8 Miles Commited : New Distance Mark (5/29)

Sunday, I set out to run 8 mile.  I got the goal in my head some time after Thursday's debacle of a run.  I am not sure why I became fixated on running eight mile, but following Saturday's run, eight miles became my goal for Sunday.  I got an even later start on Sunday than I had on Monday, which caused me some consternation.  The heat would be heading for the low 90's, so a 9 am start time was less than desirable.  I had drank a good deal of water, eaten a pear, and some watermelon before leaving home, so I felt hydrated.  I also knew there were water pumps on the trails that were used for water horses (and people), so even though I wouldn't be carrying water during my run, it would be available.

I decided to stick to the multipurpose roads and avoid the trails.  Eight miles would be the longest run of my life, and the last time I tried for seven things had gone badly.  Still, as I began my run, eight miles was my intent.  Immediately, I began to struggle.  Since I was running an out and back course that offered few opportunities for alteration, I looked at my initial miles as commitment miles: mile one committed me to two mile, two committed me to four, and so on.  The first mile was all down hill and felt rough, and forced me to think about running it in reverse as my last mile-- no matter what distance I chose.  I began to waiver as Old Bob clocked the first mile at  10:47.7

Mile Two has the steepest incline, but the climb wouldn't be as long as the last miles.  I handled it alright, but doubts about eight miles were swirling in my head with every step.  As the climb ended and Old Bob chimed 11:26.04 I had now committed to four miles,was sweating profusely, and begun to encounter my first deer flies.

Mile three was more rolling hills and offered my the only two alternative paths back to the parking lot that would let me shorten my run. I slogged through the hills and passed both of the trails, Old Bob chimed  11:24.18 just as I passed the second one, and I was now committed to six miles.

At the start of mile four, the thought of Thursday's crappy run began to weigh on my mind.  I remember just how badly I had struggled with a three mile run just the other day, and began to have some strong doubts about the wisdom at attempting eight.  Luckily, some Deer Flies caused we to lose focus on my doubt as I tried to swat them away.  At the three and a half mile mark I came to a water stop.  I had been really struggling and thought hard about turning around at the stop and settling for seven mile, but as I approached the water stop I decided not to make up my mind until I had a drink.  I took three handfuls of water from the pump meant for watering horses because the water pressure on the drinking fountain was non-existent.  After drinking, I decided to press on.  I kept going forward as Old Bob chimed mile 4 at 10:55.5.  I went forward for another tenth of a mile because I had no intention of running through the parking lot like I had at the beinging of the run and also want to accommodate for any tangent I may have been clipping off.

As I began mile five, I knew that I was now fully committed to eight miles.  It didn't matter if I ran them, walked, or swam them, one way or another I was going to cover those eight miles.  The funny thing is that as soon as I made the turn around for home and the dread lifted, I started to feel better and my pace picked up.  My dread had been holding me back.  Mile five took 11:06.65 Also, my scatological mind centered on this song, which would be lodged in my head for the better part of the next two miles:




I am not a big Kid Rock fan, but my mind jumped from 8 miles to 8 mile and Eminem, who is from Detroit.  Then from there to Kid Rock, who is also from Michigan, and lodged . . .


Bawitdaba right in my melon.


Mile 6 saw me felling really good.  I was on a section of rolling hills, but I found myself attacking the hills with zeal.  I hadn't felt this good running in a while.  Kid Rock was still streaming through my head, and even the deer flies hardly seem to bother me. Mid way into the sixth mile, I noticed that I was completely soaked in sweat.  My clothes were sticking to me, and I could ring out my shirt.  I wasn't to worried about how much I was sweating until I realized that my shoes were actually squishing because they were so full of sweat.  I was well past any of the water stops in the park.  Despite the fact that I had not a single dry spot on my clothes, I was continuing to run strong.  I did mile six in 10:13.29


Mile Seven was a mainly a massive down hill that went by in a total blur because the only thing that I could think of was the up hill that was facing me.  I was crushing the mile seven and my legs hurt but were feeling strong.  However, all the dread that I had felt during the first four miles, found me again as I hit the bottom of the hill and approached the wooden bridge that would mark the end of the seventh mile.  I did mile seven in 9:54.23 but as I finished this mile Kid Rock was gone and the only thing streaming through my mind now was the prospect of a one mile climb back to the parking lot.


Mile Eight . . . everything that I had dreaded hit me during this climb.  I kept my legs churning, but this mile was the perfect lesson in just how quickly things can unravel when your running.  In actuality, I was maintain a pretty respectable pace up the hill but, my legs were hurting so bad that I felt like I was crawling up the hill.  I couldn't bring my self to look at the road ahead of me.  Every time I looked up the road ahead of me just seemed to stretch out endlessly.  The memory of how easily I had climbed this very same hill just the day before was stabbing at my mind.  By the time I reached the seven and a half mile mark, the only thing that kept me running was the knowledge of just how close I was to reaching my goal of eight miles.  After passing the steepest point of the hill and reaching the paved portion of the road, my eyes were just fixed on Old Bob, but to add insult to injury . . . Deer Flies.  I swatted at them and knocked off my sun glasses!  When I bent down to pick them up, I knew that either my hammies were going to snap or I was going to pass out!  But luckily, just as I picked them up could see that I was in falling distance of eight miles.  By the time that he clicked off eight miles, I was in tatters and close to tears.  Mentally, I was completely shattered.  I was proud of myself for having push myself to finish, but all I could think of was getting to my car, so I could get my water bottle, towel off, and change my shirt. The last mile took me 12:20.82, but if you had asked me at the time I would have sworn that it took twice that long.


Once I got back to the parking lot, I walked around for a bit and forced myself to stretch.  After I drank some water, I could feel my head begin to clear.  Eight miles.  I couldn't believe that I had done it, and in this crazy frickin' heat.  I am an idiot!  But, I am also an idiot that just ran eight miles for the first time in his life . . .and that is pretty damn cool!


8 miles in 1:28:10.74 for a 11.01 pace.  Also, my last four miles were nearly one and twenty seconds faster than my first four miles, which was pretty awesome considering just how much of a struggle that last mile turned into.

Great Run on a Bad Foot -- 5/15

After my run on Saturday, the little piggy that stayed home was really squealing about the fact that I hadn't let him stay home.  My foot just wasn't happy in the slightest.  I came iced it, put on my compression socks, and elevated it. in hopes of getting the pain to subside.  However, unless my foot was in my shoe, it just hurt every time I stood on it.  As the day progressed, I began to have some doubts about running on Sunday.  But when I woke up my foot felt better and I decided to tape it up, go on with my run, and just see how things went. 

