Thanksgiving Hangover

It's December first and it’s that time of year again, I can’t even get in regular runs, let alone regular posts on this blog. I did a cool seven miles on a new trail the other day, then BAM, some snow came down and I’ve done nothing since. It’s going to be tricky, working off all of that food from Thanksgiving. Keeping my miles up this winter with no treadmill, or as of yet, no access to an indoor track. What will the new year bring, new friends, new goals, new races? Hmmmmm, stay tuned, my access to wireless internet has increased.

Monday Morning Marathon Hangover

So in preparation for today's post, I wanted to read about some of the highlights from the NY Marathon. There certainly was not any coverage on NBC Sport's website. Don't get me wrong, I love the NFL, but come'on how about some sports diversity? Even news about the World Series of Poker was easier to find. (Sorry, but poker isn't a sport.) All I really know is that the course record was broken by someone not from the USA. What does that mean to the average person reading this blog? Hmmmm. Well, instead of watching the Colts get their asses handed to them yesterday, I put in 11.5 miles. Like most runners out there, I'm a weekend warrior. I may not ever break a 7 minute mile for anything other than a 5k. I may not ever run a big marathon like NY or Boston and unfortunately my mileage will most likely wind down for the winter months. (My treadmill is sort of homeless right now.) But I will keep running. Not because I want to be on TV. (The live marathon wasn't on TV anyway from what I can tell) But because it makes me happy. I'm certainly no expert on existentialism, but I'm pretty sure happiness has something to do with it.

NYC Marathon

The NYC marathon started this morning, I was hoping to catch some of it on the TV, but from what I can tell no one is televising it. Bummer.

Sometimes, after a nice long run, all you need is a cold beer.

Camels and Such

Saw this guy during our LSD run last Sunday. Interesting scenery along the Pumpkinvine.

The Hills And Such

This afternoon I came to the impasse that every runner comes to at one point or another. I stood at the window of my office, carefully examining the windshield wiper of every passing car. According to my own experimental/fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants training program, I needed to do a hill workout today, then two days rest before a ten mile run on Sunday. All in preparation for the “Hilly Half” I will be running in just over two weeks. The only thing standing between me and calves like cement blocks was a little precipitation. Should I go, or stay and eat spreadable cheese and watch the Detroit Tigers? You could always do hills tomorrow night. I told myself. Except that I knew the temptation to skip tomorrow would be even greater. Finally I decided that the intermittent use of windshield wipers were a sign from the Running Gods, Carpe Diem or whatever. So I went, and I ran the S shaped curves in the small town where I went to high school. Other than a guy burning trash at the top of the hill (at the exact point where my lungs begged for more air mind you) it was good. In fact it was great. It was transcendental.

We Are of the Thirsty Kind

We are of the thirsty kind.  It is doubtful that you will see a 55 calorie beer in our hands. (Unless of course there is no other beer because diet beer is better than no beer.)  This is the first week getting back into long run Sundays in prep for October 29^th.  We did 8 miles on the new section of Pumpkinvine and it was niiiiiiice.  Cool fall weather, leaves just beginning to change.  First opportunity to break out the running tights.  The afternoon called for football and a mini-beer tasting.  A stashed bottle of Infinium was popped.  Infinium is made by Sam Adams, it’s the champagne of beers, or beer of champagnes.  Whatever.  It was delicious.  Keep running.  Keep tasting good beer.  Enjoy these fall days before the ice covers your routes.