The Oddities of Running

One of the main reasons I started this running blog almost a year ago was because I thought it would be a perfect medium for me to write about all the weird occurrences that seems to follow me while I am out putting in my miles and just minding my own business. I've had to deal with all kinds of stuff... motorists swearing at me for no apparent reason, confrontations with bicyclists with big chips on their shoulders, etc. but probably my all time favorite story is when I had just finished up a 6 mile run and I was just standing quietly by my car stretching when a scruffy, older gentleman happened to ride by on his bicycle and greet me with, "Good morning asshole!" After being taken a back for a brief moment, I just had to laugh and respond in kind by saying "Good morning" but with out the expletive. I tell you, the things that I sometimes see...

While the past few runs I didn't come across any scholarship award winners like that venerable old gent, I did have some interesting occurrences. The first was last Thursday when I was out to get in a good 11 miler around Lake Monona. Usually I don't get out the door until around 9am because I'm dilly-dallying, but this particular day I started out an hour earlier because I was on a tight schedule that morning. At around 10am I was supposed to take an older gentleman I know to the grocery store since he doesn't drive any more. The other reason was pure selfish in that I wanted to be back at my place at a certain time to watch the start of the boy high school basketball tournament and the tip off of NCAA March Madness. Because of those reasons I wanted to get an early start. It was a good morning to go too. Sunny and a little chilly but not much wind. I was just past the two mile mark of my run when I came upon the start of the Lake Monona bike path and noticed a big obstacle in my way... a train just at a standstill. In all my years of running the lake loop I had never encountered a moving train, let alone a parked one in this particular spot. Pretty weird. What to do. The train was pretty long so I really didn't feel like running on the rocky surface to get around it, so it pretty much left just one option. Get on all fours and roll under it. If Indiana Jones can do it, why can't Coon Valley Jaeger! As I got down flat on the ground and rolled under this mammoth piece of steel, I thought to myself that if this beast starts moving, something else might start moving and there better be a bathroom nearby... if you catch my drift. Thankfully it did not move and after I got back on my feet, my legs eventually caught up with my heart rate and the lump moved out of my throat. The things I do to get in a run.

The next odd thing happened a couple of days later on Saturday morning. I got up early again so I could get in a quick 5 miler before I had to head off to work the morning madness at the running store. I say morning madness because the high school track season is starting up and high schoolers from all over the area have been flocking in to get there training shoes and spikes. Anyways, on Saturday morning, I was not even a couple of blocks into my run when a lady in a car pulled up alongside me and asked if I had seen a little white dog running thru the neighborhood. You could tell she was pretty frantic and on the verge of tears. I told her I had just started my run but that I would definitely keep my eyes open for the pooch. I know the neighborhoods of Monona pretty darn well so I headed off on a doggie expedition in the hope that I would find him/her staking out a tree, fire hydrant or someones leg. I ran through some neighborhoods and by some parks that I thought might be of interest for the canine persuasion, but alas, I came up empty. The lady told me what street she lived on in case I happened to find the wayward dog, so on my way to work I stopped by her duplex and found out from her husband that they found the imp three houses down. What a happy ending, huh? They were also very appreciative that I took the time and effort to look for the dog and to check to see if it was found.

The third interesting thing that happened was just this past Monday as I was finishing up another quick 5 mile run. I was running down Waunona Way, which sometimes has a lot of bike traffic, and from behind me I heard what I thought was a bike on my heels... however it was not a bike. To my surprise, as I looked to my right, I was being passed by a dog who was harnassed to a guy sitting in a wheel chair, and let me tell you, this dog was working hard. I thought I was in Alaska watching the Iditarod. I had never seen anything like that in all my years of running. I actually felt really sorry for the pooch because that is a lot of wait to pull around. The dog and I were actually jockeying back and forth a bit but I eventually passed him as he really began to tire. I really felt more empathy for the dog when, as I was finishing up this big hill that would lead me back to my place, I looked back and noticed that his owner was making the dog acend the hill too. What a trooper that dog was. I felt like running inside and getting one of my marathon medals to put around its neck. I tell you, the things that I sometimes see...

Today's workout: 5.1 miles > 43:03 > 8:27 pace

Monday's workout: 5.5 miles > 44:30 > 8:06 pace

Miles this week: 10.6

Sunday's workout: 10.5 miles > 1:21:50 > 7:48 pace

Saturday's workout: 5.5 miles > 47:12 > 8:30 pace

Thursday's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:31:14 > 8:13 pace

Miles last week: 48.3

Shorts and a T-Shirt!

