Almost There

Week 44 of The Streak (52 weeks of 100 miles/week) starts tomorrow.  I can clearly see the end to this journey (almost there is the apropos mantra), but it is already sizing up to be an anti-climatic experience. I originally had a plan to have a quaint celebration with family and friends at a local pub that serves a unique delectable dark beer aged in rum barrels. Sadly they have run out of stock AND they are changing the recipe; I fear the new concoction just won't be the same.

On a positive note, I am mentally pre-calculating the running distances to be a minimum of 30 on Sunday, 25 on Monday, and 30 on Tuesday to get the week started (and finished by Wednesday). So at least as far the next seven days go...I am almost there, too. See you on the 24th.

Speed Limit

While cruising mostly on grass and through a short asphalt section (at Manteo Middle School) I realized I can finally break the speed limit! And with that discovery came the thought that my weight loss has reached a plateau because I still perceive 100 miles as a long distance within one week. As a result I have been eating more with a fear mindset, the fear that I won't have enough calories to meet the year-long goal. Well, reading Meditations From the Breakdown Lane has significantly helped adjust that perspective. So I am now determined to run 100 miles between Sunday and Wednesday each of the last twelve weeks so I can use Thursday and Friday to hammer out other exercises to get under my fastest lifetime running weight. Week 41 was a successful 101.6 miles in 4 days with added swimming, biking, and the elliptical on Thursday and Friday. But what has been a more noticeable benefit is the mental rest; I have not been absorbed with "have to" and have been truly able to enjoy the "want to." See you in two weeks (another adjustment I have made...less blogging during the last quarter).

Continuity

I have been going to the local YMCA more as of late to avoid the heat and maintain the feel of a constant leg turnover. But this morning it is 2:51 a.m., two hours before the Y opens, and a long work day is on the horizon (starting after sunrise) so I am engaging a 12-mile outside jaunt primarily within the visual confines of a headlamp. It is immediately noticeable within the first five to eight miles that the treadmill efforts have trained my body to move forward with fairly consistent and patient strides. However, beyond the 8-mile mark while approaching the Washington Baum Bridge on the return to Manteo, NC I had to dig deeper.

So I began mentally perusing the first chapter of a new running book I just started reading in the last few days. It is titled Meditations From The Breakdown Lane: Running Across America (by James E. Shapiro). Ironically, the decision to purchase the book came after watching the documentary The 3000 Mile Men (a film by Ben J. Southern) which shares the journey of Chris Finill and Steve Pope. It is ironic because the documentary could be considered rather plain/raw relative to other running movies. So much so you may find yourself not wanting to finish watching it. But I held on to the end (through the dryness) because perhaps the movie grasps the realness of running. Running is an unsophisticated spartan activity. And that is what kept my attention. It is almost a challenge to see if you can hold yourself in that moment of not wanting more or less (from the film) than the simple act of moving forward. Yes, that's it. Anyway, in the film Chris Finill mentioned this book and how he read it one sitting, and that it was a key motivator to run across the U.S. Anyway, back to the mental perusing...

It was this quote (from page 10) within a powerful passage that fueled me to push harder, when Jim Shapiro describes going beyond the 34th mile of a forty-to-fifty mile run, "I like being forced up against the wall a little so that I have to fight." Honestly up to this point in my running I have always relished when the feeling is seemingly effortless and have had that as my primary goal; learn to run so you can run your desired distance/race with ease. But Shapiro's desire to wallow in a place demanding grit has opened my mind to a new place to go. And so I went, pushing my resistant body.

It was going exceptionally well until nearing the end of the bridge. With about 150 meters to go a very large truck (tractor trailer) hugged the white line demarcation between the running/bike lane and the four lane road. I could call him/her a pavement-greedy asshole with a chip on their shoulder as they could have easily moved into the other lane, there were no passing cars/trucks and it was two lanes in the same direction. But I won't call them that even though I immediately stopped and hugged my body as close as possible to the side of the bridge when seeing the truck aggressively approach. Fortunately, their wheels never crossed into the run/bike lane so I was able to move on unharmed, finish faster than my planned pace, and then point to the sky as an expression of gratitude as continuity was certain in week 39 of The Streak. See you next week.



