Fall Transitions

What a beautiful time of year. Only a few months of the year can you pull on a long-sleeve shirt and walk outside to see the amazing colors popping from the different trees. Combine that with the usual outdoor gatherings and recreation and it's a good time of year to stay up late, wake up early, and enjoy the great outdoors.

It's almost bittersweet. Fall time comes with a lot of changes. Behind us, hot weather and the summer-loving lifestyle complete with adventures everyday and nightly get-togethers. As the leaves began to change colors, schedules got a little busier, and just like the weather, things progressed.

The bitter piece may be the warning signs of winter that the beautiful colors transpose. Days are getting shorter and my evil arch-nemesis has appeared a few times in the wee hours of early morning (ice on my windshield). Winter is beautiful in its own regards, but the cold breezes and knee-high snowbanks provide a distinct contrast from the sandals and sea-shells of summer.

It's hard to relish the present at times but my recommendation is enjoying the change for what it is. Enjoy the colors before their gone and once those leaves drop off leaving the tree vulnerable to the cold, remember that spring time is never too far off. Fall transitions can be tough, but if you ever find yourself shivering from cold, the best remedy usually comes from the warmth of friends and family (or clothes taken directly out of the dryer).

Because 26.3 Would Be Just Plain Crazy

 The weather was beautiful, the course was long, and I thankfully walked away on my own two legs with a medal at my chest. I can now check off marathon on my list of things to do, again.

The run went well. I wish their was a better way to describe it. The first four miles that covered the main streets of Des Moines flew by undercover of the scores of people running alongside. Once we hit Grand and lost the half-marathoners to a left turn, things got a little more spacious, and hilly. No sweat here (besides the profuse amount of sweat coming from my body), I enjoyed the run while my legs still felt good.

Mile 9 brought about a very long stretch of road that circled and turned back at the historic Drake Relay's big blue track. Big props to the rock n' rollers playing for the tired runners. It was this 7 mile stretch that I let my body relax and began thinking of all the steps that led me there.

Thoughts such as "why am I doing this?" or "is this really worth all of the trouble?" came into my mind. I can not lie, marathon training begins to lose it's appeal near the end. The long runs, the sore knees, and the attention to detail on things such as stretching, eating, sleeping, and preparing can sometime feel like the stressors that originally got me to start running. In my head, the goal grew out of my control, I created a monster and ready or not, I was along for the ride.

Mile 16 brought the course back into the South of Grand area onto the Water Works and Greys Lake trail systems. Things were going well, I was running a few minutes ahead of my pace and passing people, until I saw the loop. Somewhere around mile 17 a crossroads appeared and in the distance the mile long loop I was about to run came into full sight. And in seeing what I faced, I began to hurt. I took my first walking steps in over two hours. Times were tough and all I could do at that point was turn my hat around to cover my eyes and pull out any grit left remaining.

The last 8 or so miles was a lot of the same thing. No more high-fives or joking with the crowd, no more light legs or non-chaffed nipples, and still one question lingering "why do I do this?"

Reaching mile 25 was a relief, but still not the end yet, and it took more then concentration to keep pedaling at the pavement. It wasn't until I rounded the corner at SW 3rd street (near the science center) that things started to fall into place. Turning the corner I saw the big red #26 pass on the left. I left my legs behind as I began sprinting towards the the big blue FINISH LINE banner down the block.

FINISH LINE

I felt a wave of emotion propel me towards the end and a feeling of relief that relaxed over my shoulders. The miles added up correctly and as I crossed the finish line I began walking, glad to be over with it. I understood for that brief moment of clarity after the long run, I understood why I did it. I understood as I held the finisher medal as my tangible proof of accomplishment, I understood as I saw others finishing with their hands raised in the air, and I understood as a completed marathon and $1,000 worth of fundraising lay behind in my footsteps. I wish I could explain it though...

Once again though, life does go on. I am looking forward to relaxing, itching that rock climbing bug, and figuring out where the long run will take me next. It's a big world out there and it's worth discovering; here's to what's behind us, what's in front of us, and what's coming next.

