What a Father’s Day weekend. Of course the highlight was me spending time with my kids. Luke had 2 baseball games…his team won the Sunday’s 2:30 game…heat index at about 100 F…and I was sweating like a whore in church.
On the training front, I have NO heat acclimation yet. I have been doing most of my runs in the very early morning or very late at night….and with the mild spring…I am feeling it when I run with some higher temps. When we took off at 8:45PM on Saturday evening, it was 95 F. I do know that at this point last year, I was much better in the heat.
Saturday had scheduled a 2 a-day run as I met some runners early morning 6:30 AM to run a 5 mile run on the Erwin Park Trail…running hard. At 8:45 PM, I met Lynn Ballard, Mark Blendon, for the evening run. Rochelle Frazuer showed up later at about 10:30PM. Lynn wanted to show us the new trails he helped build at the Frito Lay property. All I can say is that the 3.5 mile loop is incredible with some climbs, some rocks, some roots…a good challenge. Lynn thought it would be good to take off at a quick pace to familiarize the trail at least once in the day light. We whipped through a couple of loops rather quickly and things felt decent, but I could tell that the heat was getting to me. At about mile 8, the stomach was nauseous and I had to drop Lynn’s pace if I was going to run a full 20 miles. Miles 8 through 16, I lingered behind, Lynn and company, but never too far behind…always able to regroup with the company a few minutes later at our self supported aid station in the parking lot. I remember having a “come to Jesus” meeting with myself at about midnight on the trial in regards of not getting in the driver’s seat and driving home at the next aid station stop. I do have to admit that part of my sick self enjoys the solitude of suffering on the trail. No one to talk to except the constant conversation with that little voice in my mind that keeps telling me that normal people don’t do this to themselves. In the words of Mark, “In Ultras, you have to keep running when it quits being fun.” In miles 14 to 16 the stomach improved a bit but it had quit being fun. The group had decided to knock out 4 miles on the crushed stone walking trail that circumnavigates the Frito Lay Property (at my suggestion.) The night breeze actually made it feel cool at this point…of course it’s all relative. I learned about Rochelle finishing the last 5 miles of a 200 mile race in flip flops…at this point I was able to actual smile at that.
At 2:00AM I had wrapped up 20 miles and was going to call it a night. Lynn, Mark and Rochelle were going on…remember Lynn and Mark will be toeing the line at the Hardrock 100. Some people would consider the night I had a horrible training run. I think of it differently….only as an opportunity to press on when it would be really easy to quit and go to bed. I plan on to doing some runs in the heat these next few weeks to acclimate myself. Until then Run On…even when it ain’t fun!
POST NOTE: Lynn's son, Keith joined us for a few miles. Unfortunately, because I was lagging, I didn't get to talk much with him. I expect we'll see more of him out there with his dad.
Day at the Office
All Terrain Vehicle
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Chaff Was Burned
...he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matt. 3:12
When I run alone all night, it is a far cry from apocalyptic; although it may seem like it at 0300 in the morning. The loneliness only intensifies any suffering the body is doing and it is during these times that my mind is purified. In the words of the apostle Matthew, the chaff is burned up. My thoughts are turned to what is important and they come to realized that juice stains on the carpet brought forth by my three year old is not something to get upset about. The tiny fingerprints left by three kids on the computer screen, are not only temporal but trivial...that the soul is more important than the body and at this point the body is hurting. Running alone at night tends to cause me to reflect on these things.
So when I got an email from a fellow North Texas Trail Runner, Lynn Ballard, about an all night on Friday, running on some new trails...I responded, "I am in." It appeared that there would be a good group of us, but the previous days of a rain deluge left the trails unrunnable and the plans for the night run with the group to be rescheduled at a later time. Knowing Lynn was going to be running at some point on the weekend, I inquired of his plans. Partially because I needed to get a long run in and partially because I wanted to be held accountable. He responds, "Lets still run on Friday night. I got a 7.5 mile loop on the golf course. Meet at my house. Call me when you get in from the Bill Cosby concert...I will wait for you."
The week had taking it's toll both physically and mentally and frankly I was dreading this run....but I cannot leave Lynn hanging out to dry. At a 10:45 PM I call Lynn and tell him I am on my way.
