Monday, May 26, 2014
Another review of RUN
The blog, Baristing (written by a runner), has reviewed my book RUN, and posted a review on Amazon. Here's a link to the blog - http://baristing.blogspot.com/2014/05/words-on-run.html .
Friday, May 23, 2014
Lawrence River Trails - In Pictures
I often write about my favorite trails in Kansas, the Lawrence Riverfront Trails. But I rarely post pictures. Yesterday I popped out for a run and took my phone with me (for once) in order to take some shots. These were taken on the outward bound (for runners) side of the trail. Sometime soon I'll post pictures of the inbound (for runners) trail, and I'll also have posts of the levee that runs adjacent to the trails (but might as well be 100 miles away, in terms of feel).
The River Trail full loop is approx 8.75 miles. Bicycles follow the loop in a clockwise direction, and runners travel counter clockwise. If you want to add mileage, there is an additional 1.7 mi. loop that begins around 3.5 mi. in for runners (6 mi for cyclists). The notable challenge the additional loop provides is bogs of sand that must be traversed.
If you want to add even more mileage, start at the corner of Walnut and N 2nd Street in Lawrence. Run east for a mile to the trail head. That will add an additional mile on the way back as well. I sometimes even add a little more by popping out the far end of the trails and adding a mile on the levee and country roads before returning to the trails for the trip back to my starting point.
Ticks and poisonous snakes are not nearly as common as they seem to be on the Clinton North Shore Trails a few miles to the west. I usually see deer and lizards. Every now and then wild turkey. Black snakes and garter snakes will occasionally sun themselves on the trails. But with the bike traffic, any snake hanging out too long may not survive. If you are exceptionally lucky, you can sometimes sight a beaver - especially toward the halfway point of the trip. The beavers constantly work to dam up the tributary to the river. It is impossible to miss their handiwork between mile 3.5 - 5 (running direction).
Anyway, here are some pics. Enjoy.
The River Trail full loop is approx 8.75 miles. Bicycles follow the loop in a clockwise direction, and runners travel counter clockwise. If you want to add mileage, there is an additional 1.7 mi. loop that begins around 3.5 mi. in for runners (6 mi for cyclists). The notable challenge the additional loop provides is bogs of sand that must be traversed.
If you want to add even more mileage, start at the corner of Walnut and N 2nd Street in Lawrence. Run east for a mile to the trail head. That will add an additional mile on the way back as well. I sometimes even add a little more by popping out the far end of the trails and adding a mile on the levee and country roads before returning to the trails for the trip back to my starting point.
Ticks and poisonous snakes are not nearly as common as they seem to be on the Clinton North Shore Trails a few miles to the west. I usually see deer and lizards. Every now and then wild turkey. Black snakes and garter snakes will occasionally sun themselves on the trails. But with the bike traffic, any snake hanging out too long may not survive. If you are exceptionally lucky, you can sometimes sight a beaver - especially toward the halfway point of the trip. The beavers constantly work to dam up the tributary to the river. It is impossible to miss their handiwork between mile 3.5 - 5 (running direction).
Anyway, here are some pics. Enjoy.
Approx mi .5 (runners' direction)
Bend through the greenery.
Old iron stairway from when the area was a fairground in the 1880's - 1890's. The picture doesn't really give a good idea of how steep and long this stairway really is. Trust me, you don't want to fall.
See Bismarck Grove links below for historical information about what preceded the River Trails.
One of the few points where outbound and inbound trails meet.
A drop (hard to tell from the photo) in the trail next to a fallen tree.
A wee bit o' the poison ivy mixed in with more benign vegetation.
Looking south through the grove of small trees that surround the added 1.7 mi. Sugar Loop (also called the 'sand loop'. A great place to see deer and wild turkey, the Sugar Loop also offers the best views of the river.
Looking up through a clearing toward the levee before diving into the trees again.
