I can see for miles

 Another Saturday and again in the whole hour not another person, boat, or kayak spotted anywhere.  So beautiful to be outside seeking adventure.   What is the reason people do not want to use the magnificent resources around them very often?  No different in Wisconsin.  Spent many hours on the backroads and in the woods with very few other people. 

 Still unable to jog with this pinched nerve in my lower back.  Still getting in 2+ hours daily of light exercise.  Started some light stretching.  Seems to be helping some, to early to tell.

 I spent the morning kayak looking to learn and observe birds.  Here are my notes from today.

1. Limpkin - perched right on Wayne's boat dock.

2. Blue Heron - standing in Wayne's yard.

3. Great Egret - standing in the lilly pads.

4. Whistling Ducks - flying overhead. 

5. Anhinga - perched in a tree.

6. Red Wing Blackbird - heard the call first and then saw in the trees.

7. Sandhill Crane - three flew across the lake in front of me.  They were not bellowing as usual.

8. White Ibis - flew overhead and across the lake.

9. ******* - working on this one.  Always in this area on the water.  Some type of duck, coot, or gullinale. 

10. ******* - another new one.  Smaller bird.  Got a good listen to the call.  They were a pair.

11. Belted Kingfisher - heard first and then saw in flight.  Offered a spectacular air show yesterday.   About 150 yards away from me he/she was hovering above the water.  The dive was made and apparently successful as it bolted.

12. Hawk - flew in front of me about 80 yards away and landed on the corner of Bill's house.  Most likely a red shouldered hawk, but would not rule out the possibility of being a snail kite as apple snails are plentiful here.  They feed almost exclusively on those.  That's why I see so many Limpkin. 

I enjoy this time.  I may start taking my phone which has the Cornell Labs bird call identifier.  Maybe I am old school, but that seems like cheating.  I'm going to definitely cave as it would be a huge help.  

A chickenhawk

 I was out early today on the kayak.  It has exclusively become a time to watch and learn about the birds around this lake area.  So much to take in and learn.  Lots of grackles today.  The black bellied whistling ducks were out in flight.  Many of the regulars were out.  The great blue heron is common, but was able to observe one landing way up in a big tree.  Pretty cool.  There are what appear to be many moorhens, but still trying to be sure.  I'd guess today there were about 10 species identified.   One appeared to be a little blue heron, however I get skeptical until I have a few other good looks under my belt. 

 Still unable to jog or walk at even 3mph pace.  I still shoot for 10,000 steps on the day through a serious of slow short hikes.  The watch has me at 2 - 2.5mph.  The back muscle is still a nuisance.  The good news is that it is about 20-30% better.  Must be nerve related as my left leg had a bit of numbness and can buckle if too much pressure is applied suddenly.   I am not a swimmer, but have been getting in the pool and try to cover a 1000 yards just because the number looks cool on my watch.  It is not all swimming.  It is about half swimming.   No where near any swimming shape.  In fact never have I been in swimming shape.

 If I did not mention this before I am now.  The company who has employed me the past 38 years has extended me the opportunity to work here full-time and I accepted.   I will cover my old territory until a replacement is found.  This is great news in many ways.

 The other though for future ponderment is signing up for the Ice Age 50 mile next year.  This will probably happen.  There are many elements for me to line up physically.   Honestly, for the first time is the realization I may not be capable of finishing in 12 hours flat or less.  It'll be something to do.

What floats on water?

 Affirmative Ghost Rider, the eagle has landed.  Today I indeed spotted 2 separate Belted Kingfisher's.  They are a bit larger than I first perceived.  Saw the other typical giant egret, great blue heron, ibis, sand hill cranes, limpkin,  and various ducks I have yet to identify.  The anhinga were not present today.  Must have been fishing.  I saw a pretty good size dark bird up in a tree, but he was too far to get to.  Might have to start bringing the binoculars. 

 Was off today, so most of the exercise was working in the yard.  It's amazing how the day rolls by.  I'm enjoying a cold one.  A Miller High Life in a frozen pint glass.  I like a pinch of salt in mine.  If I play my cards right the wife might let me have a second one.  

 A red shouldered hawk just flew over.   The neighbor is concerned it wants her little dog.  Probably has not watched The Holy Grail.  Not familiar with weight ratios and the ancient art of science.

The incredible Mr. Limpkin

 Outside of a few easy miles walking  a day, I have been kayaking, swimming, and doing light resistance training.  The back muscles have been painful, so running appears out for now.  The miles are accumulated through a bunch of short strolls focusing on not hunching or lurching along like Chef Mike.

 Recently the daily kayak has turned into a birding adventure.  Recently I came across the 51 most common lake birds in Central Florida.   I probably saw 8 of them today.  One notable one was the Limpkin who had just captured an apple snail.   This is their primary food source. 

 There were some beautiful birds one could get real close to.  I paddled past about a half mile of deep lilly pads on one side and scour the tree tops on the other side.  Last week a nice Osprey top out on one tree.  A week ago a Great Blue Heron was surprisingly in a tree.  I should probably start carrying the phone for pics.

 The one I really want to see is the Belted Kingfisher.  I was out at sunbreak today and was headed directly into the sun.  As my eyes managed the strong glare off the water it seemed possible the silhouette up ahead was indeed this trophy of a bird.  The forces were just too great for me to get a good look as it took little for him to take wing.  The sun don't shine on the same dogs ass every day.  Poof.  It was gone.

33.3 miles last week of almost all walking.  It's time to face the final curtain.

Use words if necessary

 The muscle pain in between my hip and back has returned.   Started running more and lessened the walking.   Seems to have aggrevated the area significantly.   I am on no running.  I walk during the day in small doses.

 The kayak has been my hour of reality break in the morning.  It has been enjoyable.   The weight of 184 seems too much so this needs addressed.  Weight will pile on if the intake is not limited and 1-2 hours of light exercise is not applied to the mix.

 We are all told at some point in our own minds the dream is gone.  Not forgotten, but definitely almost all the way to Hoboken.

The grind

 The miles covered continue to be very slow.  It is not lost on me that this is concerning if you want to finish long races under the cutoffs.  I haven't averaged under 13:00 a mile in 2 weeks.  This does not make me sad, but it does make me aware the times have changed for me.

 There is an established 50k near here in early October.  There is a desire to sign up, to get out there, and maybe meet a few new folks.  Then the rational side says what for?  It is almost like a complete waste of a weekend.  Spend hours on the adventure on Saturday and suffer on Sunday because there is a mountain of other stuff to do.

 If you are an aspiring long distance runner, the best advice I can pass on is get used to being tired.  The world keeps spinning.  Yes there is family, job, and the other life commitments, but people aren't going to let you off the hook on the other tangible items.  There are pets, and chores, social activities and untold things which spring up.  If you want to run all the time then you better not let it curb your enthusiasm.  People close to you don't normally give a rats rump about running.  Show me the baby.

