So today I rolled out to Funk Road to run on the Ice Age Trail. I would run 2.2 miles out, then back, then ride out the balance I had left on the hour. I would complete 5 circuits and see how it all goes. These were the running times (52:25, 51:51, 51:30, 49:00, 47:30). So the idea was to start slow and kind of hang around there. What happened was at certain points on the trail I started basically taking advantage of the more runnable portions. It turned into something I looked forward to and it broke up the sameness of it all. I was noticeably tired on the third loop and the occasional pick up seemed to cure this. The biggest take away was that by the 4th and 5th loops my back and pelvis were already getting stiff. Note to self to look into pelvis stuff. I'd hate it, but the occasional few minutes of work could help. Besides you can pause Gilligan's Island now and pick right up were you left off.
If I get into the Backyard run, my thought was one might as well dog it for the first daylight hours. If one can average 12:30 pace for 4.167 miles that is 52:09. That is still a solid 6 minutes to take care of yourself. I would be all wound up anyway and not tired enough to try and sleep. It was nice having 10 minutes to change some clothes, eat and drink, and do whatever. Right now I don't feel like I covered 22 miles, but I am stiff. In long continuous runs I tend to loosen up and find a rhythm. Stopping is going to take getting used to. Probably more of and age thing.
Most people already in this event are long distance monsters. Many events covered from 6 day, Multi-day, Badwater 135, Arrowhead 135, 24 hours, European events, and tons of 100 milers. I also see some folks have some pretty long events lined up 1-2 months before the Big Backyard Ultra. This seems odd to me. I have a grand total of one 100 miler finished and that was 2003. But I don't look at it as a disadvantage at all. I just want to get used to running every hour and see how to figure that out. I'm not fast any longer, but I am still able to run sub 8:30 for trail 50s.
I have to keep the mind set that I am going to get in, so I stay motivated to train. If I don't get in, then I don't get in. I might try and sign up one more time, but after that I'd be 60. I'd probably migrate to trying to run a fast marathon then. Well...fast for me.
Other notes from the run. Johnny Appleseed was out with his dogs today because no one else would probably be on the trails. Black dog 1...Me 0. First time I have been bite in the inner thigh. Just nicked me, but we left on amicable terms. Multiple people with dogs off collar today, because when it hits 40F+ in December who would be out on the trails? I have a dog, I get it and as long as I'm not seriously hurt I try and be cool about it. One lady had her dog off leash and her 6-7 year old on a leash. She let me know her dog would never bite me. Which is nice. So I have that going for me. Glad she paid it forward.
I bought a sub and chips afterwards. While waiting I heard one guy say to the gal he was with, "I'm just telling you how I feel and you keep telling me I'm wrong." My experience is most people don't give a rats rump about feelings. Best I play it close to the vest and invest in ways to be comfortable in my own skin.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Friday, December 14, 2018
Paved paradise
So I am sitting in a Best Buy parking lot. They open in a hour. Going to get the wife a remote starter for Christmas. I know, but zero wrapping involved. Still need to come up with a couple other wifey type presents. Not my strength. Ever notice the word strengths has 9 letters and only one is a vowel?
Some of the folks here know I put in for the Big Backyard Ultra for next October. Currently I am 17th on the wait list. Maybe this will happen. I had to turn in a resume and was excited to be that close quite honestly. The resume is decent, but I have no depth of work and I am not someone who has depth at 100 milers. I finished one and that was 2003. I did do 3 days of Syllamo twice, so that is the long distance portion of what I submitted.
If you are not familiar with the format you can look it up. It is a 4.167 mile race every hour until the last person is standing. Last year went like 68-69 hours. That pace is equal to 100 miles every 24 hours. Looks like a beast. I have a ton of thoughts about the race, training, the competitors, etc. I’ll be sharing those thoughts here. I’ve got high hopes I’ll get in. The field has generally been around 70, but as they are handing out 12 golden tickets to Backyard champions around the world I can’t see the field being less than 80. There are 67 in currently. I was 20 on the wait list and 3 have gotten in. What pumps me up is the ballers who are going to be there. I just want to get in there and do the best I can do and overcome a few obstacles. Not the just another bum from the neighborhood routine, but more like the Bear Bryant line, “Be good, or be gone.”
