On the trails, Nature's simple wonders make me smile

Run from home.

86 degrees at 5 AM! That is UNBELIEVABLE! Then again, the forecast was for a high of 108! This has been a terribly HOT summer in south Texas. I headed out the door at 6:15 AM towards my favorite trails, The Leon Creek greenbelt. They say the coolest part of the day is just before sunrise. It's true. I felt it this morning. It's weird but it actually felt VERY cool in the creek for a SHORT time just before the sun came up. It actually reached 110 degrees today! I shed some clothing soon after starting this morning's run (stashed my shirt at the trailhead) and ran shirtless for most of my run.
My original plans were to drive 6 miles over to Helotes TX. with my bike, run 15 miles then ride in a memorial ride for Pete Vandermey. Pete was a local runner, rider, and Tri-athlete. I rode with Pete many times out of Roger Soler's sports in Helotes on the Thursday night runs/ride. Pete was an extraordinarily very friendly guy. About 7 years ago Pete was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. He seemed to take it in stride and fought it for over 5 years. Going through cancer treatments, Pete still continued to ride his bicycle when he could and hung out with the guys always smiling. He knew very well that the survivor rate for those suffering from his illness was very low but he kept a stiff upper lip and continued to ride and run. Ultimately, Pete succumbed to his illness. This was the second annual ride for Pete. I didn't make it to Pete's ride. I decided to run 16 miles on the trails in Leon Creek thinking about Pete and others who I've known that have struggled with illnesses and kept fighting and smiling. Maybe the group Pete ran and rode with helped him without realizing it. Maybe that's why Pete kept coming out to ride. I feel we must continue to stay active and encourage those in our lives whether they are runners, riders, walkers, or not.
This brings to mind the cyber banter I was a part of last week. The trail (paved) series I've been running this summer has a facebook page where the organizer asks folks about different subjects concerning the races. One of the questions was about headphones and safety. I chimed in and stated it was not not a good idea and we should look out for each other instead of retreating into our own little world. Some responses were rude. Pretty much saying "I can look out for myself!" I then chimed in with the statement "That's what I love about the Trailrunning community, as apposed to roadies. most Trailrunners care about each other's safety and helping one another succeed."
We all should, look out for each other

Hill Country Road Running.

This morning I met with a few friends to run the back-roads from Boerne, TX to Babcock Rd. near loop 1604. A 19 miler for Tom and I, while the others were running 24. I usually don't run roads for long distances but the scenery on this route is very nice. The route is very hilly through ranch land with wide, long, views of the Texas Hill Country. You can see hills miles away dotted with cattle, horses, and deer. Tom and I started just outside Boerne at 6:30 A.M. While other friends started 5 miles up the road. Tom and I would start 25 minutes after them in hopes of they catching us near the end of our run.
We named the hills as we ran. Usually with some not so nice names. One short but steep hill which we reach after climbing for two miles is now known as "Little S*#t."
Tom and I ran in our HOKA'S! Tom was sporting the latest model too. These shoes are great for the road. Some have mistaken them for the shape ups or Clown shoes. But they do help cushion the pounding on the road. The pace was nice and even. We were usually at about 8:30 to 9 minutes per mile, picking it up to 8 or just under on the downhills. I would shorten my pace and pick up the cadence on the uphills. Tom thought I was a bit aggressive by doing this, but I get impatient and attack the hills.
Joe had set out some water and I also "borrowed" a little bit from another group that was running part of our route and had a couple of ice-chests out there too.
I was trying to "Drink to Thirst." As Dr. Tim Noakes (Professor of exercise) had suggested. I usually go by the old adage, "If you wait to drink until you're thirsty, It's too Late."
I felt good and strong, so I continued with this plan. Until.............At mile 16 I paused to water a tree. I had previously relieved myself and all was fine. But this time, there was a red color in my urine. Not good. This has never happened to me. Tom suggested I drink more. Later two of my friends who are in the medical field told me the same and said to keep an eye on it. I continued for three more miles feeling OK but worried.
4 hours have passed and seems all is well. I've had 5-16oz. bottles of water since the run and the color is good!
Maybe the drink to thirst thing doesn't work for me.
I am reminded of a quote from Dr George Sheehan, "We are all an experiment of one."
Oh! Gotta go! (That's a good thing)

