Well holy moley wot's goin' on?
Referred to a run in the last post that I had not even mentioned previously - wot gives my man? Well the story goes like this, Mr Marky Mark headed west for a while - reckons he's working across there but from the extensive pictorial accounts of the mountain bike adventures he's having with his mate Gus I have my doubts. Anyway he was back in good old MI for a week. Wanted to run at weekend but the Bollux-clan went North doing that slidy down a hill thing. So a date was made for the Wednesday night. 5:30 and Mr Mark is at the Bollux household and we are on our way.
Runs a bit fast does our Mark. I feel darn good for the first bit - down Okemos, right onto Bennett. By time we hit the crossroads and turn onto Hulett I am feeling on a roll. Through a neighborhood and we head up Jolly. The undulating terrain is actually quite refreshing and I am digging the up hills. After Okemos the bigger hills feel even better, even pull away from Mark for a short time - he's just being kind. On Dobie the work starts but we are moving at a fair clip (I think). Grand River beckons and although there are bits when Mark is pulling away from me I still feel like I am relatively flowing. At American Home Fitness we turn onto Hamilton and up the final hill. We are talking and I mention that I want to try and run around 6:30 min/mile pace, Mark reckons we have been at around that pace and that is encouraging. At the Travellers Club Mark suggests we take it down a notch and cruise in. Finish at the Bollux House with a clock at 67 min and change. Bit soddin sore that night, next day find out why.......... Mr Mark has clocked the route at 10.7 miles. Means the run was at well under 6:30 pace - bloody soddin hell. fastest 10 mile run I've ever done (again).
Pace appears to be there - need to work on the distance and need to keep the training mileage up, and that has been a bit of an issue the past three weeks.
Ho Hum
DB
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Runnin', Runnin', Runnin!!
Bin runnin' a bunch and that's about it really.
Weather as mad as a box of frogs. Warm.....winter's over. Snow and bloody frozen, no it isn't. Warm as a warm thing, yep it's over. Soddin ice storm! Nope it ain't. Over 60 oF, well that's deffo it now. Running in the morning and it's below 20 oF!!!!!
Most runs have been 5 or 7 mile efforts. Couple of 5's under 35 min but nothing under 34 min yet, even when I am running pretty hard. Condition shave been nasty - ice and mud - but even so.
Managed a couple of decent efforts, 12 miles a couple of weeks back. First 5 with MLW and then 7 more on my lonesome at a bit more of a stretch. Last weekend, after a very lazy week - had a chesty cough and thought better of running too much - I was desperate to get a reasonable run in. Saturday came and the weather was pretty soddin' miserable. Low 30's and windy. Worst running weather ever! I was (in the words of the immortal Randy Jackson) "not feelin' it dawg!" Didn't want to run, but heck life ain't supposed to be fun is it? So a 15(ish) route sketched out, initial 10 mile loop (of the Mark fast run fame - see last post) and then a 5 mile smaller loop. By the first light (0.8 miles form home) I am suffering. Nearly just turn round and go home, but hang a right and off we go. Three miles in and still not feeling great - decide it's not going to be fun or fast but shite lets just get miles done. At 8 miles I am 50/50 on just taking a short cut home for a 8 mile total. Few firm words to myself and I battle on. Hot now, over dressed. Decide that at 10 miles I drop by home and divest somewhat - risky move as I might quit but a test of my will power. Hit home at 70 min so the pace isn't that bad! Chuck down my over vest, gloves and even my outer long sleeve layer. Lighter and cooler I head out for the final five - bit looser and happier. Last couple are a struggle but I finish in 1:45 and change. The old iphone (mapmyrun app) gives up after 12.39 miles, but the time is 1:34:30 (6min 50 sec miles). So in the end it appears I have manages about 15.5 miles at 3 hour marathon pace. Initially feels kind of cool. But then I feel sick for rest of day - almost throw up in the library and have to sit down to gather myself. Hhhm, maybe pushed a bit too hard.
Either way fastest 15 miler I've ever done in training and a good sign. Clearly can push myself. And without water or aid stations maybe that explains the nausea afterwards. Legs as sore as F the next day. And chesty cough back with avengence. Oh well. Flying Pig is only 6 weeks away
Later.
DB
Weather as mad as a box of frogs. Warm.....winter's over. Snow and bloody frozen, no it isn't. Warm as a warm thing, yep it's over. Soddin ice storm! Nope it ain't. Over 60 oF, well that's deffo it now. Running in the morning and it's below 20 oF!!!!!