In some regards I would consider it the last event I would do the all in training mind set. Been doing this a long time. The training ideas come easy, the enthusiasm is there, and because it is different makes it fun. The me inside of me has been very vocal recently. I distinctly thought I heard in a Gregory Peck voice say to my other conscious, “We’ve made other plans and that don’t include you.” Not sure of the meaning, but will press on until I hear different.
Some of the folks here know I put in for the Big Backyard Ultra for next October. Currently I am 17th on the wait list. Maybe this will happen. I had to turn in a resume and was excited to be that close quite honestly. The resume is decent, but I have no depth of work and I am not someone who has depth at 100 milers. I finished one and that was 2003. I did do 3 days of Syllamo twice, so that is the long distance portion of what I submitted.
If you are not familiar with the format you can look it up. It is a 4.167 mile race every hour until the last person is standing. Last year went like 68-69 hours. That pace is equal to 100 miles every 24 hours. Looks like a beast. I have a ton of thoughts about the race, training, the competitors, etc. I’ll be sharing those thoughts here. I’ve got high hopes I’ll get in. The field has generally been around 70, but as they are handing out 12 golden tickets to Backyard champions around the world I can’t see the field being less than 80. There are 67 in currently. I was 20 on the wait list and 3 have gotten in. What pumps me up is the ballers who are going to be there. I just want to get in there and do the best I can do and overcome a few obstacles. Not the just another bum from the neighborhood routine, but more like the Bear Bryant line, “Be good, or be gone.”
In some regards I would consider it the last event I would do the all in training mind set. Been doing this a long time. The training ideas come easy, the enthusiasm is there, and because it is different makes it fun. The me inside of me has been very vocal recently. I distinctly thought I heard in a Gregory Peck voice say to my other conscious, “We’ve made other plans and that don’t include you.” Not sure of the meaning, but will press on until I hear different.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
We're all in this together
I previously mentioned the dog. The dog's name is actually Cookie. She was a rescue we picked up in April 2007 against my better feelings, but completed based on the premise that all kids should have the dog experience. My kids were about 11 and 13 at the time. I grew up in the dogs are for outside era. Dogs inside require an effort, especially a high strung cattle dog type. I ran the math and knew the dog would be here way past my children leaving and I was dead right. It's safe to say you had to firmly coax them to take her out for a walk or even get some quality play time in. For a kid, or teenager that's about 5 minutes. My kids aren't runners, but when told they had to take the dog around the 1 kilometer block they sure found a way to run that.
My wife has always done yeoman duties in walking the dog. For many years I also ran the dog consistently. The dog piled up mileage and I'm sure it tamped down some of her anxiety, but many times it seemed it only left her wanting more. Around 2014 we moved in with my Sis-in-law and that was a dog house. There was always 3-4 dogs there total and this allowed me to break the running contract the dog believed we had. I rarely ran her. Then in 2016 we purchased a house and it was back to the wife, dog, and me. I still did not run her, but did continue to participate in the occasional 30-45 minute walk.
The dog is 12. It is cold, snowy, and windy already here in WI. Not a big deal for me, but circumstances change for people and they have for us. I'm talking specifically about the dog exercise duties and her workout plan. Somehow she realizes less will happen with her outside in the winter, but it does not stop what people call hope. If a door is opened, I'm putting different clothing on, or one specific drawer is opened where the plastic crap bags happen to be then she is suddenly fully engaged. I'll be honest, I though at 12 she would be calmer. Her and I only tolerate each other. Though in fairness that has been the way with almost all the pets we have owned. I don't care for animals in the house, but you can't fight city hall.
Anyone who owns a dog knows how smart they are. They are also forgiving and can be comical at times because how predictable they are. Every show that was ever on at our house that has a bell, siren, et cetera, she let's you know about it. She hates it and won't stop until you find a solution. If I watch PTI I have to mute the bell. Family Feud...no way. Big Brother...you have to put her upstairs. Somehow she has memorized the voices or the shows beginning music. A few years ago I ran with her through a neighborhood we hadn't been through for years, but used to be a regular route. Every freakin' house we went by that used to have dog come out and challenge us she remembered.
So we been running in the evenings together about 4 times a week. I'm slower and she is slower, but we are getting it done. After 3 weeks of this she is better at what is expected and I have yielded to a few of her requests. Maybe I'm getting soft, but of all the people on earth who appreciates running for just the sake of doing it, how can I not share this experience with her. We don't like each other any more because of it, but at the end of the day it is better we both just get this done. And that is that.
