I've Had Better Weeks

This week started okay but ended very poorly.  I was feeling pretty pumped after last week's big effort.  I took Monday off to rest from the big weekend and got in a nice run with a friend Tuesday morning.  Wednesday turned out to be real busy, but I got in a few miles late that afternoon with another good friend.  Thursday was completely open but crazy cold (like 18) so I stayed inside, did homework, and pulled a double shift on the Vandy climbing wall.  Friday - nothing.  Saturday I met some experienced runners and friends to get in one more long run before Mist.  I am not as concerned (maybe naively/unwisely) about taper with this race as I was with the marathon.  Plus, these late big runs give me confidence which will most likely turn out to be more value than rest when I am struggling along on the course at mile 25.  It was a cold, overcast, and windy afternoon.  The route was kind of a hodge podge collection and connection of the Warner Parks and left more to be desired.  That's all okay though.  What got me was the terrible iritation and rubbing I am getting on my feet.  The inside of both big toes and ball of the foot are blistering from my shoes.  I plan on getting some insoles and really lubing up for the big day.  Maybe the insoles are a risk, but if I don't do something, I will end up with nasty feet after about 15miles.  So as you can see, it was a lackluster week of running.  Actually, ever since the marathon my running has been inconsistent.  It has been pretty enjoyable though, especially the trail days.

Most of the reason for not running much at the end of the week is that I am battling sickness.  I am pretty congested, have a runny nose, and have not slept well.  Just now I am starting to feel better.  Hopefully it gets through me before the race.

Sickness not only makes me weaker physically but also emotionally.  I was already mopey this week, but some really bad news came Thursday.  Backstory - my parents own quite a few miniature horses to breed and show (but mostly to pet and enjoy).  We also have some other animals, including 4 dogs - a black lab, a weimaraner, her pup which is probably 1/2 pitbull, and a mini schnauzer.  Well, Thursday my dad got a call on the cell while he was working that the 3 large dogs were attacking one of the minis.  The neighbor's son broke it up fortunately but not before substantial damage was done to the horse.  The vet was called and the horse cared for.  The vet recommended that all 3 dogs be put down lest they attack again.  My parents agreed.  Gandalf, the black lab, was really old and had problems walking.  He was very sweet and spent much of his time indoors now.  Dana, the weimaraner, was probably the most gentle and affectionate dog I know.  The insisted on always being near you and had adorable long ears.  Bernie Mac was her son.  He was black with a white chest, had her long ears but a more square face.  He was a handful, loved to dig out, and always required monitoring.  Dana and Bernie spent most hours in the garage to control his insatiable urge to get out and fight with the neighbor dogs.  By fight I mean he would run along the fence and bark while they attempted to rip his face open.  On more than one occasion he had to have medical treatment after they bit him - he was a lover, not a fighter.  Bernie was my dog.  My mom and I rescued him and Dana from a home when I was in high school.  She was tied to a lawnmower in a dirt yard with food strewn on the ground.  I insisted on taking him along with his mama when we got there.  He was adorable.  Gandalf was also an adoptee, from a teacher at the school.  Of course, we cannot be certain of exactly what happened.  It perplexes me because they were so sweet to us and had never caused trouble with the horses before.  It was very sad and affected all of my family members.  My older sister delivered the news Thursday morning to me via phone.

Finally, the week was unsuccessful in regards to dating.  I finally got the nerve to ask out a good friend of mine of whom I am especially fond.  Unfortunately, though, things did not work out.  That's all I will say.  

All in all, I've had better weeks.  Hopefully next week will be one of those.

Biggest Week to Date

yeah, I'm serious.  This past week I ran a total of 45.5 miles.  Twenty-seven of those came on Saturday and Sunday - 13.3 mi on Saturday in Fairview, TN, and 14 mi on Sunday on the Natchez Trace trail outside of town.  

