December

1 - 10.8

2 -  27.1

3 - 14.9

4 - 8.5

5 - 17.8

6 - 17.5

7 - 0

8 - 18.0

9 - 26.0

10 - 11.4

11 - 5.8

12 - 10.0

13 - 15.0

14 - 0

15 - 40.0

16 - 2.5

17 - 0

18 - 7.6

19 - 9.0

20 - 10.5

21 - 8.6

22 - 0

23 - 27.0

24 - 18.1

25 - 4.0

26 - 7.5

27 - 10.0

28 - 10.0

29 - 12.5

30 - 12.5

31 - 5.2

Total - 367.8

Cut me Mick

 - 2,607.9 miles for 2023

 - 11 days to the 100 mile

 - the jog/walk strategy is confined in quarter mile segments 

 - early December I had to rely on more walking because of pain issues and by end of December I had to rely on jogging because of walking pain issues

 - I estimate the percentage of jog/walk to be near 50/50 for the 100

 - I'm trying to beat my brain into understanding the real need to be super conservative.   Need to not get sucked into the blue skies scenario and then suffer from the Mike Tyson observation 

Lake Holiday

 I spent some time this Christmas out on the kayak checking out the bird action.  Saw the Tri-colored Heron and that was a treat.  Was able to get close.  Also was able to see the first Pied-Billed Grebe in a long time.  Saw an Osprey carrying a fish which was cool.  He flew out of a tree and already had achieved victory.

 A couple favorites shown up in the Banded Kingfisher and the Double-crested Cormorant who was fishing when I spotted him.

 I saw Blue Herons and Great Egrets along with Moorehens and Coots.  Ran into some regulars in the hawk, crow, and dove.  I paused for a bit to listen to a bunch grackles sing.  It was actually peaceful and much better than watching the tube.

 I also believe I ran into a bunch of snowy egrets who bolted from the bull rush and gather in a couple trees.  There was also White Ibis and Anhinga out searching for dinner.  The Limpkin was digging in for Apple Snails and I actually was able to see a big shell discarded.

 Lately I see a fair amount of Black Vultures over the water’s edge.  Pretty cool how they float on by with minimal effort.

 That’s about the extent of the adventure.  Running wise I put in 27 Sunday and 18 Saturday.

Of course it's a good idea!

 - My friend turned 70 a week ago.  He is glad to report he had signed up for another year of running.   His advice is to enjoy every day. 

 - Another friend is next in line for the Hardrock 100 on the wait list.   It seems like many at that age he to is a bit compromised.  I hope he rallies.  He runs so well and besides it gives me a good reason to waste 10-15 hours staring at a screen. 

 - My 100 training has been sparse.   The 50 in mid November left some deep soreness in my tendons.  I have primarily been walking.  The good news is I completed 40 on Friday and though not ideal it was a confidence builder.  

 - Crawford is coming down to assist and provide pacing for the run.  This will be a big help.

 - I am thinking of hitting 32 this Friday.  I'll try a 50/50 mix of jog/walk.  That will be 3 weeks and 1 day from the race.  I think 27 hours is possible on event day.

 - I am still at 180 pounds.   I'd like to get to at least 173.

 - The Ice Age 50 mile has Dave Dehart as an entrant.  I hit 11:02 last year.  Maybe sub 11 is doable. 

 - All this is getting slower.  Going slower does not bother me as long as I can get back to 80% of the miles done by jogging.   Long walking workouts eat up way too much time. 

To the Gulf of Mexico

- I am in for the Long Haul 100 on January 13, 2024.  It is 8 weeks from today.

- I did the T-Bunk 50 mile this past Saturday in 11:21.  The last 8 miles were very difficult as my back and the back side of my legs behind the knee are shot.

- One week later the area behind my right knee is prohibiting any serious walking or gentleman jogging. 

- I was 183 pounds after the 8.2 mile recumbent bike journey this morning.

- I will be walking a lot in the 100.  It is amazing how slow and inefficient I now am.  No worry, twern't no grizz left anyway. 

Vanity

 I am off work today and tomorrow.   For some reason there is an internal battle to monitor and respond as if I was not off.  Perhaps after 39 years this has become my condition.   What's worse is everything is easily available on one's iPhone. 

 Situations like these are like a habit you are trying to break.   Justification comes very easy to monitor work and step in and respond throughout the day.  I don't want to be this person any longer, but it is a drug.  A person should have the day off to recharge and clear up other items.  So I am turning off my iPhone. 

 I made a list to fill my day.  After the morning run the plan is to execute them.  The items range from paying bills and yard work, to going to the Library and filling up the propane tank.  There are 12 items.  One is listed as the Donna project.  This means I'll ask the wife what is the one chore she wants done.  

 There is a grand design behind this.  From learning how to stay busy when retired to escaping from the clutches of the new rat race.  I'm old enough to remember how things used to be.  I'm not asking the world to change.  I'm asking for me to change because this world is corrupt and I have a better hope.

4 jacks

- 25.1 miles today doing the .35 jog and .15 walk.  Averaged 12:07 per mile.  Each hour covered a bit more distance.  No breakfast,  no food during run, and only drank water.  Felt decent as finish temps about 83F.

- 13th on the wait list.   Crawford at 25.

- Some ancient couple on bikes went across the road in front of a car.  They put in a real crappy effort to not get pasted.  It is a shame.  Then they just smile and wave after all the hooting and hollering is over. 

- If it works out, I may do the T-Bunk 50 mile in 2 weeks in WI.  If not, maybe another training run.  I'm up there for work the week prior to the event.

- So ready to turn the northern territory over and concentrate on Florida.  It is time.  I'm getting a bit singed on the edges and they are killing independent Dehart.