It rained again on Saturday night and part of Sunday morning, which I knew would mean that the ground would still be soft and slick.  I decided to just stick with the same course that I ran the day before as to not complicate matters.  When I got to Umstead, I noticed a lot more cars in the parking lot that I normally see on Sunday.  It seemed that a local Church was having their service out doors under on of the picnic shelters just of to the side of the trail I run along.  They began to sing just as I was preparing to start my run, which seemed to punctuate the peacefulness of the moment in a way that is really difficult to describe.  I am in no way a religious person, and I am not about to tell you about any sort of awakening or anything, but I will say that listening to the sound of singing as I made my way down the trail and into the woods helped me get my mind into a very peaceful place and reminded me a great deal of this scene from O'Brother Where Art Thou:




The rest of the run went really well.  My foot held up well and my legs felt better than they have since my trip to WV.  I felt like I was running stronger than I had the day before, but there wasn't any big difference in overall times.  I was hoping that the congregation would still bee singing as I went back up the trail, but they were in praying when I returned.  But, hey -- I am not going to complain.  They were their to do their thing I was their to do mine, and for a few moments those two things just happened to overlap nicely for me.

After the run my toe was even more pissed at me than it had been the day before, which would cause me to finally give in, take some anti-inflammatory medication, take Monday off, and schedule lifting days for Tuesday and Wednesday in order to let my foot heal.  Still, I don't regret my Sunday run because the experience itself was so unique that the memory of it is well worth any pain that I felt after words.
3.76 miles in 41:28.95 at an 11:02 pace

Mile 1 9:54.85
Mile 2 12:27.63
Mile 3 10:23.27
.76 8:43.20 11:28

Sprained Toe Umstead Run: 5/14

Yes, I am just that dumb to run with a sprained toe!  Actually, it didn't really hurt to run.  I use Superfeet insoles in my shoes, which are a hard insole as opposed to the more common cushion insoles.  The Superfeet seemed to offer my feet a level of protection that eliminated a lot of the stress on my toe that I had been feeling just walking around the house.  I would even go as far to say that walking barefoot in the house was a lot more painful than running on the trails. 

I ran the same course that I had run last Sunday.  However, the ground was much softer do to a heavy rain the night before.  The softness of the ground made me go a bit slower over the first mile, which was mostly downhill.  I am really enjoying this new course and am pretty sure that it will be my new standard course for the next few months.  A nice thing about this course is that it will allow me to easily vary my distances and difficulty levels from week to week without limiting.

3.76 miles 41:32.67 for a 11:02 pace.

Mile 1: 11:29.73
Mile 2: 12:13.29
Mile 3: 9:36.31
.76: 8:10.34 for a 10:43 pace

Returning to Umstead: 4/23

After races on two straight weekends, I couldn't wait to get into Umstead and get away from the streets of Raleigh.  I love running in races, but I hate that they take me away from my weekends runs in more natural areas.  I've been reading Runner's World: Trail Edition, which really makes me want to try my hand a trail race.  Honestly, I love running on trails much more than I do streets.  My only issue is that I often end up with sprains and twists.  I have weak ankles as well as not own a single pair of trail running shoes, so these minor injuries keep me from running on some of the more difficult trials that I truly enjoy.  I am fairly certain that my lack of trail running shoes will be remedied rather quickly because the trails are a callin'! 

Saturday, I did five miles on the multi-purpose trails in Umstead.  It was just about the perfect day to run: a little cool with a light rain that was just a bit more than a mist but rarely reaching a sprinkle for more than a few seconds.  I felt stiff, my arms were still sore from lifting, and my hips were SCREAMING on the up hills, but still . . . what an incredible run.  After finishing the run, I felt so relaxed.  Just what I needed.

I did 5 hilly miles over an out and back course in 52.51 for a 10:33 pace.

Mile 1: 10:43
Mile 2: 10:38
Mile 3: 10:48
Mile 4: 10:05
Mile 5: 10:33

Lost Among the Ultras: April 2

As close as I will ever get to being an Ultra-Man!

I got used to being out of place during the years I spent in Japan.  Being over six foot and pushing 3 bills, I stood out in every crowd.  I am the easiest person to find, other than the bride, in several of my Wife's friends wedding pictures.  Oddly enough, I rarely felt self-conscious among the Japanese because I was so hopelessly lost and intensely focused upon just getting by that feelings of embarrassment were a waste of energy.  The times that I ended up feeling most embarrassed or self-conscious were in the presence of other Westerners because they were keenly aware of how out of place I was or the oddity of my behavior.

Living abroad in a country where English is not the native language and you have little grasp of the native one, will reduce your functional vocabulary by 2/3, slow down your conversation rate, and make your facial expressions mimic those of a silent film star, so when you find yourself back among people from your native culture, eventually you'll become starkly aware that you resemble Nell.  If you are lucky, the other person will have been abroad just as long as you or longer and you can share a good laugh at your own expense after spending three days trying to remember the word "flight attendant," so that you can stop calling them "those people on the plane that help you," and once again sound like you own more than a second grade vocabulary.  My point being that I felt more uncomfortable not when I stood out from people that I had no hope of blending in with in the first place, but when I was around people who had the potential to fit in with and failed. 

Which brings me to Saturday's run in Umstead Park, let me start of by saying that I am not an Ultra Marathoner, nor do I have any aspirations of ever being one.  I was a ware that The Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Race was taking place on Saturday, but also knew the park would remain open.  I wanted to run 8 miles, which would be my longest run to date and had mapped out a course that I wouldn't require running outside of the park or an out and back course.  I planned to start at the Harrison Ave. gate and run a loop route consisting of portions of the Ready Creek, South Turkey, and Cedar Ridge Trails.  From my second mile through my fourth mile, I would be on the same course as the Ultra Marathoners.  I didn't think it would be an issue because that portion of the trails is a very high traffic area.  Once I got to my Fourth mile I planned to take a different trail and be on my merry way.  My only concern was that I would be running near one of the aid stations, but I didn't give that much thought.

I arrived at the park a little later than I had hoped but started my run at around 9:45 in the morning.  The first few miles went by without any problems.  Once I got out on the Ready Creek Trail,  I began to see signs for the Ultra and a few participants, but by far most people that I encountered were just doing their regular Saturday run.  Since the Ultra course was 8 laps around a 13 or so miles of the park trails, and the portion we would share was between their miles 4 through 7, I doubted that I would really see much of them.  And, as it turned out, I was nearly correct.  I had seen just a few Ultra runners as was heading down the trail toward my turn off.  I knew t the aid station was near the turn off but hoped that it would after my turn and could ignore it.  As I went down the hill, towards the where I needed to turn, I noticed that the aid station was before my turn and began to feel a little uncomfortable.  My discomfort grew as I noticed people at the aid station cheering for the couple of Ultra runners ahead of me.  People began clapping and shouting words of encouragement as each runner approached.  And, I just started thinking that this was going to be awkward.  If people clapped and cheered for me, I was going feel like a tool.  If they just looked at me blankly as I ran by it would be like telling a bad joke and having no one laugh.  I tried make it clear I was not wearing a race bib but prepare myself for either option.  What ended up happening was kind of the worst of both worlds-- a few blanks stares, a smattering of applause, and few lukewarm words of encouragement, but it was over rather quickly, and I was able to shrug it off.