 But the idea of just getting out is enjoyable for me.  My mind will continue the what if I could just get this thing figured out so I could get a few more long events in.  The reason walking more is happening is because power jogging high 11's or 12's tires me out.  Never did I realize what an effort is required to get to 50 miles a week covered.  I'm back to the forget about the time it takes per mile.  Go free your mind every day as you have for decades and take the questions from neighbors who see you at odd times and places shuffling around.  

Sweet Polly

 When thoughts wander to training for a longer event, getting up around a 100 miles feels like the goal per week.  When pain was discovered during competition many years ago, it seemed the better trained one was the farther this pain could be stretched out and at times minimized.  Recovery was a bonus as well.  This is the thinking.   A constant barage.  That's over 20 hours a week of strolling and shuffling.  

 In the past, doubles made the goal much easier.  The issue now is there is still much other volume on the living life side.  The wife has grown accustomed to my daily efforts.  But she is always at home now.  It becomes selfish at some point to claim how busy you are yet you are willing to train up to 3 hours a day?  No explanation needed.

 This leaves a storm the gate at the crack of stupid mentality.  The Baron von Sinister, I'll control the world with my weather machine look at total training dominance.  Can one get close on singles?  Mostly at 12-13 minute mile pace or slower?  If a person did 2 hours M-F and 5 and 4 hours S-S then this would yield around 85 a week.

 Look, this guy understands there are many ways to parse this up and find a much better schedule to not only run faster and farther on less time, but understanding the mastering of the time continuum along with balancing some unpleasantness is what the goal is.  If mistakes are to be made then it is going to be from the he over did it camp.

Almost Heaven

 The morning is the start of another day of some type of movable effort.  It is normally higher on the jogging side.  Dreams of a 100 mile still abound and though moving around for hours in the Florida sunshine is doable, the idea of doing it for around 30 hours seems insurmountable.  This brain has experience in long efforts.  The results have always been disappointing.  

 The back healed up after about 3 weeks.  The 115 mile July was the lowest monthly total since 2011.  Not that anyone is keeping track.  Two hundred miles a month is the target.  Not sure where the training is leading, but the last 3 weeks have been 51.2, 56.2, and 61.0.  This puts me back to where the totals were prior to the injury.  The only plan for now is to increase the miles 3-5 per week until the max is reached, or decide if it really isn't worth the effort.  Not big on days off.  There is a big family wedding happening in WV soon.  Running will be drastically reduced, or skipped for about 4-5 days.

When I get off of this mountain

 It has occurred the continuation of this hobby in its present form may have to change.  Being beat up, injured, or master shuffling around at 12-15 minute miles is down right slow.  The mind has convinced itself those times are especially good in seeking entertainment in a 100 mile.  After today’s 5.1 mile effort in the middle of 14 - 15 minute miles, the final curtain is nigh. 

 The process will continue.  The sun rises and the sun sets.  As much as having something on the horizon provides a modicum of incentive, it also feels foolish at this point.  Perhaps there are fresher fields out there.  Maybe other forces are in play behind the scenes.  There is no willing it to get better, when the better is sub 12 minute miles.  Bear Bryant said it, “Be good, or be gone.”

I’m ready for my close-up

It has been 2 weeks since I strained a muscle in my back.  Walking has been slow and awkward, but today was a bit better.  In the last mile I threw in .2 miles of shuffling.  Tomorrow the effort will be adding .2 for each mile.  The goal will be to cover 5 miles.

 I continue to look at 100 mile options in Florida.  Not sure if the body and mind could sustain a 30 hour effort.  As is typical, a particular training method has peaked interest.  The plan would require some faster efforts.  If it happened to move along and progress is made, then perhaps the goal could be 25-26 hours.  The brain and body is advising the most cautious method.  That involves a huge amount of walking.  My running is garbage as the 11:57:31 Ice Age showed.  A mere 2:29 from the finish line cutoff.  Not sure what has to give, but I don’t want to walk all day.  Not in a place with zero hills or elevation.

 Man I’m going to miss this someday.  

Long beautiful hair

 I’ve entered the non-runner universe.  Not by choice.  Suddenly the extra 10% of the day available means being filled with ideas and thoughts not of my own making.  

 When I’m running it’s my deal.  Adventure has already been had.  I transition right into work and the free time which surfaces is quickly filled with a small errand, or food.  As the evening approaches I am mindful of one thing (chore, dog, yard) that should probably get done and help keep my presence in the community and home somewhat in tact.  

 Not running can be polarizing.  It is a Five Man Electrical Band with the do this, do that, can’t you read the sign?  I’m not really kidding.  When running my day is being monitored by me as I squeeze in my stuff and not the world’s garbage.

 Too much time to speculate.  Not ready for that.  

No Winky’s in Wilmerding

 Whatever injury has been thrusted upon me will keep me from running for some time.  Forcing an hour this past Saturday was a mistake and pushed me further into the weeds.  Moving around in general is cumbersome.  A few people have offered advice and it makes sense to rest, take anti-inflammatory meds, and strap on this electrical device my wife showed me.  

 The pain is somewhere deep in the hip/back area.  That’s about as scientific as I can get.  In the mean time I’ve challenged myself to consume less calories and get up and move around ever so lightly every 15 minutes and accomplish some type of task.  It really makes one appreciate having the ability to move around.  

That’s not Frank!

 Non-movement is not a big part of me.  So after three zeroes it was time to make at least a mile.  It was difficult, but as the distance stretched out it became a bit faster.  About halfway small jogs were tossed in.  Finally the last 1.34 miles I did my best John Stephen Akhwari impression and just got it in.

 The effort was 4.3 miles at 14:40 pace.  This pace for a 100 mile is approximately 24:30.  Now take that in.  14:40 pace would be world class for me.  

 The show Alone was on and it helps me reflect some truths about these types of endeavors.  These folks are not rookies thrown into the harsh wilderness.  They take chances and make mistakes.  I’m no genius when it comes to long events such as 100 miles.  It is bigger than me.  Problem is the thought is always present now that the window is closing.  I’d like to try and train to figure one out.  Mistakes will be made, but I want to figure this out.  

Get out there and see it for yourselves

 A couple days ago I managed to strain a muscle in my lower back and aggravate the PF in my left foot.  Working outside and throwing things around like manhole covers can do this.  The sideline shall be my friend for awhile.

 So when trying to walk I have to bend way over and lurch to one side.  It’s almost the same look to those who are familiar with my 50 mile finishes.  Out in public it is the same walk.  Bending straight up is not an option.  People are so kind when they see me coming across the parking lot and will pause to hold the door for me 50 feet away.  A young girl sprinted to be able to help the old guy with the door.  People demonstrated apathy every time.  It was greatly appreciated, but at the same time a bit humbling.  This is a future glimpse.  

