Slipping and sliding, and bare-feet

I had to get out early this morning and stay close to home due to a prior commitment. Helping my niece load a U-Haul for her move to Dallas today.
Out the door at 6 AM headed to the familiar trails of Leon creek. my neighbor shouts out from his porch "you're gonna get wet!"
It rained last night and was drizzling very lightly, but this would end 10 minutes into my hour run.
Getting to the creek I thought twice about getting off the pavement and onto the natural trails. My feet were already wet and the trails would be muddy! Oh, well. I kept thinking about how Chris is always bringing up "The Mud Year" at Bandera. And if we get another "Mud Year" at this years 100K race I have to be ready. I jumped on the natural trails and quickly began slipping and sliding on the very moist caliche. It rained quite a bit but not enough to make really soft mud. Caliche is a bit more dense than black dirt so it takes a good downpour to really soften it up. The boot camp squats and lunges came in handy as I straddled and jumped over and sideways around puddles. Then there was the one very large, very long, ankle deep puddle I could not jump or straddle.. Oh well, at this point I was wet and muddy so in I went. as I came out the other end I felt something slapping my left ankle! without looking at what it was I shook my foot in an attempt to get it off. what was it? A weed? A snake!? No, it was my shoelace that came untied.
The trail then came to a low point crossing the creek where clear cool water was rushing by making a pretty sound. Like a babbling brook. It's been too long since we've seen or heard this around here. We've been in such a very long drought. Crossing the creek helped clean my shoes a bit.
I jumped off the trail to head back home running the pavement to try and get some mud off my shoes. Enough mud training for now. At this point I saw the only other person out this morning. I said Hi and noticed he was barefoot. I've seen a few runners going barefoot lately. Saw one at the Rock and Roll Marathon a couple of weeks ago. I'm all for going minimalist. I think it is beneficial. But we need some type of protection on our feet. I was running in the New Balance 101's today. That's about as minimalist as you can go besides the vibram five fingers. By the way, I was impressed by my friend John Kuss who ran the Cactus Rose 50 at Bandera last month wearing the 101's. those rocks at Bandera show no mercy!
Walking barefoot in the house is good. But come on, ever since man learned to walk upright he realized we need some protection for our feet. Check out these early shoes!

Elite?

The not so fit looking runners were running slow. Some not dressed in the latest running "styles."
Another group of over weight-ers were donning flashy new running gear and struggling to keep an even swift pace, running twelve minute per mile intervals.
Some self proclaimed "elites", winners of local road races, see these runners and smirk. Judge them and laugh at their efforts, form, and gear.
I heard it recently. I've seen it. Don't like it.
What do they know of these people? The "slow" runners. What is their story?
We don't know until we run them. We can learn a lot about someone by running or walking with them.
Are they beginners? If so, Fantastic!
If they've been at it for awhile, Great! They're still doing it.
Are they training for "REAL" races? Like an Ultra, multi day hike, rehabilitating from an illness, injury, or trying to stay ahead of failing health?
Many can run fast.
But it takes more effort to run when you can't run fast.
And it takes special people to support these runners.
My good friend Amanda supported a family member on her first Marathon by running with her last week.
Today, Amanda won first female at the Wild Hare 50 Mile trail race!
That's an "ELITE" runner!

Fall is here in South Central Texas.

Cold last Saturday morning, 38 degrees. 4+ mile trail run with Lalo and Tom. Wearing gloves and long sleeve shirts.
Warm and humid Sunday morning, 68 degrees. 11 mile trail run with Lalo, Tom, Chris, Amanda, and Liza. Traversing the protected habitat of the Golden Cheek Warbler in Northwest Bexar county (Open to humans in the fall and winter).
Humid this morning, Rain mid day and cool this afternoon. Nice solo tempo run in Leon Creek this afternoon. The leaves on the trees are turning colors and some were floating down to the ground, suspended in the air at times, as they fell to the ground like wounded butterflies. The sun set early and the full moon shone bright in the sky at twilight.
The time is near where I search the back end of my closet for light winter clothing. Clothing that I have owned for years. Windbreakers, vests, tights, gloves, and much more, that I have owned for years. They don't get much use here because winter only lasts for about a month. And that one month or so of winter temps come two to three days at a time within the four months of late fall and the winter season.
My favorite running vest goes back 15 years! Running winter clothes don't go out of style.
Do they?

