Most people have the assumption I enjoy running. Half the time I'm doing it I am not really enjoying it at all. I don't get in touch with anything and I have no clue what runner's high is. Unless that means waxing people. Either way I am very glad I do it and it has been one of the best investments I have ever made. I don't ponder anything, it is more of a focus on the task at hand. When running with people it is enjoyable to talk smeesh, joke, and listen to the stories. The older I get the more I enjoy putting in the kilometers with other folk.
Had a good 11.1 mile jaunt today. Was able to bring the mail a tad the last five miles with the wind at my back. I'm sure there will be a little pay back tomorrow, but I'll get out there with the Minooka crew and get it in. Probably 10 easy tomorrow.
Lately I've been sleeping like a champion. I've been vacuum packing about 8+ hours a night. That's good dreaming territory and lately I have been dreaming of relatives who have been gone for awhile. I kind of realize this in the dream, but don't at the same time. I guess the brain needs to roam around a bit. I am not a good runner in my dreams. Typically I am under prepared or have a difficult time going as fast as I know I can. I haven't flown on my own in some time now, but I always get a kick out of it when I can spontaneously achieve flight. I wish people were amazed by me as much as they are then, but that's the life of mortals....no?
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Pomp and Circumstance
I track my mileage...have logs back to the 70s. They are helpful at times looking back to see what worked and what didn't. Recently I noticed that when I use to just go and run everyday without a set distance in mind I ran particularly well. I ran most days, but I wasn't beholden to a distance. I'm thinking I have to get back to this. Mainly because if I plan on 8 at the crack of nuts and don't want to do it I just won't run. As I mentioned before running is primarily getting out the door. In the crux of the whole thing what's the big deal if I run 4.7 one day and 9 the next? I'm thinking the running everyday with a couple runs of 10-15 a week is probably adequate for now. I could probably average out 50 regularly on that. That's a good idea I just had. From me to you man.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Built like a car
When one runs isn't it easier to move along with the least stuff possible? The more I look at pictures of people running even the shortest of races they seem to be carrying all kinds of stuff. It must be like going on vacation and packing two times what you need. People seem to be wearing hundreds of dollars of special clothing, shoes, and aids for races of a half hour. What gives?
I don't like carrying anything if I don't have to...it is just more to manage. You carry too much stuff sometimes you feel obligated to use it, drink it, eat it, whatever. Isn't the purpose of training is seeing what you require as a necessity? Maybe all these aids help people think it will get them through the tough times. Training gets you through the tough times. Know where the water is, have a few electrolytes, and grab a bit of grub along the way. You can go a long way on that...if you train for it.
I don't like carrying anything if I don't have to...it is just more to manage. You carry too much stuff sometimes you feel obligated to use it, drink it, eat it, whatever. Isn't the purpose of training is seeing what you require as a necessity? Maybe all these aids help people think it will get them through the tough times. Training gets you through the tough times. Know where the water is, have a few electrolytes, and grab a bit of grub along the way. You can go a long way on that...if you train for it.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Panama
It takes about 20 minutes of run time until you get the notion it was a solid idea. This is how I look at it. Regardless (Irregardless...I never saw the use of this word until I ran with a small posse of folks 25 years ago who preferred this word...it must have been in their lexicon) if I know this the battle still persists in getting out the door. For me the 20 minutes is huge, because most days if I get that far I can run 10 additional minutes and head back to the barn. This is the crux of my whole training plan.
If I wish to start running more per week I have to trick myself into believing I can go an additional 10 minutes out (sometimes more) before turning. I do a lot of out and backs during the week because for me when I get home it seems like the run is far greater than half over. It doesn't make sense, but this works for me.
I take one day a week off now, but I would like to get back to 1-2 days off a month and ultimately add a few evening runs. The motivation is I don't necessarily enjoy taking the dog much on these runs in the dark, but at the same time I am the main source of her regiment in the cooler conditions. In the winter it would still be dark in the evening, but I could run the sidewalks in the neighborhood.
Weekends are a different story. I rarely do 2 hours+ until January or February. There tends to be more people training long on weekends at this point and I just hitch along and get the time in. Every year seems a bit different for weekends, but essentially the heart of training for me is what I can get myself to do during the week.
