tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63296218426207399082024-03-23T03:35:59.278-05:00Pushing LimitsNotes on running, human motivation, and adventure. johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.comBlogger178125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-36864929829064516232023-12-23T10:39:00.001-06:002023-12-23T10:39:32.790-06:00A Reflection on Four Years of Sobriety<p>And when you get to the point that you cry out for the
Holy Mother and the Holy Father, “Help me!”, you’ll realize that you’ve never
been alone. That they have been with you, holding you in love since before you were
born. If there was ever a moment where I
could say that the Holy Spirit spoke to me, it was July 1<sup>st</sup>, 2023
about 1pm on Holy Cross Ridge. I was
scouting a section of the Holy Nolan’s line from the Holy Cross OHV Trail to
Mt. of the Holy Cross.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Looking back to December 23 of 2019 one day with out a
beer seemed impossible. There is always a reason for a beer. But I made it that
day. One whole day without a beer. When you say, “That’s it I’m not doing this
anymore”, it’s like losing a good friend. Part of your identity, and the “this
is me” idea that goes along with it. You
feel lonely. It seems pointless. You think to yourself, “Man, it’s not that
bad, I can just have one or two every now and then.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>That “friend” is not really a friend. Alcohol is like that toxic partner,
literally. Your life is worse with them
or alcohol in it, but yet, your dumbass keeps going back, subtly acknowledging
that you do, in fact, like abuse. Every day without toxic partners is one day
better than the one before it.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">So, what happens when you step off the train? If you are
expecting some immediate epiphany or instant nirvana of some kind, you will be
disappointed. It’s not like that. The changes are slow and gradual and they
build on themselves, just like your tolerance for alcohol consumption. You will
feel alone. You will feel anxious. You will feel like you are missing out. You
will be looking for something else to fill that void of your friend.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">And just like every hangover you ever had,
you gotta suffer all that. There is just no way around it.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Think of sobriety as a grand adventure. You know what
life is like when you drink every day, but you don’t know what lies in store
for you in a life of sobriety. Tolkien
has a few great quotes about adventure. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>“Darkness must pass, a new day will come. And when the
sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.” </i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p></i><i>“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your
door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no
telling where you might be swept off to.”</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p></i><i>“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door
where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.”</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Sobriety is the longest ultramarathon you’ll ever run. No
hundred, two hundred or mountain multiday is harder than sobriety. Cesar said, “It is easier to find men who
will volunteer to die than to find those who are willing to endure pain with
patience." The greatest ultrarunner
in the world, Yiannis Kouros said, “Without patience, you will never conquer
endurance.” Patience is the name of the
game. You have to wait. You have to accept every moment, every day just like it
comes at you. You do yourself a disservice if you distort the lesson that you
are getting taught in the moment by having that drink.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Make this your mantra, a saying from the Marathon Monks
of Mt. Hiei:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Always aim for the ultimate, never look back, be mindful
of others at all times and keep the mind forever set on the way.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank the Holy Father and the Holy Mother, pray the
Rosary every day and be kind to yourself, offer yourself compassion and grace
just as they have offered it to you. Start your life anew, set out on your own
grand adventure.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Below is a list of books that I have read and recommend,
regarding sobriety:</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Alcohol Explained</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/fqwZvke">https://a.co/d/fqwZvke</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Alcohol Explained 2: Tools for a Stronger Sobriety</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/4rh9K6u">https://a.co/d/4rh9K6u</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Alcohol Lied to Me: The Intelligent Way to Escape Alcohol
Addiction</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/0zPgBjo">https://a.co/d/0zPgBjo</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Alcohol is SH!T: How to Ditch the Booze, Re-ignite Your
Life, and Recover the Person you Were Always Meant to be</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/efrgaz7">https://a.co/d/efrgaz7</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/iZbWdoe">https://a.co/d/iZbWdoe</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover
Happiness & Change Your Life</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/gFxJnE5">https://a.co/d/gFxJnE5</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering a happy,
healthy, wealthy alcohol-free life</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://a.co/d/6YQ9aCZ">https://a.co/d/6YQ9aCZ</a><o:p></o:p></p>johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-56217878003207695292020-06-24T10:00:00.003-05:002020-06-24T10:06:06.028-05:00Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
My post in the GVRAT Facebook group after finishing the out n back on May 27:<br />
<br />
My long march across vTennessee and back is over: 2000K or rather 1270 miles in 27 days is done. Thank you to <a class="_2u0z" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100004068348429&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARDdWldlq3NS8H-GxojSoLS5mLUMob4cjbe_S194pK2J4k_5GnAdnNluMpGjkeo8jmpKv_JqXbMyZwNp%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/lazarus.lake.7?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARDdWldlq3NS8H-GxojSoLS5mLUMob4cjbe_S194pK2J4k_5GnAdnNluMpGjkeo8jmpKv_JqXbMyZwNp&dti=234553700994287&hc_location=group" rel="dialog" role="button" title="Lazarus Lake">Lazarus Lake</a>, <a class="_2u0z" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000051714943&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARD99CIw5XoQF2zwz25WdRXWJfPqp6DjrPKwppbsdQxBnoQPSv5UKOqidkDfQGbV6LKCItSN6OYtg2WA%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/steve.durbin.731?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARD99CIw5XoQF2zwz25WdRXWJfPqp6DjrPKwppbsdQxBnoQPSv5UKOqidkDfQGbV6LKCItSN6OYtg2WA&dti=234553700994287&hc_location=group" rel="dialog" role="button" title="Steve Durbin">Steve Durbin</a>, and <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"type":104,"tn":"*N"}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/badmike?__eep__=6&source=note&epa=HASHTAG" target="_blank">#badmike</a> for putting this together and challenging us to put forth our best effort. Thank you also to <a class="_2u0z" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002188741940&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCX4UOYjd6lOBEG_qEMMg9dPD0_BoW8X-0cs-bmPNxP2m4ojaF9QJYLNsXpCe16djyq8fJ9_nJNghwP%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/DsrtRnr?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCX4UOYjd6lOBEG_qEMMg9dPD0_BoW8X-0cs-bmPNxP2m4ojaF9QJYLNsXpCe16djyq8fJ9_nJNghwP&dti=234553700994287&hc_location=group" rel="dialog" role="button" title="Vincent Antunez">Vincent Antunez</a> from <a class="_2u0z" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=458888990867231&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARBuSX64Ndf2mkwJLClCByNOpbaFyU90uUZe59hJy_lMlfXZwG-UIqoNtSMsYs5mAz3CJCyzMyn9HTKv%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/trailtoes/?ref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARBuSX64Ndf2mkwJLClCByNOpbaFyU90uUZe59hJy_lMlfXZwG-UIqoNtSMsYs5mAz3CJCyzMyn9HTKv&fref=gs&dti=234553700994287&hc_location=group">Trail Toes Anti-Friction Foot and Body Products</a>, <a class="_2u0z" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1345094550&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCBDKPRDTdymDXVLsKQaV-ziR1XCBnj7nU2l1OrDllREQ4sEMePga1TxZMD5LkBziBxHnixy752Ulfg%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/kyle.hood.946?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCBDKPRDTdymDXVLsKQaV-ziR1XCBnj7nU2l1OrDllREQ4sEMePga1TxZMD5LkBziBxHnixy752Ulfg&dti=234553700994287&hc_location=group" rel="dialog" role="button" title="Truxton Spangler">Truxton Spangler</a>, and <a class="_2u0z" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=7953714&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARCq7Ymag2mha2TNvWI4IiC4LJHN-Puyj_Ve9C1j_2AypufZCgTbOXLmvHAbzsOytSD5GRUiu7Fnoq1m%22%2C%22directed_target_id%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22fref%22%3A%22gs%22%2C%22dti%22%3A234553700994287%2C%22hc_location%22%3A%22group%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/whenderson04?fref=gs&__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARCq7Ymag2mha2TNvWI4IiC4LJHN-Puyj_Ve9C1j_2AypufZCgTbOXLmvHAbzsOytSD5GRUiu7Fnoq1m&dti=234553700994287&hc_location=group" title="Bill Henderson">Bill Henderson</a>
for their support. I could not have been successful without your help.
Thank you also, to everyone who sent me text messages, Facebook
messages, and comments on Facebook and Instagram. I even received a few
post cards. Thank you.<br />
I am happy that this carnival ride is over. But
I’m also sad. I think sadness is a natural feeling when things end. At
the end of a movie, a book, a relationship, at the end of a period of
your life which you have moved on from. But, with a new thing, a new
beginning, there is also hope. Hope for something better, or at least
more, and an expectation of happiness. We have to remember what Andy
wrote in the letter to Red, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of
things, and no good thing ever dies.” During my runs I tried to keep in
mind thoughts from folks like Laz, “…and my hope for each one of you is
that you find something in yourself, you never thought possible.” From
Ken, “You can do more than you think you can. You are stronger than you
think you are.” And from Joe, “Just do the damned thing.”<br />
Like many of
us, we signed up for this GVRAT 1000K virtual race because our goal
races have all been cancelled due to COVID-19. Races like UTMB,
Hardrock, Western States, among countless others. Me personally, I had
ambitious plans in July to run the Val d’Aran and Ronda dels Cims 100
mile mountain races in the Pyrenees and run with the bulls in Pamplona.
In August I was all set to travel to Chamonix. To take part in UTMB
Petite Trotte à Léon (PTL) with two friends, a Canadian and a Frenchman.
But all of those events were cancelled. The last few years I have taken
as long as four weeks to go on pilgrimage routes in Spain, Italy, and
Texas but due to travel restrictions I felt that pilgrimage walks in
Brazil, Portugal, or Ireland would also be out of reach. At the
beginning, my goal for GVRAT was to finish the 1270 miles, the out and
back, in the month of May. A lofty goal, foolish even, which I was not
sure I would be able to meet. This time running locally became for me an
internal pilgrimage, or kaihogyo. A kaihogyo of the heart, of the mind,
a kaihogyo of the soul. Mile by mile, day by day, running, reflecting,
projecting.<br />
For those in the event who have more miles in front of them
than behind them, don’t despair. Be patient and put your miles in.
Challenge yourself each day to do your best. Adopt the John Grady Cole
mindset, stick and don’t quit. Is it raining? Stick and don’t quit. Your
feet hurt, you’re tired, the damned dog knocked the pancake batter bowl
out of your hands? Stick and don’t quit. Your partner is going through a
tough time and you don’t feel loved? Stick and don’t quit. Just keep
sticking to your goal to cross vTennessee on foot. You’ll make it. Take
heart in the fact that when you step out the door each day, press start
on your Garmin, and wait for it to pick up satellites, you are becoming
more human. The distinctive human trait is conscious free will. And by
choosing to go out and work toward your goal, among all the other
choices you could have made, you are connecting with all of humanity
over the long arc of history. You have this opportunity to contemplate
life’s big questions everyone has asked, “Who am I? How do I know? And
What do I value?” You have this opportunity to connect with all persons
throughout our respective national histories, our respective religions,
our poets, and the characters of our national epic literature -- fiction
or non-fiction.<br />
You can sail to Troy with Helen and Paris. Be with
brash Achilles as he chooses immortal fame over long life. With Cesar
crossing the Rubicon, alea iacta est. With Jesus at Gethsemane. In
Roncevaux we can sing <span class="_4yxp">La Chanson de Roland.</span>
With the Light Brigade in Crimea. With Davy Crockett when he told the
legislature, “You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.” We can
dream with Dr. King, become the masters of our fate with Mandela, and
find our meaning with Frankl. Maybe even with Cpt. Woodrow F. Call
driving a herd of cattle to Montana. Once we are done with this
crossing, we can return to our respective homes, be among our people,
and go to our place. Maybe a place like Lonesome Dove. We’ll sit on the
porch with Augustus McCrae and spin the yarn until late in the night and
tell our stories of Tennessee. How we stopped in Memphis and saw the
Legendary Dale Watson and his Lonestars. And how we knew, when he told
us, “honky tonkers don’t cry,” he was lying. How we slept on the floor
of the washeteria in Wartrace after paying our respects to Strolling
Jim. How we stopped at Jan’s house in Knoxville and she had dumplings on
the stove for us. When we stopped at Bill’s mammas house, across from
Tusculum University, and ate her famous cornbread. We’ll turn in, long
after the oil in our lamp burns out. We won’t have to worry about Pedro
Flores or The Comanche. Finally, we can rest.</div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-55996956761322531392019-11-17T14:33:00.002-06:002019-11-17T14:33:55.732-06:00Mollie Renshaw - Chapter 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mollie
Renshaw</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chapter
1</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The iPad played “<i>The
Night They Drove Old Dixie Down</i>” on repeat for hours, before
Mollie woke up. James Renshaw, her father, had been in the kitchen
all night alternating shots of whisky and hits of cocaine, alone. He
was passed out now, a Bud Light bottle lay spilt on the floor under
his chair.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No one knew why
James did this, but it happened frequently. He’d just sit his
chair, stare, and play a song on repeat. Mollie figured he was sad,
so she left him alone. James loved her, she knew that, he always
said, “You’re my baby girl, Daddy loves you.” But he hit her
too, from time to time.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“God, dammit
Mollie, why’d you turn the fukin music off,” James said as he
slapped the right, backside of her head. Mollie began to tremble.
She’d turned her back to him looking to switch off the iPlayer.
The music was so loud in the kitchen when she turned it off, the
silence woke him up. “Daddy, I’m sorry, it’s just that it was
so loud in here, I turned the music off,” Mollie said. She never
turned back to look at him, just cowered a bit as she walked to her
room with wet eyes. This wasn’t her Daddy, her Daddy was somewhere
else, Daddy never hit her. As long as she didn’t look at him, she
could lie and believe it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
James took another
bump. He’d been feeling sorry for himself for the last 10 years,
since Mollie’s mom disappeared. She’d been raped by one the
Bandito gang members. James didn’t stand up for her. James never
wanted to join the Banditos, but he got forced into it. He didn’t
do too much. He’d just make a run of heroin and coke out of
Monterrey to Houston, twice a month.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Life started out
promising for him. He joined the Army at 17, with a waiver from his
dad. Just before the 1<sup>st</sup> Gulf War. He bragged about
being in the Battle of Wadi Al-Batin with 1<sup>st</sup> Cav, but
really just drove a truck around to stirr up clouds of dust in a
deception movement. The real action was from the northwest. However,
it didn’t stop him from getting what the VA called, “Gulf War
Syndrome.” Alot of folks just thought he was lazy. And I guess you
could say so. However, James suffered from fatigue, headaches,
memory problems, and broke into hives quite often.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He left the Army
soon after Marlon was born, his son from his first wife. Marlon had
black hair, just like his mother. He met Marlon’s mom in Killeen,
after he came back from Iraq. She was what they called a
dependapotamus, one of those women that hung around base, mooching
off soldiers. She was about 10 years older than James when they met.