I picked up my pace and quickly found my turn off, but as soon as I turned I saw something that I wasn't prepared for at all -- the trail was flooded.  We had some heavy rain during the week and now about five inches of water running across the trial.  I couldn't Jump it and there was no bridge. I wasn't going to be able to cross without either soaking my shoes or taking them off.  I didn't like either option.  There was a guy on the other side just sitting on a fallen tree, so I asked him if there was another way, but he wasn't aware of any.  I looked for a map board, but couldn't find one.  I assumed that it too was somewhere on the other side of the trail. 

After staring at the stream for a bit and trying to bring the map forth from some dark recess of my brain, I was facing an age old problem: keep going or go back the way you came.  I knew that going back I would run just over eight miles, but I would be covering the same ground that I had run the last two weekends and I would have to back through the Ultras' aid station.  Or, I could press on in hope of finding a hiking trail or a foot bridge of some sort, so that I could get back on the course I had planned.  I thought things over for a second or two, and then did what any  Red Blooded American Male would do and headed off into unknown territory.  Yep, just call me Trial Blazer Greg!

Now, I doubt that you would need to be Nostradamus or even Carnac the Magnificent to figure out that this was a colossal mistake!  Hell, I am sure that I realized that it was a mistake at the time but went ahead with it anyway.  I continued on and mile five had a big old juicy hill right about halfway into it.  The sucker was the biggest hill that I have found in Umstead.  From talking with other people, who run in the park, I knew that there are some big hills and thought that I was prepared, but I wasn't.  Furthermore, I soon realized that the only people going in the same direction as I were Ultra runners and people riding horses, which may have been nothing more than coincidence, but in my mind, was a very bad sign.  As I climbed up the hill, my calf's began to scream in pain.  I was hardly reaching a a good jogging pace once I got to the top, and any  relief was short live because I saw one of the Ultra sign that read "hills are your friend."  I knew that this was only the beginning of the hills.  Also, I still had no idea how to get back on course.  If I turned back now, I would be committed to 10 miles, but if I continued there was still a slight chance that I might able to catch a hiking trail, get back on course, do something close to my eight and be near the parking lot when I finished. 

I decided to press on and immediately regretted it because the hills got worse.  The path narrowed and the horse shit increased.  I am not kidding . . . there was actual horse shit all over the trail, which normally wouldn't bother me.  However, when you're kinda lost, your legs are on the cusp of riot and the re cheeky signs about, little things begin to grate on your nerves.  Also, people riding bikes or running in the opposite direction started to mistake me for one of the Ultra Runners and began offering me words of encouragement as they passed, which made me feel like the horse shit that was laying about everywhere!  Even though I am fairly certain  the Ultra Runners had all kinds of things going through their minds, the least of which being me, I just knew that all of the Ultra runners were looking at me in disgust for stealing their encouragement.  They could tell so easily that I was not one of them, and it made me feel as out of place as a group English teacher in Japan, who have been admitted to hip Tokyo Mardi Gras party attended by the fabulously wealthy and beautiful just because they are westerns.  The people passing me may not have noticed a difference me and the people in the ultra me but, I was keenly aware of it.  Heck, they were on something like mile 20 and doing alright.  Me . . . I was struggling with mile 6 for Pete sake!!  I began to wonder if this is how it felt to run as a Bandit at Boston because you could make the time.  I felt ill with every word of encouragement.  The hills continued to suck, too!  By the end of mile six, I was contemplating darting of into the woods rather than stay on the stinking trail and feel like such a phony.  Turning around would have eliminated my stress, but by this point I was just so focused upon find the way off the trail that I didn't even think about turning around . . . plus . . . turning around would guarantee that I would do over 12 miles in some fashion.

Finally at seven miles, I came to an  intersecting trail and found a map board.  After some time of looking at the map and trying to will it read differently, I had to admit that I was now at least three miles away from my car.  I had two choices: stay on the easier multipurpose trial with the Ultra Marathoners all the way back to the road that led me to my car or take a much more difficult hiking trail back, which I was in no condition to run on.  As if I needed any help making up my mind, just as I began to run again, a family on mountain bikes streamed past me with the children screaming "go Ultra-man!"

I had to get off the Frickin' Frackin' trail, so I pushed my spent legs onward to the first hiking trail I found and walked 3 miles back to my car.  I felt disgusted with myself: 7.34 miles, and I was done in.  It was a hard walk back because I was no "ultra-man" and I knew it!  I was just a guy trying to get his run in, and I didn't want anyone to think otherwise because I sure as hell knew the differences between me and the people participating in that 100 miler.  I hadn't tried to pass myself off and didn't want anyone to think that I was the type of person, who would do such a thing.  I wished I was wearing a shirt that read "Not in Race.  Trail Flooded. Sorry, Ignore please." The entire way bad I wished that I had run somewhere else that day, and kicked myself for not turning around when I came to the stream.

Now, I would love to say that this was the moment that inspired me to one day become a real Ultra-man.  That it stirred deep within me and made me say, "one day I am going to run an Ultra!"  I know that this story almost begs for that moment.  But, I am not going to lie to you.  I never felt it.  Not for a second.  I saw tons of older men and women running in the race, and that was inspiring.  But, I wasn't inspired enough to have that moment where I found my calling to run an Ultra.  I love running, I desperately want to lose weight, and one day I would like to be fit enough to think about a Marathon, but that is enough for me.  The idea running in an Ultra . . . for me . . . is like telling the Wright brother to build you a rocket ship.      

When I got home Old Bob said I ran 7.34 in 1:15:19 at a10:15 pace

1  9:28.31
2  10:12.20

3  9:19.83

4 9:18.01

5 10:37.02

6  11:19.66
7  11:21.39
 .34 3:39.76 10:34

Sunday Six: 3/28

If the Saturday Seven I did the day before was about me focusing my world around my run, Sunday's Six was about enjoying what fulfills me.  Everyone disappoints themselves from time to time, and recently I've been letting myself down more than I care to admit.  I've managed to come through on most of the big things.  But, I've been falling into an old pattern of focusing too much attention on things, which aren't important and getting overwhelmed by the trivial.  Everything sort of came to head this weekend, and I just decided that I wasn't really happy with my own behavior.  I internalize a great deal and easily become obsessive, which leads me to place greater importance silly things than they deserve. 

I created my blog as a way of trying to deal with issues caused by my weight loss struggles.  I didn't want to burden Hiroko with all the messy thoughts running through my head from day to day, and I figured that this blog could be where I worked through my thoughts till they were better organized and more palpable However, I got away from a lot of that by focusing upon the details of my workouts, which are really not important and kind of boring.  That is not to say that I don't see the value in recording my workout, but there is no need for an accurate detailing of the number of reps in each of my workouts.  What I want/need is to a place to process the mental side of these activities.  So on Sunday, I set out to recreate to my run from the day before in an attempt to better appreciate it.

