Trails and Travails

Still alive and kicking. Took the rest of the week pretty much off. Been doing a few long walks with my mom (she got here Friday and leaves tonight) and did a short, hard run this morning just to burn off a little pent up energy. Other than that, I've been training my alcohol tolerance pretty well while she's been here

Ran with my brother last night in Davis. And his dog, who prevented me from "dropping the hammer" in the last half mile. I think that was my brother's plan.

Then about 25 people showed up at his house and we played beer hockey. Oof, headache.

Camping tomorrow-Sunday.

Sounds like fun - have fun camping!

John Kilpatrick wrote:Sounds like fun - have fun camping!

+1

Knew I could count on the two of you to drop in

Did another run this afternoon and uploaded the last 4 onto the computer. I knew they were all around the same length (time), but didn't realize how close they were. 31-33 minutes. Seems to be what my body likes right now; just a half hour to get the blood flowing.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Ran with my brother last night in Davis. And his dog, who prevented me from "dropping the hammer" in the last half mile. I think that was my brother's plan.

Then about 25 people showed up at his house and we played beer hockey. Oof, headache.

Camping tomorrow-Sunday.

Is that anything like beer pong? Played that with my son and friends at his college graduation party. Serious fun.

It's much, much more fun. Constant action, constant drinking. Although you can't slam dunk like you can in beer pong.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Knew I could count on the two of you to drop in

Did another run this afternoon and uploaded the last 4 onto the computer. I knew they were all around the same length (time), but didn't realize how close they were. 31-33 minutes. Seems to be what my body likes right now; just a half hour to get the blood flowing.

We're watching you like a hawk. Waiting for you to catch fire again.

Any day now.

Nice runs!

Mark - The motivation to run is coming back. The motivation to run on ridiculous trails/hills... is not. I would kill to move to Davis for a few weeks just to have endless miles of pancake flat roads. Then maybe back to the trails.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Mark - The motivation to run is coming back. The motivation to run on ridiculous trails/hills... is not. I would kill to move to Davis for a few weeks just to have endless miles of pancake flat roads. Then maybe back to the trails.

Hey - you'd love south Georgia!

You sure about that, John? I mean, yeah, I like country/bluegrass and would probably love all the deep-fried goodness... But...

Mike MacLellan wrote:Mark - The motivation to run is coming back. The motivation to run on ridiculous trails/hills... is not. I would kill to move to Davis for a few weeks just to have endless miles of pancake flat roads. Then maybe back to the trails.

Sounds like this is good news! I'm happy to hear that Mike. Soon you'll be back with a renewed sense of energy and motivation I'm hoping.

Mike MacLellan wrote:Mark - The motivation to run is coming back. The motivation to run on ridiculous trails/hills... is not. I would kill to move to Davis for a few weeks just to have endless miles of pancake flat roads. Then maybe back to the trails.

Well... you're taking classes in Davis, right? Why not pack a bag and go early, or stay late, and do just that? I've been pushing it on trails, as well, and I think my body appreciates it when I run something relatively flat at a nice, easy pace.

Mark - No classes in Davis. Just a brother who lives there. My classes are just NE of Sacramento proper, which is flat, as well. I've actually already given a bit of thought to bringing a bag and change of clothes - just have to investigate the gym for a shower.

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Well, we survived. A bit of an adventure meeting up Friday night, since we had set a very tentative meeting place and had planned on getting there around 4 or so. Dad didn't show up until 7:15. No cell phone service. Fortunately, it all worked out.

I'll just do a photo dump.


Looking back at the dam (this is Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite, by the way) from just past the first waterfall (where the bridges are).


The aforementioned falls. This is a photostitch of 3 shots.


Up the reservoir from the same place as photo #1.


From the top of the falls where we set up camp (Rancheria). You can (sort of) see the tent to the right side of the photo. It's pretty tough to see with the resize.


The mountain goat in me got antsy on Saturday afternoon and went on a little day hike. About 1000' gain and 3 miles from camp.


Obligatory. I was trying to make a serious face and my dad made me laugh. Of course. EDIT: Before anyone asks, yes those are running shorts, and yes those are my Cascadias. I backpack in style

Overall, lots of good food, good wine, and good to be out under the stars for a couple nights.

Niiice. I've been in the Yosemite back country before, but not near Hetch Hetchy. Gorgeous country - and great pix!

Glad you enjoyed the trip. It looks like a blast.

Ten days without a post! Mainly because I haven't run since before Yosemite.

Been doing a lot of strength conditioning at home.

Going to the parents' place tonight (in the airport) and I'm there until Tuesday morning. I'm planning (loosely) to run a shit-ton at home. I really miss the routes. Fingers crossed that I can get some solid time-on-feet in between all the drinking and... extracurriculars...

Man, I don't know how I missed your last post - those were some awesome pictures!!! Makes the Georgia "mountains" look like speed bumps. Have a good trip and enjoy the...ahem...extracurriculars . Let us know how the trip goes and be safe!

It's about time you got back. It's been getting quiet around here. Spooky quiet.

This is the place Jerry should be living.

John - Maybe I should post some pictures of Auburn, then. Pretty much has mountains like that, just without the granite faces.
Mark - This is Halloween, this is Halloween... (sorry, you said spooky.)
Jerry - House swap for a month or two?

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I ran today. If memory serves, it's about 9.5 miles. My mind and body remembered how to run that far, but I'm not sure my legs did. Pretty shaky by the end and now a little sore. Funny.

I didn't wear a watch. First time in... almost two years.

Mike MacLellan wrote:I didn't wear a watch. First time in... almost two years.

Nice job with the no watch

Especially once you've run enough to know what your effort level is, and what your pace is I feel its time to start using your internal pacing mechanisms more and more. Plus it can be a lot more fun to run without a watch, keep it up!

Mike MacLellan wrote:Ten days without a post! Mainly because I haven't run since before Yosemite.

Been doing a lot of strength conditioning at home.

Going to the parents' place tonight (in the airport) and I'm there until Tuesday morning. I'm planning (loosely) to run a shit-ton at home. I really miss the routes. Fingers crossed that I can get some solid time-on-feet in between all the drinking and... extracurriculars...

Mike awesome pictures and they bring back some great memories from when I use to visit Yosemite.

I hear you about the running buddy, you are not the only one. Finally after going hard for 3 years I have fallen into a tough spot myself and I'm just finally coming out of my funk! Goals for JFK are now to just have fun and see what happens. I did sign-up for another 50 mile race today "The North Country" it looks like a wonderful race.

Anyway hope all is going well buddy and hope you find that fire again, also look forward to meeting you in Boston this coming Spring.

I think I found a bit too much fire. I posted this in the Health forum already, but I basically fucked my foot up on my run, I think. I'm sure I did something to exacerbate it last night (I was absolutely hammered), but I have no idea what. Either way, just walking hurts at this point.

In other news, things with Aileen are amazing. We're both ready for her to move back.

All I know is, I'm exhausted trying to keep up with your FB posts. What's up with the "we broke up" post... then total blissed-out awesomeness?

Take care of that foot! Who knows what you did with it last night.