The best week ever!

Seeing yourself finish the race on the Big Screen at the Big House

What does it take to have the very best week ever?

• Extraordinary weather:  temperatures in in the 70's, twenty degrees warmer than usual, and no rain for the last week
• Hometown football teams undefeated:  Wolverines 6 - 0!  Lions 5 - 0!



Lining up on race day



15,000 runners in the stadium

• Hometown baseball team on the way to the world series:  Ooops ... those darned Texans are interfering with the plan, but the Tigers are back on home turf in Detroit tonight ...  

Better stop while I'm ahead and concentrate on all the great things happening that are withIN my control!

I concluded my 2011 running season on Sunday to the sound of Hail to the Victors by running through the University of Michigan Big House tunnel to see myself on the jumbo-tron screen.  What a rush!  As one of the 15,000 people who ran the Big House/Big Heart race through the streets of Ann Arbor on Sunday morning I felt like I was conquering Ann Arbor the same as I did when I received my degree at Crisler Arena (I'll leave you to guess how long ago).  I didn't run the 10k as fast as I have in the past, but I did enjoy the crowd, scenery, and ambiance as a fine celebration of a successful running season.

Anticipation at the Detroit Wheel House early Saturday

St. Andrew's Hall, Detroit

I also participated in a wonderful bike tour on Saturday with Detroit Synergy.  We rode through the streets of Detroit with guides who recounted the history of several of Detroit's historic music venues, including St. Andrew's Hall and more than a few bars in Hamtramck.  The spirit of Detroit was abundant everywhere.  The Riverwalk was crowded with walkers, joggers, and bikers enjoying a glorious day.  Eastern Market was wall-to-wall with folks enjoying the fruits of a bountiful autumn harvest, and I enjoyed a bag of yummy warm Amish molasses cookies.  The Detroit Institute of Arts has placed numerous paintings around town outside, juxtaposed with street art, providing a bountiful visual surprise in the most unexpected places. I can't wait for the next opportunity to experience Michigan's prime city from the pavement up.

Art on the Dequindre Cut

Now I'm moving on to preparation for 2012's running endeavors.  My legs and ligaments will rest until spring while I build a different set of muscles.  I won't be running regularly again until February, when I will begin training for the Indianapolis Half Marathon on May 5th, and the Detroit Marathon next fall.  In the meantime I'm working on weight training over the winter, along with other non-percussive exercise including bike riding and cross-country skiing.  Judging by my sore arm muscles today, it's a good thing I started my weights yesterday.

I'm also taking time off from regular blogging until spring running training begins.  I will be concentrating on other writing projects while lifting weights over the winter, so will only post periodic updates about fun events and when my favorite teams win championships (!).  But spring is not that far away, and I'm actively anticipating new cool adventures to do and share.  Want to joint me?  Whatever you choose to do to stay fit and active, let's be ready to run for our dreams and reach our goals in 2012!


Até LOGO... 


10/5/11 - 3.2 miles | 33 min | 5.8 mph | 352 kcal 
10/6/11 - 2.0 miles | 19 min | 6.0 mph | 210 kcal
10/7/11 - 4.0 miles | 44 min | 5.4 mph | 438 kcal


Detroit Synergy Rock 'n Roll Bike Ride + Eastern Market
10/8/11 - 21.0 miles | 200 min | 6.3 mph | 829 kcal


Big House/Big Heart 10k results
10/9/11 - 6.2 miles | 67 min | 5.6 mph | 655 kcal


Total miles run in 2011


356.7 miles run in 70 hours, averaging 5.1 miles/hour, expending 39001 calories 

Attention Michiganders! Mark this day! DeTroit TOUGH!

To all my fellow Michiganders, do you recognize the photo to the left??  It is 100% pure blue Michigan sky, on a 100% pure cloudless Michigan day!  This rare phenomenon is enough to cause comment in the streets... but wait!  There's more!

The Wolverines are 5 - 0!  Hail to the Victors Valiant!!  Yeah!!  Well, okay, it's been a while, but since UM is the winning-est team in college football, after all, it has happened a few times before in history that the sun was shining and the Wolverines were 5 - 0... but wait!!  There's more!!