He never really liked her, but he slept with her a lot. So did some
of the other guys in his unit. James was never sure Marlon was his,
but he married her, when he found out she was pregnant. With his
dishonorable discharge for cocaine, Marlon’s mom ran off to find
another sucker.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Marlon lived in the
house with James and Mollie. He had a part time job at Kutzer Body
shop, but made good side money selling meth. Marlon was smart
enough, but apathetic. They’d lived in the house for about two
years. James’ grandmother left him the house when she died,
because he had the two kids. The house was a welcome change from the
little travel trailer they lived in before, out at his uncles place.
After two years, however, the house was just as filthy. If James’
grandmother were still alive, she’d have a foot in his ass, about
how they lived, White trash Appalachia style.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Mollie, get your
ass in here,” James yelled. Mollie complied. “Hey baby girl,
why don’t you let daddy take you to school, its 7:30 you know.”
Mollie always liked it when her dad took her to school. He never
made her wear a helmet on the back of the Harley, which meant she
could wear her hair in a ponytail and not have to waste a bunch of
time fixing it. She had red hair. It wasn’t crazy red, but more
like a red-blonde. She had green eyes too. She always loved her
green eyes. Her daddy said those eyes were green like her mammas,
and her mammas mamma. James pulled up in front of the school and
revved the motor rapidly, over and over, making the exhaust scream.
Mollie always like that motor revving thing too. “I love you
Daddy, see you after school.” “I love you too, baby girl,”
James said as he sped away, squealing the tire.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mollie was born as
Margret Jean Renshaw in Nov of 2002, in Austin. She was a Scorpio.
Daddy always told her she was named after his grandmother, Margret
Jean Mc Laine. MeMe McLaine was feisty, and drank whisky every day,
but she worked hard as a house cleaning lady. She died of a heart
attack at 78. Mollie took after her great-grandmother in some ways,
but mostly she was like her mom. Mollie’s mom was smart enough to
know how to manage her temper and easily acted cynically,
manipulating others to get what she wanted. That’s why she pissed
off the Bandito, who raped her out of spite.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ding, clickity,
cling, was the notification sound Mollie set for Facebook messenger,
but in school she just set visual notifications on. She didn’t
notice the message from Joel about the dime bag he scored. Joel was
her guy friend. He hooked her up with weed sometimes. Joel’s
older brother had a friend named Miguel. One time, Joel walked in on
his brother and Miguel making out so Miguel always gave Joel some
weed, so he wouldn’t say anything to Joel’s parents.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In first period
Mollie was in Texas History class. All seventh graders in Texas have
to take Texas history. Her teacher was Amy Whitecotton. Ms.
Whitecotton was 5’3. A heavy set brunette. She didn’t like kids
or teaching. She taught for five years at Bruce Elementary in
Houston’s 5<sup>th </sup>Ward. Under Bush’s No Child Left Behind,
she was able to apply to the inner city program and the federal
government paid off her school loans. On the condition she worked in
the inner city for five years. Her husband worked for KBR (Kellog
Brown and Root) and made the real money. With the no-bid government
contracts and the 2<sup>nd</sup> Iraq War, he cleaned house. But KBR
close up its offices in the 5<sup>th</sup> ward in 2010 and he was
laid off.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hayden dropped a
note off at Mollie’s desk, just as the bell rang. It was folded up
in the normal fashion of a young boy who’d never gift wrapped any
boxes for Christmas. Hayden had a big crush on Mollie, but felt
stupid and inadequate. He finally got the courage to tell her, but
since he didn’t know her Snapchat name, he went old school with the
note. His mom suggested the note. She’d come in from her shift at
“The Office”. The Office was the name of the bar where she
worked. The local guys bought her drinks and shots, most nights. On
the night she suggested to Hayden to write the note, she was extra
drunk. Her “love”, unrequited love, stopped in earlier that day,
on his way back from the sale barn. That’s what sent her in the
downward spiral that night. Every night she had a different excuse
for getting drunk.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hayden, if you
like this girl Mollie, you need to tell her. You don’t know, she
probably likes you too,” his mom told him as she took a long drag
from her Marlboro light. “Just write her a note, boy.” “But
Mom, that’s not how it works these days,” Hayden tried to
explain. His mom quit listening. Her eyes light up when she’d
received a text from Jake. Jake was at the bar earlier and wanted to
stop by later to “hook up”. Hayden walked down the hall of the
trailer to his room. He knew his mom met guys at night, while he was
sleeping. Hayden’s dad hadn’t been around for about five years.
Note since the night when the cops came. Hayden was scared that
night with everyone screaming, so he just quit remembering exactly
what happened.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hayden didn’t know
it, but Cooper saw him drop of the note to Mollie. Cooper was
instantly furious, an almost uncontrollable rage. He wanted to jump
right out of his chair and whip Hayden’s ass, but Ms. Whitecotton
called the class to attention. Ms. Whitecotton took attendance, so
the State could get paid. When she called out Cooper’s name he was
so mad he couldn’t talk. “Cooper, Cooper,” she said. “Hey
boy, you got wax in your ears,” she said, looking at him with those
squinty eyes and fat face. Cooper threw his books on the floor and
jumped up, flipping over his desk. One of the kids in the back of
the room pulled out is iPhone and started filming. “Get your ass
out of my class you little shit head,” Ms. Whitecotton yelled.
She’d gotten in trouble for cussing at kids before, but didn’t
care. Ms. Whitecotton was having an affair with the PE coach, whose
brother was the Superintendent, so she never got into any real
trouble.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
She grabbed Cooper
and drug him out of the classroom, as he tried to take a swing at
her. “Fuck you, I hate you,” Cooper yelled while being drug down
the hall. The principal was in awe. He was standing in the hallway,
watching the action. He’d just texted Ms. Billings about a lunch
date. “I’ll be having you for lunch,” he texted, smiling as he
pushed send. “Hey, boy, what the hell is wrong with you?” the
principal yelled. Ms. Whitecotton handed Cooper off to the principal
and began walking back to her class. Cooper got drug all the way
into the principal’s office.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The principal, Mr.
McGrath had recently been promoted to principal of Clinton Junior
High. He’d always lusted after power but lacked real ambition. He
only took the job to increase his status in the community. He cared
about kids, but was more interested in using his position to
influence single moms to sleep with him. He had always lusted after
women. Mr. McGrath didn’t really understand how to deal with kids
like Cooper.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cooper could have
been a good kid. He was smart, but angry. He lived out at the youth
home on the edge of town. Cooper didn’t know much about his real
parents. He’d been in a few foster homes, the type of foster homes
that just foster kids to get income from the State. Every time
things seemed to be working out, he’d get put in a new foster home.
For some reason, it was always around his birthday. Finally when he
was eleven, he ended up at the youth home. The older kids he roomed
with took the little things he really cared about. The signed rookie
card from Matt Harrison, who pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2011
World Series, they took that. He got that card when he lived in the
foster home up in Colleyville. Some business men sent local kids to
the game and he got selected. They also took his Tony Romo bobble
head. He always liked that thing. Probably because it was given to
him by Aunt Julie’s brother Michael.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cooper always called
his foster moms, Aunt. Michael took him cruising around in his truck
some times. He was always throwing beer bottles at signs, on the
backroads around Weatherford, just west of Fort Worth, blaring Pat
Green on the CD changer. Micheal picked up the bobble head at the
Pilot truck stop on I-30, along with two, twelve packs of Bud Light
bottles.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mr. McGrath hung up
the phone with the house parents from the youth home. He wanted to
see what should to be done with Cooper. They really didn’t know
either, but gave McGrath permission to give Cooper swats. “Cooper,
I’m going to swat you three times bud, so get ready to take what
you got coming,” McGrath said. Getting swats wasn’t nothing to
Cooper. He was used to it. He reveled in the pain. It wasn’t real
pain. Not like the time when Aunt Christi’s boyfriend beat him
with a 2x4 in Midlothian, because he didn’t fill up the ice trays.
He was nine then. Cooper still had a scar on his forehead from that
whippin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Okay, Mr.
McGrath, do what you got to do, I’m ready,” Cooper said as he
bent over the desk. Mr. McGrath swatted him three times. Cooper
laughed a little inside, but mad a sad face when he turned to face
McGrath. “Copper, you can’t be acting like this! Now get on down
to the cafeteria for lunch.” McGrath said.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mollie and Joel were
sitting at the lunch table. “Mollie, did you get my message?”
Joel said. “Nah, what you talking bout?” Mollie replied. “I
scored some weed from Miguel, wanta go smoke after school?” he
said. “Sounds good to me, I’m pretty stressed. Something was
wrong with Dad this morning,” she said as her voice drifted away.
Joel gave her his extra peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Mollie
never really ate lunch, or brought one. James never had money to
give her, so someone always brought extra. Today it was Joel.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mollie was looking
across at the commotion on the other side of the cafeteria. She
wasn’t sure what was going on, but a group of kids had gathered
around Hayden and Cooper. The kids were yelling and cheering. She
never read the note that Hayden had left at her desk. The note that
told her how much he liked her and how beautiful he thought she was.
She intended to, but with Cooper throwing his desk upside down, she
got side tracked. And, she couldn’t read it now, because she
couldn’t find it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Hayden, after
school, I’m going to kick your ass!” Cooper said as he glared.
Hayden was shocked. He couldn’t figure out why Cooper was so
pissed off. “Hey man, what the hell are you talking about?”
Hayden replied, somewhat taken aback. “Mollie is my girl bro, I
saw you drop off that note, with the little heart on it.” Cooper
said. Hayden was pissed. He didn’t think anyone saw him drop off
the note. He was probably more embarrassed, but he didn’t have a
way to distinguish the difference. “Alright, bro, where you wanta
get your whippin?” Hayden asked. “Across the street from school,
over on those hay bales, by the tractor, I’ll see you.” Cooper
responded.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cooper didn’t have
any “claim” on Mollie. He’d never even told her he liked her.
He just decided he did, and figured she knew it. Mollie didn’t
really know who Cooper was, except that he was the weird kid, who was
mad a lot. Mollie was at that age where, she knew boys were
interested in her, but she wasn’t sure just why. She viewed all
boys as just any other person, just like her friend Joel or her
girlfriend Hannah. Hannah and Mollie were in the Girl Scouts about
two years ago. But Mollie didn’t come back to the meetings last
year, after Marlon’s girlfriend died.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Through the rest of
the afternoon at school, there were whispers of the big fight that
was supposed to happen between Hayden and Cooper. It spread through
the seventh grade like wildfire, and even the eighth graders caught
wind of it: a big fight across the street from school, on the
property owned by the PE coach’s dad, Mr. Trevino. Mr. Trevino had
baled hay on the 100 acres across the street from the new school
since he was a young kid. He father and his father before him did
the same. Actually the land the school was built on, and most of
where the town was built had at one time been owned by the Trevino
family. As far as Mr. Trevino could remember and the family lore
said that “The Trevino Family” owned that land, since the time of
the Spanish. The “lore” was probably made up, but the Trevino’s
had a lot of land, so it could have been true.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The last bell rang
at 15:45 on Wednesday November 25<sup>th</sup>, 2015, for Clinton
Junior High. It was time for Thanksgiving break.