Most runs have been 5 or 7 mile efforts. Couple of 5's under 35 min but nothing under 34 min yet, even when I am running pretty hard. Condition shave been nasty - ice and mud - but even so.
Managed a couple of decent efforts, 12 miles a couple of weeks back. First 5 with MLW and then 7 more on my lonesome at a bit more of a stretch. Last weekend, after a very lazy week - had a chesty cough and thought better of running too much - I was desperate to get a reasonable run in. Saturday came and the weather was pretty soddin' miserable. Low 30's and windy. Worst running weather ever! I was (in the words of the immortal Randy Jackson) "not feelin' it dawg!" Didn't want to run, but heck life ain't supposed to be fun is it? So a 15(ish) route sketched out, initial 10 mile loop (of the Mark fast run fame - see last post) and then a 5 mile smaller loop. By the first light (0.8 miles form home) I am suffering. Nearly just turn round and go home, but hang a right and off we go. Three miles in and still not feeling great - decide it's not going to be fun or fast but shite lets just get miles done. At 8 miles I am 50/50 on just taking a short cut home for a 8 mile total. Few firm words to myself and I battle on. Hot now, over dressed. Decide that at 10 miles I drop by home and divest somewhat - risky move as I might quit but a test of my will power. Hit home at 70 min so the pace isn't that bad! Chuck down my over vest, gloves and even my outer long sleeve layer. Lighter and cooler I head out for the final five - bit looser and happier. Last couple are a struggle but I finish in 1:45 and change. The old iphone (mapmyrun app) gives up after 12.39 miles, but the time is 1:34:30 (6min 50 sec miles). So in the end it appears I have manages about 15.5 miles at 3 hour marathon pace. Initially feels kind of cool. But then I feel sick for rest of day - almost throw up in the library and have to sit down to gather myself. Hhhm, maybe pushed a bit too hard.
Either way fastest 15 miler I've ever done in training and a good sign. Clearly can push myself. And without water or aid stations maybe that explains the nausea afterwards. Legs as sore as F the next day. And chesty cough back with avengence. Oh well. Flying Pig is only 6 weeks away
Later.
DB
Sunday, February 27, 2011
They think it's all over!!!
Well English soccer fans will understand the quote! Nobby dancing and all that.
Anyway, middle of last week and the temps suddenly went through the roof - in the 40s for goodness sake. Sub-bloody-tropical, kind of. With the snow rapidly disappearing and the advent of spring apparently on the horizon the Bollux-brain turned to pursuits more summertime. Checked out the bikes and obviously work needed - the Big Dog (moncog 29er) needs a new seat post, and a damn good clean/bit of TLC, the fixie needs new bars! Switched (actually turned and chopped) the dropped bars back three years ago in Columbia MD to give it the "hardcore" messager chic look. Yeah well. This look was O.K. for Columbia which makes "Stepford" (as in "Wives") look a bit non-conformist. But up here in MSU territory where fixies are two a penny and they all seem to have the messager stylee cow horns, it looks a wee bit sad. So time to replace the drop bars and convert it back to a true "let's kick some arse" training machine.
Couple of nice warm runs and then..........bugger me the winter returns with avengence!
Course the weather turns just in time for the weekend. Friday nice and warm, Saturday morning (when I'm heading to track club for the Tombstone X) and it's 24 oF!
Hit Mount Hope Cemetery at the appointed time, interesting run this one. One mile (or a tad over) lap and, oh lets do the math, you run it 10 times to complete the Tombstone X. Great because you run past the clock each mile, no guessing, no checking the clock, no second guessing the spacing of the mile markers. You know the pace you are running. Hit the pavement - two guys set off like rabbits (don't see them again) but me and one other guy find a rhythm - first mile 6:15 bit on fast time but not too bad. Route is fun, flat for first couple hundred yards, then a fair hill, but once at top of hill its down and undulating back to start. Second mile 11:45 min, holding strong. Third mile and feelin' good at top of hill have to wait for the guy I've been running with. When he comes back to me, he doesn't even pause, straight past me without a glance - all about business this guy! By mile 5, I am feeling the pace. My guy pulls ahead and I have no answer, wonder if I will even make it to the end - bit disheartened. Get a life DB!! Ease the pace back and try to relax. 5 miles and through in 31 min (plus change), 6 miles 37 min and change.
Keep the pace smooth and even find a steady groove to finish the ten in 64:04. The pace I needed to be hitting in prep for Flying Pig.
