Think it, and it will happen.

Today it was REALLY humid. If you're from around these parts, 50 to 60 percent humidity is not too bad. Today the humidity must have been over 80 percent. That IS a bit too high. Now I know how some of my friends feel when they're soaking wet with perspiration. I usually don't perspire much but today I was soaked! At least I found out my cooling system works well.
I have decided to run with a heart rate monitor to keep from going out too fast (a problem that always plagues me, especially at races). Trying to keep in zone 2, I headed out for a 17 mile trail run on the familiar Leon Creek trails. John sent me a text last night and asked if I'd run by OP Schnabel park to meet him so he could run about 3 miles with me. As I came out of the woods and on to the parking lot at the park, I see John sitting on his truck's tailgate swinging his legs like a 5 year old kid. He hops off when he sees me, and thinking I did not want to slow down, he hurried to run with me. I was in no hurry. We greeted each other and walked to the trailhead back to the creek. It was great to have John's company for three miles. we caught up on things. Although we were running at an easy pace, the 3 miles went by too fast. John bid me farewell and I continued on as I remarked "I hope I see a snake!" John responded, "You will."
Another thing I have to work on is fueling. I am notorious for not eating, hydrating, and replenishing with electrolytes early enough. I have suffered on many a run and race because of this. While running, I get in a trance where my mind begins to wander and when the thought of fuel does cross my mind I think, "I'm OK." I made it a point to consciously think about drinking and taking in electrolytes today. The food? Well I waited a bit too long. Gels and power bars don't do it for me anymore (except for an occasional LARA bar). I had my own trail mix creation of Pumpkin seeds, goji berries, sesame seeds, walnuts and almonds, and also some dates.
At mile 13 I thought I should eat something so I stopped to take in some dates. I pulled them out of my Nathan hydration pack pouch, put two in my mouth, and as I began to run again, THERE IT WAS! And it was a beauty! Thanks John!

Customer service, recurring rabbits, and Nutrition.

It used to be, you'd ask for help at a department or specialty store and the workers there knew where to find what you're looking for and take you to the item. Not so much anymore. Today at Target I asked three people for help and got blank stares then "I don't think so" for an answer. I found the items on my own. I looked for the "deer in the headlights" looking employees to advise them on where the items were but they were nowhere to be found.
This reminded me of a recent conversation with a co-worker. In casual conversation he told me he worked at Wright's Sports 30 years ago. Wright's Sports! That was a great store!
Back when San Antonio was a big little town of just under 500,000 people, there were only a few true sporting good stores here. There was Wright's sports which had three locations, American Sports, Paternick's and Gibson's. Gibson's was where you'd go for hunting, fishing, and camping gear. Wright's, American, and Paternick's were specialty stores where you'd find sport specific gear like Soccer, Baseball, basketball, volleyball, etc. and also running shoes, shorts, shirts. Wright's, American, and Paternick's outfitted many school and local league teams with state of the art (for the day) equipment and uniforms. As little league baseball players we wore real wool button down shirts and wool pants with belts. Just like the big leaguers of the day!
I remember walking into Wright's sports for the first time with my big brother. I was 12 years old and we were there to purchase my first REAL pair of Puma leather soccer shoes. We were greeted at the door by a man sporting a pencil thin mustache, wearing black slacks, a white shirt, and a tie! He had a measuring tape over his shoulders. This man took me over to the shoe department and measured my foot with one of those fancy foot measuring devices. When he brought out the shoes he laced them up, making sure there were no twists or bends in them, and using a shoe horn put them on my feet and had me walk around. He never left our side and we got the utmost in customer service. My brother bought those 25.00 shoes for me back in 1970 and I still have them. They are a reminder of my generous big brother and a simpler time when customers were valued.
There are still a few local sports stores that give good customer service like Roger Soler sports and Good sports. But not like the old days. And these stores' inventory is not as varied as Wright's, etal. But The times have changed and are ever changing.
On a better note, I had a very nice 11.5 mile run this morning. My good friend Liza joined me for the first 3.5 loop, she's coming back from an injury. Liza helped a Turtle cross the trail, making sure a mountain biker didn't come barreling down the trail and run over it. I told her to hold it at her side. The last time I picked up a turtle to help it across the street it peed! It missed me though. On my run I saw a rabbit 28 times! Not the same rabbit. Although Liza said it was.
Our conversation centered mostly about nutrition and I told her about a great quote I heard recently by Dr. Todd Schlapfer ND. I have gotten into heated discussions with family members on this subject. Here it is;
"Food can be a bad drug or a medicinal agent. You can either predispose yourself to the things you're inherited to, or alleviate or avoid those predispositions from occurring by what you do with food. Food, you gotta do it. But HOW are you gonna do it?"

