I intended to run 12 miles today. Or 2 hours. It turned out to be 10 nice, easy comfortable miles. That is until I felt a tightness in my right calf muscle. It hurt, but only for a few seconds. My muscles tired? Are they adjusting to recovering? I don't know but I'm glad it passed and didn't return.
30 miles the past week and now I really taper. A walk tomorrow and two milers the rest of the week leading up to my 50 miler. But!, Before I that I'll spend a day with the grandkids. Still trying to decide where we'll go. The Zoo and a movie maybe.
I finished reading Scott Jurek's book, "Eat and Run." It was a collection of race reports and his perspective on ultra-running sprinkled with vegetarian recipes. He shares some interesting thoughts on the reasons many of us run long distances. Many, actually most, of his reflections on running I can relate to. Many of them I have experienced and many more made me reflect on past as well as recent experiences. Those thoughts made me realize why I continue to run, the many friends I've made running, and improved relationships that have resulted from me running. Some at the other end of these relationships who don't run to extreme or who find no reason to push themselves to the point that we do will never understand. In his book Scott points out that it is so ironic that an individual sport like running can and has lead to some very good, and long lasting friendships. I agree.
Maybe it's because we understand each other and share our thoughts with each other, while not questioning our reason for running.

San Antonio Roadrunners mentoring

My 5K trainees showed up for week two today! I was so happy to see Lisa and Jennifer again. I may be doing something right! Today's pre run talk was about gear. Three of the mentors shared their thoughts about running gear. Waist belts, attire, shoes, etc. One person had so much of her personal gear it was funny. She admitted she may have too much but learned what works and what doesn't (for her) and why. Her presentation was a good one for new runners. Teaching them to be selective and don't buy on impulse. The guy who talked about shoes sounded like a shoe salesman. He was knowledgeable but I think he lost some folks with too much detail. My advice to my trainees, go with a shoe that is comfortable, light, and not too cushiony, and go see my good buddy Paul at Fleet Feet, he knows feet, running, and shoes.

Today's run was a 1.75 miler which consisted of alternating 1:30 run, 1:30 walk, 3:00 run, 3:00 walk to completion. With a tenth of a mile to the finish we were at a walking point and both of my trainees kept running! Great to see that.

I loved all the questions my trainees have  for me. 

Why do I have more energy near the end of a run? We see and feel the finish line. We are about to accomplish what we set out to do and this fuels our desire to finish strong

What should I eat before a run? Experiment. Clif bar and a banana. Eggs ( my favorite), nothing if it's a short run. But always two and preferably three hours prior to the start.

Why do I feel lethargic at the beginning of a run? It's normal. It takes our bodies time to warm up after being idle or moving slowly most of the day.

There were and will be more. I'm having a good time with my trainees.
I got in a good short quality run before the training too. A 4 miler with 5 hill repeats up stadium drive which is only one tenth of a mile but steep and on grass!. I ran them at a good clip too. I should have taken my shoes off. That's another thing I suggested to my trainees. Barefoot running on grass. It builds strength in our feet and helps us get back to a more natural running form. But start slow and only for 10 minutes and build up from there.

Short runs feel good! ...........But so do long ones.

Tapering sure does feel good now. After I started  cutting down on running mileage earlier this week my legs were feeling sore and my body felt tired all over. But now it seems I've recuperated. It felt good to sleep in knowing there was no need to run long. Breakfast  and coffee with my wife as the sun rose this morning, Nice!
On the trail by mid morning and I found myself running up the inclines easily. Those short uphills that I had been walking up. My legs felt good and I was enjoying every minute of it. Of course I still question whether I've trained enough. 45 to 50 mile weeks was all I could or wanted to handle the last couple of months but that ought to be enough for me. My 50 mile run is in two weeks. There'll be More easy short runs until then And that sounds really good.
Now I have to plan race day nutrition. Still trying to figure out the perfect plan.
I bought Scott Jureks new book, Eat & Run. I thought twice about it. You know, another book on running and eating. yeah yeah. I've read a few. But I am really enjoying it. He tells about his life growing up and troubles in his home as a child. Having to deal with his mothers illness at an early age. And how he finds peace running on the trails. It's difficult for us who run long distances when we try to explain to people why we do it. Even we question ourselves. But then on a long run, we discover another reason why we do it. And then we still can't fully explain it.

