Busy Weekend

I'm not sure I'll remember every little tidbit of what we did this weekend so I'll hit the highlights of what I can remember. And throw some photos in there to make things interesting.

Saturday was a girls vs. guys day. While the ladies of the house went shopping, did some super-secret-stuff, and met us for lunch, the guys went to the gun show, John Deere dealer, and talked. In fact, my dad and I talked so much, William complained that he didn't get a chance to say anything. Which is hilarious because it's usually him that talks so much we can't get a word in edge-wise.

While we were at lunch at Goolrick's, I used the bathroom. I know, not exactly what you needed to hear about but it was my first time. So I had a pleasant surprise when I walked to the back of the building and saw this cool safe.

After that, we got our groceries and headed home. After a short break, we went back out into the wild and had a good time at a local car show. The owner of a 1974 VW Beetle offered William $100 if he could find the radiator. Well, he had no idea what that was but after walking around a bit more I showed him one. He promptly went back to the guy and asked if his offer was still good. It was so he looked all around the engine. I finally gave him my only hint. Turns out neither of us knew it was a trick question and that the engine was air cooled and there was no radiator. After seeing the look on William's face, he was nice enough to allow him to sit inside.

Sunday was full of exercise. Elizabeth dragged my butt out of bed and we went running bright and early. Then it was breakfast (sweet rolls) then after breakfast settled, it was off on a bike ride with William. Both of them were troopers and we had a great time. Most of the photos I took were at his direction.

When we got back, I got to work on cutting the grass and trimming up some of the crab apple tree branches. William helped out a bit and earned a few dollars. Then we went to the pool and chilled out, then home for dinner, then bed. I was pooped by the end of the day. And a little sunburned. But it was worth it. Great weekend that was fun and productive.

Review - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

It's been ages since I've done a full-on book review. So let's start it in style with the evening TV lineup of August 5, 1985.

No, this isn't the full list of channels that were available. The guide went on to include several PBS stations, a few independent stations, and cable channels. But we didn't have cable. And our antenna wasn't big enough to get those independent channels. And of the PBS channels we did get, they were either fuzzy with static or chock-full of boring programs. I mean, what kid wants to watch the MacNeil Lehrer News Hour? Maybe Alex P. Keaton.

Anyway, what you see above is what I had to pick from. More than what I had to pick from really since we only got channel 4 (NBC), 5 (FOX), 7 (ABC), and 9 (CBS). The big four networks. I can remember watching a lot of different shows as a kid and a few of them are listed here. Happy Days. Mork & Mindy. One Day At A Time. M*A*S*H. The rest of the stuff was after my bedtime. I mean, it was 1985 so I wasn't even 10 years old yet.

So what does this trip down memory lane have to do with Ernie Cline's book? A shit-ton. A metric shit-ton. Ready Player One is a book set in the future that lives in the past. The future is bleak with starvation, over-population, and crime being the norm. It's no wonder everyone wants to escape into the online world of OASIS where you can be anyone you want to be.

Surely there is some hidden or layered meaning behind the dark future and the politics that play out within OASIS, but I ignored it. I've been a fan of dystopian stories for decades so reading another one was nice. At least at the start. Later in the book the real world was a little forgotten and I wanted to see more of it. But maybe that was the hidden tale of the future that I ignored.

OASIS is basically a giant alternate universe that's online. Everyone logs in and lives there life online. Kind of like the Sims or World of Warcraft, but on steroids. Kids go to school here, people wage wars, use magic, live in the past, and anything else you can think of. For a gaming nerd, this book is heaven. For a non-gaming nerd, this book is still easy to understand.

The basic plot is the standard trope of a young kid getting sucked into an adventure. A trope that's often overused but is still believable and easy to relate to. The MacGuffin, yet another standard tool in storytelling, is introduced when the guy behind OASIS dies. His last wish is to send everyone on a grand adventure to find three keys and three gates. If you make it to the end, you win. If you win, you get to become the richest person on the planet.

Along the way the kid gets sucked into all sorts of schemes and plots in both OASIS and real life. Cline does a good job keeping the reader engrossed with action and 80s trivia. Music, movies, TV shows, video games, and anything else that could be found in the 80s played a key role in the book. Even though I never played that many video games as a kid, I was never really lost when I read the book. I'm sure a few references went over my head but it never took me out of the story.

In the end the kid wins. If you didn't see it coming, well, you're clearly not familiar with that trope either. I mean, the good guy always wins, right?

Would I recommend the book? Absolutely. I'd even go so far as to make it required reading for anyone that was a kid in the 1980s because, well, it's just nice to take a trip down memory lane sometimes.

Crazy Stupid

As an utra-runner, I've been known to do some stupid shit. Running in extreme weather. Going extreme distances. Testing my body and mind. Well today was a bit different because I think many people would think what I did was just stupid. Many would think it's weird. Some would think it's nice or sweet or some variation of that. But I'm going to leave you guessing. Sort of.

Suffice it to say, I went a little longer today than my body wanted to go but I made it back just fine. I didn't have coffee before the start so I pretty much stumbled out the door and caught my dad walking around the neighborhood. He said he was up since 0200 and had already gone out for breakfast. I just chuckled on the inside because that's about as tired as I felt. Minus the breakfast. Wife's alarm went off, again, at 0510, way before my 0600 wake up time.

So I stumbled out the door and went down the road. I was exhausted. I went down the road, fought off a few horseflies, and made it to the future home of hundreds. Stupid developers are going to force us to live in cities if we're not careful. From there I crossed the major highway and ran down the shoulder. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people that would move to the left lane to give me space and by the wonderful breeze I'd get from the passing traffic. Sure as hell kept the flies away from me.

Once I reached the cemetery, it took me a few minutes of walking around before I found the grave. I paid my respects, then headed back home. Made the stupid mistake of not really watching the traffic and cut between some cars. Lack of coffee and heat was getting to me. Thankfully that was the last dangerous roadway I needed to worry about on the way back home.

And that was pretty much it in a nutshell.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-96

Photos:

I like big bacon butts.

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Humidity was moderate. Sun was out but due to my early start it didn't really impact me until the return leg. That's when the temps started to go up. No breeze (except from traffic).

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run. Plain water and GenUCAN Hydrate during the run. Recovery was two slices of toast, two egg whites, two sausage patties, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Pretty much everything hurt. Spent a solid 5 hours walking on Sunday. Then yesterday's walk, bike, and strength training. That left me feeling stiff and sore today. I think it was the lunges and squats. Oh, and the right forearm is sore from using the weedeater on Saturday. Also had some sore feet, likely caused by the loose sand on the shoulders of the road and the wet grass in between the graves. So the wet socks and odd twisting motion gave me a hot spot.