Sunday another 9 miles at about 7:30 pace - tired on Monday. Sunday and the weather arrives big time. Over night 8-10 inches snow, roads a joke! No running Monday. Tuesday run the train run, to Edgewood, Sanner farm and Middle school XC course. Wow hard as a hard thing - 5.1 miles, takes me 55 min. Break trail basically the whole way, up to my mid-shin in snow. When I get back on the road my running shoes feel like clogs! Make a strange click click sound. Realize by bloody soles have frozen! Love this winter in MI stuff.
Bit lazy rest of week. Run 7 on Friday at 7:00 pace, plan a 14 miler for Saturday but end up going downhill skiing at Caberfae instead, complete with pizza and too much beer (screw it ying and yang and all that). Next week will have to put miles in to make up for my laziness
Later!
DB
Anyway, middle of last week and the temps suddenly went through the roof - in the 40s for goodness sake. Sub-bloody-tropical, kind of. With the snow rapidly disappearing and the advent of spring apparently on the horizon the Bollux-brain turned to pursuits more summertime. Checked out the bikes and obviously work needed - the Big Dog (moncog 29er) needs a new seat post, and a damn good clean/bit of TLC, the fixie needs new bars! Switched (actually turned and chopped) the dropped bars back three years ago in Columbia MD to give it the "hardcore" messager chic look. Yeah well. This look was O.K. for Columbia which makes "Stepford" (as in "Wives") look a bit non-conformist. But up here in MSU territory where fixies are two a penny and they all seem to have the messager stylee cow horns, it looks a wee bit sad. So time to replace the drop bars and convert it back to a true "let's kick some arse" training machine.
Couple of nice warm runs and then..........bugger me the winter returns with avengence!
Course the weather turns just in time for the weekend. Friday nice and warm, Saturday morning (when I'm heading to track club for the Tombstone X) and it's 24 oF!
Hit Mount Hope Cemetery at the appointed time, interesting run this one. One mile (or a tad over) lap and, oh lets do the math, you run it 10 times to complete the Tombstone X. Great because you run past the clock each mile, no guessing, no checking the clock, no second guessing the spacing of the mile markers. You know the pace you are running. Hit the pavement - two guys set off like rabbits (don't see them again) but me and one other guy find a rhythm - first mile 6:15 bit on fast time but not too bad. Route is fun, flat for first couple hundred yards, then a fair hill, but once at top of hill its down and undulating back to start. Second mile 11:45 min, holding strong. Third mile and feelin' good at top of hill have to wait for the guy I've been running with. When he comes back to me, he doesn't even pause, straight past me without a glance - all about business this guy! By mile 5, I am feeling the pace. My guy pulls ahead and I have no answer, wonder if I will even make it to the end - bit disheartened. Get a life DB!! Ease the pace back and try to relax. 5 miles and through in 31 min (plus change), 6 miles 37 min and change.
Keep the pace smooth and even find a steady groove to finish the ten in 64:04. The pace I needed to be hitting in prep for Flying Pig.
Sunday another 9 miles at about 7:30 pace - tired on Monday. Sunday and the weather arrives big time. Over night 8-10 inches snow, roads a joke! No running Monday. Tuesday run the train run, to Edgewood, Sanner farm and Middle school XC course. Wow hard as a hard thing - 5.1 miles, takes me 55 min. Break trail basically the whole way, up to my mid-shin in snow. When I get back on the road my running shoes feel like clogs! Make a strange click click sound. Realize by bloody soles have frozen! Love this winter in MI stuff.
Bit lazy rest of week. Run 7 on Friday at 7:00 pace, plan a 14 miler for Saturday but end up going downhill skiing at Caberfae instead, complete with pizza and too much beer (screw it ying and yang and all that). Next week will have to put miles in to make up for my laziness
Later!
DB
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Just Sayin!
Never actually been to Idaho! Don't really know squat about the state - probably (definitely) couldn't even point to it on a map of the Good Ol' U S of A. So what gives I hear you say?
Well on way home the other night I followed a car from the great state of Idaho! Know this cos of the Idaho tags! Which is why I'm tapping away at the keyboard (rather than watching American Idol, OK so that's not the only reason).
The tags in question (and I have pictorial proof) bear the legend "Idaho, Famous Potatoes". OH COME ON!!!!! Is that really the best the state has to offer? 
Doesn't even claim "Good" or Delicious" Potatoes, just famous! Jesus in a campervan that's a bit on the lame side!
