Star Trek...and Ultrarunning

 

[image credit here]

 

 

We can wish for a good year of Ultrarunning in 2014...or we can actively make it happen.

 

I am not a saint or a poster child for New Year's resolutions, but I did just send my entry to a 24 hour event over Memorial Day in May.  I figured, life is too short not to try something new.  And I am no spring chicken, so I have only a limited number of years left to me.

 

I believe in the concept and practice of commitment, of forcing oneself to man- (or woman-) up.  As in the simple act of sending an entry form.

 

Remember, YOU are in control of your fate.  Not your spouse, not your kids, not your significant other.  And if you are propensed (see my previous blog post here from March 2011 for an explanation of this term) to stretch, to reach for the Ultrarunning stars, DO IT TODAY.

 

When you are in the nursing home, you will not regret the races you ran, you will regret the races you didn't run.

 

Make it so.

 

 

Dressing in Layers...and Ultrarunning

The following was a short note I once posted to the Ultralist (link here) that got compiled and include on Kevin Sayers' great site of collected Ultra wisdom:

Let me jump in too, some philosophy, some how-to...

Stan's comments are right on the mark about attitude. I definitely am not a masochist, but I do confess to a warm, fuzzy--OK, smug--feeling when I'm out there and the other guys aren't. Some of my greatest runs have occurred, when by any objective standard, the weather stinks. In a certain sense, there's no such thing as bad weather, only weather for which you are unprepared.

Here in PA we get our share of cold weather, though not as severe as the upper Midwest. But regardless of the absolute temperature, we all know the standard advice is that you gotta go in layers. That's correct, but what you don't really hear emphasized much is the flip side--that you also gotta be willing to peel off those layers as you warm up and with temperature/wind changes. For example, in say 0-10 degree weather I wear a long sleeve polypro type turtleneck, another long sleeve T-shirt, and then a short sleeve T-shirt. If I sense that I'm sweating a little too much I'll stop to take off the second long sleeve T-shirt and tie it around my waist before my whole top gets real wet. Also I'm always tinkering with my knit hat, mittens, whether I push my sleeves up, etc. In other words, actively manage your personal microclimate. Sure, it's a minor hassle to peel clothes off/on. You can't avoid getting damp from sweat but you do want to avoid getting wet.

If the winds are strong, or if I'm going to be off the beaten track I'll also begin the run with a windbreaker top on, or around my waist for backup.

My wife worries about me going off into the hinterlands alone, and even though I always tell someone where I'm going and when I expect to be back, let's face it--if you keel over for any reason you're going to be out there hours until help arrives. You could freeze, literally. So in my belt pack I always carry a space blanket (virtually no weight) plus a candle/matches with which to start a fire (assuming I am conscious!).

Your mileage may vary.

 

Winter Weather...and Ultrarunning

When I ran at daybreak on Tues at 0 F it was the coldest day here in Antrim Township, Franklin County, southcentral PA, in several years:

 

[image credits Gary]

 

The run was dry and clear but colder than hell going into the wind--snotcicle cold. When not heading into the wind it was actually not too bad, but I was dressed in layers using most of the running clothes I own.  Including these:

 

 

The tights on the left are my normal winter tights (I am about 5'11" tall with a 34" waist).  The ones on the right, XL footless women's tights, are a second layer for those especially cold days.  Obviously they have to stretch a good bit, because the waist opening is--I swear--a scant 5" wide:

 

 

Anyway, the hot tub felt mighty good afterwards!

 

More winter dressing advice--and a caution about worshipping at the throne of the Dress in Layers god--will follow tomorrow.

 

 

Guess I Ought to Rethink the Afterlife...and Ultrarunning

 

[image credit Gary, mailbox/sign of conservative Mennonite church on Zarger Road, Franklin County, PA]

 



This church frequently changes its signage, and this new one tickled me.  Since I am prone to impure thoughts--let's face it, "prone" doesn't even come close to my propensity for a dirty mind--so I'd better rule out heaven.

Plan B would be to run Ultras here and now like there's no tomorrow, and thereby achieve heaven on earth.  That's probably a better plan.

Cats in Art: Cats (Marc)

From my continuing weekly Sunday series of cats in art. I'm using some ideas from the coffee table book, The Cat in Art, by Stefano Zuffi.

This is my fourth post on Franz Marc (1880-1916), a key German painter whose life tragically ended early on the Western Front in 1916. This will be a multi-week series (I am still uncovering his cat works).

 

 

Image credit The Atheneum, here.  Cats, Franz Marc, 1910, oil on canvas, 20" x 24", held in a private collection.

 

Again, a pair of pussycats, both of which appear simultaneously relaxed yet also watchful.  The grey and white kitty in the front doesn't quite have its head down for the full nap.  And the orange and white in the rear has its eyes open the barest of cracks, waiting for some human interaction, perhaps when the person needs to retrieve the shirt being laid upon.

 

After all, no self-respecting cat can pass up a garment laying on the floor or bed.

 

As with the previous works in this series, Marc demonstrates again his complete mastery of cat attitude, posture, and body langauge.

 

 

Ultra Food

 

[image credit Gary]

For some reason, the bride is fascinated with Irish steel-cut oats.  Actually, "fascinated" doesn't begin to cut it--"obsessed" comes much closer to her actual reaction.  If she sees a can of said oats, say at a specialty store, or in a catalog, or in an on-line ad (thanks, Google, for the search-targeted adverts!), she goes on and on and on about how much she loves them, etc. 

The actual product looks much different than regular whole or quick oats: more granular or rounded, almost like barley.  I can't say whether Irish oats are a significantly different grain than the oats we see here in the U.S.

So...this year I made sure that her Christmas stocking contained the actual can of Irish steel-cut oats pictured above.  I just made us a batch for her birthday breakfast, as her birthday also falls over the holidays.

Her reaction was almost orgasmic, so I guess you could say that she enjoyed her bowl of porridge, 'cause that's what it is.

Actually, oatmeal (or porridge) is the perfect breakfast food: rich in nutrients and fiber, filling, and tasty.  A bit of brown sugar and milk makes this a great day-starter.  And since I am now officially in training for a 24 hour timed run in May, oatmeal will be one of my mainstays to get back on the right track with my eating.

 

THis is Why We Can't Have Nice Things

From the always insightful Digby, a chart that is at once fascinating...and profoundly depressing (click to enlarge).  This depicts the highest paid public employee in each state:

 

 

Her comment?

 



But we definitely have to cut back on elementary school teachers, bridges and firehouses. We just don't have the money.

Just to interpret a bit: in 40 of our 50 states, the highest paid public employee is a coach.  Not that I don't love me some sports, because I certainly do, but that sort of prioritization is screwed up.

Commitment: Pulling the Trigger for a Major Event

Well, I have committed to run the 24 hour Sole Challenge on 24 May 2014.  My goal will be to get as close to 100 miles as I can over repeats of the 1.5 mile macadam path near Chambersburg, PA.

I will be there with my good running buddies Jody and Keith.

The year 2013 found me eating and drinking too much and exercising too little.  So, being a believer in the power of commitment, I've entered this 24 hour race to force myself to train hard over the next 5 months.

As always, whenever I think about inspiration I turn to other people who have already said something better, stronger, more succinctly, etc., and a quote attributed** to Goethe comes to mind, one that I once had posted on my desk:

Photo credit Rolf Hicker Photography

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

**Note: the source I cite makes a strong case that Goethe is not actually the author of this quote. Regardless, the words are inspirational and I will take them to heart.