I'm thrilled to be running well again and getting my training back on track. I feel however, that the slightest wrong move can re aggravate my injury.
Early next month I'm scheduled to go with my brother to the Hotter than Hell Bike ride in Wichita Falls Texas and there is a half marathon taking place there that I ran last year. The most I can remember about this race is the steep roller coaster hills we had to climb up and down. The race takes place on an off road bike trail.
My fear is re injuring my knee on one of these steep drops Then not being able to participate in the Do Wacka Do trail 50K in September and possible my Pumpkin Holler in October.
I will still go, maybe I can get a run in on the road while Jerry is riding his bike. Who knows. I'm really nervous about running it. But I may be just paranoid.
What do you think?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Long run training today...seeing co-workers and ..death of an iPhone, and a homeless guy sleeping in a van...
Today my friend and I began our run at Lake Sylvia like usual. Crowds seemed scarce on the trails when we started at 5:15 am in the dark. I had a small headlamp I use for times when we run in the morning and the sun is approaching. I also had a couple small led flashlights we carried for extra light. They are lightweight, they have clips for your hat or other parts of clothing and can be easily stowed when not in use. They are available for cheap at Academy Sports and are great for situations like this.
We started up the hills at a brisk walking pace, the wind was blowing and it seemed very pleasant. I had filled my camelback to the brim with water and about 4 scoops of endurolyte powder. The powder is great for me because I don't like to swallow the capsules or worry about remembering them. For me this is easier. I know I'm getting some electrolytes every time I drink water and it does not taste like anything.
We took a turn to go toward lake Winona toward the low water bridge and up in the distance, I noticed a van parked on the road. The trails we run are really forest service roads so it is not uncommon to see utility trucks, trucks with boats and other people out and about. We got closer and realized it was not a utility truck but a van from Ohio, with all the doors open for ventilation I guess and a guy sleeping in the front seat. I guess we startled him because he jumped up and said "Hey"...when I passed. I said "hello" and kept walking. My friend was a few paces behind me and he said "Hey" to her also and she looked at me and quickened her pace. It was bazaar, what was he doing there? Was he just homeless and looking for a cool place to sleep for the night? He was still there when we passed on the way back. No interaction. I guess he was sleeping in this morning. You see the strangest things.
So we got to an intersection and I wanted to get my bearings on the map so I pulled out my iPhone to pop up the map. I have pretty good service on the forest service roads. It can be spotty, but on the hilltops ( and there are a lot of hilltops) service is pretty good. I pulled up the map and got the info I wanted. There are plenty of signs where we run so we never really fear getting lost, I just wanted to see it. I was very sweaty and I keep my phone in a plastic bag when I run with it on the trails in case of rain, excessive sweat or anything else that may damage it. I did not think my own sweaty fingers would be to the demise of the phone. I was putting it back in the pocket, over my shoulder and it slipped out of my sweaty fingers. My friend tried to dive for it but it was too late and it fell face down on the gravel. She picked it up and I asked...."is it broke? Please don't be broke" It was shattered.....shatterd and the screen was a very neausous shade of gray....with a big orange spot where the contact point was. It was ugly....
So we gathered up the pieces of my iPhone and continued our run toward lake Winona. A friendly black and white dog came out to greet us as we approached Central Arkansas Water grounds at the lake, went into the driveway of the facility where I said hello to some co-workers. Central Arkansas Water has staff at lake Winona full time to monitor the lake and the grounds there. After a bathroom break we headed back toward Sylvia.
We crossed back over the low water bridge and back to the intersection that was two miles from our cars and decided we were not going to have enough miles. I was worried about running out of water, but being as we were less than 5 miles from our cars I figured it was ok to continue on straight to get extra miles to make the 20 we needed. As we passed the intersection, we started climbing a steep hill. I had not been on this road before and it was nearing 9:30 in the morning and the heat was starting to climb. As I climbed and climbed this hill I started to doubt the merits of this idea and turned back to my friend and said :"Ya know, I don't see any benefit in climbing this hill in the sun right now." She quickly agreed and we promptly turned around and headed back down the hill. We had added on about two miles with the out and back so fortunately only had about two miles left when we reached our cars. Also fortunate because i ran out of water in my camelback at mile 17.5.
