You Don't Know Jack

Noticed one of my favorite wildflowers today... Jack In the Pulpit.  They've been emerging for a few days and have become more noticeable.

emerging

But not to be out-done, there are now Mayapple blossoms and another favorite (state flower of Colorado) Columbine.

Mayapple blossom

Columbine

Then to cap it all off, I ran across more morel mushrooms in one outing than I've found in a long time.  Good for a side dish at tonight's meal and likely some left for tomorrow.

I was quite sore waking up this morning so started with brisk hiking then after a couple miles things loosened up and was moving without any complaining from my knees.  Since this was designed to be a recovery day, I took the time to look for mushrooms around half way, then hurried home with the bounty!

10 miles today and another hiking session for tonight.

Getting Serious

I've been anxious to get in some longer runs as I build to the 50 miler on June 23.  I planned ahead today and carried some food in a drop bag that I could access every 5 miles.  So after the initial 2.5 miles to get to my loop, I took off hoping to make myself dizzy by repeating 4 or 5 loops.

I drained the handheld water bottle during each 5 and could also refill it near my drop.  I used my homemade gel during laps two and four and peanut butter/jelly sandwiches and salted potatoes at the start of laps 3 and 4 and also on the way home after 22.5.   The stretch between 15 and 20 was when I felt the strongest and ran very well there but during the 4th lap I felt more like walking and chose to finish feeling more upbeat rather than slog through another lap merely to reach 30 miles.  I will likely get out for a recovery walk this evening for a total mileage day that exceeds some of my weeks last year!  Still time to build the long run and feel ready for the third week in June.

25 miles running this AM. and 3 in the evening so the total for the week is 93 miles.

Inspiration

Today's run was postponed til after lunch because I attended a celebration of life for Mason City boy's cross-country coach, Dave Wilson.  Dave had died earlier this week after bravely fighting cancer in recent years.  We had had some great XC camps in the past and it had always been a privilege to be asked to volunteer at the camps and work beside Dave with the boys. 

Surprised by a Cooper's Hawk while in the woods this afternoon.  The trails were muddy and trees still dripping from rain.  The hawk just swooped down and landed in the tree above my shoulder ...so close I was counting feathers!

(borrowed photo)

I took it easy again while out today and also looked for more mushrooms...found my largest one yet this year but not many out due to cold , wet conditions.

almost the size of a fist

11 miles for the day

Drake Relays

Back late last night, then up early this morning to drive my wife to Des Moines for a Junk Jubilee at the fairgrounds.  While there, she met a friend from Mason City that happened to have an extra ticket available for the relays today...so off I went...another day at a track meet.  That makes for four different track venues within a week!  

Also came across an article that may help explain or at least give me another excuse to head out to the woods! 

3 mile hike in evening after arriving back home.  Slight bit of recovery today and tomorrow to prepare for a long run on Sunday.

2nd Day NJCAA Region XI T&F

Today was the bulk of the meet with most of our athletes getting a last chance to perform for the year...or to gain qualifying for outdoor nationals.  As the dust settled, NIACC now has at least 20 individuals headed for Texas in a couple weeks.  Some winning performances and some season and personal bests today.

Because of the meet, Curtis and I got out for an early morning run and used a nearby bike path to get to the flood wall of the Missouri River and then ran along the gravel path there.  For me it was a bit of a tempo run compared to most of my workouts and I was very pleased to hold the pace for 7 miles without needing a walk break. I did a brief hike later for a couple more miles. 

1st Day Region XI Outdoor T&F

Bus leaves before lunch to head to Council Bluffs for regionals so I got out early this morning to get some miles.  At one point, I felt I was being watched.

The morning lent itself to peaceful, easy running and I hit the back trails while listening to podcasts.  I also took a few moments to scout for morel mushrooms and lucked out with more than yesterday in about a quarter of the time!

I wish I had thought to take a photo of the prairie yesterday while the county crew was performing a controlled burn in order to promote the proper growth of native prairie grasses.  I took a couple shots of that prairie today.

10 miles.

Eye of the Tiger...Competition

Absolutely perfect running day today.  At one point, I had a Tiger Swallowtail flit by and land on nearby bush.  

As I ran this morning, I was acutely aware of competition in the woods...others looking for the elusive morel mushrooms.

Although I, like most mushroom hunters, get protective of "their" hunting grounds, I tolerated with full knowledge that I could cover more ground and get out to my secret places before they could!

There was a change in the dates of the Junior College Regional meet so they can compete without worry of weather that threatens to cancel.  So instead of this Friday and Saturday, it'll be tomorrow and Thursday.  So because I'll either ride along on the charter or maybe drive the NIACC bus if needed, this is important to  how I plan my own workouts this week.  Instead of the very long run tomorrow, I'll likely switch back to this weekend.  So that meant I wanted a bit more mileage out of today's run.  The extra was accomplished but I did, successfully, take some time in the middle to finally find a hat-full of morels that will become part of our evening meal tonight.

15 miles and recovery hiking later.