18+ miles and still walking.

This weekend I did my longest run ever. it was just shy of 19 miles. I had to be careful with the distance so I plotted it out on Buckeye outdoors trying to keep it under 20. Since I run in big loops it is easy to make runs too long.

The morning started our dark and cold I had my 10 YO son on the run for support he had the gator aid and the cell phone. I had the map in my head and we took off into a dark Saturday about 6:00am. The airport was just coming to life and we saw one of the balloon company trucks just coming into the airport for that days flights. About that time as well the bandage on my right leg was coming off and I could start to feel the pain of my blisters (new shoes just a few days before). So I took off that band aid and he had a drink we went on (paused the stopwatch). WE ran to a part where he had never been at the freeway overpass so I gave him a few moments to ride tot he top and back down (he was on a bike after all, its what kids do). The we hit the bike trail for the long stretch ahead. I took off the other bandage here as it too was coming loose. This is a part of the run I'm familiar with because it is part of my 9 mile loop. the sun at this point was just over the horizon and the blue sky was just impressive. We had some shage formt he berms and the breeze was light. It felt really good. Cody went from complaining of cold hands to having a blast out with dad.

We crossed a major street just after seeing someone pull in a nice size trout from the aqueduct. It is popular with many fishers in the area. We could hear a train coming but it was so far off in the distance that we could barely see it from where we were (we are train nuts). We continued on and on. Crossing the railroad tracks man miles ahead. Here is where the picture is from. Again I paused the watch a moment as Cody had some granola bar (we left before breakfast) and we had a Gator aid stop. We also found a nice rail road spike we tucked into that bag as a souvenir of the run.

A bit further at just past half way we got to the industrial park where ther are a few distribution centers and we cut down that street tot he other aqueduct to head back. This part was a bit un eventful and we made easy work of these miles (well I say that now but it was long and hot). We did see some balloons as were were headed back to the airport but it was hazy that directions and getting later in the day.


laying down after the run

Cody

The power plant in the distance

Cody again
Once reaching our final turn to head home I got a call form my wife, to find out where and how we were. We took one last stop at a local grocery to finish off our gator-aid and push the last 2 miles home. We saw another runner (not Adam) along the cross street with his daughter, I presume on a bike for his support. In the last 2 miles I saw some friends at a local church car wash. I also found a .22 cal short round on the street I picked up. ( I did not want to think of some kid playing with it).

So after I got home I took a shower (I smelled something fierce, you can tell when you think you stink), and soaked my shoes n cold water to get rid of the blood stains from the run (my blister opened up big time, my family was kind of shocked I ran like that for ~16 miles). I then watched a bit of Star Trek and lay in the hammock for about 30 until I had more work to do.

Oh well, fatherhood and husbandhood is more than a job it is a way of life. I could still walk up and down the stairs all day. It was a real break after last years WWHM I had to take almost 5 days off, and it was only 13-15 miles.

A good August.

I ran for over 100 miles in the month of August. The first time in my recent running of the last 2 years. If is a great feeling but I have even more scheduled for this month. So nothing like hitting a goal and burying it. Part of the blessing and curse of my recent running has been the RunnersPlus site. It has the ability to do challenges and I have joined a few. I am very competitive, I can be a gracious loser and will always put sportsmanship over winning but I love a challenge and will not hasitate to push just a bit to be a contender over an also ran.

My Son Cody also just got back form an "outdoor ed" trip with Grandma to the redwoods. The camped for a few days and hiked all about ther forests and even rode a train in the redwoods. He is getting big and growing. Still he is my son and I have high expectaions he will not always live up to. It is part of being a perent and a part I will not trade for anything. My love for him is uncondtioanal and I know somehow I'm doing the right thng when he says he hates me. I can not count how many times I said that about my parents whoe even now I will sacrafice my self for becuase the love that we share is so mush stronger than any hate of the moment.

I also took in one of the last home games for our local minor leage base ball team the Ports. As of the time I write this they made the playoffs so With a game tonight we will see how they do.

This week I have off nad I'm dong lots of stuff around the house. Not running as much as I might like. The last few dasy and today are expecing highs about 100. Even in 'dry California" it is very tought to get out for more than sort runs. I think it is a plot from the Bad Girls of Running to put down the Bad Boys. But at the risk of talking smack "We will crush you".

Catchup day.

Last week I did my first set of speed work in prep for the Fresno Marathon in November. I ran a nice easy pace in 90+ heat to a local track. Then put on my rack spikes from high school and got to it. the first 220 was not too bad but the heat was really getting to me. I also felt the eyes of every kid at football practice and parent on me. "Hey whats that old dude doing out there?" He is making us look bad. (I had arrived as some kids were doing a 100 yard dash and lets just say it left a bit to be desired).

One mom even said I looked good out there after my last 220. Which was about 48Sec. and pittaly slow.

Lesson learned form this just because my track spikes fit they are not ready for regular sprint work. I got a nice blister as a result and feel like e dolt for thinking I could use them. After pole vaulting I hung them up and they are due for the trash. I still have them for who knows what reason. My Soccer cleats tough I still have them as well, anybody up for a game?

Today the 18th I am now 40.

2 score and some hours ago I greeted the light for the first time. I was born and was very ill so much so I was Baptized in the hospital. The day of 19 Aug 1968 in Mass it was a stormy day. My mother prayed for a sign and asked that if sh could see the sun before the day was out I would make it. God can really humble you in the answer of a prayer I was just turning the corner on health in the evening and the some came out just in time to set.

I now have 3 kids of my own. I need to exercise to stay healthy. I need to wear glasses when I work in front of the computer and things I used to do for fun without thinking about (jumping fences, climbing trees) I now find myself saying "is this setting a good example?"

When I hear the term OMD I don't think of the 80's pop band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark I think of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. I'm still a product of the age I grew up in the 5th grade AC/DC was huge as was Pink Floyds the wall. I still love the music and despite being quite eclectic in taste now. I still go back to Progressive and Hard rock as comfort tunes.

I still look at myself in the mirror and think, "I'm not too old, I could pass as a young guy". The 40th birthday is supposed to be a big downer, its over the hill its a change to being on the passing out part of life rather than being in the game. I disaggree I am more connected and in the game than ever. I have hundres of vitural firneds via podcasts, socail networking sites and the internet. I run more miles a month now than since I left high school. I serve in church, scouts, thand the community in ways I never dreamed of as a youth.

This 40th birthday is a great day to mark all that I have done and have yet to do. I will celibrate with my family and friends and feel like a 12 year old for as long as I can.