We got back to our car and realized we needed 1.75 miles to make 20 so after getting a fresh water bottle we took a short spur up to the Ouachita trail. I'm so glad we did this because just a few weeks earlier I saw Karen Hayes pop out of this spur seeming out of nowhere smiling and trotting along with ultimate ultra runner confidence as if she had blaze the trail herself. She ran to her car, refilled her bottle then disappeared onto another trail just as quickly as she appeared. The woman has skills! Now I'm learning them. I want to be confident on the trails like Karen Hayes! I can only get there by doing and doing is what I'm doing....or something like that...
After taking the spur, connecting to the Ouachita trail and making a loop back to the cars we ran through the camp ground to top off the mileage and ended with a perfect 20! I was soooo happy, I got through it without my knee hurting and I felt great. It was hot as hell but I still felt great!
Of course I had to go purchase a new phone, something I was not looking forward to, but the run was great. My blueberry newtons from Fresh Market served me well. I did not intend to purchase gourmet blueberry newtons for this trip but I was in the situation of finding myself at the expensive gourmet store purchasing sushi and ice cream when I realized I did not want to stop at Walgreen's for regular fig newtons. I got the blueberry ones and they were alright. I may get them from now on just for grins. I was also in a hurry to get home to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics so I was not going to make another stop. Things to do...things to do...
We started up the hills at a brisk walking pace, the wind was blowing and it seemed very pleasant. I had filled my camelback to the brim with water and about 4 scoops of endurolyte powder. The powder is great for me because I don't like to swallow the capsules or worry about remembering them. For me this is easier. I know I'm getting some electrolytes every time I drink water and it does not taste like anything.
We took a turn to go toward lake Winona toward the low water bridge and up in the distance, I noticed a van parked on the road. The trails we run are really forest service roads so it is not uncommon to see utility trucks, trucks with boats and other people out and about. We got closer and realized it was not a utility truck but a van from Ohio, with all the doors open for ventilation I guess and a guy sleeping in the front seat. I guess we startled him because he jumped up and said "Hey"...when I passed. I said "hello" and kept walking. My friend was a few paces behind me and he said "Hey" to her also and she looked at me and quickened her pace. It was bazaar, what was he doing there? Was he just homeless and looking for a cool place to sleep for the night? He was still there when we passed on the way back. No interaction. I guess he was sleeping in this morning. You see the strangest things.
So we got to an intersection and I wanted to get my bearings on the map so I pulled out my iPhone to pop up the map. I have pretty good service on the forest service roads. It can be spotty, but on the hilltops ( and there are a lot of hilltops) service is pretty good. I pulled up the map and got the info I wanted. There are plenty of signs where we run so we never really fear getting lost, I just wanted to see it. I was very sweaty and I keep my phone in a plastic bag when I run with it on the trails in case of rain, excessive sweat or anything else that may damage it. I did not think my own sweaty fingers would be to the demise of the phone. I was putting it back in the pocket, over my shoulder and it slipped out of my sweaty fingers. My friend tried to dive for it but it was too late and it fell face down on the gravel. She picked it up and I asked...."is it broke? Please don't be broke" It was shattered.....shatterd and the screen was a very neausous shade of gray....with a big orange spot where the contact point was. It was ugly....
So we gathered up the pieces of my iPhone and continued our run toward lake Winona. A friendly black and white dog came out to greet us as we approached Central Arkansas Water grounds at the lake, went into the driveway of the facility where I said hello to some co-workers. Central Arkansas Water has staff at lake Winona full time to monitor the lake and the grounds there. After a bathroom break we headed back toward Sylvia.