Just sayin'!!!
DB
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Winter, is it nearly over?
Week started as cold as a coild thing - soddin' freezin' and to be brutally honest it was starting to get a bit old! It's not been above freezing since before New Year and temps in the tyeen in the am are usual. Monday (after the Superbowl), hey not a huge football watcher, but coming from Baltimore it was nice to be Big Ben and the Steelers come second, and little chance of an early start. Took running gear to work but desire was low and idea of luch running was discarded before morning coffee.
Tuesday and pride forced me out at lunchtime - complete with handweights. Usual 5 miler through the arboretum, but meeting commitment at 1 pm meant I had to keep the pedal down. Tough still in the park - 1.5 miles of very slow progress so the rest had to be full on. Made it back in less than 40 min, not bad considering conditions.
Wednesday a early morning jaunt - did the sidewalk 5 miler and felt pretty good, 35:44, over 7 min mile pace but slidy running at times so not tooo bad. Thursday was super cold!! I stayed in bed but MLW braved the conditions! What a girl.
Friday and "went long(ish)" the big loop, Jolly and Hamilton for a solid 7. Past the Elementary School sidewalk not plowed - buggers. But kept things going and finished in just around 50 min so another 7 min pace run in difficult conditions.
Weekend, well Saturday lazy!!!! Got to love it. Sunday and a group run! MLW friend Connie (fast female) brought two friends along - good guys. Did an icy 9 miler. Slow start but last 3 or 4 done at 6 min pace with a guy called Jeremy - potential train partner. Jason (the other guy) is the "New Spence" - should be a blast to train and do stoopid stuff with.
Lets see how life plays out - time is now for ADVENTURE!!! Too much living safe - makes a man lazy, bored and boring. This life thing is too short (and I'm probably over half way through - the good half at that) so lets put it out there and see what happens.
Catchya Lata,
DB
Tuesday and pride forced me out at lunchtime - complete with handweights. Usual 5 miler through the arboretum, but meeting commitment at 1 pm meant I had to keep the pedal down. Tough still in the park - 1.5 miles of very slow progress so the rest had to be full on. Made it back in less than 40 min, not bad considering conditions.
Wednesday a early morning jaunt - did the sidewalk 5 miler and felt pretty good, 35:44, over 7 min mile pace but slidy running at times so not tooo bad. Thursday was super cold!! I stayed in bed but MLW braved the conditions! What a girl.
Friday and "went long(ish)" the big loop, Jolly and Hamilton for a solid 7. Past the Elementary School sidewalk not plowed - buggers. But kept things going and finished in just around 50 min so another 7 min pace run in difficult conditions.
Weekend, well Saturday lazy!!!! Got to love it. Sunday and a group run! MLW friend Connie (fast female) brought two friends along - good guys. Did an icy 9 miler. Slow start but last 3 or 4 done at 6 min pace with a guy called Jeremy - potential train partner. Jason (the other guy) is the "New Spence" - should be a blast to train and do stoopid stuff with.
Lets see how life plays out - time is now for ADVENTURE!!! Too much living safe - makes a man lazy, bored and boring. This life thing is too short (and I'm probably over half way through - the good half at that) so lets put it out there and see what happens.
Catchya Lata,
DB
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Snowmaggedon! Hits Michigan
What a week! Started off kind of calm - Tuesday broke out my newest training aid! Oh Yeah. Couple of 2 lb hand weights, idea to build a bit of an upper body work out into my running. Lunchtime 5 miler, cold as heck and with the weights. Quite a change, slowish run but by the end I am mightily cream crackered.
Tuesday night and all hell broke loose - all over the news, fear in people's eyes! Plague! Pestilence! Four horsemen of the apocalypse seen in Mason (though that's normal for a Tuesday evening apparently!). BIG winter storm coming in, so bad MSU cancels classes preemptively to protect the safety of the student body - first time since 1994. I prepare with a trip to Meijer to get the essentials, milk, bread, bathroom tissue, snow shoes (I kid you not). In the end the world doesn't end but it does snow a bit.
With school cancelled and MSU calling in quits for the first time since 1994 there is little to do but..... shovel the bastard driveway for 2 hours!! Quite enjoy it actually, freakin cold but I'm out there in my "big coat" and am roasting, at least my body is. Turns out my hands, not so much! Hurt a bit while I'm shoveling but then stop, oops! When I get in doors realize maybe shouldn't have ignored the pain, two middle fingers on right hand (once they have warmed up) are an ominous purple and swollen, bit tingly (once the pain stopped too) - bit of frost nip I think.
