Fleeting Thoughts

Thought that crossed my mind while my ligaments and bones creaked as I walked across the room - "ya estoy viejito, but I can't quit"
Bi-lingual, yes I am.
On a mountain bike trip in the Chihuahuan desert long ago I held the attention of some children as I spoke to them in Spanish. They were also bi-lingual. I asked them to not let go of their bilingualism. Speaking two or more languages I said, allows you to also think in two, or more languages. Thus, giving you the ability to think in a wider spectrum. They smiled at me and each other as I rode away into the desert mountains.

The foot and The Knee

Lately my foot has been hurting. It's PF. It has been feeling much better though, after reducing my mileage. But it's time to ramp it up. Sunday morning I hit the trails in Leon Creek. The trails here are so convenient,one mile mile down the road from home and I am there. My thoughts were on my friends who had run the previous night at Inks Lake. And on my running form. I read "Chi running" last year and tried changing my form to what is described in the book. I now think this may have contributed to some of my aches. I have come to the conclusion that we are all different and need to run how it is most comfortable for us. Running comfortable? Yes, it can be done. Go with YOUR flow!
Near the end of my run I saw a deer through the trees. It saw me and froze! I stooped slowly to pick up a rock as the deer stared at me. My intention was not to hurt the animal, but to see what happens. I hurled the rock high in the air over the trees towards the deer. The rock landed behind the animal and surprised it. It turned it's head to look at the rock then it turned back towards me. Again I hurled another rock high over the trees. It landed closer. The animal turned and curiously checked it out. I did this several times and the deer repeated it's actions but did not flee. I continued running and thought how we've encroached on their domain and how they now are becoming passive towards humans. Only leading to their demise.
Yesterday I again ran on the road prior to the 5 PM boot-camp workout with my co-workers. The weather was perfect. Wind and Rain all around but not on me. I ran further than usual but only 4 miles, enjoying the narrow streets and neat small wood framed homes. At the end of my run in San Pedro Park, I did 10 jumps on to a picnic table. Plyometrics!
Today, My right knee was aching. Just a little, but aching nun the less. I've been here before. Knee soreness after road runs. I am reminded not to run on the road. This happens ONLY when I road run. I guess now I'll have to return to running around in circles at San Pedro park again.

Cousin Alvin

I met two old friends along with a new friend today at Government Canyon State Natural Area. Four old guys hitting the trails at 7 A.M. Age is relative I know, but how many 50+ year olds do you know who wake up early on weekends to traverse rugged, hilly trails? Jerry, our new friend may not be quite fifty, but he’s not too far off I suspect. We ran 11 miles, and then Jerry and Larry tacked on 5 more. It’s great to meet new people who love trail running like we do and to show them around “our neck of the woods.”
My brother was in town yesterday to take photographs of head stones and grave markers of family members who have passed on for our ancestry website. My brother and I spoke of deceased members of our family, and our death that will come some day. “Not many people I can speak to about this.” He said. We visited a couple of cemeteries, then arrived at our private family cemetery on San Antonio’s South-side, where we met cousin Alvino (aka Alvin). Cousin Alvin is 85 years old. He had delivered pastries to another 80-year-old cousin and couldn’t stay too long. He had to go help serve coffee at the senior center where he volunteers! We took photos of headstones and markers of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Also of numerous cousins and Great Aunts and Uncles. Cousin Alvin has his marker already in place. “Heck, I know I’m going sometime, may as well be ready.” He said. But Cousin Alvin is still full of life. He’s not ready to go yet. He wakes up everyday ready too help his younger friend who does odd jobs. Alvin just hangs out helping his friend. And, to my surprise, Alvin has been keeping up with the Tour de France. He knew the standings, and times! “ Andy Schleck is still ahead! But Contador is right behind him by just a few seconds.“ He said.
Keep active, stay informed, and keep up with the times. That is living and keeps us vibrant.
Cousin Alvin has a cell phone too! But he refuses to text.