THE LIONS ARE STILL HUNGRY, 4 - 0 WINS LATER!!!  If you're incredulous, Believe!  Detroit Does!  Just ask the folks at Sports Illustrated, who put the worthy Silver/Blue cats on the front cover of the latest issue!  When is the last time Detroit was 4 - 0?  Well, it wasn't since well before just 3 years ago, in 2008, when Detroit topped the chart as the loosing-est team in history, at 0 -16 for the season.  How incredible is this:  the sky is cloudlessly blue, the Wolverines are undefeated, the Lions are undefeated... but wait!!!  There's more!!!

The Tigers ace Verlander outlasted the Yanks Sabathia to put us one game away from clinching the ALCS !!!!  !!!!  !!!! (Can I emphasize that even more?!!!!)  Oh yes,

1. The sky is cloudlessly blue.
2. The Wolverines are undefeated. 
3. The Lions are undefeated. 
4. The Tigers are on top!!!!

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED???

Michiganders, this is indeed a day so rare that I am not sure it has ever been quite this good in all of history.  I realize that all could change with a wisp of a cloud, the crack of a bat or the pass of a ball.  We need to remember these great moments today so that when they pass, as all things do, we keep going, even after a week of non-stop rain, a year of Rich Rodriquez, a lifetime of Lion droppings, and some long-gone Tigers seasons, as Ernie always said.  We're built DeTroit-TOUGH!


Até LOGO... 
10/4/11 - 2.0 miles | 18 min | 6.0 mph | 205 kcal 

A beautiful day!

Next year --- DETROIT!

OOooo, it was cold and dark yesterday at 4:00 AM, when I had to get up to head to Oakland University with the hopes of ensuring a parking spot.  Arriving at 6:45 AM, the lot was already starting to fill, but fortunately the wait for the shuttle was only momentary.  It was 37 degrees, and all I really wanted was a hot cup of coffee.  I had on shorts and sweat pants, two long sleeved shirts, two sweatshirts, a jacket, gloves, and two headbands, and I was still cold.  I was seriously wondering how I was going to run the race wearing all these clothes, but I wasn't ready to give up any layers for fear of hypothermia.  I wasn't the only one.  I saw people wearing everything from multiple garbage bags to surgical sterile suits they could strip off and discard mid-race.  What I great idea for next time!  I stayed toasty for a time in the awards tent, which was jam-packed with other runners doing the same thing.  The energy in the air was contagious, helped along by loudspeakers playing some great music to guarantee a beautiful day.  I waited until the last minute to take off all but the most necessary layers and get into the queue... just to find out that the traffic was so bad that the start of the race had been delayed 15 minutes.  Ugh!  How to stay warm??!!

Doing a teeth-chattering warm-dance
waiting for the race to begin

I tucked myself in between the 10 minute and 11 minute mile flags, perhaps a bit optimistically, but was chilly enough that with 4500 or so participants I wanted to be as far up front as possible so that I could cut down the wait to get moving.  When the race began it took about 3 minutes before I went through the start gate, and was able to begin running.  I set a moderate pace, determined to not be affected by the cold runners around me to go too fast at the beginning and run out of steam for the famous Teinken Road incline. First mile 10:30... good.  Feeling great!  Second mile 10:47... excellent!  I went under the 1/2 way split checker at 1 hour 11 minutes... stellar!  I felt great, could go faster, but the runners' rumors of that nasty Tienken climb made me hold back.  It was also important to be aware of all the usual road hazards, including some major Michigan potholes, water cups dropped after drink stations, and numerous gloves, hats, shirts, and warm-ups of all descriptions that had been discarded after runners were warm. I also found it hard to constantly break rhythm to give hi-5's to well-wishers, so when I saw them coming I headed to the opposite side of the road, preferring to smile than loose arm momentum.

Collecting my warming foil and
medal at the finish line

Running for 2 1/2 hours straight can become monotonous, so the organizers provided  entertainment along the way.  There were some great bands playing a variety of music at various spots, and many organizations giving runners water and encouragement.  The other runners themselves were at once supportive and entertaining.  Many of the runners were in groups, chatting freely about the most amusing of subjects. Many participants wore inspirational shirts, and one carried a full size US Marines flag the entire distance.  I was occasionally distracted in my pace by the sound of heavy footsteps closing in behind me.  At one point the pounding was so heavy that I had to turn and look.  It wasn't the sound of feet on pavement that I heard.  I was surprised to see 59 year old local favorite Riley McLincha running while alternating dribbling and juggling three basketballs, at a 9:30 mile pace!

