If you go down to the woods today....

I have absolutely no idea why that title popped into my head, but now I cant get that stupid song out of my head.  Anyway, I FINALLY got on to the trails this past Sunday.  I had left the house and it started to drizzle out a bit so I almost turned around but decided ... screw it, I'm going!  So off I went to the Gilbert State Forest.  The trails hadn't really been touched over the winter so thankfully I knew where I was going and I was really just more interested in lacing up my trail shoes and off the pavement. 
Why is it that you see a hole or root on the trails and you take it in "stride" and keep plugging.  But... if you see some pothole on the pavement, you get all aggravated that you could twist an ankle or something, OR maybe that's just me.
Anyway, unfortunately I had left my trail running partner, Belle at home this time; which I think was probably a good thing since I didnt have an old shower curtain for her to lay down on afterwards.  And about a mile in, I ran across a group of walkers with a rottie and 2 pit bulls.  I really am a huge dog guy, but for some reason those 2 breeds just scare the shit out of me.  And I couldn't have forgiven myself if something happened to Belle.  Yeah a bit paranoid I know, but whatever.....
Anyway, tonight I got home after a bitch of a day at work (been the same for about 3 weeks now) and strapped on the Garmin and figured I would have a speed work out.  Not a long run, but my Nelson Loop course but was hoping to break 20 minutes tonight.  I go out really quick, keep my breathing under control.  Nice strides, run through my hill section, fight thru the last half mile to my house.  Look down....and I never started the F-ing Garmin :(    Not happy.  But there's always another day.
Well enough for now,
Be Well ~ Sank

Way too much fun for a human (and a dog) to have!

Sunday after coaching two basketball games with Hannie's team (we lost both but I digress), I decided to take Belle and hit Gilbert State Forest.  It had rained like hell Friday night and all day Saturday, but it was sunny and breezy on Sunday so I figured I was going to run into some decent mud patches, but boy was I wrong.

RUNNING is just not supposed to be this much fun.

We start off running up the Heart Healthy Trail, which is fairly hilly and rocky, and came across some small mud patches.  So far - right to plan.  Come down the hill, take the right, come across some really good mud patches, even better.  Cross the Mill St corner, go straight ahead, merge back into the forest; again some small mud but nothing too big.  So now I am thinking this is cool, a few small mud patches, one or two mucky wet patches; no biggie.
WRONG!  I now head off to my favorite trail and quickly found out why the majority of the trail is "softball-sized" rocks embedded in mud.  I guess during an substantial rain, this trail turns into a small river.  How Freakin' cool is this?!?!  We go down this for awhile take the left at the split, so we can stay in the forest, the river ends but the mud sure doesn't.  The reason I love this trail is in the late summer and early fall, it feels like you are running the Pacific Northwest.  It's semi-dark, very plush vegitation with rocks, moss and water here and there.  But after a rain, it ROCKS!  Seems like everytime you turn a corner you run into a nice mud/water bath, a river or a place to just get nice and dirty.
Can't remember the last time I had so much fun running.  The pace wasn't great, but who the hell cares; neither Belle nor I did. 
Now if I just hit the lottery and didn't have to work I could run it everyday.  But until then, roads during the week and the trails on the weekends.
Be well - Sank

Another Reason I Love Dogs

If a dog was your teacher.............

IF DOGS WERE OUR TEACHERS, WE WOULD LEARN IMPORTANT STUFF LIKE:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them like they've been gone for a year.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride in the car.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal but never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.


And finally, ---

 Never trust anyone until you sniff their ass.  (ok well maybe up until that last one)

Longest Run of the Season

The cool nights are starting which means I have to get my ass out to finish up some of my exterior carpentry jobs on the house.  I am a HUGE procrastinator, but I have to get this stuff done. I had originally thought about doing a 4k trail race but decided to see the parents early and then head back home.  So 'up and down', 'raise and lower', 'move and foot'; the 2 ladders for the better part of the morning but the new rake boards are up and preped for primer and painting.  PSYCHE. 

That being done, I decided to hit the trails this afternoon.  I finally cracked open the birthday gear (nice pair of EMS trail running shorts-I left the rest for when the kids get home to see what they bought me LOL) and headed off to Gilvert again with Belle.  We hit the usual start trail and about a mile in I realize I forgot my IT band, and with the sunlight slivers coming thru the trees I cant see crap with the sunglasses on. Well I most certainly wasn't going back to get the band and drop the sunglasses so we pound on.  Now Gilbert isn't terribly long but it has a great set of trails that cross each other a fair amount so it is great for just winging it.  Being that Belle is new to this I try to watch her, and Gilbert has tons of waterponds for forest fires, so if she needs a break generally she will go in herself (giving me my clue to stop for a sec).  Last week we kind of got lost and ended up with 55 minutes, but today we just get crossing back and as I ran by the Radio tower I realized that we were at 50 minutes and not close to the car at all.  Well we ended the day at 1:16 and neither worse for wear.  Damn that dog is awesome.  5 times we either walked by people or had a bike or motorcycle go by and she just stays with me on my hip.  I really need to get Jack out this week.  Gives me those big Lab eyes when I leave without him.