My wife has always done yeoman duties in walking the dog. For many years I also ran the dog consistently. The dog piled up mileage and I'm sure it tamped down some of her anxiety, but many times it seemed it only left her wanting more. Around 2014 we moved in with my Sis-in-law and that was a dog house. There was always 3-4 dogs there total and this allowed me to break the running contract the dog believed we had. I rarely ran her. Then in 2016 we purchased a house and it was back to the wife, dog, and me. I still did not run her, but did continue to participate in the occasional 30-45 minute walk.
The dog is 12. It is cold, snowy, and windy already here in WI. Not a big deal for me, but circumstances change for people and they have for us. I'm talking specifically about the dog exercise duties and her workout plan. Somehow she realizes less will happen with her outside in the winter, but it does not stop what people call hope. If a door is opened, I'm putting different clothing on, or one specific drawer is opened where the plastic crap bags happen to be then she is suddenly fully engaged. I'll be honest, I though at 12 she would be calmer. Her and I only tolerate each other. Though in fairness that has been the way with almost all the pets we have owned. I don't care for animals in the house, but you can't fight city hall.
Anyone who owns a dog knows how smart they are. They are also forgiving and can be comical at times because how predictable they are. Every show that was ever on at our house that has a bell, siren, et cetera, she let's you know about it. She hates it and won't stop until you find a solution. If I watch PTI I have to mute the bell. Family Feud...no way. Big Brother...you have to put her upstairs. Somehow she has memorized the voices or the shows beginning music. A few years ago I ran with her through a neighborhood we hadn't been through for years, but used to be a regular route. Every freakin' house we went by that used to have dog come out and challenge us she remembered.
So we been running in the evenings together about 4 times a week. I'm slower and she is slower, but we are getting it done. After 3 weeks of this she is better at what is expected and I have yielded to a few of her requests. Maybe I'm getting soft, but of all the people on earth who appreciates running for just the sake of doing it, how can I not share this experience with her. We don't like each other any more because of it, but at the end of the day it is better we both just get this done. And that is that.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Bigger boat
The Glacial Trail 50k was another great run event. This was my 5th in a row, so needless to say it is on the schedule annually. I went out comfortable and actually hit the turn a couple minutes faster than last year. Just past Butler on the way back I was finding a good groove and suddenly turned my right ankle. I turned it hard, not a tweak. I still ran okay the next mile or so because it is in field. After that I had to watch it on the rocky trail. Sure enough, already compromised it went over again. I had to really go slow on the downs and any rocky area. If it was uphill or fairly even turf I opened it up. I finished 15th in 5:18 so I was good with that. The ankle didn't look good for about a week, but I am back running.
The last couple weeks I have been jogging the dog for about 35 minutes or so about 3-4 times in a week. The whole house dynamic has changed as I am now highly favored. Basically the dog bugs the heck out of me. Now that I am jogging 10+ times a week she is locked in. I have not been running her for years as my wife has been walking her. It's cold, there is snow on the ground, it is dark at 4:45pm, and my wife gets up by 3am for work. On paper it is a good deal. The dog gets exercise, I get a few easy miles in, and the wife is happy. The problem is the more you do for her (dog) the more she wants to do. Buddies for life. The dog is a cattle dog. She is over 12 years old. I made the wrong assumption that a couple easy miles would be enough. And she could care less what the circumstances are. She is in the be all you can be mode. It's like the bit in Jaws. They shoot the third barrel attachment and claim he can't go down with three, "Not with THREE he can't." There are a few other dynamics about the dog that go along with this and they aren't all bad. In some ways I admire how this dog just wills herself to believe we are equals.
I'm thinking about going metric in 2019. A mile seems like forever. Kilometers seem more reasonable as I'll be able to run numbers more often. It will be something new.
The last couple weeks I have been jogging the dog for about 35 minutes or so about 3-4 times in a week. The whole house dynamic has changed as I am now highly favored. Basically the dog bugs the heck out of me. Now that I am jogging 10+ times a week she is locked in. I have not been running her for years as my wife has been walking her. It's cold, there is snow on the ground, it is dark at 4:45pm, and my wife gets up by 3am for work. On paper it is a good deal. The dog gets exercise, I get a few easy miles in, and the wife is happy. The problem is the more you do for her (dog) the more she wants to do. Buddies for life. The dog is a cattle dog. She is over 12 years old. I made the wrong assumption that a couple easy miles would be enough. And she could care less what the circumstances are. She is in the be all you can be mode. It's like the bit in Jaws. They shoot the third barrel attachment and claim he can't go down with three, "Not with THREE he can't." There are a few other dynamics about the dog that go along with this and they aren't all bad. In some ways I admire how this dog just wills herself to believe we are equals.
