No, I'm not Eminem.
I'm referring to the 8 painful miles I slogged out today. Wow did this run suck and hurt. Legs definitely hadn't recovered from last night's or this past sunday's run and 3miles into it my legs got heavy. Around mile 5 the quads tightened up and it took every mental thought I had to keep going. Bad runs happen and this was one of em'.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Trashed by the Trail
"Wow what a run!"
That went through my mind somewhere around 15min or a mile and a half into Sunday's run. Really it was more like, "Holy $h!t, how long is this hill" and "what have I gotten myself into?" But I ran on, slowly up the narrow, rocky path at the snail pace of 10min/miles. And while I was getting further ahead of the other runners that started w/ me, I felt slow and yet gratified, that my legs hadn't slowed to a walk, that I could maintain my heart rate and that as soon as the hill relented from a 6-8% grade to 2% it felt so so good and I could speed up and get my heart rate down in time for the next hill.
The scenery; well, I didn't realize how beautiful it was until the second lap. No my thoughts and focus were fixed on the trail, plotting out each step so as not to hit a rock sideways and hear the familiar sound of ligaments tearing in my ankle. But that second lap, as I lo
oked North there was my baby, my lover, the mountain that, in my mind, defines what a mountain should look like, Long's Peak. I think she winked at me while domineering the mountain scape at 14,256 feet tall w/ it's majestic shear vertical face aka, The Diamond. Yes I have a long love affair w/ Long's as she has been party to a number of my climbs, some a great success and others humbling defeat. So as a ran along the trail at about mile 11 or 12 w/ 3 to 4 more to go, feeling the pain usually only reserved for a race or longer distances, I was given something to smile about. That picturesque mountain, the sun lighting up the face and highlighting the snow hanging onto it's broad shoulders eased the pain and made it all worth while.
And so what if I started on a run w/ a running group and I didn't run 1/2 a mile w/ any of them. The fact was, I knew they were there and even more importantly I wouldn't have been on that trail if not for the group's decision and committing to meet them there. The end result is that we fed off each other's energy to bust out one hell of a bad ass trail run, up and down hills on single track, rocky terrain. And the cool thing was that as I came back to the car as the last one in, having added some extra miles; there they were finishing up their stretching and giving me high-fives for the effort. I don't get many hoo-rahs and high fives when I go out running on my own.
Yes, that was cool.
Running is good.
Running w/ friends is better.
That went through my mind somewhere around 15min or a mile and a half into Sunday's run. Really it was more like, "Holy $h!t, how long is this hill" and "what have I gotten myself into?" But I ran on, slowly up the narrow, rocky path at the snail pace of 10min/miles. And while I was getting further ahead of the other runners that started w/ me, I felt slow and yet gratified, that my legs hadn't slowed to a walk, that I could maintain my heart rate and that as soon as the hill relented from a 6-8% grade to 2% it felt so so good and I could speed up and get my heart rate down in time for the next hill.
The scenery; well, I didn't realize how beautiful it was until the second lap. No my thoughts and focus were fixed on the trail, plotting out each step so as not to hit a rock sideways and hear the familiar sound of ligaments tearing in my ankle. But that second lap, as I lo
oked North there was my baby, my lover, the mountain that, in my mind, defines what a mountain should look like, Long's Peak. I think she winked at me while domineering the mountain scape at 14,256 feet tall w/ it's majestic shear vertical face aka, The Diamond. Yes I have a long love affair w/ Long's as she has been party to a number of my climbs, some a great success and others humbling defeat. So as a ran along the trail at about mile 11 or 12 w/ 3 to 4 more to go, feeling the pain usually only reserved for a race or longer distances, I was given something to smile about. That picturesque mountain, the sun lighting up the face and highlighting the snow hanging onto it's broad shoulders eased the pain and made it all worth while.And so what if I started on a run w/ a running group and I didn't run 1/2 a mile w/ any of them. The fact was, I knew they were there and even more importantly I wouldn't have been on that trail if not for the group's decision and committing to meet them there. The end result is that we fed off each other's energy to bust out one hell of a bad ass trail run, up and down hills on single track, rocky terrain. And the cool thing was that as I came back to the car as the last one in, having added some extra miles; there they were finishing up their stretching and giving me high-fives for the effort. I don't get many hoo-rahs and high fives when I go out running on my own.
