In the past 2 weeks I’ve committed the following ‘running sins’.
- I’ve run more than 50% of my weekly miles on one run
- I’ve skipped a weekend group run out of laziness
- I’ve ignored a nagging Achilles tendon injury
- I’ve started runs tired / hungry / dehydrated
- I’ve left the office after 7pm 4 times
- I’ve chosen the following meals
- Most importantly to you, I haven’t updated my Blog since November 1st.
There have been lots of good things to write about so I’ll try to catch you up but first my excuses. Like most of you, I have a job. Currently my job is to drive to Holland Michigan (5.5 hours) on Sunday. Work 40+ hours and drive home (5.5 hours). I have a 30-minute commute from my hotel in Holland to Allegen each morning and evening. My weekday running is non-existent on most days and when I do get out, it is a 3-mile waddle on the cold dark strange sidewalks of Holland at 5:45 in the morning. Good times. I notoriously tell people “it isn’t that you don’t have the time but that you don’t make the time”. I’m not making the time. On top of this, I’m hoping to do a 22-mile trail run over New Years so I need to be getting some volume. Maybe I should just bag it or go shorter.
So now for the good stuff. The GF needed some company for her last long ride before IMAZ. We rolled from my place on a sunny warm November 1st morning for 85 miles. I felt good in the saddle and the GF was right with me the whole way. Her endurance is impressive. I got all the sprint signs but she never tried to challenge me. She will do well at IMAZ this weekend. For me, it was just nice to ride. I’m starting to miss the bike and winter hasn’t even started. I’m planning a good bike trip for March. Details will be coming soon.
After a long week on the road. MD talked me into a little mountain bike ride at Mohican State Park on November 7th. It was an absolute blast. I’ve been away from mountain biking for a while since I lost my buddy Mighty-D to marriage and 4 children. MD and I left Columbus early Saturday hoping for a couple hour ride and home by noon. The ride was a little over 4 hours and it was brutal. We didn't even come close to finishing by noon. MD was "lucky" enough to have his family come meet him for some afternoon hiking. Poor guy, I was exhausted. It was the hardest ride I’ve ever done in Ohio. 26 miles of rocky, leaf covered single track on a beautiful fall day. I can only compare it to my Mecca, Tsali in North Carolina. MD climbs well but he doesn’t have the confidence for fast downhills yet. I ride with a bit more abandon and was feeling especially confident since I strapped on some shin guards. Good Saturday.
I met MD, GS, and MD for a 13 mile run the following day with some tired legs but they came around after the first few miles. It was GS’s longest run in some time and everyone was feeling good. GS was just coming off a 5-K the prior day where he was able to take 2nd overall. He was only bested by a CC runner at the line. Dude can be wicked fast. On this particular Sunday, GS and Nemo were especially witty. I was the target of some good natured ribbing for a change. “Good Natured Ribbing” was really fun to write by the way. I feel like my grandfather. It was a 13 mile laugh fest as it usually is when we get together. They are some seriously funny guys. Good Sunday.
I was inspired and worked in a few morning runs in Holland the next week but my commute and my near term schedule left me a little flat. Saturday last week, MD, Nemo and I made a couple loops around Highbanks which left me tired. I spent the rest of the day Saturday trying to catch up on a few things since I had to leave town again Sunday afternoon. After a late dinner with the GF and some friends on Saturday night, I was done. That was when I sent the following message at 11:30 on Saturday night:
“Late night, I’m out for the morning run”
Sunday I was able to plod through 8 miles around Muirfield but I’m considering just taking a break for a couple weeks. So that brings me to this weekend…
The GF and I head for IMAZ on Thursday morning. I’m not big on watching races but it will be great to see the GF and my buddy Feebs take on the day. The GF is in good fitness and ready to go. She is in the best shape of her life and in a good mental state for racing. I’m sure she’ll be fine and finish her first Ironman. Sadly, I may be one of those guys that has matching tattoos with his girlfriend. How weird is that? Feebs aspires to do more than just finish so it will be good to see him in “race mode”. I’ll have lots of pics and race updates next week. For tonight, I’ll spend another night with my good friend Marriott and face another morning of under cooked scrambled eggs. I’m hoping this weekend snaps me back into a better state of mind. I’ll be home for a week after that and then only 2 more weeks on the road for a bit. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving week. Maybe a good “Wednesday from Wendy’s at 5:30” and maybe even get in the pool.
I’ve got some good photos from the last few weeks including some mountain bike injuries, MD’s new bike, helmet hair and such. I don’t have my camera with me this week but I’ll get them up soon.
Stats
11/1 85 mile ride
11/5 3 mile run
11/6 6 mile run
11/7 4 hour ride (Mohican mtn bike trail)
11/8 13 mile run,1 hour spinning, 1 hour yoga
11/11 3 mile run
11/12 4 mile run
11/13 3 mile run
11/14 13 mile run
11/15 7 mile run
My scale has a dead battery…probably for the best
2 comments:
Tell your GF good luck! BTW - I know your scale doesn't take batteries...
Enjoy the warm sun this weekend, and good luck to Feebs and the GF. And take some time off, maybe take up knitting, and don't worry about the Jan 2nd 50k, I won't say anything when... I mean "if" you bail. promise. Seriously, hell of a year, pr in every event, you deserve some time off.
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