We crossed back over the low water bridge and back to the intersection that was two miles from our cars and decided we were not going to have enough miles. I was worried about running out of water, but being as we were less than 5 miles from our cars I figured it was ok to continue on straight to get extra miles to make the 20 we needed. As we passed the intersection, we started climbing a steep hill. I had not been on this road before and it was nearing 9:30 in the morning and the heat was starting to climb. As I climbed and climbed this hill I started to doubt the merits of this idea and turned back to my friend and said :"Ya know, I don't see any benefit in climbing this hill in the sun right now." She quickly agreed and we promptly turned around and headed back down the hill. We had added on about two miles with the out and back so fortunately only had about two miles left when we reached our cars. Also fortunate because i ran out of water in my camelback at mile 17.5.
We got back to our car and realized we needed 1.75 miles to make 20 so after getting a fresh water bottle we took a short spur up to the Ouachita trail. I'm so glad we did this because just a few weeks earlier I saw Karen Hayes pop out of this spur seeming out of nowhere smiling and trotting along with ultimate ultra runner confidence as if she had blaze the trail herself. She ran to her car, refilled her bottle then disappeared onto another trail just as quickly as she appeared. The woman has skills! Now I'm learning them. I want to be confident on the trails like Karen Hayes! I can only get there by doing and doing is what I'm doing....or something like that...
After taking the spur, connecting to the Ouachita trail and making a loop back to the cars we ran through the camp ground to top off the mileage and ended with a perfect 20! I was soooo happy, I got through it without my knee hurting and I felt great. It was hot as hell but I still felt great!
Of course I had to go purchase a new phone, something I was not looking forward to, but the run was great. My blueberry newtons from Fresh Market served me well. I did not intend to purchase gourmet blueberry newtons for this trip but I was in the situation of finding myself at the expensive gourmet store purchasing sushi and ice cream when I realized I did not want to stop at Walgreen's for regular fig newtons. I got the blueberry ones and they were alright. I may get them from now on just for grins. I was also in a hurry to get home to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics so I was not going to make another stop. Things to do...things to do...
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Latest Music Downloads!
This morning I had a wonderful 5 mile run with my iPod! Greatly enjoyed Lucky Twice, and Nero downloads. Today I stumbled upon Gigolo Music. I have no idea who these people are but I like it!
Here is more info:
http://www.amazon.com/Gigolo-Music-Ltd-13-Hell/dp/B007XT7X7E
Apparently it's part of a greater collection! I will be looking into more of this. I have almost filled my iPod. It has now has 9 hours of great running tunes, many of which are still waiting to be discovered on my player. That is what makes me want to get out and run.
Enjoy!
Here is more info:
http://www.amazon.com/Gigolo-Music-Ltd-13-Hell/dp/B007XT7X7E
Apparently it's part of a greater collection! I will be looking into more of this. I have almost filled my iPod. It has now has 9 hours of great running tunes, many of which are still waiting to be discovered on my player. That is what makes me want to get out and run.
Enjoy!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Newest running music download! I'm so Lucky Lucky!!!
Yes, I'm burning up that iTunes card I purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond really quickly!!!
My latest download is a song I heard on a commercial a year or so ago and googled it later. It was, at the time, associated with a Japanese animated film or something. And the YouTube is Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFPLfj_2UGw
The Artist is Twice Lucky, a Swedish Duo that had a short lived career. Released their one song all across Europe but split up on 2010. Oh well.....I got the song and I like it!!!
I suggest adding it to your running playlist!
Enjoy!
My latest download is a song I heard on a commercial a year or so ago and googled it later. It was, at the time, associated with a Japanese animated film or something. And the YouTube is Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFPLfj_2UGw
The Artist is Twice Lucky, a Swedish Duo that had a short lived career. Released their one song all across Europe but split up on 2010. Oh well.....I got the song and I like it!!!
I suggest adding it to your running playlist!
Enjoy!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Yay! I'm feeling normal again!
This morning, I woke up knowing I was not going to run out at Lake Sylvia on trails. For some reason I had the urge to run the Rivertrail and listen to my iPod. I really wanted 20 miles and I wanted to run most of it.
Here is the thing...if you run trails, you pretty much have to walk a lot. Its advised that you actually walk up most of the hills, especially if you are going for a distance longer than 26.2 or if the trails are very technical. Technical trails are a bitch to run and it's easy to come home with a twisted ankle or bloody knees at least.
