Wow, a tough day for running! Wind, rain, trucks splashing mist, hills and more hills. Sometimes, on a long run, I hit a point of despair and want ever so much to quit. Normally this comes from "hitting the wall" a long way out, having depleted energy stores. I felt a different kind of wall today -- a few miles in, already soaked, noisy cars, hills ahead, Oh my I so wanted to call it quits. But I kept on, very much because I knew at least a few people might be thinking of me today and wishing me success. Five miles out, I came to a turn around at a little country store; a shiny new penny glittered at me from a puddle. Find a penny, pick it up, you know the rest. I tucked the penny in my belt pack, and kept on. The last three miles were very tough . . . but I did it! Thanks for thinking of me. Now for a beer and a turkey sandwich!

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potato and pumpkin pie powered, off I go today for 13.1.

I got a new hat today! A nice find at GoodWill, naturally. This is a $20 hat, brand new, I got it for $5. I wanted a very bright hat for running in this grey country. Though today's run didn't really matter, as it got dark before I finished. 5+ miles, though, happy with that.

I felt a small burst of ambition this afternoon after worship, so set out for an easy run in the drips of the day. As I ran the rain let up slowly; I ran over fallen leaves and through shallow puddles. The farther I ventured the nicer the day felt. When I reached my point to circle home I kept going, and added some distance and enjoyment to the outing. When I got home I felt very good, however far I went, it was a good run.

Sunny, cold days have given way to warm and wet ones again. Today I paddled out for 4.2 miles in a light rain and a bit of a breeze. No one else was out this morning running in my vicinity; just a few pedestrians looking a bit damp and giving the appearance of wishing they were in Tahiti. Most of the leaves are off the trees now, and wow it feels like November. I'll hope to kick my miles back up in the next week, and aim for as long as I can run around Thanksgiving. If I tank up properly I should have reserves to push toward the half marathon I set my goal for a couple of months ago. Life has become somewhat non-linear.

I kept moving today. I used a half hour of raking leaves to get warmed up, then enjoyed an easy 3 miler around the neighborhood. The afternoon was sunny and bright; I saw several groups of women runners glowing in neon yellow wind breakers. A mile from home I heard sirens, so veered to the sidewalk to let a big red firetruck pass. As I rounded the corner toward home, I saw a police care with flashing lights on a block from my house; nearing home I spotted the firetruck blocking the street right in front of my house. Approaching home I heard a "hsssssssss" and smelled gas. My neighbor had been digging a drain trench and struck a gas line with his pick. Poor guy, he is also a volunteer fire fighter so got to have all his buddies come to his house to sort out the problem. It all took several hours, probably 8-10 firefighters dressed like minions, and 4-5 vehicles. No explosions, thank goodness, and since our house is not hooked up to gas we would have just needed to duck.

I just finished a pleasant 4 ish miler, the day is sunny and cool. After some longer runs in regular trail shoes, I ran today in my five fingers; I feel wonderful after the run. Back on track! Hope you had a splendid day.

Set back again. I am about 2 weeks off schedule for a 13 miler; so back to basics. Tomorrow I will get out for 5-6 to get my rhythm back, and take it from there, hoping to resume build up. My new target date for the half is early December. Life is clearing up a bit; worries about youngsters receding, work load lightening, little sick flair up passing. The weather is chilly now, time for hats and gloves! I used just to wear socks on my hands, now I'm fancy with "Digital Running Gloves" purchased for a discount at, of course, Good Will. These gloves have a fingertip feature, a rather flat, stiff pad, that supposedly allows the user to use an iPad or other device while running, without having to take off the gloves. I haven't got the feel of that; when I try to run my phone stop watch I may call the police accidentally. So, yes, if I have to adjust much of anything I have to take the gloves off, harder to do than socks. But I think they look a little groovier, just pumping my arms, which counts for a lot.

Long runs alone have a challenging side effect, for me. I get lonesome out on the country roads. I get friendlier with passing pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists the longer I'm out -- that is I wave, smile, and such more readily. Some time back, in a previous training cycle, sometime this side of Bedrock and pre-Jetsons I received a wonderful arm band mounted radio from my family. More often than not, I would time my long runs to coincide with the broadcast of 'Car Talk', hosted by the Magliozzi brothers on PBS. Those passing cyclists and motorists, and neighbors watching me from their yards might have wondered why a man would be trotting down the road, laughing his head off. I had great company in my head as the brothers fielded crazy questions about car problems, while sizzling with off the cuff humor. With a little excavating, I located my old radio in anticipation of today's 10 miler. I'll hope to find some nice people chatting to keep me company, and I will remember and smile for Tom Magliozzi, the elder brother who recently passed away after suffering with Alzheimer's disease.

Ah, the wonderful change from Daylight Savings to Standard! Why is it I gain back an hour of sleep, and feel jet lagged for two weeks afterwards? At least the cats don't notice - they show up for their morning and evening refills of the bowls right on time. A change in time has required a change in apparel. My late afternoon run now leaks into darkness, so out come the reflective vest and blinking hat light. I felt great on a three miler in the dusk to dark. What speed! Zoom zoom. All an illusion, as I timed in about a minute slower than last time -- stopwatch doesn't tell tales. Something about running in the dark makes nearby objects seem to zip by faster, and I have less preoccupation with what is coming, because I can't see too far down the trail. Slower? OK. More fun? Indeed! Tomorrow I attempt a long run, 9-10 mile range to test my fitness level. If I can accomplish that I'll know I'm still on track to run a personal half marathon in a few weeks.