</div>
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-55678298190906964282019-07-26T09:59:00.002-05:002019-07-26T09:59:56.115-05:00Euforia dels Cims - 2019 - Take Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I started writing a long ass blog, but I did not feel like completing it. So here is take two.<br />
<br />
<b>What is Euforia dels Cims:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ultra Raid in the Principality of Andorra by inseparable team of two people in semi-autonomy under the full moon.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">233 k (145 mi.) 20,000 meters (12,427 mi.) of elevation gain and 20,000 meters (12,427 mi.) of elevation loss</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Departure from Ordino town centre on Wednesday on the morning and finish in Ordino town centre</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5 peaks upon 2,900 meters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">32 peaks or passes between 2,500 and 2,900 meters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Average altitude: 2,200 meters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4 refreshment points (in the 4 accommodation areas) + arrival</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A single dropbag (offered by the organization) transported from accommodation area to accommodation area</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Briefing attendance is compulsory </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Without marking of the path</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The runners have a track</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">GPS tracker put at the disposal of every runner to allow theonline following</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Euphoric panoramic views, some technical zones</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
most spectacular feature: peaks, passes and path in crests allowing
views 360 on all the massif of Pyrenees (the North of Spain and the
region Midi-Pyrénées in France)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The most technical section: descent in rocky blocks or masses of fallen rocks</span></li>
</ul>
<b>Why Euforia: </b><br />
<br />
I don't like contrived "hard stuff" such as Spartan races, Survial Runs, Death Races, gimmick events, etc... I don't like the trend in ultrarunning where everyone thinks they need 10 pacers and 50 crew members. Euforia is pure. It's you and your partner and the mountains. No babysitting, no hand holding. Hours on your feet with out support, etc.. But the biggest appeal is the mountains, pure and simple.<br />
<br />
<b>How Do You Know You're Ready:</b><br />
<br />
Basically, you don't. I wasn't sure when I got on the plane, but I saddled up anyway.<br />
<br />
<b>How Do You Prepare:</b><br />
<br />
You can't prepare in one season. It takes may experiences to have the right frame of mind to be successful. Events like Vol State, the Salsa Walk 100K or 200K, Nolan's 14 Scouting, our Camino Santiago in 16.5 days trek last year, Hardrock or similar, Infinitus 888K. The multi-day events with continuous clock really bring you valuable experience to prepare.<br />
<br />
<b>What Does Success in Euforia Look Like:</b><br />
<br />
Finishing of course, but beyond that, is character. Did you make friends? Did you help your neighbor? Did you allow your neighbor to help you? Did you give into your struggle and act out, or did you accept your fate and continue forward?<br />
<br />
<b>What Was the Biggest Lesson You Learned:</b><br />
<br />
The lesson is always patience and acceptance. However in this sense, its not over in 30 or 36 hours, it's 4 days or more. If you let the mountains come to you and unfold, without expectation, accepting each climb as it's presented, then you can always have the strength necessary for what's coming next. <br />
<br />
<b>What's Next:</b><br />
<br />
I'd like to give Tor des Geants a shot, PTL (Petite Trotte à Léon), and go back and finish the Nolan's 14 line. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-63302534798352920652017-09-18T17:10:00.002-05:002017-09-18T17:12:39.211-05:00Barkley Fall Classic - 4th Finish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I must have run the Fall Classic Saturday. I can tell because I'm gimping around everywhere I walk and I can't squat to the toilet or get into my car. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> My feet are fine. No blisters, thanks to <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/" target="_blank">Trail Toes</a>. But my glutes, hammies, quads, calves are all revolting. They are pissed off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Gina, Kyle, and I rolled into Rugby, TN Friday afternoon. We checked into the <a href="http://www.historicrugby.org/pioneer-cottage/" target="_blank">Pioneer Cottage</a>, our place we have stayed the last 4 years. We then drove over to Wartburg for the packet pickup and map review. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We were able to say hellos and chat with friends! Tim gave us the low down on the course for this year. This year we were to go up the North Bird Mountain Trail, to the Jeep road, across 116, to the power line. Down Testicle Spectacle to the Church. Then back up and over down meth lab hill to the prison. The up Rat Jaw to the fire tower. The big rule of staying in the power line cut on these sections of power lines was going to be enforced, strictly this year. Once we reached the fire tower,then we were to head to the Garden Spot, along the North Boundary trail, to Jury Ridge, Phillips Creek, and down Bird Mountain Trail, to the yellow gate, and the last section was the same, the Chimney Top trail to Spicewood and back to the finish. Basically, the first two sections were flip-flopped from previous years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> This course change was a bit diabolical, as we were to soon find out Saturday morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We arrived at the start area about an hour before the start. Unlike last year when we arrived, 10 minutes before the start. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> My plan to was run hard until we hit the trail, so I could get in front of the main group, trying to be in the top 30 or so. So that is what I did. However, the North Bird Mountain Trail is "runnable" if you are pretty fit, so every one kept on running. So, John did as well. After about 30 minutes into the race I told myself, "John if you don't start taking some walk breaks, you are going to blow up." So, I started to take some walk breaks. We finally got to Tub Springs aid station! But being as it's all down hill to the highway, we had to run that section fast a hell too. You don't want to be stuck behind the conga line of folks going down Testicle who don't know where they are going and haven't protected themselves from the briars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I chatted a bit with a nice dude, who had just done the Breckenridge Spartan Ultra Beast and placed fifth. But, was like, hey man, we gotta run! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Once we reached the highway, We had a nice hill to walk up, going towards Fodderstack and the power line of Testicle. We turned left and i pulled the work gloves out of my pack. I was already wearing calf sleeves, arm sleeves, and tights that covered my knees. I told the Spartan race guy who was with me, "This is where the race starts, follow me." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I started bombing down the hill, slipping, sliding, and busting new heart rate highs. At about the 3rd section, I ran smack into a small conga line of about 10 folks. I said, "On your left." But they didn't want to move. One guy says, "Hey man, we are in a line here, you need to wait." I said, "Naw bruh, we gotta move." It was clear they were not sure where to go or how to get there, so I just blew past them. Basically that put me in about the top 8 to 10 or so. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Things went well until just before the sign to turn left to the church and the second aid station. I got this killer cramp in my right calf, and had stop. The cramp was so bad, my foot was cramping. All those folks started passing me. I downed like 4 S-Caps. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I had two problems. 1. It was so hot and humid I was sweating my balls off and 2, those calf sleeves were cutting off circulation to my calves. Mostly because my calves are so dammed big, the calf sleeves barely fit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I got to the church just in front of those folks though, because they inclined right of the proper azmiuth, and I dropped to the creek and went up the creek bed for a bit and then to the road. The map didn't show us having to go exactly to the road. Either way, We all left together, but I started cramping on the inside of both thighs, as we were climbing back up tot the power line. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I needed to back off a little bit, but I know that to be successful at this race, you gotta put the hammer down, and never let up. I made it back up to Armes Gap and dropped down Meth Lab Hill, towards the prison. I was recovering from the cramping but was still pretty border line. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Once I reached the prison, we were able to get more water and I hit up some more S-Caps. However, by the time I got to the ladder to go over the wall, my inside thighs started cramping again. I didn't want to get on the ladder, because I didn't want to cramp up and fall off the dammed ladder. I paused a bit, climbed over, cramped a bit and sat down on the other side and talked with Keith for a minute or so. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> With the cramping subsiding, and a few more S-Caps, I went into the tunnel and sat down in the water, to cool off my legs. That seemed to do the trick. So I started up Rat Jaw. I could see large group of folks above me, prob 15 or so, in another conga line, picking their way through the briars. My first instinct was a to start hauling ass up the hill, but thought it would be better to keep a more steady relaxed pace and just wait until I catch them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Just before where the power line turns left, I caught that pack, and went around them and started breaking trail. The group splintered for a bit, but came back together, behind Rob Youngren, after we went over the capstone. By this time, there were about 50 runners in the conga line, and I was somewhere about #8. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> One guy reached the fire tower about 10 minutes before the whole conga line, and it was said they saw him taking unfair advantage by going under the trees to the left. I don't know who that guy was. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Anyway, we reached the crowd of folks at the fire tower and began climbing up to get our punch. As we were going back down the stairs, I thought, "Man I gotta haul ass back to Tub Springs, because I don't want to get caught behind all these folks at the aid station." I really needed to make some shoe adjustments, but took off anyway. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I got to Tub Springs in good shape, got my water filled up, drank some Sword and was finally able to remove those dammed calf sleeves, arm sleeves, and put them all away in my pack with the heavy as soaking wet, leather gloves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Onward we went up to Coffin Springs, over the gate, towards the Garden Spot. About half way there is an old coal road that goes off to the right and some folks were wondering which way to go. Little did I know, a shit ton of those folks behind me, went down that coal road. Which explains why only like 3 persons passed me from Garden Spot to the Yellow Gate. Oh well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I got the punch from Mike at the Garden Spot, after watching the eventual second place guy, run up the uphill to the Garden Spot. I was thinking, "Shit, this guy is running this part, got dammit." I busted my ass as we left there and got on the CT, where it's got the white blazes on the trees, in the top Northeast corner of the park. But it was a quick recovery. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> As I was running downhill, I was thinking, "Jeeze my feet are sliding around in my shoes and I need to tighten them up at the aid station." Well, about 30 seconds later I took a hard tumble/fall and started cramping real bad again in my inner thighs. I thought it would be best to go ahead and tighten up my shoes, now. So I did that and about 15 runners went by. Great!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I got up and ran to the coal ponds and wasn't looking and missed the left turn on to the true North Boundry Trail / North Bird Mountain Trail with the orange blazes. No problem though, I knew it was wrong and turned around right away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We cruised over to the Squire Knob aid station for our punch. I counted the runners, and there were 11 in front of me, and about 4 at the aid station. I made quick work of the aid station, but prob drank 3 bottles of water and one of Sword before leaving with two full bottles of Sword. At around Phillips Creek, I was finally able to take a piss. And boy it was yellow. The eventual women's winner passed me just under the ridge before we met back up with the Cumberland Trail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I cruised down the 12 or 13 switchbacks to the yellow gate, but stopped and got some water at the spigot at Big Cove Campground. Some guy said I was in 8th place, and I figured that was prob about right. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I got into the aid station where Laz sends you out for the 3rd and last part of the course, but lost time dicking around with my water bladder. I had put carbo pro powder in there before hand, but the tube got stopped up. Really pissed me off. I also had a hard time finding my drop bag with my poles, which after I got back on the trail, I thought, it was stupid to use them because they weren't truly necessary. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Tim Dines and I hiked up to Chimney Top but I was feeling weak and shitty. I ate some fig newton style of bar at the aid station and it was causing me stomac upset. So I stopped to throw up for a bit. Tim took off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Basically on the whole last section, I saw Tim and that was it. I did finally catch Tim after stopping to chat with Kyle and Larry at the last aid station, on my way into the finish. I passed Laz again and had just the short road section to go. I thought for sure I'd catch at least one runner. However, all the runners I passed were marathon finishers who either didn't make the cutoff, or didn't want to do the Chimney Top. I did still haul ass all the way in. However, I was 8 minutes slower than last year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I milled around afterwards waiting on Gina to finish, ate my ribeye sandwich, talked with friends, drank some beer, vodka, and whisky. Gina finished about 12 and a half hours. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Kyle drove us back to Rugby where we all slept in, before driving back to Nashville on Sunday. In Nashville we had a great time Sunday afternoon. We went to Printers Alley, to the Burbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar. Then to Merchant's for drinks, fried green tomatoes, and pimento cheese. Then to Rodizio Brazlian Grill, for all you can eat meat and a 36$ bottle of 8$ wine. Afterwards, we stopped over at Legends Corner for a night cap, then an Uber Ride back to the hotel! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> It was another successful weekend in Tennessee! Gina and I have both finished the race 4 times, the whole 50K. There are 7 of us left who have completed all 4, The Magnificent Seven. Next year, I'm going to sign up as Yule Brenner. The Pioneer Cottage reservations have been made. If we finish next year, then Steve has a special award for us! For the 5th year! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Now recovery! Then more, Vert! More Miles. Get faster! </span></div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-73327230350231004462017-08-10T01:49:00.002-05:002017-10-30T21:46:02.309-05:00John's Kaihōgyō<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: red;"><b> UPDATE: 10/30/2017 - This will not be taking place this year. </b></span><br />
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<br />
What does Kaihōgyō mean? It translates into English as, circling the mountain. The wiki entry is here: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaih%C5%8Dgy%C5%8D">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaih%C5%8Dgy%C5%8D</a><br />
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<br />
I've been enamored with this idea for a few years. I spoke with Gina about it in 2014 after reading John Stevens book: <span class="reference-text">The Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei. </span><br />
<span class="reference-text"></span><br />
<span class="reference-text"> I'm not looking for enlightenment per se, but discipline. So these monks in Japan do a 100 days of a certain mileage going from temple to temple saying prayers, etc.. They do this for seven years and there is quite a bit of other things invovled that you can read about on the wiki entry. </span><br />
<span class="reference-text"> I'll be turning 40 years old in November and I want to do something that is or seems impossible. Because who knows how many years I have left on this rock. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="reference-text">Enter, <b><span style="color: red;">John's </span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;">Kaihōgyō</span></b>.<br />
<br />
What does this look like for me? It looks like this. I am planning on starting Oct 30th 2017 and will finish 100 days later on Feb 6th 2018. What will I do? I plan to abstain from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. I started back on snuff a few months ago, so I'll be quit before this starts and will start tapering caffeine at the beginning in Oct. I've already stopped alcohol, so hopefully I can maintain since my goal is no alcohol until Sept 2018. Here is the rest of my plan:<br />
<br />
40K a day running/walking with 5K a day of vert (vert will be achieved on the TM)<br />
40K a day on indoor bike trainer*<br />
10K a day on indoor rower*<br />
100 thrusters @ 95lbs*<br />
100 Deadlifts @ 185lbs*<br />
100 Kettlebell swings* <br />
100 Burpees<br />
100 pushups<br />
100 situps<br />
10 minutes of planks<br />
40 pullups<br />
<br />
Basically, this will be 6 to 7 hours a day of "working out". <br />
<br />
I have 2.5 months to buildup to this, so that is what I'll be working on. From now until then.<br />
<br />