Gear:
No special gear. Just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
Guilt mostly. I knew I needed some miles in and I knew I'd hear about it if I didn't. The goal of making it to the cemetery helped me find enough motivation to actually get up out of bed. But I still laid there for a minute or two doing a cost benefit analysis of waking up or staying in bed.

Naughty Neil:
I skipped breakfast yesterday. Something I rarely do. Which meant I over-ate at dinner a bit too much.

Splits:
Outbound - 56:00
Inbound - 52:59
Finish - 1:49:00

Lollipop

Was today another flash in the pan or is this the birth of a new runner? Only time will tell. While I gave my daughter a pass yesterday, I was prepared to lay down the law this morning if she didn't get up to go run like she said she would. Thankfully she was feeling excited about it last night and even got her clothes out before bed. So waking her up this morning was not that big of a deal.

Once we were ready to go, we headed out the door. I knew the dead-ends in the hood were home to horseflies and expected them today. I smacked one on her head as we got started but aside from that one, the rest only buzzed us a bit.

Since the flies were buzzing, we did two lollipop routes instead of the full neighborhood loop. That left us with a good two and a half miles which was more than she wanted but easily within her abilities. And mine. Just not within my abilities when going at her pace. She seemed a little surprised when I told her this and said she was running slow.

The time flew as we flew around the lollipop route twice. When she bailed I snapped a quick selfie because, well, because I'm a dork. It was nice to capture the joy of spending time with her. I feel bad sometimes that I don't spend time with her like I do my son. But she doesn't really like G.I. Joe or Star Wars like we do so sometimes it's hard to find a common interest. That's why I'm so excited she's talking about running, actually running, and planning on running next year. I can only hope the trend continues.

Photo:
Post run selfie.

Video:

Weather:
Temps were much lower at 70F to 75F. Humidity was much, much lower. Sun was out in full. Light breeze.

Fluids and Fuel:
Sipped a little water before the run. Bottle of plain water during the run. Recovery was yogurt, coffee, and two slices of toast.

Aches and Pains:
My ass, specifically my gut, was paying me back for some poor food choices yesterday. Felt like I ate 10 pounds of extra food yesterday with that giant burrito thing only to shit out 20 pounds last night. At least it curbed my appetite at dinner and after dinner.

Gear:
Just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
It was a struggle to not jump up and down like a teenage girl from the 80s in the front row of a New Kids concert. I'm just so excited my little girl, well, not so little any more, wants to run with me. And she started talking about swimming next summer on the swim team and running before practice and my head was past cloud nine.

Naughty Neil:
Yesterday's lunch was brutal. It tasted divine when I ate it but it quickly turned hellish. Payback is a bitch.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 13:42
Loop 2 - 14:36
Loop 3 - 14:41
Loop 4 - 14:09
Finish - 57:10

Unexpected Substitution

I had hoped this morning would be a repeat of my great run last week with my daughter. She surprised me again last night with the request to run with me this morning. But when I went in to wake her up, it was pretty clear she wasn't coming. So I headed out the door anyway.

And promptly ran into my dad out for a walk. So I walked for him for a bit. Nothing exciting but it made some of the miles go by fairly easy. After he was done walking for the day, I headed back out for more miles and found myself walking and swatting at flies. I pulled the old bait-and-switch on them and managed to kill four of them in less than a quarter of a mile. I came across the scam by accident but I've used it a few times and find that it works pretty well. Just stick one elbow in the air and rest your forearm on your head. The flies attack at the highest point so they simply land on your arm. Where your other hand can beat them to a pulp.

So that's what I did. After I killed the four, I was out of their little zone so I didn't have to put my arm up like an idiot.

And that was about it for the run. Had way more miles on the schedule but I knew with the heat and humidity that I was lucky to get what I got. So I quit there.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-95

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Humidity was about 90%. Sky was overcast. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was two egg whites, a few ham slices, coffee, and three slices of toast. The extra slice of toast was just because it was the end of the loaf.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing really. Right hip did feel a little tight but it was okay.

Gear:
Just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
My running partner. Even though she didn't get out of bed, she still got me excited enough to wake up at 6am and go for a run.

Naughty Neil:
I had a beer last night. Then a bowl of cereal. Not too bad but I ate the cereal way later than my normal night-time snacking routine.

Splits:
Partial Loop 1 - 24:01 (includes coffee-induced bowel movement)
Full Loop 2 - 24:11
Partial Loop 3 - 20:02
Finish - 1:08:14

Letting Go of Guilt

My coach said something wonderful yesterday. I didn't read it until this morning but it worked for me. I can't tell you how many times I've completely ignored a coach and just went and did my own damn thing. It's not that I'm necessarily openly defiant, or at least I don't think that way. Maybe my coaches see it differently though. Anyway, I tend to do my own thing but still try to stay within the guidelines set before me. So I try to stay in the lines when I color but sometimes I like to add a little flair. Or something like that.

So what were these words of wisdom from my coach? "Tomorrow is your day to put the guilt behind...it is the day." It was one of those little epiphanies you have in life and you just kind of go "well damn, what the hell was I thinking? of course! duh!"

So yeah, I went out the door this morning and did my best to let go of my guilt. It's not easy. I've struggled with guilt and shame for a long time and the only thing that made today different was that simple line from my coach. Just a few words that spun my mind the right way and set me down the positive path instead of negative thoughts.

With good vibes moving me along, I headed down the road. I did a few hills walking, did some time running, took a break for work, and then went back out for a few more miles. My first round was walking the hills in the newer section of the neighborhood. It felt okay, nothing fancy. My second round was running a couple of loops in the neighborhood. I managed to rescue a shoe that the neighbor's toddler dropped during their walk. After my break for work, I wanted to go out for two more loops but only managed one. Better than nothing.

Photo:
The rescued shoe.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F to 75F. Humidity was moderate. Sky was mostly clear but got a little overcast during the day. Wind was light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before my first foray. Bottle of water during the run/walk. Recovery was two egg whites, two pieces of ham, three slices of toast, and the rest of my coffee. My last round I just took water with me and ate lunch when I finished.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing major. Had some quirkyness in my ankles and knees but no real pain.

Gear:
Nothing fancy. T-shirt and shorts.

