Hamburg Road

Sunday mornings typically mean a trip to the Hamburg Road parking lot, a popular starting point for mountain bikers and trail runners. The parking lot can hold eight to ten cars depending upon how tightly people park and with the lot often filled many times you'll find cars parked before and after the lot.

At eight A.M. this morning, Hamburg Road Parking lot was empty except for one truck carrying a mountain bike.

It was almost shocking to see this area, typically bustling with activity so calm on a beautiful morning. As surprising as it was this was not wholly unexpected, after all the Catoctin 50K was just the day before.

The Catoctin 50K is perhaps the most difficult event I have run over the years and yesterday presented the runners with very difficult conditions. Although I decided not to let cancer dictate my life there is no doubt it changes it, this spring and summer there simply was not enough time, energy or priority available to allow me to log the miles required to complete this race.

However, I was able to run half !

The course is an “Out and Back” starting at the Tea house in Gambrill State Park with the turnaround at the Manor area of Catoctin State Park, a distance of about sixteen and a half miles each way.

My original plan was to run, by myself, starting at the Manor area the same time the runners started at the Tea house. I would be running “against the crowd” thereby allowing me to see my running buddies as they headed to the Manor. That plan changed in a most positive way when one of my running friends, Kristin Biris agreed to run with me. Kristin is a most talented runner and if not for injury would have been a top contender at Catoctin, she certainly can leave me and most runners “In Her Dust” almost any day of the week.

I simply cannot get into the details of this run because I would have to write a small book. Let me just say that it was one of the most “Bitter Sweet” moments of my life. The miles seemed to fly by as Kristin and I ran along, all cylinders firing.

As I expected, Kristin and I saw most of our friends about two hours into our run. It was great to see everyone but with each greeting came a small bit of regret that I wasn't going to share in their entire experience. As it tuned out, perhaps missing out was a blessing in disguise.

The Hamburg Road Aid station is the first and last aid station during the run, but for us we would get there at mile ten. As Kristin and I approached I could see the faces of my children Kevin and Maggie, my brothers Bill and Tim, my nephews Matt and Conner and soon after we arrived my wife Sue was there as well. Words simply cannot express the feeling that welled up inside me, thank goodness I was able to hold it together.

Leaving Hamburg Road, Catoctin 50K runners “only” have a little more then six miles left to the finish, the first two miles being a nice “jaunt in the woods”. That “jaunt” deposits runners in a deep valley with better then a mile of hill climb dead ahead. (I have referred to this valley in the past as the “Valley of Despair”) Typically this area is hot, humid and little air seems to circulate, this is where many runners begin feeling a sense of stupidity for entering the race in the first place. Perhaps the only saving grace of this segment is a picturesque mountain stream which meanders along the trail. Even though Kristin and I would be here hours before most, it was getting hot. Fortunately, each stream crossing offered an opportunity for a quick toss of my bandana into the steam, squeezing out the cool water which soaked it felt wonderful on my head and neck.

With the valley behind you and only two miles to the finish you begin to believe that Satin himself plotted out the trail. In previous years I would cringe as I approached the last serious downhill, usually with quads burning, knees hurting and Lord help you if you kicked a rock, sending a calf muscle into serious convulsion. It was unusual to feel so good at this point on the trail.

Of course with each serious downhill comes the required counterpart with the final hill segment being the most devious of all. With perhaps only a half mile left to go you must forget that your body aches and your mind rebels and walk yourself up a steep hill to the finish. Even though I was still fresh, sweat simply poured off me in buckets as Kristin and I pushed forward. How much worse would it be later in the day? MUCH.

Three hours and thirty eight minutes after we started Kristin and I crossed the finish line to the applause of my bothers Bill and Tim, sister Trish, her daughter Chelsea, Mom and Dad and of course Sue. I was certainly glad to finish and was taken with emotion to see my family there but at the same time wishing that my race would continue, as if doing that would put off what is to come.