You know you've reached that certain age when.....

There's noting quite like a classic steel, lugged,  bicycle frame.
Before I was an avid runner I was an avid bicycle rider and still enjoy it very much when I get out on the roads with friends. In 1991 I bought a Bridgestone RB1 steel lugged bicycle that I still ride to this day. I resisted falling for all the hype of Aluminum, carbon fiber, redesigned frames.

I love to ride my quiet comfortable bike. And when properly trained I can still hang with some of the faster guys on their Carbon fiber frames during club rides.  I have changed a few things on my bike over the years and have added new wheels but it's still the same classic Italian style frame. My friend John and I enjoy hanging out at Hanks bicycle shop where we talk about old frames. John recently bought and rebuilt a 1976 model English made frame. It's a bee-ute!
20 something kids are now seeking these classic frames and are turning them into single or fixed gear commuters. They seem to be popping up everywhere.
Today as I was leaving work I saw a young woman in short shorts as she got off her bike near San Pedro Park. I slowed down to take a good look at the bike! Steel lugged orange frame, leather saddle, chrome wheels, pedals with clips, nice! I tried to get a closer look but I had to keep moving to not impede traffic and couldn't make out the frame model. As I rolled away I thought, Hey! That looked like a good looking young lady in those shorts! But she's only a blur in my rearview mirror now.
But that sure was a PRETTY BIKE!

Because I enjoy running so much I volunteered to be a mentor for the San Antonio Roadrunners 5K program. Today was the first meeting at Brackenridge park where the roadrunners have their weekly 2 mile fun run. It was great! More people than I had imagined showed up. There may have been 70! There will be about 20 mentors.  Brackenridge Park is an old historic park where the San Antonio zoo is located. The park roads and trails were renovated a few years ago making it safer and more pedestrian friendly. We ran/walked 1.5 mile on our inaugural run. I think it's going to be fun. Our target race is the first weekend of August.
Before the 6 PM meeting I ran my 10 X 10 second hill sprints up Stadium drive. It was smoother than the usual hill workout with L at Freidrich park but just as steep. I took just a bit more time between sprints and  I could hear L's voice in the back of my head saying "Come on Come on!" I wanted to stop at 8, but didn't.
Capped of the evening with a visit to my buddy T's where he and E were brewing up a new batch of an IPA.
Life is good.

If after 40 it's all about maintenance, what is it after 50

I don't know but I was feeling every bit of mid 50's today. The younger friends I run with don't let me play that card and that's why I keep running with them but this morning I sure was glad there was a big group turn out for our Sunday morning long run. It gave me an easy out after 14 miles. I was hoping to get in 20 but I just felt too tired. As though my body was still recovering, after 43 miles since last Sunday. Further proving to me that my body can only take about 50 miles a week before it begs for rest. I'm feeling good about my training. I tell myself I'm training first and foremost to enjoy the run in the mountains, then finish and hopefully do somewhat well, not to win.
I kept thinking about my longevity as a long distance runner. Will the upcoming 50 miler be my last hurrah? How long can I keep running Ultras? I know there are runners older than me who run 50 and 100 milers but can I? Do I want to? At the Pandora's box races last month I saw my good friend Gabe A. as he was smiling while running the half marathon. Gabe has run many ultras throughout the years but now approaching  his mid 60's he's toned it down and only runs the shorter races and maybe a 50K now and then. I want to be like him when I'm 60+. Still running and still loving it.
Meanwhile though, I'll keep running with the young guns and try to hang.
At least for about 10K.