I enjoyed Saturday's run and felt great for having done it.  I felt some pride but more so  was pleased for having done exactly what I set out to accomplish.  On Sunday, I wanted to relive it, but not focus as much on the running, but more on the place.  I wanted capture the feeling generated by Umstead and see myself enjoying a moment of happiness.  I wanted to share some images of where I run with Jessie and Irene, who often take the time to read and comment on my blog.  I wanted to share with them images of me enjoying this run, so I brought my camera along.  I wasn't at all concerned with my time.  Heck, I didn't even know if I would be able to run six miles the day after running seven.  Thirteen miles would easily exceeds my highest two day mileage total by around four miles.   Of course, I brought Old Bob, but I looked at him less on this run than I had on Saturday's.

It rained here in Raleigh sometime during the night and early morning and the temperature dropped from Saturday to Sunday.  It was around 38 degrees when I left for my run, which I have since decided is my ideal temperature to run in when wind is a non-factor.  I was cold enough for a jacket and my Raiders toboggan, but not so cold that I regretted wearing shorts.  The air had a dampness to it, but the rain held off for my entire run.  I only encountered a few runners during this run and the guy in the picture below was by far the most memorable.  He looked to be in his late 50's or early 60's, incredibly thin, and obviously a highly trained runner.  As I was plodding my way down Ready Creek Rd., he just torched past me effortlessly.  There was no traffic on the road and I was able to listen to the sound of his strides as he approached and went by me.  The differences between sounds of our footsteps was vast to say the least.   

Ghost of a good Chritsmas Future

I saw him again as I entered Umstead.  He had stopped to get some water and take off his jacket, and I said "hello again" as I passed where her stood.  A little while later, he scooted past me again as he mad his way down the trail, and said, "I guess we'll be doing this all day."  I smiled back, but we both knew that this would be the last time that we saw each other unless he were doing and out and back.  I enjoyed watching him glide past me because seeing him gave me hope that I might be running and enjoying it the way he obviously was in twenty or so years.  In a good way, I began to think of him as a Ghost of Christmas Future showing me what I could become if I worked hard enough.  This was a pleasant thought for me.  Not so long ago, I nearly gave up on myself and was nearly resigned to spending the es of my life well over 300lbs.  But, now I see a future where I co e the one d down a trail at 60.

After he was out of sight, I continued on down the multi-purpose trail.  I was on a different trail from the one, which I had run in the past because I didn't want to be able to gauge my progress by landmarks and start anticipating a turn, a hill, or a crossing.  This run need to be enjoyed and recognizing the landscape would only distract from that purpose.  I progressed along without giving any thought to pace, listening to the birds, and taking pictures as I went.  I even stopped long enough to take a picture with my camera's timer.

Self-timer shot.

After I entered Umstead, the multipurpose trail I was running along had gone mostly down hill.  And I knew that the return trip would be more difficult.  However, I did a fairly good job of keeping it from mind as I continued my run farther down the trail.  My legs were doing well, and my feet were holding up fine, which I was a little worried about because I hadn't taped before leaving that day.  I could feel my toboggan getting damp with sweat, but the air felt great against my skin and in my lungs. 

As I approached the three mile mark I fought off the temptation to extend my run, turned about, and headed back up the trial.  I didn't feel like I was falling off or slowing down as I made my way back up the trail.  The uphills were not nearly as pronounced as they were on the trail I ran Saturday.  The trail got steep in a few places but for the most part remained a slow steady progression upward.  I continued taking photos as I ran and was fairly shocked at how quickly I found myself back out on Ready Creek Rd. and heading back to my car.  The last mile was made easier by the sight of trees begining to bloom, geese sitting in one of the NC State University research pastures beside the road, and horses milling about.  Before long, I was back to my car and heading home having completed my run. 

When I got in I plugged in Old Bob and this is what he had to say:

6 miles in 1:03.45 at a 10:36 pace.

1 --9:53.69

2 --10:30.55

3 --11:06.42
4 -- 11.07.95
5 --10.03.45

6 -- 10.29.00

Saturday Seven: 3/19



Exiting Umstead

My runs have been getting longer over the last few weeks for many reasons.  Spring is beginning to hit here in Raleigh as we can all tell by the thin layer of green pollen on everything and soon this thin dusting will turn into a thick green coating.  However, I will take it over snow.  On Saturday, I found myself two weeks away from my second 10k.  I registered for my first 10k, the Old Reliable Run, on a whim and hadn't really trained to run a 10k.  At that time, I was running around four and five miles as my longest distances.  But, I ran six miles once and decided that I could handle a 10k.  Perhaps not the best decision, but that was the decision I made.  What is more baffling to me is how I made that choice after my disappointing Autism Run 5k a or so prior registering.  At the Autism run, I got a PR but had a horrid race.  I went out way too fast, spent a lot of energy weaving through the crowd at the start, and had to stop and walk three times over the last mile.  Yet, for some reason, I still thought that running a 10k was a good idea.

I'll admit that I was afraid of not finishing the race and got more worried after the first mile, when despite my best efforts, I went out too fast again.  I spent the entire second mile trying to recover from the start, and ended up running the rest of the race too conservatively until the very end, which I still consider to be one of my most fun finishes.   Considering how my first 10k seemed to teeter on the edge of disaster, I have been increasing my miles and the difficulty of my courses over the last few weeks to prove to myself that 10k is a manageable distance for me.  Also, I enjoy spending a good hour running.  Honestly, I think that I need that time to sort myself out, which was certainly the case on Saturday.

Walt



On Saturday, I approached my run with a clarity of purpose that I don't find often in my life.  I thought about this run for most of the week.  I knew exactly when I was going to run, where I would run, what I would wear, where I planned to park.  Simply put, my entire plan for Saturday was to run 7 miles in Umstead Park.  I didn't care that the temperature was going to drop or that we were supposed to get rain.  I wanted to run 7 miles in Umstead Park.  And, it was going to be a fan-tab-u-lose run that I need it to be.  I wasn't expecting a Whitman-esque transcendental moment, but I wasn't opposed to the idea of one either.  I just need to center myself on this run.  This run had to be my entire world for just a little while.  This isn't meant to sound dramatic, profound, or whatever.  It is simply that this run meant more to me than most of my past few runs had, and most certainly meant more to me than most of the things that I have found myself doing recently.  