The last couple of days have just been great. You couldn't have pre-ordered much better weather for the month of March than what we've experienced here in Madison the past two days. The "crowning jewel" of these days was yesterday. Temps got as high as 72 degrees which is pretty much unheard of for the middle of March in Wisconsin. Although Tuesday morning was pretty breezy, the sun was out and the temps were comfortably in the 50's. It was time to break out just shorts and a t-shirt. I have had the luxury of running in shorts a handful of times already this year but not a day wearing just a simple moisture wicking t-shirt. For whatever reason, the tree trunks I call my legs, never get too cold in chilly weather, however my upper body does at certain times. That's why I generally wear a couple of shirts and a wind jacket when I'm running in the milder temps of the winter months. That wasn't the case on Tuesday morning. Yes, it was a bit chilly starting out, clad in only shorts and a t-shirt on the breezy morning, but after I got in my first mile or two and out of the shaded areas, it was pretty darn comfortable. I truly felt like a free man, running without all the hindrances and restrictiveness of winter clothing. What a great way to start my first run of the week. And to top it off, I was able to get in a quality 16 miler. I wasn't originally planning on doing such a big long run being that I was only two days removed from doing an 18 miler, but when it comes to running, I always try to pick and choose the best days of the week to get in those real "longies." The more comfortable and accommodating the weather is, the better those long runs usually go. Plus, I figured that after taking a complete day off of running on Monday, my legs would most likely be up for the challenge, and they were. Sure, they did get a little achy from miles 11 thru 16, but hey, it's a long run... they are bound to get achy from time to time no matter how many miles you put in during a given week. That's the nature of the beast. When it does happen, I just look at it as a minor inconvenience and in the long run (no pun intended), I know it will me stronger, tougher and more race ready. Like I said in my previous post, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I know it's a cliche' but I'm a big believer in that... not only in running but life in general.

Today's workout: 5.1 miles > 41:44 > 8:11 pace

Tuesday's workout: 16.1 miles > 2:05:31 > 7:45 pace

Miles this week: 21.2

Not Fearing 'The -itis' Anymore

As I wrote last week, Wisconsin ran the gambit for weather with rain in the early part of the week and having freezing temps in the middle, so when the weekend came around, I wasn't all too surprised that it was sunny, clear and mild with the temps close to 50. Nothing like experiencing pretty much all four seasons in a weeks time, right? What else would you expect from Wisconsin. The idyllic temps came pretty much at the perfect time because after doing a good 20 miler a couple weeks ago, I wanted to get in another decent long run of between 15 and 18 miles, and it is always helpful when the weather cooperates somewhat. After hearing Saturday mornings forecast Friday night, I have to say I was actually looking forward to getting out in the morning and putting in some quality miles in the capitol city. That thought actually made me laugh a bit. There was a time in the not so distant past that I really NEVER looked forward to doing those long, long training runs, even if I was in shape. I mean physically I knew I could do them, but mentally I just looked at it as drudgery. Back then, I was a little more injury prone because I was still pretty new to the marathoning discipline and I always worried that the 18 and 20 mile runs would just totally shred my legs and I'd end up getting some sort of tendonitis, bursitis, or fasciitis. I definitely feared "The -itis." It was getting to the point that my physical therapist would send me birthday and Christmas cards because of all the business I was giving them. Also, I was seriously thinking of how nice it would be to have my own ultra sound or iontophoresis machine, and investing in Aleve and Advil stocks seemed to be a viable option for me. I digress, though. If, however, I didn't sustain an injury from my long training runs, my legs would almost certainly be trashed for a day or three after completing it. In all honesty, they felt like someone took a baseball bat and just pounded the crap out of my quads. In other words, my legs hurt and hurt badly. Last year, though, I kind of reached a turning point in my training. Instead of scaling back my training a bit when my legs hurt, I decided to push myself to a point in which I thought my body would never accept. Most of last year I was doing three to four training runs a week that were ten miles or more. I actually averaged close to 40 miles per week for the whole year and ran over the 2,000 mile plateau for the first time in a calendar year. I had turned into Forrest Gump. The old adage of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" certainly held true in my case. My legs actually had the exact opposite effect that I thought they would have by pushing them to the limit. Instead of breaking down even more and incurring injury, they kept getting stronger and stronger and I actually got to the point where a 10 mile run around the lake was as easy as a basic five mile run used to be. Let me tell you, that's a great feeling. Now, when when I have an easy day of just five miles, I almost feel like I'm cheating my body and not doing enough. Isn't that funny... who would have thought? Certainly not I. The other residual effect of logging a ton of miles and getting your legs stronger than you ever thought they could be is that those 18 to 20 milers don't seem quite as daunting as they used to be, especially when you have a day as nice as I had this past Saturday in Madison to work with. It really does make it all the more enjoyable. Again, who would have thought that? Again, certainly not I.

