New Endeavors

I've decided to start a blog. Through this literary outlet, I plan to simply express feelings and attitudes mainly directed at my running and thoughts that may occur while lost in the moment. "Addicted to endorphins" represents that insatiable desire to constantly be in a state of motion: specifically running. It is that very feeling that encompasses my every being while on the trail after an hour or two of running, when the groove hits, and I feel like I'm simply "flowing" through the woods. It's also that extremely tired, I've just run four hours (or more) and I have nothing left. My legs hurt, I have no strength, and am mentally stretched, but the endorphins supply me with that necessary boost that makes the moment feel paradoxically good.

I've also decided to start cataloging my adventures, no matter how small comparatively, and training since I entered the Grindstone 100, scheduled for Oct 1, 2010. This will be my first 100, and I've got 2 fifty milers and one fifty-K under my belt: Bull Run Run 50M, San Juan Solstice 50M, and the Carrboro 50K (fat a$$ non-event). I have no training plan, a couple maybes for pacers, a nervous wife, and absolutely no clue. Well, that is life and those that watch by the sidelines may learn about the game, but playing the game, even though you may lose, pays bigger dividends in experience.

I do have a "mental plan" which is what typically works for me. I plan on building miles gradually using the back to back long run approach. I tried this last week with good results in recovering from a few minor "twitches" I've had. I ran Mon-Wed, took Thurs off, then did 2.5 hrs each on Fri and Sat morn. I was fairly tired Sat morning, especially the first hour. After I met up w/ Jon and Seawell I felt better for the second hour. The last 1/2 hr I felt even better, and may have even picked up the pace some, or it could have just felt faster and easier. I finished the run with that lovely endorphin high in the glorious morning sun. 60 miles for the week too! Next week will be more of the same, but will likely end with a longer run Friday morning since Karie's race is Sat morning early.

Hopefully, I'll be able to build some miles into the summer, back off for a week or two, then hit the crux of my training with a solid base. Off to get some sleep and contemplate my next run and blog post..........