 

Complete Rest

While being beat into submission by the heat this week I still managed to keep The Streak alive. The final tally was 100.8 miles despite running around and through frequent lightning and pop-up storms. Just yesterday, on the last outing to meet the needed distance, I was being pelted by progressively heavier raindrops when trying to run from the rainbow over this bridge (pictured above). Playing it safe (earlier in the week) I even signed up at the YMCA to log some distance on a treadmill. That's how it goes with this 100 miles/week goal for one year, there is no option to put off today's run regardless of the weather or "I'm tired." If one week runs short the whole quest is over, and an "Almost did it" attempt fades into "Oh well." Having just passed 4,000 miles (with only 3 more months to go) the drive to stay with it has even more momentum. But these happenstances and insights are taking a backseat to complete rest.

Yes, this has been the valued discovery over the last six days. It was while I was ravenously devouring a just-released-from-the-oven Biscuits N' Porn cheddar biscuit. Stop, wait, I have to share it was so fresh that you could watch the cheese spread and crystallize into a perfectly even distribution through a hefty and beautiful white flour matrix. Ok, back to the eating. I was clearly modeling a voracious raccoon who had just knocked over a garbage can and heard people nearby. Anyway, it was mid-third-bite that I paused for a moment, aggressively quieted my mind that was nervously trying to visualize the final six miles of this run, slowly raised my head, and allowed my eyes to glaze over. A mental coma then ensued that serenely blocked out the typical post-sunrise breakfast background humdrum of this frequented gem of a gas station-restaurant in the Outer Banks. Yes, there it was, the moment. I finally, without intention, released into the moment I am naming complete rest. It was truly its own nirvana. A state I had only been previously searching for and periodically appreciating in repetitive motion. But not now. Not in this moment. I was perfectly stationary in a laminated booth at a no-frills diner. After what I guess was the right amount of time to embrace this pause, this non-thought, non-reflection space, I returned to finishing the biscuit with a more patient demeanor. And the visuals of the next six miles didn't return...they just unfolded after I put one foot in front of the other again. See you next week.



 

 

Headlamp or Heat?

Running in the Outer Banks of North Carolina this is the prevailing question to be answered for the remainder of what-could-be-considered a lengthy summer season. Last week I was away again on another work assignment that required an attention and presence from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Friday. So as you probably have determined, I spent those days running between 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Which is 99% accurate as once again (like in the post Seven Days) there was an opportunity to add eight miles on Thursday evening. But even having gone out six days straight I still needed 22 on Saturday to reach the 100-mile mark in week 37. But a huge advantage (maybe not, you decide) was anticipating a wide open Saturday to do it.

My trained body woke up alarm-free at 2:30 a.m. It was ready and willing to get started; however, a wanting-to-sleep healthy mind sent it back to bed until two hours past sunrise. And then the run got started. The early miles (on the docks in a boating community named Pirates Cove) were an inviting treat with gorgeous views peering over marsh grass into the wide open Roanoke Sound, and the typical blended audibles of coastal insects provided stimulating background music that was for the most part a synchronous symphony. While watching local birds of various species scoot and perch in different locations to scan the water's surface for a snack, my legs below plodded forward rather happily. After about four miles we then found our way over the Washington Baum Bridge and continued to the Outer Banks Fishing Pier. Two Gatorades later I ran up to Jennette's Pier and then crossed onto the beach for approximately five miles to Nags Head Fishing Pier. By this point the heat of the sun was torching my mind and body but I still continued forward. "Run, walk, run, walk. Just keep moving forward until you have reached the distance," I kept telling myself. And in the meantime drew on flashbacks from several running movies. Perhaps the most significant being Gabriel Flores in the Badwater Ultra, "If I am dying, don't let me quit. In an hour I could be flying." And so I painfully moved forward. At Nags Head Fishing Pier I returned to the beach road and went about another quarter-mile before turning around to head back to Jennette's. Still following my typical method of running on as much soft surface as possible, I worked my way through intermittent grass strips dividing the road and paved path. But the heat was so unbearable I had to stop at Old Nags Head Cafe when seeing a sign that read Smoothies. While waiting at the bar inside for a strawberry smoothie that was to be blended in the kitchen, being the only patron sitting at the bar before noon on a Saturday morning, I didn't see a problem with laying my head down on it and trying to go into a state of complete rest. Albeit for only about five minutes, it was a decent recharge with just the typical background chatter of families eating breakfast. Then within seconds after the ice-cold smoothie arrived, I returned to the path heading to the planned finish destination, "Jennette's Pier, only four miles to go." The smoothie was outstanding as the cold sugars supported a few kicks here and there but at the same time the environment was relentless; I was stuck in a fiery furnace that finished preheating and had no set point beyond that.

