Sunday, July 25, 2010

Burning River 100 Section V

Yesterday I ran section V of the Burning River 100 course.  This is the last section of the course beginning at the Memorial Parkway Station, then following the High Bridge trail and ending up in downtown Cuyahoga Falls.  I ran it there and back from my house as I am about a half mile from downtown.  Some of it is technical, some delicious mud and grass, and some road.  I ran it in the late afternoon at the height of the heat.  I ran through the Italian fest and dunked my head in the fountain both there and back - had to knock a few kids out of the way to get my own spout, but they got back up.  The heat didn't slow me down as much as the rocks and gravel.  I taped up my foot for precaution, and it helped, but it is still sensitive.  My lack of mileage over the last few months also slowed me down.  I walked a lot.  Barefoot Jason will run the entire 101.1 miles barefoot (and in a kilt) next weekend.  He's got my complete admiration and respect.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Hello Again

It's been a while.  I've been busy building a deck, landscaping an vacationing at the Outer Banks.  So, my posts as well as running miles have been way down as of late.

Running on the beach was wonderful.  I only ran a couple of times since I ripped a chunk of skin from the ball of my right foot.  I was playing with kids at a July 4th party, twisting around and caught it on a corner of the sidewalk.  That sidelined me for the next week.  At the beach, I taped it and ran fine.

Today was my first run without tape and it felt good.  I ran 6.9 miles through waterworks park and then around Silver Lake.

Last month I met with Barefoot Ken Bob at a workshop he held in Medina.  There were about 8 of us there.  Only a few had run any significant miles barefoot.  The rest were curious having read Born to Run.  Like Barefoot Josh, much of what was covered was familiar, but I did learn a few things.  Apparently, I haven't been holding my head high enough.  I tend to tilt my head to look down at the path in front of me.  BF KB suggests holding your head steady and upright, looking forward and scanning down with your eyes.  Running from the hips is important too.  Focusing on this helps me run upright with better form.  I didn't think I would ever have the chance to meet the guru of barefoot running, but there you are.  It was a privileged experience.

Future races are nill at this point.  But I have volunteered to help with the aid stations for the Burning River 100.  I'll be there to help and cheer on Jason Robillard along with a few of my club mates.