Like a lab rat with privileges...

If the human equivalent of a rat running on a wheel is the treadmill, then then I guess I'm a lab rat with privelegs. That is, I wasn't forced to resort to a dreadmill to get in my run today (thank God), but I was forced indoors thanks to Mother Nature (the dirty hobag) and her several inches of snow and wicked windchills. I have the "luxury" of an indoor track at the local gym (kinda like a lab rat who gets to run around a maze or something....except I didn't get lost...nor did I get any cheese out of the deal). The track is a step up from the dreadmill because at least you get the illusion that you're actually going somewhere, even if it is in many, many circles.

To make matters worse, I had a 20 miler scheduled today. The track is 11.5 laps per mile so that comes out to a grand total of 230 laps to get 20 miles. That's a lot. Needless to say, I wasn't all that thrilled with the idea and went to the gym with the thought of "only" doing a 15 miler in my head. Why 15? I have no freakin clue. Anyhow, I started out and the first two miles or so sucked the big one.... I wanted to bag it right there. When you've run 23 laps, which sounds like a lot, and you still have 207 to go, which sounds like a gajillion more, it's hard to find the motivation to keep going. But, I eventually got into a groove where my body went on autopilot and my brain basically just checked out (except to click the lap counter every lap) and before I knew it I had 10 miles done. Well, I thought, I've already done 10, what's 10 more? So, I did the full 20 miler, mostly just to spite Mother Nature. You're gonna have to do better than that, beeyatch (just kidding, don't try).

One advantage I've found of running on the indoor track is that the senior citizens walking on it make it seem like you're going really fast. I like to pretend they are racing me and I'm passing them with a wicked fast (I like the word wicked today) finishing kick right at the line. They probably think that I'm a few cards short of deck, but when you've got 230 laps worth of time to kill, you've got to keep yourself entertained somehow. If I have to scare some old people in the process, then so be it. They'll have something to tell there friends about over bridge at the Senior Center tomorrow.

My new Grand Master Plan to BQ

Yesterday I ran a 16 miler. My legs were sore in all kinds of new places after playing basketball for the first time in a couple of years on Friday afternoon, so I wasn't expecting too much out of this run. But, after everything got loosened up, I felt good and cruised along, again, about 15-20 seconds per mile faster than my intended long run pace. I was still feeling fresh toward the end so, with a mile to go, I clicked my ipod forward to my current favorite song, "The Bleeding" by Five Finger Death Punch. I proceeded to crank out a 7:09 final mile (and that only after I noticed at half a mile that I was on sub-7 pace and backed off a little), six seconds faster than my Boston qualifying pace. I can't help but wonder if I just put that song on repeat and let myself get lost in the rage if I can't rip off a 3:10 in Colorado in May??

If you're interested, you can watch a video of the song on YouTube by clicking on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3zrJyNgyNQ . WARNING: Do not click on that if you're an old fogey who despises pissed off heavy metal music!! There isn't any cussing, just a lot of screaming and rage. It's actually a love song, from a very dark perspective.

By the way, I've now run for 28 straight days (how'd that happen??). I'm debating whether or not to take today off or to continue the streak, just for the hell of it. I'm sure it's no coincidence that since my current running streak started, the Seahawks haven't lost a game (their last loss was on Nov. 4th, my last rest day was on Nov. 17). I wouldn't want something stupid, like me not running, to interfere with them winning the Super Bowl...better get to it...

When your daily mileage is higher than the temperature...

...then you might not be quite right in the head.

I ran 10 miles this morning. It was 3 degrees outside. By the time I got done, my black beanie was totally white with frost, my eyebrows and eyelashes had little icicles on them and the part of my facemask that covers my mouth was a solid sheet of ice. My truck wouldn't even start when I tried to leave for work. What in the hell is wrong with me??

Mother Nature needs to take her medication

Anyone who knows me well knows that Mother Nature and I don't really get along that well. It's like a love/hate relationship without the love part. My wife says that it's something I need to accept when I choose to live in South Dakota, but I say I'll live wherever I damn well please and Mother Nature should accomodate my running life.

Case in point: yesterday the old hag was actually pretty kind to me. It was a tropical 50 degrees when I ran in the morning, the first time I've run outside in a t-shirt and shorts for awhile (and probably the last for awhile too). It was all a setup though. Today, it was about 20 degrees, which isn't too bad, but when you add in a nice stiff breeze and the associated windchill, it can get downright miserable. Somewhere between miles 7 and 8 of my 12 miler this morning, I was fairly certain that I was going to suffer frostbite on my hands. Fortunately, my loop put the wind at my back eventually and I managed to thaw my hands out somewhat, which isn't made any easier when you're holding a bottle full of gatorade that is quickly turning to slush because it's so cold.

What's my point? Mother Nature is a dirty, dirty, two dollar !@#$!@%. That's my point. Okay, I'm done ranting.....for now.