I don't really know if I can actually do this, but outside of my "<a href="http://www.elcaminodelavaca.org/" target="_blank">El Camino de Lavaca Pilgrimage</a>" Dec 4th - 10th my schedule is open and I have purposely kept it so. I wasn't sure if I would really commit to this, but I think that I need this in my life. The items above with * may get skipped on the El Camino days, but I'll see about having these brought to me each day so I can keep my goal. If not, 93 days of the above is still killer. <br />
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Wish me luck, I'm going to need it.</div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-16916413925889712482017-07-30T23:06:00.002-05:002017-07-30T23:06:39.948-05:00Looking Ahead into 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gonna be brief.<br />
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10 years ago I started running, one goal was to quit drinking and be a good runner.<br />
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10 years later and I'm mediocre at both.<br />
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August 1st 2018, Gina and I will be running the Trans Pyrenees.<br />
<a href="http://www.transpyrenea.fr/important-info/roadbook/">http://www.transpyrenea.fr/important-info/roadbook/</a><br />
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This is the greatest challenge either of us have considered. 200K of vert, 535 mile, 20 days.<br />
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I want to be my best.<br />
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Also, I have a personal challenge of 880 mile bike ride across Texas in late Feb 2018.<br />
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Did I mention the 888K Infinitus as well in 2018? I'm signed up for that.<br />
<a href="http://www.endurancesociety.org/infinitus.html">http://www.endurancesociety.org/infinitus.html</a><br />
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I don't know if I can complete any of these 3 adventures.<br />
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But I do know, that if I want a shot, I gotta be better.<br />
<br />
From Nov 1 to 100 days later, I will run 20 miles per day. <br />
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I have to get ready.<br />
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I will not drink any alcohol until Sept 2018, starting Aug 1 2017. <br />
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I'm working on some diet options as well, but will up veggies and reduce meat.<br />
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Wish me luck. Long road ahead.<br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-86001493593551501952016-10-18T23:18:00.000-05:002016-10-18T23:18:12.057-05:00The Flavian Amphitheatre or Amphitheatrum Lazaruium<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In the modern era, none of us are competing in the arena before an emperor or throngs of cheering Romans. Although it's very clear that <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=35790" target="_blank">Big's Backyard</a> is not "The Coliseum", it is "a coliseum." Laz is no Titus, however one could imagine him to be an emperor of sorts as well. What's ironic is someone using a nom de guerre of Hebrew origin, celebrating a race cast in the historical context of a "gladiatorial fight to the death", when it was the imperial <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavian_dynasty" target="_blank">Roman Flavian</a> dynasty who not only built "The Coliseum" but also destroyed the Jewish <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple" target="_blank">Second Temple</a>. Laz has put together a simple concept in a race, with no gimmicks. For anyone who's ever said they will never quit, please come to this event. This is no obstacle course race with faux challenges. This race is the most authentic spectacle imagined in regards to one's will to continue.<br />
The concept is very simple. At the start of the hour all the runners start running a 4.166 mile loop, and must complete that loop every hour. At the start of the second hour, this process is repeated again, and again. You must answer the bell each time, at the start time, or you are out. Every one is in first place at the start of each hour. This process continues until every one quits, except the last man (or woman). It's only 4 miles per hour. A 15 minute pace. Anyone in decent shape can run a 15 min pace right? If you've ever read Stephen King's "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Walk-Stephen-King/dp/1501143824" target="_blank">The Long Walk</a>" then this idea is even more intriguing. <br />
We started with 46 souls who, with steely determination, vowed to be the last man or woman standing. I mean, with the inspirational shirt we were given, how could we not be inspired? This is a re-print of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum#/media/File:Jean-Leon_Gerome_Pollice_Verso.jpg" target="_blank">painting by Jean-Leon Gerome</a> called Thumbs Down, or Pollice Verso.<br />
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This event was scheduled to start at 0700, but Laz and crew decided to start it at 0645 to give the last daytime loop the max amount of light. Materially it does not matter when it starts, you have 60 minutes to complete each loop. At 0645 Laz rang the bell. We sauntered off in the typical ultra-marathon way. Which basically means there were a few claps and half the field began walking.<br />
To the Mike's great entertainment along with Laz and Bill, the race had begun. I venture to guess that there were many side bets made throughout the day. Who would be first out, who would be out on loop 4, etc... I could only run. I ran with a Garmin for the first few loops to make I knew where the mile splits were and the time that I should be at them.<br />
The Start of the trail loop had a short out n back on the road, which would take me about 5min. Mile 1 was just past the log that you had jump over once you ran down hill from the Big house and turned hard left. About even with a big, round hay bale on your right, close to the fence. You needed to be at the Big house at 55min after the hour and at 57 min after, the hay bale. Mile 1. Mile 2 was where a big rock was in the middle of the trail, after you passed the cave and crossed a dry creek. That needed to be 11 min after the hour. Mile 3 was where the lolly pop completes the circle and you run the handle back to the Big house, to the start. You needed to be there at 24 min after the hour. Back to the Big house at 35 min after the hour. If you did this, you could have 4 to 5 min to spare between loops. <a href="http://mcmtiming.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Hour29.htm" target="_blank">As you can see from my splits here</a>. I was running about a 13:15 mile pace. Not too fast, but not too slow. <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1410503500" target="_blank">Here is what the loop looked like</a>. Based on my level of training since the end of June, that's the best I could do. And really, why do you need 10 min to stand around every hour?<br />
As Loop 1 progressed into Loop 2 and so on, one by one, and slowly our motley crew began to dwindle. Some of the runners, it was very evident that they would not last long. Whereas others, when they were no longer running, you felt a bit bad for them. Around loop 6 or 7 I tried to lure some folks into a mental trap. On the out n back, I said loudly, to no one in particular, but hoping anyone would take the bait, "Man it sure is hot, I bet one of you just want to quit. Prob just tired, huh?" No one really took the bait on my trolling, but one guy mentioned he agreed about the heat. I made a joke about why the devil don't live in Texas. He don't live there because once he came to visit and was upset about the heat and went on back home. Many woes befell each person. Some may have had to poop, some may not have been able to keep the pace, some were laid to waste due to hydration or electrolyte issues. Some lesser men, stubbed their toe. :) By the end of Loop 12, there were only 18 runners remaining of the original 46. 39% of the runners remained after only a measly 50 very slow miles. <br />
We started Loop 13, with 18 jovial souls who may have been confident that they would, in fact, be around when the sun came up. Still standing. However, this fate was not to be. I watched loop 13 and 14 pass, sizing up the remaining runners. This road loop, was an out n back style, so you could see every runner. It was dark and almost no one wore a headlamp. Until the moon actually rose, it was hard to make everyone out, exactly. I noticed two runners, one male and the other female, running fast, way out front. It just didn't make sense to me. Why would the run so fast when they didn't have to? I mentioned this to one of my compadres, and noted with glee, "By loop 22, the 10th road loop, the lady runner would be out." I had numerous friends that were out there. In the dark, shuffling, running. I did not feel bad, except for my left Achilles tendon, and a blister on my right foot that developed on about loop 9 or so. <br />
Gina crewed me all day, and had done so in 2014, the first time I tried this event. She's basically a champ. Every loop, every time, she had what I needed. Mashed potatoes. Nobody can mash instant potatoes like my woman. And she had 1.5 scoops of Carbo Pro, .5 scoops of Vitargo in a 20oz bottle. I used <a href="https://ultimatedirection.com/clutch/" target="_blank">the Clutch</a> and <a href="https://ultimatedirection.com/amp/" target="_blank">the Amp</a> soft bottle handhelds from UD. The Amp sucks, the Clutch is good. Every loop, I'd be like, "Did you salt these potatoes?" She'd be like, "Yea, I put a bunch." No matter what she said, I said, "Gimme that salt shaker." Then I'd put salt on those potatoes until they glistened in the sunlight. We bought Velveta cheese to put in the potatoes, but it made me puke so, no more queso. I was fortunate that the Mike's kept her entertained between loops and her preparing for the next loop, or it would be tough to get her to help me, other than the fact that she loves me and that feeling is mutual. Basically, crewing for this event is bullshit. I'd never do that. I hate crewing. I'm a selfish basterd. <br />
I'd been dealing with plantar issues on my right foot IT band issues on my left knee since late June. So the night before the race I did a crap ton of myofasical release work. During the inter-loopal period, I'd try to release my psoas, my glute med, and piriformis with a foam roller and other devices. Also, I had Gina push my ankles to my ears while lying on my back. Of course the Mike's got some nice laughs out of this move. All of these techniques kept me going, so I'm not going to complain. <br />
Out on the road we pined for the Sun. May the God Apollo, lay his rays up us so that we awake from this nightmarish dream. This dream of never ending out n backs. We lost many friends in the night. The fast lady runner on loop 22, her beau on loop 20. Among others. But not until the middle of the 24th loop did Apollo's chariot begin to make it's way across the sky. At this time and since the end of loop 22, there had only been 4 weary travelers on the road. In reality there were 4 travelers, two weary and two ripe as spring chickens. Myself, I was a weary traveler. <br />
Starting loop 25 us weary few, "band of brothers" answered the bell. As John Donne graciously reminds us, "We <a href="http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/donne_for_whom_the_bell_tolls.htm" target="_blank">asked not for whom the bell tolls, it tolled for thee</a>." I almost did not complete this loop. I knew I was done for. But, a remaining spark, a faint spark, grew into a conflagration inside of me and I thought to myself, "I'm not going to time out on this lap." With 17 min and a mile to go, I ran and did not stop until I reached the timing mat with 2.5 min to spare. As heroic as I felt, within the next 25 min all was changed. Loop 26 at about 2 miles in, I sat on a rock. I fell asleep briefly. I woke up the instant that I fell asleep, walked to the next rock. Just past the cave. I sat on that rock and immediately fell asleep again. I reversed the course, took off my bib, and walked in. I ended up with 4th place and 25 loops. In 2014, I ran 29 loops. However, I was not disappointed. This year, the race ended on loop 29. </div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-84910419706305457512016-04-05T21:14:00.002-05:002016-04-05T21:14:41.293-05:00What is Ultrarunning to You?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post is really a "call for comments" and maybe a bit more. Some of us have been running/ultrarunning for 10 years, some for 5 and some for 20 or more. What is enough? Is 5K enough? If you've run 100 miles numerous times, is that enough? What is the next thing? After 7 or 8 years do you, or have you thought, "Man WTF am I doing? Why am I still doing this?" <br />
You got some runners that 5k is enough and they do them for 20 years, and thats just fine. Maybe they jump into a marathon or half from time to time. Then you got some folks who run around for 6 days or 200 miles or walking for 100K etc... It seems that there is no satiation to their quest of achievements. Some folks take up the "next challenge" because it it truly challenging, and sometimes it's because everyone else has done it, so I want this on my bucket list. <br />
Then there are folks who try to court sponsorship claiming that because of X,Y,Z factors, they are the most awesome and they have this story. Whether it's contrived or not, I will leave it up to the reader to interpret. Still others just go about their bad ass achievements and they aren't seeking any limelight. They just deliver, and everyone else can stand there, agape.<br />
Where do you want your running to take you? To what end and for what purpose? Is running the end you seek, or some other end? Can you achieve them with out the fan fare and hoopla? Does anyone even give two shits? </div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-17500445270844750552016-03-28T15:13:00.000-05:002016-03-28T15:13:07.795-05:00Squashed Plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The last time I wrote in this blog I told about how I planned to do a canoe race and to ride my bicycle across Texas. Well, both plans are squashed. I figured out by the end of Feb that the canoe race was not going to fit into my schedule. I wanted it, too. For some reason my pickup truck quit running, so I worked on it a bit and couldn't get it figured out. With the truck not running, it's pretty hard to haul a dammed canoe around in my G37. <br />
The canoe race was not a big loss. If I wanted to spend the money, I could have got the truck going but decided that I would table the boat race idea. I had slowly started dumping money into the bike anyway and didn't want to be carrying around a ton of debt. One of my side goals is to be completely out of debt by 41 including the house. So, no big deal. <br />
The bike ride training was going good all the month of February and things seemed to be on track. I even rode 150 miles down to almost Port Aransas. I needed to get new shoes because the shoes I had were too narrow and were making my feet go numb if I rode for more than a few hours. <br />
After the new shoes and cleats came in, I figured I should go and get fitted, since I don't know shit about cycling shoes and cleats. I did that, and right away in early March I developed an IT band issue in my left knee. After about 200 miles, I went to a different place which does fittings on a computer with some software. I feel better, but the IT band is still nagging me.<br />
Reluctantly, I've decided to reschedule my bike ride across Texas until late October or early November this year. Luckily I was able to change my plane tickets and not take a hit on those. My most import goal of the year is another attempt at Nolan's 14, so I will be focusing on hiking and running from now on out. <br />
After about 30 days, I'm hoping that I can get back on the bike with no knee pain and can work that cross-training into my schedule. Ultra-marathons and mountains are what I like the most, so I'm eager to get started on my incline treadmill hiking. I even broke out the hypoxico machine and did 30 minutes on it today as well. My diet is slowly taking shape; I'm hoping to finally get down to a weight which is conducive to hiking up 14'ers. <br />
It is not always the case that one lays out plans and those plans come together. I thinks it's all for the best. I hate cycling anyway. If you think walking for 24 hours is boring, try riding in a canoe for 24 hour or more. </div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-62722129141099680702016-01-28T22:32:00.002-06:002016-01-28T22:32:36.885-06:00Two Goals Till June<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I figured since I don't know much about cycling and even less about canoeing, why not try some epic adventures regarding these activities. Two goals I have this year are to ride my bicycle across Texas and complete the <a href="http://www.texaswatersafari.org/" target="_blank">Texas Water Safari</a>. <br />
For the cycling, I spoke with the owner of <a href="http://www.actionbikes.bike/" target="_blank">Action Bikes</a> here in town. I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy, but I've dropped my bike off at his shop to get it fixed up with the things I need. Such items as, lights, hand pump, good tires, and a rack of some sort. Who knows what else. I mentioned this idea to some friends who told me about two separate cycling groups, the <a href="http://www.hillcountryrandonneurs.com/" target="_blank">Hill Country Randonneurs</a> and the San Antonio <a href="http://www.sawheelmen.com/" target="_blank">Wheelmen</a>. These groups have rides of various distances, so I guess I will link up with them. I picked up a bike trainer off Amazon so I'll do some riding each day during the week as well.<br />
I'm not sure how long it will take to ride across Texas, but the distance from New Mexico to Louisiana, is about 860 miles. I plan on starting at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino and ending after I cross the state line at Orange, TX. After a some training I think I should be able to ride about 200 miles a day. We'll see. So about 5 days. I plan on going Vol State style with little sleeping, etc... Riding across the state just sounds like a cool adventure, so I'm in.<br />
The canoeing is another animal all together. I don't know shit about canoeing. I do know one of the guys here around town that has done the race 5 or 6 times and I was able to link up with him this weekend. He was a wealth of information. I'll be trying to link up with him as the year progresses and do some training runs. In the immediate future, I'll be taking a canoe out on Town Lake. I'm a member of the Texas Rowing Center and they have canoes to rent.<br />
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:::::::-------- Update, I started this blog a few weeks back. So as way leads on to way, already there have been changes. <br />
