New Running Quote
I recently read the book by Dean Karnazes, Ultra Marathon Man: Confessions of an All-night Runner. Much of it really struck a cord. There is something about ultra runners that just takes an ultra runner to understand.
But while I felt that connection, I felt he really struck out on his main point. His answer for why he runs, well, sucked. Or maybe it was one of the few parts of the book that didn’t really resonate with me. That and his hallucination at the end of WS about being part of something bigger and all being connected or what ever he was trying to say under the stress of 98 miles. I can see why it is a lightening rod in the ultra community.
I’ve tried to answer the why question many times. I feel I’ve come close at times but never quite hit it. But this week I think I heard the best answer so far. It was in a JFK speech when he was talking about putting a man on the moon. I’ve heard part of this many times as have most people. What I hadn’t heard of that speech is the why.
"...NOT because it is easy, but because it is hard. Because THAT GOAL will serve to organize and measure the BEST of our energies and skills. Because THAT challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one that we are unwilling to postpone, and one that we intend to win!"
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Shot Down in a Blaze of Glory
Barton Creek Green Belt - 14 miles/2:31:03 (1:20:16 out/ 1:10:46 back) August 30, 2006My early plans had included a 10 mile trail run before work this morning. But some rain and cooler temperatures called for a little more. I’d make it 14. And with temps around 70, I felt like I was packed in ice.
Things did not start well. My 5AM started got delayed until 5:30. Not good for someone who needed to hit the gym for a shower and still make it to work by 9. And plans to pick up the pace to make up a little of that time were not working out. I felt I was moving faster, but the watch was telling a different story. Still I felt good.
The rain started around the 4.5 mile point. Unfortunately, it ended around the 4.7 mile point. I love running through the woods in the rain. I felt teased. But I was enjoying the cool weather too much. The heck with work, I’d push on to the 7 mile point and just hope I could still make it on time.
On the trip back, it was finally light enough to put away the flashlight. And the energy level just never seemed to drop. I was moving easier than I have in a long time. The back wasn't hurting at all. The watch was telling me a new story now. I was going to make it to work on time. I don't remember ever covering this trail as fast. The trip back was going to be about 10 minutes faster than the trip out. And the energy level was just begging me to turn around and do it again. I was flying as I passed the .25 mile marker with only a few hundred yards to go when it struck. A rock reached up and grabbed me. Blood and sand make interesting mud. I took some good cuts/scrapes to the hand, elbow, and knee. But the worst of it was that I twisted my back in a weird way.
So the mostly painless run left me with more back pain than any run in the past few weeks. I’m not sure how much progress I’ve undone, but 12 hours later I’m still in a bit of pain. Also, hopes of making it to work on time were shot as I had to clean sand out of my cuts.
I may have to replan my runs the rest of the week. I'd rather be sure of my back than log the miles. Tomorrow is weights only so I have a little more time to see what the impact may be.
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8/29/2006 - Weights
No run today, but I squeezed in some weights during lunch. I was in training all day, so that was a feat. Bicepts and lats today.We've actually had some rain lately. It's nice to have rain again, but mostly it has cooled things down a bit. I plan to enjoy my run tomorrow since temps should be around 70 in the early hours instead of around 80.
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8/28/2006 Run
Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail – 11.15 miles/1:50:14 (.7 easy to and from the trail)Oh, this isn’t running. I’m not sure what to call it. I should be rested. I should be cruising. Instead, I’m fighting to get to the next mile marker and a few walking steps to catch my breath. Then it is off again after a little fuel and a shot of Gatorade. I’m soaking wet from sweat and a misaimed sprinkler head. The sprinkler should have felt good, but even the water is warm in this weather. Not like there is any evaporation.
A couple of things are right. Dawn then the sunrise seem to bring a new energy to my running. After struggling to lay out a few 10-minute miles, I’m hitting around 9 and breathing a little easier. It doesn’t last long, but there is always something about the sunrise the picks me up.
Also, the bats are out. In
I did manage to struggle through the 10.1 mile loop. I then walked/slogged on another ½ mile before turning back to make it an 11.1 mile run. Things don’t look good for a 50K next month or a 50 miler in October, but I’ve been through my downs before. Just got to watch the diet and keep on pushing.
Even though I drank 40 oz. of Gatorade and 20 oz. of water, weight is down 5.7 pounds after the run. It has to cool someday. Even if I could drink that much, I don’t know if I could carry it.
Hit the weights during lunch for chest, tricepts and shoulders. Also threw in some ab work.
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8/26/2006 - Ooh that heat
So I went out today in the middle of the afternoon. I had some thought of running 4 - 6 miles. The stomach had been a little upset and it was hot so there were no thoughts of going very long.The first mile went OK, but I was starting to feel really hot. By the time I finished the second mile, I was suffering pretty bad. I could have pushed on but felt things just weren't right. I turn back along the shorted route toward home. Ended up with 3.1 or 3.2 miles, but I was really not doing well by the end. I'm glad I turned back when I did.
Turned on the local news station to see the weather was about 102. Considering I was running in the sun on asphalt, it was feeling much warmer than that to me. Closest weather station is reading 105. I think I'll stay inside and cool for a while.
3.1 miles/0:28:56
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8/25/2006 Run
Barton Creek Green Belt - 14 miles/2:38:14A slow slog up the greenbelt and back. Had to rush to make a 9AM meeting this morning. Nasy humidity with temps starting out around 82. Lots of sloshing noised from the shoes after 5 miles, but taping the big toe on the left foot seems to have prevented any further blister problem there. Still not sure I can use these shoes for anything longer.
Looks like I may make the start line for the Lake Bryan Trail Run. It had been iffy for a while. Also, it seems I will probably make Palo Duro in October. I had given up on that one, but some other things have settled out. I'm not sure I can pull a Western States qualifying time even with the new standards, but if I'm there I will be trying.
But that brings me back to the shoes. The Nike Air Steens will not work for 50 miles. In fact, I don't think they will work for 31. My problem is that the options are not really good around here. I really want to try on some Inov-8 shoes. REI is supposed to carry them, but they don't have them in the store. I'd have to order online. I'm going to stay away from Montrails for a while. The Highline seemed to work for me, but having a shoe fall apart on me like that one did is not something I can take. So while the three pair I've had have felt great on the trail, I've had quality problems with 2 of them. If for no other reason, I need another pair of trail shoes so I can run trails every day and still allow them time to dry.
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8/23/2006
Skipped the run this morning to let the achiles heal a bit. And I just didn't have it in me to get up early. Motivation is not really there this week.I did hit the weights hard during lunch. Back and bicepts doing sets of 12.
I've got to find a race to help me get motivated. The September one is still uncertain. I'm not sure what it will be, but I will pick one soon.
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