Cigarettes and Beer

I headed out to Friedrich Park today. Many in the group sent notice they wouldn't be there today. No one definitely confirmed. I arrived 5 minutes after our usual 5:30 PM start to find John's truck there but no sign of John. As I hurried to get my things together and hit the trail in search of John, I noticed two hiker dudes getting their fully loaded framed backpacks on. Cool! They must be training for some big hike. Then I caught a scent of cigarette smoke. One of the guys was smoking! Then the other placed his beer on the car as he pulled the straps tight on his backpack! ????
I headed out quickly on the trail in search of John. "Oh heck" I thought. I should have brought my iPod. Naw, Its better I didn't. Enjoying the sounds of nature was more soothing. The cicadas are still around, and I must say there are more than in previous years, and they have been hanging around for a bit longer than usual. Must be the good rains we had this year. I started my run in the usual lower level loop, then at the top of the hill I diverted from our usual route in hope of finding John. Going in a counter clockwise direction at the top of the hill, I LOST MY WAY! I tease John at every opportunity about how he gets lost in this park. Friedrich Park has only about 5 miles of trails. There are twisting, winding, climbing switchbacks that intersect each other, but only five miles. I guess I've run this park in only one direction. Running it differently, I found out today, its a totally different experience. Making it back to the parking lot, I saw John. "John!" I exclaimed, "I am glad I found you! I worried you were lost!" Then I told him the truth.
He told me about the hikers taking a break half way up the hill sitting down sucking wind. We had a laugh when I told him what I saw at the start.

San Pedro Park 1709

Waiting for a meeting to begin this morning, I was Staring out the window from my office building at the nations second oldest park. San Pedro Park at the corner of Flores and Myrtle in San Antonio. I recalled how as a child I rode my bicycle 6 miles to this park from home with friends. This of course, was unknown to my parents. They thought I was just down the street. In those days, the 60's, San Antonio was much smaller and the nation in general seemed a safer place. The park has bridges over green grass now. I wondered if recent arrivals to San Antonio may be puzzled by this. But I remember water under those small stone bridges. There were many small streams throughout this park. My friends and I spent hours on end on Saturday afternoons catching and releasing tadpoles and crawdads. The main spring still flows as does a smaller one. The park is not what it used to be but is still beautiful with its large Cypress and Oak trees. After work I changed into my running clothes and went for a 30 minute park and road run. I ran through the park, under oddly shaped Live Oaks and circled the public swimming hole. The swimming pool now is just a wading pool with the deepest end at 4 feet. It was teaming with children and adults of all ages. This is the sight of the last time I went off a diving board. I was about 10 years old. Running off the board into the then 9 foot deep end I hit the water belly first! The impact drew out all the air in my body. I sank slowly deeeper and deeper. I thought I was going to drown, The lifeguard must have been busy as no one came to my aid. I just did make it up gasping for air. Quickly I got out of the pool, went home and did not ever go off a diving board again.
Running in an S shape through the park I exited on the north end and ran on the road for about ten blocks on rolling hills through a neighborhood of pretty wood framed homes dating back to about the 30's, with porches, mature trees, and fine trimmed lawns. I felt good and moving fast! I found out why as I turn to return back to the park. A stiff wind confronted me. This was good though as it cooled me down on this unseasonably 90 degree day. Very unusual for South Texas in July. Arriving back at my place of employment I joined some co-workers for our weekly boot camp workout. Fun team building, laughing and sweating with healthy conscious people. Today was a good day.