Splits:
New Section - (2.83 miles) - 51:41
Loop 1 - 20:50
Loop 2 - 17:23 (speedy running to return the lost shoe)
Loop 3 - 21:48
Finish - 1:51:44

Mixed Bag

Today's mixed bag of tricks was brought to you by guilt. I felt a little guilty in switching up my days yesterday and today but I knew yesterday that I wouldn't be running so pushing the run to today just felt like the right thing to do. But the heavy guilt kicked in around 6am when I promptly rolled over and went back to sleep. Instead of running. In perfect weather. I repeated the process a few times before finally getting up. I just felt sick of feeling down and used that to actually get up.

Once I was up, I ate breakfast then went for a walk. With the internet down, I figured I didn't have to rush to work. It came back online by the time I got back home but I ran into some momma drama as my wife discovered my son peed on the floor in our daughter's room. I found him in there last night but didn't know he was going to the bathroom. She was livid. He was ashamed. So I got to mediate.

After chugging along at work a bit, I headed back outside for more miles. I managed a little more before wimping out and hopping on the bike. At least on wheels I got a little bit more of a decent workout.

Weather:
Temps were 60F to 65F this morning. I missed the opportunity. Instead I had to deal with 75F temps. At least there was very little humidity and the wind was cool. Sky was sunny with a few clouds.

Fluids and Fuel:
Breakfast was two egg whites, two slices of toast, and two sausage patties. And coffee. During the run and ride I had plain water. Right before my ride I downed an applesauce. Recovery was leftover hamburger, mac and cheese, and broccoli.

Aches and Pains:
Shins were hurting on the run. Outside of that, I was fine physically.

Gear:
Shorts and t-shirt. Nothing special. Although I did skip my watch. Didn't feel like watching how slow I was today.

Today's Motivation:
Guilt. Plain and simple. And I think this will be the key source behind my game-changing plan post-Oil Creek.

Naughty Neil:
I didn't snack as much as I wanted to last night but I still had a bowl of chips. I skipped the beer because I'm starting to wonder if that's another trigger. Still need to do some further testing on that.

Splits:
Loop 1 - ~20:00 (walk)
Loop 2 - ~15:00 (run)
Loops 3-8 - ~60:00 (bike)
Finish - ~1:35:00

Best Run In Years

Last night as I was tucking my daughter into bed, she hit me right in the feels by saying she wanted to go run with me in the morning. I was so shocked I barely knew what to say. She saved me by saying that she wanted to get up at 7am. Totally as much of a shock as her wanting to go run. This is the girl that takes after her own father and could easily sleep until noon. Unfortunately there are two other people in the house that are quite the early bird so that'll never happen.

Anyway, once I finally found my tongue, I said 7am might not be early enough and asked if she would be willing to get up at 6am. She scoffed at that but we eventually compromised with 6:30am. So I could barely sleep this morning and tossed and turned until my alarm finally went off. Once I got up, I patiently waited for the appointed hour.

I woke her up, she got dressed, ate breakfast, and we were out the door. While we eased our way around the neighborhood, we chatted about everything and nothing. She said she only wanted to do a mile and a half so we did our one loop together and went back home. She stayed inside while I went to the bathroom and headed back out for more miles.

So that totally made my day. And it helped that it's also my 15th wedding anniversary too. Sure, we've had our problems, but we continue to work through them and end up a stronger couple every time.

Photo:
Sometimes the path to enlightenment is hidden.

Weather:
Temps were about 75F to 80F. Humidity was high. Sky was overcast. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Before the run was just half a cup of coffee. During the run was plain water. Recovery was the rest of my coffee, yogurt, two slices of toast, and two eggs.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing major but my left knee has been janky for a few days. Started feeling it this past weekend but it doesn't seem to hurt when I run, only walking or sitting. Right armpit is also continuing to chafe more than normal.

Gear:
Nothing major, just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
I had a running partner.

Naughty Neil:
Had a small serving of ice cream last night. That part was fine but it was the bowl of chips after that that I really should have skipped.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 17:49
Aid Station - 3:27 (needed to take a dump after the coffee kicked in - and yes, I can poop faster than I can run)
Loop 2 - 18:32
Loop 3 - 18:13
Loop 4 - 22:21 (mostly walking)
Finish - 1:20:24

Lost My Will?

No, I don't think I lost my will to run. And I don't think I've lost my motivation to run. I think I've lost my confidence. The confidence I used to have in myself and my ability to push myself into uncomfortable places to see what I can make of it. Kind of like a lump of coal getting into the back of a Volkswagen to come out of it as a diamond.

That was my epiphany as I ran, and walked, today. I think my latest bout of issues with running have stemmed from a lack of confidence. I'm sure I can get it back and plans are ruminating in my head about what to do after Oil Creek in October. But until then, I need to deal with what I have. Which doesn't feel like much.

I did my out and back for 5ish miles and then walked a loop for an extra mile around the hood. The walking mile felt kind of nice physically but the mental side was tough. Almost as tough as the 5 miles before hand where I struggled to put one foot in front of the other.

But I'll get there. As some would say, this too shall pass.

Photos:
Some weeds/flowers along the way.

Weather:
Temps were about 80F. Sun was out but skies were partly overcast. Almost no wind. Humidity was high.

Fluids and Fuel:
Pretty much nothing before the run. Bottle of plain water during the run. Recovery was coffee and two slices of toast. I've been feeling bloated lately so I eased off the food this morning. Felt good but still a little hungry.

Aches and Pains:
Right calf felt a little tweaky towards the end of the run. Nothing major but okay.

Gear:
Tested out my merino wool shirt from Pulse. If fits nice, doesn't chafe, has a half-zip top, and it's wool. Which meant it was a little itchy. But I haven't washed it yet so maybe that's it. Plus, it's wool. Which meant it was warmer than I had hoped. Which meant I pretty much overheated within the first 10 minutes or so. But I stuck with it and made it to the end. Oh, and did I mention it's wool? That meant it was a little heavier than when I first started because it soaked up all that sweat. So I guess that makes it a mixed review. I'm thinking it would be a perfect fall/winter/spring shirt though.

Today's Motivation:
I wanted to get my run in early before the kids woke up. I didn't quite make it back before they got up but it was close. The kids that stayed over I'm sure were afraid of me. Not surprising since many assume I suffer from Bitchy Resting Face. I don't. I'm just a man who doesn't smile.

Naughty Neil:
I had hummus and pita chips last night. Really should have skipped them but I didn't. Felt the need to snack on something.

Splits:
Outbound - 37:03
Inbound - 36:23
Extra Loop - 17:07
Finish - 1:30:35

Moldy Grass, Moldy Ass

Damn near forgot to write this up. Guess it was pretty forgettable. Brought back some memories though as I cruised around the neighborhood like a sloth on a skateboard. I was huffing and puffing and inhaled the strong odor of moldy grass. I was instantly taken back to my early years of spending my summers on the road with my dad. Now, I didn't spend all summer with him, it was actually just a week or two. Most of my summer vacation was spent with my mother.