<br />
Cycling - I got the bike back from the shop. Rode pretty good over the last two weekends with a big weekend planned this weekend as well. <br />
Canoeing - I have a "learn to paddle" class scheduled for Saturday in San Marcos, TX which I'll ride my bike to and from. About 70 miles. I linked up with a dude who rents canoes, and has finished the race like 35 times. After the paddling lesson, I'll go check out what he has for rent. <br />
<br />
Training - What I'm doing? Quite a bit actually. I'm not at 100% of my target goals, but here is what I'm striving for.<br />
<br />
0400 - Wake up, foam roll light stretch. Breathing exercise with <a href="http://www.expand-a-lung.com/" target="_blank">Expand-A-Lung</a>. <br />
0430 to 0730 - 1.5 hrs on TM walking at incline. 3K row, 3K ski erg, 3k ft Versa Climber. Easy 3 miles with my dog to get her in shape for the summer. (or 1 hr bike) Various core exercies.<br />
1130 to 1230 - Lunch - some rowing, ski erg VC, with heavy DL, GHD exercises and Heavy KB swings.<br />
1700-2030 - Run. Spend some time at 90% max HR or above. Intervals, tempo, etc... Then 1 hour bike. <br />
<br />
Weekends until April will revolve around lots of cycling. Up to 10 hrs in one day. Some paddling, and vert training after April <br />
<br />
That's where I'm taking my training for now. Doing a lot of twisting core work and Indian clubs for the shoulders. Need to get in some push ups. <br />
<br />
These goals are totally out of my wheelhouse, but I like to do stuff that is challenging. I still have Nolan's 14 this year. Three big goals for the year. And if the cards play just right, a Hardrock to complete. I'm a bit apprehensive, but that helps to sharpen my focus. <br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-76615088580661733542016-01-06T16:16:00.000-06:002016-01-06T16:46:35.657-06:00Snowdrop 55 Hr: Loopity Loop Loop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over the holidays I was fortunate enough to run the <a href="http://snowdropfoundation.org/event/ultra55/" target="_blank">Snowdrop 55Hr</a> Solo event in Sugarland, TX. The race started on Dec 30th and ran through Jan 1st. I ended up with 100 miles and a sweet buckle in about 35 hours. At .74 miles per loop, it took 134 loops to make 100 miles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23is3U-ZfZJO2KI5GcQduahzKeGd-pKhh298JCQD1aaaxMQf0PCOHpNeshKnXHP2ornDtFmh-5BoWIRE5zBQ4sm-aZ-azMYOTxuRncPM0c2VKPnDFAqTTIMh3e3PY47CbNsOYTaBZdPDs/s1600/snodrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23is3U-ZfZJO2KI5GcQduahzKeGd-pKhh298JCQD1aaaxMQf0PCOHpNeshKnXHP2ornDtFmh-5BoWIRE5zBQ4sm-aZ-azMYOTxuRncPM0c2VKPnDFAqTTIMh3e3PY47CbNsOYTaBZdPDs/s320/snodrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The buckle is pretty sweet. I'd been saying for at least 3 weeks I didn't really want to run the event. My training had been slipping since early November, so I was feeling fat and out of shape. I felt good skinning up the mountain up in Steamboat over Christmas, but I wasn't feeling running around in circles for two and a half days.<br />
Originally, when I signed up, I thought I could run 200 miles. That was back in August or September. Little did I know I'd be faced with some work issues. In early November my employer laid off a number of folks. Two from my team. Some guys I'd known my whole career. One was my old boss who I'd worked for directly for eight years. I guess I took it a bit hard.<br />
My flight back from Colorado was cancelled early Monday the 28th of December after being delayed for about 8 hours. I wasn't able to leave CO until Tuesday afternoon the 29th. Once I arrived in San Antonio I had to pack, load up the dogs and drive to Houston Hobby Airport and pick up Gina which happened to be about 1AM the 30th of December. About 6 hours before the race started.<br />
We arrived at the race venue about 0330. Thankfully Vincent from <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/" target="_blank">Trail Toes</a> had already set up the tent for us. We knocked off a few hours and woke up to start the race with everyone at 0700. After about 2 hours, I stopped to send a few work emails and take a nap. Around 1130 I got back out on the course. <br />
Being totally tired did not help my disposition. In the afternoon, I thought that since I had plenty of time I should go ahead and finish the book I was reading on my Kindle. I was reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Revenant-A-Novel-Revenge-ebook/dp/B00M65OFY4/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1" target="_blank">The Revenant</a>. The movie comes out tomorrow night! I've already bought my ticket. By dark I wasn't quite done with the book. I'd gotten over the fact that I didn't want to be at the race, and decided I should run a bit.<br />
Through the night I slept two different times for about 4 hours total. I spent time running with Vincent, Dimitry, Kelley, and Will. I spoke to Matt a bit about his upcoming attempt on the TIR 200 solo. Also, Gina ran/walked a few laps. The night drug on and on. But finally the night yielded to the day. I pulled the Kindle back out and finished my book. Once it was done, I picked back up with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Catch-22-50th-Anniversary-Joseph-Heller/dp/1451626657/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1452117825&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Catch-22</a> but didn't finish reading that book. Pretty hilarious book about military life.<br />
I had another book on my Kindle called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Run-Faster-Less-Effort-Essential-ebook/dp/B00AXHUEI8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452117940&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+run+faster+with+less+effort" target="_blank">How to Run Faster with Less Effort</a>" . I joked with some folks, saying I'm reading this book so that I can learn some stuff. :) I wasn't really reading it though. I got a few laughs from folks with that joke.<br />
Finally the total number of loops reached 110, so only 24 more to go. I ran a few fast ones with Joe Fejes, who set a 48 hr age group record and reached 250 total miles in 55 hours. He's the real deal. The RD Kevin Kline is a great guy and made a big spectacle for everyone who reached 100 miles. He spared no expense whooping everyone up when I finished my 100 miles. Here is a pic of us with the buckle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lF3vbdrbxNP_TlKAt3TBuAXHOwYdl1Crx2fGxHB31waZdpEKsmyM4P-aTVabLVja5Pr5AO5ZuX50E-RvTnbAtV0qFbUWmrnpIHH2YVs64ASORvgJ-H5XPQdl3nGxMGSzrFU20dIk08ub/s1600/buckelpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lF3vbdrbxNP_TlKAt3TBuAXHOwYdl1Crx2fGxHB31waZdpEKsmyM4P-aTVabLVja5Pr5AO5ZuX50E-RvTnbAtV0qFbUWmrnpIHH2YVs64ASORvgJ-H5XPQdl3nGxMGSzrFU20dIk08ub/s320/buckelpic.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
All in all, Kevin puts on a world class event. I had a great time. The food was delicious, hot chow, and ultra food. A nice warming tent with TV's playing football games. I think that I will be back next year. Nice place to chill and celebrate the running lifestyle I guess I've been living for some years now. Life could be worse. :) I feel like I crossed another mental hurdle with this event. One of just accepting and getting shit done. Whether it be on a boring .74 mile loop or not. Thankfully I had Gina to make sammiches and I didn't have any blisters or ball chaffing. <br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-47463610291504188922015-12-21T21:45:00.000-06:002015-12-21T21:45:23.228-06:00Dear Brother: The Johnny Walker Commercial <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With one view, and the hundred or so that have transpired since I'm not so sure whether it's the video or the poem that strikes me the most. I had two step brothers growing up, one I knew better than the other. But, neither well. I substituted good friends in a brothers place over the years, and my commitment to them has never wavered, however that commitment may not always be prominent. I'll let you flesh out your opinions:<br />
<br />
Walking the roads of our youth,<br />
Through the land of our childhood, our home, and our truth,<br />
Be near me, guide me, always stay beside me so I can be free.<br />
Free…<br />
Let’s roam this place, familiar and vast,<br />
Our playground of green frames, our past,<br />
We were wanderers. Never lost, always home,<br />
And every place was fenceless and time was endless.<br />
Our ways were always the same.<br />
Calm my demons and walk with me brother,<br />
Until our roads lead us away from each other.<br />
And if your heart’s full of sorrow, keep walking. Don’t rest.<br />
And promise me from heart to chest to never let your memories,<br />
Die. Never.<br />
I will always be alive and by your side. In your mind,<br />
I am free.<br />
<br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-57197468301275023202015-10-12T22:45:00.000-05:002015-10-12T22:45:01.073-05:00Grand Canyon 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever been to the big ditch? If not, you should go. This was my 3rd trip. Once in 2011, 2014, and now 2015. After 2011 I fell in love with this blonde beauty, who didn't return my affections. However the last two times I went because of my step brother Jason. But since we're not really step-brothers anymore, I'll just call him my brother. Last year, he completed a Rim 2 Rim and took the shuttle back. This year he went down South Kaibab to Cottonwood, Ribbon Falls, and back up the Bright Angel trail. <br />
The "funny" thing about the Grand Canyon is that once you drop off the rim, you're fucked. Mostly because you gotta get back out, on your own. And brother, it's killer. This year was also special because my friend and confidant, Gina made the Rim2Rim2Rim trip with me. After last year Jason wanted to go back and complete the whole enchilada. However, due to work and kid obligations, he was not exactly ready for an out n back. Kinda like all of us who've aspired to run big. And do big stuff under the power of our own locomotion. <br />
When we were kids we'd watch wrestling and then go out in the yard and wrestle for hours, to see who was a tuff mutha phuka. Hacksaw Jim Dugan and Ric Flair, you know. 4 thousand horseman. hahah. Can you say choke hold? <br />
We parted ways at Cottonwood. Gina and I up to the North Rim and Jason to Ribbon Falls and back out. Gina and I ran like hell to make it to Phantom Ranch before last call which is at 1530, and we made it with 3 minutes to spare. We met up with a buddy named Jay who also ran with us at Vol State. Us three ran together from Supai Tunnel up to North Rim and back to South Rim via Bright Angel Trail.<br />
When the cashier at Phantom Ranch Canteen said, "You can't take those with you." After I ordered five Budweiser thirty minutes before close, I replied, "Yea bruh, I got this." We also bought Gina a headlight since she forgot hers, again. <br />
We reached the 3 mile water stop as I was singing George Strait and quoting lines from Cool Hand Luke. We heard a faint voice, "Hey John, is that you?" I replied, "Well yea bro. Who else would it be. You alright?" Jason said, "Yea man, I'm good, just tired." I sent Gina and Jay along and hung with Jason for a bit, checking on his status. All was well. <br />
The crux and crucible of the Grand Canyon was apparent. We chatted and he said he was okay, so I went ahead. Was he in a bind? Gott dammed right he was. But, it was his time. He suffered with the best of anyone who's ever suffered doing big stuff. <br />
About an hour after we topped out, here came Jason. In my view, he got more out of the trip than we did. He got to stare into the abyss, and come out the other side with a new found confidence in how much suffering he really can endure. <br />
We hit the pizza place for shitty pizza and shittier service, and then made our way back to the room to finish off the Fireball and fall asleep. The trip was awesome, I mean, if you can excuse the shitty "Mexican" food we tried all over the state. Hey Arizona, if you wanta learn how to cook, come to San Antonio.<br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-14050976291262094372015-09-24T17:30:00.000-05:002015-09-24T17:30:04.060-05:00Training into the 2016 Season - Year 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm going into my year three of serious running training. While it's true that I'm going into my 9th year of running, the first 6 I didn't really train much. My training years run from Sept to Sept. It just worked out that I started running in Sept of 2007. And, the mountain running season is during the summer so by Sept/Oct all the big mountain hundos are over.<br />
In the 2013-2014 running year I ran about 2300 miles give or take, and the 2014-2015 season I ran about 3200 give or take. This past year was a breakout year into the multi-day world and I had numerous 100 mile plus training weeks. So where am I going from here?<br />
For 2016 I really only have one priority and that is completing the Nolan's 14 line. Of course I will be putting in for Hardrock and Ronda dels Cims is on the table. And I'll sign up for The Bear 100. The Bear sign up is in case of no Hardrock or Ronda, I'll still need to keep a qualifier for the Hardrock lottery in 2017. <br />
I was able to speak with a few pretty awesome running coaches this year and 3 things are evident.<br />
1. I've got a huge aerobic base<br />
2. I don't do any LT training.<br />
3. My downhill running sucks.<br />
<br />
Doing my own research for myself and for my own clients I found some interesting information that I'll generalize here. SkiMo, Rowers, and Cyclists train about 25 hours a week and generally have the highest Vo2 MAX. Runners train about 15 hours a week. How much time is spent in what zone etc.?? I didn't look to hard for that. However, I'm firmly convinced that one needs to train for a long time and very consistently to cause significant eccentric growth of the left ventricle. And the majority of that time needs to be 80% or less max HR. Based on this, I'm working this mix until Januarary.<br />
Since I've got as much time as I need during the week/weekend being young, sexy, single, and all I can train up to 25 to 30 hours per week. However, I don't want to spend all that time running because I want to limit my running time to around 8 to 9 hours or 50 to 60 miles a week for now, until January. To make up the difference in "cardio hours" I'll be using the Versa Climber, Incline Treadmill walking, AirDyne bike riding, Cycling, Indoor Rowing, and hopefully some skulling on the lake in Austin. <br />
On Running, Tuesday will be 300M downhill repeats. Thursday will be 800 to 1600 M repeats. Saturday will be local 5K or 10K. W/F/Su will be runs under 80% max HR varying from 5 to 15 miles or so. The Tu/Th/Sa runs are way intense up to 165 to 180 BPM. The downhill repeats are for turnover! <br />
I've been trailing riding my bike to work and that is not so bad. I can get about 1 hour per day pretty easily. The VersaClimber is fun and 3K a day is a great goal but can go to 5K. The Concept2 is a bit boring but you can get a great workout at 5K or hopefully 10K a day. A caveat on the Concept2 and AirDyne is the upper body training you get out of it. Most every account I read in Milroy's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Training-Ultra-Running-Andy-Milroy/dp/1780913249" target="_blank">Training for Ultraunning</a>" regarding multi-day is the need for upper body strength. On the Treadmill to keep my climbing efficiency, I'll be working up to 40% grade with 40lbs vest and prob create some various protocols that keep you engaged. The extra cycling and lake rowing I hope to do on the weekends which will encourage me to get out of the house and go see the world even more!<br />
Of course this is my general plan. One still needs to do a bit of core work and foam rolling etc.. I'll be logging this training pretty well and hope to repeat quite a few of these workouts each week so there is objective data come January. With this and a great diet, I should really see some step increases in performance over last year. I'll state it now, I want to run under 30 hours at Hardrock if I get in. So that is what I'll be working on. The type of fitness that is required for my Hardrock goal will be the same that I'll need for Nolan's 14. <br />
This is what is on my mind for training, what plans do you have?<br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-27898602848206698202015-09-09T10:44:00.003-05:002015-09-09T10:44:57.886-05:00Mountains No Mas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm sitting in my cube here at work. The mountains are no longer vivid. The faint whisper of a dream is all that remains of my epic summer in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawatch_Range" target="_blank">Sawatch</a>. I owe so much thanks to Gina and Will for their help with our <a href="http://mattmahoney.net/nolans14/" target="_blank">Nolan's Projec</a>t. I think I understand now, what the hell is going on out there. I'm looking forward to 2016 and I'll be organizing my schedule to focus exclusively on another attempt. Of course I'll put in for Barkley and Hardrock, but outside of that my focus is on the Nolan's Line. The training that will be necessary for each of these events is very similar and complimentary. <br />
I have about 8 or 9 handwritten pages which tells the story of the summer of 2015. The scouting, the pacing, the beer drinking, the attempt, and the fun times in Leadville. I'll publish that later on this week. What did I learn? <br />
Two things. The African proverb is true, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." In this case, the Virgina Slims marketing campaign was also right, "You've come a long way, baby." <br />
So, go out there and find something big to do. Real big, commensurate with your current ability level. Grab some of your friends and go for it. Don't look back, take some risks. You may not succeed the first time, or the second time, but you will go far and you will come a long way. Much further than you would have otherwise. If life is relationships, then you'll form no stronger bonds than those of shared experiences whether they be of misery or happiness. <br />
</div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-40025248150314085872015-09-01T15:25:00.000-05:002015-09-01T15:25:14.579-05:00A Walk Through the Sawatch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The time draws near. The preparations have been made. The batteries have been charged, the maps marked up. A good friend asked me to take a walk through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawatch_Range" target="_blank">Sawatch</a> with him over Labor Day. I couldn't say no. <br />
Almost 9 or 10 months ago, I received an IM, "Hey bro, you want to give Nolans a go?" "Yea I'd love too, but I don't know the route," I said. "You come up and learn it, I know the route and I'll show you," Will said. <br />
