Every so often, my training begins to go into a nose-dive, or tailspin, and the goals are set aside, the workouts minimized or elongated, and no principle or schedule is adhered to. These are the best runs.
I ran a time trial this morning at 6AM, went into Boston for scholarship ceremony (see coming pics), and then drove back to school in the Granite State, to run. Turns out we were running IN Boston, so back down I went.
We started running around 7:30pm, and with a little Gatorade, I felt as if I could have run until 7:30am.
Over those 10 or so hours, I realize how much running does for me. It clears my mind of worry, anxiety, and stress.
For when I run I am one with my mind and body and spirit.
"Complete and utter freedom, one more mile ahead"

"Lead us not into temptation- But deliver us from evil"

I just concluded my first week of XC pre-season. Something has begun anew.
Loyal readers will recall, that the summer of the last 4 months, was tedious, and at times bitter at home.
Seven days in an old barn in the mountains of New Hampshire, I have found a family.
These are not merely teammates. We eat, sleep, cook, shower, and most critically, run together.
This is a journey which is not won by swiftness, but rather by efficiency and manner.
I learn more everyday from these people, and they never disappoint me.
They are my friends, they are my family.

"....So, that's it."

XC camp had its final day today.
It went great. Had a nice run in the AM, which was preceeded by a good ride at home in Mass.
Then played a series of games, said my good-byes to the XC kiddos, and then I took all I had learned, and cleansed myself on the trails.
5.2 miles of tempo running, at points unable to breathe. Witness the quintessence of maximal oxygen uptake.


I still feel quite dizzy from it. But I think I'm getting better at recovering from these 30 minute visits to hell.
And another quick point: Since doing all this crazy mileage, it has occured to me, that I am consuming so many calories just to sustain my running, that at times I get sick of eating. Never thought I'd be at this point.
The journey continues...Endure.

XC is the key to happiness.
It is hard, and it is bitter, and it hurts at times. But the benefits far outweigh the burdens.
I am so geniunely happy, at the end of these taxing days, for they take everything of you to attain this level of contentment.
I can't wait to show everyone pictures!
In the meantime, these are some recent trail/cliff run pictures.

Today was day two of XC camp. I am a camp counselor for a bunch of young runners, and it is absolutely the best time I ever had. It is an incredibly fun time, despite the high mileage I am attaining.
Today was a great day of running. Four runs and a lot of time to think.
I have noted, that while ignoring my principles of nutrition, rest, and intensity, I have prevailed, and I have obtained happiness.
Maybe I need to do more of this. More trails, distance, and meditation.
Simply stated, holistic, happy running makes one happy.
I Believe.

The Paradox of Certainy

It may not be in endurance sport - It may be in school, in time, in work, or in life.
For the fortunate, these shortcomings are not depressin
They mark an end, as well as a beginning
Within races I've been in this small, finite place of confidence. The burn through the finish like chute, to be beaten by a nano-second by the man or woman whom I thought was comfortably behind me.
The time trial where 20 seconds from the finish, you determine you are really 22 seconds from the finish.

Big Lake Half Marathon I missed my time. Bridges for Friendship 10k in 2004, I missed it.
But missing these goals isn't practically missing, its gaining.

When we miss a goal, we tend to be angry at first, and then slowly begin to reason why, and make the necessary ameliorations. It is our very nature. The human condition is defined by such protocol.
This is me at the Big Lake Half in 2004. This is what primal exertion looks like under the worst of conditions.



This is Melanie McQuaid, Xterra World Chamption Triathlete, after giving everything in her mind, body and soul, and coming up "35 seconds short"





Our lives are woven from these seconds. Our ideas are scorched within our own aspirations. And our preconceptions are often proved wrong, when we are "certain" they are right.

Day 2 of intense training.
It goes as follows:
7 Mile Run AM
3 Mile Walk AM (missed my train)
30 Mile Ride early PM
500m Swim PM
1,000m Swim Ocean PM

This is odd. My legs feel really tired when I begin to run after 4 consecutive days of hard training. (10 miles, 9 miles, 15 miles, 7 miles (today). This is compounded with being on vacation, and eating not that great. And adding cycling and swimming into all this.
But after 20 minutes running/cycling, my legs become okay. Just not too fast.
Is this just because they are getting used to moving again? I don't know. But I think tonight I will sleep really soundly.
Check out the pictures from my open-water swim, and then the sunset which followed.