But those summer trips with my dad were memorable. And that moldy grass smell took me back to the time I'd spend on the family farm in Nebraska. I was never a fan of getting up early and I'm still not. But I didn't have much of a choice as a kid and I can remember some early mornings on the farm walking along the road or path or field and smelling the freshly cut grass that was wet from the previous night's rain. The grass had been cut, started to dry, then got wet, and started to stink. Sometimes you'd get the same smell from a bale of hay or straw but most of the time it was the fresh stench of the fields that caught your nose.

Anyway, I walked past a yard in the neighborhood that reminded me of those carefree moments and I began to wonder, will my kids ever get to experience as much as I have at the same age? Probably not but their life can't be perfect. Mine certainly never was. All I can do is my best to be the best parent I can be.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-93

Photos:
I've been watching a lot of THE WIRE lately. So now I've taken to looking at, well, wires.

Getting things done, sort of, at sunrise makes for some neat shots.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F to 75F. Sun was out. No wind. Humidity was high.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had a few sips of coffee before the run. Had a bottle of plain water during the run. Recovery was two slices of toast, a left over brat, and two eggs. And the rest of my coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Left ankle and both knees were a bit creaky from the start. Ankle worked itself out but the knees were still feeling it at the end. Biggest issue was my gut. I was halfway through eating a slice of apple pie with whipped cream yesterday at lunch when I found mold. As I sat there seriously considering finishing the slice, I poked around the pie to see if there was any more mold before I dove back in. You see, I'd been waiting patiently before having more pie. All damn week I was waiting. When I found more mold I realized I wasn't so hungry and that I shouldn't have waited so long. So my moldy ass was feeling it this morning. Not to mention that I didn't wait for the coffee to kick in, if you know what I mean. If you don't, I mean that I didn't wait to take a shit before I left for my run.

Gear:
Nothing special, just shorts and a t-shirt.

Today's Motivation:
I was awake, again, at 0600. I swear if I keep this up it might be a habit by the time school is back in session. Aside from getting up, I didn't have much motivation to run. Didn't feel right the whole time I was out there. That's mostly why I walked the second loop.

Naughty Neil:
Stupid fucking moldy apple pie. So much for delayed gratification.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 20:06
Loop 2 - 18:53 (not quite a full loop)
Finish - 38:59

Hills Hell

Today was full of hills. It was hell. But it was worth it. I had a rude awakening when I went for my on-course training run in Oil Creek. It became plainly clear that I didn't have enough hill work in the bag. For days I could barely go down the steps in the house. So today I set about to at least put something down to make me feel better.

Truth is, I had the brainstorm last night to run the route. But this morning I nearly quit and stayed in bed. I eventually dragged my rear out of bed and headed down the road. I went into the "new" section of the neighborhood and from the main street, started doing repeats on the hills. Since my side of the street is pretty flat, I knew I'd get at least some elevation in over there. So I went in and out of the neighborhood seven times, once for each dead end. It was tiring and I wanted to quit after five or so but I kept at it because I wanted to make a bit of a stand with my brain. And I felt good when I finished. Tired, but in a good way.

The most depressing part of it all? Only 650 feet of elevation gain over seven miles.

Then I headed home and hopped on my bike for a few more miles. It's not the same as running but it still gave me a workout that I needed. So a solid reverse brick was in the books.

Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/neil-richard/mile-92

Photos:
Doesn't do it justice but this is the big hill.

And this was me getting ready to bike.

Weather:
Temps were about 75F. Humidity was moderate. Sun was out with only a few clouds. Wind was light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had a full breakfast of coffee, two slices of toast, two eggs, and two sausage patties. I waited a full hour before starting my run. During my run I had a bottle of plain water. That was a personal record for the longest run on a single bottle of water. I did run out with about a half mile or so to go. Recovery was half a roast beef sandwich followed by a serving of Hammer Recoverite.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing really hurt during the run. Legs were tired but I managed.

Gear:
Wore shorts and a cycling jersey. Phone flopped around in the pocket but it was nice to unzip it and a breeze to blow through my chest hair.

Today's Motivation:
16 miles was daunting on the schedule. But I was feeling decent. In fact, I'd say it's been the best run I've had in a month. Even though it was mediocre, it felt good. But I knew I wouldn't be able to get more miles in on foot so I hatched the plan to do some miles on wheels instead.

Naughty Neil:
Dinner was stuffing. Ate too much but didn't much care, I had a good day in the books. One hamburger, two brats, corn, potato salad, and apple pie.

Splits:
Running - 1:41:37 (7.18 miles)
Biking - 57:47 (10 miles)
Finish - 2:39:25

Where's Will?

I seem to have lost my will to run. I can barely force myself to get out of bed in the morning. Today I slept through two alarms and only got up because my wife said I needed to and because I knew we were having company come first thing this morning. But it was still a struggle. Once I was up, I moped around trying to get motivated to run my planned 6 miles. Instead I found myself fighting to convince my brain that 3 miles was just fine. There was a ton of walking and very little energy.

The odd thing is that walking felt fine. It felt normal and for a few brief moments, I felt normal. But I'd start running again and the arm on the suck-o-meter started going up again. I haven't figured it out and I think that's just adding to the whatever the hell it is that's going on. Anyway, the run was pretty uneventful.

Weather:
Temps were around 70F. Sky was clear. Humidity was high from last night's rain. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run. Plain water during the run. Recovery was two egg whites, two slices of toast, and four pieces of sausage. And coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Quads were pretty much on fire the whole time. Hurt the most when going down hills. Calves were a little tight but bearable. Aside from that, things were fine.

Gear:
Shorts and a t-shirt. And I think my hat was the source of my headache over the weekend. Felt it come back a bit today.

Today's Motivation:
I knew I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't get out there and do something.

Naughty Neil:
No snacks last night and a decently healthy dinner.

Splits:
Loop 1 - 19:16
Loop 2 - 24:41
Finish - 43:58

OC100 Training Run

So my training run was a bit crappy. And wet. And muddy. And wet. But I did it. It left me exhausted, feeling run-down, and wondering if I should be running these stupid-long distances. Guess we'll find out. I'm not really sure where to start with the report so I'll just review my initial thoughts and go from there.

My secrete plans for a 50k were dashed pretty quickly. I started before everyone else but within a mile or two I realized I wouldn't be getting a full 50k loop in. So I decided to cut things short with half a loop. Still, 11 or 12 miles is nothing to sneeze at on this course, especially in this weather. And speaking of weather, the trail was a stream in several parts. Some parts were nice and dry but for the most part it was muddy and full of puddles.

