 So I'm back in Michigan today, and the weather is, well, Michiganish. It was about 40 today, but then the flurries started falling and the roads quickly froze. I headed out for a run (with more layers than I've ever worn running!) but the thin layer of ice on the roads made the running super sketchy! But just then I crossed over the railroad tracks that head out of of town and had an idea! Many years ago, the RR company pulled up one of the pair of tracks that used to run across the state. In its place is a nice flat gravel bed, running alongside the remaining track. This beautiful gravel trail stretches as far as the eye can see, at least across the entire state. So, I started running. I think I've fallen in love. Could this be a new epoch of running? Throngs of ultrarunners traversing the country along old rail routes? Or, is it simply a way to get shot at by crazy old coot with eight remaining teeth or chased by his three-legged dog? I guess it's technically illegal to run next to the tracks, but it's just too tempting... Add Comment  Most recently spotted at Rancho San Antonio, this red-shouldered hawk is wanted in conjunction with a series of crimes committed throughout the Cupertino area. Various misdemeanor and felony crimes, ranging from automobile windshield vandalism to small-rodent kidnapping and murder have been blamed on this hawk, whom the authorities know only by the pseudonym "Frankie." Related on his father's side to the well-known Hawk Brothers crime ring, Frankie has continuously eluded capture via his cunning ability to fly away. If you have any tips that may lead to the capture and prosecution of this winged bandit, please do not hesitate to contact us at trailstompers@gmail.com.  So I broke down a few months ago and joined the Vibram Five Fingers craze. I picked up a pair of KSO's and immediately had the great idea to do a 5-mile trail run. It was great fun, but the big purple blisters on my toes were a high price to pay!! It was recommended to me to try out Injinji socks with the Five Fingers. It's like heaven!! Now running 6+ miles in the Five Fingers is no problem!! I've been doing one F-F run per week, and I can tell that my foot/ankle strength has improved. It is especially noticeable when doing longer 15+ mile trail runs (in normal shoes!). My recommendation: go buy a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and don't forget the Injinji socks! One important note: even if you plan to order online, go to the store to try on the F-F and look at the Injinji socks. Getting the right fit is extremely important! For more information: www.vibramfivefingers.com www.injinji.com New runs have been added! Check out the "Favorite Runs" page! If you would like to contribute, email TrailStompers@gmail.com! It's that time of year again. The grass is turning green, the rain is falling, and the trails are getting squishy! It's time to regress to childhood, when it was perfectly acceptable to go outside just to stomp around in the mud. There's something rewarding about finishing a run and having proof of your endeavor in little brown spots all of the way up the back of your legs. In the winter, extra steps are required for the die-hard trail runner. For example:
Happy slogging! -c  Or, alternate title: "I just ran 31 miles up two mountains and all I got was this lousy coaster!" ...Just kidding. The coaster is AWESOME!!! Well, my first 50k is over and done with. I don't remember much, it all seems like a blur... Upsides:
:) -c That great American philosopher Mike Tyson was once asked about whether it worried him that his opponent was training hard and seem to have developed a fight plan against him. Tyson respond with something to the effect of "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face"... (excerpt from BullBearTrader.com) In other words: "YOU GOTTA ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES DUDES!" -c "You never regret going for a run." This is one of my favorites, especially when I'm trying to drag myself out of bed in the mornings. While your bed feels so warm and cozy and the thought of running seems unpleasant, remember that at the end of a run, you never regret it - it's true! And one of my all-time favorites below, by Theodore Roosevelt: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. - Sumi These past few days I have been thinking back on all the training Carl and I have been through over the last few months to prepare for the Woodside 50k this December. Running when its been cold and wet, being stung by yellow jackets, tripping on roots, bonking, puking and continuing on even when we were just plain tired. It can be hard when you feel obligated to go out for a 25+ mile run (again) when your in the mood just to sleep in and be lazy. Unfortunately you know the consequences if you don’t get in those longer harder miles come race day. But we have also discovered new trails, ran with old friends and met some new ones. We have done night runs with full moons and at times felt like we could run forever. We have seen some of the most beautiful places in our own backyard that we would have never discovered if it was not for our training. The journey to race day is filled with its up and downs and I would not have it any other way. Along the way I felt I have learned more about myself and have become a better person for it. I have put in all the necessary hours of training for this weekends race and I feel fit and ready. I have just found out that family obligations will prevent me from toeing the starting line this weekend but I am fine with that though because the journey itself has been so great. -Greg | AuthorsCarl ArchivesJuly 2011 CategoriesAll |
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