Not sure why the running Gods conspire for rain whenever 1000's are on the menu- but they do! Tonight I made it out to the App. St. track with standing water on the inside of lane 1 and me garbed in pants and jacket for the first time this season. Kind of exciting though I am not all that eager for the covering of skin to be a neccessity... today it was more of a luxury for the way home.
After an extended warm up, my little locks frosted with the microscopic droplet of mist, I arrived at the track to find not a soul on the ring of fire. I'd have the fog-enshrouded oval to myself and I would run 5 loops of 1000m at 3:25; 5k pace with a 400m recovery.
A few strides and I was underway, checking the splits at 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and finally coming in stressed out at 3:30 for the first 1000m. I was trying to stay undercontrol- surely accomplished that, but I seem to be working against myself. Not running free- which is the point of any running, but especially when on the track. Free and fast!
I decided and committed to not checking my watch except at the end of each 1000m, to feel the moment of the turn, the straights. Onto number two. The rain was getting heavier and I focused on the arm swing and drive.
'Run FAST' I told myself. With this in mind I could feel my body's momentum pick up so slightly and feeling this speed I was able to hone in, not on effort but on the rate of speed in space. I came through in 3:22 and felt much better as well. More relaxed, more open, more at ease.
Now I was calibrated. The rains continued to pour down on me. Cleansing the thoughts and allowing the moment to be all there is. Ripping through the ether, driving so smoothly out of, then entering each renewed step. Water splashed from the track surface, drops coating my face, and with each exhalation a fine spray blew outward from my mouth. Number 3 3:25. Right on the mark.
As the recovery came to a close I was feeling water logged and threw the "dry-fit" off to the side. Getting down to business for number 4. Allowing myself to extend a little further and open the stride with more freedom at this point.
'This is the hard one,' I always think. 'The second to last. Make it count.'
As my thoughts tried to wander to the next 300m, to the turn ahead I reigned the mind in and brought upon a concert of the elements. The rain had eased and in its place was a silent, soft breeze. The air was weightless and my breathing was deep, rhythmic. This place is rarely visited, this place where the body is tuned into the intense work at hand, moving along with the exact effort required. Nothing wasted, no thoughts but for the job at hand. Number 4- 3:23.
As the grey sky became tinted and lightened with an ambiguous sun I reached the beginning of the final circuit of 1000 meters. This one I could go for and see what was left. I did not want to strain the body in the colder conditions, but feeling loose enough I did want to strain the spirit- allowing it to grow in this brothe of fatigue. The elements were there today to find a special ingredient. Now, I would drink of it.
"600m to go, now ratchet down, a little further, a bit faster, right here. Nice."
Holding the speed for 300m, emmersed in this feeling of the world spinning around. The whirl about your head as your mind is held to one singular thought- while the body works in concert with what is asked. After initial feelings of resistance the bodies is able to realize the goodness of this movement and now with mind and body together they each ask for more. They plead.
300m to go and now it is all there, almost. The surface is being glided over, are the feet even touching the ground? Running tall, striding out, arms driving ahead it is pointless to distinguish between running and flying.
A final turn now. It is time to go all out. These few seconds of complete speed are what will be remembered! The relaxed mind, while determined for success has a compliant body to rely upon. The spirit is soaring above these earthly elements giving rise to these fleeting feelings which fade like so many steps behind us.
Euphoria is the lingering impression we carry with us. Another physical deposit to the fitness bank, a progression of toughness in the mind, and the ever important cultivation of the soul's soil. All completed, experienced one moment at a time. Don't get ahead, nor behind- but simply be.
Showing posts with label just right. Show all posts
Showing posts with label just right. Show all posts
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Feeling Your Run; Actually
A gentle 9 miles in a flurry of snow fall. The hilly terrain allowed me to practice patience as the hill dropped below, crested and I was released to feel the energy of the downhill pull me toward it. I tried to focus on this feeling. How the varying degree of climb actually felt. I ran with strength and not speed, with patience and not hurry and the climbs became so interesting. The tension would slowly build in my legs, then- my legs would adjust and adapt and I felt normal in this climb.