I have done 10 miles and 15 miles on trails since recovering from my knee issue. Those runs were great and confidence boosting, but there is something about running the long distance on roads without stopping to walk. Now granted, I did stop twice to refill my water bottle...you have to do that when It's 100 degrees outside. I did stop and walk a small bit up the hill on the Two Rivers Bridge when I felt a twinge in my knee. But only for a short time. Not even a quarter of a mile. For most of the run I was running.
This is what I needed today, to prove to myself that I could run long, full out, on asphalt as I did before the injury. And that is what happened. Now here is the rub. I don't know exactly how far I went or how fast I ran because my Garmin died before mile 1 was even done. Yep, "Old Reliable" let me down. It said it had a full charge on it yesterday at work but when I went to turn it on I got the "Low battery screen of death"....I almost cried...
But I went anyway. Had a great run. I ran for about 3 hours at probably a 10 minute average pace when you consider some of the walking I did and the stopping to fill up water bottles and re adjust headphones and stuff like that.
It was a good day!
Here is the thing...if you run trails, you pretty much have to walk a lot. Its advised that you actually walk up most of the hills, especially if you are going for a distance longer than 26.2 or if the trails are very technical. Technical trails are a bitch to run and it's easy to come home with a twisted ankle or bloody knees at least.
I have done 10 miles and 15 miles on trails since recovering from my knee issue. Those runs were great and confidence boosting, but there is something about running the long distance on roads without stopping to walk. Now granted, I did stop twice to refill my water bottle...you have to do that when It's 100 degrees outside. I did stop and walk a small bit up the hill on the Two Rivers Bridge when I felt a twinge in my knee. But only for a short time. Not even a quarter of a mile. For most of the run I was running.
This is what I needed today, to prove to myself that I could run long, full out, on asphalt as I did before the injury. And that is what happened. Now here is the rub. I don't know exactly how far I went or how fast I ran because my Garmin died before mile 1 was even done. Yep, "Old Reliable" let me down. It said it had a full charge on it yesterday at work but when I went to turn it on I got the "Low battery screen of death"....I almost cried...
But I went anyway. Had a great run. I ran for about 3 hours at probably a 10 minute average pace when you consider some of the walking I did and the stopping to fill up water bottles and re adjust headphones and stuff like that.
It was a good day!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Back to the normal running stuff!
Ok, enough with the religious ranting...I really just needed to get those observations off my chest. Sorry about that.
New Music download.
Nero You and Me.
I don't know anything about this music, but what I heard on the iTunes sample sounded good and it was just a buck 99 so I got it. Can't wait for my next run!!!
New Music download.
Nero You and Me.
I don't know anything about this music, but what I heard on the iTunes sample sounded good and it was just a buck 99 so I got it. Can't wait for my next run!!!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I think running makes me smarter... Where running and Religion meet...
I often say to my co-workers, my job should pay me to run. I figure out how to solve most of my work problems when I'm running.
I also seem to come up with answers to all the worlds problems, discover amazing parallels and come to complex conclusions.
Now, a lot of my conclusions seem to come about politics, equality, women's rights and religion. And if you know me you know I'm not religious at all. And I do tend to offend lots of people with my conclusions and opinions. So if you are easily offended by someone debunking religious doctrine, blasphemy, and downright disrespect for most things religions...please go away now.
When I go out for a run, one of the major things that gets brought to my attention by fellow runners and non runners alike is "Be careful", "Don't run alone","you should not be out there at night". Many things like that. I know the neighborhood and the places I run are full of wild animals, bears and dogs. Well, dogs mostly that could chase me and knock me down and kill me, but for some reason I don't really think that is what they think I should be fearful of.
Another point. I don't know if men are given this same advice. If any guys out there who are runners are reading this, please chime in....Are you afraid to run alone at night or any other time? Are you, male runner, advised in the most sincerest way to use the "buddy system"? Do people tell you that you should not be running along? Ever ? I would venture to say that most of the times that advice is reserved for female runners. and why? what is to fear?....men I guess....That, other than the bears and dogs are the only other things it could be.