So, here we are tying up lose ends, getting ready. A better part of the summer spent in Leadville and quite a few dollars on plane flights. A number of visits to the Mexican food joint, the coffee shop, and seeing Mr. Dooper. A month with the hypoxico mask on my face. And even so, there is no certainty. We can only hope that the weather is favorable. We can only hope that we have the intrepidity to continue. There is a 60 hour time goal out there, but that is not necessarily my goal.<br />
From the beginning, for me, it's been about the climbing and the line. Time does not matter. It's about the effort, not quitting, paying homage to the mountains and homage to those who've come before. My plane doesn't leave till Tuesday night, time is on my side. <br />
<br />
“Stand tall on the summit after a tedious climb. Take in the remarkable
scenery and the exhilaration of accomplishment. But don't pause for
long; there are greater mountains to climb while you still possess the
drive and capacity to do so.”- Richelle E. Goodrich</div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-87166353330280704682015-08-27T15:46:00.001-05:002015-08-27T15:46:30.471-05:00Reflections on Eight Years of Running<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My running Fiscal Year Eight is drawing to a close. Of course it's not really a fiscal year, just stealing accounting/budgeting terms. But in August of 2007 I was in Washington D.C. with my middle sister, running around the mall, past the White House etc.. when I decided I would run a marathon before I turned thirty. I came back to my home in Selma, TX linked up with a running group in Sept. A group of ladies, housewives, working moms, etc... On November 11th I ran my first marathon. On 8 weeks of training. Boy did I have a lot to learn.<br />
At the time I was dating a friend I had known since high school, and I was truly into her. But I had a lot of things I needed to work on. I'm not sure if I identified those things and started running, so I could sort them out. Or, rather I started running and those things appeared to me things I need to fix. Either way, I felt I had to go through that learning/discovery/fixing process alone and broke up with her. I haven't had an actual "girlfriend" since. Sure there have been some liaisons, but there have also been my beautiful lady friends who are just that, my good friends. <br />
The last eight years have been one hell of an experience. And I've learned quite a bit about myself, about running, and life in general. I fell head over hills for someone who did not return that same affection. Changed job positions at work, had about 4 new managers. Traveled around the world, tried to give up drinking, then drank more. <br />
I thought it would be cool to have a "fan" base on social media, and through my blog. I've sent out post cards, etc... from Hardrock and India. Then one day I felt overwhelmed and just deleted one thousand or so folks from Facebook. I left almost every ultraunning group I was in. Unliked page after page, and even made all my You Tube videos private. I turned inward the further and further I ran, and no longer wanted to share my experiences though video or written form. <br />
I started a sole-proprietorship run coaching business called <a href="http://www.sharpruncoaching.com/" target="_blank">Sharp Coaching</a>, mostly for tax purposes. I made some mistakes, but I also have helped quite a few athletes achieve their goals in running. I felt honored that they chose me to help them and they were successful. My part is minimal in the process, they did the work. I have been fortunate enough to work with my good friend Vincent and be a part of <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/" target="_blank">Trail Toes</a> and <a href="http://www.tire-trainer.com/" target="_blank">Tire Trainer</a>. <br />
I have almost lost count of the number of 100 mile or longer distance races I've DNF. It doesn't really matter anyway. I've run in various mountain ranges: Himalaya, the Rockies, the Appalachians, the Wasatch, the Davis, and Guadalupe. In various states: CO, CA, VT, GA, UT, WO, TX, MO, AZ, AL, TN, and maybe a few more. Even have been to Nicaragua and India twice. <br />
Initially I thought running would "take me some where" in the existential sense. I'm not sure if it did, but I have traveled a bunch. I'm still your quintessential impatient, but very direct American/Texan where ever I go. I don't mind that at all. <br />
In the first few years when you start running, it's all about oh I'm a runner now so all the issues I have gonna be all better, just like so and so in that book I read about his running. Then you figure out, that maybe, you like who you are, but just need to accept it. So you don't change too much, but have the courage to tell folks to go fuck themselves. That's always a good feeling.<br />
I'm at the point now where I feel like, hey I can actually run and I know what I'm doing. At least more than I did 5 years ago. And I still like running. I still like the challenge/thrill of a 5 mile run or a hike up the side of the mountain. I can run in circles for days or travel point to point. <br />
What's running brought to me in life? A new lifestyle. Great friends. Something to talk about with the dude down at Starbucks as I'm pulling a tire down the freeway. Self-satisfaction. I think that in Jan of 2014 I made a resolution to affect change in at least one person though my commitment to running. In 2014 I feel like I did that. I feel the same today. <br />
I learned that my two main drivers in life have been fear of abandonment and fear of not being accepted. When you can really reach down real deep and come too as simple of an answer as that, then you've run enough, and you've thought enough. Now, what can you really do once you have those answers? Man, I don't know. But I found them. Now I don't listen to music much when I run or when I'm at home, or the TV for that matter. I don't feel the need to zone out and play some noise in the background for company. I'm okay right here at my kitchen table. No worries.<br />
As I sit here with my Hypoxico mask on, at 82% O2 saturation, I often wonder, "WTF am I doing this for, this running, this goal setting?" I wish I could tell you I found the answers we're all looking for, but I'd just be lying to you. I guess just because I like it. Kinda like key lime pie. I just like it.<br />
So I hope to see you on the trails, the road, on the side of a mountain. Or hell maybe even on your road bike. I may not even yell obscenities at you. And I hope that you get to the point where you run, not from your problems or because of them, but just for the sake of running. When you reach that point, then the birds will always chip, the sun will shine even when it's cloudy, and your breathing won't be labored. </div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-63939352903486349612015-06-16T22:27:00.003-05:002015-06-16T22:34:47.676-05:00Getting High In CO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This past weekend I went out to Leadville, CO to get high with Gina! We didn't get as high as we wanted, only about 13,200 ft or so, but we did some exploration. We were checking out the the <a href="http://www.mattmahoney.net/nolans14/" target="_blank">Nolan's 14</a> course. This is a route of 14 - 14,000ft peaks in the Sawatch Range in CO. You can watch the <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nolans14/112023687" target="_blank">movie here</a>. My buddy Will asked me if I wanted to give this a go this year, and jumped at the chance. I checked out <a href="http://door5.com/2012/08/22/1195/" target="_blank">Jared Campbell's</a> blog post and downloaded some maps, drew the course on them, and left for the airport on Thursday.<br />
Jared is the man in UltraRunning. You don't see him in too many flashy videos or advertisements in magazines, or web pages. He's what I consider the ultimate amature (if that is even fair) old school style UltraRunner in the vein of Blake Wood, and many others. I look up to these guys and of course Joe P. I have been lucky enough to run on the same course as these folks a few times at Hardrock and they really typify the essence of old school ultrarunners.<br />
We arrived early AM in Pb and visited with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF8ZdwpnTLQ" target="_blank">Bill Dooper (watch this film</a>). Bill is really just a great guy and I always like to chat with him when I can. Then we headed over to see Donna @ <a href="http://www.leadvilleoutdoors.com/" target="_blank">Leadville Outdoor</a>. She is the greatest and we chatted it up for while. Head on in to the store and pick up some stuff, tell 'em I sent you. <br />
After killing time, we headed over to Fish Hatchery to check out the start trails, which is pretty simple. Then up to Halfmoon road to check out the route on the back side of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Massive" target="_blank">Mt. Massive</a>. We wanted to make it over to the back side of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Elbert" target="_blank">Mt. Elbert</a>, but the creek was too high because of all the snow melt. Later, we went to Hwy 82, stopping at the general store in Twin Lakes. They had a sweet map with better trails so I grabbed that and a few beers. We spent some time looking for the trail off of Elbert where it meets Hwy 82 and also the La Plata Peak trail head. That was all successful.<br />
It was cool to drive over to Winfield. I'd never been there in a car, just twice in '09 and '10 when I ran the Leadville 100 where I DNF both @ Halfmoon In. We checked the other side of La Plata and the road up to Mt Huron. Once this was complete, we headed back to Pb for Mexican food at the new joint they opened up. It was pretty good. And also over to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScarletInn?rf=120843117930003" target="_blank">Scarlet Bar</a> for 1$ PBR draft that was now 1.50$.<br />
We ended up staying at <a href="http://www.delawarehotel.com/" target="_blank">The Delaware Hotel</a>. It is a historic hotel and I'd never stayed, so we gave it a whirl. On Saturday, we headed up the trail via the back side of Massive. It was a nice climb, but I was pretty winded. We got started late because I had a headache all night. I wasn't drinking enough water on Friday. To many margaritas. The snow was pretty soft so we didn't fool around crossing the snow fields to the summit, mostly because it was almost noon.<br />
In the late afternoon we headed down to Buena Vista to check out the backside of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Yale" target="_blank">Mt. Yale</a> where the CDT crosses the hwy. Stopped at a local brewery and ate pizza. We met up with Greg and Cassie at the rodeo arena which is in the shadow of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Princeton" target="_blank">Mt. Princeton</a>. Pretty badass. I was able to explain some stuff about each event, showcasing my rodeo "knowledge" . Hahaha. After we arrived back in Pb we went over to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Manhattan-Bar/118342079531" target="_blank">The Manhattan</a> and did some slummin. <br />
On Sunday we went over to give <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Plata_Peak" target="_blank">La Plata Peak</a> a try, from the Hwy 82 access. On the way there, we saw like 5 bighorn sheep on the side of the road. Impressive animals. I might get a bighorn sheep tattoo one day. We got another late start. The altitude was killing me this trip. I was pretty bummed. However we started up. Weather was okay. We didn't summit, but did some bouldering traversing under the ridge. I was scared shitless.<br />
Once we came off the ridge, we stopped again in Twin Lakes @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheTwinLakesInn" target="_blank">The Twin Lakes Inn Restaurant</a> and had the best appetizers evarh! Plus the Moscow Mules were pretty damm tasty as well. Heading back into Denver, we discusses strategies for training and also for Gina's Leadville 100 attempt.<br />
I've got quite a bit of work to do. I'm kinda scared of heights, so exposed ridges suck for me. Plus I didn't feel good in the altitude, however that should get better. Once I finalize my updated plan for preparing myself, I might put that out here. It will entail lots of core work. :) <br />
<br />
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</div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-37366640499761522402015-06-10T16:42:00.002-05:002015-06-16T10:31:40.117-05:00What Does Infinity Mean to You?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Infinitus 888K is over and I only made 403 miles. At the end of 8 days I was sitting at 393, so one could say I averaged 50 miles a day or so. The course was not accurately measured but the general consensus was that the top loop of the figure 8 was about 9.5 miles and the bottom was 16.5 miles making it a 26 mile figure 8. Or some would call it a marathon per figure 8. Or 26.25 per loop. All of these distances were generally accepted. Regardless of the exact distance, the idea was that one was required to complete 21 figure 8 loops in 10 days, 240 hours. <br />
To complete the loops, one needed to run two figure 8 per day for 8 of the days and then 2 days where you would need to run 2.5 loops. So 8 days of 52 miles, 1 day of 61.5 miles, and 1 day of 68.5 miles. The top loop completion pace ranged from 2:15 to 4:00 hrs, and the bottom loop completion pace ranged from 4:15 to 6:30. The average being some where around 2:45 and 5:00 hours. With stops in between at the ski lodge, you were looking at 8 to 8:30 per loop, or 16 to 17 hours per day if all went well. If things didn't go well for you each day, you could be looking at up to 19 hours or more. To complete the course a day or two days early is a pretty monumental undertaking, but it could be done. I think the winner and only finisher finished at least 24 hours before the 240 hour cut off or a bit faster. <br />
I went into the event expecting to be on my feet at least 15 hours, up to 18 hours per day, so to fully realize that this was the case was not a big shocker or a let down. It was expected. The plan was simple. Complete 2 loops, and then sleep. Day 1, the 21st of May started at 0808 and I completed the first day by 2205. About 14 hours because it was Day 1. I was in bed by 2300 and slept until 0400 the 22nd. Five hours sleep was good! I had budgeted 1 hour in the AM to get ready and 1 hour in the PM to eat, wash up, foam roll, prepare for the next day etc... It turned out I didn't need an hour because of Gina and her crewing skills. Really if you got off your ass each AM/PM you only needed 30 minutes if you weren't battling blisters or nut sack chaffing.<br />
Day 2 through 5 went by okay with Day 3 I did 2.5 loops or 61.5 miles and didn't sleep well going into Day 4. Maybe 2 hours of sleep. End of Day 5 my feet were swelling really bad, but I didn't realize this was what the problem was. Day 1 and 2 were the same pair of Hokas, Day 3 and 4 were a different pair, Day 5 back to the original, and Day 6 I moved into the NB Leadville. All size 10.5. At the end of Day 6 or sometime during day 7, I bummed a pair of worn out Brooks Cascadia from Gary size 11.5, but the damage was done. Day 6 - 8 I think I only completed 1.5 loops per day, not sure if I went: 1.5,1.5,1.5 or 1,1.5,2. I don't recall. But by 0808 on Friday I was at 15 loops completed. Day 9 I didn't run any and drank beer. Day 10 I just did the top loop to get over 400 miles. Feet hurt so bad I had to lay down all day on Day 9, sitting caused them to feel like they had their own heart beat. It was not in my interest to ruin my liver on Aspirin or Advil. I like to save the liver ruining for alcohol. I never took more than the max recommend dosage, but to do so for days 6 - 10 I feel would have been ill-considered. By day 8 I was really chewing them up. <br />
There was quite a bit of mud and moisture on the course in various places, not to mention the mosquitoes. They really put a damper on things. I didn't concern myself with, OMG, what if I get blisters, because I had a shit ton of <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/" target="_blank">Trail Toes</a>. Eight jars to be exact. <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/trail-store/trail-toes-tm.html" target="_blank">The big jars</a>. I used at least a half a jar per day on my feet and groin area. This product works great. I didn't have any blisters. However, I knew it would also be irresponsible to go sloshing around in the mud all day. My original plan for this whole race was to use trekking poles and I brought two pair. A 120cm pair and a 110cm pair. Using the poles I was able to vault over mud obstacles, pivot around obstacles, and generally helped keep my balance. Additionally, I was able to keep my glutes in the proper position with my torso upright. Only once during the whole 10 days did I get my feet wet and that was on one day where we received a ton of rain and I could not cross the creek hopping on rocks b/c the level was way too high. <br />
I had a pair of gloves on almost the whole race. Some cheap fingerless weight lifting gloves to protect my hands, because of the poles. I broke one of the 120cm poles on day 2, so I was stuck with the 110cm and I finally made my peace with those poles. I did not think the 110cm were long enough, even for my height. I did spend about 3 half-loops running with Will and one half loop running with Joel. Also, Gina went with me for a total of 4 figure eights. For the most part I ran by myself about 10 full figure eights, or 5 of the running days. Lot's of time alone. I had a ton of sinus drainage which caused me to hack and cough constantly with a hoarse voice. Not sure where it came from, but I had been that way for about 2 weeks prior to the race. It sucked because I couldn't sing very well to my music. Luckily I had a bunch of buffs which I attached to my UD Krupicka pack and was able to blow my nose a bunch. <br />
Regarding the two different sized loops, this made us employ a different strategy on each half of the figure 8. The top loop had water at mile 7. So only 7 miles before water re-supply and only 9.5 miles total. The bottom loop of about 16.5 miles had water at mile 3 and mile 10 or 11, the same spot. This loop was like a lolly pop and water was at the bottom of the pop. So we had 10 - 11 miles we needed water for, we were forced to take along more calories. Rarely did we ever catch a break on the bottom loop with wind or with the bugs. No wind, lots of bugs. The two instances where we had shitty weather, the snow/cold front and the heavy rains, I was sleeping. I was really lucky. <br />
Gina did fabulous job crewing. We have worked together on 4 other events, so we get along pretty good. She made the food, ran to town to purchase more supplies, etc... Also she asked her friend Erin to bring out the pop up camper which was a godsend. Gina's mom also let us borrow her car, fixed up a cooked ham for us and numerous other cool things that I probably don't have a clue about. We had to reach out to our Phone-a-Friend resource a few times by calling Vincent. He sent more Tailwind and more <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/" target="_blank">Trail Toes</a>. This was an added bonus. Also, we went to Amazon and ordered two more jugs of CarboPro for overnight delivery. The most important achievement of all was that I did not yell and was not a dick to her. It's really easy to be all pissed off and treat your crew like shit when your blood sugar is 60 and you haven't slept, but you should refrain from those actions. If you finish your event and treat your crew like shit, they should take away your swag and you should kick your own ass. Without her logistical problem solving, commitment to my success, and general badassery then I wouldn't have been able to accomplish much. This event was 50% logistics/mgmt and 50% running. So half of the success she was responsible for. <br />