When reaching the pier I retired to a shaded bench. And it was while in a completely relaxed and drained space protected from the direct sun that I finally then seriously contemplated the question, "When are you going to run the rest of this summer? Before dawn or after sunrise, or both?" Or more simply put, "With a headlamp or in the heat?"

Crawl. Walk. Run.

Time: 19:05. Distance: 1.00 miles. Average Pace: 19:05/mile. This was the RunKeeper notification after the first mile on Wednesday July 20th with a 3:57 a.m. start. The intent was to knock down at least 21, working patiently through the first 18 miles. But this speed was despairingly too patient and there was nothing I could do about it. My mind and body had synced to a new low, a place of reluctance that the running must begrudgingly continue. This text message to my ultra-friend summed up what I was feeling, "The Streak has its moments no doubt, but right now I feel like it just owns me and I will be glad when its over." Then again, as the day opened up and the thoughts randomly rambled the running did find its stride with a final overall pace for the 21.88 miles that day to be 11:54/mile. And (for me at least) running mostly on grass/sand that's not too patient. See you next week.

  

Seven Days

"It's long days. I can't see myself doing more than 10-12 miles/day. Which means I will have anywhere from 28-40 to finish on Saturday a.m. I will let you know where I am at Friday mid-morning so you can keep me going. It's worth it, right?" This was my text to Jane when leaving for a week-long work assignment with a 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily schedule (Saturday to the following Friday). Jane responded, "Yes!! Don't let The Streak die," followed by emoticons (surprised, running man, running man, shoe).

And this is the running that unfolded (day and start time:distance)...

Sunday 2:53 a.m.: 12.94 miles
Monday 2:54 a.m.: 12.8
Tuesday 3:12 a.m.: 4.38
Wednesday 2:47 a.m.: 15.39
Thursday 3:21 a.m.: 12.68
Thursday 7:16 p.m.: 5.18 (Thursday night provided a 2 hr. window of personal time)
Friday 2:49 a.m.: 9.6
Friday 5:02 a.m.: 1.04
Friday 5:20 a.m.: 5.2 (We had a little extra time Friday morning before starting work)
Saturday 5:22 a.m.: 5.64
Saturday 6:36 a.m.: 5.18
Saturday 7:53 a.m.: 6.16
Saturday 9:19 a.m.: 6.71
Total Distance: 102.9 miles

..."It's worth it right?" Sitting here on the other side thinking about how to run the 20-25 miles to start the 36th consecutive week tomorrow I can honestly tell you, "Yes, keep going." The (above) picture is of the Christopher Newport University bleachers that I purposely ran within the last mile on Friday morning, my last day on this week-long work assignment. I wanted to push my body even harder thinking, "If I fail within these seven days, at least I will have pushed my body to its limit." See you next week.

 
 

Micro-Strategies

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. will be my work schedule (Sunday to Friday; 6 of 7 available days) during the attempt to complete Week 35 of running 100 miles/week. Lengthy physical and mental tasks will be consuming an abundance of energy and attention on a daily basis. This is the first of two extensive work weeks in July with a one-week-at-home break in between. Contemplating the challenge to maintain The Streak, I thought it would be prudent to share a list of micro-strategies I have leaned on over the years. And then I could also review them should just quit infiltrate my consciousness.   

