A log by any other name

Allow me to ramble...

After reading Anton Krupicka's blog this morning and being bewildered again by what he does week-in and week-out (189 miles last week, 170 the week before, 170 the week before that - most of it up a giant mountain, quickly, with no shirt on, and meticulously recorded), it occurred to me that my online ego monument has strayed far from its original intent. My little sidebar descriptor thingy over there on the right claims that I will chart my progress. And that really was what I planned to do. Yet, no weekly summaries, no in-depth race reports, very few instances of adding up the minutes spent breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Just some sparse prose on a very infrequent basis.

I do actually record my running times...most of the time. But sometimes I don't. I do calculate my weekly mileage and try to keep track of kilometer or mile split times during the very few speed work sessions I attempt to do. This is not done as much for the reason it should be done - to train scientifically, to monitor any physiological benefits, to reflect upon past workouts as a means to learn from mistakes already made (and there have been many). Rather, I admit that I like knowing that I am, on paper, a better runner at 38 than I was at 23. I like that the numbers support my claim that I am in better shape now than I have ever been in before. Vanity, I suppose. I don't run the super-mileage of Krupicka or Donaldson or Karnazes (though I do now wear North Face shoes like Karnazes does), nor even come close to approaching the pace of many runners my own age (or older), but no matter.

I do enjoy every moment I'm out there - on beautiful spring days when I feel light and strong, in inclement weather when my legs feel their heaviest or when my right knee aches. I run to think, alternately to engage or to disconnect, and that is what this site has become for me. Sometimes I record those thoughts here, more often I don't. As it has been from my first few and heavy steps in January 1994, I am caught up in the potential for change that running allows.

We do have a few things sneaking up on us quickly. Deanna and I, along with some Sea Bassers from work, are doing a half marathon on May 2nd. Six weeks after that, and a few days after our much-anticipated ten day tour of Turkey with our very good friend Altay, an actual Turk, we will run approximately 85km each of the 211km Ultrabalaton relay in Hungary. Then, if all goes as we hope, in September we'll try to become the first foreigners to complete the TransKorea 308km in that event's history. Beyond that, some Himalayan hiking and fodder for a future post.

Training Break #10

Faber est suae quisque fortunae.
- Appius Claudius Caecus

Real Men of BAMFness: Thomas Sanchez

Bloggy drought over. At least for today.

As mentioned before, I have no compunction about borrowing freely from the blogs and websites of others. It seems almost an inherent right in a [cyber]world where I can skulk stalk peruse the photo albums of strangers, read the innermost ramblings of people I've never met, and be connected by blogroll to folks living their lives in whatever cockamamie or inspiring way they choose.

I have been reading Jordan Rapp's blog since he started dominating the world of triathlon. I don't do triathlons, but that doesn't matter. I've never met the man and am unlikely ever to, but no matter. I can definitely appreciate his insight and his dedication to his pursuit of excellence. And he's funny, posting sporadically a series he calls Real Men of BAMFness.

A week ago, while out on a training ride, Rapp was a victim of a hit and run, left unconscious and bleeding heavily on the side of the road. As recounted here, a few bystanders called 911, but U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Thomas Sanchez jumped into action. Working with some gauze from a combat vest in his car, Sanchez staunched the flow of blood from two severed jugular veins in Rapp's neck until paramedics arrived.

Because Rapp didn't die on the road...
because you humbly give credit to the paramedics who arrived after you did and the doctors at the hospital for saving Rapp's life...
because you keep a combat vest in your car...

CPO Thomas Sanchez, you, sir, are a serious BAMF.

Ink

The other thing I do with my legs.

Looking forward

2009 saw some wonderful running moments, from two cracks at 100km to sharing in the great successes and triumphs of friends. Deanna set PBs all over the place and continued to be my Running Muse. Some days I ran well, others not. 

SBRC members near and far accomplished much; the highly-anticipated Bassies are currently under deliberation at the Home Office. If I can keep my nose out of any of the billions of books we seemed to accrue over the holidays, final decisions will be made shortly. Winners will be notified by carrier pigeon.

Last year at this time, I set time and training distance goals for the months to follow, some of which I met, others I didn't even approach. I think I even realized at the time the potential for invoking some manner of self-hex, to rile the twin trolls of Hubris and Folly, but opened my big mouth anyway. For 2010, I'm taking a less detail-oriented approach, and hope only for a great year of running. With one ultra in Europe already committed to, and two more in Korea in the works, I hope to push myself past the limits I set last year.

Making a list

In no particular order, here's how I know that this was a fantastic Christmas...

1. I spent the morning on the webcam with my wonderful family, spread liberally across four Canadian provinces, all of whom looked healthy, well, and downright festive.

2. I got some great books from the fat, ruddy-nosed, present-giving gnome. My presents to me. Deanna also bought me some books I can't wait to devour, and will set about doing so over the remaining sixteen days of this vacation.

3. In keeping with tradition, I ate enough for a Korean family of four.

4. I slept the early part of the afternoon away. And not one of those "close your eyes for a few minutes while slouching on the couch" naps. A real nap - an "in bed, clothes off, curtains drawn, telephone unplugged" nap.

5. We watched a few episodes of The West Wing, the apogee of small-screen evolution, one of only two series (Six Feet Under) I would even consider watching again in their entirety. Which I've done, working now on my third time with those zany senior staffers.

6. I received some very nice holiday wishes from friends near and far.

7. I went for a run. Outside. Wearing shorts. On the 25th of December. 

8. My amazing wife made me laugh, many times.

Going dark

Bourne-style.
That is, if Bourne spent less time running through dangerous places and doing other cool spy stuff, and more time changing the template on his blog from the white background to the black one.