The humidity had turned the warm Texas air into a sauna. Lynn and I look at each other and mutually say to one another, "let's get this thing done." Despite the humidity the chaff began to be swept from the threshing floor into the fire. But this time it was different. It was not from the pain or the loneliness, but from camaraderie between two guys running into the night. We begin talking about what is important...what is not....lessons learned from the four 100 milers Lynn has finished. (Lynn is training for the Hardrock 100 miler with no garantee he will get in...he is on the waiting list.) Lynn's 3 kids are grown and he is about 12 to 15 years further down the road than I am in that respect. We talked about what is important to impart to your kids, what running does for the soul. We talked about patriotic things, about spiritually things, about things that actually mattered. We talked about courage and heros. The kind of heros that give up their gunners' seat in a helicopter so that Lynn's uncle could get medivaced out of a hot zone in Vietnam. The chaff was burned.
From a long run standpoint, it was not my best run by far. I didn't go quite as long as I wanted and the humidity beat me up pretty good... the legs just didn't seem to have it. It still was on of the best nights of running.
Hopefully, Lynn gets into the Hardrock. If not, he will pace someone...probably through the night...it is best that way. The chaff will be burned. What is important will be left unquenched. Running does that...and so I run on!
When I run alone all night, it is a far cry from apocalyptic; although it may seem like it at 0300 in the morning. The loneliness only intensifies any suffering the body is doing and it is during these times that my mind is purified. In the words of the apostle Matthew, the chaff is burned up. My thoughts are turned to what is important and they come to realized that juice stains on the carpet brought forth by my three year old is not something to get upset about. The tiny fingerprints left by three kids on the computer screen, are not only temporal but trivial...that the soul is more important than the body and at this point the body is hurting. Running alone at night tends to cause me to reflect on these things.
So when I got an email from a fellow North Texas Trail Runner, Lynn Ballard, about an all night on Friday, running on some new trails...I responded, "I am in." It appeared that there would be a good group of us, but the previous days of a rain deluge left the trails unrunnable and the plans for the night run with the group to be rescheduled at a later time. Knowing Lynn was going to be running at some point on the weekend, I inquired of his plans. Partially because I needed to get a long run in and partially because I wanted to be held accountable. He responds, "Lets still run on Friday night. I got a 7.5 mile loop on the golf course. Meet at my house. Call me when you get in from the Bill Cosby concert...I will wait for you."
The week had taking it's toll both physically and mentally and frankly I was dreading this run....but I cannot leave Lynn hanging out to dry. At a 10:45 PM I call Lynn and tell him I am on my way.
The humidity had turned the warm Texas air into a sauna. Lynn and I look at each other and mutually say to one another, "let's get this thing done." Despite the humidity the chaff began to be swept from the threshing floor into the fire. But this time it was different. It was not from the pain or the loneliness, but from camaraderie between two guys running into the night. We begin talking about what is important...what is not....lessons learned from the four 100 milers Lynn has finished. (Lynn is training for the Hardrock 100 miler with no garantee he will get in...he is on the waiting list.) Lynn's 3 kids are grown and he is about 12 to 15 years further down the road than I am in that respect. We talked about what is important to impart to your kids, what running does for the soul. We talked about patriotic things, about spiritually things, about things that actually mattered. We talked about courage and heros. The kind of heros that give up their gunners' seat in a helicopter so that Lynn's uncle could get medivaced out of a hot zone in Vietnam. The chaff was burned.
From a long run standpoint, it was not my best run by far. I didn't go quite as long as I wanted and the humidity beat me up pretty good... the legs just didn't seem to have it. It still was on of the best nights of running.
Hopefully, Lynn gets into the Hardrock. If not, he will pace someone...probably through the night...it is best that way. The chaff will be burned. What is important will be left unquenched. Running does that...and so I run on!
Monday, June 8, 2009
School's OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a photo intensive post so you won't have to deal with so much prose...yay for me and yay for ya'll. Friday was the beginning of summer. So Saturday morning up early at 0530 to get a 6.5 mile trail run. I had planned to knock out this little run at Arbor Hills in half a heartbeat. It was a struggle.
Luke had a baseball game at 0930 so I came back after my run, took a shower and we were ready to roll. I help coach and the head coach would be absent for the game. Since we play modified coach pitch at this age, yours truly had to deliver the ball to the plate for our batters to hit. Needless to say the Cubs have got to work on some hitting...much like the major league team. Luke plays the catcher position. He has always wanted to play catcher. I have tried to talk him out of it telling him it's hard on the body. I ought to know, I played it through high school. Problem: much like me, he ain't listening to his old man...my dad tried to tell me the same thing...kinda makes me proud.
