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David- sounds like a great trip, bet is was nice to get a little break from the cold :)
Greg- I think what really hit me was the sheer time involved to get into long distance "shape"; I'm no where near where I wanted to be at this juncture and after hearing from the folks who have been at it a awhile- not an overly big surprise. I was thinking weeks and months, when it actually sounds more like years. I did figure out that I really enjoy trail running though, better late then never :)
Mike
-Having a running partner is fun. I've always trained and run solo until Adan came around. Thanks my friend.
-I have learned not to trust Adan with cars keys. You will end up hitch hiking. (Though he can usually be counted on for Fritos)
-I have learned to call a Ranger District for trail conditions/closures before embarking on 30+ mile runs. You will end up hitch hiking.
-After all the years I've run, this is the first season I feel like I'm really starting to get it. Not that I'm very fast or becoming an elite, but I feel like I've got myself pretty well figured out. Stretching, recovery, footwear, food/hydration, etc. I guess you could say I'm beginning to feel like a "seasoned" distance runner. Keep it simple, trust myself. For example: Despite the fact I've been injury-free for a while now, I'll start wondering if I have the "right" shoe and obsessing over new options. But I've learned to leave good enough alone. Same with diet all the talk here about it (no offense meant to anyone). It gets me wondering about Perpetuem and HEED and maltodextrin and etc, etc,…But when I back up and trust myself, I realize my own system has got me through the years just fine.
-None of this would be possible were it not for the support of my wife.
-While this is all supposed to be culminating in the big run, I've started to appreciate the journey more and more, to the point that I'm feeling no pressure. Regardless of what happens, this (and all of you) have motivated me to get out more and do a whole lot of great training runs I've always wanted to do. So it's almost more about the journey. Running the R2R2R is the bonus.
– Striking out for a morning run without purpose will usually result in me discovering some sense of purpose along the way, even if the purpose gained is illusory or transient. I say sense specifically- more often than not I have no clue what the hell I'm searching for in my running, or if in my searching I run. This upcoming R2R2R has given me something to point my arrows at.
– Balance! I'm pretty terrible at it and training for this R2R2R has revealed this character flaw in me. I need to apply similar discipline that I have for my running towards the other vastly more valuable areas of my life (family, faith, purpose, art). I can wake up at 5am off of 5 hrs sleep and go run for 2 hours, but can hardly stay awake spending time in the evening with my wife. I get things ass backwards somedays! My training hasn't been as consistently focused as it could have been, considering the time we've had. Will it be adequate? I hope so, but honestly, I should not be asking myself that question, the fact that I am is evidence that I should have done a better job managing my time and efforts.
– I've learned that my body responds to both rigidity and flexibility in training, both are fruitful, but the latter seems to be producing an overall healthier runner in me even though the obsessive nature in me desires the former. Fatherhood and family life has changed my expectations to some degree, if anything how often I get to run- this is a good thing. I'm not as fast or as lean as I was three years ago, but I am currently without injury and find joy in my running.
– Ritual and repetition. Lacing up shoes and taking first strides out onto the trail feels so right, right enough to repeat the cycle over and over again. Burnout has been evaded.
– People can connect under the most bizarre of circumstances, our upcoming gathering is proof of this.
– warmup, warmup, warmup : my first long run of the year, way back on a cold mid January morning, running with friends, psyched to get the season started, took off too quickly after a holiday filled with everything but running, yup, strained a hamstring and its been an issue ever since. won't be an issue regarding finishing, but it impacts what little speed I have.
– ditto something Craig said : it is more fun to do the long runs with company. all of them this year have been with friends, which is a change from previous years where most long runs were solo, simply because the logistics were simpler.
– ditto something Eugene said : an unlikely gathering, from a broad spectrum in one sense, yet sharing a kindred spirit in another.
– yes, its the journey, but … : at one level the R2R2R is just a training run, on the journey to other things, but on another level its a special point along that journey.
a couple R2R2R motivational/trail scouting videos for those who haven’t already watched everything utube has to offer :
"People can connect under the most bizarre of circumstances"
Or "Circumstances can connect the most bizarre people."?
I learned/relearned:
Success breeds success – and the exercise gets easier the more routine it becomes.
These northern winters can throw me for a loop. R2R2R has been a helpful motivator to kick off my exercise and outdoors time earlier than I would have otherwise. Thanks to Eugene and the other instigators for that!
Even half an hour of workout makes the rest of my day go better.
When I'm most behind on paperwork is when I most need to just take a break, break a sweat, not sweat the details for an hour, and then get back to work (and be much less distracted and much more productive for it).
If I really want to drop weight, I've got to log what I eat (and hence eat less). There's an App for that. I use LoseIt on my iPhone and (1) entering in every calorie really makes me conscious of where the calories come from and (2) makes the food / exercise balance like a video game – finish at or under my goal each day and I DO lose weight quite predictably.
Okay my turn on the cheesy-go-round…
I've learned more than I wanted to know about running injuries.
I've learned to let Wisner handle the car keys, because nobody has to hitchhike if I forget the Fritos. Besides, car keys get you home but Fritos get you friends!
I've learned I have a gut, an instinct. It talks to me quietly and constantly, and it's very wise, wiser than knowledge. This instinct is heard clearest in the mountains.
I've learned that running is powerful juju. It changes everything, the way you live, the way you see yourself. Running makes me a better version of myself. It's like the normal, clumsy, forgetful me, only with a cape! Dashing through the mountains like a superhero, with nobody to save but myself.
"- warmup, warmup, warmup : my first long run of the year, way back on a cold mid January morning, running with friends, psyched to get the season started, took off too quickly after a holiday filled with everything but running, yup, strained a hamstring and its been an issue ever since. won't be an issue regarding finishing, but it impacts what little speed I have."