If I wish to start running more per week I have to trick myself into believing I can go an additional 10 minutes out (sometimes more) before turning. I do a lot of out and backs during the week because for me when I get home it seems like the run is far greater than half over. It doesn't make sense, but this works for me.
I take one day a week off now, but I would like to get back to 1-2 days off a month and ultimately add a few evening runs. The motivation is I don't necessarily enjoy taking the dog much on these runs in the dark, but at the same time I am the main source of her regiment in the cooler conditions. In the winter it would still be dark in the evening, but I could run the sidewalks in the neighborhood.
Weekends are a different story. I rarely do 2 hours+ until January or February. There tends to be more people training long on weekends at this point and I just hitch along and get the time in. Every year seems a bit different for weekends, but essentially the heart of training for me is what I can get myself to do during the week.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Hot Dogs 99 cents
Now...I stop when I see these words. It has been a long struggle finding decent franks out in the Midwest in general. I love the chili dogs back home and more importantly they are rather inexpensive. Chili dogs don't work out here, so I stick with the mustard and onions...except when they want like $3 bucks for one. The Chicago dog is good I will give you that, but it is more like a sandwich experience.
Now that it has cooled off I am back to shooting for 50 miles a week. I am back to running in the mornings which just is the better choice. I have a little 6.3 mile loop I do in the morning during the week and I'm going to try and stretch to 10 on Wednesdays when I can, Monday is usually the day off. Back to just enjoying running. Never easy getting out the door, but once the first couple miles go by there is no other place I'd rather be.
Now that it has cooled off I am back to shooting for 50 miles a week. I am back to running in the mornings which just is the better choice. I have a little 6.3 mile loop I do in the morning during the week and I'm going to try and stretch to 10 on Wednesdays when I can, Monday is usually the day off. Back to just enjoying running. Never easy getting out the door, but once the first couple miles go by there is no other place I'd rather be.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Art Fleming and Steve Grilli
About everyday I try and remember a couple items I want to Google. It is interesting to see what you remember compared to facts. I commented to my wife that Alex Trebek must be at least 70 and sure enough he is 73. For those interested he is slated to retire in 2016. Of course I had to look up Fleming and after 10 minutes I had read more than I needed to know about Jeopardy.
As a Pirate fan it was good to see them win against Cincinnati, but I was unaware our closer Jason Grilli's Dad pitched in the Majors. Steve Grilli toiled 4 years with the Tigers and Blue Jays. From me to you man.
Now that Fall is here I am back training in earnest. I will move from 35 a week back to 50-55. Nothing planned other than the usual John Dick 50k in February as a training romp and then buckle down for Ice Age.
As a Pirate fan it was good to see them win against Cincinnati, but I was unaware our closer Jason Grilli's Dad pitched in the Majors. Steve Grilli toiled 4 years with the Tigers and Blue Jays. From me to you man.
Now that Fall is here I am back training in earnest. I will move from 35 a week back to 50-55. Nothing planned other than the usual John Dick 50k in February as a training romp and then buckle down for Ice Age.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Me..me..me.me..I..I..I..I
