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.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
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...
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...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
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??
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??
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
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 !@#$!@%. That's my point. Okay, I'm done ranting.....for now.
Case in point: yesterday the old hag was actually pretty kind to me. It was a tropical 50 degrees when I ran in the morning, the first time I've run outside in a t-shirt and shorts for awhile (and probably the last for awhile too). It was all a setup though. Today, it was about 20 degrees, which isn't too bad, but when you add in a nice stiff breeze and the associated windchill, it can get downright miserable. Somewhere between miles 7 and 8 of my 12 miler this morning, I was fairly certain that I was going to suffer frostbite on my hands. Fortunately, my loop put the wind at my back eventually and I managed to thaw my hands out somewhat, which isn't made any easier when you're holding a bottle full of gatorade that is quickly turning to slush because it's so cold.
What's my point? Mother Nature is a dirty, dirty, two dollar !@#$!@%. That's my point. Okay, I'm done ranting.....for now.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Apple pie and HDTV
So, what do apple pie and HDTV have to do with running? Well, let me tell ya. On Turkey Day, we headed to Rapid City for the annual Turkey Trot 5K followed by a gourmet meal at the Golden Corral (don't laugh, it's cheaper and easier than cooking it yourself and then having a buttload of leftovers). If y'all remember, I just set a new 5K PR last month and went sub-20 for the first time in the process. With the memories of how painful that effort was still fresh in my mind, I had absolutely no intention of pushing it that hard again at the Turkey Trot. My number one goal for this race was to win one of the 300 pies they raffle off following the race. This race does not have awards or keep official times; they just give away pies. I was actually so unconcerned about my race time that I ran 4 miles around the neighborhood before we left for Rapid City.
We drove down to Rapid after my morning run and arrived about 20 minutes before the race started. I paid my $5 fee, which got my name in the hat for the pie raffle, and set out for a warmup jog. It became apparent during this warmup jog that I was going to have to make a visit to the portajohn before the race started. Of course, by the time I got back to where they were located, there was quite a line and not a lot of time. I really didn't have any choice but to wait, because if I didn't then something ugly was going to happen during the race. Finally, about a minute before race time, I got into a portajohn and conducted my transaction as quickly as possible. Even so, I emerged to find that I was 40 seconds late for the race start. This is the kind of scenario that haunts my dreams before nearly every marathon I run, but this time I honestly didn't give a damn. I took off running, hit the start button on my watch when I crossed the start line, and set about passing the hundreds of walkers and slower runners in front of me. I spent the entire first half of the race running around people, bobbing and weaving and trying to find a gap that I could shoot through. Even so, my split time at the halfway point was decent (10:41). I was feeling pretty good at that point and had finally passed enough people that I could actually run a solid pace, so I decided to kick it up a little in the second half, just for the hell of it. I would pick someone in front of me and focus on them until they were behind me, then would seek out my next victim. Much to my surprise, I ran the second half in 9:49 and my overall time was 20:30 (according to my watch). I could have easily gone sub-20 again if I had pushed it the whole way and started ahead of the mass of humanity instead of 40 seconds behind it.
Anyhow, the race was actually just a prelude to the real reason I was there: to win a pie. Like I said, they had 300 of em to give out and I'm guessing there were at least 500 people there, so the odds were good, but certainly not guaranteed. I should mention that it was pretty cold that morning; temps were probably in the low 20s. I had built up a good sweat during the race and was actually kind of hot right afterwards, but 45 minutes or so of standing around changed that pretty quickly. As name after name was pulled out of the box, I could feel my toes getting more and more numb. I briefly considered whether a chance at a pie was worth hypothermia and/or frostbite, but quickly dispelled any thoughts of leaving early. Finally, approximately 250 pies into it, my name was called. I picked an apple pie and made a beeline for our vehicle so I could thaw out my appendages. Was it worth it? Hell yeah, it was.