Luke had a baseball game at 0930 so I came back after my run, took a shower and we were ready to roll. I help coach and the head coach would be absent for the game. Since we play modified coach pitch at this age, yours truly had to deliver the ball to the plate for our batters to hit. Needless to say the Cubs have got to work on some hitting...much like the major league team. Luke plays the catcher position. He has always wanted to play catcher. I have tried to talk him out of it telling him it's hard on the body. I ought to know, I played it through high school. Problem: much like me, he ain't listening to his old man...my dad tried to tell me the same thing...kinda makes me proud.
That afternoon, Luke wanted to go ice skating...so there we were...looking like Bambi on ice. We escaped any real harm and went to a much safer location...The LEGO store in the mall. BIG Fun I tell you...don't know who enjoys that more, me or Luke.
Sunday Morning up again for a 0530 trail run at Erwin Park. I was meeting some real gazelles out there, but that doesn't bother me as I plow ahead as need be. I had planned to go 10 to 12 miles. Again, it was a big struggle. I think that last weekend's race was still taking it's toll on my body. I mailed it in at 8 miles and got ready for church. Sunday afternoon consisted of flying a kite with Macy and playing Bocce Ball with Luke. AD/HD Rocks.
Latter this month I am going to take art classes with Macy. She loves the arts and it helps me develop the right side of the brain. Something that being creative in Magic - slight of hand does as well. I have had requests to post some video of me preforming magic and someday I plan on getting to that...Hope you all had a great weekend and upcoming summer. I also hope to get my running mojo back because as of now I have an all night run planned for Friday night.
Yesterday I was reminded of my mortality. I will cover this at a later date. Running helps me relieve the stress and to focus. It helps me be a better husband. It helps me be a better father...and so I RUN ON!
Macy at her end of school dance recital a couple of weeks ago
End of School.....yeeeah Babyeeeeeeeeeee!
Hope and her neighborhood friend...Hope refuse to take her bike helmet off...already preping for her first triathalon.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
WHO'S YOUR DADDY?
“He feels but the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself." - Job 14:22
What a weekend…Saturday morning, after Luke’s 0800 baseball game I took of for the 4 hour drive to Austin. I would be staying at Dylan’s place while he was off on his weekend adventures. You see, Dylan and Daniel are brothers that grew up where I grew up, in Levelland Texas. They are about 7 to 8 years younger than me and I remember them since before they could walk. Furthermore Daniel married my one of my best friends younger sister….Leslie. They now all live in Austin Texas and Dylan lives about ½ mile from Daniel…so there you have it. Dylan is a single and between jobs…so he is doing something that I think is the coolest…he is touring all the Texas State Parks on his bicycle. I caught up to him Saturday before he took off to a nearby state park with his bike’s saddle bags loaded down. (I regret I didn’t get a picture of Dylan taking off on his bike.) Crashing at someone else’s place so that I can go do a trail run reminded me a lot of my college days. It was great to catch up with Dylan, Daniel, and Leslie.
Saturday morning, I was up by 0500 and headed to Emma Long Park to run the Rogue Race – The Loop 30 K for the second year. I got to the course about an hour before the 0700 start. This gave me a chance to catch up to my buddy Dmitry. He just came off of a brutal MMT 100 mile finish and has the Western States 100 miler in 3 weeks…just another training run for him. Why standing around conversing, I hear one runner say that this is his first ever trail race. I told him it was mine as well…last year. He respond that he read a guys blog about the race and determined to run it…come to find out…it was this here blog…I really hope he doesn’t hate me to much.
At 0700, Joe Prusaitis, starts the 30K and we’re off. Knowing the course and a year of trail racing experience, I was running well and feeling great. The course is really rocky and there are a lot of ups and downs. All the lunges with weights and core training paid off. The first loop (6.2 miles) was done and I felt really good. Two more to go. I press on and still felt really good. Last year at the ½ way point I felt like it became the Death March. This year at the ½ way point, I felt really good still and still had a sense of humor. At about 0930, the sun and humidity started to unleash and toward the end of the 2nd loop I was beginning to feel it. Because I was feeling so well the first 2 loops, I don’t think I was hydrating to the hilt…like I should. I was taking electrolytes and fueling, but by the third loop the heat started to take it’s toll. I had not been doing much heat training and now I could tell. My stomach was getting nauseas and I had some mild cramping in my calves. My heart rate was also high and I couldn’t get it down. The 3rd and final loop was about finishing. When I crossed the finish line my time showed 25 minutes faster than last year. I was cramping and felt like throwing up but still in better shape than the previous year. After 45 minutes of recovery I was good to go.