 I must have stated out loud my wish to participate in a 100 mile.  The wife was telling the neighbor at a July 4th BBQ that I was training for a 100 miler.  It is not quite like Adrian looking at Rocky from the hospital bed and saying “Win!”, but more of a cat is out of the bag moment.  I just might have to throw down one final time.  The excuses are piling up as I type this last sentence.

Oh beautiful for heroes proved

 I finish my 8.2 mile adventure at 10am.  It is now 85F and wonderful.  I wring out my wet socks, two t-shirts, and beak down my shoes to all dry in the sun.  I grab a Chek Cola and drink the hell out of that.  Sitting on the flower stoop a puddle forms.  I’m low to the ground.  I can smell ammonia from the sweat which has poured off me.  I repeat this almost everyday.  The shorts are washed in the shower and the t’s are recycled 2-3 times before they are added to the wash.  I go through socks like Tim (State Champ Tim) goes through .99 cent pancakes at BK.

 Adding clothes is a goal.  A goal of being ready to do a 100 miler that will never get signed up for.  Like many the prices of some events are comical so I ponder doing my own.  Not sure why this effort is being put forth when the TV says downing some fruit pills and having a door on my bathtub will change my life.  

 Florida is similar with drivers and runners.  I seek out places with minimal traffic.  Along the lines of a car coming either way every 1-2 minutes.  It still amazes me how some folks give zero quarter.  They have plenty of room to move, but refuse.  Some are even nice enough to smile and wave as I’m up in the weeds gathering bramble of all sorts.

 Went to a big free concert with food vendors and a big fireworks show last night.  Hoping this gets me off the hook for a double today.  The wife is making cheesy potatoes to take to the neighbors bbq.  Last night I was able to see an old friend.  Ever notice how you slip back into the same mannerisms and inside joke mode.  Doesn’t matter how many decades went by.  There was some good hilarity.

 Okay.  Time to become the other version of me.  Happy 4th.

You’re just supercargo here

 I’ll get in around 250-260 mile for June.  I do intersperse walking.  Mainly a .35/.15 or .4/.1 run/walk combo.  It allows me to extend the miles covered and have some juice for the next day.  I did run 11 on Sunday and averaged 11:14 which is high end for me.

 Getting out every day is very enjoyable.  Sometimes I run into my 76 year old neighbor and cover a walking mile together.  It is good to get fishing tips and such.  My running routes are very limited.  Plenty of dead ends out here in Old Florida as some of the locals call it.

 I’m definitely more of the hillbilly ilk.  Everyone has a story and I’ve been fortunate to make some acquaintances.  People are helpful with ideas and suggestions, but for those who know me I can be stuck in my ways.  That applies to running as well.

 I did tune in to the Western States 100.  I found it interesting when I had time to stop and ponder the event.  I’ve never been there.  Such a huge production.  It did spark interest as usual to look at potential 100 milers.  Been saying it for years.  Looking currently at the Long Haul 100 in January.  It’s maybe 50 miles down the road.  10 x 10 segments with each segment having 3 spurs.  I have one 100 mile finish from 2003.  Honestly I’m intimidated by the distance.  It just seems the trotting and walking I do is ideally suited for patty caking around for that long.  Perhaps it is vanity.  Whatever it is it gets me out every day.  Hope… I think they call that.

 I have no business entertaining such a foolish idea.  It’s the training and idea ping pong with myself that assists in playing this out.  Not only has the ship sailed, but the tickets I’m holding are several years old.

He grins like a baby

 Some men you just can’t reach.  It felt like this on Saturday as I attempted my 20th finish at Ice Age.  Knowing it was going to get into the 80’s I went out very conservative.

 My training partner Crawford was gracious enough to let me stay at her place on Friday and Saturday.  We went out Friday with her, Ryan, and my two kids met with us at Olive Garden.  It is relaxing to be around friends and family, though I wasn’t really that concerned about power shuffling a 50 miler the next day.

 Ice Age has always been one of my top runs to attend. Great organization, volunteers, and you know so many of the folks there.  Andy and Parker were aiming for their 30th finish, and Deb and Bill going for 25.  Stuart, Angie, and myself gunning for 20.  

 Getting to the race, I never had it from the start.  I was under coffee’d and felt like the line in Phantom 309.  “He was a big man, about 210.”  It wasn’t long before I was very near the back of this crowd.

 I’m not going to do an agonizing report of some random guy finishing in 11:57:31.  Here are some memories from the day.

- Dewey was excellent as crew and had a whale of a job that day.  He had an iced down towel that I really looked forward to.  No Dew Man no finish.

- Andy and Parker finished their 30th together.

- Bill passed me at about 44 miles and offered strong encouragement which I needed.  He finished #25.

- Stuart nailed #20.  He was way up there.  Joey, Crawford, and Robert finished well.

- Bill H had a strong run.  At the beginning he told me Jimmy Carter was his favorite President which is a Jedi move.  Meaning he is one of the solid 11 who read this blog.

- I requested coffee at 12 down and a random lady had a big jug.  That was needed.  Dewey contacted the state champ and he rose from the ashes and hand delivered me a second cup at 12 back.  It got my mind right.

- I was at Easterly when Pat Gorman dropped.  His brief words just before 25 miles had started to become my thoughts.

- Duffin back is 30.5.  This is the place doubts were high as I can read a watch and am excellent in math.

- I did not drop at Horseman’s 37 because I knew Dewey only had access at Emma 40.3 miles into it.

- I forecasted at about 33 miles that I had to get out of Emma 9:20 into the race to have a chance and I got in at 9:19 and left a minute later.

- Arena and Fred were at Young Road 47.4 and ran down what needed to happen.  I had 40 minutes and they seemed confident.

- I knew in another half mile I would make it and struggled in with the now famous lean.

- Everyone cheered.  Thanks Jason for the kind words. Thanks to all the people who looked after me at the end, or came over to say hi.

- Thanks Jeff, Angela, Tina, Jose, Sam, Joel, Julie, Bruce and especially my gracious hosts Ryan and Crawford for taking care of me.  Basically delivering and extracting me from the course back to their place.

- I wanted to enjoy the day and I did.  Maybe not in the way one feels like they want to, but in a way that was deserving of the Ice Age 50 mile adventure we all look to in May.

Tight lines

 We have been in Florida for almost 2 weeks now and we are really enjoying it.  The wife has been working hard planting flowers, unloading boxes, and setting up services.  I’ve been assisting and still doing my regular job.  I skipped the run this morning and went for an hour kayak.  Just unbelievable scenery and peace of mind.  The same thought entered my head as it does when I’m running.  Where is everyone?  I did not see anyone else doing anything on the water.  I ran 13 miles on Sunday at Flying Eagle Preserve and saw a grand total of zero folks.  What?  Fine with me.  I kicked out a wild boar and he scampered off.  Caught a little push back from the wife who had to extract some tick’s, but it is that time of the year for that.

 Getting outside about 2 hours a day for moderate exercise is something I enjoy.  It is sad that many do not entertain the idea of doing this on a regular basis.  