My run done, it was now time to wait for my friends to share in their pain and triumph, for all it was a difficult day. Most managed to finish using sheer will and determination, as Ultra-runners often do. I hope to be able to draw from that type of strength, that of my family and friends as I tackle this future segment of my life.

Hamburg Road; well with no one there I returned home to run a loop with my brother Bill and of course Molly.

Later.... Mike

Last Doc Visit Prior to Surgery

Perhaps my final Doctor appointment before surgery happened yesterday afternoon and once again the “plan” I thought was in place is changing.

According to "Plan", if everything went well, the second surgery to reverse the Ileostomy was going to be scheduled sometime in November, prior to Thanksgiving. When I mentioned this to the Oncologist he seemed displeased that there would be an interruption to the chemo treatments.

Chemotherapy will consist of eight cycles of Folfox which is a combination of Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Folinic Acid starting sometime in September. Not to make light of the issue, but I think the FU is somehow very appropriate so perhaps I'll refer to it as EIGHT TIMES FU or simply FU in the future. ( With all due apologies to the researchers who developed this life saving drug)

A cycle will happen every two weeks including a two hour infusion at the cancer center of Oxiliplatin followed by visit from a home care nurse to “hook up a pump” for a forty eight hour drip of FU. I believe that Folinic Acid will also be included on both days but I'm not 100% sure at this point.

Now for the side effects of these drugs starting with FU

• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and possible occasional vomiting.
• Mouth sores.
• Poor appetite.
• Watery eyes, sensitivity to light (photophobia) (see eye problems).
• Taste changes, metallic taste in mouth during infusion.
• Discoloration along vein through which the medication is given.
• Low blood counts.
  

Oxaliplatin side effects

• Peripheral neuropathy - Numbness and tingling and cramping of the hands or feet often triggered by cold. This symptom will generally lessen or go away between treatments, however as the number of treatments increase the numbness and tingling will take longer to lessen or go away.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Low blood counts - Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
  

The “Interesting” side effect comes from the Oxaliplatin which creates a hyper sensitivity to cold. As described by the Oncologist, “For a couple of days after you receive Oxaliplatin you will not want to reach into the refrigerator or drink anything cold.”

So, as it stands now, my final cycle will wind up sometime in December with reversal surgery sometime afterwards.. Sure would have liked to have had all this behind me before the Holidays but if this is the plan then I'll just suck it up and deal with it.

Later.... Mike

Negotaition

I came home late this morning after winning my age group in a local 5K race and asked Sue, “Do you think we could call Dr. Berg and ask him to postpone surgery until after I quit winning my age group?”.

Running has become a way for me to forget that underlying some of the best physical conditioning I've had in years is a time bomb which needs to be diffused. I am great-full that I'm still running but realize that twelve days from now my running will be done for quite some time.

New goals will need to be set and hopefully I will approach each one of them as another race to be run. I feel like I've got that part down pretty good.

Later ...... Mike

Almost forgot, after the race, at the awards ceremony the race director addressed the crowd informing that two of the runners amongst them were battling cancer. My name was announced and as I walked up to receive a gift certificate, I heard someone (twenty years or so younger) say, “That Guy Smoked Me”. That made the grin on my face go “ear to ear”

Heat, Golf and Sanity

Well boys and girls perhaps it's time for a check up from the neck up.

I'm heading out to play golf with the temperature supposed to reach one hundred and one degrees with a heat index of one hundred and ten. At least it's not tomorrow, we are expecting a high of one hundred and five degrees with a heat index of one hundred fifteen.

Yikes!

I'll append my results to this post this evening.

Mike

Here it goes, it was hot on the Golf Course but a Great Breeze and lots of Water made the day quite enjoyable. Carol Valley is an unusual golf course in that it has six par threes and five par fives. The par threes are all pretty difficult and two of the par fives are "Killer Long". All in all a challenging course. I shot a "team" eighty four. "Team" means that sometimes you try to do things that you might not otherwise do such as attacking a birdie putt or taking a risky shot that you otherwise would not have done. It also mean your not going to rack up much worse then a double boggy since at that point your probably out of the hole anyway.