On the road again! Out today for a 4 miler. Light rain increased to a moderate shower by the second half. I guess it is a break through for me when, at the end of the run, I was enjoying the last few steps in a rain that felt kind and cooling. Lollipop for the day -- a friend whom I hadn't seen for months looked at me and said, "You look thinner." Now, if she had said, "You look taller", that would have been a chocolate covered lollipop. She is a tall person, so I suppose she would have noticed if I had risen at all.

I'm on an uphill slog getting my energy back and feet under me the last week. I managed a 3 mile walk, then a 3 mile run-walk yesterday, with hopes of getting moving more comfortably today. Some kind of bug or general malaise is dogging me. Oh, I also did a little weight training last week using small free weights we have hauled around with us for some years. All in all I feel physically well until I make much of an effort. Perhaps today will see an uptick.

I just made it through a few days of illness, so missed a number of days of training. The upside was I rested a lot, and so had ample energy to make a long tandem ride with my wife on my Sunday off. Our goal was to make 60 miles, the most we have ever done in a day. All said and done we tipped the odometer to 58.4, and logged just over 4 hours in the saddle. That's about the equivalent of a quick marathon for me in terms of time, though cycling and running are quite different. Still it was a great accomplishment and I'm feeling like that made up for the lost running days, and is certainly a confidence booster in terms of my overall fitness. With the rains about to settle in, that will likely be the last long ride for the season. Now to get back on my feet!

Somedays I get, as a gift, something I call a lollipop. It's a sweet something, a compliment, an affirmation, a gift, usually small, that makes my heart smile and overwhelms any downers of the day. Today I got a lollipop on my run. About two miles out, on the B street trail, I passed a young mom and her maybe three year old daughter just sitting on a bench to rest. As I trotted by the little girl said, "Mommy! That old guy is running really FAST!"

Feeling twitchy today, too many irons on the stove and pots in the fire. Maybe it's the barometer dropping and the rain looming in the west . . . or that I didn't run yesterday (on purpose). Today should be an easy three miles to resume the program. I'm running to catch up in most phases of my life; except actual running. Being on the road is becoming my still place; I'm eager to get there today. Perhaps of interest: I just finished reading "Around the World in 80 Days". Phileas Fogg made the journey without running, once. Perhaps there are health advantages to staying calm, playing whist, and keeping a clockwork schedule. Absolute fantasy!

Today I set out to do 10 miles, somewhat ahead of schedule on my build up to the half marathon. I couldn't have customized a better day to run -- temperature in the high sixties, sunny, no wind, air clear. When I started my legs complained a bit, still remembering the hilly run from a few days ago, plus a happy skirmish on the track running sprint intervals yesterday. About 2.5 miles in I felt flimsy; but after a bite of homemade power bar I sort of found myself keeping on. I had Dixie Chics going on my iPod, decided on the run that I absolutely need to learn "Long Time Gone". Check it out for a metaphor for my life. And also made me miss my band, Area 52, big time, when we could find a song we wanted to do and just get down with it. I finished the run, actually 9.7 today, very pleased to be at this point in my long runs so soon. More happiness -- I've wanted to start shedding 10 pounds or so, with the longer runs I've dropped a couple, more on the way, less mass to move, more fun to have in the future.

This week has been a challenge to get on schedule! Monday I wilted in unseasonably warm weather, but made up a little distance on Tuesday. Today I'm at a clergy retreat in the woods near Eagle Creek, OR. With free time this afternoon I'm planning to take on what is billed as a challenging 10k route in the vicinity of the retreat center. Just had lunch, caught up with emails, and now I am sleepy. Time to get moving!

Today I stretched my long run to 8 miles, rather by accident as I wasn't sure how far away exactly my turn around was. I'm finding a benefit of being a little older and slower is that I get to enjoy being out moving longer. Moving about and thinking while at it is a delicate miracle in the grand scheme. I've been reading about the history of earthly life, and feel awe over how it is I am human. For instance, each of us is a whole world to trillions of various bacteria, an incredibly ancient and varied form of life, who partner with us to metabolize food, convert oxygen to energy, and fight off bad germs. If we ever wonder whether or not such tiny friendly organisms exist all around, upon, and within us, all we need to remind us is that we smell a bit funky after we exercise. Bacteria are our friends, but they do make us stink. As my bacteria are communicating their existence to me now I believe I will shower; another wonder in itself.

Monday, 3 miles, Tuesday, 4 miles, Wednesday 3 mile walk for a break. Today I hope to get back in my five fingers and manage 4 miles. With a busy Saturday, I may need to attempt to move up my long run to Friday -- I'm due for 7 miler. The weather is perfect, sunny and cool, lots of fall colors here in Forest Grove. The air smells of ripe fruit of all kinds. On the hills, the grape vines are also changing to autumn colors. Nice day, hope you are having a good one, too!