Cactus Rose 50 Mile Trail run

The day before the race I prepared my gear and fuel. Filling my drop bags for what I may need is always difficult for me. I can never make up my mind and wind up packing too much and adding something different just in case. Same goes for my shoes. I decided to wear a pair of new Balance 874's. I've had them for over three years(they don't make them anymore). I rarely ran in these shoes, instead using them for golfing. And I golf about twice a year. I took along two other pair too. One of them being the Hokas. But I had not trained much in the Hokas so I thought it wouldn't be wise to start with them.
It was cold at 3 AM Saturday morning as I drove up to the race. 42 degrees in the city and surely in the mid 30's once I arrived at Hill Country State Natural Area outside of Bandera, TX.
When I was younger I was able to withstand cold weather. Not anymore! Wearing my 3/4 length spandex pants, a long sleeve tech shirt under a short sleeve one and a fleece vest on top of that, I checked in and greeted friends. Hand shakes and hugs at the start set me at ease as we began promptly at 5 AM.
I've run these trails so many times that it was comfortable running in the dark. Although at one time I did feel I may have gotten off course. But Joe does such a great job at marking the course with glow sticks and ribbons. I arrived at the first aid station sooner than what I had expected. Maybe I was moving too fast but I was feeling good and kept the same easy swift pace. Further down the trail at about mile 6 I was alone. My buddies Lalo and Tom were long gone ahead of me. No way I could keep up with them. As I turned back too see the runners below the slight incline I was on, the stream of headlamps looked pretty cool. The long row of runners headlamps in succession looked like a file of motorcycles on a highway far off in the distance. Pretty, but not as beautiful as the sky displaying it's awesome show of stars. Arriving at the second aid station, Nachos-mile 10, I refilled my handheld water bottle quickly. There was another runner there. I tried to greet him but he seemed preoccupied. He nodded. I took off down the trail. What was on his mind? Maybe he was trying to figure that out. Trail runners are a different breed. how many folks would get up before dawn to go run 50 plus miles, in the dark, on rugged ,hilly trails? Why do they/we do it? Everyone has a different reason. Those reasons change over time. Some reasons they don't care to share. Some will share after being high. High on hours of running on the trails.
At the mile 15 aid station it was time to ditch the water bottle and put on my hydration pack. Quickly filling the bladder with water and grabbing some olives I had in my drop bag, I was off to climb the three sisters, a series of three short but steep and rugged climbs littered with loose rocks of all sizes followed by Sky Island, another steep, rugged climb. Up and over, through the 20 mile aid station and on to the halfway point. Arriving in 5 hours and 20 minutes, I grabbed a banana and some sweet potato fries from my drop bag. I also chatted with my old friend Robert from Austin before heading out for the second loop, on the same course in the reserve direction. By this time I had shed the vest, long sleeve shirt, put on my sunglasses, and Tilley broad brim Hat. It was now sunny and warm.
Going over Cairns climb I planted my foot smack-dab on what must have been the sharpest rock out there! It hurt! Shaking it off, I continued at a good pace although I could not keep up with my friend Rachel who was trucking along on her way to a second place finish in the 100 mile race. About this same time Larry and Chris, Also running the hundred miler dropped me like a wet rag.
At mile 35 I changed from my tights into some shorts. And something happened after leaving the 35 mile aid station. My legs began to stiffen up and soon they were toast. I tried to run or shuffle along but it became painful to do so. I decided it would be a power hike to the finish. The climbs up the sisters in reverse were a bit difficult but my familiarity with them eased the struggle. At about mile 43 my friend Amanda came up behind me. She was cheerful, and lifted my spirits as she passed me saying her legs were aching. She continued on, off into the distance, passing a few people who had passed me before she came up on me. This gave me more energy. I was able to trot now and then.
As I reached the 45 mile aid station Jason and Tanya were there, with Rich and Jeanie who were providing their own special aid to our group. They were wonderful in offering their support (and FOOD!) with genuine care. I sat in a chair for about 10 minutes I guess. Way too long to stay at an aid station in a race, but I was well ahead of my 13 hour finishing goal. Rich looked at me like "you gotta go man" and Tanya said, "you can't stay here long!"
I left happy knowing I could accomplish my goal, covering the next 5 miles in less than two hours. Doable. Even hiking on sore tired legs and knowing I had steep, rocky, Lucky peak to climb. Lucky peak is a bear! I came up behind two others climbing up but could not keep up, much less pass them. I stopped twice to catch my breath before cresting the hill. At this point I knew I was home free, A 100 mile runner beginning his third loop offered encouragement as he said "you're almost there." I could only think about him and how he would have to climb Lucky Peak sometime tomorrow at mile 98.
I finished in 12:22:00 greeted by my many trail running friends, and training buddies and special friends El And O!
I was Aching, aching, aching. I planned on trying to pace a friend on a portion of his hundred miler but I couldn't do it. I ached to much. Besides, he was running faster than I could hike. Thankfully He finished strong.
The shoes held up well. My Fuel? still trying to figure it out. I tried mixed nuts. Olives. fruit. Gels and dates turned my stomach, too sweet. I should go back to chicken sandwiches. Oh well, I'm not trying to WIN these races. Or get faster. I just want to complete them.
Why? I don't know. come run with me. It may spill out.