Ageless

Foot was feeling better today. Taking the day off of running yesterday helped. Yesterday was not completely a day off as I was on my spinning bike for an hour in the garage listening to B.B.King. Blues that never gets old.
Today at Government Canyon we were a group of five. Dave, a speedy runner joined us as we set out on a muggy yet not too hot morning. Two in our group had run five miles prior to our 7 AM start in the park. Tom was feeling the effects of not only the 5 early miles but also the previous day's water skiing. The group soon broke up as we climbed up the Far Reaches trail. This is a gradual ascent with one or two scenic lookout points. Tom and I fell back into our own easy pace. The recent rains made for a somewhat slippery trek. I found out my new low profile New Balance shoes are not made for the big rocks at Government canyon. I had planned to run maybe 6-7 miles. I would run 10+ today before it was over. Again to my surprise I felt better than expected. Bounding up and over rocks,dodging spider webs, tree branches and bushes, sweating profusely, listening to and controlling one's breath, and feeling the beat of your heart as it pumps energy throughout your body is a joy only a trail runner can relish. Tom and I would exchange thoughts as we slowed the pace and then we were off again, speaking to each other in our movements up the trail.
We rejoined the rest of the group 3 miles from our ending point. Or so I thought. At our vehicles all but me continued on for a little more fun. They took off into the woods. We'll do it again. This also never gets old.

Life

I met friends at Friedrich park yesterday for a 4+ miler. Again the weather has been good. While the northeast has been suffering with the heat this year, we have yet to hit 100 degrees. Heck, we haven't even seen the high 90's much. Unusual for us. The rain was all around us but we only had a few drops. The conversation was good. We relayed personal info and stories during and after the run. We discussed the upcoming Leadville 100 trail race during our post run recovery (beers at Hills and Dales). Some of us are going! One racing, the others pacing and crewing. As we departed, I realized the main reason I partake in in these runs, and races is the camaraderie. The relation to my fellow human being. Sure I want to run fast, and I want to stay fit. But the real good feelings come from relating to friends with the same interests. We discuss life in general too.

Recovery run

I went out on a recovery run today, Monday July 5th. A 7 mile run exploring the new paved trails on the Leon Creek Greenbelt south of Bandera Rd. The trail has been cleared to Grissom Rd. About one mile of it has been paved. This adds 2.5 miles to the already 5 miles of paved, wooded trail. I left late, 10:30 AM. It was already hot and humid. This was not the case on our run out at Hill Country State Natural Area on Saturday. The weather was unseasonably pleasant! My friends and I met at our usual spot, the Tiger Mart service station, at 4:00 AM for the 50 minute drive. The forecast called for rain storms. We were only drizzled on a little. Enough to cool us down. Although it was humid, the breezes up on the hill tops were so refreshing. It must be in the 70's, I thought. Naw, can't be. Not in south Texas. In July? You gotta be kidding. The run went well for me. I have been experiencing a little tightness in my left heel/ankle, but I was able to keep pace with Tom who was setting a nice, even, semi slow pace. 14 miles is all I thought I should run. My friends ran a little more. I decided I needed to take the next day off.
later on Saturday as I was driving around tending to errands, I noticed the temperature on a Bank's Marquee, 80 degrees! In July! In South Texas!

A Change of venue

I Met two friends at Friedrich park yesterday for an afternoon run. I forgot how steep the climb was at this park! We started with a short 3/4 mile warm up on flat trails and soon began up the hill. At the top the trail becomes rocky. But rocky as in little ledges of sharp stationary rocks. No loose stuff here. At the top the trail levels off for the most part. This park is small but there are so many ways to make it interesting. Weaving around this collection of 4-5 miles of trails can yield an exciting and challenging run. One short 3/4 mile trail is a climb of very steep steps ending with a trek along a narrow ledge. Very wooded and tranquil is this park. We assuaged our desire for a change of pace. This cannot be said of our plans to try a different watering hole. BJ's was our planned destination for a post run social hour. Upon arrival, there was no place to park and we observed people waiting outside. We wound up at Hills and Dales. A lame attempt of a honkytonk. Smokers abound inside so we sat on the patio and enjoyed a rare, breezy, cool, June south Texas evening, sipping combos of Ales and stouts.
Hmmm........
I may return soon to Friedrich, for hill repeats.