Late Friday night race

San Antonio, Friday night, 100 degrees in the shade. Good time for a race? Apparently 800+ people thought so. I expected maybe 100 or so. The number of people there last night for the 7:30 PM start was a surprise. It's great I think. The running community is growing here in San Antonio and Bart Childers' Scallywompus events put on great races. I hope he continues to have success and his events stay around a long time.
I wanted to do well running the 10K and ate light throughout the day, plus I hydrated all day. I must have drank over a gallon of water after noon leading up to the evening start. I also had a drink made from water, Chia seeds, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a little stevia mid afternoon.
Before the race I hung out with Elan-Or, the Justins, and Pam, who were also running. John was there to cheer us on.
Just before the race start I had 16 oz. of coconut water and decided to run without a handheld bottle. I could have used the handheld.
I started out a bit to fast but settled in to a comfortable pace about mile 3. The race was on the paved trails of the Leon Creek greenbelt. There are two short bridges where the trail crosses over the dry creek bed. These bridges are constructed with steel and concrete. You wouldn't think they'd give. But they do! As I ran across the first one I thought the heat was getting to me as a feeling of lightheadedness seemed to come over me. Oh no! Then I realized it was the bridge slightly moving up and down. Some people would later say they felt sick to there stomach after the bridge crossing. Tom was working the aid station at the turn around and had written "GO Tony" in chalk along with "GO Kelli" (who won the woman's division) on the pavement.
Edgar and Richard yelled out my name as they rode by on bicycles serving as race marshalls.
Reaching the finish line John was there offering me a high five. I crossed the finish line at 48:12, good enough for third place in the 50-59 age category and a Growler as an award.
It was fun hanging out with many friends who were there running, spectating, and volunteering.
I often comment on how a friend once told me, "Just go out and have fun, Because after you're done, There won't be any pretty girls handing you flowers"
After the race, Tom had Kelli hand me a bunch of flowers.
Great friends. Thanks guys!

Energy sans injury

Out for a 6 miler this afternoon and it was hot! The poor deer can't even get a good days sleep. They are all over looking for water no doubt.
To my surprise I was able to maintain a swift pace today. I wonder if it's the coconut milk I've been drinking lately. I have more energy than usual. One thing I do know is I've been running strong and not hurting anywhere in my body. Unlike last year when I had a groin injury, Plantar Fasciitis, and just plain fatigue. I pondered this after a 17 miler last Sunday with Tom and the only thing I've done different is attend the boot-camp twice weekly at work. Justin, our trainer, is really good at changing things up. Each boot-camp is different except that at every session we perform squats. Standard squats, forward squats, reverse squats, and side squats. Or are those lunges? Anyway, Some are fast, some slow, some with weights and some without. This I think has given me more leg and core strength.
I have to be careful not to speak too soon though. Today I twisted my ankle. Not too bad. I ran it off and I hope it passes as quickly as my foot injury this past Sunday did.
After the run with Tom, V and I took the grandkids to the Movies. I was seated at the end of the row next to the aisle. As a woman turned in to go to her seat down my row she missed a step and fell to her knees with one of her knees slamming down on my foot! It hurt really bad and I moaned. This woman went down on her knees in an attempt to keep her two cokes and popcorn from falling on me. Thankfully the coke cups were covered and popcorn doesn't hurt. With a grimace on her face she asked if my foot was OK. Seeing the pain in her face I quickly said I was OK and asked her how she was and if she could get up. Her teenage daughter and I tried to help her get up as she squinted her eyes and said she wasn't sure she could. Again she asked how my foot was. I ignored my pain and tried to comfort her. She was just as embarrassed as she was hurt. And half the theatre gawking at us was no help. She stood up and with he help of her daughter took her seat.
The pain in my foot subsided but the pain of having to sit through the showing of the Transformers never did. Save your money and buy Cuervo (a saying an old boss of mine repeated frequently).
That night the pain in my foot returned. I took some ibuprofen before bed and was Ok in the morning.

My Heroes!

My Aunt Hope is in town today. She's on her way back home to Denver City after a short visit to Corpus Christi visiting my cousin. My Mom's little sister and the two remaining "girls" from Mom's side of the family (13 siblings), was the cause of a few cousins getting together for brunch. The three aunts range in age from 63 (aunt hope, pictured) to 85.
I commented to aunt Hope about how she looks good and seems to have lost weight. She's lost 25 Lbs! How? By exercising and cutting back on carbs and sugars. She told us how her diabetes was worsening and she was at the point of going up a dress size. This she could not accept. Aunt Hope decided she had to take action to take care of her self naturally. The decision to be more active and to eat healthier was one that I applaud. Her diabetes is well under control without medication and is almost non existent. The way I see it, She turned off the gene that makes her susceptible to diabetes.
So many people just throw their arms up and resign themselves to a life on prescription drugs. Not Aunt hope! She gets on her stationary bicycle daily, tends to her garden, and eats right.
Aunt Fran who is 85 still gets around too. A little slower these days but she loves to be out and about.
My Aunt Rosa, (74 yrs. young) told us how her Doctor was surprised at her vitals and her blood work numbers. Everything in check. The Doctor asked her what she eats. "Beer and peanuts mostly." she responded laughing loudly.
Aunt Rosa does love her beer. But she also rises early, walks 1 mile everyday and also tends to her garden. She eats well too, along with her peanuts and beer.
I think besides their decision to live a healthy lifestyle, my aunts are also very happy people. People who love family, love to laugh at themselves, talk, and give hugs.