• rotate shoes - pictured above are the six pairs of Hokas I run in now, a different pair every day
• socks, shirts and underwear for 2-a-days to keep the option open (I am considering running 3am-5am and 9pm-10pm)
• run on different surfaces each day (I will be limited to grass, concrete, asphalt and outdoor track in this work location)
• an abundant supply of a pre-run beverage/food (I brewed Mayan Chocolate tea from Carpe TeaEm (https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarpeTeaEm?ref=search_shop_redirect)
• motivational DVDs and books (I have been re-watching Unbreakable and Running the Sahara, and re-reading To The Edge by Kirk Johnson)
• NEW - The Pod. I got this idea from an ultra-friend who told me that a 45 minute nap in his sleeping bag at home provides the perfect post-run recharge. I am going to purchase a lightweight sleeping bag and try to create that association. Just sleeping in it for 4 hours (10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.) with the hope that I will be ready to go again.

See you next week.

Docks, Tracks, Slopes and the Undiscovered

I am not going to lie to you, selling a bunch of seemingly can't do without stuff and leaving Virginia Beach (where we lived for almost 20 years) and moving to the Outer Banks has happily opened up a huge diversity of running grounds. The crossing-sunrise treks over the last 30 days have included treading through marinas with incredible water vistas, covering the manicured grounds of a local high school, side-winding through wide grass slopes along lightly traveled roads, keeping a tight forward line while turning over on beach lifeguard ATV tracks, and passing a number of yet-to-be appreciated territories. Just one example is passing the Wright Memorial (way too many times) without ascending its circular path leading to the top; I have been frequently confined by the time available and/or the fear of still having the needed energy to accomplish the day's distance to take a chance on this ascent.

But week 34 of 100 miles/week is mostly taking place out of town (while we visit family), so once again there are different stimulating surroundings. And perhaps, aside from multiple other motivations with Jane atop of the list who keeps me going under any internal/external stress, this has been a key factor to keep putting one foot in front of the other for a defined distance within a seven day window. Yes, a fresh location daily really does stimulate the senses beyond that which can be predicted, even more so if you capture the passing moments without music. So maybe that has been the key, just finding that place where my breathing rhythmically blends with the sounds of nature as this is also new territory that is far too often undiscovered.

One Goal One Race (2016 Canyon Meadow Marathon)

My left calf is burning and there is no end in sight. This West Coast hill in front of us just keeps climbing and then at its peak levels into a just a slight incline before revealing yet another steep section. One year of training has led up to this point, and neither my mind nor body remember this pain when ascending this harsh vertical trail (365 days prior). And it will continue for at least 5 miles. After what felt like 7 miles but was really just about two and a half (best estimate with no watch) my right calf began to buckle as well. It was in this very moment I made the conscious decision to walk every challenging ascent (from this point forward). No matter how strong/fresh I felt, patience was the exercised protocol. “You are here to finish this race, that’s it, not to compete, not to run as much as possible, not to discover a new pain tolerance, just to finish it.”

I downed my first gel at about 5.5 miles, drank a little bit of water at each of the stops provided and poured some over my head as well to keep cooling the core. Even though this dry heat and mid 60s temps were a welcome relief from the East Coast humidity, I wasn’t going to take any chances, again reminding myself, “You traveled over 3000 miles to just finish this race.” Also with that reminder, I spent most of the running as far to the left on the trail as possible, the right foot had no chance of slipping off the edge this time. This year there will be no twisted ankles.

My second gel was consumed at the halfway point at the base of this mountain, before beginning the climb again. This marathon course is up a mountain and down a mountain, two times. Jane kindly volunteered at this station for the duration of my time in the race and then shared (with me) later giving credence to the difficulty of the course, “There were some ‘intended’ full marathoners who opted to cross the finish line at the halfway point.” And the race director allowed you to make that choice mid-race as there were four different competitions on the same course occurring at the same time; half marathon, 30K, marathon, and 50k. So continuing in the marathon/50k was not only a physical test but also a mental one.

