Taper, Taper Everywhere, Not Just Time to Waste

"...because something is happening here, but you don't know what it is...

Do you Mr. Jones?"

-I think Bob Dylan said that-

With 9 days remaining the impossible has happened again... I am out of training days for Goblin Valley. The training cycle is a thing of the past... a memory! What I have accomplished to this point in the way of physiological adaptation will be my physical tool box come October 24. When the line is drawn in the desert sand, I will toe it knowing what I know right now... I am fit and ready. I am confident and... I am hoping to not blast from the start as I have recently fell prey to.

The 50k distance is a blend of endurance and speed, a great reflection of a runner's balanced training diet. It is more than simply a long Marathon in that something in the distance lends itself to a more patient approach. The steps of a 50k build as if a wind in the desert. From a small rustle, brushing along the sand they build. After time, the momentum is tangible and capable of shaping our landscape, of literally moving the earth... of obscuring the view of what was reality and creating something new from virtual emptiness.

As a runner, if I can create something out of mere steps, an incarnation of my self at that moment, then I consider that run a success.

This trip out west will return Lynnea and I to the place where we grew together and decided that this was a life we wanted to share. I will return a changed person from the one that left 2 years ago... with smiles, optimism and hope; a couple of concepts that were obscured in a pool of bad decisions. I can only wonder why Lynnea stuck by my side in those times- except for that one great reason of Love.

So, as Lynnea enters her first race in Goblin Valley at the 8k distance, I will run one step at a time to create something wonderful. To run with a spirit of love for her, for myself, for what we cultivate each day... as a tribute to what she did for me in the most trying time of my life. In this way, I know that the run to come is already a success in that it is essentially a celebration!
Taper, Taper Everywhere, Not Just Time to Waste

With these 9 days until race day, all that is left to do is remind the legs and lungs (and all of my 2000 parts) of what they are tasked with while not fully allowing those parts the full satisfaction of a long hard effort; just intermittent hints. In starving these parts, I hope that I will be eager for the epic, ready to fill the void of the large vessel that has been created in this thing called the taper.

This is a time to reflect, to set the mind, the body right; with a goal of purifying the soul by way of complete physical and mental depletion. There is meaning here. Do you see it?

New River Trail 50k... sweeping it all in

The lasting feeling from my view of this race is just how supportive all of these (you all) crazy runners are.

We each go into these efforts with our own goals, our own plans but end up supporting each other through some very difficult steps... sometimes, on the most important days we wonder if we can go any further, or perhaps more importantly we ask why we would ever go any further. This is the essence of the long distance run.

For each of the effortless, flow-style runs we have 2 or 3 efforts of pure drudgery. When the big A (adversity) is pushing us around so subtly that we believe it is "just a bad day". This is the time when the warrior runner emerges from each of us.

On Saturday morning in Fries, VA at the New River Trail 50k I was fortunate enough to gain a new perspective on this running fad. Acting as sweep for the race I was able to see from the front to the back, the entire field of runners. Not at the aid station where everyone has a smile to lend, but out in the muck, where the battle is fought. The battle against doubt. We all have this opportunity of course, but what makes this different this time for me was that I was not racing... I was able to enjoy the scene without any urgency of my own to move forward.

So, there I was bringing up the rear with a group of three working together consistently about 400m ahead of me. Around 10 miles in, I began to see the runners on their return. The leader was flying. Finishing in 3:25 he had already opened up a 5 minute gap on the field. From what I gathered from other volunteers the top 3 runners had entered 11 miles around 68 minutes. Meaning, Timothy Driscoll (overall winner) had put this large gap on relatively recently and he was still adding to it. He was moving relaxed, the only way to move, but I could see that he was right on that edge, knowing what was possible, what was at risk... and NOT knowing where the closest competitor was. What I call the curse of first.

The top 20 went by and by. They all looked really strong, focused. Understanding they had their focus in full swing I just offered small encouragement. Up there, it is you and your next step and that is essentially it... simple movement, manipulating mass. Enjoyment is subtle, but make no mistake, there is bliss in there, even if masked by that calm outer demeanor. Something great is happening in every runner.

As the run went on, I encountered the bulk of the field. Patiently moving along and exchanging encouragement with those on their way back home. Some fully engrossed in their goals, some with smiles to rival the sun! What was most striking to me were the words said to me.

"keep on going! Battle for it!"
"You can do this!"

And while I was really just enjoying my day as a volunteer I found these comments helpful... (but I have to admit it was difficult at times to not get at least a little competitive; especially when those leaders went through.) These folks, some of whom were just beginning to encounter the struggle; were urging me on. Me, at the back of the field and forgetting about their impending despair (which arrives at some level for all of us, in every race). They were taking their positive energy and lending it to me. I did my best to reflect it and let their smiles shine back to them. After all, they took on this challenge and were accomplishing their goals!!

The front runners ran amazing times on a perfect day. The leaves in full autumnal splendor set a wonderful backdrop for an epic kind of run. 105 began at 8 am and all 105 finished the full 50k distance... while we all have different ability for speed, levels of physical fitness, mechanical efficiency... we each ultimately are testing our capacity for enduring emotionally, spiritually. We are faced with doubt repeatedly as runners. It is this battle which brings me back. On Saturday it was seeing this courage spanning the pack, the ability to overcome demons that lifted my spirit and which I hope to keep at the front of my thoughts and at the core of my heart each time I toe the line.