 Talked with Grubby and he has been doing some hiking, biking, camping adventures for a few days at a time.  That is where I want to get to.  After the dust settles here I want to take my clunker kayak and go for an exploratory half-day fishing exploration.  I’ll be aiming at bringing back panfish to eat.  The current kayak sessions are intended for me to know where I’m at, get in kayak shape, and scout out places one could get out if needed to facilitate.  I have not found any of those yet.

Clean up to the elbow

 The running routes are limited here.  You have neighborhoods that are sealed off and do not go through.  The more popular roads are not super busy and you can generally get off into the sugar sand shoulders.  I found a decent lollipop loop that incorporates the bike trail.  That’s 8 miles.  Most runs will probably be out and backs of 6-7 miles during the week.  That’s my typical style no matter where I have lived.  I’ll keep working at it and exploring.  People are friendly here.  Some have no problem waving and only moving over 6”.  

 So much to accomplish yet on the move as our items arrive on Friday.  Also getting at the yard, looking for a job and vehicle and many other tasks.  No rush.  I’m here all week.  Try the veal.  We bought a cheap grill and I have grilled the past 4 evenings.  Hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken.  Pork ribs soon.  When Subway is $11 for a foot long it is time to reevaluate.  

 I’ll probably fly up for Ice Age.  Need to get that done.  I’m busy working remotely.  Only 23 work days remain on this job.  I believe I am a simple man.  In the future I want a job which keeps it simple.  The thing about aging is you’ve seen how stuff works.  What’s all this other stuff that gets mixed in?  One gets tired of saying this is a total waste of one’s time.  Wife wants to know about the TV placements in the house.  Honestly I could care less.  That’s another thing that went down the priority list.  Have a great day!

The Orange Blossom Special

 We arrived Friday afternoon to our permanent home in Inverness, Florida.  This is way different country and living arrangements from the 1984-1997 era.  That tour was Palm Beach County and I watched them build all the way out to the Everglades.  I went back once in 2004 for a job interview.  That was that.  We just did not have a taste for it.

 We bought a quarter acre in 1989 in Port St. Lucie with hopes of maybe building there.  That never came to fruition.  Now there is at least one gopher tortoise den on the property and they have more rights than I do.  Everybody twist, or better yet At the Hop by The Juniors.  Was that Danny Rapp?  That was my Mom’s era.  She graduated high school in the 60’s and I in the 70’s.  You read that correctly.

 I did my last big weekend of running last week, 4 weeks out from Ice Age.  Ran 17 Saturday and the 27.2 on Sunday.  I’m old and big, but I’m confident I will get number 20 in that day.  Hope to keep coming back, but one never knows.  I have turned the page.  This is my last Eddie the Eagle run at life.  There is much to do here, plus I want to get a job.  Inflation has made me rethink a few scenarios.  Such is life.  Been here before.  My favorite president of all time is Jimmy Carter.  You read that correctly.

The powers that be

 Running has been fine.  No inflammations or strains to report.  I have really been enjoying the solace of the 306 acre camp I run through several times a week.  For 5.5 years I lived here I often wondered how this would make for some great connector runs.  Nobody is out there.  Honestly the animals and birds are completely surprised by my presence at times.  Except the deer.  They always come across like you are there to finish the job.

 We pull out of here April 21st for Florida.  There is a 700 acre woods there called Fort Cooper State Park.  I’m sure I will pony up the $60 a year so I can breeze through there often.  But they don’t open until 8am.  Travesty.

 Ran Saturday’s of 26.3 and 25.4 the past two weeks.  Yesterday I pulled into a BK afterwards for a Double Whopper.  It was not meant to be.  One guy working.  Not wanting to add to the load I bolted.  Common occurrence these days.  There is not a bigger proponent of fast food than this guy.  Say what you want, but that stuff has powered me for many years.  Later I picked up a loaf of bread and baloney.  Something magical exists with those combined with mustard and a handful of green onions.

 So not much to report.  I’m slow and cover 50-60 a week at 5 miles an hour.  My blood juice is lower, but that is the goal for my condition.  Sometimes when my mind drifts off, I see myself taking over someone else’s body and running the hell out of it.  Putting it to the floorboards and see how she holds up.  Then I’m pulled back into reality as I watch the cashier get their mind blown because I handed them 16 cents with my cash payment.

Next to me

 Friday night my stomach was upset.  With temps in the 20s and winds at 20-30 mph there was no doubt my resolve was being tested.  The plan was to just get in 25 miles.  No goal pace, no specific place, just show me the baby.  

 I wanted to start no later than 5am, but I was in bathroom mode.  It was a good thing I was going solo as this might end up being a beat down.  Thoughts of moving to Sunday, or just doing 3 hours both days made sense.  But I made myself a deal.  Get in the 25 and a Big Mac and fries awaits.  I quickly hustled out the door at 7am.

 The initial plan was to run at Camp Whitcomb by the house and return for refreshments every 5 miles.  I came back after 6 and after a crunch and snack I bolted. As the second tour unfolds I already know I’m going to move this from 5 to 4 segments.  However around 10 miles my watch was shouting I was Betty Whiting it out here.  Energy was low so after a few Starship Enterprise allocation of resources moves I had remembered from Star Trek I rambled into the house at 13.3 miles.

 Coffee.  Twisted Steel.  Liberty Valence.  Chaka Khan.

 Out I went.  Did a 2 mile road extension first to completely fool my brain.  Now I’m over 15 miles.  Less than 10 to go.  I round the boardwalk across the marsh to see two mink coming right at me.  Amazed, they got the hell out of the way as I bone chipped across.  Now on the top acreage of the camp I am over 18 and think about getting back for the final top off.  But I’m running better than I have all day so I just keep extending sections.  Occasionally a 1 mile road extension outside the camp is done on the rural roads and then I dive back into the shelter of the wind.

 I’m never more than 1.5 - 2.0 miles from the crib, so I just stay out there.  I have the perception that the reserves are being compromised for tomorrow, but I also know flying along without anything mile to mile is freeing.  I commit to at least a marathon and end the run at 26.3 miles.  11:49 pace about half trail and half the macadam like road surfaces used in rural areas.  It is another benchmark run that points to reaching the finish line at Ice Age.

The fighter still remains

 I am on my third day of being holed up with the dog in a hotel room.  Though she is 15 it doesn’t stop her from coming over continually and giving me the what is going on look.  I take her out about every 1.5 hours for a spritzer and a shake down.  Socially she is not aware of body placement and quite frankly I guess I haven’t been much of my life either.

 So it began Thursday when the wife said we have 8 showings the first day the house is listed Friday.  There is also open houses on Saturday and Sunday.  Great.  I’ll take the dog and you figure out the Guinea pigs.  

 The realtor said the comments mention the neighbor still having a lot of Christmas decorations up across the street.  Have people not lived in neighborhoods for a while?  Wait to they hear the gun club a couple days a week.  Better yet the chickens.  Barnaky! He owes me money.

