TGIF

I've got nothing, nothing interesting anyway. Just grinding away, training hard, setting myself up for more great runs at some nice races. Oh Tuesday I showed up at track unmotivated and sluggish and after warm ups I actually looked at the sky and said "I don't know how this workout is going to get done" but I got er dun. 800s, 400s and 200s. It got faster as the distances decreased and the recovery got shorter. I didn't feel any better I just put my head down and used every trick I knew in the book to keep myself mentally motivated. I have to say, I love this track stuff. I wish I had gotten into it sooner. I'm finishing up my third year with track and indeed I'm faster than when I started.

So since I don't have much to share I will take a page from Marcy's game book and post a funny entertaining picture. Enjoy.

This is like Reno 911 meets Running. This is from this year's Bay to Breakers, where you are supposed to dress up for the run/walk. I went to church with one of these guys. Classic Jason R.

Have You Seen This?

I came home today from my long run and thought I would sneak in some Football watching before I had to clean up and head to church (we meet in the afternoons). What I saw first was this short ad and it made me want to go back out. It was the best thing I saw all afternoon cause the Niners stank it up.

The video is only a minute. Quick load, quick show. I like the music, the views, the message. Filmed in Whistler, British Columbia, this is one of the new Timberland ads. Looks like a nice place to run and hike. I think I need some Canadian running friends to visit:) This is just the kind of stuff that gets me going. This is my Podium, one of them anyway. This will make sense when you see the video.

Enjoy.



The official ad mini-site. A higher resolution version of the ad is available here as well as some details in the creation of it.

Happy Birthday Sammy!!!

Last night we celebrated my good friend Samantha's birthday. As it turns out she's also training for her first 50k with the Northface program. Sweet Sammy, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Me: Here is the Northface hydration pack. You can have it if you want it. Free schwag from Western States 06 that I've never used. Happy Birthday.
Samantha: Thanks, so glad you could come, mua!
Me: So I had no idea you were in the Northface Ultra training program and you're running your first 50k?
Samantha: Well we haven't talked in like what, couple of months?
Me: Right, right. You know I'm supposed to work that race but now I'm thinking of doing it. Either way I'll be there.
Jess: Me too.
JP: (Jess' guy) No you're not, your knee is still tweaked.
Jess: awww:(
Samantha: Other people we know will be running the shorter distances.
Me: Jess maybe you can take my place at the aid station if I run it.
Server:Your friends at the bar bought this for you.
Me: Ugh Jaeger, okay I'll take one with you. I'll get one for Jess too, haha. It's your birthday after all.
Me: Uh so who are those three guys in the short shorts and rainbow apparel, more friends of yours Sammy?

Sam and I. Bear with my fuzzy photos. I broke the screen of my new camera at the Tetons so I'm using my old beat up camera that focuses like an ultra runner low on salt.

It wasn't as bad as I remembered it. Jess and I joining Sammy in her bday shot. This pic is for you Marcy, my trashtastic blogger friend.

The surviving members of the party, we did pick up two new members. See those guys in the rainbow sleeveless shirts with the tight short shorts, haha. Well they were working an event for Smirnoff. Something about a coming out of the closet vodka party, at least that was what was conveyed to me. We didn't stay much longer after this shot was taken.

It's Feeling Like Spring

I'm 2.5 weeks into Fall training. It was tough to get going again. Fast twitch muscles had to be reactivated, had to get motivated which was tough because nothing motivates me like a 100-miler in the schedule and there's none left in the year. This is the time of the year where my weight starts to creep up again (swings by 10 pounds, heaviest in the Winter, lightest in the Summer), and the time of the year where my training starts to slack.

Well not this year. I'm at my lightest all year, good news for my legs and the break has reinvigorated me. I signed up for my first Fall A race yesterday and I've got one more A race to sign up for, possibly two. I have to consider the third one carefully because it's the following weekend after the second and I'm supposed to be an aid station captain for that race. A couple of things to consider...

I've been working hard and hitting the weights. My problem knee gets a little sore but hasn't been bothering my runs. I just got back from a run and ran my fastest time for that loop ever - 49:42. I ain't ever got that under 50 minutes. I bolted out the door, running up hill and the first thing out of my mouth, like a gasp, was to exclaim "this feels amazing!!!". Finished faster than I started. Maybe it was Psalm 139:13-14 that I have been meditating in my head and the sounds of Crystal Method in my left ear but I ran fast and hard, didn't look at my watch, let my heart dictate the pace and day dreamed of strong, fast Fall racing. If it stays this good I'll be ready to race again in a month. Cross your fingers with me:)

It's feeling like Spring around here, bring on the Fall races!

• Firetrails 50-miler (Signed Up)
• Quad Dipsea (Signing up tomorrow)
• NorthFace 50-miler (Considering...)
Throw in some 50ks for training.

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Psalm 139:14
Translation from "The Message" by Eugene Peterson

...Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God – you're breathtaking!
Body and Soul, I am marvelously made!....

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Let's test that last line shall we, yet again!