I have been lead to believe through my life I should fear men, men attack, rape, mug, kill. mostly rape because they see you running and automatically think its an invitation to rape you. I know its not really presented that way but....BUT...when you hear about a rape or anything...how many times do you hear..." she should not have been out there alone" in other words "It was her fault for presenting herself for rape" Come on...as much as you say "That's not what I meant!" it is what you really meant!!! I get asked, "Do you not run with pepper spray to protect yourself?" I say..."well, we have leash laws in the city" most of the time that is not what they are thinking . They are thinking that a man could attack me an rape me. AND it might be my fault because I was running alone, in the dark. It sounds scary just typing it!
(Whats even worse is when the most vile and crusty of onlookers will cite the runners clothes...short shorts....jog bra...OMG seductive clothing....she was asking for it!!! but I don't even have to go that far in this argument)
So we have presented the argument that women should not run along because men attack and rape.
Now AT THE SAME TIME....the SAME PEOPLE....who happen to be of certain religious persuasions...(Roman Catholic). Understand that the church (Catholic Church), teaches strict laws about Birth control and abortion. Now I'm not going to argue pro-choice vs anti-choice laws here, I'm simply stating the position of a very large and influential governing body that has a LOT of impact of public policy in this country. They teach AGAINST birth control...no matter what....Even for married couple who can have sex whenever they want. When I was going to a Catholic high school I was taught that the only acceptable form of birth control under the church was the rhythm method. Basically what this means is that you don't have sex when you think you may be fertile. So picture this. A man and a woman, married, obviously attracted to each other, living under the same roof, sleeping in the same bed BUT the man is not supposed to have sex with his wife when she is fertile. He is to be the master of self control and if that couple does not want any more children the ARE NOT to use birth control and not have sex while the woman is ovulating.
Ok...I gotta call bullshit here.
So, if a man can sleep with a fertile woman, side by side in bed, be with her in the kitchen, see her getting dressed, watch her walking across the living room while the light shines through her dress and not have sex with her then why the hell should I be afraid to go for a run..
Why? Why does the church teach this? Well, I have come to a conclusion. In most cases, rape is not about sexual attraction. It is about power and asserting control over a victim. The Catholic church as been in control for so many year as a male dominated entity. Unfortunately, they have deemed themselves impotent with the whole celibacy thing...
The First Lateran Council (1123), a General Council, adopted the following canons:
The only way that the church can keep women from exercising their only defense against a male aggressor, her ability to terminate his seed, is to shame, guilt, and vilify her into thinking she is a slut for wanting to ...
So when women start to become a little too powerful in a society, the church rears its ugly head with a strong conservative push to eliminate birth control, abortion rights and anything else that gives women any control over their lives.
"Its your fault you got raped, you dressed to seductively, you went out for a run alone at night" Guilt, shame, BULLSHIT!!!
So, my conclusion is. Taking away reproductive rights is simply the churches way of denying women any defense against male dominance, Teaching shame and fear is how they enforce it. These though patterns are so engrained in the human psyche that even non Catholics are buying it.
... "you should not run at night, you could get attacked or raped"....
...."If a married couple does not want any more children they should not have sex while the woman is fertile"
How do these two statements even exist in the same culture? Why are women buying this bullshit? They contradict each other so much that I think if they got together they could create dark matter! Yet it occurs...
I hope we begin to evolve from this so that the next generation can live with out fear, guilt and shame.
I also seem to come up with answers to all the worlds problems, discover amazing parallels and come to complex conclusions.
Now, a lot of my conclusions seem to come about politics, equality, women's rights and religion. And if you know me you know I'm not religious at all. And I do tend to offend lots of people with my conclusions and opinions. So if you are easily offended by someone debunking religious doctrine, blasphemy, and downright disrespect for most things religions...please go away now.
When I go out for a run, one of the major things that gets brought to my attention by fellow runners and non runners alike is "Be careful", "Don't run alone","you should not be out there at night". Many things like that. I know the neighborhood and the places I run are full of wild animals, bears and dogs. Well, dogs mostly that could chase me and knock me down and kill me, but for some reason I don't really think that is what they think I should be fearful of.