Saturday's workout: 18.1 miles > 2:22:23 > 7:40 pace

Sunday's workout: 5.5 miles > 43:49 > 7:58 pace

Miles last week: 51.7

This is Wisconsin... Wait a Minute and the Weather Will Change.

People who know me know that I love Wisconsin, but boy, I tell you what, it sure can have some strange weather patterns. Just the other day I was writing how Wisconsin had turned into this tropical rain forest after a three or four day span of the wet stuff. Now, the past couple of days we've been hit with an arctic blast where the temps have dropped below zero with that ever so wonderful windchill returning. Yesterday was much worse, though, when I just did a quick 5 miler in the morning. Luckily with the route that I ran, the wind seemed to be primarily at my back. The only real mistake I made in running yesterday was that I ran in shorts and a running singlet... just kidding. I would have only done that if I had a death wish. Today's run, although still very much chilly out, was much more comfortable. The temp was still hovering around zero or a bit below, but it was much more tolerable today because the wind had died down considerably. Still, it took me a good mile or two to get into that comfort zone. Once I got my body temperature raised, it actually turned out to be a nice leisurely run around Lake Monona. I say leisurely because I certainly didn't blaze a trail today. Only 8:22 pace. Being that it was so cold out, I got bundled up pretty good and that always restricts your normal running movement. I really didn't care though. You have to deal with that in winter time. Besides, sometimes you just need to run for the sake of running and not worry about pace or splits... that was today's run in a nutshell. Just run and enjoy. Hopefully this Saturday, though, I can get in a good, quality long run. I'm hoping for around 15 to 18 miles. What's the weather supposed to be like, you ask? Around mid 40's. Could be shorts weather. Figures, huh? Rain. Cold. Comfortable. Yup, makes perfect sense. After all, this is Wisconsin... like I said, just wait a few minutes and the weather will change.

Today's workout: 11.5 miles > 1:36:07 > 8:22 pace

Wednesday's workout: 5.1 miles > 42:40 > 8:22 pace

Miles this week: 28.1

Is This Oregon or Wisconsin?

I don't know what it is with Wisconsin lately but we sure have been getting a lot of rain the past several days. Instead of feeling like I'm living in the midwest, I feel like I'm in the northwest. Instead of feeling like I'm living in Madison, WI, I feel like I'm living in Portland, OR. It has been very rainy and very dreary, to say the least. But hey, at least it's not snow. The one good thing about the rain is that it has pretty much annihilated any snow remnants on the ground. Jack Frost is currently heading to the Dane County Airport wearing a rain slicker and hoping to catch a flight to Arctic Circle, or maybe even the Bahamas... it is spring break time you know. Despite the Translyvanian type weather this morning I was able to find a little pocket of time where the weather wasn't too bad. Yes it was foggy, overcast and a touch drizzly but the temps were somewhat comfortable and there wasn't much wind. A very tolerable morning for March to run around the lake. It was hard to get motivated to run this morning, though. I don't know if it was the gray weather or just being tired from the start of the work week yesterday, but I sure had a heck of a time prying my keester out of bed and putting on my running shoes. My bed sheets and comforter sure felt like lead weights because I had a heck of a time moving them off of me. Leaving the warm confines of my bedroom was more of a challenge than running the 11 miles that I would eventually do. I made it though. I slowly crept out of bed and begrudgingly put on my running gear. I say begrudgingly because that, sometimes, is a real chore too, especially when you still sleepy and your joints are still creaking from the previous nights slumber. After I accomplished that goal (and I do mean goal), I was out the door and into my running cadence. The body loosened up pretty quickly and soon I was concentrating on getting in a quality long run. Like I said earlier, despite the gloomy weather it was actually pretty comfortable out. The light mist and the cool temps felt good on my face and it kind of invigorated me for the hour and a half jaunt. I tell you, it never ceases to amaze me how good you can feel out running in the morning when you initially felt so tired and crappy rolling out of bed. It's a good feeling though and really jump starts the rest of the day.