The time went fast, and before long I was at the 12 mile mark, turning the corner past the old Jacobson's store I had helped open many years ago... and on to the finish line!  I passed through the gate at 2 hours, 34 minutes, 47 seconds, #77/124 in my age/gender group.  I beat the my personal time from 3 weeks ago by 3 minutes, and am very happy with the results of my summer's hobby. :)  You may be wondering how I celebrated. As I had expended enough calories for the day there could be no better time to stop at Dexter Cider Mill for my annual one dozen steaming warm doughnuts and fresh-pressed cider -- this time all guilt-free! Then I napped the rest of the evening.  :)

Post-race recovery has gone well, aided by many hours of extra sleep and the best sugar/cinnamon hotcakes in the midwest. I didn't run today, but will hit the trail tomorrow to stay fit for this weekend's 10k at the Big House.  After that?  We'll see what comes next, but let's just say that Detroit 26.2 2012 is in the forefront of my mind.
Até logo... 
10/2/11 - 13.1 miles | 154 min | 5.1 mph | 1385 kcal 

gotta run... 13.1 miles 'cause i'm only half crazy!

Today was my last run before the race.  Tomorrow I have a big job:  rest (ie, no running), and eat a lot of carbohydrates.  Whew!  Can I handle it?  To be honest, I have a few butterflies about what will happen on Sunday.  Will it be too cold outside?  ...  Will I get a leg cramp? ...   Will I be able to stay sufficiently hydrated, but not too much, given that I will need to stand at the start line for a long time? ... Will I be able to find a place to park? ... How many layers should I wear, and how will I carry everything when I take the layers off?

I can ease my mind with this:   I am about as ready physically as I can be, given a 3 month preparation time.  I followed the plan set out in the Absolute Beginner's Guide to Half-Marathon Training. Since June 12th, I spent a little more than 65.3 hours to run 326.3 miles, expending 35,760 calories.  My average rate increased from 4.3 mph to almost 6 mph.  Was it worth it?  Whatever happens on Sunday, oh YES!  I have taken running to heart -- physically, and mentally.  Improved fitness accompanied by 65 hours of superb think-time... this venture is worth every drop of sweat.

Wish me luck on Sunday.  Hey, gotta run... 13.1 miles 'cause I'm only half crazy!

Até amanhã... 
9/30/11 - 2.0 miles | 18 min | 6.3 mph | 211 kcal

E = mc2 ... OR/AND ... Dx Dp ≥ = h/2π

Read more about
souıɹʇnǝN

Not all of the most competitive races are run on roads.  Just when I think I'm struggling with time, distance and speed, news breaks that gives us all a more universal perspective. Consider the recent shakeup in the macrocosm of quantum mechanics and relativity theory.  Ever since Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921 (Relativity) and Niels Bohr received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922 (Quantum Mechanics), scientists have raced to understand how these two theories, each of which begat numerous advancements in technology, could have at their core a fundamental contradiction between the two conceptualizations.  Essentially, can anything go faster than the speed of light??  Some European scientists have compelling evidence that certain neutrinos may indeed have traveled between Switzerland and Italy faster than the speed of light.  COULD THIS BE POSSIBLE???  If so, much of science as we know it will need to be rewritten.

I love this paradox because it demonstrates both how small we humans really are in the vastness of the universe, as well as how large we are in the vastness of striving to learn and overcome the constraints that bind us, physically to earth, and in thought.  If each of us, every day, strive to further our stations in life a little farther, where ultimately can we all go?  If the CERN scientists are right, we may truly be able to bend time.  As cold as it is outside today, I'd be happy to go back to yesterday.  Ah yes, I will push myself a little farther.

Final preparations!
Até amanhã... 
9/29/11 - 2.0 miles | 20 min | 5.5 mph | 205 kcal 
9/29/11 - 2.0 miles | 19 min | 6.0 mph | 204 kcal

Taking Life 100 Miles at a Time

My new motto!
(shirts available)

This week is all about being as prepared as I can be for Sunday's race, not about breaking records.  I've been doing short easy runs, enough to keep my legs working, but well below too much so that I don't over-stress any muscle or joint and endanger my ability to complete the course.  I realized that today I did break a record, though:  I've run more than 100 miles so far, just in the month of September, completing 104.6 miles, with two more days to go!