Another point. I don't know if men are given this same advice. If any guys out there who are runners are reading this, please chime in....Are you afraid to run alone at night or any other time? Are you, male runner, advised in the most sincerest way to use the "buddy system"? Do people tell you that you should not be running along? Ever ? I would venture to say that most of the times that advice is reserved for female runners. and why? what is to fear?....men I guess....That, other than the bears and dogs are the only other things it could be.
I have been lead to believe through my life I should fear men, men attack, rape, mug, kill. mostly rape because they see you running and automatically think its an invitation to rape you. I know its not really presented that way but....BUT...when you hear about a rape or anything...how many times do you hear..." she should not have been out there alone" in other words "It was her fault for presenting herself for rape" Come on...as much as you say "That's not what I meant!" it is what you really meant!!! I get asked, "Do you not run with pepper spray to protect yourself?" I say..."well, we have leash laws in the city" most of the time that is not what they are thinking . They are thinking that a man could attack me an rape me. AND it might be my fault because I was running alone, in the dark. It sounds scary just typing it!
(Whats even worse is when the most vile and crusty of onlookers will cite the runners clothes...short shorts....jog bra...OMG seductive clothing....she was asking for it!!! but I don't even have to go that far in this argument)
So we have presented the argument that women should not run along because men attack and rape.
Now AT THE SAME TIME....the SAME PEOPLE....who happen to be of certain religious persuasions...(Roman Catholic). Understand that the church (Catholic Church), teaches strict laws about Birth control and abortion. Now I'm not going to argue pro-choice vs anti-choice laws here, I'm simply stating the position of a very large and influential governing body that has a LOT of impact of public policy in this country. They teach AGAINST birth control...no matter what....Even for married couple who can have sex whenever they want. When I was going to a Catholic high school I was taught that the only acceptable form of birth control under the church was the rhythm method. Basically what this means is that you don't have sex when you think you may be fertile. So picture this. A man and a woman, married, obviously attracted to each other, living under the same roof, sleeping in the same bed BUT the man is not supposed to have sex with his wife when she is fertile. He is to be the master of self control and if that couple does not want any more children the ARE NOT to use birth control and not have sex while the woman is ovulating.
Ok...I gotta call bullshit here.
So, if a man can sleep with a fertile woman, side by side in bed, be with her in the kitchen, see her getting dressed, watch her walking across the living room while the light shines through her dress and not have sex with her then why the hell should I be afraid to go for a run..
Why? Why does the church teach this? Well, I have come to a conclusion. In most cases, rape is not about sexual attraction. It is about power and asserting control over a victim. The Catholic church as been in control for so many year as a male dominated entity. Unfortunately, they have deemed themselves impotent with the whole celibacy thing...
The First Lateran Council (1123), a General Council, adopted the following canons:
- Canon 3: We absolutely forbid priests, deacons, and subdeacons to associate with concubines and women, or to live with women other than such as the Nicene Council (canon 3) for reasons of necessity permitted, namely, the mother, sister, or aunt, or any such person concerning whom no suspicion could arise.
The only way that the church can keep women from exercising their only defense against a male aggressor, her ability to terminate his seed, is to shame, guilt, and vilify her into thinking she is a slut for wanting to ...
So when women start to become a little too powerful in a society, the church rears its ugly head with a strong conservative push to eliminate birth control, abortion rights and anything else that gives women any control over their lives.
"Its your fault you got raped, you dressed to seductively, you went out for a run alone at night" Guilt, shame, BULLSHIT!!!
So, my conclusion is. Taking away reproductive rights is simply the churches way of denying women any defense against male dominance, Teaching shame and fear is how they enforce it. These though patterns are so engrained in the human psyche that even non Catholics are buying it.
... "you should not run at night, you could get attacked or raped"....
...."If a married couple does not want any more children they should not have sex while the woman is fertile"
How do these two statements even exist in the same culture? Why are women buying this bullshit? They contradict each other so much that I think if they got together they could create dark matter! Yet it occurs...
I hope we begin to evolve from this so that the next generation can live with out fear, guilt and shame.
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