These Folks R Crazy.................

Oh my God, was this a crazy weekend......

Here's a group photo taken before the start of the North Country 50 Mile Trail run....

These folks are smiling now but in a few more hours, all those smiles were gone....

My job for the day was to ensure that Sandy had everything she need to complete her 50 miles. I felt like a corner man for a boxer, with ice bag water and words of wisdom.

Well the words of wisdom

were more like 'keep running you're looking great'!

This was supposedly a relatively easy course(25 mile loop), as trail courses go but I didn't see one runner that hadn't taken a fall. One of our friends had fallen and thought she broke her arm, but she kept running(told you they were crazy)............

Being in the car gave me a chance to see the lead runners go off course early in the race. Since I didn't know the course, I couldn't tell them that at the time but they ran three miles off course!!!! Yeah, why not add some miles to a 50 mile race.

Here she is at the 13.4 mile mark, going through her drop-bag for personal stuff she packed. All I could go on was if she was smiling when I saw her, but who wouldn't smile when they saw me????

Sandy has an extremely high tolerance for pain, so I knew she would take her body further than it should and the temps were getting hotter as the miles added up.

One thing that I always knew but was much more evident out in the woods is that I'm an active spectator. I can't just stand and clap as the runners go by, luckily for them I brought my vuvuzela with me! If you've ever run the trails, it's nice to hear something that means you're close to civilization. One of the runners nicknamed me 'Gabriel' because

he knew when he heard the horn, he was close to an aid station.

Since the course was two 25 mile loops, what do you say to a person after they run 25 miles and they can see the finish banner but they have to go out and do another loop???? All I could say is, you're half-way done... now run like the wind!

Sandy was fortunate to be paced by two of our great friends during the first 25 miles and another was jumping in for the second loop. I could not believe that there were so many runners without support crews or runners to pace them. As I found out later, these were the guys that were truly suffering the second loop.

Sandy had been going steady the first 25 miles but at mile 30 she began to bonk. Now during these ultra events you need to constantly consume food and hydrate and I think she failed to take in enough nutrients during the beginning. Luckily I had Slim-fast and fruit that seemed to do the trick and she regained some of the energy needed to continue.

The miles were getting slower and slower and it was difficult to estimate when she would make it to the next aid stations, so I had a lot of time to blow my horn for the runners.

Fast forward to mile 43 and she was still running with a slight smile on her face. I knew this was the last aid station that I would see her until the finish. I knew from the determined look on her face that she would finish, it was just a matter of in what condition.

Not having run with her the entire day, a group of us went out on the course for the last mile, to run her in. As we waited, the runners were approaching with the same death walk/jog. The majority of these people were toast!!!!

Finally, Sandy came and our small group began the walk/run to the finish line. I'm sure it was an amazing sight for her to see the support that was there for her and the fact she only had a mile to go! Ah, the finish line smile..........

11:08 for first place in her age group(the second place female was over an hour behind her). I'm not sure if this will be her first and only 50 miler, but I am so proud of what she accomplished. What do you do after running 50 miles? Beer and a little ice!

Oh as a side note, remember the guy that ran 3 miles extra? Well, he finally caught up with the lead runners that didn't go off course. Here is the finish photo for a 50 mile race:

The guy diving for the finish line ran 53 miles and won the race.....

This is what a winner looks like.

On the Road Again..........

Getting ready to head off to Manistee Michigan for Sandy's 50 Mile race.

I hope to have lots of pictures and a race report from the crew's perspective.........

Good luck to everyone running the Crim in Flint, it's going to be HOT.

TGIF

Three Thing Thursday

Yay, my virtual Friday..........

1) We will be traveling up north for Sandy's first ever 50 mile race (North Country Trail Run) on Saturday. Bart Yasso will be there signing his book, so he and I will probably exchange words for a while.....ha. Sandy doesn't have any time predictions, just finishing while the sun is still up! I'll be her support crew, ensuring everything goes according to plan. How many BEvERages will this take????????

2) I'm in week four of the 100 push-up challenge. This was really big in Blogland last year but seems to have lost some steam along the way. It's just something else to keep me motivated to do some upper body stuff.

3) Yesterday at our track workout a soccer coach had his team running on the track for conditioning. These kids had to be between 10 and 12 years old. It was amazing to see how some of these kids ran as if they had never done it before!!!! As Humpty Hump woulds say, they looked like MC Hammer on crack! I was shocked as I saw the kids get passed by members of our group on their recovery laps! I guess video games and parental taxis have eliminated the need to run in some of their lives.........

