Monday, October 26, 2020

11:14:40

I blazed the Northern Kettle trails at the Glacial 50 mile. A really nice cool day for the event. Went a bit top heavy, but managed what I thought I could do. Averaged 13:30 per mile. Well pleased with the result. 26 starters and for a short while I was in last. You turn around in the pitch dark and there are no other lights. You accept the fact, smile, and move on happily. Putting in a fair amount of miles. The knee is okay. Somedays I walk more than others. There is something freeing about not worrying about the pace. Absolutely tranquil this time of year. Far fewer people as it gets cooler and wetter. Dog people appear the most resilient. I am more apt to stop and let them go by. Dogs appreciate it and will jump up and say hello. The standard line of they don't usually do that is uttered. Sure. Don't worry I get it. Maybe slowing down has brought out the kind version of me. Not sure what is next. I am training myself to have little of what is regarded as any communication come to my attention. Of course I get plenty of action on work days. I am off work today. I am here with my mom inlaw. She sits in complete silence as she hears little. Does not like to wear the hearing aid. Her 14 year old dog in her lap. She does not want the TV on. The best part of the day is when we play 2 handed spades. We don't keep score. I am a much smaller version of her. How can I learn to be in my own head. Of course I still am pounded by info. The Steelers are 6-0. Nice. I voted today. When the wife gets home after 2pm I'll get out for about 1:30:00. For now I am going to read a bit. Coming up on the part where Sir Roger and Landy battle at the Empire Games. I will let you know how it turns out.

Friday, October 9, 2020

Stage Left

The Glacial 50 mile is this Sunday. The weather looks extremely nice. It will be a bare bones effort. No crew or spectators. There will be about 25 people at the start. It is an out and back. I can have a drop bag at the 13.3 mile out, which is the 36.7 back. I'm going to employ one of these. There are a total of 7 times you can stop for aid. You can't help yourself, the volunteers will assist. It is basic food and liquids only. My goal is to finish between 11:00 - 11:30. I have plenty of miles in. My knee is not 100%, but it is close to 90%. The course is challenging. Plenty of hills and leaf covered trail. The trail can get rocky and roots abound in some areas. Much of my regular training has been 11:30 to 13:00 pace. Occasionally a bit faster and occasionally a bit slower. This is what I have to work with. I am very pumped to get out there. I am anxious to see how the pacing goes and how I feel. My new medication works an entirely different way than the previous one. Running does not come as easy. I've been through this type of situation before. This time I have embraced the fact that I can still get out and participate. The simple act of moving around still appeals to me. It is common for me to be out a couple hours a day total. Nobody else is trying to get inside my head. I'm not even trying to get inside. There is a point in the movie called Cool Hand Luke when the prisoners are working along the road covering up oil that is being sprayed down. Luke gets them fired up to shovel at ass over tincup speed. The trucks drive off as the oil supply is exhausted. Everyone gathers around Luke and asks, "What do we do now?" He replies. "Nothing." It is kind of like that.