As the hill would relent I could sense the release of its grip and my stride opening up without a change effort. These are innate things we know, but to fully experience them is something else. To back off the pace on these easy days and allow the gasping of breathe to occur another time, to renew the self in this type of run. It was essentially a runner's renewal through the medium of a hill.
Earlier in the run... near halfway I could sense something around me. I had been following the grade of the river for a few miles. I watched as the water made its way down the course. Large icicles dangled, growing from the mist around the river's drops... snow falling gently in my tiny universe. Still feeling something in my presence I heard a twig snap. I looked over my left shoulder and slightly behind me. There, ran a small doe, pacing off me on a peaceful Sunday morning.
I have read of these encounters, deer and elk running with humans... but to be honest it never seemed really plausible. But today, for a short moment I was fortunate to have that joy.
A succesful weekend! 38 miles total, two very hilly runs. I thought a lot of those brave runners on Mt. Mitchell this weekend, running 40 miles is unreal winter conditions.
As the hill would relent I could sense the release of its grip and my stride opening up without a change effort. These are innate things we know, but to fully experience them is something else. To back off the pace on these easy days and allow the gasping of breathe to occur another time, to renew the self in this type of run. It was essentially a runner's renewal through the medium of a hill.
Earlier in the run... near halfway I could sense something around me. I had been following the grade of the river for a few miles. I watched as the water made its way down the course. Large icicles dangled, growing from the mist around the river's drops... snow falling gently in my tiny universe. Still feeling something in my presence I heard a twig snap. I looked over my left shoulder and slightly behind me. There, ran a small doe, pacing off me on a peaceful Sunday morning.
I have read of these encounters, deer and elk running with humans... but to be honest it never seemed really plausible. But today, for a short moment I was fortunate to have that joy.
A succesful weekend! 38 miles total, two very hilly runs. I thought a lot of those brave runners on Mt. Mitchell this weekend, running 40 miles is unreal winter conditions.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Footprint
Though this foot falls freely
so quiet and light
Though I may move swiftly
nearly hidden from sight
Though I sometimes startle
that being, so deaf
Through a specter
such is intent.
Could I be somehow grander--
Each step shall reveal
Could this step which I land on
be an external ideal?
Sure, the eyes may be pleased--
Sure, the ears may be believe--
that the goal of this race
to gather applause (like the breeze).
But- We, know of the essence!
For We, have felt it before!
So we move on with Stillness
like the Waves to the Shore.
Though our strides seem so empty--
and our faces hang numb
while our sweat pours with fury!
It's no race
(though won)
which gets done...
so quiet and light
Though I may move swiftly
nearly hidden from sight
Though I sometimes startle
that being, so deaf
Through a specter
such is intent.
Could I be somehow grander--
Each step shall reveal
Could this step which I land on
be an external ideal?
Sure, the eyes may be pleased--
Sure, the ears may be believe--
that the goal of this race
to gather applause (like the breeze).
But- We, know of the essence!
For We, have felt it before!
So we move on with Stillness
like the Waves to the Shore.
Though our strides seem so empty--
and our faces hang numb
while our sweat pours with fury!
It's no race
(though won)
which gets done...
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Basement Tapes...
How does a solid base affect our running? Here is an entry from this past February as I was about one month into the training for the Chattooga 50k.
This patient, consistent base led to a great year, my best year of running and one that was injury free along with my highest yearly mileage total while never reaching a high mileage week, PR's in distances ranging from the 50k to 5k (and hopefully come Disney a new Marathon PR). I have re-qualified for Boston, ran consistently without feeling the pressure to run fast each and every day. Easy days and fun days... off days when needed; long runs as a priority; faster running as a seasoning.
In fact, I mainly run for the enjoyment of the movement... So, the above entry is a look back to see how it is that I reached this point; the genesis... from zero, to 10 miles a week and now... a solid, yet relatively moderate 2100+ miles for the year... one runner's journey within himself.