For historical information about the area, check out these sites:
Monday, May 19, 2014
Rehab, Rolling & Running
I have finally turned the corner toward better hamstring health. And it only took seven months of trying to ignore and run through the problem. I've been doing a lot of pulse-stretching exercises, coupled (or trio-ed) with hamstring and glute strengthening. The combination almost immediately resulted in pain cessation while walking, standing, sitting, sleeping - all of which had seemed too permanently in place prior to starting the regimen. But pain-free running took a bit longer. But by adding more exercises and by steadfastly adhering to the prescribed methodology, little by little, the pain began to subside. I am not completely without pain now, but it has diminished to the point that I can increase speed on longer (9-10ish mile) runs without fear of having to run through pain.
The other item my PT went over was how to correctly roll out an IT. I had been simply rolling it an not getting a lot of positive results. He showed me that I needed to roll from base of hip bone to top of knee bone on my side first for a minute. And then follow that up by rolling at an angle over the outer corner of my quad - again going from just below the hip bone to just above the knee bone. While I've never really had IT issues, the little twinges I had been feeling in it as my running form had tried to accommodate my hamstring issues, finally went away.
Last week was a great week for running. I got in a 10 miler on the levee, and then had some speed work 4 mile runs and a couple of 10Ks. On Sat and Sun I hit the river trails, but popped out at the far end to add another half mile or so and enjoy the wide open country view. The first day I ran the 9+ mi loop alone, and on Sunday with my buddy Adrian, who (for once) didn't smoke me over the last couple of miles. Either I'm getting faster again, or his training is lacking - or a combination of both. The most interesting animal experience was surprising a wild turkey. The birds are absolutely gorgeous. It is always good to see them walking about in the brush.
Next time I'm out, I'll take a camera and post some pics of the different areas of the trails. I have been meaning to do that for some time, but keep forgetting and leaving my iPhone in the car.
Finally, I'm starting to plan a running and sightseeing trip through CO, UT and northern NV. the plan is to hit Arches, Bryce Canyon, Dunes, Moab, Reno/Tahoe, etc... I'll have more on that in the near future.
The other item my PT went over was how to correctly roll out an IT. I had been simply rolling it an not getting a lot of positive results. He showed me that I needed to roll from base of hip bone to top of knee bone on my side first for a minute. And then follow that up by rolling at an angle over the outer corner of my quad - again going from just below the hip bone to just above the knee bone. While I've never really had IT issues, the little twinges I had been feeling in it as my running form had tried to accommodate my hamstring issues, finally went away.
Last week was a great week for running. I got in a 10 miler on the levee, and then had some speed work 4 mile runs and a couple of 10Ks. On Sat and Sun I hit the river trails, but popped out at the far end to add another half mile or so and enjoy the wide open country view. The first day I ran the 9+ mi loop alone, and on Sunday with my buddy Adrian, who (for once) didn't smoke me over the last couple of miles. Either I'm getting faster again, or his training is lacking - or a combination of both. The most interesting animal experience was surprising a wild turkey. The birds are absolutely gorgeous. It is always good to see them walking about in the brush.
Next time I'm out, I'll take a camera and post some pics of the different areas of the trails. I have been meaning to do that for some time, but keep forgetting and leaving my iPhone in the car.
Finally, I'm starting to plan a running and sightseeing trip through CO, UT and northern NV. the plan is to hit Arches, Bryce Canyon, Dunes, Moab, Reno/Tahoe, etc... I'll have more on that in the near future.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Training on Track
 |
| Track Meet at Free State High
It has been a grand week for running. I haven't logged crazy miles, but everything I have done has been quality. I got in about 10 miles on the levee on Sunday. I hadn't done a decent length flat run since my hamstring injury on the rails to trails ultra-marathon course last year. Honestly, it felt good. The levee is a test of will for me (as well as many other runners I know). It stretches for miles and you can see far enough into the distance that you feel as if you aren't going anywhere. Couple that perception with the very real constant winds that blow across the route, and you have a recipe for despair.