New motto:  Taking life 100 miles at a time :)


Até amanhã... 
9/28/11 - 3.3 miles | 34 min | 5.7 mph | 360 kcal 
9/28/11 - 2.0 miles | 18 min | 6.0 mph | 200 kcal   

distance / time = rate

What is most important, time, distance, or rate?  That question occurred to me the other day talking to a fit friend who is thinking of taking up running in addition to the multiple other sports she already participates in.  She said, "Well, I know I could keep running for an hour, but there's no way I could keep running for two and a half hours."  I've seen her dance for that long, so I suspect she really could run for that long, but I realized her perception of running is completely different than mine.

I measure running in distance.  My brain calculates distance first, then time and rate as byproducts of how far I ran. I start a run with a particular distance goal in mind:  2 miles, 10k, 11 miles, a half-marathon.  Distance is the constant, rate is the variable, time is only a measurement so that I can tell if I'm capable of doing more distance while still running rather than walking.  When I started my running endeavor in June, l had one goal in mind:

BE ABLE TO *RUN* 13.1 MILES WITHOUT STOPPING.

Sure, I like it when I run faster, because I can be done sooner.  I like it when I can see that my rate is increasing, because it tells me I am becoming more fit.  But what I like the most is that distance figure.  If I can run 13.1 miles, I have the security of knowing that I can do crazy/fun things like run to the nearest town, challenge my son to run and know that while he might beat me I can at least stay in the race, and put a fun 13.1 sticker on my car.  My friend doesn't think of it that way.  She looks at running as the amount of time she needs to endure the sweat, bugs, weather conditions, and foot pounding so that she can be done and move on to something else.

So, what really is most important, time, distance, or rate?  They are of equal importance.  The critical issue is that each of us find some component of the running equation that we can fixate on in a way that makes the endeavor manageable.  For me, that golden 13.1 number is the component that motivates.


Até amanhã... 
9/27/11 - 3.3 miles | 34 min | 5.6 mph | 347 kcal 
9/27/11 - 2.0 miles | 21 min | 5.2 mph | 200 kcal 

Falling from above

I managed to get two runs in today, the first with rain falling on my head, and the second dodging acorns, walnuts, and leafy branches as the cool front blew in.  I have an old friend who used to relay stories about the dangers of falling coconuts in tropical regions.  We would laugh, because death by coconut might be high on the list of Darwin events, but not likely to happen in the US midwest.  In fact, however, the dangers of having things falling from above are actually more prevalent in Michigan than you might think. Walnuts are currently my nemesis. My running route is filled with black walnut trees, and I've had a few close calls when some of the nuts have plummeted perilously close to me.  They hurt when they hit, they make a black mess on my shoes, and I have to dodge them on the ground to avoid twisting an ankle.  Hmmm... I wonder what my neighbors would think if they saw me running with a helmet?
Até amanhã... 
9/26/11 - 3.3 miles | 33 min | 5.8 mph | 355 kcal 


9/26/11 - 2.0 miles | 17 min | 6.2 mph | 200 kcal 

Back in the saddle...

Detroit Free Press Half Marathon

Yesterday's Tour de Troit was one of those days that will be thought of with fondness for a long time.  :)   I was so inspired that when I got home from the ride I tried to sign up for the Detroit 1/2 Marathon on October 16th so I could take in some more of that stellar skyline.  I wish I'd thought of it sooner, because at 10,300 runners the registration is at full capacity and closed.  Alas, no trot across the Ambassador Bridge for me this year, but I will be certain to sign up next year as soon as registration is open.  I may go to Detroit on the 16th just to enjoy the ambiance of the event.


Now it's back in the proverbial saddle, not bike, to finish preparing for next Sunday's run. The excitement (uh, nervousness) is building.  Will it be cold and rainy? Will I pace myself okay while distracted by the other runners? Will I be able to sleep at all the night before?  My regimen for this week will be different:  short runs twice a day to stay loose but not over-stress ligaments and muscles; no junk food [ :( ], early enough to bed that I can get up at 5 AM on Sunday (okay, now we're talking impossible) ...  
Até amanhã... 
9/25/11 - 3.2 miles | 34 min | 5.6 mph | 351 kcal 

Tour De Troit

Tour de Troit just before the start, in front of Detroit's most famous ruin, Michigan Central Depot

Detroit (est. 1701):  Motor City, Arsenal of Democracy, birthplace of Motown and Techno, primary prohibition port of entry, home of the first paved cement road (Woodward), first urban highway (Davison), first radio broadcast, first telephone area code... What are you now???