Photos:

Took this on the course, through the ziploc bag, at my "thinking I'm gonna quit" rock.

 

This is after several stream crossings that cleaned me off. I needed two showers when I was done.

Course Notes:
Section 1 (Drake Well to Wolfkiel)

- Started at the parking lot across the river from Drake Well and across the street from where the paved path goes under the railroad tracks.

- Hiker sign-in is about a mile up the trail. That first mile is mostly uphill.

- Second mile is mostly level or downhill.

- Third mile starts after the sharp right turn and is uphill.

- Cross the road at Mile 4.

- After the road and before Wolfkiel is mostly flat or downhill.

- Halfway point is about five and a half miles from Drake Well.

Section 4 (Miller Farm to Drake Well)

- Cemetery Hill goes up, crosses the scary bridge, then goes up more.

- Toy Run stream is halfway.

- Hiker sign-in is about a mile away from Drake Well.

By the Numbers:
11.8 miles
4.5 hours

2,628 feet in elevation gain
Two wrong turns (one was about 10 steps, one was a quarter mile or so)
A few chipmunks
16 salamanders
Countless slips
3 oh-shit-I'm-gonna-fall moments
No falls
One giant headache
Swallowed one bug and barfed once

Weather:

The temps were cool and in the 60s. Humidity was 100% because it was raining. No sun. Wind only picked up once.

Fluids and Fuel:
GenUCAN before the run. Plain water and Hammer Fizz during the run. Plus two applesauces. Recovery was a BLT wrap, tea, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:

Felt okay. Had some minor cramping in my right calf. Big toes on both feet hurt a bit. No blisters. Major headache kicked in around mile 8. Had dark urine around the same time. Spent 7 hours the day after driving home and pretty much cramped up like a rust bolt.

Gear:
Two shirts for the first mile or so then just one. Shorts and gloves. Wore my hydration pack.

Today's Motivation:

I needed this. My secret plan to bust out a 50k was a bust. But I wrapped my head around making the decision to just do half a loop. It took some time but I got there. Still wish I had the energy to do more miles but I think I'll be okay.

Naughty Neil:

I had fries with my wrap. And a piece of cake last night. And I'm sure I'll have more cake tonight. But I don't feel much guilt about it.

Dead Frog City

Today's run was along my Jackpot route. That's the new name I gave it today. Something with Eden just didn't jive. But Jackpot seemed to fit since I've found boobs and a nice knife on the same road. Today's jackpot was dead frogs. Lots of dead frogs. Like so many that I gave up counting after two dozen. I did see a living salamander and two turtles but I left them alone.

Aside from that, the run was pretty nice. I had 6 miles on the plan and physically I could have made it another mile but mentally I really, REALLY needed to end things on a high note. Besides, I'm sure I'll be riding my bike or even swimming later today.

The weather was really what made it a nice run. Temps yesterday were blazing hot in the upper 90s and the heat index was nearly 110F. Today was much cooler and even had a slight breeze to help cool things off. The storms that rolled through last night really seemed to help, despite leaving some humidity behind.

The rest of the morning will be busy with work and organizing my books on my new bookshelf. Seems like my wife got tired of the totes in my office. Or she was looking out for me. Or both. Anyway, It' a big shelf but it's already overflowing with books. Guess it's time to cull the herd.

Almost forgot to mention my nightmare. I rarely have nightmares before races but this morning was the first time I had one before a big training run. What the hell? The race director was a cross between Tom Jennings and David Horton. He was nice but you knew the course would be very long and not well marked. So when my wife and I showed up late for this 10k training run.

Photo:
Proof that I got my ass up as early as the sun.

Weather:
Temps were about 65F to 70F. Sun was out but it was still early enough to have plenty of shade. Winds were light on the return trip. Humidity was moderate but bearable.

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run. During the run was plain water. Recovery was two egg whites, three pieces of sausage, two slices of toast, yogurt, and coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Left ankle felt tight last night before bed. Just came on all of a sudden. As expected, it felt better after starting my run and never gave me an issue after that. Outside and back of the right knee registered about a 1 on the pain scale during the run but nothing after. Lower left back is also about a 1 or 2 but it's still there.

Gear:
Wore t-shirt and shorts. Nothing fancy. Did listen to some music along the way though.

Today's Motivation:
A post by somebody online was my motivation to get my ass out of bed this morning. They said they were having trouble getting started and I agreed to get up if they would. Haven't heard from them but it got my butt rolling.

Naughty Neil:
Damn deviled eggs are the devil. I swear they're like candy to me. And sure enough I'm eating more of them than I should. Same goes for the Oreo truffles.

Splits:
Outbound - 34:54
Inbound - 32:07
Finish - 1:07:02

Will Run For ..... Knives?

I don't think I posted it earlier but I recently ran a local road and found boobs. It was a rough run but the ancient (circa early 1980s) photos of boobs helped me through it. Well, today I ran the same route but found a knife. A nice one. And while it says "Special Forces" I doubt it's actually from Special Forces. But it's still a nice knife. Certainly made the run worth it.

The story of the day today was the heat and humidity. It was so bad I could see the air moving. Not that shimmer you see over the hot roadway in the middle of summer. I'm talking about the humidity in the air being so thick you can see it move through the trees.

I took things slow and didn't expect to break any records. I headed out and did my best to not overheat right off the bat. And even though I considered bailing out soon after I started, I knew I needed to get my miles in. So I stuck with it and finished.

Photos:
Amber waves of grain anyone?

I'm always skittish of twigs because they look like snakes. This was the alligator I saw on my run.

There are three turkeys in this picture. But only one of them is wearing a yellow hat.

Weather:
Temps were 80F to 85F. Humidity was high. Sun was out in full. Wind was light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had a full breakfast of two eggs (only one yolk though), two slices of toast, and a quarter of an avocado. Forgot about my yogurt but remembered my coffee. How could I forget?! During the run I had a bottle GenUCAN Hydrate that ran out with about half a mile to go.

Aches and Pains:
Have some lingering back/hip/thigh pain from my mini-tri. I think I swim funny. Or maybe I leaned over too much on the bike. Either way, I must have done something to cause it. But it wasn't a major deal and wasn't very noticeable during the run.

Gear:
Wore shorts and t-shirt. Ditched the shirt with a mile or so to go.

Today's Motivation:
Can't say I really had any other than I needed to get my miles in. I didn't feel much pressure to go fast so maybe that helped too.

Naughty Neil:
I've found a new favorite snack. Yogurt covered raisins. They're like candy. And after my run I had my favorite iced latte which is really just chocolate milk with some coffee in it but it was delicious.