Wednesday's Why???????

Just got back from my six month check-up at the doctor and everything is looking good.

Why does the Medical Assistant always ask what you're in for, can't they read my file??????

Why do they make you sit in the exam room with nothing to do but wait, while the doctor is doing whatever????

Why do they have a designated lady to take blood, can't all of them do it??????????

My doctor always ask if anything has changed since the last visit and I always say that I'm slower and my knee hurts after logging more than 30 miles in a week.

I also tell him that I can't lift as much weight as I could three years ago. He laughs and we go on from there.

One thing that caught my attention was he noticed that I had lost some weight and wondered if it was intentional.

I guess I'm at the age when weight-loss is a sign for something?????

Why is it when I have to fast for blood work, I'm the most hungry??????

Tuesday Thoughts

I want to thank Becka and Coach Liz for reminding me that I had some Traumeel in my gym bag to use on my knee. Behind every forgetful man is a good ...........................

After having some pretty crappy runs, I actually had a decent run this morning and it got me to thinking how different they are.

Bad run: That traffic light is going to turn red, I'd better stop running now and walk up to it.

Good run: I think I can dart through those fast moving cars and not have to stop running, even though the light is green!

Bad run: I'd better stop and walk around that tree stump to be safe.

Good run: Hey, this is like the steeplechase if I jump over that tree stump.

Bad run: God, I'm thirsty. I've been out here for ten minutes!

Good run: Why did I bring this water belt?

Bad run: I have to pee again?

Good run: I'm barely sweating....

Bad run: I can barely catch my breath.

Good run: Did I forge tot breath again?

Bad run: Where did that ache come from? My back never bothers me...

Good run: Nothing hurts? Is it the shoes????

What about you???????????????

Can I Have a Do Over??????????

This morning's early run just didn't feel right!

Have you ever had a run where the body was willing but the mind just wasn't taking part???

I was mentally out of it from the start. It may have been the 'Dream Cruise' party we attended the night before........

I cut it short after two miles, just to say I ran.

When I got back to the house, I knew I had to finish what I started and get back out there and run.

This was going to be an unscheduled two-a-day for this kid......

Fast forward three hours and a few cups of coffee and I'm dressed and ready to go again.

Hey, where the hell did all of this traffic come from????

Why are the drivers telling me I'm number one, don't they realize I always run in the street????

There are a lot more Buick's out on the road than in the morning, that isn't a good sign.....

Okay now I'm starting to feel some discomfort every other step.

Damn you right knee, why are you doing this????

Come on, let's just make it a few more miles. I've give you some ice when we get back home.

Ouch, okay I'll take that as a 'no'........

Yes, as B.o.b. would say, I have a Wonky knee to deal with again.....

Saturday Quickie......

Get your mind out of the gutter, not that kind............

Just a quick post to let the world know that I got my ass kicked by two of my teammates from the relay.

Damn, I hate/love those guys.

I made it a point to take a couple of Advil before this mornings run, so the knee wouldn't stop me in my tracks.

The testosterone was present from the first mile until the finish........

Now I'm just hoping that the body doesn't rebel on me and go into shock for tomorrow....

Now was that good for you????????????

WTF????????

Okay, did I jinx myself with my last post about being able to run????

I missed my Thursday group run due to laziness and a sever storm, so I decided to get in an early morning run before work.

It was picture perfect with the sun just starting to rise and the birds were chirping my name as I ran pass.

The traffic signals were even cooperating and allowing me to run non-stop.

Sade was singing all of my favorite songs as I glided down the road.............

Then it hit!!! Crash, Bang, bam, pow....... My right knee, which hasn't given me any problems lately began to twinge just a little.

Bring the astute runner that I am, I took note of it as I continued on my run.

The twinge became more constant, as my glide turned into a gallop.

The runner in me wanted to continue in hopes that it would soon miraculously go away, but the realist said to run around and call it a day.....

So, the point of this post is, be careful of what you post........

May the force be with you this weekend.

Three Thing Thursday

1) I walked pass a group of physically disabled individuals when I was leaving the gym and for some reason it really hit me hard that I am blessed to be able to run, walk and do the things that I'm able to do.

2) One of my TNT alumni that makes it to the Wednesday track workouts has gone from running 12 minute miles to now running consistent 9 minute miles. Norm even ran a 7:53 mile yesterday! Way to go Norm...........

3) My eating has been horrendous the last couple of days. I've been feeling lethargic during my daytime runs. I know that it's the crappy breakfast that I've been having. I typically eat breakfast at work, but this week has been hectic in the mornings. I'll have to put my steak and eggs in a blender to save time.........