High Country Sampler

Watauga County, NC is my playground! Just a quick look in High Definition of where I get to have my fun. The kayaking takes place just below my house... via the Dragon Trail. The video is only a couple of minutes so check it out!

Being human, human Being

Being human, human Being
feeling along or really seeing?

have you felt that truth within?
do you run for your own win?

it is easy (or lazy) to chase their star
like a midlife disaster, in a new fast car

you have choice and it's simple, plain
dance your run for the sake of its gain

"It'll only take a minute..." AutumnFest 5k- race report

You can't go back. Once upon a time I was a young 16 year old, running 50 seconds for the quarter, 4:20 for the mile and doing so without much training. Now, I am none of these things. At 31 I have learned to train consistently, love the long run and stay away from speed most days in favor or aerobic stimulation. When I do run speed sessions I get in tempo or 10k efforts that match the marathon and above races I mainly aim towards as goal events.

So, when a 5k does pry its way into my racing schedule I often look forward to it, the way I did the all out mile at the end of an XC season. I know that it'll be fun, relatively fast and over before I get going. These types of races feel like vacations from the patience required in a long term training program.

The Race
The course started off on a downhill slope. With my toe on the line next to a sizable group of high school runners, the starter did his thing and we were off and running. We were going to settle the age old battle of experience versus youth, strength versus speed. In half of a mile we were 4... and I was wondering just how fast these kids could run. I was already breathing a little bit and the course was flying by. What a great feeling though, just moving in such a relaxed state with a group. We reached mile 1 in 5:13 and I was just off the back of the pack.

Over the next 800 meters we stretched a little further apart. The front two were asserting themselves and leading handily, racing each other and not thinking too much about anyone else. 3rd place was just in front of me. My focus was on staying tall and relaxed. Keeping that power in the hips and the arms low was my main concern. I wanted to be light and quick... running fast and easy. The course was now climbing some and within a quarter of a mile the heels of runner #3 were getting closer to my toes. I regained composure and threw in a small surge for 2 minutes as the hill continued. I was in 3rd and confident that I had that at least. I was feeling good, but still about 200m back of the leaders.

The Hill
We kept on climbing for most of mile two. Half way up the ascent I had begun to notice that every 15 seconds or so I was gaining discernible distance on the top two. I was feeling really good on this climb and all of the strength work I've been doing was giving me the confidence to keep after it. Running fast and free I kept seeing the lead shrink. We reached mile 2... 11:05; a little slow for me, but those kids were even slower and I was now within 100m. It looked like they had a separation too. The front runner was hurting a little bit from the climb as it crested, but still able to move on ahead. I focused on the slumped shoulders and cocked head of number 2... he was coming back.

The Finish
Downhill finished seem nice before a race. But when you are tired, trying to run down a young runner with leg speed on the descent is a challenge. I just let the center of mass fall and did my best to float and glide. 800m to go and now second place was only steps away. he'd come all the way back and number one and just 15 seconds ahead. Maybe a little too far but I was still feeling alright. The sting was there for sure... it always is in any good anaerobic effort. What was missing was that dull ache of the marathon, the despair of wanting nothing other than to finally stop running. This was different, this was attack mode!

We made the final turn and the finish line banner was hung out there about 200m ahead. I opened up and drove for the line passing into second place. Driving and flying across the pavement I cracked the line in second place... 17:05. Not under my goal time of 16:59, but substantially faster than I have run in about 18 months... and 6 days after my unaided marathon distance run.

Here are the particulars from the perspective of the computer gadget on my wrist.

mile one 5:13 4th place
mile two 5:55 climbing 3rd place
mile 3.1 5:53 2nd place

This was a very strong run with lots of work done on the hill. My leg speed early was insufficient against these three high school 5k runners. After being dropped for about 8 minutes I made up almost everything in the second half of the run. I took home a plaque and a little speed deposit into the fitness bank which is always welcome!

September Summary

September has faded to history, but its memory will linger on in my cell's so long as I am able to maintain this lifestyle of the runner... recently I have experienced a little barking in my foot but it seems to just want some attention. The bank safe is full now for the next big race in October, all deposits are in, and now we can just go and count the bills, iron them out and mainly try to not make a mess of a good situation.

So, here is a numerical summation of September 2009:

Total Mileage for the Year- 1665

Total Mileage for the Month-215 (matches highest monthly total this year)

Longest run of the Month- 26.2

Most memorable Run of the Month. A breakthrough form type of run which began the transition to speed running, in this case on the hills of the Dragon Trail...

Dragon Trail Hill Workout. Aptly dubbed The Dragon.

A very good month, the highest total mileage (tied with May) and the highest quality as well. With time goals approaching for 50k and Marathons races it is important to garner some quality. The running has been consistent, even with a hectic schedule (classes 3 nights per week) and dwindling daylight as the Earth goes to sleep. I look forward to the fall and its promise of running and racing well at Goblin Valley, Charlotte and then into 2010 at Disney and good lord willing Boston in unpredictable April.