Splits:
Outbound - 35:44
Inbound - 36:08
Finish - 1:11:52

National Running Donut Day

Since I didn't run on #RunningDay yesterday and today is #DonutDay, I combined them and made a #SheetzRun for my free donut.

Best of all, I survived. As any local would know, 206 is a bit hairy as a cyclist or pedestrian. So I broke out my bright colors and hit the road. Along the way, I had a few encounters:
- 1 driver got the one-finger salute for drifting a bit too close to the white line
- 80% of bus drivers waved (the other 20% had both hands on the wheel and were safely navigating around me so I'm okay with them not waving)
- 50% of Sheriff's Deputies waved (one was working a call, so again, I'm okay with that)
- 100% of runners waved at me (thanks Karyl-Lynne T. !)
- 100% of Blender bottle users waved at me
- 2 dead and very squished snakes
- 1 dead racoon
- one half of a pair of channel-lock pliers

I'm sure I caught a few WTF looks but it was hard to see them and frankly didn't care. All I cared about is if the drivers saw me.

Photos:
Time to make eat the donuts!

Weather:
Temps were about 55F to 60F. Winds were light making things a bit chilly at times. Sky was overcast. Humidity was high but wasn't really an issue due to lower temps.

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a cup of coffee before my run. One bottle of plain water on the outbound leg. One plain glazed donut from Sheetz at the half-way point. One bottle of plain water on the inbound leg. Recovery was coffee, iced tea, two eggs (with yolk), leftover meatloaf, and asparagus.

Aches and Pains:
Lower, right glute felt a little tweaky on the way back. Stepped on a sharp rock on with about a mile left in the run but I don't think I re-aggravated my injury. Calves and shins hurt on the way out but I think it was my gait. First two miles or so I felt all sorts of wonky and unbalanced.

Gear:
Wore shorts and cycling jersey. Carried my .380 with no issues. Wore my belt to carry my phone.

Today's Motivation:
I'll be honest, I was tempted to climb back into bed this morning but I somehow tricked my brain into getting dressed and getting out the door.

Naughty Neil:
Well I'm sure as hell not counting the donut. It was damn tasty and I needed the fuel to make it back home. Last night I limited my snack to just a bowl of chips. Not too shabby after a more normal sized dinner.

Splits:
Splits are from RunKeeper.
Mile 1 - 12:07
Mile 2 - 11:39
Mile 3 - 13:12
Mile 4 - 12:35
Mile 5 - 17:01 (includes me getting my donut)
Mile 6 - 11:35
Mile 7 - 11:51
Mile 8 - 12:10

These are my splits.
Outbound - 49:54
Inbound - 53:25 (includes donut time)
Finish - 1:43:19

Story Time

Sit back for a long back story. It'll be worth it. If you have coffee.

So way back when I was a kid, I went for a ride to White Castle I think. My cousin drove. He was a very cool, older cousin that I trusted. I didn't know it at the time I got in the car but he was intoxicated. The trip was a little scary. Not the scariest I've ever been on but it easily ranks in my top 5 scary rides (top 10 if you count accidents). Anyway, his decision to drive after drinking forever changed my life. While we arrived safe and sound (I think there was another cousin or two along with us), I have always refused to drink and drive. I have a zero-tolerance policy for myself. Even one drink and I'll have somebody else drive. Yes, I may be a light-weight when it comes to drinking (two beers and I'm tipsy). Yes, I may deprive myself of that tasty, cold beer at the restaurant. But it's something that's important to me.

And before I continue, I hold no ill-will towards my cousin. He made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Especially when we're young and stupid. But I've long ago forgiven him and hold no grudges. I've also broken my zero-tolerance policy but only a handful of times over the past 20 or so years. I've never put myself or others in danger and have always been sober enough to drive. It's just my own self-guiding rules that were broken.

So what does all of this have to do with my run? Bear with me. I'm getting there.

This past weekend the family and I went to a wedding. We missed our annual trip to Williamsburg for the Run for the Dream 8k and half marathon (they even added a 5k this year) but it was family so we went. As expected, it was stressful for everyone. A long drive up Friday afternoon, a hectic second wedding for my sister-in-law, and of course, all the family drama that comes with it. Thankfully we had a bit of free time and managed to visit the Crayola factory in Easton. But at the wedding reception, I was thirsty. Sure, there was water on hand and tons of booze. Like Costco-sized bottles of booze. Literally. They said Kirkland on them. Anyway, I needed something to cut through the blazing heat and I had a Coke.

And that's where the weekend went to shit. Coke is one of my major triggers for depression. And even though I can manage a small glass bottle of Coke, I apparently can't manage a small glass of Coke from a can. Shit hit the fan yesterday and it was all sorts of downhill from there. Nothing went right and I was tempted to just stay in bed all day.

There's still some residual depression today and I know from past experience that it'll sit with me for at least two to four days. Worst of all though is I blame myself. I knew it was a bad idea even as I drank it. I knew there would be a price to pay but I still did it.

This brings us to today's run. Which was okay but a bit of a sufferfest. Humidity is through the roof and it felt like I was swimming yet again. Horse flies were out in the lowlands near the swamp but I managed to steer clear of any major encounters thanks to the heavy traffic on the road. Aside from that it was just my best chance to purge the depression and any remaining Coke from my system.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F. Humidity was 100% (I could literally see the water in the air). Wind was light. Sky was overcast.

Fluids and Fuel:
Two pieces of bacon and half a coffee before the run. Water and applesauce during the run. Recovery was coffee, two eggs, two slices of toast, and left over taco meat.

Aches and Pains:
Nothing really hurt but I'm wondering if the laces in this pair of shoes are causing me some foot pain. I'll need to watch it to see. Aside from that, everything felt meh.

Gear:
Wore shorts and t-shirt. Nothing fancy.

Today's Motivation:
Really just wanted to get something going because I knew yesterday was a shit day. Didn't want to get stuck in that rut of depression.

Naughty Neil:
Managed to eat fairly well over the wedding weekend. Didn't over-indulge on too many things and tried to keep it clean. Yesterday though was, well, shit. But even then I managed to keep it mostly in check.

Splits:
Outbound - 32:45
Inbound - 33:51
Finish - 1:06:36

Churn and Burn

Easy recovery run meant plenty of walking. It's the only way I can keep the HR down as directed. But I did pick up the pace here and there just to make sure everything was working and to flush out some soreness.

Run itself was pretty boring. Except I think my TV died. Showing me all sorts of wacky colors which made watching Star Trek a bit disturbing. Felt like the episode was taken over by Andy Warhol so I switched to my Kindle instead.