Today's workout: 11.5 miles > 1:33:25 > 8:04 pace

Miles this week: 11.5

My Weekend Miles Included First Night Run of the Year

Last Friday was a long day. Having to work at the running store in the morning for four hours and then the tv station for eight takes a lot out of you sometimes. That's why I normally try not to schedule my runs on that day. It's just an extra thing and I generally have to get up earlier to do it. Besides that, I was just coming off running three consecutive days. With working two jobs and putting 28.5 miles the previous three days, a day off from my legs hitting the pavement was needed on Friday. That is until I was on my break at the tv station and started to think about when I was going to get in my typical third run around the lake for the week. I was planning to do it on Saturday or Sunday but after seeing the forecast that our weatherman was predicting for the weekend, it didn't sound like I had much to choose from as far as getting in a quality long run in the morning hours. Both days called for very rainy weather with some added wind in there to make things even tougher. What to do, what to do? The thought then popped into my head about maybe getting in a run around the lake when I got home from work that night. Those who know me pretty well know that I occasionally love running outside at night during the summer months after work so as to avoid the sun and and the summer heat. That plan really worked well for me last year and because of that I really avoided some hot and oppressive mornings. Granted it's not summer, it's March. And yes, it's not even close to being hot out, but you know what, running in the rain can be even a bigger pain... especially when you are running long distances and your clothes soak up all the rainwater and your shoes are squishing like you are running on sponges instead. Let me tell you, that's not fun. Knowing that, I poked my head out the door on my break to check the weather and, lo and behold, it was perfect out. A very mild March night, temp around 40, no wind, clear skies and the moon shining brightly. A very ideal night to go for a run no matter what the season. Still, I really wasn't up for a run. I was pretty exhausted mentally and physical from the day and I just wanted to go home, watch a little tv and doze off. My bed was truly calling to me and that's what I wanted to put my body into after work, not a pair of running shoes. I knew that idea wouldn't win out though. With the crappy weekend weather forecasted and the ideal running conditions that night, I put on my running tights and laced up my shoes when I got home and headed out to run around Lake Monona at 11:15pm that night. Despite how tired I was, it didn't take me too long to feel better and get acclimated to the nice weather. After taking my first few steps and filling my lungs with cool March air, I was was ready to tackle the lake and get in a solid run. As I headed out I wondered what inane motorists, bicyclists or bar patrons would be heckling me as I rounded the lake. It's happened before, you know. I'm out enjoying a peaceful run around the lake, minding my own business and some academic wunderkind yells a few "colorful metaphors" at me and basically wants to know what the #@%! I am doing out at this time of night running. Sometimes, they are not even that creative and just lay on the horn and try to scare the hell out of me. Not the brightest bulbs in the box, are they? I honestly don't mind though. In fact, if they yell at me, I enjoy yelling back. It helps pass the time. Madison was on it's best behavior Friday night, though. Not one snide remark about how stupid I was for running at "this time of the night" and not one horn honk. Madison was pretty tame. Maybe it was the good weather that day that put everyone in a better mood... who knows. Whatever the reason I appreciated it and it made the run all the more enjoyable. Another nice surprise was how well I ran despite feeling like a zombie at work. That crisp March air did the trick and really reinvigorated my body, mind and spirit and I was able to circle the lake in an hour and twenty-six minutes. That's 7:47 pace for 11 miles. Guess I should think about running more often when I'm dead tired. Suffice it to say... I'm glad I went, even though I finished my run at 12:45am.

Saturday was a true day off from running. I had absolutely no desire to even run a mile what with the rainy weather and because... well, I just didn't want to. Sunday was a different story though. It was still very rainy out and a lot more windy. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to go to the health club to run on the treadmill but I just didn't feel like running four or five miles in that weather and getting completely soaked. So, I buckled down and headed off to the Princeton Club. It had been several weeks since I was there last and I'd be lying to you if I said I missed being there, because I didn't. I really don't care for running on treadmills and breathing in the stale air that the health club affords. I'm much rather run in the country and breath in that perfumey farm fresh scent that we mid-westerners call manure. I'd take that any day... okay, maybe that statement is a little too strong (like the odor) but it's still true. Despite my dislike for the treadmill, it was a much more viable option that day than running outside in the monsoon, and it was only for five miles. Surprisingly, the run turned out to be a nice, little workout for me. I hadn't been getting in much speedwork as of late and as the run kept progressing I kept ramping up the pace a bit. By the time I finished I had done the last mile in around 6:50 pace or so and felt good in doing so. The entire run on a whole was good... I averaged 7:33 pace for the entire run. A good way to end the week.

Friday's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:26:19 > 7:47 pace

Sunday's workout: 5.1 miles > 38:32 > 7:33 pace

Miles last week: 44.7

A Spring-like Day!

