Future Trail runners and Mountain Bike Jerks

My 19 year old nephew was excited when I told him about my upcoming trail race. The Bandera 100K. He wants to come. I explained how it was an all day commitment. He insisted on coming and asked if he could run also, So I asked if he would be willing to pace me from mile 31 to 42. He smiled broadly and agreed. It is going to be wonderful having him with me and introducing him to our sport.
Two other nephews, ages 5 and 6 asked me if I would take them to "The Mountains" again. They wanted to go hiking. We headed out to O.P. Schnabel park and I took them on some of the more technical and challenging trails. They were loving it. On a descent some mountain bikers asked if we knew where we were going because they didn't. I said yes and told them where they could find some good riding trails, They thanked us and asked if they could come through. They maneuvered gracefully down the steep trail and disappeared. Further down the trail we heard other mountain bikers coming up behind us. I warned the kids and asked them to move over. The kids were a little slow, when the lead biker yelled out in a demanding tone, "coming through, We need the trail"
This got me HOT. I was a mountain biker before I was a trail runner and I know hikers and runners have the right of way. And was Especially careful with kids! I stopped and held my bottle out in front of the lead rider and yelled back at him "We own the trail! Hikers have the right of way!" "Don't tell me you NEED the trail"
I am not normally hot headed folks. But this guy was a jerk. There were kids on the trail. I heard him mutter something to his two buddies about not going to argue about it with me. I felt like following him and confronting him. But, what would that teach the kids?
I cooled down and we climbed back up the "mountain"

wimp

So as I'm leaving work today, a co-worker sarcastically says to me " I'll bet you're going out to run in this nasty weather today." Sure, I said. It's not too bad. 60 degrees and a light drizzle. Perfect!
Well when I got home the treadmill winked at me. So I turned on the tube, watched the news, and ran 3 miles while I randomly raised and lowered the incline. Tube? Did I say that? They aren't tubes anymore! Young kids don't know that term I'm sure.
Is it me or does it seem like you're running faster than what the digital readings on the treadmill tell you? I don't see how anyone can run on these things very long. A friend of mine once did all his training for a marathon on a treadmill. I can't keep my eyes off the numbers on the panel! I sure didn't catch all the news since I'm preoccupied on the mileage readout. No patience, and I'm not too good at multitasking.

Good, and not so good. 2010

Thinking about some of the good things, and the not so good things of this past year as it draws to a close.
Not so good; My first DNF. Happened at the Bandera 100k. Good thing; I learned from it. I can't brave extreme cold temperatures as well as I did in my younger days. Layer up wisely next time.
Good thing! The Nueces trail run. A truly beautiful place to run. A great trip up with friends and time on the trails with these fellow San Antonio trail runners.
Not so good; A severe groin injury that required surgery. Good thing; I learned my limits as far as weight training.
Not so good; Developed Plantar Fasciitis on my left foot. Good thing; I recovered relatively quickly and learned the secret to PF relief. Massage the soul of the foot daily. And a little barefoot running doesn't hurt either. A LaCrosse ball works great for massaging. Thanks Liza.
Good Thing! My trip to Leadville to crew for and pace Liza. And witness a great performance as she WON!
Good thing! Had so much fun running the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon. Although a road run, it was fun. And I had a comp entry.
Good thing; Many, upon many, training runs with our great group here in San Antonio and with visitors from other parts.
It really is a treasure to have great friends to run, converse, and Share stories and emotions with.
Can you Love your friends and fellow trail runners? Sure you can.
Reminds me of lyrics from a Leon Russell song (A song for You). With a change at the end by me, for my friends,
"I'll love you in a place where there's no space and time,
I'll love you for my life, you are a friend of mine.
And when my life is over, remember when we were together,
We were alone with nature and you were pacing me up the trail."

Speed work

After reading my friend Liza's blog, I laughed when she tells of getting up out of a chair like a 97 year old woman after running roads. I felt the same man getting off my truck after getting home from today's run. It wasn't road but just may as well have been. We ran a 15+ miler on the Leon Creek paved path. A short 1+ mile section was on trail where we lost John. He just couldn't take it anymore! John stayed on the trails and I tried my best to keep Tom and Annabelle in sight. The pace was fast but I needed this. I kept saying to myself "this will help me on the approximately 30k flat section of the Bandera 100K." Annabelle asked for advice on running the 100k in two weeks and all I could offer was, "Power hike the steep hills from the very beginning." I think she'll be OK.
I don't really know what our pace was today (I left my garmin in the truck), but we finished our run in under 2 1/2 hours, with a couple of brief breaks. That's MOVING for me. I'm fast, but only for short distances!

