Glory Day

I went for an easy run in the sunshine yesterday to break in my new Hurricanes. It's strange how my right knee reacted. After alternating two pairs of shoes that each had over 250 miles on them, I was now clunking along with new tires that had much more tread and stiffness to them. My right knee noticed and started to twang a little. I also noticed that my left foot tends to twist inwards at the toe after each stride and occasionally nips my right foot as they cross. So now you know why I made it an easy run. I have to get these puppies warmed up and broken in.
Baseball. The West Point boy is home for spring break and we're going out for a family outing. A spring training game sounds good. Options include: Mets @ Tigers, Orioles @ Nationals and Yankees @ Astros. Tough decisions all but I'm guessing the Yankee game is sold out; plus I am a Red Sox fan and would not do well among the Bomber faithful. All that really matters is the weather: today will be 82 and sunny with a slight breeze. Ahhhh. Eat your heart out.
P.S. The red breasted robins are here making their way north. It won't be long now my northern brethren and sistas.

Cross Train Shopping

Running. Wednesday I woke up and went out to run. From the first step I was moving better than usual with no slow build up. It was cool out (low 50s) and I wore a long sleeve shirt and shorts. Moving was the way to stay warm. I went on my 4-mile jaunt and came home with a splendid sub 33-minute time that was the best of the year on that route.
Therapy. After work I went for my 7th visit to my physical therapist - Tracey - a former Olympic swimmer who nows relishes the opportunity to smirk and bend the crap out of my arms and shoulders in an effort to loosen up the horrid things. Just let me remind everyone that the merits of upper body strength training are not to be overooked. If I had paid better attention I'd not be in such distortion. Tracey is doing a fine job of getting my skinny weak upper body sculpted into a strong lean running machine. It just takes a little pain to get there.
Shopping. Key to the day was that I left work early for PT and planned to go down to the Track Shack for the annual red dot sale where most shoes are 50% off and all the winter gear is at giveaway prices. I got in touch with my feminine side and had a blast doing my shopping. Being friends with the store manager didn't hurt either. We'd been consulting each other for a few weeks about what I could buy and how much he had in stock. Shoes was at the top of my list. Like Pamalamadingdong I am an avid Saucony Hurricane fan. First Jerry brought out two pairs in my size. One was the old model in blue and one in the newer style with orange trim. I tried them on and went Ahhhhhhh! (2 for the price of 1) Then we spoke about my penchant for cross shoeing in different brands and he introduced me to an Asics shoe, the Gel Kayano XI. Let me just say that it was like putting your hand in a bowl of hot parrafin (Never done that, huh? Try it. You'll love it). So the Kayano is a perfect fit and a noticeably lighter shoe. I was sold. Of course the Kayano was not available at 50% off but he did give it to me for 20% off the $135 price tag (Yow). So I took the shoes, picked up a few race shirts (sleeveless) so Rachel would not gag at the next warm Florida race and headed out the door. Tomorrow I'm going to be bouncing along in my new shoes. Which one will be a spur of the moment thing; kinda like the shopping trip. Look Honey; at how much money I saved!!

On the Road Again

Running. It had been a week. No thought of running other than the thought that I didn't have to think about it. Now it was time to return. I found my sneakers and everything else I needed to go running. It was a glorious Florida March morning with temps in the high 50s and the sun out. Oak trees are nearing their time to shed and burst forth with annoying pollen and new lush green growth. I took off running very slowly so to remind myself what it was all about. I cruised along feeling very comfortable and aware of the beautiful day out. I made good time despite some high heart rates, finishing my "short" 4-miler in 34.5 minutes. I might have gone longer but felt just right to end when I did. Keeps me wanting more.
Official Tan Season. Once back in the barn I had some oatmeal and went out back to read the Sunday paper. It was warm enough now to shed the shirt and soak up some rays. I dozed off in the middle of reading and ended up getting a little sun burn on my chest. Oh well. I had to start burning sooner or later. Might as well be now. I look forward to that sun starched sleep tonight.
Yard work. Not that my day was a total sensory indulgence I made some serious headway performing some spring pruning of the palm trees. The place is looking pretty good as the nice weather kicks in. It's the best of times to be in Florida. Come on down folks!

Postcard from Guiltless Land

Let me just say that if you really want to enjoy life for a week tell yourself to take it off. Don't run. Don't work out. Eat what you want (in moderation). Don't cross train. Don't worry. Be happy.
It used to be that I'd wake up in the morning and have that dreaded feeling that it might be a running morning - not that all mornings were that way - but I haven't had to even think about it. It's so peaceful. I still eat like a good boy but allow for anything. For instance, this morning the breakfast options were very thin around the house so I opted for the 7-11 fresh mountain roast coffee with hazelnut cream and ... and .... and a doughnut. My gawd, it's been a long time since I had one of those! It was divine.
So if you're feeling over worked and can justify a break, then write yourself a prescription to take a week off and let the body mend and mind bend. It's very invigorating. I might want to go for a realllllly long run on Sunday just for grins.

Guilt Free Zone

I have officially shut it down for the next week. No running. No guilt. No worries. I set myself the goal of training and running three "winter" races. 5K-15K-12K. I did it. I'm finished. I am resting.
So while I'm sitting here resting let me look at this race calendar.....what to do, what to do? I like the sound of the Windermere race: "5K Run Among the Lakes following the shoreline of the beautiful Butler Chain of Lakes." April 16. Okay.
"de-feet diabetes 5K walk/run" right across the street in Baldwin Park. Close. April 3. Maybe.
"Run for the Trees" 5K through the peacock preserve and "wilderness" of Genius Drive, opened only once a year. Last time it rained like the dickens and the wilderness was more like prime Florida swamp land. April 30. Possible.
Maybe it's time to go to Tampa Bay again. They have a nice Bay to Bay run. I'll have to do some homework. That's why I have the whole week off from running.
March is for baseball spring training, hotdogs and cold beer. The perfect training table for a hard core runner.