The Stretch Experiment

So I quit stretching.There, I said it.  Well, to be honest, I quit stretching post run for the most part out of laziness and my mind being elsewhere.  So far, I havent really noticed.  Is it really that necessary?  The reasonI ask is due to one particular friend of mine who shall remain nameless (Jerry) who refuses (Cook) at times around me to stretch.  If he doesnt have to (like the robot that he is) take care like this, then do I?? 
I give the obligatory calf stretch a few seconds, but then just stop.  I stretch all the time, much to my wife's mockery ("bend your knees when you are looking for things on the floor you look so ridiculous!"), but my habit has slid from performing stretches rigourously post run to not stretching much at all after my shorter runs especially.  I know I have rarely let myself stretch for as long as recommended.  Maybe in the shower to let my nether regions get a good rinse off, but not really as long as I should.  So I am going to call it my stretch experiment.  Thats right, it sounds more noble if it sounds intentionally exploratory.  I still sit at my desk and figure four my ITB and I stand naturally work on my hips (piriformis accasionally too), but for record I have been a undisciplined stretcher.  Anyone else drop habits like this?  Has it caused any grief?? Maybe its the rebel in me questioning the legitimacy of all the calf, hamstring and quad stretches I have not really felt the benefits from.  Great now that I have said this, I will be extra diligent, I am sure.

SOWA 1/2 Corked Marathon May 29th/30th

News:Right on my front doorstep we are having a new marathon put on by the local wineries.  This is fashioned after the French Marathon Marathon Du Medoc .  Very exciting! More details will come, but it sounds like a lot of fun and will be encorporating visiting the different abundance of wineries in the area.  The Okanagan, specifically where we live in the south are world reknowned for the wonderful red wines produced by our hot dry climate in the summer.  I recommend coming and visiting just for the wine touring alone!  We have our local favorite wineries, and Jackson Triggs is about a five minute drive from our home as are Silver Sage, Nk’Mip Cellars, Desert Hills Estate Winery, TinHorn Creek and Burrowing Owl Estate Winery just to name a few of my personal favorites.  There are too many to list here, but on the website of the Association is a list of the predominant ones.  I look forward to seeing any of you there who dare to come out and run!

Of Gollum and Slushees

Well Back to Winter my runs have been slushy.  I am trying to run harder, keep my speed up, but in the snow, my traction is iffy at best.  So I slow down in the thicker snow. 

Another thing to slow me is my sliught Christmas weight gain.  about 5 or 6 pounds more to slog around... yes you heard it people, Mr.  Self-righteous couldn't help but eat Grandpa's butter tarts or those caramels chocolates or those scrumptious mars bars rice crispy squares which bewitch his soul.  So back to the grind, I really need to oust my house of all those delicious treats.  Another thing that calls my sweet tooth is the half price sales on chocolates post Christmas.  Man those Turtlles want to come home with me.... no, I must diminish.

Anyhow, my runs need pep.  I had semi trucks "muddy slush" me on my long run last weekend., literally spraying slush allover my legs and shoes  22 km with wet legs and feet.  Why do people not pull over a bit more to give me room to run on the highway anyhow???  I think they secretly delight in slushing me.

It would have been what I would have done to those I felt were doing something I thought was "noble".  And there you have it.  Runner's piety.  You know that self-righteous tone vegans and runners and yoga class - goers all have, that they are somehow superior and enlightened.  I guess I am da man to a few.    I don't want to be!  In fact, this could have been the reason I refrained from talking about it among certain people. I can hear it in the tone of my siblings, who  call me "gollum" because of my weight loss.  Its that "look at this pompous jerk making us all look bad" thoughts we all have about those on some new  self improvement kick.  Even the fit and active people have those we know are much more committed.  "Oh, you run?  Well, do you "ultra-run"??  No?  Oh too bad, its really hard..."  We hate them.  until we do it.  Then we are them.  And there is always someone better faster or more diehard.   Such is life.  Striving on this front is a losing situation if you must always be on top!  Everyone most likely unless they are paid, call themselves a middle packer.'  There is always room for improvement!

I do think this can be a good thing though, to keep the ego in check and keep us humble.  Its a sliding scale, and one that can't be focused on, or we would go mad.  But when we have the chance to 'slush' that  annoyingly smug person, what glee comes from our hearts!!! Just don't slush me.

Run Like Pheobe?

New Year's Eve I dont really celebrate big.  In fact, I find every time I have made an effort to do something fun for it, it is a big disappointment.  The build up, the execution, its all just such a big let down.  I usually like a quiet evening at home the majority of times.  I do let loose occasionally, but even that is laughable to some of you crazy cats!  I find the same with my hobbies and passions.  The big hurrah's are no match to my desire to churn it out day by day and celebrate the little things.  Running accommodates this.  A  goal to race is great, but I cant live only for races.  I feel the celebration is in the personal victories, in my day to day strides.  When its a party of one because of a new PR, or a run with a buddy, life for me reflects the run, its all in the intimacy.  Same is with pursuing health or overcoming obstacles like an injury.  We are dealt a hand.  We are also given much each day.  What do we do with these things?  Do we shrivel?  Do we punish ourselves?  Do we believe there is more available if we just push forward, let loose or let God take control?  Freedom is given to the runner as he/she pushes hard but also listens intently.  I find it interesting how we think freedom is all about doing anything and everything our heart desires.   Like on the show "Friends" when Pheobe shows Rachel how to run, its just all over the place, hilarious to watch.  Ive tried that with a buddy.  Its much harder work, so inefficient!

However, to be truly free in who we are, there are things we need to adhere to to be the best we ought to be.  Running takes an acceptance of a pattern, a discipline, a healing, a resting a striving and a feeding.  It also takes community for perspective and inspiration.  Sound spiritual?  That is intentional.  Run hard!

43:10

First timeI had brought my stop watch in a long while.  43:10 for my 10 k, and that was me pushing pretty hard.  Another thing to look back on and be glad for in the last two years is to think that certain goals were impossible.  Fo rme right now, I would love to crack the 40 minute 10 k.  A difficult endevour, but I know I can do it.  I use to think runnign past a 1/2 hour was a huge feat.  There is always someone who trumps your efforts, and always someone just starting and needing encouragement.  I find it a funny mix of humbling to know you will never be right on top in front, but that you can do  fa better than you ever thought if you apply yourself!