Sad News

An old friend of mine, Vince Hellane,  passed away yesterday from complications after surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor.

I don't know all the details but from what I know he only found out about the tumor last Thursday after a couple months of not knowing what was going on (thinking he was fighting a sinus infection).

It's such a shock, I feel very badly for his wife, daughter and those he worked with at d'Vinci Interactive who are like family.

Please keep Vince, his family and friends in your prayers and thoughts.

Mike

Surgery Scheduled August 4th

Surgery is now only three weeks away, I try not to dwell on it but I can't help but wonder what lies ahead.

Yesterday Sue and I went to see the Ostomy nurse as our introduction to post surgical care. Even before we left for the appointment I was concerned having looked at photographs of patients with an Ileostomy. Most had "nice" big bellies with plenty of smooth surface area to attach a colostomy bag.

Not I, it turns out, my small belly, and my general midsection makeup will present a challenge necessitating a home made modification. The problem is that a normal size bag will overlap my belly button. It may even be necessary to use a small "kids" size bag to get a secure fit. Time to stock up on plumbers putty to make sure I get a good seal!

I had another surprise in that this will be located to the right and somewhat above my belly button. I had assumed it was going to be on the left hand side. UGH! I usually sleep flat on my stomach or on my right hand side, another adaptation to master.

Next week I have a appointment with the General Practitioner for a physical and EKG. The week after I'll have some blood work and a appointment with the Oncologist.

Later..... Mike 

Run Your Bass Off

Hanging on the thermostat, in our Upper Peninsula cabin's dining area you will find three bronze, age group medals, representing some past consistency while participating in the "Run Your Bass Off" 10K. Breaking with tradition, another medal has been added this year, one manufactured from the finest simulated silver.

In addition, situated on the fire place mantle, leaning on a section of newly crosscut log, courtesy of Patrick and Uncle Bill's log sawing competition held at the Amasa Fourth of July celebration, sits a Master's first place placard. Even though I earned it, this prize would have been lost had it not been for the timely return of my wife after grocery shopping.

The Masters award, for experienced runners who have obtained the age of fifty five plus is the very last award presented. So as you might imagine, by the time the race organizers get around to it the crowds have dwindled to a half dozen or so hard core runners ready to offer cheers, handshakes and recognition to the winner. Or perhaps, as I suspect most are volunteers from the clean up committee just waiting to finish their job and head home.

I thought I had won the Masters division but another name was announced. Perhaps, I thought, they had changed the age group or Sue and I had simply missed something on the results board. Oh well maybe next year, and off I headed for the car.

Sue on the other hand wanted to find out what was going on. As luck would have it, the "winner" was not present and this gave time and opportunity to get in front of the race director. Politely, Sue first asked if the Masters age group had been changed. Upon learning that it had not Sue politely again pointed out they had made a mistake.

Walking slowly back to the car I turned around twice. The first time I saw Sue with the race director pointing at the results board, the second time she was walking towards me smiling, Masters plaque in hand. I hope she saw the big grin grin on my face.

For those interested I ran forty seven minutes and forty five seconds on a hilly, almost hot and very humid course. I finished sixth overall in small field of perhaps sixty runners with my age group taking second, sixth and tenth places. Proof that we fifty plus may not be ready for the pastures yet!

Later...... Mike

Crystal View Golf Course

Crystal View Golf course is a nine hole municipal course located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan about a half hour drive from our cabin. Built in 1928 the Golf Course has an old course appeal, small but good greens and a layout that provides plenty of challenge. 

For the first couple of years when we headed to the U.P. for vacation I would take my golf clubs but had not done so for quite some time. In our "Exploring Years" there just didn't seem to be enough time and now, since no one else plays, I just sort of forgot about golf when at the cabin.

In addition to our annual trip to the U.P., the summer also marks the eastern migration from California of my college roommate, lifelong friend Joe and his family returning to visit families and friends. Though the years, Joe and I would find time to slip away and play a couple rounds of golf; perhaps saving him from joining in on shopping trips and I from a routine day at the office.

