Signs of Spring

Besides the fact that the NIACC track and field meets are now outdoors, the trails have also been demonstrating the right of passage into a new season. It seems that trail conditions converted quickly and easily into a very adequate state for good running.

The appearance of some critters that have been absent since last year also make this a special time for me. In the past three days alone, I've been surprised by an Eastern Bluebird, a Woodcock, and then a Leopard Frog. The birds caused a bit of a startle when they flew off but the frog, being even more cold-blooded than me, was very lethargic!

My high school nickname was Frog and I still don't know why?

The miles are coming a bit easier again so I've started to increase the daily mileage. 7 Tuesday, 6 Wednesday, and 8 yesterday. I'll likely get time for 6 this morning before we head to Des Moines with NIACC for this weekend's Jim Duncan Invite at the Drake Stadium track.

Stone Work

Quick photo update of the river from along the trail. Compare to series previously posted.

April 7, 2014

Continued out into the apex of the Badlands Loop and then beyond. I was surprised to find that someone had modified the rock bench into a much larger structure. The cairn had been deconstructed in that process so I took time to rebuild it. 

Cairn and bench October 30, 2012

Bench becomes a chair by December 4, 2012 (remained as such with minor modifications through winter 2014)

Bench rebuilt into a 7' structure 2014

In a podcast posted by Endurance Planet, Dr. Phil Maffetone described how he adds moving and lifting rocks or logs as a part of his exercise. I can certainly attest in regards to the total body work provided by these type of activities. My lower back and arms are particularly sore tonight.  

The weather has been very mild and after a brief morning shower it warmed up into the upper 50's for today's run. 8 miles.

Cornell Invitational

Yesterday was a very nice day for a track meet. The athletes seemed to agree by putting up some great performances. Full results are here.  

Highlights of the NIACC teams include 4 additional qualifying performances for outdoor nationals, 6 new school records, and several 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. Highlights and several photos can be found on the recently created NIACC Track and Field / XC Facebook page. 

Here's just a few photos from the day's outing.

photo courtesy of Assistant Coach Megan Bedford

photo from Cornell's website of Men's 800 with Veherney and Alex (partly hidden) running sub-2

I was slated to help with some chores in Clear Lake this afternoon so got out on Lime Creek early today for a pleasant 6 mile run on the trails. Ended up with 38 for the week so another consistent week of mileage but I really want to begin increasing in upcoming weeks.

Vision We've Lost

Woke up this morning to a bit of an "April's Fools" joke...fresh snow. Nearly all previous accumulations had been melted by recent rains so I, like most everyone else, was looking forward to some routine trail running.

This didn't stop me from going out on the Lime Creek trails and I was rewarded with a rather pleasant loop on a soft layer of very runnable snow. Seth Bell had been out snowbiking on the same trails earlier in the morning (as evidenced by tracks). Also listened to a couple podcasts and that resulted in another round of nostalgia for me. Mentions of running without equipment that we commonly have available today...like technical running shoes, water bottles or lightweight headlamps. 

I recalled signing up for cross country in high school. We were issued a pair of training flats that were so simple by today's standards, although some of today's "minimalist" shoes appear to be regressing to the same look.

around 1968 vintage converse runners similar to my 1st pair

As I continued to run today, thinking about equipment changes and a bit of return to older ways, I remembered a favorite song from some years ago by Dan Fogelberg called "The Wild Places." This includes the lines:  So many mountains before us;  So many rivers to cross;  Where is the wisdom to bring back;   the vision we've lost.

7 miles today after, basically a day off with a shopping quick trip to Minneapolis yesterday. We drove back before the rain changed to snow. But I was able to get restocked with coconut oil and a couple of different beers!

Dog Day Afternoon

Read an interesting link from the daily news posted by Ultrarunnerpodcast.  An article discussing the 10 best breeds of dogs to run with on the trails. Number 7 listed was the Dalmatian and immediately caused me to think back to when I ran with the Dalmatian we owned while the kids were growing up, Abby. She was a very good runner and would often go with me...but at that time, I seldom ran trails and usually ran roads. The upside of that was I never had to worry about trimming her nails!

My daughter, Calynn, with Abby...more than a few years ago.

In more recent years, we've been able to dogsit for my son's dogs...first a male pit-mix from New Orleans named Buck and now a female pit-mix from Chicago named Piper. Both these dogs love(d) to run the trails and (did) do quite well at it.

Buck

Piper ready for a winter run.

And just to help demonstrate a point I was making yesterday, here's a photo of the recycle cans and bottles I collected during the first 5 miles of today's 8 mile loop. I ran out of bag space so passed up the cans in the final 3 miles.

Running Pays!

At least there's one advantage to being forced to run roads while the snow banks of winter are thawing! The photo above was from yesterday's outing and then today...more of the same...only to a lesser degree.

The bills were easy picking but the real haul was $25 worth of deposit cans that I've pulled in over the past week. Collecting the cans causes numerous interruptions in my flow as I've tried to improve on my running distances. However, the extra work in going in and out of ditches then carrying increasingly more additional weight seems to be giving me more of an overall workout.

8 miles yesterday for a 40 mile week then started this week out with 6.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

There's been some Canada Goose activity along the stream and river lately. I understand that the Canada Goose mates for life. But the river ice apparently feels no such allegiance and has been vigorously "breaking up" due to the melt and rain this week.

Obviously not a good time to think about getting out in a canoe. Ran in the cold rain yesterday but today was much nicer. Held back a bit with 5 miles each day.