Tapering.

Tapering really does a body good. During this period of tapering the body rebuilds itself. Muscles get stronger as they are allowed to rest and recover. This includes the heart too. I can feel it!
The last two weeks my mileage has decreased dramatically. Thursday of last week I went out for what I thought would be an easy 3 mile trail run at our groups usual weekly meeting place, Eisenhower Park. Don't know exactly how many miles I ran since the group was running hill repeats, thus throwing a wrench in my planned route. I haven't been using my Garmin lately. Instead I run a planned route or just go out for an hour or two not worrying about distance.
I felt I shouldn't be running hill repeats while I'm tapering, but the peer pressure got to me. I ran slower than my friends but completed 5 hill repeats and felt great.
Going in to the last of the Scallywompus Alamo Beer Challenge series(a 15K)this past weekend, I planned just to take it easy and complete the run with no plan to "race."
As I started people were passing me as I was running relaxed. But something happened at about mile 3. I picked up the pace and kept it up. At the turnaround of the out and back, I picked it up even more! It's only a 9.3 miler, but can I keep this pace up to the finish? I asked myself. I did and finished strong in 1:13:09, a 7:51 pace. That's fast for me.
My body gives me hints when I've trained too much. A little twinge in my left knee, very chapped lips, sore upper arms/shoulders. These symptoms have been with me the last two weeks. BUT IT'S SO HARD TO TAPER! I WANT TO RUN MORE!
But I tell myself, "listen to your body." And think, "Tapering does a body good"
Cactus Rose 50 miler this weekend!
Still can not decide what I'll fuel with. I'm thinking, Avocados, olives, coconut milk /water, sweet potatoes, Gels, nuts, and ........who knows.

