Hot Tuna(p)

Tuneup
I needed a tuneup for my No Frills, Just Hills run tomorrow so Pepper and I ran a quick 2.5 miles.  This was my second run for the week and a hot one at that.  Total mileage for the month is low because it got busy on me all of a sudden.  No Frills is a 6 hour timed run on a 2 mile loop trail in the CVNP.  I'll check it out later today to see what I'm up against.  My personal goal is a pace of 15 min/mile.  That would make for 24 miles total if I can last that long.

Farm
I poked my foot yesterday while at the farm.  I stepped on a real pokey stick.  That and the toe dragging incident on my previous run will test my gentle running capabilities on the technical trails tomorrow.  While at the farm, I wrestled a 6.5 hp behemoth of a tiller for about two hours yesterday trying to get the wet clay looking like fertile soil.  I'll have to add more manure and compost.  We planted about 15 tomatoes and plan for the corn and potatoes today.  It's coming along.

Brookledge Night Run

After a full day of break repair and late day mulching, I needed to get out for a run.  This was my first run in the dark.  As a barefoot runner, I fear the dark when I cant see the ground.  But it wasn't all that bad.  The streets of course have streetlights so I was able to see big obstacles.  Little pebbles can't be seen, but they didn't cripple me either.  I was tired, so I made a mistake I've done in the past - I dragged the tip of my big right toe on the pavement and ripped the skin off.  I haven't done that since last fall.

I went off road and ran about 10 holes of the Brookledge golf course.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  None of that usual cussing and frustration that happens during the day.  And, although it is still in the city, the stars were brighter.

I figure it was about 5.5 miles in an hour and a bit - I stretched out on one of the tees for a few.

Rain Run

Pepper and I ran an easy 3.6 in the rain this morning.  I have worried about running in the rain and getting blisters.  No blisters today.  Feet feel good.  As you may be able to tell from my "weekness log," I've been "tapering" to get ready for the upcoming "No Frills, Just Hills" in a week and a half.  I'll run a many more times before the race.  I was considering the Tallmadge 5k on Monday, May 31, but nixed it, so the FA will be my race for May.

I'm planning on a 5-bean soup with sausage for post race re-fueling.  Standard bean and rice tortillas, cornbread and chia fresca during the race.  I'm slow, so I shouldn't offend too many runners.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Really?  WHAT THE FUCK??
I am so disappointed!  Disgusted is more appropriate.  Vomit in my face and my throat.

Why should I ever watch them again?
HateHateHateHate!!!!!!!
FuckFuckFuckFuck!!!!!!!!!!
I don't feel any better!!
Fuck!

Weather and Work Making Me a Slacker

February was my best running month so far this year.  I've been a slacker.  I need to run more.  It has been raining a lot.  I've been busy landscaping (though not enough - if anyone needs a mow or mulch, let me know).  It was easier to get in a two mile run when I started.  But now, I'm just starting to slow down at two miles.  It's too much work putting on the running clothes, putting on the dog collar, blogging, taking off the clothes, washing the clothes, showering, to justify running for a measly two miles.  I feel better if I get 5 or 6 in.  But that takes more time (a lot more time at my pace).

I ran early today at a 10.5 min/mi pace.  Around Silver Lake again.  Nice, but I'm getting a little bored with this run.  I left the Pooper at home to see If I could blame her for my pace.  Nope, it's me.

Go Cavs!

If a tree falls in the woods . . .

If a tree falls in the woods, and a runner and his dog hear it, does it make a sound?  Yes it does.  Pepper and I heard a tree falling at the Ledges trail today.  It's quite impressive to hear a big tree falling but not see it.  The rain from last night and the high winds today conspired to bring it down.

We first ran the Boston Run Trail, then crossed below SR 303 to try out the Ledges Trail.  These were virgin trails for us and I am very impressed (Pepper may or may not be impressed - she loves all trails).  Both were magnificent.  The Ledges Trail more so.  The photos below are from the Ledges Trail.  I have been following Brian, a fellow member of my running club and have been dying to try out the trail where his awesome photos were taken as seen here.  So, today we did it.  We are fortunate to have such a wonderful national park within 15 a minute drive.  It was a cool 50 deg F.  The rain started at 5 PM, just as we were finishing.

OK, I mentioned the weather conditions, now lets get down to the ground.  Let me just say, it ain't fun!  Both trails are old, man-made and in the woods.  My preference would have been to leave them natural after cutting the trees and brush.  Yes, they may get muddy, but why import the stone?  It's just not natural.  At least half are "paved" with gravel.  Much of this gravel is river run stone - you know the kind, smooth with rounded edges that was excavated from a creek.  It's not the worst to run on, but not comfy either.  This type of surface tends to slow even a slow runner down.  Some of the gravel was crushed limestone - the worst surface to run on.  The other half of the run was on dirt or mud, sand, bigger stones that you could get a whole foot on, grass, leaf litter and a tiny bit of moss (the caviar of running surfaces).  These parts were the diamonds in the rough.  After a rain, well trodden soil gets cushy and is a dream to run on.

My compatriot, BarefootJosh, is a little worried about a gravel section in an upcoming race he has.  I understand.  It's not easy.  You will sacrifice time running a race barefoot on gravel surfaces.  But in order to win the BareFoot division, it must be tolerated.  It can be done!

Here are the photos:

Cool Morning Run

We were out the door by 6:15 AM and back an hour and seven later.  An easy and slow 6.25.  The pavement was cool from last nights rain.  The sun was just coming up and shadows were long.  This was our second early morning run.  I'm starting to like them.  And, although I was slow - 10.7 mi/min pace - I finished strong by sprinting up the hill of Portage Trail East.

I saw something really strange in one spot - broken glass on the ground.  We just stepped around it.