Just in time.

I made it off the trail just before the storm hit! Not really a storm, but a cool front coming in. With a little over a mile to go before I reached home the temperature was 67 degrees as I hit the street. Arriving home, it felt like the temperature had dropped at least 15 degrees and it began to rain. Hope Rudolph has his goggles in his pack. I want him and Santa to make it to my house.
Merry Christmas all!

'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown'.
--Linus

Deer crossings, and My big toe is Aching!

On last Sunday's run I banged my big left toe on a short stump on the trail and bit the dirt. I YELLED IN PAIN! John helped me up and I barked at the stump a la Curly of the "Three Stooges". I thought I was OK after awhile but today it's aching after a little 4 miler in Leon Creek! Roseanne Rosannadanna was right, "It's Always something"
As I ran at a very fast clip today (for me), I told myself I need to remember not to start this fast at the Bandera 100K in two weeks. I'm fast! But only for short distances, as my buddy Chris stated several times after the Bandera 100K 2 years ago when I came in pacing Liza. This still remains an inside joke, but it's true! As I was cruising along today, I heard a rustling in the brush and two Doe dart across the trail four feet in front of me! I yelled out "OOOOOOHH!" Then two more at another deer crossing!

Watch out for those Deer crossings!

Pretty Leon Creek.

Decisions, Decisions

What will I use as fuel running the Bandera 100k January 8th? I can't decide. After years of running I am still experimenting. I do know GU does not agree with me. The Hammer products do. Except for Perpetuam. The gels settle in my stomach well and the Recoverite does too. I am thinking I'll carry gels and eat half a sandwich every 10 miles, carry avocado halves with me and partake of what's offered at the aid stations. What kind of sandwiches? Haven't made up my mind yet but they will have green leafy vegetables. I've kept up with my vegan diet for the most part, but have fallen off the wagon on some weekends. My brother in law is such a great cook! He works wonders preparing authentic Mexican cuisine, and loves it! I can't resist! Hey, maybe I'll carry some Flautas with me. Hmmm.

Running with John, in Leon Creek

Gone Hunting

My hunting buddies have been asking me to go out with them. Although I love the company and the camping experience, hunting season coincides with trail running season. Wait a minute, trail running season is year 'round. But Trail running is really great in the winter months. And leads up to the Bandera 50 and 100K. My favorite Race!
Well, I did a little hunting of my own this morning. Trying to get in a quick 6 miles before I have to bake cornbread and head out to the family reunion this morning, I hit the trails at Leon Creek. The Deer were abound. In an attempt to keep them fearful of people, I began throwing rocks at those that paused and stared at me. Randy Johnson I am not. My first throw towards a little buck about 30 yards away was high and outside. The second was in the dirt. Finally I got a near strike and the small buck ran. Soon I warmed up and was getting some good shots at a few doe as I ran the trails. Fun! Better than shooting at them. But I do miss going out with my hunting buddies. Well, I'll just invite them over for dinner again soon. I'll tell them about my trail hunting. One will smile and the other will shake his head and recall how I enjoy bird watching when we're supposed to be Deer Hunting.
Gotta get that cornbread going!

The Head fake worked!

But I couldn't keep up with my feet.
Boot Camp with my co-workers today was held at San Pedro park. "steal the Bacon" was a game we played at the end. Object of the game is to steal the bacon, in this case a plastic ring, and take it back to your side without being caught. Two players on opposite sides and equal distance from the "bacon" run to grab the "bacon". Neither player may touch the other until someone touches the bacon. Once a player touches the bacon however, the other player may tag him/her. If a player is able to grab the bacon and carry it back over to his/her own side,without being tagged, that team wins that round. It was me against the Boot-camp instructor!
I grabbed the "bacon", chucked and jived, head faked, and spun around on my way to my side when my feet got tangled up and I tripped!
Are you OK? I was asked. Yeah, I banged my hip. I'll feel it tomorrow. But I've had nastier falls on the trails.
I almost got away.
Had fun with my co-workers on the last day of boot-camp for the year.