This year, with Surgery scheduled before they are due to arrive it looked like our annual pilgrimage to the links simply was not to be. Until.... Joe decided to travel and visit with us at the cabin.

To know true friendship is to know someone from San Hose who would travel to Crystal Falls to tee it up a few times. Crystal Falls is not a dream destination for golf, rather it is a logician's dream, a challenge to figure out how the hell to get there. Needless to say, Joe would board a "Red Eye" fly to Atlanta, Detroit and then Green Bay before renting a car for the final two hour drive to Crystal Falls. To make the trip "Extra Special", Joe arrived in Green Bay two hours ahead of his clothes and golf clubs.

Luck did prevail as Joe's clothes and clubs finally arrived on the next flight. In addition, I was able to reach Sue over sketchy cell phone service to let her know she could put back the twenty five percent recycled cotton underwear she had thrown in the cart "Just In Case".

Perhaps playing golf early in the morning, after little sleep and traveling a couple of time zones might not be the most recommended warm up for a round of golf but off we went anyway, headed to Crystal View.

On our way to the course we passed and I pointed out Clarence. Clarence works at the Crystal Falls IGA bagging groceries and transporting them to the parking lot for willing customers and their tips. I suspect Clarence may be somewhat challenged but I'll bet he knows how to pick out the "right" customers. I also imagine you can set a watch by his morning commute.

Arriving at the golf course before eight A.M. we were the only car in the parking lot. Outside of the clubhouse door there is a mailbox with envelopes inside meant to deposit your greens fees (fifteen dollars for nine holes, walking) in the event no one is around to collect. This morning  someone was in the clubhouse so I went in to settle up. To my surprise, there was a "ladies day special" reduced rate of nine dollars for nine holes to encourage early morning play.

Just before we hit our first drives, a group of walkers wandered around on a morning trek, otherwise it was Joe, a couple maintenance guys and I on the golf course. If you have never played golf with no one ahead or behind you on a perfect morning let me assure you it is a real treat.

I can't be exactly sure what time we finished the nine but was before ten and the the course was still virtually empty. Joe was game for another nine holes and off we went again, although this time our green fees had soared to an astonishing eleven dollars each!

Friday morning we headed back again, a few minutes later in the morning as marked by the progress Clarence had made trekking down to the IGA and our walking group had made on the golf course.

This morning Joe and I had agreed to nine holes, we would be playing again on Saturday so didn't want to "Golf Out" ourselves. This time Joe ventured inside the club house to take care of the fees and came out smiling. "Mike, it's two for one day", he told me, and then went on to explain that it was twenty seven dollars for both of us to play nine holes with a cart. "How much if we want to walk?", he asked the gal taking the fee. She replied, "Thirty Dollars." All I can say is Welcome to the U.P.

Once again we launched drives having the course almost to ourselves, laughing about the rates and enjoying our time together on the course even if our golf wasn't as stellar as it might of been.

Later ....... Mike

UP Heaven

One would not think that driving sixteen hours to go any where would be a pleasure, but in this case it was the fastest and perhaps the easiest ride to our cabin in the UP. Now that the kids are older we require less rest stops and they amuse themselves with a combination of Ipods, Ipads and laptop computers. In addition our ride this year included several hours of song and whitty conversation.

Sunday morning I ventured out for my first run which actually turned out to be two 5K road runs. Since I have very limited speed work I was interested to see what I could "turn out" and I was pleasently surprised with runs of 23:35 and 23:05. Monday I headed out for a ten miler and almost turned back because I was cold, it's so nice to have fifty degree mornings in July. Yesterday I went out for a nice and easy eight miler to shake some of the soreness out of my legs.

Yes, I admit it my legs were sore. How often do the "road runners" tell me how sore they were after a trail run, well I guess the same applies to a trail runner venturing out on roads for the first time in months. Tomorrow I may "prep" myself for the famous "Run Your Bass Off" 10 K with a rehersal run on the course. My goal is to beat last years time of 49:09.