Well Happy Sunday to all.  Be well - Sank

The perfect Trail Runner's foot

I am actually pretty psyched, for two reasons.

1. I got a viewer from Sweden today &
2. I am now listed on Ultrablogs

Now if I can get in a good trail run tonite, all will be good in the world :)

Well all is good with the world tonight as I was able to hit Gilbert State Forest.  Tonite I took Belle for her first solo run with Dad (no Jack).   Mostly because she 'sits' on my hip the whole time, actually even better off the leash.  Not to mention that she wants absolutely nothing to do with any other people, bikers or dogs.  Just wants to stay attached to Dad. 
So we (like she had a say in the matter) decide that we want to put in somewhere between 3.5 and 4 miles.  We grab the map (damn I must have about 5 maps in the car) and head off.  Trying new steep trails with small sections of walkable only sections.  Occasionally as we traversed the ACORN TRAIL, we would get the scent of Pepe Le-Pew.  So back on the leash she went until the odor left us.
Ended up going 2 minutes shy of an hour, for what I figure most be about 5.5 miles.  Both owner and pup are no worse for the wear.  Actually she is sound asleep on my left foot as I am typing this.  With Jack next to her.
Well crazy day tomorrow with work and both my and my daughter's birthday.  Hopefully I can get in 3 at some point.
Until then - be well - Sank

Forget Dogs on a leash...........

Next time on the trails, forget the 2 labs, I'm taking Cookie, who lives by a few rules:
1. "Dogs suck"
2. "I dont care how big you are.......bring it on"
3. "I may not have claws but I do have lazer beam eyes"
4. "Dont believe lazers, how about I'm possessed by Satan, enjoy your sleep while I have control of the house tonite"
5. Cats are the top of the food chain &
6. "Now feed me and get out of the house"

Is it me or does anyone else think that; forget Eartha Kitt's Catwoman from the Batman show of the 60's, if a cat could talk it would sound like Stewie from Family Guy.

Races, Labor Day, Shopping at REI and Dog stories

Well my weekend race plans came half way to fruition. I ended up doing the Jamie Fund 5k. Went out to ok, had a very good 2nd mile, but the 3rd didn't go so well. Regardless I finished just shy of 28 minutes at 27:52. Not bad, really goes to show me that even though it's only been 3 weeks, I HAVE to get my base up. The IT band really seemed to help so I guess I have a new fashion accessory.

Well my Sunday plan of the Rhode Island race didn't materialize as Nancy had her End of Summer work party and we couldn't make the times work to get it done, get me home and then off to the party, so I got out for a 3.5 mile run with the watch. (I usually don’t wear the watch so I don’t.....well whatever). Well I actually beat my time for the 3 miles, lesson to be learned is to go out in races at my own pace and not with the group. Oh well.

HAPPY LABOR DAY to all. Heading off to REI today to look for some gear. Gaiters mostly, but you never know what fun stuff you can find. The birthday is coming up later this week and the family is looking for stuff to get me, so I might as well get it myself and throw their names on it.  Definately want to hit the State Forest before the day is out and have a day off the roads. 

Back from REI with gaiters, a water bottle with handle to slip your hand in and two pairs of trail shorts.  Not to mention a handful of Clif bars.  Good  news:  Nice Labor Day Sale / Bad News: Have to wait til Friday to use them as they have become birthday gifts.  Oh well.

Got home and Nancy and I decided to hit the State Forest.  She walked and I took the labs with me.  They are running right with me and we take this corner and run into a couple with two brittney spaniels.  Belle stays with me, Jack gets within 8 -10 ft and one of the 'brits' pulls the owner on the leash and is right on Jack.  Jack barks back, backs off and the brittney is right back on him.  I know about the keep your dogs on a leash and all, and later we ran into about 4 other groups both with dogs and not, and no problem.  No big harm, a thousand apologies and we split up. Then we almost get run over by a group of 2 motorcycles and an ATV, 3 times.  Never mind the signs about no motorized vehicles.  Oh well, I still got 4 miles in.  The legs still feel a bit dead for the 3rd straight day.  Will have to see if I can figure that out.

Til tomorrow, be well - Sank

Running with the Chocolate Labs

Well the sun is finally out after a rainy and overcast weekend. Still got 3 good days of running in as I continue to get my base established after a very long break away from running.

Friday and Saturday were shorted rain runs, but they felt good regardless of the weather.
Sunday, Nancy and I took the 2 chocolates over the State Forest. Jack went with me running and Belle stayed with Mom walking. When the boys caught Mom on the trail, Belle deserted Mom and came with us. Except for the occasional times that Jack would cut in front of me, I am absolutely amazed how well the two of them did. Later we caught up with Nancy again and walked the last half mile in.

You got to love the mindset of a dog with its owners:
~ Loving the people they are with,
~ Loving what they are doing and
~ Not worrying about what comes next.

We could all definitely learn a lesson there.