The Detroit Police motorcade that accompanied the ride

House on Vernor near the
 start of the ride

Detroit has earned a reputation that shouts stay-safe/stay-away.  I have been fortunate to explore cities far and wide, but have never spent much time in the city from which the metropolitan area where I live gets its name. I've driven the fast lane through Detroit to cross the bridge into Canada, and stopped briefly here or there for a work conference or sporting event.  But all of us who live north of 8 Mile or in the 'burbs have been endowed with a visceral fear of viewing Detroit from the pavement level.  When I first heard about the Tour De Troit bike ride, I knew I had to be there.

Alison and I arrived before the sun rose, unpacked the bikes, and rode a short distance to the check-in at Roosevelt Park. The imposing Michigan Central Depot towered above us, the most famous ruin of the city.  The crowd gathered and chatted, drinking coffee, cheering when the police motorcade that would escort us on the tour arrived en force.  Slowly the peleton inched past the depot, under the tunnel, and off to see the sites.

Classic architecture on Grand River Avenue

The route took us through neighborhoods where denizens cheered us from their porches, past magnificent residences proclaiming the grandeur of the auto trade that put the world on wheels, through city blocks that reeked of decay. This is a city of startling contrast.  We did the loop on Belle Isle, Detroit's island park designed by Frederick Olmstead, who also laid out Central Park in New York City.  Windsor, Ontario is not much more than a shout away, but looks lusterless compared to the Motor City's skyline visible from the south shore of the island.  4,300 riders participated in this event.  I heard many exclaiming with delight that they didn't know Detroit was so beautiful.

Detroit's skyline taken from Belle Isle

Alison and I didn't want it to end when the ride was over.  We absolutely will be back next year, because this is too much fun to miss. We're already planning the day, intending to expand our participation from the roughly 30 mile ride (including the Belle Isle loop) that we did Saturday to the Metric Century ride (62 miles) so that we can see even more of the city.  JOIN US next year for this event, short or long ride.  If you think you're not fit enough, get started now, you have a whole year to train. You will be so glad you did!
Até amanhã... 
9/24/11 - 31.2 miles [BIKING] | 180 min | 10.3 mph | 1223 kcal 

Ha!  I really did fit two bikes in the "Porsche"!  

*When* did she get so much taller than me??!

Pure Michigan spirit  :)

Marathon session in Chicago

Alas, I am referring to driving, rather than running. :/  


Alison flew back from school yesterday so we could participate in tomorrow's Tour de Troit bike ride.  Rather than arriving at DTW, she decided to fly to O'Hare to take advantage of a great deal on airfare.  Since I've driven to Chicago many times in roughly 3.5 hours, I had planned to pick her up in the Windy City and make a couple of fun side stops on the way home.  Unfortunately, it took me almost twice as long as it usually does to get to O'Hare due to the worst traffic and construction delays I have ever experienced.  Our visions of sight-seeing in Chicagoland went up in a cloud of expressway exhaust fumes.  At some points I seriously could have run to O'Hare faster than I was moving on I-94.  


As I was sitting on the highway, waiting... waiting... I mused about the bad rap we who still live in Michigan get for keeping the lights on in the only state to loose population in the 2010 census.  In 1950, Detroit was the fifth largest city in the United States, with over 2,000,000 residents.  As late as 1990 it was still in the top ten.  Detroit's population is now lower than it has been in 100 years, far less than half of what it was in its heyday, and second only to New Orleans in percent population decrease in the last decade, at 25%.  Detroit did to itself what it took Katrina to do to New Orleans.


I would like to tell the good folks in Chicago that there are some advantages to living in an area where the infrastructure was built to handle double the people than who currently live there.  Here in the Motor City it is rare to have to sit on a highway for 4 hours just because there are still enough people working to have that much of a rush hour.  Tomorrow Alison and I, along with 4,998 other happy riders will be very happy to enjoy what's left of Detroit from our bicycle seats.  Today, I was just happy to be able to go faster than 5 mph for 18 minutes straight:  in my sneakers!