So, that's how apple pie relates to running, now on to HDTV. Okay, honestly it doesn't relate to running, I'm just excited because I finally have one. As everyone in the free world knows, the big box stores have some insane deals the day after Thanksgiving. Well, this year Best Buy was offering a 42 inch plasma TV with 3 years no interest financing. To my surprise, my wife was almost convincing me of it as much as I thought I would have to convince her (does that make sense?). And, to tell the truth, she did the legwork to get the thing. You see, each Best Buy only gets like 15 of these things and in order to get one you have to be there at 3 AM to get a ticket, which allows you to come back when the store actually opens to pick up your TV. But, it's not quite that easy. In order to get a ticket, you have to get in line, which as my wife discovered begins forming Thursday evening. I want to go on record as saying that I DID NOT pressure or encourage her to spend a cold night outside of Best Buy just for a stupid TV, but, ever the trooper, she did it anyway (also for the record, I would have done it myself, but I was back at home watching the kids....my wife had already planned on being up most of the night getting our Christmas shopping done elsewhere in Rapid). So, long story short, we have a brand spankin new TV and all I can think about now is how badly I want to skip work so I can stay home and watch football in HD. It's like I'm a kid again, faking sick so I can stay home from school and play Nintendo (hope my mom doesn't read this).
Oh yeah, I ran 71.7 miles last week, my second highest total ever and only 3/10 of a mile short of my record, which I plan on breaking this week. That is, if I can peel my ass from in front of the TV long enough to actually run....
We drove down to Rapid after my morning run and arrived about 20 minutes before the race started. I paid my $5 fee, which got my name in the hat for the pie raffle, and set out for a warmup jog. It became apparent during this warmup jog that I was going to have to make a visit to the portajohn before the race started. Of course, by the time I got back to where they were located, there was quite a line and not a lot of time. I really didn't have any choice but to wait, because if I didn't then something ugly was going to happen during the race. Finally, about a minute before race time, I got into a portajohn and conducted my transaction as quickly as possible. Even so, I emerged to find that I was 40 seconds late for the race start. This is the kind of scenario that haunts my dreams before nearly every marathon I run, but this time I honestly didn't give a damn. I took off running, hit the start button on my watch when I crossed the start line, and set about passing the hundreds of walkers and slower runners in front of me. I spent the entire first half of the race running around people, bobbing and weaving and trying to find a gap that I could shoot through. Even so, my split time at the halfway point was decent (10:41). I was feeling pretty good at that point and had finally passed enough people that I could actually run a solid pace, so I decided to kick it up a little in the second half, just for the hell of it. I would pick someone in front of me and focus on them until they were behind me, then would seek out my next victim. Much to my surprise, I ran the second half in 9:49 and my overall time was 20:30 (according to my watch). I could have easily gone sub-20 again if I had pushed it the whole way and started ahead of the mass of humanity instead of 40 seconds behind it.
Anyhow, the race was actually just a prelude to the real reason I was there: to win a pie. Like I said, they had 300 of em to give out and I'm guessing there were at least 500 people there, so the odds were good, but certainly not guaranteed. I should mention that it was pretty cold that morning; temps were probably in the low 20s. I had built up a good sweat during the race and was actually kind of hot right afterwards, but 45 minutes or so of standing around changed that pretty quickly. As name after name was pulled out of the box, I could feel my toes getting more and more numb. I briefly considered whether a chance at a pie was worth hypothermia and/or frostbite, but quickly dispelled any thoughts of leaving early. Finally, approximately 250 pies into it, my name was called. I picked an apple pie and made a beeline for our vehicle so I could thaw out my appendages. Was it worth it? Hell yeah, it was.
So, that's how apple pie relates to running, now on to HDTV. Okay, honestly it doesn't relate to running, I'm just excited because I finally have one. As everyone in the free world knows, the big box stores have some insane deals the day after Thanksgiving. Well, this year Best Buy was offering a 42 inch plasma TV with 3 years no interest financing. To my surprise, my wife was almost convincing me of it as much as I thought I would have to convince her (does that make sense?). And, to tell the truth, she did the legwork to get the thing. You see, each Best Buy only gets like 15 of these things and in order to get one you have to be there at 3 AM to get a ticket, which allows you to come back when the store actually opens to pick up your TV. But, it's not quite that easy. In order to get a ticket, you have to get in line, which as my wife discovered begins forming Thursday evening. I want to go on record as saying that I DID NOT pressure or encourage her to spend a cold night outside of Best Buy just for a stupid TV, but, ever the trooper, she did it anyway (also for the record, I would have done it myself, but I was back at home watching the kids....my wife had already planned on being up most of the night getting our Christmas shopping done elsewhere in Rapid). So, long story short, we have a brand spankin new TV and all I can think about now is how badly I want to skip work so I can stay home and watch football in HD. It's like I'm a kid again, faking sick so I can stay home from school and play Nintendo (hope my mom doesn't read this).
Oh yeah, I ran 71.7 miles last week, my second highest total ever and only 3/10 of a mile short of my record, which I plan on breaking this week. That is, if I can peel my ass from in front of the TV long enough to actually run....
