Running the Course

You can be sure that now the dog will blaze thru the agility practice with speed and detail most of the time showing the other canines what time it is. In the beginning and for awhile just getting to stay on track was an accomplishment. Then there was blatant distractions and total lack of attention to what we were doing, running an agility course. Tunnels, A frames, chutes, jumps, weaves, serpentines, and threadalls the components of running the course. Lee taught this discrimination and away stuff that basically brought a real edge to the game. Now I point at the obstacles and away she goes and maybe we would consider going to some Trials. For now it's fun and  probably a great form of mental exercise. But Boodini will do well as long as there is work or a job to be done.

Stretcher Police

So what I decided to do was test out the Hokas at the Hilll of Life and into the 3rd descent about two thirds of the way down I noticed two gals and a guy carrying something in a towel as in a stretcher. We have all seen the folks coming up from their outings and dip in the cool water we are blessed to now have in the Belt. Sometimes you can tell they've had a bit of the swirl and you might say Swillary( a pun for our Sec. of State). So I figured was someone being carried up? So Wrong. Getting to the bottom and heading up I needed to know ... and as I grabbed the corner side of the towel I heard thank you's and relieve sighs from the weight of this 80+ lb dog. It was immobile and had been bitten by a snake, and spots of blood were on the towel. We towed this guy up to the top and got Moxxie into the car and hopefully she made it to the ER in time to make it OK...makes me think. So I contemplated and did two more roundtrips up and down, and thought on the drive home ...am I prepared for that....what about Boodini?

Do you think it was a 50K?

Last weekend I completed another 50miler, since the halloween weekend end of Oct. til now, 5months, this would make 3 50M, 1 100K, and two marathons. At Hells's I decided to try two new things. The first being the Hoka Mafates, and the Nathan water vest 020. Out of the box I laced a size 11( normally I wear 11.5, and the sizing reviews recommended this1/2 down size) and was planning to run one of the three 16.65mile loops to see how they ride, ready to change out to another shoe after. Likewise the Nathan pack would take care of water and with pockets I could haul my powder mixes, gu, salt all things neatly in their place. This all worked really well and had a very non irritating loop cause it just fit. I took off on the second loop and didn't change a thing, and actually ran the 50 with both newbies to satisfaction. After, I had a blood blister at the tip of my right foot which makes me wonder if the 11.5 hoka would have been the way to go, nothing like having many sizes of the same shoe around, but it functions well over any terrain. I will have to wear them in to build up my ankles, cause I have rolled them once or twice, and the reviews  mentioned that stuff  happening. Great pair of shoes that actually ride over rocks, flats, and do have a great grip. I would say I think I had less leg soreness afterward as well. The Hoka Bondi B is the road shoe version that I ran the road marathon in and this shoe fits true to my 11.5 size and is real nice for me. I also feel like it is still important to use different shoes, Montrails, Brooks, Asics, what you like, so your foot just doesn't know Hokas, as these shoes are the opposite end of shoe philosophy, that being, cushion vs minimalist.The Nathan pack all I did was pull the bladder they give you and put in a camelback bladder, same size and good to go. Got warm the last loop and lost money in the bank from feeling the funk, so overall though it was good to have a tough finish, cause it is a good lesson in pushing thru and digging to get it done. In a few weeks, throw it all on the line at Massanutten 100M, love that Virginia, and that race rocks! We are blessed to be still able to run.

The Old and the New

It might just be as simple as a combination of an old pair of shoes and some new socks that bring about a change of attitude. It might be something that brings back old memories combined with a new time and your having another great time all the while you are accomplishing what you wanted to get done. It is always best to take the goal and break it up into smaller pieces, so you can get somewhere. After awhile all your smaller efforts add up to the full monty in the end. Less daunting, easier to manage, and at least there is forward progress. Wait and See....

Luck of the Irish

So when the day starts out and everyone begins to look elf like,you know it's St.Paddy's day.When you go shopping and people's ears have a slight vulcan look, it must be St.Paddy's day. When you look for a few coins in your pocket but there isn't any,and out of the corner of your eye you see this midget running with little pointy shoes, yes, it must be St. Paddy's day. So Remember!....
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind always be at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
and rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
May the luck of the Irish always be with you!

On the Way

What you conceive and believe you will achieve. What will you do with the new change in time. Seems like a good enough avenue to turn about, since many other intentions are yet unattained. Maybe it's just Boodini thinking but after work might be a good time to be out and about with a small amount of time where it isn't dark thirty. We shall see, I spent the whole rainy weekend on the couch and must have gained
twenty pounds eating all those cakes I stole out of everyone's tent. Why get pissed about it, I did it and I might just do it again.

Got me Under Pressure

It's about all I can handle and it's too much for my brain. Doing a 12hr. 50miler was a long time on the trail, that was the last cut off and the race usually ended. Running 9, 10, never 11, and even 8:30's for a 45miler was the norm. So last weekend I was just hoping for a finish in a 50 under 14hrs. It got done and the second 25m of the race was and hour faster than the first half. Even becoming another silent slammer in first of the USATF championship trail 50M in my old age group. Whoopytee doo... what really does it matter. But regardless, walking up to any race and starting it in spite of the rage, you transcend just being a rat in the cage. Naturally the photo's will be coming in of my grey, fat and ugly self which I will not buy. Is training really a concept?