Até amanhã... 
9/23/11 - 2.0 miles | 17:59 min | 6.7 mph | 214 kcal  <---  TWICE AS FAST AS I-94 IN CHICAGO AT RUSH HOUR !!!

What is moderation?

Runners are famous for becoming addicted to the fix their chosen sport provides.  I can identify with that sentiment.  After running 37 miles last week, it seemed a good idea for me to take a full two-day break before hitting the road again.  In truth, I had more than enough to do to keep me busy, such that the 2 miles I had planned for yesterday just didn't fit in the schedule.  But by today I was longing to get back out on this sunny 75 degree fall afternoon for a quick run.  Happy me running on a happy day!

I started thinking about what is the best amount of time to rest after a particularly long running week.  Although I didn't run a marathon, the amount I did run definitely exceeds my standard even over the last 3 months.  How much rest and recuperation is necessary?  There is an adage passed around running circles that the amount of recovery time after a long run is that runners should take a day of recovery for every mile.  No way!  If I took even 11 days off for the 11 miles I did on Sunday I wouldn't run again until 2 days before my official half-marathon.  A little research turned up this quote by two-time Olympian and Exercise Physiologist Pete Pfitzinger as published in a runningtimes.com article:

"After running a marathon, there are basically three options. You can: 1) vow never to run again; 2) take some time off and then gradually get back into training; or 3) jump into full training as quickly as possible. Option 1 is not recommended. Option 3 should be chosen with caution. Option 2 is almost always the wisest choice."

What is moderation when it comes to running?  For me, the answer is to run as many days as I can, a little or a lot, so that I build health and happiness, and to stop before I damage either.  Okay, I did my two days of rest, now let me put those running shoes back on!
Até amanhã... 

9/21/11 - 2.0 miles | 19:23 min | 6.0 mph | 207 kcal

Pack running

Tortoise and Hare Running Store -- Ann Arbor

Today was my first "official" run in many years.  I joined in with the Tortoise and Hare marathon training run to see how I pace when running a new course with other people.  It was very interesting!


1. I wasn't prepared for the number of people running with dogs.  I felt that having to dodge both people and dogs on leashes was difficult, particularly when the peloton is close together at the beginning.


2. A number of people were running with music playing from their belts, which I found made it hard for me to find my own rhythm, especially when I could hear several different songs at once.  


3. When running in an official race or training run, it's not necessary to bring water, because drinks are supplied by the organizer along the course.


4. I'm amazed at how many people chit-chatted the entire way!  Maybe because I've been running by myself, I was not expecting to be involved in lengthy conversations.


I finished the 11 miles in 2 hrs 11 minutes, including a water break, so just above the 5 mph mark.  I've spent 7 hours 9 minutes to run 37.4 miles in the last 7 days, at an average rate of 5.2 mph.  I'm very glad that I get to take a break for the next few days to recuperate.  37 miles is just over my weekly limit -- especially since I only ran 39 miles in the entire month of July!

Até amanhã... 

9/18/11 - 11.0 miles | 2 hrs 11 min | 5.0 mph | 1150 kcal

The day after

www.maceiosol.com

What a great day for a little R&R while resting on yesterday's long-run laurels.  Blue sky, temperature in the 70's, what more could one ask?  How about rewarding oneself by attending a party for a friend who just started her own fitness apparel company?!  Thank you Cely for great company, camaraderie, and especially for taking the initiative to develop your super-cool, good-looking, easy-wearing Maceiosol clothing line.  Oh yes, even I can dance when wearing some of Cely's styles. :)  Let's see if all this energy holds over until tomorrow; I'm slated to do an 11 mile training run with the A2 Runners sponsored by Tortoise and Hare.   
Até amanhã... 

9/17/11 - 2.0 miles | 19:17 min | 6.2 mph | 209 kcal

Unplanned and spontaneous surprise :)

I was not too pleased with myself yesterday for how long it took to both find the time and motivation to commit to running the next training length required by the schedule.  I decided to rearrange the next 3 weeks to accommodate missing that run, and only run 6 miles today.  I set out with minimal expectations.  The first 3 miles went well, 5.7 mph.  I felt great the second 4 miles, averaging 5.2 mph.  I decided to keep going.  Why not?  I was dressed for the task, on the trail, and the weather was great.  All the universe was aligned the right way.  Onward!