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Winter has arrived
If you were in one of those pools where a bunch of people put in some cash and try to predict the date of the first measurable snowfall and you picked November 20, you probably got laughed at. Well, who's laughing now? Not me because A) I wasn't in one of those pools and B) I don't particularly care for snow. But, I live in South Dakota, so I'm gonna get it whether I like it or not.
So, yeah, I woke up this morning to a couple of inches of fresh snow and it was still coming down pretty good. Fortunately, the wind was minimal, so after I bundled up (wearing my running tights and facemask for the first time this fall) running was actually pretty comfortable. I was most concerned about the footing on the unplowed streets and unshoveled sidewalks, but to start out it wasn't bad. The further I went though, the worse it got because it was getting warmer and the snow was piling up, which resulted in a slushy, wet mess that is more tiring to run through than it's worth. So, although the plan called for 12 miles, I cut it short at 10. I actually wouldn't mind running in this kind of weather at all.....if I had someone on an ATV with a snowplow to clear a path for me as I went. If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas, keep that in mind.
So, yeah, I woke up this morning to a couple of inches of fresh snow and it was still coming down pretty good. Fortunately, the wind was minimal, so after I bundled up (wearing my running tights and facemask for the first time this fall) running was actually pretty comfortable. I was most concerned about the footing on the unplowed streets and unshoveled sidewalks, but to start out it wasn't bad. The further I went though, the worse it got because it was getting warmer and the snow was piling up, which resulted in a slushy, wet mess that is more tiring to run through than it's worth. So, although the plan called for 12 miles, I cut it short at 10. I actually wouldn't mind running in this kind of weather at all.....if I had someone on an ATV with a snowplow to clear a path for me as I went. If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas, keep that in mind.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Success!!!
Well, it's been a hell of a weekend and very little of it has to do with running, but you're gonna hear about it anyhow, dammit! First off, as I mentioned in my last post, I took off at the buttcrack of dawn (actually a couple of hours before the buttcrack) to go hunting with some guys from work. We did a lot of walking with no success until, finally, late in the afternoon we spotted a group of mule deer that I was able to sneak (I'm sneaky like a fox) to within a couple hundred yards of. Three shots later (give me a break, it was a long way and they started running after the first one) my buck tag was filled. I came home with a nice 4-point muley, my first South Dakota buck. For the guys out there, he had a 23 inch spread (only a hunter would understand that, just like only a runner would understand that my VO2max is 50).
While I was traipsing around the South Dakota countryside in search of deer, the Montana Grizzlies were putting a good old fashioned beatdown on the Montana St. BobKittens. It was a game for awhile, but the Griz racked up three fourth quarter TDs on their way to a 41-20 win and a perfect 11-0 regular season. They've now won 16 straight Big Sky Conference games, have won 10 straight Big Sky championships and will be going to the playoffs for the 15th straight year (an NCAA record). Their first round opponent is the Wofford Terriers. Come on, really, Grizzlies vs. Terriers? That doesn't even SOUND like a good game.
And, last but not least, the team that causes me more grief than any other, the Seahawks, got some vengeance from the Bears with a 30-23 win today. Coach Holmgren said last week that he was sick and tired of the running game sucking ass (okay, those are my words, but close enough) so he was going to let Hasselbeck sling it. He wasn't lying and Matt lit it up against the Bears.
Oh yeah, and I had a kickass 10 mile run this morning with the last 2 miles at or below my Boston qualifying pace. Sweet.
While I was traipsing around the South Dakota countryside in search of deer, the Montana Grizzlies were putting a good old fashioned beatdown on the Montana St. BobKittens. It was a game for awhile, but the Griz racked up three fourth quarter TDs on their way to a 41-20 win and a perfect 11-0 regular season. They've now won 16 straight Big Sky Conference games, have won 10 straight Big Sky championships and will be going to the playoffs for the 15th straight year (an NCAA record). Their first round opponent is the Wofford Terriers. Come on, really, Grizzlies vs. Terriers? That doesn't even SOUND like a good game.
And, last but not least, the team that causes me more grief than any other, the Seahawks, got some vengeance from the Bears with a 30-23 win today. Coach Holmgren said last week that he was sick and tired of the running game sucking ass (okay, those are my words, but close enough) so he was going to let Hasselbeck sling it. He wasn't lying and Matt lit it up against the Bears.
Oh yeah, and I had a kickass 10 mile run this morning with the last 2 miles at or below my Boston qualifying pace. Sweet.
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