Weather for the most part has been great, today is somewhat overcast but Joe Sokol and I managed to get in eighteen holes, having the Golf Course almost to ourselves for at least half of the round. I played well for the first nine holes shooting a 39. Two double boggys (three putts) , one birdie and the rest pars, now only if the back nine had gone as well. No matter it was great being out there.

Later.............Mike

Month of Mike

Sue always calls the month of June, the “Month of Mike”. It's no wonder as June typically includes the Mount Saint Mary’s Alumni Golf Tournament, my birthday, Fathers Day, a race or two and typically a few "extra" Golf outings along the way.

Late in May, as the “Month of Mike” approached; probably feeling sorry for myself, I mentioned to Sue, that this year it just wouldn't count, that I would want a “redo” somewhere along the way.

So now, on the last day of the month, as I sit and think, I cannot say everything worked out in the tradition of previous years, yet it was a keeper after all . 

This year the “Month of Mike” proved to be an exercise in adaptation, appreciation and understanding.

The “Month of Mike” took me on a ride that led me to highs and lows unknown to me before.

The “Month of Mike” reinforced the value of love and friendship, the power of touch and the importance of a sense of humor.

The “Month of Mike” proved to me (once again) that thirty years ago I managed to make a great decision and married the right gal.

Thank you my friends and family, you have made "Month of Mike" a good one.

Later..... Mike

Twelve Hours

Yesterday evening I headed out to meet my Tuesday evening trail running buddies for what ended up being a shorter then expected miserable run. It was hot, humid, body felt sluggish and I was not in the best of moods. Four nights, without a block of sleep longer than two hours might explain how I felt and my mood.

Last night, I fell into bed at 9:00 P.M., tired and ready for a good night's sleep only to wake up an hour and a half later. When I awoke I felt pretty refreshed but was shocked to see it was 10:30 (not in the A.M.) , thereby assuring another long night of short naps and clock watching. I've become a Master of clock watching and optimistic caculation.......... Ok......... it's 3:30, if I fall asleep right now and sleep to 6:00 that’s two and a half hours................Damn......... 4:45........ an hour and fifteen minutes.................. 5:50....... What the hell, might as well get up.

This morning, after another night of optimistic calculations I got up feeling good, to a gentle breeze and highly unlikely end of June Maryland Weather. (Cool and no humidity). Molly and I went for our morning run taking a longer route then planned, enjoying every minute of it.

In twelve hours everything seemed to do a one hundred eighty “about face”. Sort of a metaphor for life that I will need to focus on in the coming months.

Later... Mike

EGO

My son Kevin and I have been attending Buddha 101 classes held at the Tibetan Meditation Center Sunday afternoons. (conveniently located less then a mile from our home). After a few classes we have hardly scratched the outermost understanding about this philosophy but we did speak about the concept of ego which leads me to this posting.

As we walked into the Meditation Center today, we were greeted by Lance, a distinguished looking man who serves as our teacher. Lance, who is aware of my situation, asked me how I felt, and then answered his own question when he said, “Well since your here you must be feeling OK”. I replied that I was indeed feeling much better and had runs of sixteen miles on Saturday and another ten miles earlier on Sunday.

Do you know the feeling...........the one that you might have spontaneously after mouthing words you wish could be taken back? We'll, for a split second that was me.

Ego, was I bragging or simply giving a response that those who know me would understand as a “my measuring stick”. To be perfectly honest, it probably was a bit of both. To be more honest, after thinking about it, I really don't care. This was a really great weekend.......I enjoyed the heck out of it.

Later....Mike

Eleven Days

Eleven days have passed since my last chemo and radiation treatment and I can honestly say I'm getting stronger with each day.

This morning I took Molly out for our morning run and found myself just gliding along the trails in a daze as streams of light poured into haze filled woodlands. I'm still not at a point that I can have one hundred percent confidence regarding “unplanned stops” but that has gotten much better the past few days.

