The essence of running and living at our best involves simple things. Moving forward, always toward the next goal, the next step... doing so in a relaxed manner and within the natural order of things... this can be called a dance; though some of the more machismo oriented of us may call it simply flow.
Click here for a more in depth look at this concept as experienced by me this past spring, when the colors were just arriving and the air was a pleasing, fresh hug of an old friend.
Showing posts with label 2009 review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 review. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Behind the Ninja- Revisited...
This entry from a warm, muggy run this summer... perhaps this will warm our spirits a bit as cold has gripped this small portion of the Earth...
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A quick trip to Southern Pines, NC this weekend brought me back out to the Weymouth Woods area. A nice, flat, sandy trail network about a half a mile from the in-laws' house. I set out around 10:30 am for a very warm and muggy 9 miles.
The heat hit me about 3 miles in, on one of the "climbs"... I think it was mainly dehydration at work so I stopped for a water fountain and loaded up on fluid. A mile more down the trail I came across a 2 foot snake in the trail. I grabbed a sturdy stick and tried to urge him out of the trail. He did move in his time but not before bowing up, flattening his neck and loudly hissing back at me. A ninja snake if I have ever seen one. So I moved along and got out of his way.
After another 2 miles I reached the boggy areas of the network again. This is where all of the flies were, the big biting flies... I swallowed a few and was coughing one up when I came around a turn, verbally cursing the flies. I looked up and saw a middle aged man on the trail in front of me. I saw that he was walking with a staff and a pack. Since I was coughing loudly I assumed that would make him aware of my presence. The single track here made it difficult to pass so I slowed down... waiting for him to acknowledge my presence.
As I reached a couple of strides from him I noticed he was listening to an Ipod... surprise, surprise... Just about this time he realized there was something within "striking distance" of him. He stopped, turned toward the "threat" and prepared for battle. His stance wide, holding the staff in classic fighting position... staring at me in a menacing yet foolish manner. I gently held my left hand up and met his gaze. I passed by him, leaving him to think about the situation.
After a few seconds and strides passed I heard his words chase after me.
"You should get a bell," he blared with embarrassment.
"...or maybe just an Ipod," I harked back to him.
What a character.
Well, I finished up my run... headed back to the in-laws and eventually spent the rest of the day driving home and sleeping; not simultaneously. Upon arriving home I was so inspired by the day's events that I just had to watch 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
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A quick trip to Southern Pines, NC this weekend brought me back out to the Weymouth Woods area. A nice, flat, sandy trail network about a half a mile from the in-laws' house. I set out around 10:30 am for a very warm and muggy 9 miles.
The heat hit me about 3 miles in, on one of the "climbs"... I think it was mainly dehydration at work so I stopped for a water fountain and loaded up on fluid. A mile more down the trail I came across a 2 foot snake in the trail. I grabbed a sturdy stick and tried to urge him out of the trail. He did move in his time but not before bowing up, flattening his neck and loudly hissing back at me. A ninja snake if I have ever seen one. So I moved along and got out of his way.
After another 2 miles I reached the boggy areas of the network again. This is where all of the flies were, the big biting flies... I swallowed a few and was coughing one up when I came around a turn, verbally cursing the flies. I looked up and saw a middle aged man on the trail in front of me. I saw that he was walking with a staff and a pack. Since I was coughing loudly I assumed that would make him aware of my presence. The single track here made it difficult to pass so I slowed down... waiting for him to acknowledge my presence.
As I reached a couple of strides from him I noticed he was listening to an Ipod... surprise, surprise... Just about this time he realized there was something within "striking distance" of him. He stopped, turned toward the "threat" and prepared for battle. His stance wide, holding the staff in classic fighting position... staring at me in a menacing yet foolish manner. I gently held my left hand up and met his gaze. I passed by him, leaving him to think about the situation.
After a few seconds and strides passed I heard his words chase after me.
"You should get a bell," he blared with embarrassment.
"...or maybe just an Ipod," I harked back to him.
What a character.
Well, I finished up my run... headed back to the in-laws and eventually spent the rest of the day driving home and sleeping; not simultaneously. Upon arriving home I was so inspired by the day's events that I just had to watch 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
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