 While out today on a dog stroll we came across an older lady who could not get her huge sheep dog named Sweet Tango into the SUV.  The dog has anxiety I’m told.  When I inquired what the solution was I soon found out it was me.  Now my dog needs help getting into my truck and she fights you on it.  She does not like the feel of her body leaving earth without her being in charge.  That’s the best I can explain it.  So after Sweet Tango and I sniffed out one another I body snatched her in one movement.  She was way heavier than anticipated with all that hair I came up just a bit short.  Of course you’re all in by that point so I just kept pushing and heaving until it was done.  Everyone seemed happy so I untied Cookie, stood in the rain and talked about our life plans and finally bid adieu.  It was a good meeting for all of us and I sincerely mean that.  

 Hope to run 7 easy tonight and risk about 15 on the trails tomorrow.  Not sure with all that’s going down this will happen, but that is my plan.

Frank Sutton

 I was tired during the week and pretty much just went through the motions.  Did nothing at a faster pace.  No run on Friday and Crawford and I aimed for 20 on Saturday on a cold/windy day.  Enthusiasm was low at 6:30am.  Really convinced myself if I could get this in then Ice Age holds nothing over me.

 Heading straight out on the Drumlin we went directly into the wind.  We brought nothing with us and just did an out and back for 20.3 miles.  Made a stop at a coffee shop off the trail at 7.5 miles and I just drank water out of the bathroom sink while people looked at us like we were Sandinista’s.  They were the beautiful people.  The ones actually making a huge difference in America.  I’m just grateful to gather up the crumbs that fall through the grating.  Crawford got even though and took a handful of breath mints before she left.  It said they were complimentary.  So with 40 extra calories available for her we powered out to the turn and headed back with an 11-12 minute negative split.

 I’m all for the gear available today.  I don’t have much of it because after 45 years of running it basically wasn’t used.  Until last year I borrowed head lamps.  A few years ago at Ice Age, John Jenk who is like 11 years older than me were at about mile 12 when this guy asked about how we run without carrying a bottle.  I said on cooler years we pick one up about halfway.  I don’t want to be carrying a gas tank around.  Stand aside.  Can’t you see we have the damn ballgame on here?

 Dewey, Tim, and I did an easy 7.2 today on the freshly covered trails.  It was nice to just be in motion.  Always good conversation.  Generally there is always a consensus on how to fix something.  In my case after I have George Lindsay’d it.  That’s who played Goober…correct?  Otherwise I’ll have to wait until Tuesday to ask the boys.

 About 55 easy miles this week.

The Four Tops

 Going to trudge out and meet Crawford for 20 today.  Cold and windy.  We will go do the paved Fox loop of 10.2 and then do a similar distance out on the paved Drumlin and back.  If it is not in bad shape we may sneak in some of the trail up on the lollipop.

 Just going through the motions.  I should say the dog and I are both going through the motions.  Sometimes she shows flashes of brilliance, but those are largely when she starts bugging you 1.5 hours before eating time and anytime it looks like you might be interested in letting her outside.  I guess that works.  Go outside equals 3 minutes x 10 times = 30 minutes of activity primarily of sniffing around.  When we get to Florida the hope is consistent walking.  I think we would all prefer this.

 My watch lies to me.  I am fairly confident in the distance and time ratios it puts together, but all the other endless stuff is useless.  Pretty sure I’m not operating at 207 beats per minute on harder runs.  If you have interest in counting steps then shoveling snow racks them up.  My fitness age is all over the map.  Someone told me they had a concern because their watch tells them they need 109 hours of recovery.  It’s all crap.  Again, like most anything else you see or hear.  

 I have about 50 work days left.  Not quite sure what my new career will be.  I talked to a lady at Ace Hardware about her job.  She likes it, but they can’t get enough people to come in and fill hours.  For years I would routinely stop at McDonald’s when on the road.  It’s still amazing how stupid I am.  Many times I will get all the way to the door to see the no inside service sign.  Okay.  If people don’t work how do they get cash to participate in society?  I spoke to Bernadette at Walmart last night.  She was taking a break to go outside and burn one.  It was a short convo, and she was wore out.  I asked her what age group you have to be in to Rep that name.  She said the cool one.  So there’s always that.  She wasn’t wrong.

.35 cent drafts

 For years I have wanted to incorporate Beck’s marathon plan to a 50 mile.  There are many differences in the training/racing surfaces, but the principles are the same.  I just wrote down what it would look like, adjusting the miles in the plan to time. The hard, moderate, and pace runs would fall on the same days, but adjusted in my mind to the effort given on the day.  Also keep in mind it is winter here, so good luck time trialing with -18F wind chills.

 But I don’t know.  Following this will limit my running time substantially with others.  Lately I have a history of being tired and this plan definitely can wear on you.  Also add all the work, move, and self imposed stress I have managed to heap on myself.  Sometimes as people we find mysterious ways to weave ourselves into conundrums.  I’m just not trustworthy of much sometimes.  That bugs me.  Getting off topic, but I often wonder once I’m moved and in Florida can I not have a phone?  Could I have a simple email I check 1-2 times a day?  Would someone employee me without these?  

 I mean I would write occasional letters.  People could reach my wife.  Again, I’d look at email once a day.  I want to go the other direction.  I mean many of us did it for decades.

 I came across this:

 “The beginning of greatness is to be little;

The increase of greatness is to be less;

And the perfection of greatness is to be nothing.”

Quoted by D. L. Moody

 When I attended Slippery Rock there was a bar about 8 miles out called The Shed.  Scrawled on the wall in what was supposed to be the bathroom was, “We’re just a couple of guys who want to drink a little beer and smoke a little dope.”  I wonder in some way all these years later if we aren’t trying to reach a similar spot.

I’ve got a picture of you

 I was able to get out yesterday and enjoy a solid Wisconsin winter run.  Blending together road and off road sections provided a nice variety of terrain and footing.  A couple today is coming over to look at our house and I am hoping to get out soon after and enjoy nothing more than a simple run.  Yesterday on what is a seldom traveled trail in Monches Park I came up on two labs who were all over me.  They couldn’t wait to see me.  We jumped around for a wee bit until the owners became aware of the situation.  It was a pleasant interlude on the run.

 I weighed myself this morning and was at 180.  It will be work to get to 170, but I’ll try and keep after it.  Just keeping notes daily on the number of calories you are consuming keeps you on top of it.  The process is a bunch of transactions through the day.  Some good and some bad.  I certainly don’t always win the battle, but letting me out on the loose is untenable for me.  I eat many subs through the week.  What happens is I typically choose the lower calorie one.  At times if the bread is easily removed then I’ll cut a bit there.  I will skip the chips, or on some occasions bring a bag that’s about 150 calories with me.  In the past I set a base number of daily calories and the added the calories I burned on top of that from my run or walk.  Now I just set a daily goal that is the same.