Weather:
Indoor temps were about 74F (upstairs is 77F but downstairs is cooler).

Fluids and Fuel:
Half a coffee before the run, applesauce and water during the run, and eggs, sausage, and toast as recovery.

Aches and Pains:
More sore than expected from the half. Foam rolled some yesterday because it kept nagging at me. Today seems to be isolated to the quads and hamstrings with the most ache. No real pain though.

Gear:
Shorts and no shirt.

Treadmill:
Time - 53:00
Distance - 2.0 miles
Incline - 3 to 6 (AVG 5)
Speed - 2.0 to 4.0 (AVG 2.4)
Elevation - 570 feet
Entertainment - Star Trek Deep Space Nine

Today's Motivation:
I was tempted to crawl back into bed but managed to throw some clothes on. That gave me the motivation to get on the treadmill. And Star Trek distracted me long enough to get most of my workout in.

Naughty Neil:
Last night I had the last piece of bougatsa from the weekend's Greek festival. Much tastier than the dinner that gave me heartburn. But I did go to bed before 2200 although the thunderstorms kept the kids awake which kept me awake.

Splits:
Finish - 53:00

Blood and Sweat but No Tears

I shed blood and sweat today but did not shed tears. Although I was close with the tears. Seeing a row of pictures with names and dates and ages of people that have died in combat really sucks the happy out of you. And seeing it after you've struggled through nearly the whole race doesn't make it any easier. But I kept it together. Somehow. Then I was emotional the rest of the way to the finish and nearly lost it again at the end. I mean, this is just a half marathon, right? *JUST* a half marathon. I don't know what got into me but it hit me hard today.

Rae day started at 0400 with a shower. I greased up my undercarriage and a few other strategic spots, made a coffee, and headed out the door. I made it to my parking spot in plenty of time and almost went into the WalMart, my usual place for pre-race dumps. I wasn't feeling it so I walked to the Start/Finish area and headed into Wegmans instead. The other stall was occupied so I got the big room to myself. And it was, quite literally, the best crap I've ever taken before a race. Nearly perfect on so many levels. Once I did my deed I headed out the door and through the security checkpoint. This is the first time I've seen a checkpoint at a race so it was actually a bit unnerving. It was quick and easy to get through but it made me feel less safe than in other years where nothing like this was present. Seeing the guys under a canopy using binoculars made it worse.

But the race went off without a hitch. Or at least it did for me. For the most part. I knew the heat and humidity would be a factor so I knew I needed to take it slow. I was so *NOT* in a rush that I hit the porta-pottie with 10 minutes to go before the race started. I knew I had plenty of time and sure enough, it took me about 8 minutes to cross the Start line.

Once across I promptly ignored my battle plan and cranked out a few fast miles. I pulled in the reins around Mile 3 when the sneaky hill snuck up on me. I was glad it did because it was getting damn hot outside. Once through the sneaky hills and the 5k mark, it was a fairly easy cruise through town. I had enough room to run the tangents and easily saved a few minutes doing this because there were plenty of turns. I saved probably another 5 minutes by skipping all but two of the water tables. I had my pack and I was good to go.

Once through town, I hit the lowest spot on the course, geographically and mentally. Lots of self doubt was creeping in and I knew that damn hill was coming. And the ones behind it. So I slowed a bit and tried to conserve some energy to get up the hills. I really should have had more fuel on hand but I made due with what I had. Which was nothing.

By the time I reached the bottom of Hospital Hill, I was overheating. I could feel the chills set in when the wind picked up and knew I needed to take it easy. And of course I ignored that and promptly attempted to run up the first section of hill. I made it about half way and then started walking. My heart was pounding so I kept the walk going until I felt recovered enough to run. Then I'd run a few paces and stop to walk. Pretty much my game plan for the whole race but on a smaller scale with the steep hill. I made it to the last little section of hill and made my second and lost stop for water. This was mostly to rinse my hands and douse my legs. I was a little surprised that it was the last water stop on the route but I had enough fluids on hand to make it to the end.

After Hospital Hill, it was the hills on Cowan. Nobody tells you about those shitty things but I know the course well enough to plan for them. Lots of walking later, and a near sob-fest, I made it over the interstate and to the home stretch. It's still uphill a bit but much gentler and easier to crank out a bit of a shuffle. I had enough gas to push the last little bit to the Finish but not anywhere near enough to do my usual kick at the end.

Once across the Finish, I got my medal, cold water, and headed to the beer tent. I made a pit stop to cool off a bit and have a picture taken. I drank my beer and made my way back to my car. I should have stayed at Wegmans to eat lunch but wasn't thinking until I was halfway out of town. So I caved and stopped at Burger King.

Then I pulled over on the way home and ate then watched the big motorcycle rally go down the road. Kind of neat. Not as moving as seeing the faces of the dead but cool to see so many, and I mean many, people stand behind a cause.


Photos:
Before shot.

After shot.

Money shot (yes, that's blood).

These guys were at the front of the Some Gave All ride.

The bikes went as far as the eye could see (and then some). The red arrow is pointing to the road about a mile away. I'd guess about 3-5 miles of bikes passed me.

Looking in the other direction.

Vine:
https://vine.co/v/eAZ57EL0tTQ


Weather:
Temps before sunrise were 70F with a dew point of 70F. Temps climbed to 80F by the end of the race. Humidity stayed at 100% and there were even a few rain drops here and there. Sky was overcast with very little sun. When there was a breeze, it was very light.

Fluids and Fuel:
Coffee on the way to town. I forgot my applesauce so I was left with a serving of GenUCAN mixed with their Hydration mix at the start. From there I continued with the GenUCAN Hydration and some water. Recovery was water and beer at the finish then part of a frozen mocha followed by a Whopper, fries, and iced tea.

Aches and Pains:
Yeah for graphic crotch talk! I somehow missed a few spots with the A&D Ointment after my shower and it became extremely apparent where when I took my second shower. But no bloody nipples, no blisters on the feet, and no dick chafe. Legs and feet are sore but nothing I didn't expect from pounding the pavement so much. Aside from that, I feel fine.

Gear:
Wore shorts, t-shirt, hat, and hydration pack. Wore my sunglasses some of the time but in certain sections I had to take them off because they would fog up. I think my bladder is leaking so I'll need to swap that out with my other one. My small Amphipod bottle worked great. May need to try it as a handheld to see how I like it. Everything else worked as expected.

Today's Motivation:
It was a race. I paid for it. I was going to do it even if I had to walk.

