The damage done

 I have come to the realization that lining up and finishing the Ice Age 50 mile in 2022 is going to be a real challenge.  As it stands now, there is a no way I can train properly with a bum Achilles.  There is no major pain as I walk about 6.5 miles daily, but the small distances I try and shuffle are slow and awkward.  They also leave the area tender.  It quickly goes away after a day, but I am gun shy to try begin jogging again.  I can’t walk Ice Age in under 12 hours.

 My problem is me of course.  I know What I should be doing.  I also know what other cross training could be considered.  It is hard not to go out daily for an effort and many times twice a day.  We are all told when we can’t do this anymore.  Maybe my time is here.  I have a few ideas to make this work.  Of course I do.  It is not the way I want to go about preparing, but I still want to lick the mustard out of the jar one more time.

The 306 acre woods

 I discovered in early November the Boys and Girls Club by me has passes to use the trails and roads on the property.  I had the whole thing staked out in a week.  It opens up a whole new variety of runs.  The camp has much mature woodland and a marsh area with a boardwalk through it.  It also borders Lake Keesus and is full of unpressurized wildlife.  There are a few rolling hills, but no major climbs.

 In particular there are two areas (outside of the paved entrances on both sides) one can sneak out to the rural roads in the area.  It is fairly easy to cobble together a variety of routes of the 3-5 mile range and mostly stay in the camp.  I’ve been out there about 20 times and have not seen one other person using the grounds.  I’ve only seen the occasional maintenance gentleman on the golf cart.  It also appears someone drives the back areas daily just to check on the cabins.

 The beauty of it for me is the solitude.  Unless you are one which seeks out this type of endeavor it is difficult to explain the airing out of other solid waste which can accumulate.  Sometimes I don’t want to quite go back yet, but I still answer to the man.  After awhile the answering and yes sir, yes sir, three bags full stuff gets old.  And I’m just not talking about work.

Any way the text have come in about getting in an effort with the boys around lunch.  Always happy to steal another one.  

A buck eighty-eight

 That is big for me.  When I went on this medication it called out this would probably happen.  It did and along with the Achilles problem the miles are way down.  I primarily put in a fair amount of miles for two reasons. First is so I can occasionally participate in an ultra of 50k to 50 miles.  Second so I can hoist down whatever I feel like.  Seems these days are over.

 We looked at homes in Florida last week and are making steps on moving there.  People remind me of some of the challenges.  I know.  I lived there 1984-1997.  It certainly is no where near South Florida.  

 Can’t wait to be capable of shuffling along again.  Had actually looked at a flat 100 miler.  I need something to consider.  Getting out has never been a problem for me.  When I slog or run it’s all about the movement.  When only walking it’s more cerebral.  Never was a cerebral runner.  It was about the task at hand and still is as I analyze the metrics of time, speed, and distance.  Mile to mile.  It keeps me occupied.  Now I’m currently at a point of adding steps per day.  You either accept it, move on to other activities, or surrender.  Time moves for no man.

Hold until relieved

 I have been dealing with an Achilles issue the past month.  As is typical I have over played my hand.  Not an issue I want to prolong, it makes sense to just shut all attempts at accumulating mileage down.

 Turned 60 back in September.  No words of wisdom available at this time.  Let me bask in its semi-warm glow for a spell.  One observation is even middle age has passed.  My much older neighbors call me the kid.  A title I suggested to them.  They can on occasion tell me how and when yard work should be completed.  This faction is in their 80s and 90s.  It’s an uncommon gesture now-a-days, but it still resonates a level of respect from me.  I mean when the 90+ neighbor plows out your driveway that’s a piece of America back in my brain that isn’t accessed much anymore.  Really sort of Bud Grant-ish.

…and loving it

 I’m still out here.  Went over 1,600 miles for the year last week.  Mostly 11 - 13 minute pace.  No expectations for Ice Age.  Looking to get number 19 in the bank.  Have some weight to lose.  Did sign up for the Glacial Trail 50 mile on 10/11.  Thinking of the T-Bunk 100 in November.  Not getting any younger.  Ice Age is 9/11 so that’s on my 60th birthday.  Should be entertaining.  Nothing new to report.  Am starting to ponder the luxury of retiring next year.  Talk to 20 people about preparing for retirement and get 20 different philosophies.  

I know you dude

 Lit out today in shorts and a hood jersey.  Wanted to get in 2 hours.  Started out along the big muddy and angled her over towards Monches.  The sand hill cranes are out in full force.  So many of them now.  Things are super loud.  Busted a left into Loew Lake and picked up the trail.  It was so nice I went out and circled the stoney batter.  I put up over Emerald, hammering away the 11:00 minute miles.  Very few people out today.  Well...the dog folks are dedicated.   Saw more dogs than folks.  Picked up the Ice Age trail and continued to take it all in.  What issues I may or may not have had at the start seemed pointless by now.  My brain was covered in velvet.  I was tired, but I had slipped into a brief moment of unconscious freedom of movement.  This zone is rare and and attempt was made not to ruin it by charging of as into battle.  That’s a different plateau.  I’m no shaman, nor the son of a shaman, but I just got up on those big shoulders and rode her in for 13 today.  

Grizzer bears pilgrim

 Not much new to report.  Logging way less miles.  Generally in the 50-55 a week range.  I’m not blazing anything.  I’d say I’m running about one minute a mile faster per mile.  Super pumped the snow is gone.  Mostly will be running around home so a decent amount of Ice Age trail around here and the Bugline.  Bugline be packed with an assortment of folks, so I try and hit it early.  The bicyclist have not won me over yet.  Still have a few Spider Sabiching it through the field.  

Saw Earl Campbell turned 66 last week.  Do yourself a favor and go look at what a dynamic fullback used to run like.  Freaking beast.  Besides the power, stiff arms, bowling NFL athletes over, etc., it gets even better when he is finally in the open field an jettisons the afterburners.  You have to admit those tear away jerseys just made it that much better.

Been traveling more lately so not getting out to The Way of the Fist Track Club as much.  Now that Chef Mike moved up from Illinois we can have as many as 5 running at the same time.  

Everyone have a good Easter.  Paint King.