Let me explain it this way, the thing that I enjoyed most about living in Japan was that I could spend an entire day in Tokyo surrounded by millions of people and be almost completely disengaged.  It was the most at peace I have ever felt with the world.  I used to love to ride the train and just sit . . . and read.  I read the better part of East of Eden, Vineland, and To Kill a Mocking Bird on the JR along with many others.  Since I've returned to the States, I have become increasingly re-engaged, and unable to disconnect from the world around me.  In Japan, if I didn't feel like dealing with something, all I had to do was stop trying to understand.  Simply turn off Japanese mode, and I could slip into a peaceful state of obliviousness.  Now, I have to work to tune out annoying conversations, people complaining to cashiers about the sale price of two liter bottles of soda, and 24 hour cable news networks.  I-pods help, but I can't just pop one in any old time.  In short, what I really needed out of this run was 7 miles of me time.  I wasn't opposed to seeing people on the trails or exchanging a smile and a wave, but that was the extent of my ability to interact.  This run was about me taking the time to prove to myself that I could run seven miles, and taking the time to enjoy running seven mile.

Reedy Creek Rd. near the start of my run.

And, I did just that.  I ran my seven miles without really looking at Old Bob until it was time to locate the turnaround.  I ran down Reedy Creek Rd. giving hardly any thought to the hills that I knew were ahead of me.  I pulled my hat down and concentrated on the path in front of me, but still managed to exchange a few waves and hellos.  I enjoyed struggling up hills, working out how to lift my left leg on downhill so my knee didn't click, and keeping the salt from gathering in the corners of my mouth.   For one hour and nine minutes my entire world was reduced to this run, one footstep after the other, and was happy for it.

When I got home I plugged in Old Bob and this is the tale he had to tell:



7.00 miles in 1:10:09.09

1-- 10:11.95

2 -- 9:44.10

3-- 10.04.61

4-- 10.26.59

5 -- 9.43.89

6-- 10.02.62

7 -- 9.55.95

Six Mile Saturday: 3/19

Ready Creek Rd. Greenway

The runs prior to Saturday's six miler had been less than stellar.  Also, I'd gotten kind of bored running the same routes and was in need of a change.  Umstead park is one of my favorite places to run, but I twisted the crap out my ankle the last time I ran their.  I always run on the hiking trails, but the idea of trying to negotiate the rocks, roots, and tight spaces of the trails made me wax nostalgic for my last root canal.  Luckily, Umstead has some nice multipurpose that run through the park, which are used by runner's, horseback rides, and mountain bikers.  The Greenway by my apartment that runs into the art park leads to the park and one of these multipurpose trails.  I decided to skip over the portion of the greenway, which I run and head out to Ready Creek Rd., pick up the greenway there and run into the park from there. 

I knew that this portion of the greenway was hilly, but I didn't realize the extent.  In fact, I never thought to Raleigh as a hilly place until I started running.  Having grown up in West Virginia and gone to School in the Mountains of North Carolina, Raleigh seemed fairly flat, granted it is nowhere near as flat as Kasukabe, Japan where I lived for three years, but Raleigh's hills never made that much of an impression on me.  Well, they are making one now.  This Greenway and multipurpose trail was nothing but hill after hill.  And, these weren't the little rollers that are found on most of the city streets.  They meet this WV boys basic standard of a nice little hill.


Umstead Multipurpose Road.

I ran the full six without an I-pod and don't really feel like I need it at all when I run.  I am sure that I'll use it from time to time, but at the moment I am fin without it.  The idea of doing six miles is still kind intimidating to me because I only run the distance a few times.  But, I was determined to run the full six even though I had never run the trail before and had no idea what was in store for me.  I started the run on a huge decline, which was a great way to start the run, but I couldn't enjoy it in the slightest because I knew the last .75th of a mile of my run would be up hill since I was doing an out and back.  The idea of it wore on my mind throughout the run.  The only time I was able to escape it was when I was having to force myself up a beast of a hill just before the turn around.  At that time, I couldn't think of anything other than begging Old Bob to beep that third frickin mile beep, so I could turn myself around and hooky pokey down that mofo!  I felt pretty beat over that last mile, but I was determined to have a good run and make it back to my car without stopping or too much inner bitching at myself.  The climb up the last .75 didn't hurt as bad as I thought that it would . . . it wasn't a picnic either, but I did it and afterward felt the run went well.  However, the weather has changed and I need to make sure I drink enough prior to these runs because after I got home I felt wreaked!

I ran 6.01 in 59:18.97 for a 9.52 pace.

Mile 1:  9.41.78
Mile 2:  9:20.12
Mile 3:  9.49.36
Mile 4: 10.02.27
Mile 5: 10.04.81
Mile 6: 10.17.52

Umstead Ankle Sprain Run: 1/8

My first run in Umstead with Old Bob (my Garmin) didn't go like I had planned, as you can tell from the title of this post.  I had been looking forward to this run for a long time, but I kept having to delay running in Umstead either because of races or bad weather.  So, when the day finally arrived that I could take Old Bob out to Umstead, I was really excited.  It was pretty cold and snow flurries were falling as I started down the trail.  I deiced to run out to the bridge and then go around the loop once, and then walk back from there.  I didn't think that I would be able to do the whole trail, so I started down the trail at a running pace after doing my stretching rather than walking to the bridge like I do most of the time.  I really wanted to be able to get accurate distances for the course for the first time, but  made a pretty good effort to ignore my Old Bob other than to look at my mile pace when I heard the beep for each mile.  I knew that I needed to concentrate on the trail or I would be eating dirt quickly.

The first mile went well.  There were a lot of people on the trail heading back to their cars because of the snow, but I wasn't worried about it because I had heard the weather report and knew that it wasn't going to last.  I ran the first mile in 11:13.31, which I thought was pretty good considering the difficulty of this part of the trail.

The second mile of the trail has a larger up hill portion than the first mile, but there is also one of the longest flat parts and the trail is much less difficult because there are far few rocks and root to negotiate in this portion.  Also there were only a few people on this part of the trail because most families out for a stroll in the woods stop at the bridge and head back to their cars.  The snow had stopped by the time I finished the second mile.  I did this mile at a slightly slower pace than the first.  11:19.06

The third mile was is a little more of the up hill then you cross the Horse road and start a bit of a down hill.  This portion of the trial is tight in places but is probably the portion of the trial with the fewest rocks and roots other than the last part of the trail.  It is good place to recover a bit from the climb in the second mile of the trial.  I was struggling before I crossed the house road, but I was able to recover some after I crossed the road and was feeling good by the end of this mile, which took 11:20.46  There are some narrow portions and moderate rises, but this is a fun portion of the trail.  There are a few spots where you and pick up speed and really open up you stride because the trail is in pretty good shape even though it is really narrow.  I enjoy this portion of the trail more than any other part of the run.