Jesse

I visited my friend Jesse today. Jesse is at University Hospital recovering from a motorcycle accident. I was a little apprehensive. Afraid I might say something wrong. I heard he was in good spirits and I was afraid I'd put my foot in my mouth and change that.
Jesse lost the lower portion of his left leg just below the knee. I thought about how I felt after dislocating my ankle a few years ago and how helpless I felt. My injury was nowhere near, and can not compare with what he must be going through.
Jesse was watching the football game last Sunday as his pre-teen daughter was sitting on the front porch at home waiting for the ice cream man to come by. He went out and told her he'd take her to the store if the ice cream man didn't show as soon as the game was over. The game was near it's end when Jesse went out to take his daughter to the store right down the street. Wearing her helmet, Joyce climbed on the bike behind her Dad and they headed out to the store. Cruising down the street an oncoming car decides to turn left at an intersection at the last moment, giving no warning, and slams into the motorcycle severing Jesse's leg and throwing Joyce into the air. Jesse can see his lower leg feet away as the car speeds off. Concerned for his daughter, Jesse crawls behind and around the bike and finds Joyce a little banged up but OK. Fortunately there was one witness and the driver of the car has been identified.
As I entered Jesse's hospital room he smiles and calls out my name. An old buddy of his was there as was his older daughter, a student at UT Austin. I was pleased Jesse was in good spirits and positive. He recounted the story and said he was lucky because it could have been worse. He was thankful for the fact that he was alive and Joyce was OK. And how he must and will continue to be there for his family. Jesse spoke about what he would do after getting a prosthetic. I told him he had to get two! On for normal activity and one for running!
Jesse had come to me recently and asked for advice on preparing for running a 5K in Austin. His older daughter had urged him to run with her and she eventually wanted to run a half marathon with her Dad. They were able to run that 5K last week and his daughter said it was him pushing her to the finish.
To my surprise, Jesse said he would run again. He looked forward to getting back at it. And He said he will.
As I left from my visit with Jesse I felt he made the visit easy, for Me. Jesse's job requires him to be on his feet. Life will change for him. He will have struggles. But I am happy that he has such a positive attitude. And I look forward to running with him in the future. I told him I would.

The good Doctor

Yesterday V. and I spent the morning walking through the Historic King William area checking out the garage sales. There was some really cool old stuff for sale. The best part was viewing all the really cool, restored, old wood frame homes. Some have so much detail in shutters, custom overhangs, and sidings with unique color patterns, from earth tones to pastels These homes built over one hundred years ago, give you a sense of when life was simpler.
I met Doctor Roberto P. Trevino. A very nice mild mannered man. Dr. Trevino, a physician specialized in internal and critical care medicine, was manning his yard sale with his wife, and son. One item for sale was the Doctor's book, "Forgotten Children" The true story of how politicians endanger children.(2009)
This book presents the dark side of the diabetes industry. The diabetes industry is a $174 Billion dollar industry! The doctor writes his book like a novel, but it presents true events. It reveals how Politicians, Bureaucrats, and special interest groups (Big Pharma, no doubt), kept a program that had shown to decrease blood sugar content away from children that were at risk. The Doctor was very passionate as we spoke. I was very interested and told him how I thought this occurs in the Cancer industry, among others, also. Why would the Cancer industry try to find a cure? I asked. They're making money TREATING cancer. Curing it would put them out of business.
We agreed it's all in what we eat. WE are in control. I told him about Dr. Roby Mitchell's quote, "You'll never medicate yourself out of diseases you behave yourself into"
He liked it, and agreed. I think my friend Lalo, also a doctor, would agree too.
I bought his book. And he signed it!
Some of my friends, family, and co-workers think I go to extremes in what I eat and how I exercise. But I'm only trying to make myself feel good and to set an example for others. I try to stick to a diet that is almost Paleo, but I do indulge in a burger now and then. And I know Paleolithic man didn't have beer! I like beer.
I try to eat well and get my nutrients from REAL food. Did you know there is Organic junk food? Dr. Phil Maffetone wrote a report on this years ago. Do you know where it went? Nowhere. The packaged Organic food industry is another one you have to be wary of. “Organic” white flour, “Organic” pure cane sugar, is still sugar and is not good.
As far as exercise, I read a good quote recently, "those who say they don't have time to exercise, will have to make time for illness later"
I have to share this link. Posted on facebook by a friend. Watch the whole video. It makes sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCFZoqmKf5M&feature=share