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.