The course, in general, was easy. I have described the length of the loops, etc... There was a nice climb on the top loop, but nothing crazy. The bottom loop along Chandler ridge sucked, but there was no crazy climbing. Had I not been there to run for 10 days, the whole course was runnable. However that climb on the top loop woulda kicked my ass had a tried to run the whole thing. In essence, the 50ish miles a day is really achievable on the course. It really was only in the mind, had you prepared properly physically, that you find your defeat.<br />
What was I doing there? Man, I don't really know. Andy had sent me a message asking if I wanted to come and run the Peak 500 back in January of 2014. I happened to be in Brazil at the time and had just completed the Brazil 135. I was getting ready to run Hardrock last year so I had to politely decline, but made a commitment to run the Peak 500 in 2015. I'm not sure why I made that commitment. Maybe I need to get my head checked. I followed with great interest the post on FB last year during the Peak 500 and was like, "Man, maybe I should have went. I wonder what it's like?" Because of Andy's reputation from the folks I knew that knew him, I could not say no when he and Jack founded the <a href="http://endurancesociety.org/" target="_blank">Endurance Society</a> and presented the <a href="http://www.endurancesociety.org/infinitus/" target="_blank">Infinitus 888K</a> last October 2014. I signed up right away.<br />
January of 2015 came fast. I was just off my 100K PR of 9:46:xx at the Houston Running Festival, a DNF at Bandera 100K, and was bummed that I didn't even make any wait list or anything for Barkley. I figured I should now turn my attention to Infinitus. I thought, "John you have been ultrarunning for 7 going on 8 years, you have a TM that goes to 40% incline, a hypoxic machince, and every other freaking BS thing out there, so let's make a plan and stick to it for real." I came up with this elaborate 17 week plan and sent it over to my friend and mentor Joe P. He sends me back a terse reply, "I was thinking F/SA/SU - 50/50/50 and then M/T off, W 5, TH off." Oh really? 155 miles a week, huh? My first problem was I can't run 150 miles a week. And 50 miles a day 3 days in a row, that is absurd. That's when it hit me, if I can't run 50 miles a day for 3 days, what makes me think I can do it for 10? <br />
So I revised my plan. I spent 8 weeks or so building up to 125 to 135 miles, since I was easily running 75 to 80 mile weeks for over a year. This was about 10% per week. Then I went for the 50/50/50, week on, week off for a 6 week cycle. Never hit the 150 miles+ in a week but I tried and learned a lot. Great training. Even pulled two tires along the freeway for 25 miles which took me 9 hours. Looking back, I would have done 50/50/50 for 6 weeks in a row but did more walking and would have ensured that I only received 4 hours of sleep Friday and Saturday night. Basically wake up Friday morning and run 30 miles before work, 5 to 10 and lunch and 20 to 30 after work. Sleep 4 hours, get up on Saturday and stay on my feet until about 11PM, sleep 4 hours and do the same again Sunday. That would have been a bit more realistic. I could run/walk/pull tires, anything. Road or Trail. The big key is getting used to the time and the lack of sleep. <br />
What did I learn? Lot's of stuff. Mostly that it's not too hard to run all day, especially if you have a baby sitter. I like how lots of folks daydream about a "running lifestyle" or the "born to run" Christopher McDougall bullshit (that guy don't know shit about running), or say things like, "I wish I could quit my job and just run all the time." Those are all bullshit statements. I say to them, "Have you ever tried to run all day, for 10 days?" That shit ain't as easy as you think. Try it. You are most likely better off keeping your job, and just running an hour a day as a hobby. I'd rather run a 100 miler any day. That shit is easy, in comparison. You might have some ups/downs but you'll typically be done in 24 to 35 hours. How would you like have those ups and downs for 168 hours or for the whole 240? How would you like to to look at the board that marks your progress and after 5 days of 18 hour days only be half way? If that sounds like your idea of being a badass, then by all means sign up and let's get after it. <br />
I also learned that this bullshit you hear from yoga practitioners and wanna-be Buddists (who don't really understand what they hell they are talking about) telling you to "stay present", that is a crock of shit. Stay in the present moment and you wont have the foresight to tell your crew, "Hey pack me extra CarboPro for the bottom loop, last time I ran out of calories and bonked." That simple statement involves both the past and the future. It involves forward planning and learning from experience. If you are "present" in the "now" you can't actually make a statement like this. This bullshit about "just be present" and everything will be okay, is nonsense. You're just trying to deny reality. Look, your feet hurt and there ain't shit you can do about it, but denying it won't solve your problem. Human beings are goal oriented beings who act. <a href="https://mises.org/library/quotable-mises-0" target="_blank">Ludwig von Mises</a> has many quotes regarding this: "Human action is purposeful behavior" ; "Action is an attempt to substitute a more satisfactory state of affairs for a less satisfactory one." ; "Most actions do not aim at anybody’s defeat or loss. They aim at an improvement in conditions." ; "The vigorous man industriously striving for the improvement of his condition acts neither more nor less than the lethargic man who sluggishly takes things as they come. For to do nothing and to be idle are also action, they too determine the course of events." I really like Mises, so I felt like throwing his quotes into the report.<br />
I learned that you should preview every song, speech, or any thing you put on your music player. Don't just randomly grab whole records and throw them on your player. Some asshole put together a Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits and I pulled that off the 500G drive I have. I'll tell you, everyone of those songs sucked ass and I know a lot of Willie songs. I could not believe it. What a crock of shit. If I didn't know already, Martin Luther King Jr. was a great orator. Way better than Churchill. Kennedy was pretty good as well. <br />
I should have known but I'll not soon forget the lesson in foot swelling. Dammit. Once I realized that screwed up my whole race because my shoe choices, I felt like this starting about 1:50:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/trn1aO8h9Uo" width="560"></iframe><br />
Also that even though I brought 2 jugs of CarboPro and 2 bags of Tailwind, that wasn't enough for 10 days. I like grilled cheese with shit tons of butter. They are even better when you dip them in Miracle Whip. There are lots of folks claiming miracles in this world, but Miracle Whip is the true miracle. It's trans-fat free with lots of sodium and vitamin K, for whatever that's worth. I almost regretted all the times I talked shit to the Germans when I was stationed there about dipping their french fries (pommes frites) into mayonnaise, but I stopped just short of regret. Plus it ensures that the bread is moist so that you don't cut up the inside of your mouth. I still hate ramen. Spam got old after day one. Olive oil is still good to drink.<br />
What does infinity mean? As one of the signs on the course said, "We think of infinity as a really big number, but it’s not. It’s endlessness." And even though the Infinitus 888K did come to an end eventually, while we were in the whirlwind, we couldn't fathom it. Why is the infinity symbol shaped like an eight that is just laying on the ground? Eat shit, John Wallis. While I'm no Carl Jung and don't profess to know anything special about "Man and His Symbols" the sleeping eight did come to represent something for me. I came to view each end of the 8 where one end of the ellipse is representing human suffering and the other is representing the human will. As long as man exists, there will always be both. Which one will conquer the other? Who are you? </div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-73369488293263461972015-06-09T16:23:00.002-05:002015-06-09T16:23:29.088-05:00Infinitus 888K - Log Book Notes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Below are the notes that Gina wrote down in the log book for Infinitus 888K. These are published here for your education and amusement. <br />
<br />
Thursday 5/21:<br />
Breakfast - grits, olive oil, salt, span, coffee, olives, 1 scoop of Carbo pro, and tailwind. <br />
0808 start on top loop, in @ 10:23 out @ 10:29. Switched to 120 poles<br />
In from bottom loop @ 1442, out on top loop 1455<br />
Lunch: chicken noodle soup, saltines, spam, 2 scoops tailwind<br />
In from top loop @ 1725 out @ 1737<br />
Ate cornbread, crackers, broth, chicken noodle soup w/olive oil<br />
1 scoop tailwind, 3 scoops carbo pro.<br />
Completed second figure 8 @ 22:05. 2 full loops<br />
Ate grits with butter and oil, 2 ham sandwiches (big) w/ Miracle Whip<br />
Drank 2 PBR. In bed by 2300<br />
<br />
Friday 5/22:<br />
0400 wake-up. breakfast - grits, olives, drink of olive oil, 4 scoops of Carbo Pro. <br />
0450 - left for start of 3rd figure 8 back in @ 0710<br />
Ate PBJ with fritos, carbo pro refill, coke, mtn dew, coffee<br />
Out for bottom of 1st figure 8 @ 0720 and back in @ 1145<br />
Lunch: pbj w/fritos, soup, crackers, salt, oil, carbo pro, tailwind<br />
Out at 1155 for second figure 8 and finished whole loop @1945<br />
Ate ham sandwiched, mac & cheese, drank 2 PBR<br />
in bed by 2100 <br />
<br />
Saturday 5/23<br />
0345 wake-up. breakfast - grits, butter, oil, coffee, out @ 0440 for start of 5th loop.<br />
finished top loop by 0705. ate mac & cheese, grits, coffee, coke<br />
out @0730 and finish up 5th loop 1200<br />
Ate grilled ham& cheese, mac&cheese, coffee coke<br />
Left for 6th loop @ 12:20, completed top section by 1520<br />
1525 out the door for bottom of 6th loop, and back in by 2020<br />
ate chicken noodle soup/crackers out the door by 2025<br />
back in from top of 7th loop @ 23:35<br />
ate 2 cheese brugers w/ tons of Miracle Whip, pasta salad. 62.5 miles this day<br />
In bed by 0000 , maybe had 1 PBR can't remember. <br />
<br />
Sunday 5/24<br />
tossed and turn didn't sleep for shit<br />
up at 0415 - breakfast grits, PBJ sammich<br />
out the door 0510 and back from bottom of 7th @ 0955<br />
ate grilled cheese, burger, chips<br />
out for top of 8th loop @ 1010 and back to lodge @ 1300<br />
out for bottom of 8th @ 1325, and back to lodge @ 1900<br />
ate chicken noodle soup<br />
out for top of 9th loop @ 1915 and back @ 2230<br />
ate ham sandwich, turkey sandwich, and drank 2 PBR<br />
in bed by 2315 or so i am guessing<br />
<br />
Monday 5/25<br />
0430 wake up. breakfast - grits, coffee, coke<br />
out for bottom of 9th @ 0510, back at 1015<br />
ate cheese burger, grilled cheese, coffee, coke, out for top of 10 @ 1055<br />
back from top of 10th loop @1340<br />
ate turkey sandwich w/advocado, mac & cheese.<br />
out for bottom of 10th @ 1400, back by 1930<br />
ate grill cheese, mac & cheese, and chicken noodle soup.<br />
out for top of 11 @ 2010, back @2330<br />
ate 3 cheese burgers and drank 2 PBR.<br />
Feet started hurting like a MF'er here cause of swelling in shoes. <br />
Also had bad quad strain in the vastus medialis<br />
would have been asleep by 0015 or so here, maybe later<br />
slept on floor of lodge for about 1.5 hours, moved to camper later<br />
<br />
Tuesday 5/26 <br />
0800 wakeup, feet pretty painful here and the log is no longer maintained.<br />
ate grits, coffee, out the door by 0900, I think i did this lap with Joel in 6:30, the bottom of the 11th. <br />
<br />
First 10.5 loops went to plan. For the most part. Due to excruciating foot pain due to swelling and not having bigger shoes, I didn't discipline myself to get up at the proper time on the 26th, so I'm now 4 hours behind for the day. The loops continued to be slow as shit. I am not sure if I bummed shoes late this afternoon of the 26th or if it was on the 27th, which was day 7. Either way, I think I ended with 15.5 loops. So 403 miles or thereabouts.As you can see, my plan was to ensure that I slept at least 4 hours per night or more. To complete 2 loops per day, and find two days, not back to back to do 2.5 loops. With rest the most important aspect of my plan. Sleep hours each night were around 5, 6:45, 2, 5, and 7 hours. I wanted to have my sleep time during my regular times of sleep which ranges from typically 2300 to 0500. This was my first time attempting a multii-day and I was derailed by what I consider a rookie mistake of not having a larger sized shoe. The swelling really did a number on me. Hopefully this information can help you plan your daily day to day. See you next year. <br />
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johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-39754506271636490702015-06-04T11:54:00.000-05:002015-06-04T11:54:02.128-05:00Wait For Eight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
During the long march of the <a href="http://www.endurancesociety.org/infinitus/" target="_blank">Infinitus 888K</a>, I spoke with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/william.bradley2" target="_blank">Big Will</a> numerous times and one time I mentioned that maybe when this bullshit is all over, I will write some poems. So here is one that summarizes my experience. <br />
<br />
At eight 'o eight, from BBH we originate<br />
Our plan consummate, no pain we contemplate<br />
Around the figure eight we oscillate<br />
Underfoot ground rolls, flows, and undulates<br />
<br />
Green Mountain State, mosquitos don't abate<br />
Our efforts Nature's gamut renumerates<br />
Sleep we prorate, never satiate<br />
Feet carrying freight, changing gait they grate<br />
<br />
Many days amalgamate, each loop of the figure eight<br />
Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate, never capitulate<br />
Our fate awaits, the outcome au fait<br />
With our mates, no longer blate, time infinite <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-72705400931570126802015-05-19T10:48:00.001-05:002015-05-19T10:48:09.400-05:00Motivational Quotes - The Stoics <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you are like most everyone else, which I am as well, sometimes when we have a big challenge on our plates, we look for something or someone to help us. Maybe a talk with a mentor or a friend. The great thing about print literature is that we can lean on mentors who are long gone.<br />
I've always felt that Stoic Philosophy fit my personality traits of internal locus of control. That I'm in control. I may not be a very good Stoic, but there are a bunch of Jews, Muslims, and Christians that aren't too dammed good at their religion either. <br />
But don't confuse Philosophy with religion. Philosophy is the cornerstone of all knowledge. An overarching umbrella that influences all our thoughts on all subjects whether we know it or not. The greatest crime of reason is to hold a thought and take some action and not truly understand what "first principles" these ideas come from. The study of philosophy is paramount; so that we may become the rational actor as our nature dictates. <br />
Stoicism falls in the branch of philosophy called Ethics. Ethics is the third branch of philosophy which follows Metaphysics and Epistemology. Ethics is important because it instructs us as to what has value, and it is only through value assignment and ordinal ranking of choices can we know what to choose, how to act, and when. I have collected some quotes from my three favorite Stoic philosophers and have written these quotes on 3x5 index cards. Each morning at Infinitus 888K I plan to read these quotes to help me get my ass out the door and get to doing the work that needs to get done. They are below for you to check out. I highly encourage anyone to study philosophy.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Marcus Aurelius</span></b><br />It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.<br />Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.<br />You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.<br />Our life is what our thoughts make it.<br /><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Epictetus</span></b><br />First say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do.<br />People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.<br />Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.<br />No man is free who is not master of himself.<br />He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.<br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>Seneca</b></span><br />It better befits a man to laugh than to lament over it.<br />It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.<br />It is pleasant at times to play the madman.<br />Not to feel one's misfortunes is not human, not to bear them is not manly.<br />One should count each day a separate life.<br />Those told to undergo what cowards would weep over should say, "God has judged us fit subjects to try how much human nature can endure."<br />
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Then I have this quote which I don't know who said/wrote it:<br />
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Whether the thing you want to do takes a long time or a short time, the time will pass anyway. </div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-215919277615675872015-05-18T17:05:00.000-05:002015-05-18T17:05:00.613-05:00Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Fifteen intrepid souls gathered at the <a href="https://www.chuys.com/locations/san-antonio/selma" target="_blank">Chuy's Mexican</a> food restaurant on Saturday May 18th, 2015 for a unique challenge. The challenge was to walk to the Chuy's on Barton Springs Rd. in Austin, TX. The event was started by Thomas Orf and Stacey Meyers about 5 years ago. See the quick write up on the history:<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Over the water cooler at work Stacey mentioned to Thomas, “Walking isn’t
that hard. Hell, I could walk to San Antonio from here.” And, that is
how the Chuy’s to Chuy’s walk was born. The event founders Thomas and
Stacey have made the pilgrimage from the Chuy’s on Barton Springs Road
in Austin to the Chuy’s in Selma, Texas each year for the last 4 years.