The fourth mile is both the most difficult because of roots and rock, steep up hills, and steep stairs.  It is  portion of trail is always where I fear falling the most and risk running out of gas.  I went through this portion of the trail much slower despite one good spot for speed.  This is the part of the trail that I like least.  I did it in 12:26.19

The last .85 mile is the least difficult portion of the trial.  There are only two trouble spots .  The first is where the trail narrows really tight in one spot.  It is a good place for speed as long as you don't meet up with another person on the trail, which is what happened to me.  The other portion is right at the end there are some large rocks that form an obstacle in the trail that you need to negotiate.  I made it through the first trouble spot despite meeting up with a guy who was walking in the opposite direction and not really doing much to move off of the trail when he saw me coming towards him.  He basically took one step to the side and stopped walking.  This forced me to over to the side more than the trail will really allow you to do and put me really off balance.  I made it past him and around the next little bend but was getting more and more off balance until I took a bad step and rolled my left ankle.  I could ear the tendon crunching as the ankle rolled, and though for a second that I was going to fall, but my right leg planted extremely well my next few steps on the left side became more hops than steps.  The pain was kind of bad, and I could tell that this was more than a twist, but I also knew that it was not a high ankle sprain either.  I have had many, and they have never allowed me to bear any weight.  I figured that at this point the best thing that I could do was keep going at least until the bridge where there would be more people if I needed help.  I ran the last portion of the trail at a 10:25 minute mile pace, which was faster than any other portion of the trail.  This portion is the fast part of the trail, and had I not sprained my ankle I am sure I would have been around an 9 min. mile pace on it.

Once I got to the bridge I was able to walk back to the parking lot.  Once I got home I ice the ankle, but it had swollen up a good bit, luckily not too bad and there was no bruising or discoloration.  So, I think that I got pretty lucky as far as sprains go.  Especially considering my race in Hawaii was only two weeks a way.

Hiroko's First Umstead Run -- My Attempt at a Q&A: 11/25

She said . . . He said.

Q & A:

Greg: So, how did you like running in Umstead.

Hiroko: I liked it, but it scared me.  But, it was defintely easier to run distance than on a flat surface, but I hurt my ankle.

Greg: why do yo think that it easier?

Hiroko:  Because it has a lot (inclines and declines*) and I don't have to push much on the declines.

Greg:  Do you think that you will run it again.

Hiroko: Hmmm . . . if the leaves are not there.

Greg: Did you like running with me?

Hiroko: Umm (Japanese way of saying uuuhhh)

Greg:  Which part of the trail did you like best?

Hiroko:  The part of the loop before the bridge because it is flat.

Greg: Did you like because there weren't that many rock and roots, and more soft pine needles

Hiroko: Yes, and ofcoures .  But, I like running in the woods, the sights and sounds, and there weren't any cars and buildings.

--At this point, Hiro falls asleep.--  My first ever attempt at an interview is a failure because my interviewee finds my questions, so boring that she falls asleep!!  Not really the case, Hiroko is a champion sleeper and can fall asleep at anytime and anywhere.  So this is basically par for the course with her. 
*Greg's words for what Hiroko described.

On Saturday, we ran in Umstead together for the first time.  Hiro really enjoyed the run, but was a little freaked by the possibility of turning her ankle.  I admit that this was not the best time of year to take her to run there because of all of the leaves on the trail, but I was surprised when she said that she wanted to go with me.  We ran the first 4.8 miles, and she was fine for the first mile, but then she turned her ankle and got a good scare.  She was able to walk off the pain, but she did really enjoy herself as much as she had for the first mile.  Ironically, she tripped at a relatively easy part of the trail.  I think she more took a bad step than anything else.  This run was much slower for me, and spent a lot of time pointing out roots, rocks, as well as which part of the trail is easier.  I didn't mind this at all because I was concerned for Hiroko.  Also, I wanted her to enjoy the run, so that one day I might have an Umstead running partner.  Currently, Hiroko is having some soreness in her ankle, but there isn't any swelling or discoloration.  It's more from an old volleyball injury that has caused a ganglion cyst on her ankle, which she has to get drained from time to time (it is gross but cool to watch . . . I'll take off work to go to the doctor's office with her just so I can watch!).  Also, Hiro is just not having used working her ankles like you have to on this type of trail.  I had the same kind of soreness after my first few runs in Umstead.  I am fairly sure that she'll be in a day or two.  This run was a really good and unexpected addition to my holiday running, and I am happy that Hiro wanted to go with me.

Black Friday Robert Frost 5.8 Mile Run: 11/26

I kept coming up with reasons not to run today: it was raining, I had eaten my weight in turkey and other thanksgiving foods, I had a headache, I had run 5 miles yesterday, Friday's are normally an off day.  I tried to think of reasons to run but decided that I didn't really need a reason to run.  I've gotten to that point -- I am able to run and that is reason enough.  I wanted to hit the trails in Umstead.  Hiro was back at work and I couldn't stand the idea of spending the whole day on the couch watching old movies, and if I were going to go to the gym to workout, why shouldn't I do what I really wanted to do and run in Umstead?  So, that was what I did. 



I left around 2pm, the rain had stopped, and it was much warmer than the day before.  I felt loose.  I untapped my feet before a run for the first time in about two months.  I knew that the trail would be blanketed with wet leaves, which would require that my pace be much more measured.  It made sense to me to try running without the tape.  The tape has helped my PF and achilles problems, but it is doing a number on my skin.  And I hate spending money on it.  I am not sure when I decided to run the whole length of The Company Mill Trail, but my mind was made up by the time I left the parking lot.  I've never run the whole thing before.  The trial is 5.8 miles long according to most listings.  I kept thinking about all of the people that were shopping today and The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy ans wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.

By no means is this my favorite poem or is Frost my Favorite poet.  In fact, I have always been rather annoyed by how often it is quoted, but it just fit today.  It fit the way I was feeling and the trial that I was running.  Because today, it was truly the road less traveled because there were so few people on the trail, which offered me a lot of time to myself.  I was able to really enjoy where I was and what I was doing.  Running has become a huge part of my life in such a short time, and today's run was one of my most enjoyable runs yet.  In fact, other than the last mile, the whole thing was nearly effortless.  I was no slouch and made good time despite the fact that the trial was wet and kind of difficult to see.  But, I wasn't timing myself and just made a point to try to enjoy this run.  The creek was running faster than normal because of the rains, the trees held far fewer leaves, and the whole day seemed more clam, sort of like Japan feels on New Years day or how it feels here just after Midnight Mass.  I think that today's run was by far my most transcendental running experience.  I know that their is a spiritual side of running that is out there waiting for you if you are open to it.  I am not saying that I am going to one day go Forest Gump on the world and just start running across the country, but if I came find a nice inner peace out on the trails of Umstead State Park, then all the better life will be!

Umstead Bottom Out: 11/20

Well I rode the wave of good runs as far as I could, and it finally bottomed out about halfway through my Saturday Run in Umstead.  It was sort of strange because I wasn't running poorly and I wasn't sore.  If anything I was running a bit too strong, but I just got to point where I felt like I had run enough.  So. I stopped.  I just walked the trail back to the parking lot and tried to enjoy the park, which I run in but don't often take time to just breathe in. 