I'm thinking about going metric in 2019. A mile seems like forever. Kilometers seem more reasonable as I'll be able to run numbers more often. It will be something new.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Chris Lapp
I'll post in the near future about the Glacial 50k. Coming back from Butler about 13 miles to go at Glacial I turned my right ankle. I kept going and about 2 miles later away it went again. I was defenseless. Simply put the ankle had to plant firmly the rest of the way in. No easy task with some of those rock fields you go through. I was forced to slowly bumble downhill, but was able to run well on the uphill segments as there is less unknown surface tension to be had. When the trail was good I was able to pick it up a bit.
Anyway this Friday I wanted to go out for a mile or two. I was just jonesing to get some movement in. About a quarter mile into it a car was coming. It is not quite daylight so I shifted over to the other side of the road. Problem is I still have no ability to prevent my ankle from going over again past a certain angle. Well the other side of this rural backroad is cambered pretty well around this hilly turn and over she goes again. That bugged the heck out of me most of the day. That I was that stupid.
So this morning I wrapped the bad boy with duct tape and made it about 150 yards before determining I'm an idiot. Back to the house, off came that bad idea, on came the Fleet Farm cotton sock, then completely wrapped over with the same duct tape. Ten miles in the bank. Splits of 58:10 and 55:04 back. No matter. Twern't no grizz left anyway.
Didn't put enough dirt down. Saw it right off.
Anyway this Friday I wanted to go out for a mile or two. I was just jonesing to get some movement in. About a quarter mile into it a car was coming. It is not quite daylight so I shifted over to the other side of the road. Problem is I still have no ability to prevent my ankle from going over again past a certain angle. Well the other side of this rural backroad is cambered pretty well around this hilly turn and over she goes again. That bugged the heck out of me most of the day. That I was that stupid.
So this morning I wrapped the bad boy with duct tape and made it about 150 yards before determining I'm an idiot. Back to the house, off came that bad idea, on came the Fleet Farm cotton sock, then completely wrapped over with the same duct tape. Ten miles in the bank. Splits of 58:10 and 55:04 back. No matter. Twern't no grizz left anyway.
Didn't put enough dirt down. Saw it right off.
Friday, October 19, 2018
2018 Al's Run
So Al's run was about a month ago. I love this race because for me it is a team race. We barely field the 5 runners needed to score, but manage to every year. This year was no exception as we had 5 finishers on the dot. It is the only time most of us see each other. We ask about the families, how's work going, etc. Eventually we get down to business and see how each other is running. I did zero "effort" running this year. My goal was to break 35 minutes for the 8k distance. The first mile has a lot of net downhill, but I held back and just Barney Rubble'd it. Put the first mile in at 7:05 knowing the next mile is a net uphill. I kept aerobic and blazed the second mile in 7:26, but knew I could heat up the peanut oil for the final three. Sure enough I was passing rocks and trees as if they were standing still (Walt Stack quote maybe?) and after opening up down Lafayette hill I clicked of the third mile in 6:50. The last couple miles are flat there by the big lake and sure enough I was catching people. I was still good aerobically...probably a bit too good as the 4th mile yielded a 7:00. At this point I just went after it (comical isn't it) and basically went to sprint mode.
Now sprint mode isn't near what you think. I was trying to run as fast as I could, but it was not sprinting. The brain is signaling man over board, but the crew ain't getting the message. The best example I can think of is when you buy a bean burrito and they tell you it's a $1.46 at the second window. You hand them a penny and then $2.00 dollars. They accept the money and then look at each hand individually. Finally they look at you as if to say, "that's my skull." Real similar.
Any way I may not be sprinting, but I am rolling good and clip the guy at the finish line by 0.20 seconds to get 6th in the 55-59 age group. I rolled the last 0.97 of a mile in 6:05 to finish in 34:26. The age group winner who is 57 like I am won in 28:07. I averaged 6:56 a mile which tells me many things I won't share here.