The steep ascents in the second loop were actually more of a relief. Some areas in the first descent were so punishing on the quads that I was awkwardly now looking forward to more uphill sections. In the thick of the moment, thoughts of this pain provoking a desire to be more vertical caused random bursts of seemingly maniacal laughter echoing into a naturally silent single track bordered by thick high grasses. You know, the kind of laughter that concordantly represents hope and despair.

Even though my legs were crawling uphill, I spent all of my reserve energy cruising on every level and almost level surface, and even attacked the downhills on the second loop. When moving through the final turn and first seeing the finish line, I began to hear footsteps behind me. Exhilarated that this one goal to finish just one race was really coming to fruition and not wanting it to end by being out-kicked at the finish line, I shortened my stride, turned up the pace, and successfully held off a younger fellow behind me by what I found out later to be by only 9 seconds. But wait, it gets better. With four different races going on at the same time on a trail with no group visibility, you really can’t tell where you are relative to the others. For the first time ever, in 39 full marathons (including this one), I placed third overall (not third in my age group, third overall). Focusing and Training for One Year with One Goal to finish One Race has unexpectedly developed a new kind of running confidence I am still processing, hence the reason I waited two weeks to post again. The picture above is with the same race director who I asked to throw away my number last year after twisting my ankle. This year, in this picture, he is awarding me a medal for a place I never thought I would be.

Broken Vest

There isn't much to say about week 30 at 100+ miles other than what happened on Friday. Moving towards the second mile of a planned comfortable 24, my orange vest zipper broke (again). This time I was done with it, just throwing away the metal zip piece into the closest passing trash can. For the next 3-4 miles I was running with the left side of the vest hanging off of my left shoulder slipping repeatedly just below the biceps. It was very annoying to say the least, but when you are 82 miles into the weekly goal and want that Saturday rest day, you just keep going.

I had to continue wearing the vest because the pockets hold my car key and wallet. I have been driving to a Jennette's Pier in the Outer Banks as opposed to running across the bridge from Manteo (where we are staying for awhile). The reason is to avoid the flies/mosquitoes. They can be a nuisance on the Manteo side of the bridge (but magically disappear over the top). Anyway, while running along I found a wiry piece of strong rubber, like part of a belt for a car motor, and then proceeded to puncture the inner lining of two inner pockets about chest high (with a plastic knife I also found on the side of the road), slithered it through both sides and then tied it close enough to keep the vest up on both shoulders. This makeshift clip worked, holding the vest in its proper fitting place for the remainder of the run. I was sure I was going to just throw the whole contraption away once finished, but instead I am now wondering how long it will last. Will it hold up the last 2200+ miles? So tomorrow I will just pull it over my head to start week 31. If you see an orange vest on the side of Route 12 don't waste your time stopping, its broken.

45 Treadmill Miles

I wanted to quit The Streak this week. After running only 5 miles on Sunday because we spent the rest of the day moving, I didn't reach 50 until Wednesday. And then we drove to Ohio on Thursday for a family wedding - 10.5 hours. Like I said, I really just wanted to quit this goal even though it was week 29 (past the halfway point). But Jane wouldn't let me. "You have come so far. I am so proud of you. You can't quit."

The hotel was in downtown Akron, an area I am not familiar with at all. But the hotel fitness center was open 24 hours. So I woke up at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday to run down the goal and keep The Streak alive. Below is the breakdown in day, start time and distance. I know from experience if the running strategy is working, don't change it. So I stayed on the treadmill as the churning belt below continued to push another step forward. Here is the breakdown...


Friday
3:05 a.m. 5.03 miles
4:14 a.m. 5.12
5:34 a.m. 5.10
6:44 a.m. 5.10
7:57 a.m. 4.99
9:05 a.m. 5.07


Saturday
3:21 a.m. 4.11 miles
4:28 a.m. 4.85
5:42 a.m. 4.95
6:50 a.m. 2.15


See you next week.

