Bustamante

 Today was a bit better as I put in 9.2 and averaged 13:17.  Still much to work on.  Ended the week at 50.8.  Not great, but decent.  I have to lose weight, get the left leg in more of a runnable condition, and believe it or not do a bit of stretching and strength stuff.  Again I said a bit which means getting 10 minutes of stretches and about the same for strength stuff. Not a big fan.

 I have moved up to 37th on the wait list and Crawford is at 50.  This might just happen.  I will start putting together training and other goals by end of August and hopefully train in earnest starting around September.   

Brontosaurus burgers

 It is time to admit the ship has sailed.  13.1 miles today in 3:04:11.  Friday was an off day in hopes of a decent Saturday effort, but 14:03 per mile was the result.  

 The thing is, for me to cover a 100 miles now seems other worldly.   I'll basically have to go to the mattresses once I get back from the Boundry Waters trip at the end of August.  Pauly, you won't see him no more.

 The hope is the summer heat dissipates and things will spring anew.  That is probably part of it.  Plus I have to figure out my left leg.  Sometimes it feels like I have to throw it out in front of me.  It is partly numb.  I'll come up with some concoction.

 I'm in pretty good shape.  For what, I do not know, but my watch claims between all the walking, jogging, kayaking and occasional bike or swim I workout and average of 2 hours a day, not including yard work.  Twisted steel.  Twin powers unite.  Ahh judo chop chop and all that good stuff.

Above the enameled plain

 I am 39th on the Long Haul 100 wait list.  Just enough motivation to get me to train a little.  I am tired.  The one power that drains my enthusiasm to get out the door.  Do not fear I watched Underdog as a kid.

 I have identified these fast little birds eating insects and occasionally dipping for a taste of water as swifts.  I'm thinking Chimney Swift.  Look them up, an interesting read.

 Going to aim for 3 hours today.   Regular temps at 94-95 all week.  I've noticed when trudging along birds have not entered my mind.  Today I will try and identify 10 if possible and report back.  I am not good with small birds not around feeders.  Currently we do not operate a bird feeder because of the varmints.   

 If the Pirates could get in the habit of not letting up 2-4 runs in the first inning every other game I might occasionally stay up past 8pm.

 When my kids ask me what I want this year for Christmas it will be Pirate shirts.  Mine are ratty from constantly running in them and blowing down chili dogs and wings.

 

Size of a trampoline

 I went out today (Saturday) uninspired.  No running for 2 days and the left leg still battered. The decision was made to at least go out and make an attempt to move around.  A jog/walk strategy was employed as such, for every quarter it was jog .15 and walk .10.

 There was no harmony,  but the checkpoints were flying by at 13:50 miles.  Unhinged, I continued to soldier on past my 3.8 goal to 4.3, to 5.5, to 6.3, to 7.2, to 8.8, to 9.2, to a final 10.5 spot.  If your gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.

 To all the others out there that question the significance, just know this helps the cause.  Not a lot of people even consider doing 10 miles on a bike let alone on foot.  Speaking of bikes, there always seem to be 1-2 members of the fabulous four out there with their sprint to the finish mindset weaving in and out without a care in the world.   Lots in the 40's range.  Any bikers care to comment on the need for brilliant racing uniform type outfits?  Marshall on beautiful people.  We adore you ❤️. 

 The majority of the bikes are nice and courteous people.  They warn you, applaud you, and acknowledge you.  There are always a handful though.  You want to race the paved rec trail?  Get out on the road numb skulls. 

 Every year or so we would get into it with a couple of these folks.  My buddy said why are they so cocky?  Because you can't get your hands on them.  That's why.  Everyone's a hero when they blow by at 20-25 mph.

 

Crashing off the haul of the ship

 I'm banged up a bit.  Ignoring all the signs I soldiered on just in case I could come out the other side.  Remember the days when you ran far enough the stiffness, blood sugar, tiredness and even acute muscle fatigue could be rendered inconsequential?  We got the game on here Bro, stand aside.  And I'm not joking.

 Then one day it's gone.  Not in my mind though.  Sometimes I don't listen to my mind.  I'm twisted steel.  Big guys in two's, little guys in bunches.  So it looks like a couple days off.

 So I kayaked 4.1 miles today.  

 Blue Heron, Great Egret, Limpkin, Green Heron, Moorehen, White Ibis, Inhinga, Grackle, Whistling Duck, Sandhill Crane, and Crow.

 I also saw deer and about a 4 foot gator.  I am seeing about 1 gator per voyage.   

 Took the day off.  It's Friday and we are going to boat into town and have lunch.  This makes the wife happy.  Not sure I'm a boat guy.  I make fun of everyone whose boat stays docked pretty consistently.  Now I drive the school bus, meaning...well what it sounds like I mean.

 I spoke with my Aunt yesterday from PA.  I said I'll be 62 next month and then there was silence.  We both had to ponder this factoid in a perfectly legal and binding sense.  Suddenly that song by The Chambers Brothers was relevant.

#2 Mepps

 A husk of my former self.  Today I was pounding miles at 13 minute + pace w/o any walking.   One day the dream becomes a task and then an effort, quickly followed by who stole my cheese.  50 mile weeks literally are like 90 mile weeks without any benefits. 

 Yes I could jumble it all around and run fewer miles.  I could have better workouts and see improvements.  I could use kayaking, biking, and a bit of swimming to fill the gaps, but all that seems cowardly.

 Running, or getting in miles is better for me.  It keeps me humble.   I burn mucho calories, and if gives you grisle.  Hold my beer.

 Tired.  Getting worked.  In less than 2 weeks I'll be making calls from Alabama to Minnesota.  Did I mention I am in Florida?  I'm not that bright evidently.  

 Can't wait for the week in the Boundary Waters.  Walleye as big as your leg.  Sleeping on the ground again and surviving without Captain Crunch and Hamburgers.   What are we doing?  Nothing.