Miles 7 - 9 went down at a rate of 4.8 mph, and miles 10 - 13.1 clocked in at 4.4.  OH YES!  I DID IT!

I DID IT!


I DID IT!!


I DID IT!!!

I really did it!  I ran the full half marathon, somewhat unplanned, as I had not anticipated running the full distance for another 2 1/2 weeks.  Honestly, sometimes the best things in the world are unplanned and spontaneous.  I have to say that this was one of them.


Até amanhã... 
9/16/11 - 13.1 miles | 2 hrs 36 mins | 5.0 mph | 1385 kcal

Thwarted again.

Some days just don't go as you planned.  In fact, this whole week has been rather like that.  Busy, busy, busy ... finishing projects, work, obligations, meetings, visiting friends and relatives, new endeavors, bad weather ... ... WHEN can I fit in the 11 miles I have been scheduling myself to run since last Friday??   That question has been wearing on me for the last several days. In theory the 11 miles should take just a little over 2 hours, if I can maintain a decent pace.  I also have to take into account that when I run for 2 or more hours I have to be careful about what I plan to do after, knowing that I will need a couple of hours post-run to recover and relax sore muscles.


I decided this evening to try to fit in the run after work, before it got too dark.  I set out just after 6 PM, made it 2.1 miles into the wooded area of my preferred distance course, and jumped out of my skin when I rounded the bend and ran into a gaggle of turkeys.  Turkeys are not like turkey buzzards.  Turkey buzzards leave living creatures alone.  Turkeys, on the other hand, are bigger than their buzzard relatives, and can be downright mean, a fact I once learned the hard way from a neighbor who used to raise 100 at a time. I'm not sure if these were wild birds or someone's free range hobby, but I took off in the same direction I came from, while the gobblers went the other way.


That was it for me running this evening, though.  I just stopped, not the turkeys' fault, just too late to finish this tonight.  Those 11 miles that I can't stop thinking about, or at least the remaining 8.9, will have to wait for another day.

Até amanhã... 

9/15/11 - 2.1 miles | 23 min | 5.5 mph | 230 kcal

Predicting the future

Just when all the butterflies have been displaced by fluttering leaves, the ground has become covered by another harbinger of colder weather.  I have to be careful not to step on the numerous woolly bear caterpillars scrunching their way from here to there as they look for a safe spot to cocoon until spring, when they will turn into tiger moths.  I am reminded of the fable I heard as a child that more black on the woolly means more winter, more brown indicates that the winter will be mild.  I decided to check into this theory, seeing that most of the caterpillars I'm avoiding are decidedly on the dark side.  It's a fun story!  


In 1948, the curator of insects at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, Dr. C. H. Curran, came up with the theory that the color configuration on these caterpillars had significance.  He did an 8 year study measuring the length of the brown middle vs. the intensity of the winter.  He determined there was a correlation, and formed The Original Society of the Friends of the Woolly Bear.  The idea caught folks' imagination in many places, and an entire generation grew up believing this woolly folklore.  There is even a Woolly Worm Festival each October in Banner Elk, North Carolina!

Tiger Moth

According to entomologist Mike Peters from the University of Massachusetts, "There's evidence that the number of brown hairs has to do with the age of the caterpillar --- in other words, how late it got going in the spring. The [band] does say something about a heavy winter or an early spring.  The only thing is . . . it's telling you about the previous year."  You can read the details about the woolly caterpillar at www.almanac.com.   


I'm glad I finally got to the bottom of one of those old wives' tales I have wondered about since I was a kid.  Now as I appear possessed running in a zig-zag pattern trying to dodge squishing them on my new running shoes, I will laugh to myself about how Dr. C. H. Curran convinced us all that these prickly little beasts could predict the future.


Até amanhã... 