 I have 3.5 months left at my current job.  Trying to wrap up all that goes with that is at times mentally exhausting.  Thinking about the future to me is challenging as I have no idea how things will go.  I’m not the only entity involved as we have Cookie and the two Guinea Pigs named Mr. Heasy and the little guy.  Don’t ask, I just go along with the deal.  They are also known as Mr. Butt and Gary.

 Sounding like a broken record, but the idea of just getting out and enjoying a daily effort will probably not happen in my brain until things get grim.  The act of having an event or race in the future and moving all the parts successfully to complete this goal will not go away.  I think you get it.

Light week

 Mon: 6.0 @ 12:07 pace

Tue: AM 4.6 w/ first 3.0 @ 8:24. PM 6.7 @ 11:46

Wed: 5.5 @ 12:22

Thu: 6.6 @ 12:20

Fri: 1.2 @ 19:59

Sat: Off

Sun: 8.2 @ 13:37

Total 38.8

The greatest of these

 No matter how many times you move, items in your possession are discovered and one ponders what to do with them.  Why have I been carting around these beer cans (some with beer still in them) for decades?  Bags of bolts, braces, and screws for something I apparently was going to repair or fix.  Lastly the personal items.  Grandma gave me this, this was Dad’s watch, and various coins and bills from who knows where.  Lastly why are there huge amounts of random pens and even pencils?  I thought I was good at throwing that stuff away?

 Now you know why you tell people not to get you anything.  If I’m being honest I see a fair amount of items on the donate pile that were never opened.  I have dwindled down my sport card collection to about half.  It was not hard getting rid of a lot of the 80’s and 90’s stuff once you realize there are as common as today’s printed money.

 So the projects around the house have kept me busy.  I totally skipped my Saturday run so I could stay fresh.  I’m going to meet the fellas this morning and shoot for an easy 10.  I’ve dropped down to 182.  Now I’d like to get after that next 10 pounds.

 I have a son and a daughter who live about 15 and 25 miles away.  We primarily see each other over holidays and birthdays.  Everyone goes their own way, carrying on life.  Well today we are having a game day.  I’ll be cooking wings and serving pizza and snacks.  It makes me look back as I spent most of my life as an adult living away from my parents and siblings.  If I can change one thing in the future it will be keeping in contact with all the family moving forward, even if this means writing more often.  Coming from a place and time where no one wanted to be beholden to anyone, meaning folks you may even be related to would let you know they probably wouldn’t be calling or writing back.  Not that there are any issues, it just seems to be the culture.  Maybe the word beholden was the wrong use, but people don’t want to owe you anything.  This culture of evenness.  Whatever you do for me then I must return at least this much back.  It seems cold, and maybe it is for some people, but it wasn’t meant this way.  

 Just a note for the younger readers.  When you don’t run for a couple days, you still wake up with the same level of stiffness.  So you might as well still be getting after it most days.

I wanna see some history

 Anxious to have a few more good runs this week, but sensing I need to back off a bit on the Achilles.  Thursday after work we hobble for 6ish miles so that will be the plan.  I really like to get one in early, but can’t risk the miles.  I’ll hike about 5 miles with Jeff on Friday so I can try and air a longer run out on Saturday.

 Saturday is the John Dick 50k and for the sake of not risking too much I’ll have to pass.  Besides we have a lot of work to do on the house.  Hoping to list it in the next 10 days or so.  

 In my mind for Ice Age has been constructed a loose training plan.  It’s a blueprint many follow.  Inside each week, two good efforts are planned.  At 60 these will not be strides or faster interval type runs.  For me they are primarily tempo runs.  Examples range between the two mile lightning to 3-5 miles at a stiff pace.  When moved an occasional fartlek type session is used to blast a few hills and such.  Currently the thought is to alternate Saturday with a standard long run and the following week work up to 15-20 miles at a pace perceived to carry at Ice Age.  Eventually when the trails are clear you do these out on the course or similar terrain.  

 I don’t have any times to plug in yet.  It is tough to calculate as my body gives me various platforms to operate from.  Recently things have steered positive.  This is encouraging because the runs actually feel better and take less time to complete.  

 If a person wants to run 10 hours that is 12 minute miles with everything figured in.  I look at my workout times and how those felt to determine my goal time.  The faster workouts help with my cruise speed and the Saturday runs at perceived pace runs give me a target to project over 50 miles.  The whole exercise is figuring out if what I’m doing equals those 12 minute miles.  In this day and age of everything can be beautiful and fulfilling it is easy to miscalculate.  You have to have a handful of workouts and training weeks that confirm what you are doing.  The challenge for me and many other folks is doing it on less miles (for whatever reason) and the other for me is weight.

 15 pounds have to come off which means 172 range at starting line.  When I ran cross country in high school it was obvious to me, but not to most of my teammates that to improve one needed to run more miles.  Glaringly obvious.  In like manner for me it is weight.  How can I expect to get better or carry the work load with 15 extra pounds?  Glaringly obvious.  I don’t have a good plan to do this, but with perseverance and a goal it is attainable.  

Of course it’s a good idea

 I mapped out some goal pace times for Ice Age.  Essentially it is broken down in three segments.  The first 10.5 miles which is the best running, the next 29.5 miles of single track rollers, and the final 10 miles in.  I have the final 10 as a segment because from there in I struggle every year now.  I still strongly believe the best method of running the course is by just going out at your day to day pace.  Don’t get too excited and be sure to take care of your current and future needs.  If there is any magic left in the final couple hours then by all means, put the hammer down.

 But it is hard just to look at it that way, so it can be fun to plot out pace per mile for those segments against a challenging goal.  Then you train towards that goal and see if it can be put together.  In essence we call it racing.  Yes…racing yourself, but hey if you can take down a few over zealous stalwarts along the way then so be it.

 I am not at the point to start setting these goal paces, or even a finish time goal.  The fact that I have had a few decent runs does give me hope, but I can’t get carried away, because it is easy to train to ruin.  Best to consider losing the extra 15 pounds and run smart, but modest mileage.

Solid as K-Mart

 The week in numbers turned out like this.  I suspect if I am going to introduce faster pace runs then rest time will be needed.  Any effort to control food intake did not happen.

Mon: 6.1 at 10:41 pace which was at a good effort.  The weather and footing were suspect.

Tue: AM 5.4 at 12:06 PM 4.6 at 11:25

Wed: 4.2 at 12:04 at -17F temp

Thu: 5.2 at 13:40 w/ Dewey and Tim

Fri: 5.5 at 9:08 which was a good effort.  Went well and the weather was exceedingly better than Monday.

Sat: 12.0 at 10:27 which was eagerly accepted.  I tired last 3 and made a note to not push.

Sun: 9.0 at 12:49 with Dewey

Week: 52 miles

Some men you just can’t reach

 It was a good week.  Running was exceptional and not because of the few good days only, but because I loved being out there.  Few things are better than getting together and just jawing about basically nothing.  Quite frequently we talk about T&F from the 70’s era.  In fact today Dewey and I talked about Brian Oldfield.  He passed in 2017 and both of us guessed he was probably gone.  Tim and I covered Bob Seagram on Thursday, along with Pat Matzdorf in the HJ.  