Mac Allister Park 15K

It was Fun at the "Alamo Beer Challenge" 15k last night! My friends Kelli, Domingo, Elda, and Orlando were also there along with some of their friends. We all ran the 15K. It was a real Party atmosphere before and after the race.
After the morning's 11 miler in the hills at Bandera, I tried to take a nap during the day but couldn't. I rested a bit though.
At the 7:30 PM start that night, my legs felt heavy but loosened up after a mile. The course was on asphalt through the wooded areas of Mac Allister park in San Antonio, so it felt like a trail run. I carried a handheld water bottle and a headlamp in my waist belt but never pulled out the lamp although the last two miles were in the dark.
Mac Allister park was at the outskirts of San Antonio when I was a teenager in the 70's, and was known as "North east preserve." The deer have become almost domesticated since then and watch us humans at a close distance as we walk or run through their woods.
I got into a good rhythm after 4 miles and felt good throughout. I didn't make my usual mistake of starting off too fast. I couldn't really. But I was running the best I could. At the start of the second loop I reeled in a runner wearing a camel back. We ran side by side for about half a mile exchanging pleasantries. As I inched forward, ahead of him, he picked up the pace and got in front of me. That's fine I thought. So I just ran behind him, feeding off of his pace. At the 6 mile aid station he stopped as I ran through. I didn't see him again.
It was strange how the glow sticks the last two miles were on the ground, and every five yards. Unlike most trail runs where they are so far apart sometimes you feel like you may be lost.
Even if I hadn't run in the hills at Bandera that morning, I doubt I would have done any better. My finishing time was 1:20:and change.
Post race there was beer on tap from San Antonio breweries. Alamo Brewing, Freetail Brewing, Ranger Creek Brewing, and The Blue Star Brewing company!

Running through a race

I had a great time time running at Hill Country State Natural Area outside Bandera,TX this morning. I'll be running a 15K trail race at 7:30 tonight but couldn't pass up the opportunity to join the "Fun people" at Bandera. So I'll be "running through" a race tonight. I think that's the proper term for running a race after a training run. Anyway, we laughed at how down here in Texas a hilltop breeze feels "Cool" even though the temperature is in the 80's at 7 AM and the humidity is somewhere near 90 percent.

Riding with old friends

Today I rode with some old riding buddies. Mike, John C, his wife the good Doctor Adelita, and John P.
It's been a long time since I've ridden with these guys. We rode south of San Antonio on some quiet rural roads. I couldn't help remembering great times we had in the past on many a bike ride. Mike and I rode the MS 150 Bike to The Beach years ago. I recalled how we were really pushing the envelope and I was talking to Mike as he drafted me. I got little response. When we stopped at an aid station, Mike said he couldn't talk much because his tongue was hanging out and flapping against his back! He was being facetious of course, but we had trained well that year and we were moving!
I told John P. that it was John C. who pushed me into long distance running. John C. encouraged me to run beyond the 5 and 10K's. He actually challenged me. And teased me by saying, "you're not a runner until you run a Marathon." This is not true, but it was John's way to motivate me. Now that I am an ultra runner he thinks I'm crazy!
I was on my bike today because I've been having some lower back pain. As I write this I am listening to Dr Vijay Vad on PBS. He is a back specialist and says Sitting for hours on end, as most of us do, and stress is a big contributor to back pain. Funny, I ran into an old friend yesterday and asked him if he still has his chronic back pain. He said he started making notes on when his pain was the worst. His findings? Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, etc.
I think mine is due to running on concrete too much too hard and heavy weight training. I've got to ease up.
Dr. Vad Also said that walking is one of the best ways to exercise the back! And we must reduce inflammation in the body by eating a healthier diet! Mainly increase Omega 3 fatty acids.
But I won't go there right now. I've written about how eating well is beneficial for overall health. And I preach it, but people think I'm nuts :-)