A friend asked me after I ran the Trail Half Marathon what I think about while running the race. I think I jokingly said I count squirrels. But later last night, I really wondered what I do think about. I'm sure I worked out highly complicated mathematical equations or how the Government could save the Financial Markets or how radio waves work - you know, the enlightenment that comes with the bliss of flailing through the woods. I tried to remember and this is all I could come up with.
"Don't go too fast, where's my wife, nice day, root, root, rock, root, hill, should I pass, the car key is making noise, I can hear the girl behind me breathing, can people hear me breathing, keep your form, where's my wife, two (squirrels), did Dave really bring beer."
At about mile six I hit one of the many big climbs and remember thinking just three things; "I'm gonna die here, my f@!#$%* car key won't stop making noise, I'm almost half way there - hahahaha."
At mile nine, I do remember thinking; "I feel pretty good, four to go, I'm holding my pace and passing people, my leg isn't broken, six (squirrels)."
And of course, crossing the finish; "Fantastic! - I did it! - water please."
I'm sure I thought about other things as well. I mean, I was running for almost two hours. I had to be thinking about something besides where to put my feet.
But now that I look back, I just think that the race was great and I can't wait until the next one.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Practice Run for the Trail Half Marathon
I headed to Pinckney Recreation Area for a nice easy run - thirteen miles of the Potawatomi trail. No, I didn't just come up with the idea. I figured since I was going to run it on the 26th for my first trail half-marathon, I better get a feel for it - and it felt great.
This trail is up down, up down, throw in about two dozen switch backs, and a few more big climbs at the end. Sprinkle some roots and rocks about, and a little muck - good trail.
Anywho, the run was more like a jog, but speed wasn't the goal - information was, and I learned quite a bit. This trail is not to be dealt with lightly, it is to be taken cautiously and with respect. But, that doesn't mean that it’s not fun. In fact, it was a trail that I'll do more before it’s all over with.
Paula and I hit the trail about noon with 70 degrees pounding on us. We took our time, and still passed some other runners, some hikers, and a lot of pooches. The trail wound through the park, meandering around lakes, camping areas, fields, and mostly forest areas. It offers wider areas to pass, but others offer no opportunities. The climbs are difficult - with two extremely so. The first comes at about mid way through the run, and the second at almost the end. There are two spots for water - a hand pump with refreshingly cold H2O. The trail, in all, is 18 miles, but offers many "short cuts" with signs and routes that are easy to follow - if you use intuition and common sense.
The "Poto" Trail was fun to run, and I look forward to the race on Sunday. We'll see how it feels with 1000 other people running at the same time.
This trail is up down, up down, throw in about two dozen switch backs, and a few more big climbs at the end. Sprinkle some roots and rocks about, and a little muck - good trail.
Anywho, the run was more like a jog, but speed wasn't the goal - information was, and I learned quite a bit. This trail is not to be dealt with lightly, it is to be taken cautiously and with respect. But, that doesn't mean that it’s not fun. In fact, it was a trail that I'll do more before it’s all over with.
Paula and I hit the trail about noon with 70 degrees pounding on us. We took our time, and still passed some other runners, some hikers, and a lot of pooches. The trail wound through the park, meandering around lakes, camping areas, fields, and mostly forest areas. It offers wider areas to pass, but others offer no opportunities. The climbs are difficult - with two extremely so. The first comes at about mid way through the run, and the second at almost the end. There are two spots for water - a hand pump with refreshingly cold H2O. The trail, in all, is 18 miles, but offers many "short cuts" with signs and routes that are easy to follow - if you use intuition and common sense.
The "Poto" Trail was fun to run, and I look forward to the race on Sunday. We'll see how it feels with 1000 other people running at the same time.
Mid-Week Ride
Just had another great ride through the back roads of Orion, Oakland, Shelby, and Rochester.
Earlier this season, I went riding with some of the crew from RBS for a long ride through the back roads. I haven't been much of this type of rider; usually the ride on the roads was a commute to the trails for me. The boring part of the ride. But, I had a blast with them. Cruzing along at a good clip, chatting, and hitting some great hills. It really was fun, and a great hill and endurance workout.
Well, I've become addicted to the back roads and have been getting most of my riding on then since.
Thursdays ride was especially fun. I planned a ride from Second Street (Rochester) to the Paint Creek Trail - up through Orion - and ending a big loop back at the parking lot at Second. Just as I was ready to clip in, a couple of riders I knew were heading the same way and we ended chatting up to Adams Rd. - the miles just flew by.
We split up there and I went north to hit the Seven Sisters - big climbs - then headed towards Buell and Stony Creek Park. I love getting to Stony; the pace from this point picks up as I head to the park entrance, down the hill to Shelby Rd and on to the Macomb Orchard Trail for a good push back to the truck.
The day was just right for the ride, the sun was shining, the roads were flat and dry, the traffic was light, and no wind. From start to finish, a good ride.
Earlier this season, I went riding with some of the crew from RBS for a long ride through the back roads. I haven't been much of this type of rider; usually the ride on the roads was a commute to the trails for me. The boring part of the ride. But, I had a blast with them. Cruzing along at a good clip, chatting, and hitting some great hills. It really was fun, and a great hill and endurance workout.
Well, I've become addicted to the back roads and have been getting most of my riding on then since.
Thursdays ride was especially fun. I planned a ride from Second Street (Rochester) to the Paint Creek Trail - up through Orion - and ending a big loop back at the parking lot at Second. Just as I was ready to clip in, a couple of riders I knew were heading the same way and we ended chatting up to Adams Rd. - the miles just flew by.
We split up there and I went north to hit the Seven Sisters - big climbs - then headed towards Buell and Stony Creek Park. I love getting to Stony; the pace from this point picks up as I head to the park entrance, down the hill to Shelby Rd and on to the Macomb Orchard Trail for a good push back to the truck.
The day was just right for the ride, the sun was shining, the roads were flat and dry, the traffic was light, and no wind. From start to finish, a good ride.
Monday, April 6, 2009
I Saw Little Green Men
Yep.. I saw them, thirteen of them and a couple of really big ones at the end. I've been hearing about the Martin Marathon for a while now, and this year was the one to run (if, for no other reason, just to get a shirt with a Martian popping out of it). I'd have to admit, it was a really fun race. I ended up getting a PR by about 30 seconds and came in 110th overall - not too bad for an old man.
The weather was great for running, the crowds were good, and the bananas were tasty. All together, not a bad race. The Expo lacked, and the route wasn't very scenic though. If you're looking for a fun and fast Spring Marathon/Half this would be the one; at least if you're local.
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