We finish up later at Ryan's crib and have a cookout. Lot's of good food and plenty of lies. Along with Ice Age and now Glacial, I don't have many traditional events left. I was fairly beat up for a couple of days after Al's. It did inspire me to consider adding some moderate tempo efforts and short hill workouts before Ice Age next year.
Now sprint mode isn't near what you think. I was trying to run as fast as I could, but it was not sprinting. The brain is signaling man over board, but the crew ain't getting the message. The best example I can think of is when you buy a bean burrito and they tell you it's a $1.46 at the second window. You hand them a penny and then $2.00 dollars. They accept the money and then look at each hand individually. Finally they look at you as if to say, "that's my skull." Real similar.
Any way I may not be sprinting, but I am rolling good and clip the guy at the finish line by 0.20 seconds to get 6th in the 55-59 age group. I rolled the last 0.97 of a mile in 6:05 to finish in 34:26. The age group winner who is 57 like I am won in 28:07. I averaged 6:56 a mile which tells me many things I won't share here.
We finish up later at Ryan's crib and have a cookout. Lot's of good food and plenty of lies. Along with Ice Age and now Glacial, I don't have many traditional events left. I was fairly beat up for a couple of days after Al's. It did inspire me to consider adding some moderate tempo efforts and short hill workouts before Ice Age next year.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Just the way you look
Signed up for the Glacial Trail 50k this October 14th. Thought about the 50 miler, but the PF in my left foot is not allowing me to traverse that distance. Guess I’ll have to break out the wallet and get the running inserts again. I’m fortunate to be running. Seems less and less of the herd is still in the game. Was a time I thought running into my 70s would be no big deal. Of course I thought Hogan’s Heroes would never bust apart either.
Yes I am still out jogging 10 minute miles. This coming Saturday is Al’s Run 8k. It’s all about the participation now. I said uncle this year. Maybe next year I will go the speed work route. Then funny part is if I put in some serious Belt Buckle Bob training I would still be lucky to bone chip in under 33 minutes.
I’m 57 on September 11th. That sounds close to 60. I’ll be at a power plant looking at some work that came over from China. I’ll celebrate by driving farther south into Illanese territory for the week. Lately I’ve been hammering Carne Asada for dinner. The jalapeños have been slooping up the John B. No matter, I put on a few Sinatra tunes in the room and call it good. Being on the road actually motivates me to run. I’m asleep around 8pm. First thing in the morning I participate with black coffee, check the Pirate score, and get ready to run an hour.
Ran in MN last week. I have a few stock places to run. I know a few folks up there, but do a poor job alerting them in time for a run. I may start trying to run a second time for the day if it means running with someone. I get to where I don’t like missing the AM run. I feel best then and trying to run at night at times is like listening to Foreigner...brutal.
Not a lot of miles, but here is the longer run notes:
7/28 15.0 (10:22) Dewey and Tim / trail and paved
8/11 25.0 (10:29) Clarky and Adam night run on Ice Age
8/25 20.0 (10:30) Dewey / Butternut back roads
9/8 18.0 (10:03) Crawford out in the Sha on paved trail
Yes I am still out jogging 10 minute miles. This coming Saturday is Al’s Run 8k. It’s all about the participation now. I said uncle this year. Maybe next year I will go the speed work route. Then funny part is if I put in some serious Belt Buckle Bob training I would still be lucky to bone chip in under 33 minutes.
I’m 57 on September 11th. That sounds close to 60. I’ll be at a power plant looking at some work that came over from China. I’ll celebrate by driving farther south into Illanese territory for the week. Lately I’ve been hammering Carne Asada for dinner. The jalapeños have been slooping up the John B. No matter, I put on a few Sinatra tunes in the room and call it good. Being on the road actually motivates me to run. I’m asleep around 8pm. First thing in the morning I participate with black coffee, check the Pirate score, and get ready to run an hour.
Ran in MN last week. I have a few stock places to run. I know a few folks up there, but do a poor job alerting them in time for a run. I may start trying to run a second time for the day if it means running with someone. I get to where I don’t like missing the AM run. I feel best then and trying to run at night at times is like listening to Foreigner...brutal.
Not a lot of miles, but here is the longer run notes:
7/28 15.0 (10:22) Dewey and Tim / trail and paved
8/11 25.0 (10:29) Clarky and Adam night run on Ice Age
8/25 20.0 (10:30) Dewey / Butternut back roads
9/8 18.0 (10:03) Crawford out in the Sha on paved trail
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