Sue and I have decided to make our annual pilgrimage to our cabin in the U.P. , we have scheduled it so I can even compete in the famous “Run Your Bass Off” 10K. Look out senior division! I have also decided to run an unofficial “Half CAT” on July 30th. For those not familiar with the Catoctin 50K, it is without a doubt the hardest race I've done to date. The 50K race is actually closer to 55K and covers trails full of ankle twisting, foot grabbing roots and rocks. Throw in the fact that it's the end of July in Maryland when the ole 90/90 (ninety degrees, ninety percent humidity) is often the norm. If that isn't enough then factor in hill after hill, yellow jackets, gnats, deer and horse flies large as Vampire Bats to paint the final picture. And we call this fun? I'll be very content to finish half of this race.

Later... Mike

U.S. Open

If you have never been to a U.S. Open it should be something to place on your “Bucket List”. Even if you don't play golf you couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the grounds and the ability of those one hundred and sixty or so golfers taking on the challenge.

Perhaps the best time to go is before the actual tournament begins, the practice rounds. You can bring a camera (which is strictly forbidden during the tournament), get autographs and see the players in generally relaxed and happy moods. Walking the course will provide prospective that you just can't get on TV. You'll know for example that the a certain tee box is elevated far above the green or that you just “can't hit” a ball to “that part” of a green or you'll be in big trouble.

The enormity of the event is also impressive, at this years Open there were fifty five hundred volunteers working on and around the course in addition to many hundreds of others needed to pull it together. I only got to Marshall one day but my day was the best of the day weather wise and I really enjoyed it.

The Monday I worked, I was initially at the twelfth hole crosswalk but was later promoted to work ropes as the golfers came off #11 green and entered #12 fairway. Actually, this second “job” should have been handled by two people but I got through it enjoying “Power I exerted” over the mobs. To be honest the mobs were more like five or ten people at a time so it was not too nerve wracking.

Since I was right there as the golfers came of the green I saw a good number of the players although I missed Rory McIIroy.

One of the players I saw was Rory Sabbatini and as he left the eleventh green he stopped to sign autographs for the kids.

I finished my duties, leaving my post at five P.M., to wander around the back nine. I kept "bumping into" Rory Sabbatini on several holes, and noticed he was still signing autographs for every kid who stuck out a hat, ball or flag.

When the players come off the #18 they cross an overhead bridge, I think to the putting green. As Sabbatini approached the bridge he saw a group of kids waiting to catch the players on the far side. His caddy headed up the overhead but Rory snuck around the side of the bridge, poked his head out, looking to see where those kids were. He saw me watching him, put his finger up to his mouth "Don't say anything". At this point the kids were looking the wrong way, and after the caddy passed were a bit confused when Rory didn't appear. At that point, Rory snuck up behind them, tapping one on the shoulder, asking "Are you looking for me?" and signed everything they had. I guess a lot of people are upset with him, think he's a jerk, but from what I saw he was nothing but first class with the kids. I walked up to him, told him I thought it was great what he was doing. I started to walk away but then turned around and asked him to sign my hat. That was the only autograph I requested all day.

Later.... Mike

F.M.O.

For the past three years I have hosted the F.M.O. (Fathers, Mothers and Others) trail run. The concept for this run was born from a Fathers Day experience four years ago. That Fathers Day, I left the house just shy of eight A.M. mindful of the fact that it was “My Day”, but even so I probably shouldn't linger too much after we finished; after all Fathers Day breakfast would be awaiting my return.

On occasion, intentions don't match actual performance, so as my wife's van rolled towards the parking lot where we start and finish our runs, I glanced at my watch to see it was twelve thirty. (We had not been running for four and one half hours). As the window of the van rolled down, I attempted to relocate a beer, not at all fooling the annoyed one who asked, “Are you coming home, we've been holding breakfast hours for you”.

Hence the start of F.M.O., starting and finishing at my house just couldn't get me in too much trouble, could it?