Afternoon and after couple of phone calls it's time to break out the new snowshoes! Out with "Mr Winter" himself Eric - he's got 4 wheel drive so we take his car. Hit trails off Sylvan Glen and spend a toasty hour tramping through the woods, on trail, off trail - who cares cos who can even see the bloody trail? Big time fun, must organize a winter camping trip out here - snow shoe in tent the night and out next day (sounds like a plan). Come across a "deer overnighting spot" a group of deep impressions in the snow where the poor beasts have huddled down overnight. Glad I'm not a deer.
Friday, back at work and hit the usual 5 miler at lunch - wow! Whole different run with 12 inches of snow in the arboretum! 1.5 miles of breaking trail in 1-2 feet of snow (complete with my hand weights) slows a 35 mi run to a 45 min run and total body workout!!
Saturday and SWMBO and I head North!! It's downhill time. Mr Eric's half ton celebration so we hit the slopes - he's a bit bloody good so don't see much of him during the day. He makes it look so effortless - I'm a tense block that strains every muscle as I head down the green slopes. Feeling brave I do make one trip down a blue slope - wow scary. I'm not exactly a downhill kind of guy!! Evening is spent in the Coyote bar - frequented mainly by "beelers" in - good food (probably) and too much beer. Great end to a great week - need to drink less and run more - could be a challenge in the coming week with all the bloody snow - sidewalks not cleared yet and forecast to be as cold as a cold thing. Let yous guys know how it goes.
Tuesday night and all hell broke loose - all over the news, fear in people's eyes! Plague! Pestilence! Four horsemen of the apocalypse seen in Mason (though that's normal for a Tuesday evening apparently!). BIG winter storm coming in, so bad MSU cancels classes preemptively to protect the safety of the student body - first time since 1994. I prepare with a trip to Meijer to get the essentials, milk, bread, bathroom tissue, snow shoes (I kid you not). In the end the world doesn't end but it does snow a bit.
With school cancelled and MSU calling in quits for the first time since 1994 there is little to do but..... shovel the bastard driveway for 2 hours!! Quite enjoy it actually, freakin cold but I'm out there in my "big coat" and am roasting, at least my body is. Turns out my hands, not so much! Hurt a bit while I'm shoveling but then stop, oops! When I get in doors realize maybe shouldn't have ignored the pain, two middle fingers on right hand (once they have warmed up) are an ominous purple and swollen, bit tingly (once the pain stopped too) - bit of frost nip I think.
Afternoon and after couple of phone calls it's time to break out the new snowshoes! Out with "Mr Winter" himself Eric - he's got 4 wheel drive so we take his car. Hit trails off Sylvan Glen and spend a toasty hour tramping through the woods, on trail, off trail - who cares cos who can even see the bloody trail? Big time fun, must organize a winter camping trip out here - snow shoe in tent the night and out next day (sounds like a plan). Come across a "deer overnighting spot" a group of deep impressions in the snow where the poor beasts have huddled down overnight. Glad I'm not a deer.
Friday, back at work and hit the usual 5 miler at lunch - wow! Whole different run with 12 inches of snow in the arboretum! 1.5 miles of breaking trail in 1-2 feet of snow (complete with my hand weights) slows a 35 mi run to a 45 min run and total body workout!!
Saturday and SWMBO and I head North!! It's downhill time. Mr Eric's half ton celebration so we hit the slopes - he's a bit bloody good so don't see much of him during the day. He makes it look so effortless - I'm a tense block that strains every muscle as I head down the green slopes. Feeling brave I do make one trip down a blue slope - wow scary. I'm not exactly a downhill kind of guy!! Evening is spent in the Coyote bar - frequented mainly by "beelers" in - good food (probably) and too much beer. Great end to a great week - need to drink less and run more - could be a challenge in the coming week with all the bloody snow - sidewalks not cleared yet and forecast to be as cold as a cold thing. Let yous guys know how it goes.
DogzBollux on a "beel"
Till next time
DB
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tiddly Pom!
"The more it snows,
Tiddly Pom,
The more it goes,
Tiddly Pom,
The more it goes,
Tiddly Pom,
On Snowing,
And nobody knows
Tiddly Pom,
How cold my toes,
Tiddly Pom,
How cold my toes,
Tiddly Pom,
Are growing"
So in trying to get my blog back on an even keel I am struggling to find my "voice" to a certain extent. So stealing words from an esteemed bard seemed to be a good idea. And the sentiment struck a strong chord this week! Never knew Winnie the Pooh (for those were his words) was a Michigander!