 If age has done anything it has made me measure my steps.  I don’t want to take anything for granite and I don’t want avoid finding contentment.  That last one should be easy, but so many messages out there can make one second guess everything.  Could one function in our society without a cellphone?  Of course the answer is yes, but could one find a way that doesn’t make us feel like an outcast.  I’m not worried about what folks might think, I’m curious if the convenience is just way to strong for me.  If I don’t have a phone in the future then my wife becomes the conduit for that.  It’s not about anything else than getting a hair off the grid.  I mean come on, we are all on the grid even if we don’t want to believe it.

 Where my mind is at is the scene from Cool Hand Luke where they are out tarring and chipping the road.  Luke makes it a challenge to beat the man and after they all go ass over tin cup to do just that the truck just drives off and there is no more work.  Huffing and puffing they ask Luke what do they do now?  His one word reply, sitting on that turned around shovel is, “Nothin’.”  That’s where I am at.

 I want to have passion and goals.  I want to work hard and challenge myself.  And yes I might even want to believe I’m beating the man in someway, but it means nothing to me if anyone else sees the sense in all of it.  This is what my day is going to consist of.  You want to join along then that is awesome because sometimes I enjoy company.  On the other hand forgive me if I don’t want to do stupid stuff which may include being around people who want to entertain me, or think it’s fun to go to the Farmers Market.  I do those things with my wife and do enjoy them.  Beyond that I am tapped out.

 I’m looking forward to fishing.  Fishing for enough of them to eat.  Come back and cut them up.  Goof around and put together a basic meal with that using the grill.  Maybe even have a cold High Life with some salt in it. Maybe that takes up half the day and maybe it does not.  Either way that’s part of the plan.  You should come down.  Just know I’m a family guy and a big part of the day can be keeping the account clear.  When you go to the biggest dance of the year you dance with the one who brung ya.

That last line was an old quote from Terry Bradshaw.

Off to my right ride a dozen or more

 This week of running in cold weather has been slow and fast.  Thursday had me barely functioning on our slow jaunt and I was happy to get in 5.2.  I just do not have the same juice on most 4pm runs.  The morning is far better for me and I obviously enjoy running then.  The evening runs are social events which are badly needed from a mileage perspective.

 Friday was a flashback run as I covered 5.5 at 9:08 pace.  I really wanted to run myself further, but I pulled back knowing 2 hours was the Saturday run.  That came together well.  Up at 3:30am I had 4 solid cups of Pic ‘n Save instant black coffee and rifled out into the dark around 5:47am.  The fact that I held an average of 10:47 for 12 miles was a good sign.  More than likely my Hematocrit must be in the low 40’s.  I could tell as the bellows clearly were absorbing additional oxygen to burn.  Don’t know how long this will last, but hope to ride this magic carpet made of steel as long as I can.

 No solid plan.  Run every day if possible.  Get in 50 minimum with a couple good efforts and slowly raise the long run duration.  Don’t get too greedy and have days that are laughingly slow.  Hoping to bone chip about 8 miles tomorrow at Uncle Traveling Matt used to opine.  

 I may have already put this out there, but on a recent trip to Florida a t-shirt stated, “I used to be a people person until people ruined it.”  I’m working on not trying to ruin it for people.  On a final note I’m still baffled by people seeing me run on the shoulder of the road in the snow and won’t give any quarter.  There is no one else out here and you can see the road is clear.  I can only conclude they believe they own the right of way and I’m infringing on it.  It is a get with it pal message to me and I have no answer for it.  In the summer it’s the same with car versus bicycle.  Plenty of these knuckleheads.  

Twinkle toes

 I fell down the hole and ate 4000 calories, which when I make ham and bean soup can happen.  I’ll make another attempt today to be on target.  Never expected it to be easy.  It can be difficult to climb inside your head and work on changing behavior.  No need to preach to myself on here.  I’ll weigh in on Saturday.  Crawford not feeling well, but we may get at least a 2 hour effort in that day.

 It was difficult not going out for a second run yesterday.  I’d rather tally up the miles regardless of how I feel.  Trust me I was tired and had a paint project (one of many) that needed finished.  My buddy Pski is coming over this morning to put in baseboards.  Pski is famous for using and introducing me to the Beck Plan.  An all your eggs in one basket approach to running your best marathon.  At least that is how I recall it being titled.  In our first attempt we finished 7th and 11th respectively at the Lakefront Marathon overall and then danced around like we made the Olympic team.  The one thing we both remember afterwards was how quickly we recovered afterwards.  I believe we even did a cooldown.  As a side note, one of the 19 people who have attached themselves to the blog is Kevin Beck.  A true honor.  I didn’t say he reads the blog, but with a solid following of 7 readers it’s not impossible.

 The one thing that hit home training with Pski on the Beck Plan was we reacted different to the training.  I tended to fair better on the fast stuff and he recovered much faster than myself for the following workouts.  On the bread and butter 10-12 mile runs Pski could grind my bones to make his bread.  If you ever get the gumption to try and run a marathon specifically for time then you need to look at this plan.

 

 

Cripple Creek

 It was another cold one yesterday morning and as I often do on Tuesday the day was divided up into two runs.  The Achilles has not been a problem, so much so that I don’t even think about it.  Really looking forward to the daylight arriving sooner.  It can be tranquil moving around in the dark, but it can also be burdensome crossing over some sections of roads to avoid traffic.  

 Feeling like a weigh in was due I jumped on the scale an visualized 187 pounds.  That is robust and action has to be taken.  It is a discipline which avoids me.  Having always chowed down what I want does not work any longer.  For me it will become a math problem.  This means counting calories.  I’ve set the current line at 2400 calories.  Yesterday ended at 2300.

 There appears to be a sage strand of Warlock mice in the basement.  Sensing their presence I went with the true and tried mousetrap loaded with peanut butter.  For about 3 nights now they have found a way to clean off most of the bait without setting the damn trap off.  A couple weeks ago a pair of Northern mice under my sink posed no problem and were as we say, terminated with extreme prejudice.  

 It is a Wednesday today.  Tiredness is afoot.   After 3 cups of instant black coffee, I’ll sniff around and see about making an effort in the -14F temps.  Wind is low and as seasoned vets understand, that is the true nemesis.  It shall not be long before I live permanently again in Florida.  There is much to accomplish here prior to a move.  Somehow it will get done.  The running will not be as good in Florida.  Limited routes and through roads.  It will be an adventure none-the-less.

Deck of 51

 Well…I started the march to Ice Age.  Conflicting thoughts on preparation occur continually.  One moment things appear as if you could charge the gates of hell and sometimes in the same day you get chewed up by the events of the day.  It’s pointless to hash those events out on a microcosm of a running blog.  Sometimes it seems the more you aim to clear the deck of items the more you uncover to do, or at least you’d like to do.  This may be the ultimate calling of downsizing, clearing the deck, or I don’t want any stuff anymore. 