Pesky valves and hard Clif bars

It was COLD this morning. 32 degrees at 7 AM, and probably a bit cooler out at Government Canyon. I worked with a guy from Canada that said he could withstand sub freezing temps up there with no problem but he would shiver down here in breezy 40 degree weather because of the high humidity. Shivering I was this morning, as I set out for a 4 hour run. Trying to take a sip from my Nathan bladder, the valve wouldn't release! I tried a few times before I jumped back in the truck where it was warm. I wrestled with it for a good ten minutes before I got it right. Nothing wrong with the valve. Just user error. 10 miles into the run it was time for a Clif bar. Eating it was like chewing on my wallet! Tasty though. I wonder if carrying them in my arm pit when its freezing would be a good idea? The temperature had risen but still cold. I changed my route when I realized the original was not going to keep me out on the trails four hours. The golden cheek warbler is south for the winter or not mating (not sure which) because we are presently allowed to run up in the "Back Country." We don't frequent this area much, and I missed a turn! Reaching "Cave Creek" I took a right onto it and picked up the pace. I'm alone, I Gotta get out of here quick. Cave Creek is very rocky and I can't help but think there has to be more snakes than the one I've seen on this rocky wooded trail. Good thing I missed the turn. It turned todays run into a 3 hour 56 minute 19.6 mile run. Had Tom and "O" been with me, I could have watched them run laps around the parking lot to reach the 20 mile mark.

Old stories...........

I am guilty of repeating the same stories over and over again. Something I think I picked up from my mother. It became more frequent as she grew older. I try to excuse myself by saying, "I may have told you this before, but,..." My friends are patient with me as they listen. There are just some memories I love to recall. As it was Saturday as O and I began our run under the stars before dawn at the Hill Country State Natural Area outside Bandera,TX. The air was still and cold (37 degrees), as we headed out a flat section of trails to get in some miles before the rest of the gang arrived. The sky was clear and the gazillion stars were beautiful against the black background that is space. I told O the story about my trips to Lajitas Texas with my brother and several friends to mountain bike in the Chihuahuan desert of southwest Texas. My brother, our friend L, and I would awake before sunrise (and everyone else) and walk from our rustic cabin to Terlingua, Tx. A walk of about two miles through a mountainous desert free of luminous pollution, and under the big wide open sky filled with beautiful stars. L would point out the constellations as we made our way to the towns only cafe for a fresh cup of coffee.
O and I made it back to our vehicle as the rest of the gang arrived for a loop through most of the major climbs at HCSNA. The sun rose as did the temperature, and the wind picked up. It made for a fantastic day of running for our group of eight. 21 miles and great company. It was my Birthday and I shared the cupcakes I baked the previous evening with the gang after the run. Great start to my day. Fantastic weather, in a beautiful place, running with great friends, and recalling old memories. Geez, am I getting old?
Postscript;
Spoke to "O" today (Monday 12/13). He said when he got home he removed the park window permit from his truck and noticed on the line that reads "date of arrival" I wrote 12/11/58! El, his wife, said, "well, that IS the date HE arrived" :-) Thanks El.

"It just goes to show ya, It's always something" -Roseanne Roseannadanna

This past weekend was good! John and I weaved our way from OP Schnabel park to the north end of the Leon Creek greenbelt, which ends at the 1604 Hwy. 14 miles round trip. On Sunday I pushed my self out the door and ran 10 on the Leon Creek trails after helping out with some house cleaning at home. It was a very good run in cool windy weather at a VERY relaxed pace. Me and my thoughts keeping me company. Sometimes, I thought about nothing. But many times I thought about all the good friends and family I have.
My P.F. is rearing it's ugly head. And if that's not bad enough, I am feeling a weird little pain in my right Achilles tendon. Little pains from running. Not anything major though. Just nagging stuff that reminds me, I'm a runner. And nothing that will keep me from running tomorrow, and next weekend. A weekend I am looking forward to.

Newtons, cool weather, or forgot my phone?

I had committed to help a friend move some boxes to her new apartment later this evening. So I had to get a run in today right after work. I changed into my running clothes quickly and headed out the door. It was almost cold this evening. Or is it me? A co-worker remarked that now that we're old, it seems we lose our ability to fight off cold temps. I was thinking just that this morning as I reflected on last years attempt at the Bandera 100K trail run. It was 8 degrees at the start and I failed to wear the right amount of layers. I paid for it late in the run and dropped at 42 miles.
Anyway, I left for my run today in a long sleeve shirt and began running down the road headed to the trails. I was moving at a good clip. Cool weather seems to give me more energy. Feeling good and thinking, "these newtons feel good on my feet. They make me run fast!" As I hit the trails , I thought, "hey! I'm on call this week. I forgot my phone" Go Back? No. Just run faster! Made it to the 2 1/2 mile turn around and headed back home. Stretched on the porch, walked into the house, checked the phone, no call. Good. Checked my Garmin. Cool! Pretty good pace. Speed work today!
Oh, and I signed up for another attempt at the Bandera 100k on Jan 8th.