Bugger but it keeps on snowing! Hasn't been above freezing now since I don't know when! In the mornings a temp in the mid 20's is considered a bit on the warm side. Been a good week all in all though (so I should quit my bloody whinging).
Monday, after a couple of beers on Sunday evening (to overcome the ski-associate soreness) was never going to be a morning run. But like a good chap I took kit to work and forced myself to brave the "winter weather warning" that was in place and hit the road at lunch time. Sidewalks were on the definite slick side which prompted a bit more caution than I would have liked. Pushed when could but finished feeling relatively good in 38:30 for 5.1 miles. Yeah I know that's slow, but you weren't there buddie - it was a fair effort. Tuesday morning and it was a morning run - usual route - but in the spirit of the moment a bit of a harder run than usual. Aiming for pain and "hey" be careful what you ask for. Run hard on the pavement and try to stay fluid on the trail. As soddin' ever no obvious track over school fields so break trail again.
Thursday run at work again and am feeling it a bit more now - put a pretty good effort in, despite some dodgy underfoot conditions to finish the 5.1 usual route pretty much exhausted in 36:44. Bit of mental calculation and a target of sub 33:00 is in place if the Flying Pig is to go as planned. Some work to do. Friday and despite a weeks worth of tired I manage to drag my sorry arse out of bed and do a longer run - add a loop onto Grand River road (adds about 1.5 miles) to make my Friday run 6.5-7.0 miles. Guess what? Bloody school fields!! Been snowing again so no soddin' trail. Last 2 miles a slog through freash snow. In the dark at one point (as life ceases to have any real meaning) I am half convinced I am (in the light of my LED headlamp, trying to find a trail in the snow, with a vicious wind blowing) actually on Mount Everest dreaming of being safely back in Michigan! Wot a saft bastard I am!! Should stop reading all those mountaineering books.
On Friday I plan my weekend runs, two options (i) a long(ish) run though the trails or (ii) as I had planned weeks ago enter and run the Polar Bear 5 K in Okemos. The idea here is that I need, speed and competition to sharpen up my running. And a competitive 5 K will fit snugly into the need for pain that I am trying to establish. I don't like running 5 K, too short, too painful. Also it exposes your speed (or lack thereof) rather unsympathetically. I um'ed and arh'ed. Looked at the web site, checked last years results - not reassuring!! The places 2-7 were all taken by highschool XC runners! Oh so no pressure then! Like I really want my arse handed me on a platter by a group of guys too bloody young to date my eldest daughter!
But you know, in life you have to make decisions. And I always say to my group at work that they should never be afraid to fail. that always succeeding is a sign of not setting your standards high enough! Holy Mary Mother of God!!! If I'm going to talk the talk maybe I ought to freakin well walk the walk! Realized I have never, ever really set myself up to fail. And I consider that a weakness in my character. I have friends who have entered races and just not been able to finish! I have never done that. Time I learn to live a little - in short it is time I "grew a pair" for F's sake.
In a small step toward this lofty goal I signed up for the 5 k and felt the usual nervousness that accompanies any competitive race for me. I try and establish a number of "game plans" one is to try and track the highschoolers and let them pull me along. Another is to take it like a time trial on a bike and just expend my energy evenly across the course. A couple of goals were set, under 20 min as a minimum and sub 18:30 as a more realistic vision of what I should be capable of.
RACE DAY!!!
A dinner party the night before (at our house) was not the ideal preparation - but I was careful and didn't drink that much. So no hangover to deal with. Temp a solid 20 oF. No worries.
At the start and the usual group of fit and not so fit looking runners - I know enough to ignore what people look like as this tends to be a very poor predictor of how they will run. But the group of highschool runners is impossible to miss. I'm not sure what a group of high school runners is called - maybe a "stride" or a "bound" but they occupy space with an air of confidence which is most un-nerving to a guy (like me) whose chronological age could comfortably shallow any two of their's.