Tomorrow we should have twenty or so runners start off with planned runs of 5,8,11,16 and 21 miles. Of course someone might get lost and have that “mystery run” of untold miles, similar to last year when, mid afternoon someone noticed that one of our group was missing. Ah yes, nothing finer then putting back on the trail shoes, after a few beers, dogs and burgers to sweep trail trail a few miles for a wayward runner.

I can't wait for tomorrow!

Later... Mike

Surgery Scheduled

We'll the date for surgery has been set for August 8th; bright and early too as I'm to report to Frederick Memorial Hospital at 5:30 A.M.

Our meeting with Dr. Berg went well and though there are no guarantees I may be out of the hospital in three or four days. He will want me to walk but no running/jogging for at least three weeks. If all goes well my "Plumbing" will be reconnected before Thanksgiving. 

Graduation Day

This morning was my final radiation treatment. Brought Bagels and Cream cheese to the doctors office this morning. Six weeks has just flown by and I am grateful that I have seemed to weather this phase well. The last few mornings have been somewhat difficult but it didn't stop me from running eight miles on my birthday and six yesterday.

Good thing I'm a trail runner; with the number of urgent stops I made over the weekend I surely would have been arrested for indecent exposure had I been running roads!

More to come later, I know I'm behind in my posts but I'm off to Marshal at the US Open. This is a practice round so it ought to be a lot of fun and I can take my camera. Hope to get some good pictures.

Mike

Rich's Quote

As I near the completion of the radiation and chemotherapy I can't help but feel lucky at how I've weathered this stage. This is not to say it's been a “cake walk” as it certainly has not. Last night for example, I was in bed at seven thirty with my feet feeling so hot that Sue placed cold towels and ice packs on them to make me comfortable. This morning I had recovered enough to be able to start my day at five thirty with a three mile run.

Talking with Rich after my morning treatment he asked about symptoms; I replied “We'll everything downstairs is sore but not too bad. I mentioned that one of the side effects I didn't expect was that marital relations was now a balance of pleasure and pain.” Rich had me almost on the floor when he replied, “We'll, when the going gets tough, I guess the tough go running”

Later... Mike

Thirteen One

Thirteen point one, the little brother or sister to the well notarized twenty six point two, the length of a full marathon.

On the roads thirteen point one doesn't really appeal to me but throw that distance on trails and now it becomes a race of interest. Run the event with friends or family and now it becomes fun, just as it was Sunday morning when I ran with my nephew Matt.

Matt's in great shape but this would be his first trail race and the longest run he had ever done. As the race started Matt took the lead and we headed out at a comfortable pace something I'm guessing in the eight to nine minute range.

The course was a combination of paved road, jeep and single track trail winding through mainly woodlands. At four and a half miles we encountered the only “real” hill on the course which we half ran, half walked. Soon after the hill, we hit an aid station (mile five), for a quick water and Gatorade stop.

Since the course is an “Out and Back” we knew the lead runners would be running straight back into us. I was hoping we would meet them somewhere away from the single track trail and as it played out for us, most passed on wider sections of trail. Good thing too, as these guys and gals were flying!

Before the turn around point we had our only real stream crossing, offering a short but steep bank leading down to the stream, this just got slicker and slicker as more runners passed. You just had to know that someone was going to take a bath or face plant, point proven at the finish with several people covered head to toe in mud.

At the turning point the thought crossed my mind that if Matt were able to keep this pace going we might finish in under two hours. Eight miles into the run we were back at the aid station with the hill looming ahead, we managed the hill well but Matt started feeling fatigue in his legs and “bathroom urgency” soon after.

Two miles to go and our pace had slowed down to the ole “Marathon Shuffle”, to Matt's credit he never stopped or walked, he simply gutted it out to the finish.

We crossed the finish together with a clock time of two hours twelve minutes. Matt had completed his longest run ever with a highly respectable time. If I can get him motivated for a few ten plus training runs next spring I suspect we'll crush two hours.

Later.... Mike

Golf II

Visualization Sucks