 In Ecclesiastes, Solomon summarizes the best things to draw from life are what you eat and drink and the work of your hands.  Chasing all the other things in life are vanity.  A time to cast away stones and a time to gather them together seems to be where I am at.  The older one becomes the less they bother with details because let’s face it, no one else gives a rat’s posterior.

 One goal I have is training myself to get off the damn grid.  I’m not talking about Tedding it up in the sticks.  I mean quit looking up everything on the phone.  It’s cool to look up the habits of the monarch butterfly and discover Pete Maravich was from Aliquippa, but moving forward at some time I just need to become a rat at the library.

Week of January 17 - 23

Mon: Off.  Travel back from Florida 

Tue: AM 3.3 w/ 1.21 at 9:08 pace, PM 5.9 w/ Robert at 11:37 pace

Wed: 5.0 at 12:11 pace

Thu: 6.6 w/ Tim and Robert at 11:48 pace

Fri: 5.2 w/ 1.63 at 8:53 pace

Sat: 8.0 at 12:25 pace

Sun: Off working on house stuff

Total was 34.0 miles

2021 tally

 2021 was a good year, though an Achilles problem limited the miles the final couple months.  I ended up with 2,911.2 miles for an average of a hair under 8 miles a day.  I had a decent effort at the John Dick 50k in February.  Ice Age was moved to September and as the temps rose into the 90s I was able to complete my 19th 50 miler there.  I finished up the year with another 50 mile finish at Glacial in October.  Both 50 mile efforts were very difficult the final 10-12 miles.  Though heat and humidity played a big part, there is no denying other forces are causing an erosion of my abilities to move over the earth at a pace slightly faster than a brisk walking pace.

 Below are the people I cruised the earth with.

Tim - 67 with the 2 time state champ

Dewey - 46 as a bum Achilles took him out.  Looking like he’s back in action in a couple months

Robert - 28 for Da Coach and classmate of Dewey ‘80.

Crawford - 13 for the former 3 time Ice Age champ who also battled injuries this year

Jeff - 13 makes a strong effort on the back end of 2021 as we torched the Monches segment of the Ice Age trail

Donna - 9 for the wife and first time on the list.  We walked some good miles out West 

Chef Mike - 8 tallies for Da Chef earlier in the year before other commitments curtailed availability 

Angela - 4 before she up and moved to Missoula.  What a beautiful area.

Clarky - 3 primarily from just running into him “out there”

Bartz - 3 enjoyable efforts mostly after a big event for him.  Otherwise his candle burns to bright for me

2022 will look completely different as we transition back to Florida in the next few months.  I’m retiring from my current job I started at in 1984.  It will be the wife, our 15 year old dog and the 2 Guinea Pigs making the break.  Come see an old man sometime.

Forget it Jake

 Starting to get really cold.  At -7F this morning, along with the knowledge that I’m old, getting motivated is hard.  Now I have been up since 3:45am so 4 cups of coffee helps.  It has been a long journey and as often as I am still churning out breakthrough training plans in my mind one can also feel the futility of it all.  

 My aim is to average 50-60 miles a week annually.  Not a big number, but always enough to generate the feeling I could launch into something right away if necessary.  Lately some of those miles have included walking which is easily justified when all you really do is try and get in 2-3 ultras a year.  About a week or so ago I finally absorbed the reality that I am way average.  My watch disagrees with me stating that my workouts are in the poor range for my age.  Lately my fitness age was 78.  Thanks…for that.

  But the watch doesn’t lie they say.  Looks like I’m finally going to have to consider moving around less outside.  I do see the advantages of cross training, but that has zero appeal.  I am a runner, despite what that all looks like now.  

 I’m going to work on somehow completing my 20th Ice Age 50 mile under the cutoff this year.  It is the approach I must take.  Somehow I will have to face these realities and coach myself to a goal that is formidable.  It’s not just the running.  Some day, if you have ran most of your life you will share the same experience.  The big question every day is if it is worth it.

Winter 2022

 It was zero today on the morning effort.  Managed 6.5 on the walk and saunter.  Surprisingly the average was 13:17 per mile.  I’d like to get in over 4 later.  We have a holiday today so I am off work.  There are still a couple items to manage.

 Busting down the road ahead with the wife and covered the topics of pets, finance, moving, and getting the basics set up next week when we are in Florida.  There is only so much one can do until we list this house and sell it.  I had 5 items in my conch and they were put in the retirement date (need to discuss with boss this week), buy a house (done), sell this one (open), look for new employment and depth of commitment (couple months out) and funding all this along with the healthcare piece.  There are other significant items like hiring a mover and downsizing, plus acquiring a vehicle for me.  If you are attached to someone then you probably realize the operation runs in concentric circles.

 The 100 probably won’t happen, but it makes me work towards a goal and all that goes with it.  It keeps me wore down enough so I am generally passed out by 7:30pm.  How I would enjoy tearing down the road one more time.  If I ever get fixed then I just might.  Until then I’ll continue to log thousands of miles in hopes of one magic day.

How bazaar how bazaar

 I used the internet for all the knowledge it holds for training to complete a 100 miler.  Quite comical.  If one hadn’t been running for 45 years you just might get suckered in to believing less is probably best.  

Dust on the scales

 In theory it is busy in the Dehart household.  We bought a home in Florida and close January 10th.  We have work to do on our current residence and hope to put it up for sale in February.  Which means I will be retiring soon from my current job of 37+ years.  This seems odd, but that is how it works.  Not sure how the timing will all work out, but time is marching on.  It is time for us and if I had to give one main reason that would be for reasons of health projection.

 I have started a project I should have started 20 years ago.  I had amassed about 120,000 sports cards.  The thrill of opening packs and sets was a big deal to me for 30 years.  People recognized this and many of these came in the form of gifts over the years.  Been chipping away and have probably given away or donated 20,000 cards the last year.  Essentially anything from the 80s and 90s is worthless and that is where the bulk of it is from.  I did list my basketball cards for sale.  I’d should get this down to 30 - 40 thousand cards by the move.  

 I have started doing a little running.  I still cover a good 40 miles a week walking and shuffling.  It makes absolutely zero sense that I am looking at a 100 miler at the end of March, but I am.  Getting out has never been a problem.  Like sports cards (primarily baseball), running has always been easy to get involved in.  Once I grew old, worn, and slow it seemed like giving it up would be easy.  It has not.  The 100 I am looking at is pancake flat.  It seems like a challenge.  The biggest being staying in one piece and the other is the timing is terribly poor.  

 Put in 6.2 on 1/1 with a few folks.  Mostly all running. On 1/2 I managed 8.4 at 14:18 pace with walking.  Again, my problem is me.  It’s hard to hold back.