Wednesday's Why???????

Wow the weekend went faster than Tyson Gay's last race....

If you've never participated in a Beer Mile(drink a beer run a 1/4 mile), don't do it. Nuff said and I think I'm finally back to normal.

We have finally left Humidville here in the High-Five state and now 80º feels like 80º, instead of 1000º.........

People were actually cutting their long runs short over the weekend because of the heat and humidity!

I've thrown down a semi-challenge to my son for a race between the two of us. I told you not to run a Beer Mile, it makes you do stuff like that.

So, now I have to get super-fast in a short period of time.... Ha, like that will ever happen.

Step one, go to speed-work sessions and get ready to puke.

We did 1/2 mile repeats, which is my fav.......... I did my five intervals and was feeling pretty good. I didn't push it to the point of red-lining but it was more than a stroll in the park.

So this leads to Wednesday's question.

Why do runners go out like a bat out of hell on the first interval, only to die and never be seen again?????

You know who you are...........

T.G.I.Facts (Random of course)

I am sooooooo happy that this day has arrived. I finally get a day off from running and I was able to sleep in before heading to work.

Ah, the simple things in life........

I was tagged by Marlene for one of those 10 random thing post.

So here goes.......

1) I've been working for the same company for over 38 years! This is due to transitions of departments from one company to another.

2) I would eat fried chicken every day if I could, unfortunately I haven't had fried chicken in months. We don't fry anything in our household.... sad face.....

3) I never ran in high school or college.....

4) I was a pack and a half smoker when I first started running. I would light up after each run.

5) My mother thought that running was bad for me and never truly condoned it. I would run from my house to her house for a fluid break and she would be amazed that I could run five miles one way. It must have been a mother's thing.

6) I got Sandy to start running when we first started dating and now she's going to run her first 50 mile race! Have you gotten anyone to start running?

7) My first running shoe was the Adidas Bostonian and I still have my first race T-shirt....

8) My middle name is Renard, don't ask me why?????????

9) None of my siblings run. As a matter of fact, I'm the oddity in my family in terms of staying fit.

10) I secretly watch the Food Network when I'm the only one home...........

Three Thang Thursday

1) We have had a streak of hot and humid weather here in the High-five state and it's starting to get to me. No, I'm not having any bad hair days but my runs have been tough. Wake up early to try and beat the heat or leave a trail of sweat and run during the day? How do they say it in Arizona, it's a dry heat. Well this is a sloppy wet heat!

2) Runner's World vs Running Times. This months issue of Runner's World did absolutely nothing for me. Running Times on the other hand, seems very interesting.

3) I was amazed when I told some of my non-running co-workers about my Garmin and other running gadgets that I own. They were in awe of the technology that is available for runners. I didn't let them know about my 33 bookmarked websites that I frequent almost every day and heaven forbid they know about blogging.......

Wednesday's What????

I remember running in the 1988 Columbus Marathon and recieiving running shorts and a T-shirt. Another time I received my race swag in a five-gallon bucket. These are the ones that stick out in my memory.

So my question today is 'what different thing would you give out as part of your race swag'????????????

Eight is Not Enough.........

Well I'm sure most of you don't remember the television series but I was referring to SLEEP!

I need to schedule a day during the week when I can get eight plus hours of sleep...

With all of the running and cross-training and early morning beat the heat stuff that everyone does. Are we getting enough ZZZZZZZs?

I've read about recovery runs and recovery socks but not a lot about getting sufficient sleep to truly let the body recover.

So my plan is to pick one day during the week when I sleep in and get to work a little later than normal. I'll also schedule an evening run from work so I can miss the rush hour traffic.

Let's see how this works......

Monday Moanin'

This is exactly why I hate those stupid early morning runs on the weekend.

4:33 AM came too soon today. Oh my aching head.........

I have to get my run in before work because the heat index is suppose to go to 195º later in the day!

How am I going to run with this slight hangover????

Just 'suck it up, Mary'........

Okay, here goes nothing....... left, right, left.

Hey, this isn't too bad. I must have killed those brain cells that have been telling me to stop running and walk.

I'm feeling pretty good, let me check my pace and distance.....

WTF???? I've only gone an eighth of a mile?

Remember that guy that passed me on my run yesterday? Well the Running gods flipped the script today and I was the one doing the passing.

This guy didn't know what hit him as I passed him with my gazelle-like stride...... ha, that even made me laugh.