Yes, that was cool.
Running is good.
Running w/ friends is better.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The more the merrier
Two weekends ago was my first time on a group run. To clarify, a group that I volunteered to run with, not in a race and not my platoon. Simply put, I really like it, in so many ways. The group has been small, 5-7 others and they all have so much experience. I'm the young one and while I might be faster, I don't have the history of races and stories that these people do.
The first thing I notice, is that I'm talking through the first couple miles then as things loosen up and I go ahead, I'm running w/ the knowledge that there's some people I know running out here with me, which is comforting. It takes my mind off of any doubts I may get around mile 3 about how long this run might be and I might not be able to finish it or how my knees are hurting and maybe I should just turn around now. Then there's the built-in slow down effect, saving me from myself. This last Saturday was 11miles at a nice slow 8:45min/miles plus another 5miles later that afternoon at 8min/miles and the next day there was no pain. Had I gone out on my own, I'd pushed 8min/miles at the slowest and probably had a tough time getting the distance, not to mention the subsequent pain, putting me out for a couple day recoup.
And lastly, I'm getting out running places I'd never known about which also helps the distance go by.
P.S. Moleskin works if used correctly. I'm looking forward the next lesson that will probably take me 2years to figure out what most people already know.
The first thing I notice, is that I'm talking through the first couple miles then as things loosen up and I go ahead, I'm running w/ the knowledge that there's some people I know running out here with me, which is comforting. It takes my mind off of any doubts I may get around mile 3 about how long this run might be and I might not be able to finish it or how my knees are hurting and maybe I should just turn around now. Then there's the built-in slow down effect, saving me from myself. This last Saturday was 11miles at a nice slow 8:45min/miles plus another 5miles later that afternoon at 8min/miles and the next day there was no pain. Had I gone out on my own, I'd pushed 8min/miles at the slowest and probably had a tough time getting the distance, not to mention the subsequent pain, putting me out for a couple day recoup.
And lastly, I'm getting out running places I'd never known about which also helps the distance go by.
P.S. Moleskin works if used correctly. I'm looking forward the next lesson that will probably take me 2years to figure out what most people already know.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Week Off - Not by Choice but loving IT!
My how priorities change. It only took 12years of resisting; fighting the flow of the whole, determined to complete the wishes of the individual. AKA - "I need do some cardio, I have to get in a big hike, I, I, I......I'll see you guys when I'M DONE."
Explanation, not only does it just feel good, hanging w/ the family, doing what's easiest for us all to do; but it's EASIER. No stress, fretting about the things I'M NOT GETTING TO DO, no fighting to fit it all in.
Now this doesn't mean it's not a struggle to get in the workouts, especially w/ one car & 2kids w/ different schedules. But it does mean, I make my schedule flexible. I refuse to get stressed out at the small stuff and to me working out is small. Important? Yes, but small. Because, when I'm stressed, I stress out my wife and kids. I used to tantrum about, pushing my schedule above all else and let everyone else accommodate me. So really, it only took about 10years, the last 2 I've been consciously making the effort to be more involved and be more accommodating. Man, my stress levels have come down so much. When the days allow me 2 or 3 workouts, I take em', if I was planning on 2 workouts but my job won't let me get away or Bree needs help w/ the kids, then so be it. I'll try to catch up tomorrow or the next day.
All that was in preface to last week's Spring Break trip to Bree's grandmother's house in rural Missouri. Ahhh, a week off from the 9 to 5, way out in the country, down at 1,400 feet elevation. I should be able to run and bike for miles and miles w/ out much need to plan around other things. Sounded good but as a many have said, LIFE HAPPENS. Needless to say, it wasn't what I imagined, w/ the schedule, the weather, the available places for safe running/biking. And you know what? I didn't care one bit. It would've been great to get in 2-a-days, running and biking up a ton of miles. Yeah, that's what I would've liked. But the things I did do, just as great. Time spent w/ family, sleeping late, staying up late playing chess and Uno w/the kids, listening to grandma tell stories. Very cool and very low stress.
So, I've lost a little conditioning and crashed my diet pretty good for a week. I'm pretty sure I'll live. I wasn't planning on a podium finish in any races this year.
