I'm already running long even though my overall fitness is poor. As I wrote on my comment to Melinda, I think running long is more than just using physical strength, a determined attitude to endure is needed. Of course, there is a limit to how much I can push, I should not go and run 30 miles tomorrow, because that would lead to body breakdown. My mind and body desire the long slogs, and so I am going as long as reason permits. I am looking forward to seeing if I can push and do some 30 milers in July, to prepare for the Howl.
I have not been doing much with pictures. I don't have money for supplies at the moment, but my desire for it has waned a bit since I got injured. Once I am back to full strength maybe I can do some darkroom work again.
I am reading a book called "Giants in the Earth", about life on the Dakota prairie in the late 19th century. Also reading a bit of Heidegger - sifting through tangled modern philosophy makes me believe that my tiny life is from another galaxy.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Howl at the Moon
Yesterday I signed up for the Howl at the Moon 8 hour race on August 8th. I know I won't be in the greatest shape by then, but, August has always been my best month for running. I run well in heat and humidity, and I always seem to hit a peak in that hot month. In September my allergies arrive, and my body loses energy for the next 3 months. Rather than wait until October's Farmdale race, where I will not be at my best, I may as well try a race in August. I do not have enough time to get into optimal racing shape, but life rarely allows such occurrences anyway, so I will take what I can get.
Today I ran the a South Farms loop for 12.5 miles. The mid 80's heat zapped me because it has been about 7 months since I last ran in that kind of warmth. I am still feeling it several hours later, a kind of blissful lethargy settling into my muscles.
When I finished the loop, I thought, "in August I will just have to run 3 more of those loops back to back to back - no problem!" :)
Today I ran the a South Farms loop for 12.5 miles. The mid 80's heat zapped me because it has been about 7 months since I last ran in that kind of warmth. I am still feeling it several hours later, a kind of blissful lethargy settling into my muscles.
When I finished the loop, I thought, "in August I will just have to run 3 more of those loops back to back to back - no problem!" :)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Downhill
Downhill II2 weeks ago my knee mysteriously regained its health. When I recognized that running no longer was off limits, I hit the trails, just in time for warm weather running.
I have lost quite a bit of fitness, but, just 2 days ago I completed a full 12.5 mile South Farms loop, so even though I am in lousy shape, running 12 miles still seems pretty easy. I am also 10 pounds overweight, but I hope once I get into a running groove some of that weight will shed.
The past 2 days have been light 4 milers because my quads are a little stiff from the 12 miler on Sunday.
It is great to be running again, and I am looking forward to returning to ultra marathon racing shape. Maybe by October I will be able to run the Farmdale 33 miler again.
This song reflects my mood after today's run :
