It feels like it has been a cold winter. There have been several periods with wind chills below -10F. As I mentioned last year, I do have a routine and set of clothes.
Here was my morning:
Wake at 6AM, put on long underwear, wind briefs and running tights, long sleeve shirt, wind coat and fleece pullover, socks, balaclava, hat, light two pairs of gloves. This takes about 15 minutes to find and put it all on. Stagger out the door and head up to Owen Park (right behind my house). I run up Old Sauk to warm up and then enter the park from above. We have about 16 inches of snow pack but it has been over a week since the big snow so things are packed a bit.
I wanted to run on 'trails' to see how it is going after my drop at the John Dick 50K last weekend. The morning was beautiful with a pink light glowing over the snow as the sun rose above the horizon. I could look in the distance at steam rising above the buildings at Hilldale and the UW campus.
I ran about 6 miles and change and called it a morning. I got back and noticed I was covered with frost and ice around my face. The temperature was -11F with wind chills at -25 or so. Another winter morning run.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Happy 2011
Well...... The new year has started out rather ominously. I ran the John Dick 50K last weekend and did not have a good run. I made it to about 20 miles but then dropped. The surface was just too soft. I don't know how to describe t but it seemed to be about 2 to 6" of cold soft snow that you just couldn't get enough friction. I guess I just wussed out but I was at about 4 1/2 hrs after 30K and realized it would be a 7 hr day. I had already had plenty of exercise so I felt there was no point to just keep plodding along at 14 minute miles. I am still conflicted about this as I almost always finish what I start.
Anyway, I like this even. Good job by the Badgerland Striders and RD Robert Wehner.
Anyway, I like this even. Good job by the Badgerland Striders and RD Robert Wehner.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Tangent
My brain has been churning for a few days after the midterm elections. I am a political junkie of sorts. I oscillate between hope and severe cynicism. Anyway I think there may be something at play that I wanted to jot down.
I think there is national funk going on. I think that many people (especially outside the Washington beltline) are starting to feel that the best times are behind the USA. They see that incomes are flat or falling while at the same time things (health care, food, utilities) are increasing in price, even though the government says that inflation is flat or non existent. Young people have to go into debt to get through college and still cannot get a job. Senior citizens see their life savings riding on the stock market roller coaster or no cost of living increases from Social Security.
\
What this all means is that people are scared, angry and frustrated. What do you do when you are in this funk?
1. You can become a Tea Bagger . Yes government is failing to solve anything. They keep spending money they do not have.
2. You can latch on political party and hope beyond logic that they will finally do what they say in the soundbites.
3. You can look for someone to blame for all the problem: illegal immigrant, socialists, aliens?
4. You give up. You do not vote because you believe (with some good logic) that nothing will change.
We are in trouble! Why would the same parties that have been in charge for the last 100 years do something radical to change the direction of the country? If you add in the factor of money and special influence, it is unlikely that we will see any real change in the next several years. A Tea party activists is not much different from a hard core Democratic party idealist. I think they hold these strong and passionate beliefs because the alternative is to accept that it possibly hopeless.
I got into a heated discussion with someone after a 'progressive rally'. This person was criticizing me because I was critical of Obamas middling health care reform, lack of follow through on closing Guantanamo and the practise of assassinations of both foreigners and US citizens without any due process. His point was that we have to support the Democrats because the alternative is so much worse.
I really hope that is not what we have come to. I also feel that things are in a bad shape in this country. We cannot continue to do nothing because we are sliding backwards.
I often fantasize about a party or group of leaders who would lay out a vision for the future. I hope that things do not get much worse before we see some alternative future.
I think there is national funk going on. I think that many people (especially outside the Washington beltline) are starting to feel that the best times are behind the USA. They see that incomes are flat or falling while at the same time things (health care, food, utilities) are increasing in price, even though the government says that inflation is flat or non existent. Young people have to go into debt to get through college and still cannot get a job. Senior citizens see their life savings riding on the stock market roller coaster or no cost of living increases from Social Security.
\
What this all means is that people are scared, angry and frustrated. What do you do when you are in this funk?
