You’ve really made the grade

 I managed 46.2 last week with a long effort of 10.0.  I took Sunday off.  It was time.  It had been a month and my pelvis was shot.  The only positive from last week was I still have some desire to get out the door.  It might take 3 cups of coffee, but I’m out there.  And it takes a long time to cover 7 miles.  A real good day is 1.5 hours.  I miss writing in the log book, 10 miles 68 minutes.  Who doesn’t?

 2 years of work left.  Hoping I have the courage to retire.  Time to spend some time with my bride exploring the US in search of the perfect Cuban sandwich and America’s best key lime pie.  It’s out there brother. 

Power shift here we go

 Had a good week for me.  Still takes 2-3 miles to bust everything loose.  Sometimes painful, but always worth it.  I’m down a pound to 187.  Went to the Doctor and they want to re-evaluate my thyroid in March.  Looks like I need more juice.  I’m usually sleeping by 7:30pm.  The good news is I am up early and can jettison out.

Mon - 7.0 12:58 pace

Tue - 7.0  13:46 

Wed - 6.5  11:32 w/ 2.0 in 18:32 (9:16)

Thu -  6.0  13:31 and 2.0 walk only

Fri - 7.5  12:57

Sat - 9.0  11:04 w/ 4.0 in 38:52 (9:43) and 1.0 walk 

Sun - 8.0  12:58

Total - 54.0

Most days I incorporate some walking into the jog efforts.  This helps me extend the distance and have a bit of gas for the following day.

Eddy Merckx

 Last weekend, Donna and I went on a 15 mile bike ride on the paved trail.  Great day and a lot of folks were out.  This is a 46 mile paved trail and it gets plenty of use.  I am amazed how many people have or rent electric bikes.  The one thing you immediately pick up on is they go twice as fast as you do.  People are generally peddling as they go, but some…not so much.  Is this the new workout?  “Hey, we punched out 20 miles today in an hour.  Felt pretty good.”  Some of these things are tanks.  The trail signs say no motorized vehicles.  I only have an issue with those people going 25-30mph and no warning.  At those speeds they are sneaking up regularly.  It’s only a matter of time before they intersect with the ones who don’t leash their dog because they are well behaved, or wouldn’t bite anyone.

 Now that I ride a bike some, maybe I was a bit harsh on the general population.  It just seems like a lot of riders in their 40s and 50s are training for the Tour.  Uni and all.  Now the e-bikes are the primary nemesis.

What brings you up so high?

 Got home from work, packed a cooler and went out on the canoe for a couple hours.  Nice sun action.  Got up to low 80s today.  Great evening to spot a few birds and have a couple hand cannons.

 Then I headed outside and heated up some water for my evening dehydrated meal.  Got that started at sunset.  Grabbed a beach chair and checked the basic supplies I’ll need to make coffee in the morning.  It’s just before 6pm now so the skeeters are happy to see me.  I’ll probably get in the tent by 8pm.  I usually sleep pretty good out here.  Won’t get below 60 tonight so a comfortable night ahead.

 Well my meal is ready.  Hope to be running by 5:55am.

Same as it ever was

 The first step of the Ice Age 50 mile has been completed.  I’m signed up for the May 10th event.  Five months are available to get ready.  It’s not like it used to be.  Now the issue is weaving through the trees, avoiding the obstacles of stiffness, tiredness, and weight.  I have to train so a stiff back, a banged up hip, and limited range of motion doesn’t snuff me out on race day.  I’ll figure it out.  Weight 188.

Mon - 6.3 @ 12:53 pace

Tue - 6.3 @ 12:11 pace

Wed - 4.6 @ 14:10 + 1.7 walk only

Thu - 6.0 @ 13:59 + 1.0 walk only

Fri- 7.0 @ 14:22

Sat - 8.0 @ 13:14

Sun - 9.2 @ 13:06

Total = 50.1

Tender like I do

 I’ve decided to do the Ice Age 50 in 2025.  Not a surprise.  I feel like I could squeeze one more in.  Who knows, if I finish around 11 hours maybe I will leave future endeavors open.  One motivator is the simple fact of being a part time jogger has left me much heavier.  I’m 10-15 pounds of additional human and frankly it is harder to manage.

 There has been a good side.  I’ve learned to accept other forms of exercise and enjoy them.  My range is canoeing, biking, swimming, and kayaking.  Because of this I will look to make these a few supplemental workouts.

 It’s back to the fundamentals.  Lose the weight, add some faster runs, and get back to the long run.  I have this method to forecast my current 50 mile shape from the confines of Florida.  The current estimator shows a finish time of 13:46:22.  I also am going to create my own personal record list starting today over various distances.  Today’s new PR in the 2.0 mile was 23:05.6.  I have some work to do.

Until the mail train comes back

 The miles have been few and a lot of walking.  The weight is around 190.  I’ve decided I need a goal run so I have something to train for.  Maybe a 28 mile event in November.  It is hard for me to train.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.  More like beat up.  I crushed 5.5 miles today at 13:56 pace.  Typical nowadays.  Outside of a morning run I’ll try and walk bonus miles.  This helps me burn calories and try and cut weight.