Saturday's run came on a rainy day yielding very soggy shoes.  Four of us headed out to Fairview in hopes of two 7.5mi loops.  We did the first in about 1hr, and I was the only one feeling half decent.  All my buddies were somewhat ailing.  Three of us continued on for another lap but got mixed up and only did about 6mi or so.  I got in an extra mile at a faster pace and we called it a day.  That rainy weather actually kind of gets me in the zone.  I had my classic "Jimmy Carter, peanut farmer" trucker hat on - my designated trail running hat.

Sunday was another good day.  The trail runs pretty much parallel to the scenic and historic Natchez Trace Parkway.  It is a single trail which is not very well maintained.  That means it is fairly technical with lots of loose rocks and some stream crossings.  One buddy rolled an ankle, but he toughed it out.  We did a nice 14mi out and back on a cool day.  

That made for a tough weekend.  That was my first double long weekend.  I was pretty darn tired Sunday afternoon and my left achilles/ankle was pretty sore.  I plan on hittin it hard again this week, going back-to-back long again this weekend before takin it easy the week before Mountain Mist.  It's comin quick...

The Holidays

This ends week #2 of winter break.  So far, it has been very nice.  I left Nashville on a Friday, drove to north Georgia to spend the night with my uncle, aunt and cousins.  I then drove down to Gainesville, FL, to spend a couple nights with my sister and brother-in-law, who are in med and pharm school, respectively.  Go Gators!  Finally, on Monday, I drove home to Brooksville.

My running has been mediocre.  I ran short 3-4milers on Mon, Wed, and Thurs, followed by a long run on Saturday on the trail.  The three short runs all felt bad.  My legs feel tired; my left achilles is very sore, and my right shin would tighten up.  I don't know what is going on.  I wanted to do the 15mi trail loop on Saturday out at the Withlacoochee State Forest.  The trail is all sandy, sunny, singletrack the the oak and pines of central Florida.  I was feeling pretty good and going along fine until I took a wrong turn.  The bonus miles added about 2mi and some scenic lakeside running.  As I was looking at a map, I flagged down a ranger in his SUV.  After asking him for directions and if the park had any water, I soon learned that he knew nothing and was absolutely useless.  I'm glad I wasn't in any danger.  After getting back on track, I ran for a few more miles and then just felt worn out.  It wasn't so much a wall feeling, just tired and sore already.  Not really feeling like pushing myself mentally or physically, I decided to walk the last mile or two back to the car.  All together I probably did around 12 or so.  I am not really sure.  It was over 2.5h though and a beautiful day.  Hopefully, I can just start feeling better and doing better.  Those 31 miles in Huntsville are going to be a bear at this rate.

Christmas was great.  The family all enjoyed nice family meals on Christmas eve and Christmas lunch.  Our tradition is to go to the gramps' place on Eve to eat dinner and open gifts from family (as opposed to those from Santa).  The last few years we have enjoyed prime rib and fixins.  After dinner we all sit down and distribute the gifts.  Then we go around and open them one at a time in age order, so my little sister starts.  This was the first Christmas for my sister and her husband, so it was nice to share with them.  It was also the first Christmas that she was not at home Christmas morning.  When we wake up, which came around 9am this year, we first eat some breakfast.  The grandparents used to come over early but now they wait until lunchtime.  My parents and we children gather around and enjoying present opening - round 2, again by age.  All together, it was a very nice holiday spent with family!

I have also gotten some good hangout time with friends this break.  My buddy got me into tie-dying, so we have done a couple batches.  This time, I dyed 3 shirts and a set of bed sheets.  They turned out really well, and my collection is growing.  Also, today I am getting some good hangout time with a friend who is home from Fairbanks.  Yesterday there was a 99degree difference in temp from Fairbanks (-32 F) and Brooksville (67 F).  Welcome home!

Some relevant gift highlights include a new Timex Ironman watch (w/ lap memory) and money for a climbing rope and draws.  I am drawn to the Petzl stuff, but may go with BD or Metolius.  If you have any suggestions feel free to post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!