For me though, over the years I've come to embrace the experience. I only run the levee when the river trails are too muddy or icy to tackle. But on the rare occasions that I find myself with fields on one side and the forest on the other, I try to enjoy the challenges the run presents. Sometimes I'll try to crush the distance between the markers every half mile. Other times I'll see how much of the run I can spend in the zone - spacing off the run and my surroundings. I usually have a combination of these experiences. And Sunday was no different. I only had a couple of relatively unpleasant miles fighting wind gusts of up to 30 mph. For that short period, I stopped thinking about speed and just popped small steps at the same rate I'd been doing my longer strides. I let my mind go, and thought about a book I'd been reading, and then Season 1 of American Horror Story (for some reason). The process worked well, and soon enough I was perpendicular to the wind again. I finished feeling good.
The other 2 runs so far this week have been road runs (as I wait for trails to dry). 2 x 10Ks. Both have been fantastic for speed and form. The weather has played a large role with temps in the 50s in the a.m.
The picture above is from a track meet yesterday at Free State High (in case you didn't read the exact same caption above;-). I saw some great races. In the 4x100, both boys and girls teams from Shawnee Mission West (I believe) were crushing the competition until baton drops peed on their parade. It's too bad. But that is why the races are run. It isn't the fastest team, but the team that is able to move the baton around the track in the quickest manner. It is interesting how different those events are from other races - where the fastest runner is the winner. The 4 x whatever distance races really reward teamwork and efficiency as much as speed. I stayed for the triple jump as well as a couple of the longer races. All events were relatively competitive except for the boys 1600 m, where a runner from East led from start to finish. The gutsiest run of the evening also occurred in that race, when a runner in sixth or seventh position absolutely went all out to pass another competitor at the end and then stumbled and crashed out just past the finish line after gaining the position. I was really impressed with the effort and heart he showed. Tomorrow and Friday I will have short runs in the morning because I plan to go long on the weekend. Thursday afternoon will also have a trail ride on the Rock Hopper. It's not only running that I have to skip when the trails are muddy. Hast a pronto. |
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Nice Running Weather and Geocache Find
It was a hot sweaty trail run today. The vegetation along the Rivertrails is really starting to grow. Brushing against it constantly, I could not stop thinking about tics. I had a couple of deer sightings. I expected to find snakes, but instead found translucent lizards climbing over fallen logs.
One interesting thing that I found about 6 miles into the run was a geocache. I have never come across one of those before. Obviously I had not been trying to find it. I simply noticed a container that I didn't remember in the crook of a tree about 20 m off of the trail. If I had been looking another direction I would have missed it entirely. It was kind of a cool find. I signed in and put it back where I found it.
Having biked the trails the past couple of days and not seen another cyclist, I was actually surprised today when I ran the full loop and encountered something like 20 cyclists this morning. It's kind of nice running trails when other people are biking them. You get to run into people you would otherwise miss. I ran into my biking and running buddy, Eric, this morning. If I had had a bike in my car, I would have gone out with him and on the trails again on the velo.
One interesting thing that I found about 6 miles into the run was a geocache. I have never come across one of those before. Obviously I had not been trying to find it. I simply noticed a container that I didn't remember in the crook of a tree about 20 m off of the trail. If I had been looking another direction I would have missed it entirely. It was kind of a cool find. I signed in and put it back where I found it.
Having biked the trails the past couple of days and not seen another cyclist, I was actually surprised today when I ran the full loop and encountered something like 20 cyclists this morning. It's kind of nice running trails when other people are biking them. You get to run into people you would otherwise miss. I ran into my biking and running buddy, Eric, this morning. If I had had a bike in my car, I would have gone out with him and on the trails again on the velo.
My hamstring held up very well on the run today. I stopped at about mile 4 1/2 and stretched for a couple of minutes. But really, there was no issue.
I got home in time to hear a wonderful episode of This American Life. That show is always a treat to hear, whenever I happen to remember to listen to it.
I got home in time to hear a wonderful episode of This American Life. That show is always a treat to hear, whenever I happen to remember to listen to it.