When the air horn signals the start of the race I decide to try and trail the highschoolers. A (very) young and (very) black guy takes off like a rocket - and we never see him again. He is 17 as it turns out and wins the race by a street in 16 min and change! Not sure what his story is but would be very interested to know. What I dop know is that there is a similarly African looking lady running and she passes me after about a minute with a smooth running style that makes me feel like the rusty old Model T that I am. I have no option but to let her go. By the time we turn off the road onto the trail section I am feeling the pace - I have the kind of O2 debt that makes MMA fighter tap out and mountaineers to reach for the O2 bottles. I assume I am probably at around the 6 min mark and grasp a quick glace at my watch. Shock horror!! It reads 2:30 - this is going to be a very long race! I have to settle down, screw the young kids, let them go! Settle my pace and breathing to a comfortable rhythm. The kids have snuck 15-20 feet on me but now I am holding my own. Guy at the side of the trail is shouting out numbers, 5:45, 5:46, 5:47. Even in my anoxic state I register that this is probably the mile marker. Gadzooks Batman!! I'm still in the game. Focus on smooth strides and all that crap. A guy comes to my shoulder and we run together for a while (I assume its another highschooler, but a glance sideways tells me it's another old bugger like me - BOLLOCKS). Together we start to gain on the youngun's in front and eventually overtake a group - including the first women (who in passing I nearly trip in a Zola Bud, Mary Dekker like incident. Fortunately no harm no foul.
At nearly two miles I pull ahead of old guy but at 2 miles he passes me and I have no response. Especially as another runner pulls to my shoulder then past me! Crap whole thing is going to hell! Then we hit March Road and know less than a mile to go. Head down and press. Two runners come back to me and I pass them. Couple of nasty little inclines I wasn't expecting where the left sidewalk (heading south) drops down below road level - only 10-15 feet but ashock!. That and the icey conditions are a challenge. Very, very pleased when the runners ahead turn right into the village center - means less than 0.2 miles to go. As I turn the corner MLW shouts out "come on, nearly there" then "he's right behind you, don't let him past!" Yeah I knew there was a runner on my shoulder, but MLW shout had a Pavlovian effect. I started sprinting and finished the race at a canter!! 18:18, good enough for 4th overall and second master (bugger), still first in age group (40-44) and beat all but two of the highschoolers. Pain and a reasonable time - not a bad day. Followed by XC ski-ing for good measure!!
Life is good!
DB
Tiddly Pom,
The more it goes,
Tiddly Pom,
The more it goes,
Tiddly Pom,
On Snowing,
And nobody knows
Tiddly Pom,
How cold my toes,
Tiddly Pom,
How cold my toes,
Tiddly Pom,
Are growing"
So in trying to get my blog back on an even keel I am struggling to find my "voice" to a certain extent. So stealing words from an esteemed bard seemed to be a good idea. And the sentiment struck a strong chord this week! Never knew Winnie the Pooh (for those were his words) was a Michigander!
Bugger but it keeps on snowing! Hasn't been above freezing now since I don't know when! In the mornings a temp in the mid 20's is considered a bit on the warm side. Been a good week all in all though (so I should quit my bloody whinging).
Monday, after a couple of beers on Sunday evening (to overcome the ski-associate soreness) was never going to be a morning run. But like a good chap I took kit to work and forced myself to brave the "winter weather warning" that was in place and hit the road at lunch time. Sidewalks were on the definite slick side which prompted a bit more caution than I would have liked. Pushed when could but finished feeling relatively good in 38:30 for 5.1 miles. Yeah I know that's slow, but you weren't there buddie - it was a fair effort. Tuesday morning and it was a morning run - usual route - but in the spirit of the moment a bit of a harder run than usual. Aiming for pain and "hey" be careful what you ask for. Run hard on the pavement and try to stay fluid on the trail. As soddin' ever no obvious track over school fields so break trail again.
Thursday run at work again and am feeling it a bit more now - put a pretty good effort in, despite some dodgy underfoot conditions to finish the 5.1 usual route pretty much exhausted in 36:44. Bit of mental calculation and a target of sub 33:00 is in place if the Flying Pig is to go as planned. Some work to do. Friday and despite a weeks worth of tired I manage to drag my sorry arse out of bed and do a longer run - add a loop onto Grand River road (adds about 1.5 miles) to make my Friday run 6.5-7.0 miles. Guess what? Bloody school fields!! Been snowing again so no soddin' trail. Last 2 miles a slog through freash snow. In the dark at one point (as life ceases to have any real meaning) I am half convinced I am (in the light of my LED headlamp, trying to find a trail in the snow, with a vicious wind blowing) actually on Mount Everest dreaming of being safely back in Michigan! Wot a saft bastard I am!! Should stop reading all those mountaineering books.