This patient, consistent base led to a great year, my best year of running and one that was injury free along with my highest yearly mileage total while never reaching a high mileage week, PR's in distances ranging from the 50k to 5k (and hopefully come Disney a new Marathon PR). I have re-qualified for Boston, ran consistently without feeling the pressure to run fast each and every day. Easy days and fun days... off days when needed; long runs as a priority; faster running as a seasoning.
In fact, I mainly run for the enjoyment of the movement... So, the above entry is a look back to see how it is that I reached this point; the genesis... from zero, to 10 miles a week and now... a solid, yet relatively moderate 2100+ miles for the year... one runner's journey within himself.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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)
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.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Busy Bein' Born
11 weeks to go before reaching the next major beacon on this path to nowhere, to everywhere. I've gone over two hours twice now and will another six times before race day. I have raced one time, a 5k for race prep mostly, and will race again this weekend, another 5k. There are also two longer races planned in the next six weeks, 10k and 10 miles.
The previous week has been long as I found myself hobbled with extreme tightness in my right calf, I ran through that, an 18 miler which was surprisingly simple to complete... I just kept running patiently and the miles melted me. When I was finished I wanted more but knew better. The next day I ran too hard... especially since I had raced the day before the long run. Now my right calf was painful but not worse as the run progressed. Tuesday I thought I should rest but lost sight of the big picture. I ran.
Two miles in I felt an acute pain in my right hip. Tightness there too. No doubt this was stemming from a small change in stride pattern after the tight calf... and the intensity increase. So, I could hardly walk for two days. I took some short walks and stretched a lot, hydrated a lot and peed a lot. Friday I went out for an easy 4+. This went well though I was hesitant about some lingering stiffness in the lower right leg. I played it safe and did some walking for a couple more days.
Monday I was back to it and got in a really nice 8 miler. I felt fresh, of course, and my legs were thankful for the break though it required a little patience to allow them to get back into the swing of things. After a few miles I felt smooth and just enjoyed a beautiful day. Sunny and 55 degrees with a light crisp breeze. Just enough to break a small sweat and stay cool.
Today it is cloudy and raining, a perfect world for a relaxed trail run. I will head out in a few for some steps on the dragon trail. The sum of this will be about 45 minutes of time and who knows what in experience. The sections of the Earth we traverse as runners remain mostly the same yet seem changed as time moves ahead. All things change, though it seems perspective is the most dynamic thing we have. It is dangerously fragile and needs constant attention to grow and thrive. To paraphrase, get busy bein' born 'fore you start a dyin'.
The previous week has been long as I found myself hobbled with extreme tightness in my right calf, I ran through that, an 18 miler which was surprisingly simple to complete... I just kept running patiently and the miles melted me. When I was finished I wanted more but knew better. The next day I ran too hard... especially since I had raced the day before the long run. Now my right calf was painful but not worse as the run progressed. Tuesday I thought I should rest but lost sight of the big picture. I ran.
Two miles in I felt an acute pain in my right hip. Tightness there too. No doubt this was stemming from a small change in stride pattern after the tight calf... and the intensity increase. So, I could hardly walk for two days. I took some short walks and stretched a lot, hydrated a lot and peed a lot. Friday I went out for an easy 4+. This went well though I was hesitant about some lingering stiffness in the lower right leg. I played it safe and did some walking for a couple more days.
Monday I was back to it and got in a really nice 8 miler. I felt fresh, of course, and my legs were thankful for the break though it required a little patience to allow them to get back into the swing of things. After a few miles I felt smooth and just enjoyed a beautiful day. Sunny and 55 degrees with a light crisp breeze. Just enough to break a small sweat and stay cool.
Today it is cloudy and raining, a perfect world for a relaxed trail run. I will head out in a few for some steps on the dragon trail. The sum of this will be about 45 minutes of time and who knows what in experience. The sections of the Earth we traverse as runners remain mostly the same yet seem changed as time moves ahead. All things change, though it seems perspective is the most dynamic thing we have. It is dangerously fragile and needs constant attention to grow and thrive. To paraphrase, get busy bein' born 'fore you start a dyin'.
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