Trail Run in Umstead

Over the course of this run, it really became apparent to me that I like running trails more than anything else.  I really enjoy the challenge of managing roots, trees, and rough surfaces of trails.  I think that trails require an amount of focus that other surfaces don't, and I can run the same trail over and over and not get bored because it will always provide me with some new challenge.  This weekend the leaves were so thick that it was really hard to see the trail in some places.  I always thought that I would be too worried about falling to enjoy my runs over a trail like this one, but I really enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that I get from being able to navigate the trail.  Recently, I have been running a lot on the street and greenway, which are fun places to run, but running on the trails really gets my mind right.  Even though this wasn't a monster run, I can't wait for my next Umstead run!  I can't even go so far as to say that this run was a bad run because it wasn't.  It was more just the end of a string of monster runs.  Basically, I just hit my mileage wall for the week.  I was on 17 miles for the week coming into this run, which is the most miles that I have ever put down in week, so there is mo shame in my game. 

Pre-Halloween Umstead Monster Run: 10/30

If you had told me before I left the house that I was going to have a great run today, I would have scoffed at you.  My left leg had been cranky since Thursday, and I had little to no energy on Thursday or Friday.  In fact, I used a rainstorm that blew in just about an hour before running group to stay home.  I could have gone because the rain stopped about 10 mins. before I needed to be there, but I just didn't feel it at all.  On Friday, I thought about going to the gym to stretch, do some abs, and use the foam roller, but that idea never made past the thinking stage.  And I wouldn't say that I felt anything close to wonderful when I woke up this morning, just "normal" at best.  But, I did change a few things up that might have factored into today's Monster Run!  I call this one a monster because I ran the same course that I always run in Umstead (the loop of the Company Mill Trial) nearly 1 min and 10 seconds faster than my best run.  Two weeks ago I nearly passed out after running the 3.9 miles of this hilly loop trail in 42:36.4, but my time today was 41:26.7 and I was not as gassed doing it.  I am not sure what produce such a big change in my time, but I can point to a some changes in the way that I prepared and ran that are probably big factors. Two days rest might have helped, but I have given myself two days rest before an not seen this type of result, so I think it was more do to these change:

1. Instead of walking the trail to the bridge where I start my run, I did a light jog which warmed me up more.
2. I changed the way I run up hills by shortening my strides.

The stream that runs beside part of the trail

This morning was pretty cold when I got to the park.  The low for today was 47 degrees and our high today was only 64.  Thank you for the return of fall!  87 degrees in late October is nuts!  I would guess that it was still in the upper 40's at 9am when I left for the park.  I only live 10 mins from Umstead, so I hadn't warmed up on bit by the time I left my car and stared down the trail, also I shaved my head last week, so I was feeling the chill, and after walking a bit I decide to jog because I knew the air was only going to get colder due to the shade from the trees and the air coming off of the stream that I would be running along for the first half mile and last half mile of the loop.  The stream wouldn't matter for the last half mile, but for the first half . . . .brrrrr . . . is the word.  So, I did a light jog down the trial to the bridge where I start my run, then stopped for a stretch before I crossed the bridge and began my run.  While I was stretching, I could see that the morning fog was still coming off of the water and steam was coming off of the top of my head!  I felt much more loose than I usual when I started running.  I had never jogged like this before when running in Umstead because it took everything I had just to run the distance of the loop, but recently I have moved beyond the 3 to 4 mile range and knew that the light jog would not hinder my run.

One of the more tricky part of the run are these steps that I have to run down.
It looks like this photo was taken from about half way up.

I felt good at the beginning of the run and didn't notice the cold air at all, but didn't let myself get carried away and open it up too early in the run, which has happened in the past.  Last week I was able to get in a good run on a day where I wasn't running my best by running smarter.  I am not Steve Prefontaine, and I need to realize that I need to manage my runs in order to get my best results.  Coincidentally, I got my first copy of Runner's Word this week and was reading their advice to beginning runner's.  One of the things that they said was that beginners shouldn't charge up a hill; that just before you get to the hill, you should shorten you stride, but keep the same cadence.  In doing so, you will conserve energy and still go up the hill at a good pace.  I put this advice into practice today, and I can honestly say that I think it helped a great deal.  I found at least two different spots where I was able to open up my stride and run harder than I have in the past after the hills flattened out.  Before, I could really take advantage of these good flat spots because I was using them to catch my breath, but I think that running this way is what enabled me to crush this run!  All in all, I was able to conserve a lot of energy to really push the end of the run.  When, I stopped running I was pretty winded, but I wasn't dazed like I was two weeks ago, and I even managed to jog a bit on my way back to the parking area. 

After my run, I drove to the Y for a stretch and to hit the foam roller.  If you haven't tried the foam roller I strongly suggest that you do.  It really helps with muscle tightness.  My PA suggests using the roller first then stretching, which is what I have been doing, and I can feel a huge difference versus only stretching.

Running Duvall's Way -- Umstead Run: 10/23

Umstead Saturday is the highlight of my exercise week.  I look forward to it every week and think about it all the time.  I just really like running in that park, maybe because it reminds me of everything I liked about growing up in West Virginia or it could just be that it good to get a way from the city streets for an hour or two.  It doesn't really matter why I love it so much, what matter is that I have found a place where I enjoy running.  I am still running the loop portion of the Company Mill Trail, but there are several other trails, which I could run once I get tired of this trail or distance.  For now the company mill trail is just fine, and now that I have found the stopwatch feature on my i-pod, I can keep my times and compare them from week to week.

This week's run was a few seconds off from last week, which 42:36.4  I did the same course in 42:47.1 this week, which I am really very pleased with because I felt like I was struggling much more this week.  I was fighting the trail a lot more during the second half of the run.  There were a combination of reasons why: my left quad was feeling a little tight (my left leg is a constant source of problems), the light through the trees and the leaves on the ground made it difficult to see or stay on the trail at times, and I was feeling a little dehydrated from all of the stomach issues that I had this week.  However, what pleased my about this run is that I recognized that I was not running nearly as strong as I did the week before and was able to adjust the way I ran.  It was like that scene in Days of Thunder (yes I know it is Tog Gun in race cars, but it is on TV all the time and will suck you in nearly as much as The Poseidon Adventure) where Robert Duvall's

character lets Cole Trickle drive so many mile his own way then has him drive his way and they compare times.  Of course Duvall's way produces a better time and doesn't melt the tires.  Well today I ran Duval's way, I picked my spots to open it up and run faster, and I did much better about conserving energy on the hills.  I wasn't forced to stop running, and never really felt like I needed to think about walking.  I would really like to get to the point where I an produce a good time through running efficiently because I could feel a big difference this week from last week.  When I finished last week I was beat, I was taking in monster deep breaths and a bit dizzy and was incapable of continuing, but this week I felt much better.  I was winded but recovered quickly -- a lot faster than I did the week before.  I hope that if I can learn how to run a smart race that I can produce a better time by running smart for the majority of the race and then have enough energy left to really unwind it at the end.  Anyhow, even though I never was really comfortable in this run I feel great about the outcome, which is a great way to end a difficult week!