I talked with Joe Prusaitis a bit at the end of the race and asked him why this Godforsaken race is so tough…Bandera 50K was easier, the Grasslands 50 miler didn’t torment me as such. “It’s the heat and humidity, Dave,” Joe’s response, “A little cooler and this course would be a lot easier.” I wished Joe the best as he will run the Hardrock 100 miler in early June...100 miles in the Colorado altitude. Every year I think that someday I want to run the Badwater 135 miler through Death Valley in August. Every summer I mark that off the list. Every winter I put it back on there.
In closing, I did a lot better than last year. I still have a long way to go. Never underestimate the heat and humidity….get some heat training before this little jewel of a race. Until next time, Run On!
What a weekend…Saturday morning, after Luke’s 0800 baseball game I took of for the 4 hour drive to Austin. I would be staying at Dylan’s place while he was off on his weekend adventures. You see, Dylan and Daniel are brothers that grew up where I grew up, in Levelland Texas. They are about 7 to 8 years younger than me and I remember them since before they could walk. Furthermore Daniel married my one of my best friends younger sister….Leslie. They now all live in Austin Texas and Dylan lives about ½ mile from Daniel…so there you have it. Dylan is a single and between jobs…so he is doing something that I think is the coolest…he is touring all the Texas State Parks on his bicycle. I caught up to him Saturday before he took off to a nearby state park with his bike’s saddle bags loaded down. (I regret I didn’t get a picture of Dylan taking off on his bike.) Crashing at someone else’s place so that I can go do a trail run reminded me a lot of my college days. It was great to catch up with Dylan, Daniel, and Leslie.
Saturday morning, I was up by 0500 and headed to Emma Long Park to run the Rogue Race – The Loop 30 K for the second year. I got to the course about an hour before the 0700 start. This gave me a chance to catch up to my buddy Dmitry. He just came off of a brutal MMT 100 mile finish and has the Western States 100 miler in 3 weeks…just another training run for him. Why standing around conversing, I hear one runner say that this is his first ever trail race. I told him it was mine as well…last year. He respond that he read a guys blog about the race and determined to run it…come to find out…it was this here blog…I really hope he doesn’t hate me to much.
At 0700, Joe Prusaitis, starts the 30K and we’re off. Knowing the course and a year of trail racing experience, I was running well and feeling great. The course is really rocky and there are a lot of ups and downs. All the lunges with weights and core training paid off. The first loop (6.2 miles) was done and I felt really good. Two more to go. I press on and still felt really good. Last year at the ½ way point I felt like it became the Death March. This year at the ½ way point, I felt really good still and still had a sense of humor. At about 0930, the sun and humidity started to unleash and toward the end of the 2nd loop I was beginning to feel it. Because I was feeling so well the first 2 loops, I don’t think I was hydrating to the hilt…like I should. I was taking electrolytes and fueling, but by the third loop the heat started to take it’s toll. I had not been doing much heat training and now I could tell. My stomach was getting nauseas and I had some mild cramping in my calves. My heart rate was also high and I couldn’t get it down. The 3rd and final loop was about finishing. When I crossed the finish line my time showed 25 minutes faster than last year. I was cramping and felt like throwing up but still in better shape than the previous year. After 45 minutes of recovery I was good to go.
I talked with Joe Prusaitis a bit at the end of the race and asked him why this Godforsaken race is so tough…Bandera 50K was easier, the Grasslands 50 miler didn’t torment me as such. “It’s the heat and humidity, Dave,” Joe’s response, “A little cooler and this course would be a lot easier.” I wished Joe the best as he will run the Hardrock 100 miler in early June...100 miles in the Colorado altitude. Every year I think that someday I want to run the Badwater 135 miler through Death Valley in August. Every summer I mark that off the list. Every winter I put it back on there.
In closing, I did a lot better than last year. I still have a long way to go. Never underestimate the heat and humidity….get some heat training before this little jewel of a race. Until next time, Run On!
Daniel and Leslie
Dmitry and me (pre race)
Typical Trail Shots
Joe and Me (post Race)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Rogue Race - The Loop 30K
Well, here we are on Thursday before the big Rogue Race – The Loop 30K. The above photo is me crossing the finish line of that little race. It was my first trail race last year and I freaking swore off running during the race. Then 30 minutes later thought that I could do better. Read last years report here.
Only 10 months after that brutal race, I finished my first 50 mile Ultra Marathon. Want to give a shout out to Rick Gaston who will be plowing through the San Diego 100 miler this weekend. Run on out there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
RUN ON -SEMPER FIDELIS