Running Your Potential

If you are not completing your goal, it is too small. It is 3:02 a.m., the second day in a row I have been out the door this early to finish week 28 at 100 miles+ (and keep The Streak alive). This has been a very demanding 7 days, we have been packing to move. Every minute of “free” time has been accounted for in working, running and relocating. But this goal, THIS GOAL, of 100+ miles a week for one full year has taken ownership of my available energy when first waking up. It may objectively appear as a selfish endeavor but nothing could be further from the truth. Every run, especially this week, has revealed that small goals = small accomplishments and big goals will unlock your unexpected/unknown potential. I know for sure this simple piece of wisdom will help someone-somewhere reach a happy place in their life. No, this has not been an in-vain selfish effort. Back to the running.

With only 70 miles on my feet after running 5 days straight (Sunday to Thursday), I knew Friday would have to be a lengthy journey…and it was…covering over 25 miles. Then knowing I was definitely within finishing range (my week is Sunday to Saturday), I was very motivated to spend the rest of the day moving boxes. And I also know from the last 15 years of running, it strangely doesn’t matter how much physical stress I put on my system during the day, the legs consistently (and strangely) seem ready to go again in the morning. Mental stress; however, can break down your motivation so try to maintain a balanced perspective. Or put in another way, that was also the title of a book by Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Yes, back to the running, the legs were ready to go again this morning (Saturday).

After the first step forward, I was excitedly charged knowing The Streak wasn’t over, and thus aggressively chased down the 100 mile mark, determined to go nonstop until crossing its barrier. Those of you who know my running philosophy and methodology know that for me to go on a nonstop run from start-to-finish is a never-does-happen event. But it did this morning and we can now set our sights on Week 29…which starts tomorrow.

Time: 1:03:26, Distance = 6.56, Pace = 9:40/mile

Running on a Full Tank

On Tuesday May 17th while cruising through an easy start of a planned 20-24 miles I fortunately caught sight of this fellow above (to avoid stepping on him/her). It was a perfectly still 5 foot King snake processing quite a bit of food, as you can see from its lumpy torso. About 200 meters further, of course I warned an approaching runner so she wouldn't be startled by its presence next to the winding path near Owl's Creek Tennis Center on General Booth Boulevard (Virginia Beach). And prior to that, I shared a moment telling the two ladies playing on the court nearby so they wouldn't be startled when reaching for a difficult shot and seeing it in the near distance.

When arriving to the oceanfront I thought about my last breakfast-break fiasco and was determined to remedy the situation by stopping at a different eatery, one I knew would be tasty and satisfying beyond any doubts. Sure it would just be adding another 25+ blocks (more than the intended distance for the day) but the breakfast at Pocahontas Pancakes is definitely worth it. The legs and rest of the body couldn't be happier knowing this destination was the decided upon halfway re-fuel and break station (which ended up being 14.34 miles into the run).

While eating a hefty serving of Eggs Benedict, a side of biscuits that I smothered with butter and was constantly dipping into a pool of maple syrup, and very tasty hash browns that were a respectable mound of crispy golden potato strands, the elderly couple next to me was also knees-deep into their delectable journey. I admired a fellow who seemed to be hovering around 70 years old impressively crush a huge dinner-size plate waffle covered with a significant serving of fruit and pralines, leaving only an empty white circular dish when done. His wife wasn't shy either, downing a lengthy giant burrito-shaped omelet in what seemed like record time. But she awkwardly left her two pieces of toast completely untouched...by hand, knife, and fork. While having a fascinating conversation throughout this meal (even though we were at distinctly different tables and just met) my eyes kept going back to that toast. After they left while I was still working on my substance, I even considered snatching the toast off the table knowing at least another 14 miles was now in the plan. I don't know why but I just couldn't do it, so an internal frown had to just gaze woefully as two slices of perfectly-good carbs were tossed into a tray of trash by an efficient busboy sweeping the tables.