That attitude is in stark contrast to the person I've been most of my life. I think it's only natural to be selfish when you're single and w/ out kids; I mean you're only taking care of and planning for yourself. I don't think 'selfish' is really an appropriate term for that. You can't be faulted for only doing the things you want to do when there's no one else at home, vying for a place in your schedule; needing help unexpectedly or wanting you to join them in they're daily activities; when you're the only one who benefits from doing what you want and/or suffers from not doing it. It took me so long to realize that being a husband and a father meant if I only did the things I wanted to then others suffered even if I benefited. And if I suffered from not doing MY things, it was of no benefit to whine about it and make others suffer with me. Being a team player, part of the family, and going for my individual goals are not mutually exclusive. I have to communicate a lot, plan out and schedule a lot more; and it helps everyone if I'm flexible with it. Because then I'm doing what I want alongside helping my teammates/ family memebers do what they want; and no one's bitter or feeling neglected and unheard.
Alright, whatever, I'm finding balance at 35 after more than 12 years of marriage and fatherhood. I do not deserve a scooby snack. A lot of people kind of figure that out before they say "I do" and plan for the responsibility of parenting and it's time demands. Yeah, I'm late to the game. Luckily my team waited for me to catch up heh?
In a nutshell, I'm pretty damn happy. Life could be better, yes. But it could be oh so much worse.
So Brett, is this Zen?
Explanation, not only does it just feel good, hanging w/ the family, doing what's easiest for us all to do; but it's EASIER. No stress, fretting about the things I'M NOT GETTING TO DO, no fighting to fit it all in.
Now this doesn't mean it's not a struggle to get in the workouts, especially w/ one car & 2kids w/ different schedules. But it does mean, I make my schedule flexible. I refuse to get stressed out at the small stuff and to me working out is small. Important? Yes, but small. Because, when I'm stressed, I stress out my wife and kids. I used to tantrum about, pushing my schedule above all else and let everyone else accommodate me. So really, it only took about 10years, the last 2 I've been consciously making the effort to be more involved and be more accommodating. Man, my stress levels have come down so much. When the days allow me 2 or 3 workouts, I take em', if I was planning on 2 workouts but my job won't let me get away or Bree needs help w/ the kids, then so be it. I'll try to catch up tomorrow or the next day.
All that was in preface to last week's Spring Break trip to Bree's grandmother's house in rural Missouri. Ahhh, a week off from the 9 to 5, way out in the country, down at 1,400 feet elevation. I should be able to run and bike for miles and miles w/ out much need to plan around other things. Sounded good but as a many have said, LIFE HAPPENS. Needless to say, it wasn't what I imagined, w/ the schedule, the weather, the available places for safe running/biking. And you know what? I didn't care one bit. It would've been great to get in 2-a-days, running and biking up a ton of miles. Yeah, that's what I would've liked. But the things I did do, just as great. Time spent w/ family, sleeping late, staying up late playing chess and Uno w/the kids, listening to grandma tell stories. Very cool and very low stress.
So, I've lost a little conditioning and crashed my diet pretty good for a week. I'm pretty sure I'll live. I wasn't planning on a podium finish in any races this year.
That attitude is in stark contrast to the person I've been most of my life. I think it's only natural to be selfish when you're single and w/ out kids; I mean you're only taking care of and planning for yourself. I don't think 'selfish' is really an appropriate term for that. You can't be faulted for only doing the things you want to do when there's no one else at home, vying for a place in your schedule; needing help unexpectedly or wanting you to join them in they're daily activities; when you're the only one who benefits from doing what you want and/or suffers from not doing it. It took me so long to realize that being a husband and a father meant if I only did the things I wanted to then others suffered even if I benefited. And if I suffered from not doing MY things, it was of no benefit to whine about it and make others suffer with me. Being a team player, part of the family, and going for my individual goals are not mutually exclusive. I have to communicate a lot, plan out and schedule a lot more; and it helps everyone if I'm flexible with it. Because then I'm doing what I want alongside helping my teammates/ family memebers do what they want; and no one's bitter or feeling neglected and unheard.
Alright, whatever, I'm finding balance at 35 after more than 12 years of marriage and fatherhood. I do not deserve a scooby snack. A lot of people kind of figure that out before they say "I do" and plan for the responsibility of parenting and it's time demands. Yeah, I'm late to the game. Luckily my team waited for me to catch up heh?
In a nutshell, I'm pretty damn happy. Life could be better, yes. But it could be oh so much worse.
So Brett, is this Zen?
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