Today was the day that many of us Wisconsinites were looking forward to... getting back to some normal and milder temperatures. This past winter was definitely a lot less harsh than the previous winter, but still, it's always nice to look forward to the days when it's not so cold, windy or snowy. Today it was not any of that. "Old Man Winter" was nowhere to be found. Probably out getting a tan somewhere or booking his spring break plans with his travel agent like everyone else. In any case, we were given a real nice day to get outside and it was definitely taken advantage of by me. For the second straight day I was able to wear shorts and it felt good. Yesterday I probably could have gotten away with my winter attire because it was a lot more chilly out, but today if I would have done that, I would have been way overdressed. As it was, I felt a little overdressed wearing shorts a long sleeve shirt and a wind jacket, but still I wasn't majorly overheated. Just a little warm at times. I'd take that anyday. Despite the idyllic March weather, I really didn't have an outstanding run. The first half was good as I was running around 7:45 pace or so. The second half was a different story. Most of the second half I had the wind in my face and my legs were just feeling a tad flat and achy. That's not a real surprise though, since I'm coming off a good 20 miler last Saturday and Tuesday and today were both 11.5 mile efforts. The 'ol tree trunks have been putting in some pretty decent miles as of late. Last week I put in a solid 52 miles and only ran five days. This week I'm headed for a little over 40. I figure my legs need a bit of a respite and today's run proved that. Again, it wasn't anything bad... just a little achy. As most runners will attest to, that will happen from time to time. That's why I look forward to my days off... and tomorrow is one of them.

Today's workout: 11.5 miles > 1:33:50 > 8:10 pace

Miles this week: 28.5

First 20 Miler of the Year in the Bag

Well, I'm back at it again. After taking a nice, long sabbatical from writing since November I thought I would start things up again. I just needed a little bit of time away from my esoteric journal because sometimes I even get sick about talking about running. Hard to believe, huh? I know that probably seems highly unlikely to most people but it's true. Sometimes it seems like all I do is eat, sleep and drink running and because of that, I just needed to quell one aspect of it for a bit, and that one aspect was this blog. Don't worry... I still had plenty of running stuff to occupy me. I was still training hard (usually five times a week and over 40 miles) despite some crappy winter weather, still writing in my John Jerome yearly running log, and still working a day or two a week at Movin' Shoes, one of Madison's local running shops. You see... plenty to occupy and satisfy my running fix. Who needs a running blog, right? Well, despite enjoying the time away from the blog, I did miss writing an entry or two every once in awhile. After starting "The Road Scholar" up last May and keying in over 90 some entries, it did get a little habit forming. Still, I can't promise that it won't happen again where I take a little time away to recharge my battery. I think every writer needs that from time to time, whether professional or neophyte. It is good to be back though, and I know everybody out there in the running community was waiting for this moment with bated breath... yeah right. I'm sure most people could care less.

Well as I stated in the heading, last Saturday I got in my first 20 mile training run of the year in and it felt good to do something of that quality. The weather was tolerable for it too. That usually is my main concern no matter what season I am dealing with here in Wisconsin. Saturday was cold but definitely nothing unbearable or that made me cringe. The temp starting out was around 10 degrees and there was a pretty decent wind blowing out of the northwest. I really didn't want to layer up as much as I did that day but when it's that brisk out, you have to. Despite the cold temps, windy weather and the constricting clothing it was sunny out which helped matter greatly. It's funny... in my entries during the summer months I would always lament over how I hate sunny days because the sunshine would just drain me and overheat me during long runs... overcast days are so much more comfortable during the summer months. Winter it's the polar opposite... I would much rather have it sunny because that sun really warms you up on those chilly days. The shade just makes it all the much colder. So the sun shining out last Saturday was a real blessing and actually made the chilly morning quite comfortable. My route for the 20 miler was my usual one. Heading out from my apartment in Monona down to the Vilas Zoo area, around the arboretum loop and then down to the capitol. Because it's only March, the water fountains have yet to be turned on (and probably won't be on for a good month or longer) so I decided to stop at the Starbucks on the square for some agua. I was at 14 miles at that point in my run and I did need to get a little hydration in me as well as some carb gel. The Starbucks people are always nice to give me a good glass of ice water and it is always appreciated. Boy, did it taste good too. After a mini break I was back on my way for the remaining six miles that took me by the Willy St. neighborhood and Olbrich Park. The run was a good one... I really can't complain. Legs weren't achy and I ran a nice steady pace. Even ran a couple mile splits in the 7:30 range at the end. That's always a good sign.

Because the Boston Marathon didn't work out for me this year, I am planning to do the Green Bay Marathon this May 17th with my good friends Dave and Steve. Green Bay will always be sentimental for me because that is where I started my marathoning journey back in 2003. It was one heck of a learning experience and I have gained much marathoning knowledge since then. It's hard to believe that this May's marathon will be my 11th. There was a time that I didn't think I would be able to do one. I love proving myself wrong.

Again, it's good to be back.

Saturday's workout: 20.1 miles > 2:42:50

Miles last week: 52