Another Saturday Umstead Run: 10/16



I run the loop portion of the company mill trail



I really wish that I had run last week's 5k like I ran in Umstead today.  I felt really good the entire run.  No problems with my quad or side.  It was just a great run.  My Plantar Fasciites has flared up some, but I am treating it.  The tendons on the bottoms of my feet were a little cranky at the beginning of my run, but by about the 2 mile mark they were feeling alright or I stopped thinking about them, but either way, they didn't hold me back in the slightest.  I just discovered that my I-pod has a stopwatch feature, so I was able to get an accurate time: 42:36, which is not bad for 3.91 miles of up and down trails with some pretty tricky spots.  I am pretty sure that this is the fastest that I have run the company mill loop.  Today's run was one of my most complete efforts ever.  No problems navigating the rocks and roots, and I ran stronger the longer I ran.  Also, I was pushing harder in parts of the trail where I haven't in the past and didn't run any less strong else where.  I had a great personal moment towards the end of my run when I was passing a group of scouts hiking along a flat stretch of the trail just before the finish.  They were cubs scout age and as I went by one group they start yelling to the group in front "watch out for the runner" and "hey, there's a runner coming!"  Not jogger, not a guy walking, but a "runner," and today I felt it: I am a runner.  It is great to finally feel that way!

Each trail has its  own symbol to help you stay on the right trail

Redemption Run 10/2

Today's run was much delayed and rather uncertain for most of the day.  I woke up late this morning with my upper body sore as all get out.  The quad felt much better after a night of muscle cream, but I was worried that if I tried to run today that I would have a repeat of last weeks piss poor performance.  But as the day progressed I really wanted to get outside and run.  The weather in Raleigh was actually great for the first time in what feels like months, so I went to Umstead at around noon for my Saturday run.  My energy level felt good, but the soreness I felt had me really worried.  I didn't think that the upper body soreness would hold me back, but I didn't want to injure my quad.  Next Saturday is my next 5k, which made me both want to run but also more than a little worried about aggravating my heels or hurting the quad.  But having just put in a lackluster effort on Friday in class and the aforementioned piss poor performance on last week's run, I was determined to run today.

This is a small bridge that I run accross as part of my run.

Everything ended up going much better that I had hope it would.  I started out a bit gingerly and didn't try to push things at the beginning.  The quad was holding up well, but the upper body soreness was really annoying for the first mile of the run.  My energy level was very different from last week, and I knew fairly early in the run that I should be able to complete it if i paced myself.  By the half way point the run was going well, I had stuck to my plan, and was just a few minutes behind my normal pace.  The mild burning in the quad that I felt at the beginning of the run had subsided, and the soreness of my upper body had just wasn't flaring up as much as it was staying on an even keel.  Flare ups seem much worse to take, so just past the half way marker I decided to open it up a bit and see if I could get back on pace.  Once I got passed the place where I stopped running last week, I was able to shake off my last distraction and really get down to running.  The trail was in good shape considering the 6 inches of rain we got this week.  I thought that it would be damp, but it wasn't.  The only problem I had was staying on the trail because of all of the fallen leaves and pine needles.  I almost lost the trail and ran into the woods twice.  Over the last eight minutes, I pushed it hard than I think that I ever have on one of these runs.  I made up all of the time, I needed to and completed the run in exactly 45 mins.  By the time that I hit the bridge to stop running, my chest was pounding and lungs were burning, but all of the soreness had vanished.  Once I caught my breath, I felt great.  I am very glad that I did this run because it helped me to put those crappy workout's to bed.  Now, I have a couple of days of light workouts and then the 5k on Saturday.  I can't wait!

The Nothing from The Never Ending Story Run (Sept. 25)

Can't adequately describe this mornings run.  I've heard many people talk about how every so often when you're running, you'll just find yourself in a bad place mentally -- where you have this The Never Ending Story moment where The Nothing is there to suck you in.  I've never experienced it for myself until this morning; I've have bad moments before where I didn't think I could keep going, but this was different.  I knew that I was tired when I got up this morning, the bad flights, the excitement of the Raider game, the wonderful but exhausting walks through the hills of San Fransisco, the insomnia upon my return, and the crushing CrossFit workout from Friday morning had really caught up to me.  I was feeling it yesterday -- just this irrational irritability that I couldn't get past.  By the time the evening came around I found myself just staying awake for no good reason.  I was planning on getting up early and going to Umstead for my Saturday run, but I didn't feel any of my usual excitement.

When I woke up this morning, I felt slug like --just laying there waiting for some kid to come a long with a slat shaker.  But, I still managed to get myself to Umstead.  Looking back, I can see that the only reason I got there was that my heels weren't feeling bad for the first time in a very long time.  My latest tape job seems to be helping a great deal, and this gave me just enough energy to get to the park.  Granted, I was over an hour later than I wanted to arrive, but I was there.  I only focused on my heels during my walk to the bridge where I start my run and didn't notice how tired I was.  It be came shockingly apparent as I started my run that I had nothing in the tank.  Most times the first mile is the worst, but things get better as you progress.  Not the case here.  I knew right away that nothing was going to get any better and by the mile mark I was running because I couldn't figure out how to stop running.  There wasn't going to be any digging deep, grunting through it, or prove something to yourself moments for me -- not on this day!  It was going to be run until you get sick, become incontinent, pass out, or just stop running.  Luckily for me, somewhere around the three mile marker, I just stop running.  Honestly, The Nothing had me!  I couldn't think of any good reason to be running, no inspirational song on my I-pod could push me forward -- I was done!  I could see it reflected in the faces of the people that were going in the opposite direction.  I looked the part of the beaten fighter that has just picked himself up off the mat after the ten count.  It wasn't that I was doubting myself or anything like that, the worst part of this was that I just couldn't find a good reason to be running at all -- not just today, but ever.  I tried to start running again and my legs would feel like they could go, but the quit was just coming from a much deeper place.  It wasn't my legs, nor any other physical part of my body.  The quit was just deep down in my soul, and it didn't matter if I ran a little here or there because I was just done, plain and simple.  I wasn't even depressed about it -- just resigned to it.  Hell, I am still not depressed about it.  I've never gotten to a place like this before from running -- but I kind of knew that it was out there, and I am sort of glad to have experienced it now, instead of during a race, but I really don't want to go through it again anytime soon.  Tomorrow is an off day for sure.  Rest!  Now, I need to see if I can get The Never Ending Story on Netflix instant.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you have ever met up with The Nothing while on a run.  I would love to hear how other people have dealt with it.