Naughty Neil:
The Whopper. I'm still kicking myself for not eating lunch at Wegmans. At least it had onions, lettuce, and tomato on it. That's healthy, right?

Splits:
Waiting to cross - 7:57
Mile 1 - 12:51
Mile 2 - 12:57
Mile 3 - 13:16
Mile 4 - 12:29
Mile 5 - 14:09
Mile 6 - 14:25
Mile 7 - 13:06
Mile 8 - 13:12
Mile 9 - 13:28
Mile 10 - 13:43
Mile 11 - 15:52 (Hospital Hill)
Mile 12 - 14:45 (hills on Cowan)
Mile 13 - 14:24
Finish - 2:58:43

River Rescue

What I had hoped would be another adventure in town on a new trail turned into what felt like junk miles. Almost like I was just phoning in the workout. The only excitement along the way was the local fire/rescue teams doing some river rescue training. The rest of the run was, well, boring as fuck.

Photos:
The river today.

One of the signs along the trail.

Weather:
Temps were about 50F to 55F. Wind was light. Sun was out in full.

Fluids and Fuel:
I rarely eat before my runs but today was an exception. Or a gamble if you prefer. Had two eggs, three strips of bacon, two pieces of toast, and hash browns for breakfast. And iced tea to drink. Nothing during the run and only cold coffee as a recovery. Although I nearly fell for a donut after the run.

Aches and Pains:
None really. Just mental apathy. Maybe I should include my mental status under this category going forward. Hmmmm. Something to think about.

Gear:
Wore shorts, t-shirt, and hat. Took along a BUFF which I used as a single glove here and there. Once again it proves to be the best piece of clothing I've ever bought.

Today's Motivation:
I told my coach I would run and so I did.

Naughty Neil:
Had a late lunch yesterday and a normal sized dinner. Then had a snack later even though I wasn't hungry. Should have skipped the snack but I felt the mental need to eat.

Splits:
Mile 1 - 12:59
Mile 2 - 14:21
Finish - 31:37

I just don't give a

That pretty much summed up my day yesterday. And most of this morning so far. But things are getting better. I'm not sure what the trigger was but something sent me into a downward spiral of a funk. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I just don't know if it's a train or a positive attitude.

I'm staying positive as best as I can and hoping it's not a train. Meanwhile I just did what I could yesterday to make it through the day. By the time afternoon rolled around I felt better but still not where I felt I needed to be. Or wanted to be. This morning was a bit of a relapse but I still made it out the door to get my run on. I slogged it around the neighborhood three times do clock in just under the hour planned. Well, it was a 4x1 mile repeats, under an hour, and a warm-up. So as usual I ignored the plan and just went round and round for an hour and then called it quits.

First loop was tepid. Second loop I caught a little heat for looking at my neighbor. Well, it felt like she was giving me the stink eye. And while ploughing her fields wouldn't be a bad thing, it's not like I'm a creep just for looking at you. Although the stink eye may have been because I was listening to Eminem.

Third loop brought a second wind which is just about right. Just as soon as I start to feel normal and get into a groove, my run is over. At least the rain wasn't heavy and added some ambiance and mood lighting to the run.


Weather:
Temps were about 70F. Humidity was high. Winds were light. No sun. Light rain.

Fluids and Fuel:
Before the run was two slices of bacon and half a coffee. During the run was ice water. Recovery was two egg and ham burritos, two slices of toast, and the rest of my coffee.

Aches and Pains:
Figures that I stepped on the only damn piece of sharp gravel out there. Outside of that I felt fine.

Gear:
Wore shorts, t-shirt, and hat. Nothing special.

Today's Motivation:
I wanted to go for a run but I didn't want to go for a run. Hard to explain but there it is.

Naughty Neil:
I didn't eat breakfast yesterday. Ate a salad for lunch. Had a frozen mocha in the afternoon. Topped it off with black bean burritos for dinner. The food was healthy (except the mocha) but my stomach was not happy. By the time the day was over I couldn't trust a fart.

Splits:
Loop 1 - ~18:00
Loop 2 - ~18:00
Loop 3 - ~19:00
Finish - 55:01

Lost but not in danger

For the first time in ages, I got lost today. I was never in any danger, I could see buildings through the trees in various spaces so I knew I could get help in an emergency. But I was absolutely lost. I had a general idea of where I was, where I wanted to go, but there came a point where I just had no idea which way to turn. Thankfully the park was small and I was able to easily continue on down the trail and find my way back out to civilization again.

Along the way I went out of my way to go through the water, got creeped out under the overhang, realized I need fuel after 7 miles, and got in a nice workout. And as a bonus I stunk up the joint when I stopped for food after my run. I wasn't smelly enough to smell myself but it was bad enough to get the stink eye and have people avoid all the tables around me. Oh well. I'm not doing this to make my ass smell better.

So after the nearly, nearly 10 mile run, I came home and cut the grass. Wasn't exactly the cool down I wanted but it made me feel less guilty about missing those last few tenths of a mile that I needed to get into the double digit range.

Vine:
https://vine.co/v/emW26hPQIUb

Photos:
De Train! DE TRAIN!

The creepy overhang. Felt like I was being watched. But I knew Lauren would appreciate the picture.

Pretty flowers.

Exhausted after 9.85 miles.

Weather:
Temps were about 70F. Humidity was high. Sun was out. No wind.

Fluids and Fuel:
Had two English muffins for breakfast with coffee. During the run I had a bottle of GenUCAN Hydrate, plain water, and two applesauces. Recovery was a spinach and bacon souffle and a spinach and artichoke souffle with an iced coffee. Side note, frozen applesauce seems to be working well. Keeps the water cold and thaws in plenty of time to eat.

Aches and Pains:
Other than feeling tired, I felt fairly good. Had some hot spots develop that I did my best to mitigate along the way. Feet felt heavy after going through the water (no surprise). Got over-heated around Mile 8 so I slowed down a bit and drank a little more.

Gear:
Wore shorts, t-shirt, hat, and hydration pack. Also carried my gun since I was going through town and into new places.

Today's Motivation:
I knew today was the day to get my run in since this weekend would be busy.

Naughty Neil:
My local outlet for not-so-healthy food had a different treat yesterday. So I snacked on chocolate covered caramel popcorn last night. Thankfully it was a small serving.

Splits:
Splits are according to RunKeeper so take them with a grain of salt.
Mile 1 - 14:57
Mile 2 - 13:40
Mile 3 - 20:32
Mile 4 - 14:52
Mile 5 - 13:19
Mile 6 - 13:21
Mile 7 - 12:52
Mile 8 - 12:57
Mile 9 - 14:05
Mile 10 - 14:55
Finish - 2:22:00