Little things

I took a gentle spin through the city this evening to get the lead out of my legs. Then I went fishing, to get the lead out of my head.

I've been thinking today about little things. Little things that made my day.

Like the owner of the local cafe loading me up with Christmas cakes and goodies as thanks for being a good customer (Thanks Matt - Sherbet is the best!).
Like having a sparkly clean kitchen to start the new week (It's been steadily downhill till a burst of domestic energy struck this afternoon).
Like getting a kiss from the kid last weekend (an out-of-the-blue thanks-for-being-my-dad little kiss that has stuck with me all week).
Like having a runner call out "five fingers!" on the road (positive contact on the road makes one feel a little better about the ridiculous running style dictated by aforementioned Fingers).
Like being tapped on the finger by a little pendant hanging from my handlebars during a ride as a reminder of special people (a keepsake from IW).

Like a sunset like this.

IW is running a half marathon today in Borrego Springs, California. I stole these two pictures from the race website - it's a small town on the edge of the desert. You can see what gets me going about these places - the lumps! Real mountains! Proper size!

I'm not sure that it gets cold enough in Borrego Springs to snow, but a little further south in Santa Fe, New Mexico, my old friend Frank posted a photo of what I'm hoping is his backyard.

Photo stolen from Frank's album - wow!

All this looking at lumps and cold stuff is new and exciting, but it's a sideline - IW is running the half Mary! Better still, she's cranking out a century (100 mile = 160km) ride tomorrow! Sheesh.
In the spirit of shared experiences. I decided to scrape though the half distance this evening too, though I doubt it felt as pleasant as it will for IW, nor do I reckon I would have any chance of pulling off a century tomorrow.
Coincidentally, another old friend from Brisbane, Conrad, who now resides in Mandurah, is calling for a visitor, so what better way to get the century in with a pleasant food stop at half way!

Tonight's run was my longest since Berlin, and the first long stretch in the Fingens, too. My feet are a bit slapped about now, but nothing that won't be gone by morning. It eels good to be out on the road, and tonight, unlike last night, did  feel like a bit of a release. Long runs seem to fortify the ego sufficiently to step up to the world again and have another crack.

A bridge too far.

Running is meant to be about a momentary escape, a bit of therapy time where the physical demand can block out other stuff. Right?

Not Today.

I ran tired, hungry and angry, and each of these sensations were acutely enhanced as a result of the time on the road. The tired part will be rectified shortly after this blog entry. The hungry part has been fixed, courtesy of a huge bowl of pasta and veges. The angry part has dulled a little with time, exhaustion and  a recognition that I need to set a new goal.

So I did:  The LA Marathon, March 18th. One part of me is screaming at me for how far away that is, and the other is suddenly uneasy about how close. Again, it's a big vacation event, so time is not of the essence (though 3:00 to 3:15 will be a nice incremental step down from Berlin) - it's about spending time with IW, seeing a new city and enjoying it.

Tonight's run was the 13km Causeway loop. I ran in shoes, since the old Fingens have produced a huge blister between my left pinky toe and the next little one. I once again struggle with the barefoot / shoe dilemma for the marathon distance. After Berlin, I decided I would go for it and focus on barefoot, but tonight I reach the same point as in September, where shoes are simply faster and more comfortable for the long haul. In the next week I'll revise a training plan for the 11 or 12 weeks till then.
Tonight was meant to be 22km, but the Hungry part took care of that as I neared the Causeway Bridges. Now to take care of the Tired part..........

Freeways

Sunday arrived armed with a load of pent-up mental energy, and not enough physical activity in the week to blunt it.
I took the silver surfer (my single-speed messenger bike) out on to the path alongside the Kwinana freeway - running from Perth city south to Mandurah - full length about 90km.
Being adjacent to the freeway means the path is wide, flat, smooth, straight and generally completely uninteresting  apart from the lack of civilisation - perfect for a therapy session.

Getting on and sitting on a cadence for hours is somehow satisfying, but ultimately a bit painful. Rather than pulling off to Rockinhgam on the beach, I stayed on course and simply turned around at 60km (told you it was dull!). Happily, the constant headwind became my saviour to blow me home in 5:15 for the 120km.

The last 15km brought me undone, as first my right, then, a few minutes later, the left hamstring cramped severely. After a short roll in the undergrowth and whimpery / sweary noises, I was able to keep going, strangely feeling a whole lot better (like you do right after a good puke - remember?)

The timing of the cramps tells me two things - I outrode my fitness level, and my nutrition was poor. A banana, 2 espresso gels, a few shot blocks, 6 oreos and a carton of vanilla "up&go", plus 3 litres of water, didn't have what those muscles needed. Something to work on.

Oreos on the move.

Being so non-technical, the path offers a unique opportunity to spend considerable time updating facebook stati, sending messages and calling ones' mother. All rather amusing and, I'm sure, provided a truly thrilling kilometer-by-kilometer commentary of a spectacular sporting event for those on the receiving end.

Getting home and acquanting myself with the coolness of my floor gave me a whole new appreciation of how far 1200km is. The little bites remain satisfying...

OK. Gotta get back to it.

The time in Berlin with IW was fabulous - great rare time together in her natural habitat. Experiencing the Marathon was a hoot. 3:33 was no feat of speed, but it passed without discomfort and signalled a return to the distance. Man, it was amazing.

Too much has gone on since to catch up on in one post - no doubt the various twists and turns will become apparent as I meander on from here. IW has now returned to the US to get back to work, and my life has taken a distinct turn to look forward to joining her as the business, work and life falls into place. Berlin feels like years ago.

Wow.

I've become pretty lazy with so much going on (and I let myself get caught up in IW's off-season!), but I have an uncomplicated period of work ahead - ie just knuckling down - in which I can rebuild my barefoot feet and return to the process of running for fun.
Most recent running has been in shoes and Fingens - I haven't gotten out barefoot much since before the marathon, and I have regressed rapidly to soft, wussy little feet.

Out of the blue.

 Perth is now serving up loads of this - huge blue skies with a truly searing sun. Running during the day is pretty much out of the question now, if only for the sunburn, so early morning habits will have to kick in with the kid in tow.

More to come. This is just waking up.