1. I count almost every flight of steps I travel on.
2. My middle name is Blair after my Grandpa.
3. I get between 1,000 - 1,500 miles per pair of shoes.
4. I used to keep track of how much money I found per year.
5. $35.00 was about the biggest year
6. I sat beside Bill Rodgers at the Wheeling 20k awards banquet in 1978.
7. I found a dead guy once.
8. My nickname in college was Devo.
9. I earned an MBA from Ft. Lauderdale College and finished first in my class w/ a 3.93.
10. Several friends call me Herb or Duey.
11. I won my first 2 mile race ever as a sophomore in HS.
12. I won a Cleveland Indians trivia contest in HS at a sporting goods store worth $25.
13. I played the game Defender for 17 consecutive hours in college on .25 cents before they closed.
14. My brother and I tied for first in the mile in HS versus Union HS.
15. I grew up trapping and loved it.
16. I won the Frisbee championship at Slippery Rock as a senior in HS.
17. I once missed 100 classes in a semester at college and passed.
18. I ran my first marathon at Penn Relays in 1980.
19. I am left handed as is my brother, but throw and bat right handed.
20. I am from PA, my wife is from WI, and my kids were born in FL.
21. Marc Woodcock has never beaten me in a race.
22. I have registered under the name Wes Mantooth on several occasions.
23. I have never ran a fast 10K.
24. I sleep on my left side.
25. My grandmother is 100 years old.
26. My Dad taught me how to catch honey bees in bare hands without them stinging you.
27. My Mom was voted most athletic in her senior class.
28. My other grandma was Lula Bell.
29. I have over 125,000 baseball cards.
30. Keven Grabowski was a friend who used to have multiple records at UWRF.
31. I once ran a road race and finished last to see what it was like.
32. I once wore 27 t-shirts to HS.
33. I ran my first 100 mile week in 1978.
34. I went 2 years in college without combing my hair.
35. I ran my fastest 8k in 27:03 at 42 years old.
36. I don't read horiscopes or fortune cookies.
37. I enjoy crossword puzzles.
38. My first dogs name was Wimpy.
39. My HS bus ran him over in his quest to bite the biggest tire.
40. I have never worn a pair of boxers.
41. My birthday is on 9-11.
42. Sometimes Angela Barbara is 2 years older than me.
43. My favorite baseball player of all-time was Roberto Clemente.
44. I have been at the same company since 9-10-84.
45. My parents, siblings, wife, and children all have spring birthdays.
46. John Wayne is the greatest actor ever.
47. My grandma's favorite president was Lyndon Johnson.
48. I cannot roll my tongue into that cool oval thing.
49. I once ran a year without missing a day.
50. The girl I took to the senior prom was the state champ in the javelin and medaled in the 880.
2. My middle name is Blair after my Grandpa.
3. I get between 1,000 - 1,500 miles per pair of shoes.
4. I used to keep track of how much money I found per year.
5. $35.00 was about the biggest year
6. I sat beside Bill Rodgers at the Wheeling 20k awards banquet in 1978.
7. I found a dead guy once.
8. My nickname in college was Devo.
9. I earned an MBA from Ft. Lauderdale College and finished first in my class w/ a 3.93.
10. Several friends call me Herb or Duey.
11. I won my first 2 mile race ever as a sophomore in HS.
12. I won a Cleveland Indians trivia contest in HS at a sporting goods store worth $25.
13. I played the game Defender for 17 consecutive hours in college on .25 cents before they closed.
14. My brother and I tied for first in the mile in HS versus Union HS.
15. I grew up trapping and loved it.
16. I won the Frisbee championship at Slippery Rock as a senior in HS.
17. I once missed 100 classes in a semester at college and passed.
18. I ran my first marathon at Penn Relays in 1980.
19. I am left handed as is my brother, but throw and bat right handed.
20. I am from PA, my wife is from WI, and my kids were born in FL.
21. Marc Woodcock has never beaten me in a race.
22. I have registered under the name Wes Mantooth on several occasions.
23. I have never ran a fast 10K.
24. I sleep on my left side.
25. My grandmother is 100 years old.
26. My Dad taught me how to catch honey bees in bare hands without them stinging you.
27. My Mom was voted most athletic in her senior class.
28. My other grandma was Lula Bell.
29. I have over 125,000 baseball cards.
30. Keven Grabowski was a friend who used to have multiple records at UWRF.
31. I once ran a road race and finished last to see what it was like.
32. I once wore 27 t-shirts to HS.
33. I ran my first 100 mile week in 1978.
34. I went 2 years in college without combing my hair.
35. I ran my fastest 8k in 27:03 at 42 years old.
36. I don't read horiscopes or fortune cookies.
37. I enjoy crossword puzzles.
38. My first dogs name was Wimpy.
39. My HS bus ran him over in his quest to bite the biggest tire.
40. I have never worn a pair of boxers.
41. My birthday is on 9-11.
42. Sometimes Angela Barbara is 2 years older than me.
43. My favorite baseball player of all-time was Roberto Clemente.
44. I have been at the same company since 9-10-84.
45. My parents, siblings, wife, and children all have spring birthdays.
46. John Wayne is the greatest actor ever.
47. My grandma's favorite president was Lyndon Johnson.
48. I cannot roll my tongue into that cool oval thing.
49. I once ran a year without missing a day.
50. The girl I took to the senior prom was the state champ in the javelin and medaled in the 880.
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