Did any of you watch the Hawaii Ironman on television yesterday?

I am still amazed at the elite athletes as well as the weekend warriors that participate in it.

I still find it hard to watch the bent over runners struggling to the finish line. I'm not sure I could push myself to that point............ crazy!

I wore my Garmin on the golf course for the first time, just to see how far I walk. Three miles, three BEvERages and several lost balls later I was done. Where have you worn your Garmin other than a run????

What Would You do?????

Today's run was uneventful, Sandy and I started together but of course shew as going a little further than me.....

Once we separated, I noticed a younger runner coming my way.

He was shirtless and appeared to not even be sweating.....

He came up on me and we gave each other the obligatory head nod and he sped up.

What would you do????

Of course I picked up the pace and tried to stay with him... AM I stupid or what???

Well, it didn't last long but it was fun while it did last.

I knew that I couldn't keep up with him but he pulled me a mile and it felt great.

So have you chased that runner before???

She Did What????

That's the response I get when I tell people that Sandy ran her long run of 36 miles At the butt-crack of dawn yesterday!

This was her last long run before her taper for her first 50 mile Ultra......

Oh, I ran 4 miles yesterday...................

How much money does it have to be for you to stop in your tracks to pick it up?

I was in a nice groove yesterday and noticed a quarter on the road but I kept going for fear of not getting back into that groove. It got me to thinking, would I have stopped for a dollar bill???

I overslept(didn't set the alarm and rolled back over) this morning and wasn't able to make it out with the group, so I hit the hills and trail alone. It was kind of fun but strange to be running on a Saturday alone.....

I'm kind of glad since I had a lawn to mow and possible nine holes of golf ahead of me....

I beginning to like this running stuff again......

DOMS and other Cool Stuff

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness my ass, it's been two days!

I must have broken something.............

I'm not sure if it's the leg workout from Wednesday or old age, but my legs are talking to me when I sit too long...

Of course my job has me sitting in front of this damn monitor for long periods of time, so that really helps! NOT

The weather this morning was pleasantly cooler, which made me run before work. Unlike Marlene, I wasn't doing anything crazy, just enjoying the sunrise and solitude.

The plan is to hook up with some co-workers that are training for a full marathon tomorrow morning and begin to get serious about this running stuff.

Does anyone know if there's an age limit for the Olympics??????

TGIF

OUCH...............

Note to self, 'do more strengthening exercises for your legs........ on a regular basis'.

I'm sure that I'm not the only person out there that decides to work their legs in the gym only to wake up the next day in pain!!!!!!!!

Lunges, squats with weights! Oh my..............

We had a good track workout yesterday with the addition of two high school kids.

These kids have to run two miles in under 12 1/2 minutes to make the varsity soccer team.

There is certainly a big difference in how kids run and how we more mature individuals runs.

It got to the point when the older group was the rabbits for the kids to run down. Oh to be young again..............

We're also in the midst of another heatwave but no one is bitching about it anymore. I'm not fully acclimated but I just don't care anymore.

I've decided to take some of my old TNT training plans and modify it fir my 1/2 Mary training, even though I haven't registered yet.

So get ready to call me, Mr. Consistency..... Mo to come.

Wednesday's Why???????

This is a pretty simple question today.

Why do I click send me an email follow-up when I post a comment on your blogs?????

I barely have enough time to read your blogs, now I have 3,298 emails to go through also!!!

On a running note, my son is kicking his training up a notch in an attempt to run a sub 1:45 1/2 marathon in October.

So this got me to thinking, maybe I'll run a 1/2 in October and see what I can do.

So I am officially maybe almost definitely signing up for the Detroit Free press 1/2 marathon in October.

That's right, you heard it here first...

Now I have to get the training plan together....

What's the Plan, Stan?????

I've been testing out a couple of training websites for logging and noticed the one thing that they have in common is a place for planned mileage and actual mileage.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Since I don't have a scheduled race, I don't have a training plan! Duh............

I've enjoyed the fact that I'm running without any pain or injuries(which is my lifelong plan), but it's time to put something on the calendar and be accountable.

So I'll be spending the next few days looking for the perfect training schedule.

Can you believer that July has come and gone????

I beginning to really dislike the thought of cooler temps, even though July was hot as hell!

I attended a celebration of life for a good friend and runner that had a cycling accident that required back surgery and still has him rehabbing after a month. This was truly inspiring to have so many of his friends turn out. Each of us donated to purchase him an iPad, to help him continue working while regaining total use of his hands and fingers.




I know some really amazing people.............