Today was indeed a heavy training day.
I actually am on holiday in Maine, on the coast.
I woke up this morning to a light drizzle, and started to run. Turned into a heavy deluge, but I got in a solid quasi-long run.
Then got stuck in traffic as I tried to drive to nowhere in particular. Turned around in South Portland.
I got in a pretty foul mood on the ride back. I was surrounded by all these tourists, eager to spend money, and it was still raining.
Moments later, it cleared up, and is now breathtakingly beautiful. See!
But there was one bright spot. I passed numerous runners this morning, and it was great to see even when far away from home, we all support each other, and are runners.
My ride was absolutely spectacular. The views where breathtaking, and I wanted to go forever, but the tourist traffic clogged up the roads once again, forcing me to return.
The food here is nothing spectacular to a triathlete. Lots of ethnic names with far too little nutritional value. The coffee is really good however.
I found this really cute market down the street, which has a lot. It is very expensive.
A diet Snapple, a bottle of salsa and a bag of organic nachos, was over $8.
Tonight I think I’m going to an Italian place, hopefully nice and tasty.
This might not be posted tonight (Friday, 7.4.06) due to internet restrictions.
Will keep you all posted.

T1: Run 15 Miles
Avg. HR: 139
Max. HR 168

T2: Ride 21 Miles
Avg. HR: 134
Max. HR: 170

Initially not intending to run this distance, but prevailed and felt really good. Heavy downpours for remaining part of run.

This place is conducive to training. Rode a beautiful bike ride throughout coastal Maine, and enjoyed very much. Cooled down in pool afterwards.

I assured several folks I would testify before them (via blog), on what riding in 100 degree temperatures feels like.
With a sound hydration strategy, and careful pacing, my average speed was 3 km/hr higher than what it is in lower temperatures.
I set my watch timer to beep every four-minutes, indicating hydration.
Gatorade Enduarnce Formula 2/3 with 1/3 water was the solution.
Worked miraculously.
I also have quite a deep tan now.
Enjoy, and stay hydrated all!

Trample the weak, Hurdle the dead.

Albeit, that may be a bit coarse. But in terms of social Darwinism, nothing is more true in a heat wave.
Today was my 10 mile run. Got up as early as I could on my only week of true vacation this summer, 8:30AM.
Just paced myself, and ran my miles. My legs were covered in salt afterwards, and now I have recessed to the floor. I wish my dog would come lay here. But even he is too lazy downstairs to climb the mountainous ravines of carpeted tread.
I ran in a new pair of shorts I bought, Nike Dri-Fit style no. 143238. It was 100 degrees in the sun, and it felt as were wearing nothing. These shorts are the best product I have used in the heat. I highly recomend anyone running distance in the heat to invest in these.
Hoping to do a recovery ride later this afternoon, and stay hydrated to the best of my ability.
LiveStrong.

I didn't expect much. I just knew that it was going to be hot. The seven mile route is composed the following:
Dangerous intersection, long back farm road, a gradual perpendicular inclined road, open state road, (the blast furnace) and back.
The heat by the farm was so thick, so immersing, it felt as if it was litereally wrapping itself around my body. The temperature of the state road, I estimate to be 120 degrees. The thermometer outside my home stops working at 100.
The Governor called for energy conservation. The State House shut down lights.
See This: http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_212103356.html

The really scary thing about this kind of heat, is not what happens during the run, its how the body reacts afterwards. Stomach feels as if it wants to implode, and ears pulsate with every heart-beat.
Went into the pool afterwards, to cool myself down. This worked, while doing some gentle plyometrics.
Stay hydrated all!

NEVER SETTLE FOR THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

I think my body has finally acclimated itself to the heat. Like most things within my training, it is often unexpected when something occurs. Rather, I only notice it when I don’t posses it.
The National Weather Service recently issued a heat warning for all of my state. It is cloudy out now, and I am planning a 7 mile run later this afternoon. We will see how hot it becomes.