Day Off

I usually take mondays off after a loaded weekend.  My workouts have started increasing in length as the new year approaches, so today is a nice time for a break.  Coulda/shoulda ridden my bike to work today, but I was tired from the weekend's travel (6 hours of driving total).

Left laptop power cord in Pert.  No computer for a few days.  Kinda nice...

Told Huck last night that I kinda feel like Cleo is partially my dog since she's running with me now.  She's a community/farm dog, so I think I have a 10% share.  I need to remember to bring her a treat on my next visit.

Will use day off tomorrow to catch up on posting blogs and updating tech stuff for the three podcasts I'm involved in.  That and a nice long bike ride.

Breakfast - cereal

Snack - half of a pb and j sandwich before lunch, half after

Lunch - Asian salad at Micky D's

Dinner - Dunno yet.

Will try to not drink too much at New Year's parties tonight. Both parties are within a walk home, so no worries.  I thought it would be funny to show up at the one that is about 1.5 miles from my house on my bike.

"Where can I park my bike?"

"What?  You rode your bike?"

"Yup!  No DWIs, ride the sidewalk home so I stay off the street, and I got two cup holders!" (hiccup!)

Gained a Running Buddy this Weekend

I've started following a few blogs of pro trail runners that blog their workouts on a daily basis. It looks like a lot of fun and made me a bit envious, so I'm going to try to blog my workouts for a while. We'll see if it works out. I also want to write a book soon. I've heard that writing a lot helps you become a better writer, so this is great practice.

Spent both days of the past weekend running. Actually, been running a lot lately. I learned to do things by time instead of by distance, just like the pros do, while being trained by a coach all last year. We went to the training farm near Tyler, TX and I left my bike behind, planning on running 2 hours both days. Distance is secondary to time. This is how things panned out:

Saturday - 12.0 miles at just a fraction under a 10 minute mile, 1:58:+. I was on hilly asphalt roads, deep in the woods and one car length wide. Started hurting a little at the end.

Sunday - 10.6 miles on an abandoned logging road, 2:00:00. Haven't figured out the pace, was just doing it as a recovery run. Most of the run was on sand covered with a bed of pine needles. I think it was the softest yet most stable surface I've ever encountered. It was an absolute dream to run on.

One of the farm dogs ran with me the entire day Sunday. Cleo is a Golden Retriever and was enjoying the romp. I usually don't run with a dog that distance and especially off the leash, but this trail was crazy close to the farm and very safe, so I let her tag along. I've got two great running dogs of my own, but after running with Cleo, I feel like I've got a third. She's my new running buddy!

I'm shocked that my legs aren't beat up worse than they are. I'm taking tomorrow off and will try for a long bike ride on New Year's Day. Out.

Trail Running at Night!

Join me and Chris as we flaunt the law and run on closed trails AT NIGHT! I also play some cool music, go over some gear, and we decide exactly what and who is wrong with the world today. Come along for the run and don't forget your flashlight!

SHOWNOTES

• Swimming at pool in the AM before work.


• First time in the pool since IM Wisconsin


• Mix in some pushups with your workout.


• Dodging trash.


• They've fixed the locker rooms.


• Resident coach started yelling at me.


• Should I swim in the Distance Lane?


• We go trail running at night in secret.


• Slow pace - 2 min walk, 2 min run. Needed some adventure.


• Recording with mic clipped to visor.


• Use LED lights, people!


• Hold your flashlight low to highlight roots and holes.


• Gear - visor, regular jogging clothes, Inov8 trail shoes, Petzl head lamp, Tectite flashlights.


• Gear Highlight - Chris's Green Teclite  and Amphipod pack.


• Holding your flashlight still is a skill.


• Green light is easier on the eyes.


• Are we going to be attacked by a boar?


• What's wrong with America? People who won't let us work in flip-flops, that's what!


• Don't let your guard down while running at night.


• I hate technology.


• Still hating technology.


• Sample guitar from DethChatter


• Run the trail in the day a few times before you do it at night.


• Chris almost dies.


• When will we Tripalooza?


• Running with NO LIGHTS.


• Comments on Calicos in the Cosmos.


• I am NOT peeing in the woods.


• Should I get a Mac? Leave a comment on this blog (password is BMC).


• Do I have plantar fasciatis? How should I treat it?


• I get lost.


• Send me audio to play on the show at texafornia at gmail dot com.

Jetpack is Coming for My Soul

Just days after being spied in the Northeastern woods, Jetpack shows up just one Texas city away.  Seems that Triboomer reeled in the beast to Dallas and shaved/naired all the wilderness right off of him.

Honestly, this scares me.  I spent hours (minutes) plotting his trajectory on various maps, charts, and backs of receipts taped together to make a giant back-of-mega-receipt, and it looks as if he's aimed right at the heart of Texafornia.  And look at those beady eyes.  My blood runs cold just... looking... back... at... them...

Whoa!  He almost had me there.  Better get back to nailing boards across my windows.

Jetpack Spotted in the Wild

I was tracking back some links to my blog and stumbled across a Jetpack sighting. Seems that an unfortunate distance runner was on some trails and was accosted by a haggardly, disheveled, shell of a triathlete. The tri-beast was wandering the forest, presumably still trying to find the finish line to Ironman Wisconsin.

I am calling in the National Guard to air drop Jetpack some rations and self confidence.