On the return trek I immediately headed for the beach to run on the sand as far as possible before returning to the grass and pavement. A supportive low tide left plenty of room to wander forward in relaxed form on a very full tank from 35th street to the Jetty (at 1st street). Maybe the King snake I had seen on the way up was a foreshadowing of this abdominal feeling?

Total Distance and Pace
14.34 miles (average 10:58/mile)
breakfast break (I now stop my GPS when sitting down to eat)
9.16 miles (average 12:54/mile)
6.44 miles (average 14:38/mile)

Sure this run was progressively slower but this wasn't a race, it was like any other run as of late; an adventure to continue the 100 miles/week for one year goal...The Streak...which was wrapped up (right on schedule) Friday morning. Week 27 (101.2 miles) done. 



 
    

   

Sweet Little Pocket

Do you know where this off-road sweet little pocket is in Virginia Beach? On the back end of 30+ miles (to finish the 26th consecutive week of 100+ miles of running), split-up by a breakfast break of biscuits with sausage & gravy and what is described as a 1/2 pound of hash browns, I found a quiet comfortable turnover in this natural tunnel. Even though this breakfast was substantial fuel, I recommend having tried the biscuits and gravy before (at your restaurant of choice), instead of taking this adventure for the first time in a planned run. Let's just say they were less-than-great; however, the hash browns which were served as diced potatoes (crispy on the outside and soft on the inside like mini tater-tots) were very good. But do you really care? Aren't you here for the run? The first 18.96 miles (pre-breakfast) was a typical cruise with one not-so-bad mentally low point. But the last 11+ miles were far more demanding as I had to rush home to help Jane with some moving detail and set up a microbiology course. Half-way through the One Year 100+ Miles/Week trek (now simply referred to as The Streak), I can honestly say I have learned this value of setting an overwhelming goal...it will cause you to commit to engaging in supporting daily tasks regardless of the circumstances. Oh, where is this sweet little pocket? In front of the main building of the Virginia Aquarium.

Flash Forward

It has been an unexpected progressive six days with the distance topping out at 136.9 miles. Unexpected because after a 3:40:27 finish at the Potomac River Run Marathon on Sunday May 1^st I anticipated patiently recovering trying to find just enough reserve to reach the 100 miles goal for the 25^th consecutive week. But the legs and (playing more of a critical role) the mind responded differently, in this order to be exact (total miles for each day); May 1^st=26.2, May 2^nd=6.3, May 3^rd=18.8, May 4^th=26.7, May 5^th=30.9 and May 6^th=28 miles. The marathon surface was the hardest (of the six days of running) being compact trail; the rest of the running was primarily on grass. There is no doubt from many years of fluctuating distances and changing locations that the soft surface has supported moderating the effort and a faster recovery (as opposed to asphalt/concrete). 

I wish I had more to offer in this week’s reflection, wait, yes I do, my ultra-friend coincidentally finished his first 100-mile race on Sunday May 1^st. I don’t want to go into elaborate detail telling his story here because it is his experience to communicate in his own words but I will share this gem; he successfully finished in under 24 hours a nonstop no-sleep effort where he unintentionally achieved one of the ultimate goals of any activity – escaping the time-space continuum. I consider it experiencing the Zen of running. You see, when we typically go for a 12-15-20 mile run together he is the one wearing a watch, providing updates on distance/pace. But during his first 100-miler, he didn’t do that. He went watch-free and just stayed with the group he started the race with, from beginning to end, not concerned or conscious of the day/time…just running, replenishing and running some more. And to add to this impressive accomplishment for a 100-miler first-timer, he ran 10 miles comfortably (with me) after just 3 days of recovery. 

Reading back over the text, I guess this entry could have been titled Flash Recovery but since I am trying to document these experiences in proper date order that is the reason for the ‘forward’ label. See you next week.

Potomac River Run Marathon

Time = 3:40:27, Distance = 26.2 miles, Pace = 8:25/mile