Great Run

Date: 10/18/10
Time: 9:00 p.m.

What a great run! It had it all! Cool weather, rain, a philosophical discussion with myself, my dog Buster (who cut the course!!!) and somewhere along the way, a skunk. I am so happy I went out. I put on my HRM and socks and sat around waiting for supper to settle, knowing if I just sat, I'd talk myself out of it. (the run) Let's face it, while putting my socks on, while stretching, pretty much for quite some time, I was questioning my desire to go. Last year sometime, I bought what I thought was cold weather running gear. Long sleeve skin tight tech stuff. It is not warm, at all. Heck, on my body it is see through. Anyway, wore that and was cold for parts of this run. I started out slow - noticed I was going at a 9:22 pace but I didn't care. My goal for this run was to run - no walking - no quitting early or anything like that. Just run.

In the first 500 yards I was seeing what appeared to be itty bitty rain drops. That started the philosophy discussion. Was God testing my reserve? He wants to see if I will HTFU and go on. Wait...he wouldn't say that. Well, He did create that word, didn't He? Doesn't mean He'd use it though...I believe evil exists, and the only reason evil exists is because of an absence of God, because that is why there is darkness, it is the absence of light...and wait...this is getting to heavy for a late night run...back to dodging puddles (and the “rain” quit anyway - for a bit).

I was pretty chilled for the first mile or so, and I finished that mile in 9:19. Not bad. I'm not pushing myself anyway, but lets run this second one faster. Second mile has the overpass in it, so it's a challenge that I'm up for. Climb to the top of the pass - and - wait - what's that smell? Hmph. light skunk scent. Wonder if one got hit on the interstate or what? Thank goodness this is an out and back route and I'll get another chance to smell it! Then it started raining. Not hard, but it was a cold rain. Almost started the discussion again, but I kept going. Hit the 2 mile mark, (haven’t seen Buster in a while…) and decided I wanted to do a little more than 4, so I kept going, found a decent place to turn around ( a t-road) and went back. After a short quarter - found Buster staring at me – eyes glowing in my headlight. I wondered how far behind me he was. Oh - the mile 2 split was 9:08. Goal accomplished.

Maybe I can make mile 3 even faster. Mile 3 will include the same pass. (The rain had long stopped. Only lasted a couple minutes) Back over the pass, and only a very brief whiff of the skunk. Mile 3 hit on the downside of the pass - and it was 9:11. Close, oh well, but I am not stopping or slowing down now! At about mile 3.3 - 3.4 - there's that smell again - Oh Lord, don't tell me I got hit by it. I looked at my watch - noticed that I might be able to "save" this run- make it an ave. 9 mm pace - so I hit the gas. Wouldn't you know it -I did it! The last mile split was 8:11. Now, I know my first 3 miles were not incredibly fast - but I was pretty happy to have cut 1 minute off of my last split.
When I got home, did a small stretch - and I'll be - there was the smell again. It must have been in the grass. I hope. Went inside, my wife confirmed I did not smell of skunk. After she bent down to get some Tupperware out of the cabinet, she noticed there was a slight odor where I had been standing. She later went outside and commented that the little dog (who stayed home) smelled faintly of skunk. Who knows. I’m just happy over the run – and really happy I didn’t have to bathe in tomato juice.

Interesting game

The week in review

It has been a busy week. Monday was spent trying to catch up on work and the K of C meeting Monday night. On Tuesday afternoon I attended the quarterly meeting of the Prosecutors Resource Network. There are some good ideas and they want me to do a training and I'm flattered such a request was made. On Wednesday I started a trial on a guy for dui (his 5th) and driving while revoked and fleeing and eluding. He ran 10+ stop signs while running from the cops. The trial finished on Thursday and the jury was out for 20 minutes before they returned a guilty verdict on all counts. Friday was spent playing more catch-up and getting ready for next weeks pre trials. Going to be a busy weekend too. Hope the weather improves!

Fall Festival 5K

It's finally over - and I think it went very well. There are several areas I need to improve, but overall I am pleased with how things went. We are considering adding a tot trot, a fun run and a 10K. I will most certainly need some help in the planning and execution of this plan, but I think it is doable. I may put some pictures up here at some point. Right now, I'm still plenty exhausted and I have several trials this week. That is all for now. Except of course to say Happy Birthday to my dad. Thanks for all your help!

New Journey

I did a little research and have discovered that I am 15 pounds heavier now than I was 1 year ago. I am going to start P90X again on Monday, log my calories and try to drop 25 before Christmas.

Wish me luck.

Howl At the Moon Ultra

It was overcast and muggy for the first 2 hours or so - and then the sun came out and it was brutal. I made the first two laps without much problem and then walked the third lap. By that time I had begun to develop a couple of bliters - one on each foot. I very slowly walked the fourth lap....I think - and that was after taking a break. I was at 15.5 miles at 4.00 hours in and at that point I knew I was not going to make the 10 laps I had hoped. (It's 3.29 miles per loop) After 6 laps in I took a long rest break. It was now 5 hours 48 minutes in....and my Garmin died. I finally got up and did another lap and now there was only 1 hour and 6 minutes to go. In order for your lap to count, you had to make it back and check in with your scorer before time ran out. I decided I would try one more and headed out with 53 minutes to go. I was bugging people by me asking anyone with a watch how much time was left. At the aid station (which was now giving out pizza and margaritas) I thought I had made a big mistake as I was now hurting really bad. [Actually, the aid station had that, and coronas the last two laps I did. I did not partake - although part of me wishes I did - then again, I wouldn't have made it] In any event, I made it in for the last lap with 6 minutes to spare - and my scorer says "are you going out for the out and backs?" (1/4 mile each way) and I said....nooooooo.
They did have good post (and during, actually) nurtition. Chicken, green beans and I don't know what all else (Melanie was nice of enough to make my plate) the beer was good (it was cold) and plentiful. There was also an outdoor shower. It's the first time I showered with 6 other people at one time - and the first time co-ed for me. :) They gave out tons of awards (I'll post a pic of mine on FB later) It would have been nice to stick around - but - I really needed to get cleaned up. I think they had bands playing later. I'm glad I did this race - but not sure I'll ever do it again.
Oh - oddly enough - the Garmin snapped back to life at about 830 sitting in my living room. It must have just gotten overheated. (like me)

Award recipients

From the left. Knight of the year, Grand Knight, Noble Knight, Family of the Year.