On Friday I plan my weekend runs, two options (i) a long(ish) run though the trails or (ii) as I had planned weeks ago enter and run the Polar Bear 5 K in Okemos. The idea here is that I need, speed and competition to sharpen up my running. And a competitive 5 K will fit snugly into the need for pain that I am trying to establish. I don't like running 5 K, too short, too painful. Also it exposes your speed (or lack thereof) rather unsympathetically. I um'ed and arh'ed. Looked at the web site, checked last years results - not reassuring!! The places 2-7 were all taken by highschool XC runners! Oh so no pressure then! Like I really want my arse handed me on a platter by a group of guys too bloody young to date my eldest daughter!
But you know, in life you have to make decisions. And I always say to my group at work that they should never be afraid to fail. that always succeeding is a sign of not setting your standards high enough! Holy Mary Mother of God!!! If I'm going to talk the talk maybe I ought to freakin well walk the walk! Realized I have never, ever really set myself up to fail. And I consider that a weakness in my character. I have friends who have entered races and just not been able to finish! I have never done that. Time I learn to live a little - in short it is time I "grew a pair" for F's sake.
In a small step toward this lofty goal I signed up for the 5 k and felt the usual nervousness that accompanies any competitive race for me. I try and establish a number of "game plans" one is to try and track the highschoolers and let them pull me along. Another is to take it like a time trial on a bike and just expend my energy evenly across the course. A couple of goals were set, under 20 min as a minimum and sub 18:30 as a more realistic vision of what I should be capable of.
RACE DAY!!!
A dinner party the night before (at our house) was not the ideal preparation - but I was careful and didn't drink that much. So no hangover to deal with. Temp a solid 20 oF. No worries.
At the start and the usual group of fit and not so fit looking runners - I know enough to ignore what people look like as this tends to be a very poor predictor of how they will run. But the group of highschool runners is impossible to miss. I'm not sure what a group of high school runners is called - maybe a "stride" or a "bound" but they occupy space with an air of confidence which is most un-nerving to a guy (like me) whose chronological age could comfortably shallow any two of their's.
When the air horn signals the start of the race I decide to try and trail the highschoolers. A (very) young and (very) black guy takes off like a rocket - and we never see him again. He is 17 as it turns out and wins the race by a street in 16 min and change! Not sure what his story is but would be very interested to know. What I dop know is that there is a similarly African looking lady running and she passes me after about a minute with a smooth running style that makes me feel like the rusty old Model T that I am. I have no option but to let her go. By the time we turn off the road onto the trail section I am feeling the pace - I have the kind of O2 debt that makes MMA fighter tap out and mountaineers to reach for the O2 bottles. I assume I am probably at around the 6 min mark and grasp a quick glace at my watch. Shock horror!! It reads 2:30 - this is going to be a very long race! I have to settle down, screw the young kids, let them go! Settle my pace and breathing to a comfortable rhythm. The kids have snuck 15-20 feet on me but now I am holding my own. Guy at the side of the trail is shouting out numbers, 5:45, 5:46, 5:47. Even in my anoxic state I register that this is probably the mile marker. Gadzooks Batman!! I'm still in the game. Focus on smooth strides and all that crap. A guy comes to my shoulder and we run together for a while (I assume its another highschooler, but a glance sideways tells me it's another old bugger like me - BOLLOCKS). Together we start to gain on the youngun's in front and eventually overtake a group - including the first women (who in passing I nearly trip in a Zola Bud, Mary Dekker like incident. Fortunately no harm no foul.
At nearly two miles I pull ahead of old guy but at 2 miles he passes me and I have no response. Especially as another runner pulls to my shoulder then past me! Crap whole thing is going to hell! Then we hit March Road and know less than a mile to go. Head down and press. Two runners come back to me and I pass them. Couple of nasty little inclines I wasn't expecting where the left sidewalk (heading south) drops down below road level - only 10-15 feet but ashock!. That and the icey conditions are a challenge. Very, very pleased when the runners ahead turn right into the village center - means less than 0.2 miles to go. As I turn the corner MLW shouts out "come on, nearly there" then "he's right behind you, don't let him past!" Yeah I knew there was a runner on my shoulder, but MLW shout had a Pavlovian effect. I started sprinting and finished the race at a canter!! 18:18, good enough for 4th overall and second master (bugger), still first in age group (40-44) and beat all but two of the highschoolers. Pain and a reasonable time - not a bad day. Followed by XC ski-ing for good measure!!
Life is good!
DB
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