I think I'll change this to an injury theme. That's more exciting to share that just my boring (to you) running routes.
Check this one out:
I fell on the ice yesterday going fast downhill about a block from my house. But I said to myself I gotta get these miles in! I just gotta! So I walked around for a bit and kinda continued on my way. I actually went the opposite direction but it didn't matter because it was just as icy everywhere.
11 miles later I was done and bleeding everywhere. Actually he blood was pretty dried/frozen.
In case you were wondering I did make it to 40 miles the other week, to update my last entry. In fact I made it fairly easily and then did it again the next week with no problem. It seemed like I would be breezing through these 40, 50, even 60 mile weeks like I was back in 2010. I couldn't wait for another week.
Unfortunately I am running no miles this week. I've been playing basketball the past couple of months and the explosiveness of my game, which has become a less than natural way to move for me, has taken it's toll on my joints. Specifically my left knee, and only my left knee. I'd been able to power through for a while, but not this week. The knee, combined with the self-diagnosed perceived Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the warm rainy day-followed by the cold slushy day-followed by the day cold enough to freeze all the rain and slush put me in a sour enough mood to hang up the Sauconys for the week. Instead of heading out for the glorious freedom of random trails and fresh air every morning I'm playing an hour of video games to start the day. Barf.
At least it's just this week. No races to prepare for, yet. Relatively warmish weather is kind of just around one of these corners coming up. And I haven't gone a full week without running since like 2005 so this week just has to completely heal my knee, right? I'm quite confident consistent 47 mile weeks and beyond are heading my way.
I mean who wants to go out in this garbage right now? At first it's really pretty but after three months it's very unappealing.
40 miles is the magic number to get for the week. I'm at about 20 now and am posting this to have some accountability in getting the second 20 in the next three days. Normally that shouldn't be too tough, but it's going to be in the single digits or below zero for the next three days.
Here's what I have so far: RunKeeper profile
I really don't mind running in the snow at all, but I can't wait for warm weather.
Here we have a few winter scenes. There is Winona, MN, the Milwaukee River, and the parking lot at the Summerfest grounds.
Finally starting to get back into regular daily running. In Winona this past weekend I went out with my father in law, who is also an avid runner. We did a 7 mile out and back outside of Winona along the Mississippi River. You can see the map here:
The pace was really good considering I haven't been running much lately and he's 50 I think. It was a lot of fun. It made me realize I really like running with people. So if anyone wants to run with me you can. Doesn't matter how fast you are or think you are. I'm usually starting at Gordon Park by my house, so meet me there any time.
Winona is beautiful and is a great river town to run in.
These pictures are not quite the same
Anyway. Getting up at 4 am tomorrow to fit it a few miles. Can't wait. Remember, Gordon Park is where I usually start if you want to join me in the morning. See you there.
June 8th and 9th was the Ragnar Relay from Madison to Chicago. Ragnar is a series of regional relays that cover around 200 miles and go for almost two full days. It's a fun even more than a race and most teams come up with funny names for their teams and decorate their vans accordingly. Most teams are made up of 12 runners and travel in two vans. Each van takes three sections of the 200 mile course. After each leg the van can go rest somewhere for three or four hours before meeting up with the other van to take over. Each runner runs three legs, somewhere between 5 and 10 miles each.
While it is a ton of fun, it's also very physically taxing. You drive and run through the night, don't sleep much if at all, and run 18 miles in less than two days. You also are supposed to predict your average pace per mile. I went with a 6:45 which is easily doable, but running hard then stopping and sitting for a few hours, then running hard and stopping and sitting in a car for a fews hours makes the legs pretty stiff. It was also 90 degrees during the day so the sweat and clothing can lead to serious chaffing, which I don't usually get, but did this time. In the bag they give to each team was a can of something called "Dry Goods". It's basically Gold Bond in an aerosol can with menthol for cooling. Let me tell you, it felt great.
Our team name was Mad-Chi (Madison-Chicago) Disease: Crazed Holsteins. We were given costumes made by our captain that were cow themed complete with ears and pinnies spray painted with black spots. They really looked like cows. We embraced the part with mooing and milking.
There was an unfortunate part of our decorations in that we had a mural of some tired runners. One of them was hunched over in exhaustion and one was so tired he fell onto all fours. It turns out they were drawn a little too close together and it looked like they passing the baton, to make up my own track-themed euphemism. Well of course that caused quite a stir among the rest of the teams. Every hand off location we pulled into came with the audible thud of the volunteer's and other team's jaws hitting the ground. It was kind of funny to see all the heads turning as we drove past. We left it up because at closer looks it was obvious what it was intended to be, plus our 55 year old mother in law grandmother team captain is the one who drew it. So it had to stay.
As far as running I ran a 6.5 or so mile leg on the Ice Age Trail to Dousman, WI. That was a fun one and I did it with about a 6:10 average pace which is flying for me. It was 6.5 miles (I think) in 37 minutes. It was also really hot. The next leg was a 7 miler at 2 in the morning through Racine. It ended at the Prairie School whatever that is. I was a little behind my anticipated pass but whatever. The last leg was through the Northwestern University campus. 5 miles and I got to run past their silly football stadium. Always great to combine two of my biggest hobbies, running and college football. That leg I got to the finish line about ten minutes before my van did so it seemed faster than it was.
All in all it's a very fun event. One I recommend to anyone who has the chance. They also put them on in Minnesota, Tennessee, Nevada, Florida, and others.
Every time I put up a video I use songs I guess I'm not supposed to. I'll still try. I think it's ok as long as I don't put them on youtube. Anyone who knows about that kind of stuff let me know what I can do.