Now that it's over, I'm going to do a careful examination for tics, take a shower, and hang out with my cat, Lucas.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
When Release is not a Release
First off - let me welcome anyone who is switching over from the Flyoverstatements blog. There seemed to be some odd and serious issues with the old site. Also, this new blog space and title more accurately reflect the content of the blog. Thank you for reading.
I had a decent week for running - 30 miles even. That followed on the heels of a 35 mile effort last week. I would like to do more, but am still chilling out a bit due to the hamstring injury. And the hammy is getting better. But I am trying to take it slowly, and not push the envelope on how much running to do while recovering from a running injury.
I had a bunch of sleepless nights as well this week. Releasing the book, Run, which I thought was going to be a relief, has actually stressed me out. . . completely. With its publication, I somehow feel as if I have invaded my own privacy; oddly in a manner that is more personal than this personal blog. Somehow, sharing a story from my imagination, to me, seems much more revealing than putting a weekly summary of thoughts and activities in this space. It is kind of like how some people think a kiss is more intimate than sex. And in some ways it might be.
I found a typo in the book - that was a bit traumatic for me. It isn't glaring. And everyone - editors, me, other readers (except the one who pointed it out) - has glossed over it. But I know it is there, and it bothers me. I will, at some point, talk with the layout people and see if I can't get it (literally one word, 'are') deleted. My mother had been reading a best-seller a few weeks ago and had found a huge typo in that work; a sentence that started and then ran into another sentence to be absolutely a jumble of meaninglessness in the middle of the work. So I can take some sad solace in knowing that these mistakes happen in the big leagues as well. I am hoping that 'are' is the only error I find (or have pointed out to me).
I'm finding most reactions to the book to be very favorable. The novel is meant to be a fun read for runners and fans. It isn't meant to be great literature - only a good story. I think most people get that. I want people to like the characters, even though in some ways, they are unlikable. I have been told by many people that the narrator is ridiculously like me. And that is probably true. And that is also probably where a lot of my anxiety is derived.
I'm taking today off and hitting the trails on the Rock Hopper. Afterward I hope to grab some veggies at the farmers' market. Tomorrow I'll kick out a long run and try to have it pull me out of my brooding self-doubt for a few hours.
I had a decent week for running - 30 miles even. That followed on the heels of a 35 mile effort last week. I would like to do more, but am still chilling out a bit due to the hamstring injury. And the hammy is getting better. But I am trying to take it slowly, and not push the envelope on how much running to do while recovering from a running injury.
I had a bunch of sleepless nights as well this week. Releasing the book, Run, which I thought was going to be a relief, has actually stressed me out. . . completely. With its publication, I somehow feel as if I have invaded my own privacy; oddly in a manner that is more personal than this personal blog. Somehow, sharing a story from my imagination, to me, seems much more revealing than putting a weekly summary of thoughts and activities in this space. It is kind of like how some people think a kiss is more intimate than sex. And in some ways it might be.
I found a typo in the book - that was a bit traumatic for me. It isn't glaring. And everyone - editors, me, other readers (except the one who pointed it out) - has glossed over it. But I know it is there, and it bothers me. I will, at some point, talk with the layout people and see if I can't get it (literally one word, 'are') deleted. My mother had been reading a best-seller a few weeks ago and had found a huge typo in that work; a sentence that started and then ran into another sentence to be absolutely a jumble of meaninglessness in the middle of the work. So I can take some sad solace in knowing that these mistakes happen in the big leagues as well. I am hoping that 'are' is the only error I find (or have pointed out to me).
I'm finding most reactions to the book to be very favorable. The novel is meant to be a fun read for runners and fans. It isn't meant to be great literature - only a good story. I think most people get that. I want people to like the characters, even though in some ways, they are unlikable. I have been told by many people that the narrator is ridiculously like me. And that is probably true. And that is also probably where a lot of my anxiety is derived.
I'm taking today off and hitting the trails on the Rock Hopper. Afterward I hope to grab some veggies at the farmers' market. Tomorrow I'll kick out a long run and try to have it pull me out of my brooding self-doubt for a few hours.
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