1. You can become a Tea Bagger . Yes government is failing to solve anything. They keep spending money they do not have.
2. You can latch on political party and hope beyond logic that they will finally do what they say in the soundbites.
3. You can look for someone to blame for all the problem: illegal immigrant, socialists, aliens?
4. You give up. You do not vote because you believe (with some good logic) that nothing will change.
We are in trouble! Why would the same parties that have been in charge for the last 100 years do something radical to change the direction of the country? If you add in the factor of money and special influence, it is unlikely that we will see any real change in the next several years. A Tea party activists is not much different from a hard core Democratic party idealist. I think they hold these strong and passionate beliefs because the alternative is to accept that it possibly hopeless.
I got into a heated discussion with someone after a 'progressive rally'. This person was criticizing me because I was critical of Obamas middling health care reform, lack of follow through on closing Guantanamo and the practise of assassinations of both foreigners and US citizens without any due process. His point was that we have to support the Democrats because the alternative is so much worse.
I really hope that is not what we have come to. I also feel that things are in a bad shape in this country. We cannot continue to do nothing because we are sliding backwards.
I often fantasize about a party or group of leaders who would lay out a vision for the future. I hope that things do not get much worse before we see some alternative future.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
What Happened to the Year
Okay. Its still only October and the summer weather has not moved out yet. It was in the 80's last week which is a bit of a drag because last weekend was the Glacial Trail 50 mile race that I vowed to get revenge for a breakdown two years ago. Well, the good news is that that trail kicked by sorry ass again. I think I may have topped my time by 3 minutes from 10 hr and 58 minutes to 10 hr and 55 minutes - now the two slowest 50 mile times I have ever run (if you want to call it that).
Race recap - Kudos to Robert Wehner and all the volunteers. It is a blast to see Tom and Lorraine Bunk, Julie Treder, etc. at the aid stations. I ran the first half in 4hr 30 minutes and then I bonked for the next 6 1/2 hrs. I remember seeing Christine Crawford at the mile 30 aid station. I plopped down in the shade next to her and she asked if I was done. I replied that I was done but I was going on. It was about 5 miles past there that I had a bad vomiting episode where I lost all the fluids I had consumed for the prior 30 minutes. I could get nutrition to stay down. At Baker Lake, Julie T and Lorraine B. gave me ice and ginger ale and I plonked down for another 10 minutes before staggering on. I kept waiting for the second or third wind. Maybe I did get them because I finished but I cannot really differentiate between struggle and hope.
Next Year dammit!
Race recap - Kudos to Robert Wehner and all the volunteers. It is a blast to see Tom and Lorraine Bunk, Julie Treder, etc. at the aid stations. I ran the first half in 4hr 30 minutes and then I bonked for the next 6 1/2 hrs. I remember seeing Christine Crawford at the mile 30 aid station. I plopped down in the shade next to her and she asked if I was done. I replied that I was done but I was going on. It was about 5 miles past there that I had a bad vomiting episode where I lost all the fluids I had consumed for the prior 30 minutes. I could get nutrition to stay down. At Baker Lake, Julie T and Lorraine B. gave me ice and ginger ale and I plonked down for another 10 minutes before staggering on. I kept waiting for the second or third wind. Maybe I did get them because I finished but I cannot really differentiate between struggle and hope.
Next Year dammit!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Summer
Summer...... It has been a hot and balmy summer here in south central Wisconsin. Running has been OK. I have not been able to really get long runs in. I did run the Madison Marathon with my buddy Tom. The race was called around 4 hrs because of heat but I finished in around 3hr 35' which got me a 3rd place in my age group. Kind of a nice surprise.
Summer running is when you get up knowing you will lose about 1 to 2 pints an hour to sweat. It is hard to carry or access enough water to do long runs. Then there are the bugs. If you run in the woods, you can outrun the mosquitoes but the black flies will get you. If you stop or slow down too much, then the mosquitoes will swarm you and take blood. I am not really complaining because summer running is a real challenge and its a blast to try to work through it.
