Blue Hen Falls

Blue Hen Falls
Pepper and I ran the Buckeye Trail from Boston Store to Blue Hen Falls today.  A total of three miles since we went further than the falls following someones footsteps in the snow.  It was very nice and very long.  Half was uphill.

Blue Hen Falls

Icicle Falls beyond Blue Hen

Race Report

I ran the Ohio Outside Trail run last Saturday.  I was slower than last year, but I had the vff's on because of the snow.  I should have run it barefoot.  Had fun.  It was a good showing.


Product Review

Check it out.  I found the best thing for cold weather running.  And by that I mean when it's colder than 25 deg F or if I'm running through new snow.  I got the thermal socks (2 mil neoprene) at Gander Mt. and the auqa socks at the chinese store.  I cut a section from the back and sewed it into the toe I cut.  I used upholstery thread.  Believe it or not, even thermal socks are too narrow.  I've run in them three times and the feet stay very warm.

Vibrams

I was weak today and put on the Vibrams.  Pepper and I had a nice, slow 3 mile run.  More to follow tomorrow.

A quick Pepper clip:

Quick 5.9

So, when I say quick, that means sub 11.  Lightning is sub 10.  Today was just quick.  Pepper and I ran barefoot down to the VW dealer to pick up my car.  I'm at 49,700 miles, so this is the last free service from the warranty.  Yes, I said barefoot.  It was 31 deg F when we started but dropped a couple by the finish.  She just never complains about the weather.  She'll stop for a rest if it's too hot.  But the cold never bothers her.  It doesn't get that cold here.

It's been 10 months since we've run in the cold and I noticed something interesting.  As this is my second winter season running barefoot, what I learned last season was sort of chalked up to newbieism.  This summer I was feeling quite tender of foot and though I was just being a wuss.  But running in the cold again has me rethinking my feelings.  I am a wuss. And, when it's cold, the bottom of the feet get just numb enough not to be concerned about the little pebbles.  The larger rocks of salt are another matter.  They always hurt.  I'm sure the towpath will feel like silk like it did last winter.  When I ran the towpath this summer, I spent maybe half the time on the grass to the side because my feet were getting sore.  Or is this all in my head?

Finaly Winter Is Here

I love running in the cold.  I wore my Jr. Kings jersey today in the 27 deg F gray wonder that is North East Ohio.  Pepper and I ran a short 3.2 miles.  I'm still recovering from a cold that I caught in Cinci.  Damn kids (kidding, I would gladly suffer a cold every week if it meant I could see them all the time).

It was fun running barefoot in the cold again.  I've been spoiled by our very nice summer and fall.  The pads were cold for the first half mile, then stung for the second half.  The last two were not terribly different than any other run.  Believe me people; it can be done!

I signed up for a few runs.  Check out my "Future Runs" list to the right.  What the hell was I thinking?

We'll see tonight how a dethroned King handles the weather again.  Hopefully that sunny Miami heat has made him soft.  And while I'm on the subject: Questions have been raised as to our reaction to his return.  I would politely clap when he comes into the building, just as I would with respect for any other visiting team member.  Nothing more or less.  And yes, he did handle things wrong when he made his decision.  That whole thing was juvenile and self aggrandizing.  What other leading athlete has booked an hour on ESPN to announce his decision.  As a fan of the team, I laughed at his antics.  That's not what upset me.  It was the fact that we fans finally had hope that we could win a championship.  He sent us back to the drawing board.

Product Review

The Cincinnatti rain has required a new outfit.  To keep out the rain, I chose the much vaulted Hefty Poncho.  The beauty is the versitility afforded by the necessary customization.  The neck and arm holes were custom fitted to my fizzeek.  My 6 mile run today was interupted by many inquireies as to the quality, fit and comfort.  If I was home, I would have taken orders.  Another advantage was the cost: 20 ponchos for $6.95.  Now that's a deal.

Dry Running

Happy Thanksgiving.

Woo Hoo

Well now I have a goal.

After Pepper and I ran an easy 4.7 today, I sat down to map my run and write this.  As I opened my blog I clicked on BFJ's site to see what's up.  Along with the Boozehounds it's one of my favorite sites.  It so happenned that BFJ was announcing the winner of the drawing for a free entry to the Blue Ridge Marathon.  I was the "lucky" winner.

Ok, I've got to go.  I have some hill work to prepare for.

Did I mention this would be my first marathon?

Pepper and I finished the week with a nice 8 mile run on the Towpath.  It was a beautiful day for a run.  Here is our start and end point.

We ran north, downstream to mile 26 and then back.  Here is a short snippet.

The river in the fall.

I ran the first half slow.  I was struggling to get into the run.  The second half was better, even though it was uphill.  On the way back, I decided to focus on the pace Pepper was setting.  It was very consistent.  She would occasionally stretch it out a bit, and go into a full gallop.  But mostly, it was an easy trot. Focusing on her, I hardly noticed the miles.  My fastest mile was the last.