A lovely fall day, a long woodsy trail, and a challenge. We set out to make it up from Banks to Vernonia and back this afternoon on the tandem cycle. We felt strong and had a great, fast ride, setting an epic PR for the 43 mile trip. Training is paying off! It only hurt a little bit, and in the good ways. So I didn't run as much this week but adding 2:48:30 in time working out will do just fine.

Change up in training plans this weekend. I like to work load-bearing exercise into the routine so hauling refrigerators fit the bill. The one in the photo is sharing the road like a good sport. The ones we moved are so out of shape they are nothing but dead weight. :) Tomorrow should be a nice day for a long tandem ride in lieu of my long run. I think I'll come out ahead! Well, I'll be ahead since I sit in front.

Today the rain came. Back in the days of Noah a little rainfall didn't faze me on a run. I think I must have gone a bit native living in Southeastern Idaho for a long time. Folks there might run in the ice and snow and mars-like wind chill but shudder and huddle under cover when liquid water falls from the sky. After hesitating I reached for my inner duck and found myself. Nice wet 4 mile run. Several other runners out today, too. We smiled at one another as we splashed along.

Back on the road. I anticipated feeling slow and sickly, but instead felt slow and well. I made my 4 mile goal for the day, plus a little. Some inspiration for the day: I met a 102 year old gentleman on an unanticipated pastoral call. He is bright, energetic, and positive, all in all an encouraging experience. I feel thankful that I can still run and hope to do it as long as I possibly can. This photo of an unidentified elderly man leaping into Crater Lake is my preview of me in the future, I hope.

A little challenge today, as I faded away last night and woke up this morning feeling unwell. It's disappointing, just as my body is getting used to moving again, to choose another rest day. Oh well, it's part of the journey. So I'll focus on hydrating and eating well, and put my feet up. Instead of moving my feet I waved my hands last night and produced a painting. It's an impression of the beach from our Sunday quick trip to Pacific City, OR. Tomorrow, I hope, back to training!

Sunday we realized we very much wanted to go the beach this week, but could not because of schedule conflicts. So we just took off on Sunday, with Matty, Phillip, and Sarah along, with sand-wiches of course. I was not supposed to run today but the big dune at Pacific City tempted me. So I trotted off to see how far up I could run on the steep, deeply sandy slope. Not far, and no miles counted, but lungs filled with ocean air and smiles all around made the day. Tomorrow ONWARD!

I'm happy on this Saturday, because I met all my training goals this week. Today I felt a bit daunted before my first long run, but received great encouragement from my wife and that helped me succeed. A big challenge was the heat and humidity today. Half way through I became aware that I was on the verge of over heating, and may have had to quit the run. I had planned this run in a loop, though, that brought me back home in case I needed extra water or food. When I reached the house I found a red bandana, got it wet and put it on my head in place of my running cap. My friend David calls this configuration "Ridiculous Do Rag". OK I look silly, or maybe like a pirate, but it's most effective and comfortable. Anyway, along with continuing to drink water on the run, I could re-wet the Do Rag on my head and this kept me cool enough to finish. I highly recommend this equipment strategy; bandanas are much less expensive that fancy breathable running hats, as well. I feel very good having made today's goal, with the added bonus that muscles that felt sore this morning from the long ride yesterday now feel loose and happy. Tomorrow is a rest day!

Back in Bedrock, we used mechanical stop watches to time ourselves. Now for daily use I use my stop watch function on my phone. In the past I imagined myself moving from one place to another through empty space filled with solid things. Gravity didn't bother me much, young and springy I was. Now I consider that I move at relativistic speed through spacetime on the surface of a massive object that warps the spacetime I navigate. Gravity is more complicated now, and more of an issue. But relativity rocks. For some reason, this particular stop watch is called a particle collider watch. Perhaps this is acknowledgement that reality has always laughed at me behind my perceptual back.

I ran track in high school, a sprinter. Coach said I was "quick" which is different than "fast". I'm sure, in retrospect, I could have actually let someone coach me, but back then I knew everything . . . Anyway, when my 40th birthday approached I decided if I was going to run a marathon before I croaked I should get at it. About 20 years later now I'm back on the road, but now it's just for fun, fitness, and to see what's still in me. A change in equipment has rejuvenated my running. I caught on to "barefoot" style running shoes a few years ago. They aren't good for everyone, but for me they are like a miracle; no more joint or back pain, and no more worries about cushioned shoes wearing out. I've had my first pair now for four years; other than battling a bit of a funky smell they are just about as good as new. I still have regular running shoes, but use them so little they also last just about indefinitely.

This is the beginning of my training blog. I invite you to follow along, lead ahead, or just join me for workouts. My short term goal is to train for a half-marathon. My long term goals are to go beyond this, how far, we'll see! Time's a wasting, let's go! Today I will run 3-4 miles in five finger shoes. The day is not too hot, but cloudy and little muggy. I've walked a couple of miles already, that helps! My route will be in Forest Grove around the B Street trail. I am building up for my first "long" run, a measly 6.0 miles as a foundation for 10% increases each week.