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.