Let me guess, you immediately ran up a hill? If so we are twins.
I check in on this guy's blog everyone once and a while, his consistent running below the Rim makes me jealous. Next week he sets out for a FKT on the Tonto Trail.
http://jasonhenrie.blogspot.com/2012/03/tonto-traverse-fkt-attempt-next-week.html
Cool! Thanx for posting that!! I found him on facebook! Maybe ill have now someone to run the canyon with more often. I go down there once or twice a month, but always hafta go alone cause i dont know any trailrunners out here :(
NM, video link is gone.
I'm going for a run up one of my favorite canyons yesterday, 11.5 miles of boulder hopping, log jumping, and stream crossings in the fading evening light.
As I'm rounding a bend, a man in street clothes is bolting down the canyon, a wild look in his eyes, covered in sweat. He's yelling something at me from 50 yards out.
"Mountain lion!".
"What?"
"There's a mountain lion right around the corner up there!"
"Really?"
"I think it's feeding on something. That's why I'm running."
The guy looks a little off to me. Though, he is sweating profusely and he genuinely panicked.
"So where is it?"
"On the left, right around the next bend. I wouldn't go if I were you!"
"OK, thanks."
I go investigate.
No mountain lions. I continue my run. Another runner catches me a mile later.
"Did you run into the guy raving about the mountain lion?" I ask.
"I wouldn't have this rock in my hand if I didn't."
I see him turn back in another mile. I continue for 4 more miles, returning home through the canyon in the dark. I wonder about being eaten by a lion. I'd go for the thumb gouge into its eyes…if I could. Maybe I'd be a hero, covered in bite marks, dragging its corpse out in the night as evidence. The media would be contact me. MAN KILLS MOUNTAIN LION WITH BARE HANDS.
Or maybe I'd be disemboweled by a giant cat beside the stream. That's more likely. At least I'd be going out like a warrior. Or prey. But I suppose it would make for a more interesting obituary than choking to death on a Frito or dying of a stroke in Denny's at age 73.
I like your attitude Craig.
Craig, dude. Cats smash their massive weight onto the back, instantly slamming prey into the ground while they crush the spine from behind. All the while, they are gouging the throat and chest with like 16 of their own knife-sharp "thumbs". It's not uncommon for prey to strike vicously at their face with hooves and antlers in attempt to escape.
But dont get me wrong, your thumb gouging idea is a good one! That'll get 'em for sure! Oh, and enjoy those night trail runs out there…all alone..in the darkness.
Craig always has the most interesting runs :) where I run is pretty prime habitat for lions, I've seen some sign here and there, but haven't spied one yet running- probably just a matter of time; I do see coyotes regularly though, not the bold packs like Craig has encountered- in MT coyotes tend to run (fast) when they get a whiff of man
It's nice to see that Craig's mind is so active when he hikes.
I'm sad that I didn't come across this earlier.
I'll be hiking the R2R2R in April, but won't be ready to run it. If anyone is interested in running it in October – let me know!
I'm going to be training for it, but would rather do it with friends than alone! I can't get anyone I know to do it with me (I tried). I guess I don't know the right people. Haha.
Travis,
Come out and hang with everyone, there will be ~20 people strong, some of us will be running, others hiking.
April 14th.
Eugene – I wish! It's an 8 hour drive from San Diego. I'll be hiking it April 27th-30th.
I'm hoping that some of those who couldn't make it this time could get together for it after summer. :}
I am going to train for and use the Cuyamaca 3 Peaks 50K to prepare for the R2R2R.
http://www.cuyamaca3peaks.com/Resources/Profile%20Cuyamaca%203%20Pks%2050K.pdf
I've also got a 1,000ft elevation gain over 1.5 mi switchback trail up a "mountain" 10 minutes from my house. I'm planning to run up and down that with a 20lb weight vest. I think I'll try to keep records of my times from bottom to top to keep myself interested via breaking personal records for speed (since I'll surely be sick of the scenery).
"But I suppose it would make for a more interesting obituary than choking to death on a Frito or dying of a stroke in Denny's at age 73."
But not as interesting as a guy that died far up in the mountains while running a trail marathon at the age of 80. ;)
Travis I know Thom (had to pull the pin on this run due to injury) made mention of a fall run, I'm sure if you posted a thread a few months ahead you'll get some interest- worked for Eugene :)
Mike
travis – are you talking about Cowles Mt. ?
started getting sick after my long run last Sat, had a full blown chest flu (killer cold??) by Sun- was down for the count through Thursday- got alight lift in Friday, my run on Sat was short and not fun, Sun was better :) Now my poor wife is down for the count
Mike
Hang in there Mike! I hope you and your wife have a full and speedy recovery soon.
I don't know about you all but spring is in full effect here. Finally managed to get in some heat "conditioning", temps got up to 86F on my run today. I only got out for 2.5 hours, but it was all steep climbing (3,600'), by the time I was done I had concentric salt rings on my hat and clothing, followed by a nice cramp that took forever to release back at the trailhead during my post run stretching.
I get cramps in my inner thigh (abductor) fairly regularly on longer runs with hard climbing, even staying on top of salt and hydration isn't always enough to keep them at bay. It is usually the only area that I experience cramps. Like clockwork, if I severely high step and/or lift my knee up towards my chest I can usually trigger a cramp in that area. I'm starting to think that I have poor mobility in this area and need to develop this area. It's definitely a weak point for me and one that I want to shake.
Any thoughts or experience folks?
Eugene – you could become a plodder and run like me. I barley lift my legs at all, problem solved. of course I tend to trip a lot.
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