Summer running is when you get up knowing you will lose about 1 to 2 pints an hour to sweat. It is hard to carry or access enough water to do long runs. Then there are the bugs. If you run in the woods, you can outrun the mosquitoes but the black flies will get you. If you stop or slow down too much, then the mosquitoes will swarm you and take blood. I am not really complaining because summer running is a real challenge and its a blast to try to work through it.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Skipping Ice Age 50 Mile
For the first time in a few years, I will not run the Ice Age 50 mile or even the 50K this weekend. The Chippewa 50K convinced me that I do not have the base to really have a good (or at least not a really bad) run. Best wishes to all who are participating. It looks like great weather - low 50's for the high, no rain.
My hip is finally feeling OK. Its hard to tell completely because I have been working for the last three weeks on a exterior remodel job with friend Kevin M. I don't remember if I mentioned that I am a carpenter/ solar installer by income. It is tough to do carpentry and tear off siding or roofs, etc. and then run first at 5AM. Climbing ladders gets real tough at my age after a 10 mile run before work.
Had a decent run last weekend. I ran the Lake Monona 20K race which Tom and I do as a training run. Its a good race - lots of participants, good course and beer and wings at the finish. I finished around 1 hr 33?'.
Since the galcial series is not going to happen for me this year, I am still trying to figure out some good events to participate in......
My hip is finally feeling OK. Its hard to tell completely because I have been working for the last three weeks on a exterior remodel job with friend Kevin M. I don't remember if I mentioned that I am a carpenter/ solar installer by income. It is tough to do carpentry and tear off siding or roofs, etc. and then run first at 5AM. Climbing ladders gets real tough at my age after a 10 mile run before work.
Had a decent run last weekend. I ran the Lake Monona 20K race which Tom and I do as a training run. Its a good race - lots of participants, good course and beer and wings at the finish. I finished around 1 hr 33?'.
Since the galcial series is not going to happen for me this year, I am still trying to figure out some good events to participate in......
Monday, April 12, 2010
Chippewa 50K and Sylvester
Well,
I am resting after the Chippewa 50K race this last weekend. I was lamenting the cancellation of this race in January when I was informed that it was picked up by another group.
First, the positives:
1. The weather was great. It was cloudy and cool at the start with plenty of sunshine.
2. The trail was nice and soft with lots of moss and leaves.
3. Great Race - I had a good time once again and thanks to all the organizers and volunteers
Negatives
1. I had a crappy race. The first half was good and fast. The last third was a death march. I am not sure what happened but a list of likely suspects would include: under training, hip injury, stomach problems, going out too fast.
2. The nice and leafy trail covered up a lot of root and rocks so I took about 4 falls. None too serious but more than my average.
My wife Geri ran the new 10K and we had another good weekend up in Chetek. Reds Tavern was definitely the best dinner we have had in town. This area is really nice and the lakes around Chetek are beautiful.
Anyway, back to the race. I have been suffering from a nagging hip pain for over a month that I was suspecting might even be a stress fracture so I had stopped running for the two weeks prior to the race. Good for my hip but bad for me. The first 10 miles of the race were sweet. Lots of singletrack up ridges and around countless lakes. Add a few boardwalks and bridges and it is as nice a run as I have ever participated in. The last 5 miles to the turnaround are a bit less spectacular but still pretty nice. I was dragging at the turnaround at about 2hr 25 minutes but I thought 5 and change was possible but things wend bad pretty quick. I got lost after a mile or two and added about 1/2 mile or so but mentally that hit me right when my body was rebelling. Stomach pains, calf pains lack of energy plagued me the rest of the way in. I would get passed and get a bit of energy trying to keep pace but I always dropped back. I kept waiting for the second wind but it never came. Anyway, the last mile is great because most of it is downhill except for the evil hill in the last 1/4 mile which I managed to stagger up.
Its weird how crappy you can feel but then feel OK about an hour later. We headed to the hotel and a shower and rest for an hour made me fine to go out for a few beers and dinner.
The other tough thing is that we had to put our cat Sylvester to sleep this afternoon. We have had Sylvester since we lived in San Jose and he was about 17 years old although we don't really know because he showed up in our driveway 15 years ago in bad shape. He was a good soul and he shared out life in Singapore, San Francisco and finally Madison. He joins our cat Maya who passed away two months ago as well. The photo I found of them made me smile. They were buddies but also competitors for food even though they never went hungry living with us.
Rest in peace friends!
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