Checkin in

So.... since my last post back on September 4th I've been running pretty consistently. I actually got back into a groove (post-harvest) a bit quicker than I anticipated. Here it is January 16th and I've had 4+ very solid months of running on trails and in the mountains.... averaging between 160 to 200 mile months with around 28,000 to 30,000' of vertical climbing a month, so totals would be between 700 and 800 miles and in the neighborhood of 127,000 and 130,000' of vertical. Not too shabby I suppose. I'm still entertaining the fantasy of entering an ultra race someday soon. It probably doesn't help that I recently went on a group run with some of the awesome people from the Flagstaff Ultra Running Club! It was a great outing with some very cool people, and of course I questioned several of them about the various distances and ultras they've ran... quite educational and enticing for me. Not sure If I'll actually run another race but I sure do get the itch dreaming about ultras, especially when I'm out on long runs in the mountains having fun.... we'll just have to wait and see, but for now its more time enjoying the trails!!

Magical

Although I don't get out as frequently as I'd like this time of year that doesn't mean I don't get out....... I often get some amazing runs in during harvest. Its usually just a matter of getting creative with the time I have in a day and taking advantage of say a beautiful September morning much like the one yesterday and my early morning outing-- after rousting myself out of bed at 4:30-- this am. Theres something quite majestic about early mornings with just the slightest chill in the air, the amazing desert sunrise and running up my favorite mountain!! There was a particular ease to everything this early am, this is why I run ... my heartbeat... the flow... my breathing..... the rhythm.... the smells... the shadows... the animals. Everything was perfect this morning, Magical....

hiatus and harvest

The end of summer brings with it a break in my running routine. My choice to be a winemaker means that I give up three-ish months of my life every year starting mid to late-August so I can focus on harvest. Hopefully I'll make a pretty solid return to running around mid-November.

I've been going to a physical therapist for the last three weeks trying to throw everything I can at this knee issue.... seven ultrasound treatments, many massages and LOTS of strengthening and stretching exercises later and my knee is feeling pretty good. I think because of certain mechanics specific to the way that I run will always result in some inflammation and future knee annoyances.... eh, thats life I suppose.

I've stopped keeping a running log after two years. Back after my initial break at the finish of  the Cave Creek Trail Race I realized that I was getting obviously frustrated with not running... which meant that I had little to jot down in my running log. Its interesting that recording running mileage for two solid years was very motivating as I was able to see clear progress as the weeks clicked by, after the race and not recording anything for the first time in awhile I began getting frustrated with the lack of entries in my log. Then as I began little by little getting back into running with a few miles here and there I just really didn't want to record such small efforts. As I made a full return more or less in the last couple months I just haven't felt like resuming the log....??? And now with disappearing into harvest I really just see no reason to get back into that routine. For better or worse I don't think I will resume keeping a log after I get back to it post-harvest. Its just my personality I guess but I go through this with most things that I do. And for the past couple months its felt good not looking at where I've ran or how many miles I'm running. If I don't get back to keeping a running log it may effect this blog as most of the contents here are based on that information. I'll post some more thoughts on this when I come up for air after harvest.

stray pictures

Just wanted to share a few pictures from the cave creek trail race that i recently came across.

The wild west.

Lacing up my nike streaks.

Moments before the start.

Congratulating Chris Wolf.

Aleister wondering.. who are these two dudes standing with dad... and why are you all holding large rocks??

A return

Well it seems I've mostly made a return to running. The past three weeks have gone... 15 miles, 25 miles, 46 miles.... and most of those have been incredible trail/mountain miles, and a lot of running with friends again.

I visited with my orthopedist this morning for an MRI consult. I just wanted to be absolutely certain that I wasn't dealing with something more structural or a torn meniscus. It turns out that mostly nothing significant is going on, just some minor patellar tendinitis, and slight pain from a previous injury that happened many years ago. And these things have just been aggravated by my accumulated mileage over the last few years. With some pretty diligent stretching, a bit more strengthening and occasional massage therapy I should be just fine to keep going. All very good news for someone who did NOT want anymore downtime. I'll be posting some weekly summaries maybe next week to show what I've been up to in more detail. WooHooo... back to the trails!!

ahhh... the good ol' days

Just wanted to post this video of my last Black Canyon Trail run (before my knee injury). It was a great day with the gang from Sedona Running Company. Adam Gifford was courteous enough to retrieve it from his broken camera (which he... or.. uhh... someone dropped along the way). It was definitely a takin it easy outing... but man it was fun. I gotta get back to the trails!!


My knee is feeling a lot better! I've ran a whopping 2 miles in 14 days. Going out for a 2 mile run on neighborhood streets later this evening... and hopefully if all goes well I'll be getting back to some light trail running this weekend and into next week. It can't come soooooon enough.

hobbled and humbled

Today marks my 8th straight day of zero running! This is the longest non-running streak for me in 2 solid years. It seems my right knee is going to keep me out of commission for awhile. This has been extremely difficult... mentally, emotionally, and physically. I don't think i ever really take running for granted, even during the most mundane or difficult runs i have a sense of appreciation for being fortunate enough to do what i do, how i do.

I went to my local doctor yesterday just out of desperation really.... and of course he turned, pulled, poked and prodded on my leg and knee, suggested i take it easy for another 7-ish days and take this potent anti-inflammatory drug. I suggested that maybe if he could help me decide if it were my meniscus, or possibly my medial ligament.... or....! Oh...ha ha theres no need to worry about all of that right now. But I've been worried about "all of that" for over a month now!!! Just stay away from running and take these pills. Damnit!!... Gee thanks Dr. dinosaur!

It's amazing how much running keeps me balanced in all the key areas of a happy existence.... key word... balanced. There are many things in my life that make me happy beyond words, its just that running in the mountains has a unique way of making me feel very connected, healthy, and centered, very important for the human being that i am. Ok, I'll stop before things get too philosophical. Hopefully with a little patience and determination I'll be back at it soon.