                               DREAMING BIG CAN'T HURT YOU

PERMANENTLY

Frolfing for a Reason (as if you needed a reason)

               Frolfing for a Reason: 

                           $908 Later

It feels good to be done, to rest easy knowing the only thing left to do is run a marathon, time to relax. Let's go October 16th, I'm ready for you (sorta).  

The first ever "Frolfing for a Reason" hit the course last Sunday with beautiful fall weather, wonderful company, and of course some good ole' fashioned disc golf.

Although it was not a record setting day, everyone who came walked away with raffle prizes and other free goodies, overall I would give the event an overall sucess rating.

Between the hole sponsors, extra raffle tickets, and the gracious patrons of the game, Frolfing for a Reason raised just over $900. Not bad for the inagrual event.

I now realize the fun (work) to be had to put on an event that requires public particapation. I can also now see the experiences (mistakes) that I could have done better. What's better yet, this event serves as a wonderful template or base to build up from for future aspirations (Disc Golf tournaments).

A big shout-out goes to all those who lent a helping hand with fundraising, logistics, and general encouragement. You all are the steam to my ship, the Adrian to my Rocky, and as always the people that make my life better.

 GO OUT AND PLAY 

  

20 Mile Breakdown

Last weekend I pulled down the 20-mile run. For those that have never ran twenty miles consecutively, let's break this down a little farther:

Start Line: This is a funny spot to be in. Somehow standing at the edge of a long run is kind of like peering over the edge of the diving board.

Mile 1: This is the time to try and find your comfort. Adjust whatever hydration system you bring along to fit snugly and make sure your underwear is rubbing minimally.

Mile 2-3: If your like me at this point, you are not in high efficiency mode yet. It takes a little moving to find that comfortable breathing pace and induced meditation.

Mile 4: Start to find your stride and test out some incline.

Mile 5: 1/4 quarter of the way their, things are feeling alright.

Mile 6-9: Things are flowing now. You can feel like a train on the tracks. It's important to try and not think about your exact distance you've traveled relative to the finish-line. This is where the flowers pop out against the grass and your thoughts extend further then your eyes can see.

Mile 10: That's half. If you focus on being half way done at this point, don't, the feeling of being half way done with 20 miles can put you into a high gear momentarily, but the feeling will soon wear-off once you realize you have to run another ten miles.

Mile 11: Eat a Cube. An important part of running such a long distance is to try and supplement the hard-work with any nutrition and always hydration. Your body burns to much gas to not refill the tank occasionally. I eat gel cubes but anything you buy will have a faint sense of eating some form of boogers.

Mile 12-14:  At this point I begin to measure how far I've ran, the pace I'm at, and most of all how much I have left to do. This can be some dangerous thoughts, as anyone who has waited slowly watching a ticking clock can tell you.

Mile 15: The mental game kicks in. Suddenly your finish-line is at reasonable distance, and you have 15 miles behind you. Can't quit now.

Mile 16: Keep your head down, 3rd wind is bound to kick in.

Mile 17: Whew, on paper you seem so close relative to the distance you have already traveled. Consider this a good half-way point on the 20 mile run.

Mile 18: Perhaps it's impossible due to all body fluid escaping through the sweat glands, but I bet it would look funny to see someone crying while running.

Mile 19: Have you ever sat on of your feet long enough for them to fall asleep? Then have you gotten up to walk out of the room only to feel a weird lightning bolt of numbness shoot up your thigh? Now do that to both feet and hop on the bike trail.

Mile 20: Much of the thoughts at the beginning of the last mile would probably need to be edited for most cable television shows, but once you reach the final stretch, red carpets appear before you and a tractor beam buzzes you in; all accompanied with a sense of accomplishment, an understanding that anything is possible.

Finish Line: Let the rest of the world catch up behind you

Knowing Your Boundaries

 

Makes Them Easier To Break