It’s high time we join them in this epic journey. Think Stand by Me
without the dead body and the rail road t</span></b></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">racks.</span></b></span> </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> I worked with Thomas and a few other core folks to negotiate a date and created an event on Facebook and we asked our friends to come and walk with us. In the spirit of the event, you must walk and the main party should advance together as well as possible. Here were the rules:</span><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span>1. We are not affiliated or sponsored by the Chuy’s restaurant chain. We are simply fans.<br /> 2. All participants must start and finish together.<br /> 3. You may only walk.<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 4. Running only allowed to catch back up after unscheduled stop.<br /> 5. Sticks are allowed.<br /> 6. Headphones and music are allowed, but you’ll miss out on all the great stories.<br /> 7. You are responsible for your own transportation if you decide to retire from the walk.<br /> 8. There will be approximately five scheduled stops for food and water resupply.<br /> 9. Reflective vest, blinkie, and headlamp are required.<br /> 10. Event organizers will not provide any support. Bring your own money for food and water.<br /> 11. Umbrellas are not allowed.</span></span></span></b><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> The concept of walking is simple, but oh so painful when one must walk for a very long time. Before cars, the most common method of travel was by foot. Humans are adept walkers and runners and made for it. The walking pace is typically 2.8 to 3.4 MPH. What does that mean to you? Take for instance a 28 in step with a pace count of 120. This is 28*120 = 3360 in/min. Which translates to 201,000 in/hr or 16,800 ft/hour, or 3.18 MPH. A 30 in step at 120 pace count the rate is 3.4 MPH. Why a pace count of 120? 120 is the U.S. Army marching cadence pace. During the American Civil war the standard was 28 in step at a pace count of 110. Which equates to 2.9 MPH. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> It is generally observable that the average person is wholly unprepared to walk a great distance. This is evidenced by the amount of blisters, the aching in the feet and legs at even 10 to 15 mile mark. Since we sit down most of the time, our core is weak and cannont hold up our torso for hours and hours on end. Our glutes do not fire and we walk with a soft middle. The back begins to ache, the hip flexors hurt because the glutes are not engaged etc... Blisters are typically on the heel due to over striding or heel slippage in the shoe. However blisters are not limited to the heel. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> Once we started, some stepped out just a bit to fast and pulled a ways ahead of the group. Some a bit slow, but over all it started as to be expected. After 4 miles a few folks stopped to grab some water at the gas station, check gear, and others decided it would be a good time to sit down for a bit. We carried on in about 10 minutes and our group coalesced. The pace was about 3.2 MPH overall as to be expected early on. Everyone seemed to be okay at this point. We were about 1.5 hours into the walk. Around mile 10 our first walker retired. Note that 10 miles is about 2hrs20min. Mile 13 or 14 we had our first stop at the Exxon on Solms Road and IH-35 south of New Branufels. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> Vincent Antunez with <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/" target="_blank">Trail Toes</a> did his first of many minor blister fixing surgeries. He used <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/trail-store/trail-tape-tm.html" target="_blank">Trail Tape</a>, <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/trail-store/trail-toes-tm.html" target="_blank">Trail Toes Cream</a> and his <a href="http://www.trailtoes.com/trail-store/feet-first-aid-kit.html" target="_blank">Blister Kit</a>. Some walkers ate food, some milled around, some resupplied their hydration and electrolytes. We carried on after about 20 minutes. As we were passing through New Braunfels our second walker, Billy, retired from the walk. This gentleman had just started exercising about 30 days ago and achieved 18 miles. That is pretty badass. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> The next stop was at Buccees on the other end of New Branufels @ Mile marker 191. Buccees is a big store and this stop took quite a bit of time, approx 40 minutes. Mostly because Vincent was fixing everyone's feet. I think at least 6 walkers were getting blister work done. Once we left we faced about 15 miles until the next stop. There are not many lights or stores in this section, save the Travel America that is 2 miles from Buccess so there is no reason to stop there. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> We lost quite a few folks here. It was getting late, almost 2200 by the time we left Buccess and we did not reach the next store until 0130. About 5 walkers retired before we reached San Marcos proper and were picked up by friends. At the Whataburger in San Marcos we left a few more walkers and marched forward with 6 of us left. We didn't reach the next convenience store in time for a beer so that was a huge let down. We made our way through town but before we reached the other side one other walker retired. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> San Marcos is a dangerous place at 0230 in the morning on a Saturday night. Lot's of drunk college kids swerving around, yelling out the window. Party buses, but no tittes were flashed. That was a pretty big let down. The section between San Marcos and Kyle is long and lonely, about 10 miles with no stores or lights except a big car dealership. Which we stopped at to lay down for 10 minutes. As we got up to continue 2 cop cars pulled up flashing their lights. The paper guy called us in to the police as punk kids. This place gets cars broken into a lot, so the cops are always getting called there. They were cool and gave us high 5's. And probably were on the radio all night saying things like, "Man, we met some dumbasses out on the road, walking to Austin. Yea, man walking to Austin." </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> At 0530 we made it to the 7-11 in Kyle. 41 miles or so in and 15.5 hours. We were here last year at about the same time. Stacey, Vincent, Jorge, and Gina slept on the side walk outside. It just so happened that the parking lot cleaners were there with their gas operated water sprayer so it was loud as shit and I couldn't sleep. I ate a donut and a sausage biscuit breakfast sandwich. We left about 5:50 and continued our inexorable march towards Austin with the knowledge of a huge storm, filled with rain, thunder, and lightening was about to blow right up our asses. And also with knowledge of the fact that in the next 30 minutes I was going to throw up that sausage biscuit sandwich. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> After a mile and half of burping sausage up, I decided to take manual intervention and puked my guts out. Yea. About 6:30 am, just before daylight. The rain came poring down. We weren't too far from a Chicken Express food chain so we ran for cover under their porch. We contemplated going to IHOP but we were soaking wet and typically they have the A/C on full blast and figured we'd be cold as hell and we wouldn't be able to lay down. So we stayed at the chicken place. We started shivering like crazy because of the wind and being wet. Luckily Stacy had like 5 survival mylar blankets and he busted those out. We spooned and covered up in the blankies. And slept. Someone might have gotten a chubbie, but no one admitted it. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> After 2 hours of shivering like a teenage girl in horror movie. Stacey called in some help for us. We decided that if this crap had not cleared up by 10AM, then we'd officially quit. We went and chilled out at Stacy's place and it was still pretty shitty at 10 so we bagged it. Besides being out in a rain storm in Texas with retarted drivers is never a good idea. We can walk another day. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> We let our friends know through FB and other media that the walk was over with 100% DNF. We went ahead and had lunch at Chuy's and some of other walkers met us there. We did not make it to Chuy's on foot this trip, but we had a great time anyway. We will walk this route again if you are interested here is the link. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/700032676788945/700066766785536/" target="_blank">June 27th Chuy Walk 2</a>. Apparently <a href="http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/top-fitness-trend-of-2015" target="_blank">Rucking</a> is the hottest trend in 2015, so this is rucking w/o a pack. But if you want to be a real badass son-of-a-bitch, by all means, bring your 30lbs ruck sack. Nothing would make me more happy than to see your badassness crushed by time and the fate of the walker. Below is the way bill text:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span>In the age of ever increasing event prices, this event is offered to you
free of monetary payment. However, you will pay with your mind and you
will sacrifice your feet. This past weekend we attempted to complete
the 5th Annual Salsa Walk and we had 100% DNF of the 15 starters for
various reasons. So we’re going back out on the road, offering up our
minds to be molded by the endurance of time and miles so that we may
truly comprehend endurance. There are no medals or swag be<span class="text_exposed_show">ing
offered for finishing. You are free to stop at any time your personal
goal is reached. The only reward you will receive is the one you earn
through commitment, it doesn’t hang on the medal wall, rather it fills
the mind with the confidence of suffering endured. In the words of the
great John Fodden “I shan’t wish you luck because if you haven’t trained
properly, luck will be of no use. And if you have trained properly then
you don’t need luck.”</span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> For anyone who would like to join us as we try again, I would suggest the following ideas:</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 1. Lose your attachement to time. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 2. Learn how to tie your shoes. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 3. Learn how to walk. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 4. Spend lots of time on your feet.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 5. Be Patient.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 6. Learn how to breathe. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> 7. Do core work. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> We hope to see anyone who wants to make new friends, challenge themselves in a totally unique way, who can tell good jokes, isn't a total #1 grade asshole, and remember time is not on your side. Time is your enemy. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show"> </span><br />
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</div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329621842620739908.post-15419266413021735652015-05-12T15:21:00.000-05:002015-05-13T08:54:25.976-05:005:18 Mile: How A Short Heavy Dude Smoked the Mile<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Sunday I ran the <a href="http://milsamile.com/" target="_blank">Milsa Mile</a> here in San Antonio. (<a href="http://chuckscore.com/results/2015/05_10_15.htm" target="_blank">results</a>) Surprisingly I ran a 5:18 for the mile and felt like I had a bit left in the tank. I didn't really expect that I would be able to run sub 5:30. My best mile a few years back was a 5:50 in training, with a Garmin. On Saturday I ran the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dash-for-Downs/164761733574633?fref=ts" target="_blank">Dash for Downs 5K</a> back home in 20:47 which equates to 6:41 pace which is not indicative of a sub 5:30 mile at least as far as I know. According to <a href="http://www.runbayou.com/jackd.htm" target="_blank">Run Bayou online VDOT tables</a>, it would indicate a 6:10 mile and a VDOT value of 47ish. VDOT is a pseudo-ish VO2 value which has been standardized over many years and tests by <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/threshold-training-finding-your-vdot" target="_blank">Coach Jack Daniels</a>. The 5:18 mile indicates a VDOT value of 56 and a 5K of 18:05. Could I have run sub 20 - 5K on Saturday, I think so, but not a sub-19.<br />
Anyway. One may suggest that I probably ran lots of 200M, 400M and 800M track work to get ready for this mile. However, as one would see from my training log, that was not the case. I have basically been running at or below 80% max HR. For the last 15 weeks. Early in the cycle in Feb, I did some mile repeats and a few tempo runs, but nothing recently.<br />
I basically train at 80% of max HR or less based on <a href="http://philmaffetone.com/180-formula" target="_blank">Maffetone 180 Formula</a>. This number for me is (180-37) + 5 = 148. Surprisingly, when I had my VO2 test done with <a href="http://www.amandamcintosh.com/" target="_blank">Amanda McIntosh</a> it showed my VO2 max is 53.6 and the top of my Zone 1 is 150 beats, real close to 148 and if you take the standard MAX HR formula of 220 - AGE = 183 * .8 you get to 146.4 . All of these numbers coalesce to 150 or less. <br />
About 3 weeks ago I did a test to see at what pace I could run and be @ exaclty 150 BPM. After a 20 min warm up I ran 4 miles @ 8 min pace @ 150 BPM exact. This was quite a bit better than December, about 45 sec per mile better. However, the tests were not exact replicas. <br />
My understanding of training at 80% or less and quite a bit of time treadmill walking at 70% or less is that what is happening is you are creating eccentric growth of your left ventricle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwax2rzYyx-WCmL84eSEZjO8RVIPVD2nbIz9oX4ncEm0SQU918ELkrTtQ8Q0Ailbt7K30be2BPRdji7X6dteowoSNS6PtdRlwktPOfAlfiL6kKl87DyJmbCG-utgNaj5_kj1fDTfCoera/s1600/heart-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwax2rzYyx-WCmL84eSEZjO8RVIPVD2nbIz9oX4ncEm0SQU918ELkrTtQ8Q0Ailbt7K30be2BPRdji7X6dteowoSNS6PtdRlwktPOfAlfiL6kKl87DyJmbCG-utgNaj5_kj1fDTfCoera/s320/heart-pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As you can see the ventricle get's larger and more voluminous. If you look at the <a href="http://www.brianmac.co.uk/vo2max.htm" target="_blank">VO2max</a> formula <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/363071-how-to-calculate-vo2-vco2/" target="_blank">(HRmax x SVmax) x a-vO2diff max </a>you'll see that SV, stroke volume, is able to be manipulated. It's call <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2300466/" target="_blank">cardiac remodeling.</a> Whenever I'm walking on the incline treadmill and not really pushing the pace, just 3MPH at 20% I imagine that my heart is growing.<br />
I will admit that tire pulling (mostly walking) and incline treadmill walking allowed me to get stronger while not doing any weights or core work during this last 16 weeks. And did I do a lot of running? Yea I sure did. In 15 weeks I ran 1257 miles which averages to 83 miles a week but with a max/min of 18/137. You could say it was LSD I guess. I did quite a bit of walking, maybe 35 % to 40% of the total miles could be attributed to walking as opposed to running.<br />
I like the article by <a href="http://www.scienceofrunning.com/2010/06/evolution-and-history-of-training.html" target="_blank">Steve Magness </a>where he talks about the evolution of running. I especially like the part where he bashes <a href="http://crossfitendurance.com/" target="_blank">CrossFit Endurance</a>. Cause it's bullshit. What is interesting to note, for a short heavy dude who ran lots of miles, I didn't get hurt (thankfully), I didn't really do any core training such as weights or situps, etc... I definitely didn't do a bunch Olympic lifts and didn't run any sprints. At 37 y/o @ 5'5 and 185lbs to be able to run a 5:18 mile without speed work, with out lifting weights (granted I have a lot of muscle left over from back in the day), and just doing LSD is probably not what CrossFit endurance or anyone would tell you is possible. I mean, I guess. Hell I didn't think it was possible, but it happened. Could I have run faster if say I didn't drink 6 or 8 beers the day before, if I was 165 lbs, and I had done some 400's and 800's, yea I prob could have went sub five minutes pretty easily. <br />
With everything said, do I have a formula? Yea and this is free. Pull tires, walk up hill, spend 15+ hours a week training at 80% or less up to 25+ hours week. Tell your mamma you love her, and pet your dogs. Have a beer now and again, move 6 days a week. Smile and tell jokes out there running. And be sure to piss off a few folks on Facebook. :) #movementmatters <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: red;">Yesterday I saw where I put 10K in two places where I meant to say 5K, this has been updated. </span></b></span></div>
johntsharphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01467322435128321396noreply@blogger.com1