9/14/11 - 3.2 miles | 44 min | 5.3 mph | 230 kcal

Butterflies

There is definitely a chill in the air, and a noticeable diminution of some of my favorite running companions, butterflies.  I'm not sure why I never noticed the large variety Lepidoptera fluttering around until this summer, but it's truly extraordinary.  These colorful creatures seem to come in waves.  I remember early in the summer seeing a many shades of orange.  Then came blue with beautiful silver dots, and after that very large graceful yellow butterfly, some Monarchs (the only butterfly I can name), and now a dainty little yellow butterfly.  I have enjoyed these living fluttering colors, now being replaced by fluttering leaves.  Time passes quickly; today marks the 3 month mark I've been at this, and the completion of 250 miles running! --- Whoopie! 

Até amanhã... 

9/13/11 - 4.0 miles | 44 min | 5.5 mph | 411 kcal

Tight tolerances

Most of the time we can get away with being imprecise, such that when we see absolute precision we find it exhilarating.  Such was the case on the 10th anniversary of 911, when the United States Airforce Thunderbirds put on an extraordinary show over Niagara Falls, the only airshow in the country on that day.  Talk about tight tolerances!  What they do is an amazing feat of technology combined with the personal fortitude of the pilots and backup crew to perfect their individual ability to perform to the highest of standards.  Even though I know the stats on how many times the Thunderbirds have successfully performed these maneuvers without crashing, the sound and spectacle still made my heart flutter. I, the 50,000 plus folks in attendance, and a major portion of the population within a 25 mile radius are still ooo-ing and ahhh-ing.   It's not possible to refrain from catching your breath when the planes soar overhead, no matter how many times you've seen the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels perform.


The commemoration was made even better for me as my family was escorted around the base by my sister's son, Eric, a proud member of the Airforce.  Speaking of precision, check out the action shots of the Thunderbirds, taken by my cousin, Cindy, with her precision camera.  Amazing!


Overall, life is a pretty imprecise proposition.  In many instances we can get through our days almost, sorta, kinda, maybe; sometimes we're in a fog, and frequently we're just not sure.  Carlos Miceli stated in his essay on the Consequences of Imprecision, "We live in imprecise times.  Our desires and fears are tainted with subjectivity.  There's no right or wrong, no black or white, no real or imaginary."  I very rarely am required to perform any tasks that require anywhere near the precision that the professionals that fly those planes.  But watching them, I am inspired to push myself a little harder, strive a little more, run just a bit farther, and remember how lucky I am to be able to have the freedom to do so.
Até amanhã... 
9/11/11 - 2.0 miles | 21 min | 5.4 mph | 211 kcal

By the light of the silvery moon

Tonight was the night for my first full moon run.  I have wanted to try this for some time, but the moonlight has never been bright enough.  I was inspired in part by UM's fabulous night-light victory over Notre Dame on Saturday, as well as my significantly over-busy schedule the rest of day.  I just didn't have time to run when it was still daylight.  I have a running headlight, but I found it bright enough to run tonight without any artificial illumination. I did have to use a little extra caution to not trip on uneven spots in the road, preventing me from running as fast as I would have liked. Even so, it was a truly inspiring run.  


Oooo yes, b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!  If only every night were like tonight, I would be an ultra-marathoner.  :) 


Até amanhã... 
9/12/11 - 2.0 miles | 20:18 min | 5.9 mph | 209 kcal

*NEVER* underestimate the power of 27 seconds.

Hail to the victors valiant!  I love a good underdog-gets-the-victory-coming-from-behind story.  Today my alma mater pulled it out in a most spectacular fashion.  The Wolverines were down until the final *27 seconds* of the game, when Denard Robinson produced exactly the right amount of magic.  NEVER underestimate the power of 27 seconds. Victory is ours!  


This game was made even more special because it was the very first time the valiant ones took to the field at the Big House after sundown. Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States, and the third largest in the world, seating 109,901 happy fans several Saturdays every autumn.  Until this evening's game, M-fans always had to watch the games during the day because there were no lights.  Tickets were exorbitant, upwards of $400 each for non-season ticket holders.  Worth it though, the roar of the crowd as the scoreboard read 35 - 31 is just as wonderful whatever the position of the sun.  Now, we're just waiting for the same 27 seconds of magic during the O-how-I-hate (some spell that Ohio) State game. 


No time for the 11 mile run, but I was able to squeeze in a not-so-quick 2-miler ...
Até amanhã... 
9/10/11 - 2.0 miles | 20:23 min | 5.9 mph | 211 kcal