Masters Weekend Races and Runs

Spikez,

Heartfelt wishes of warm support to you and your family during this difficult time...stay strong.

MF

My deepest condolescences to you Spikez. I'm sure you made your father very proud many times over.

Spikez, sorry to hear the news. I feel for you as i lost my father about 18 months ago now.

as for me, only a little running this week (a few 8 milers and an 13 miler) as i have been in Mammoth Lakes for the Annual Mammoth Motocross race where I placed 6th out of 40 racers in the 40+ pro class. just do not tell the other bunnies though!! ;)

one more race in July in Canada and then off the bike and back to running full time in preparation for fall XC!!!

looking forward to fall xc already!!!!

Spikez - Very sorry to hear the news. But glad that you got to visit with him two weeks ago. It's so wonderful that you could run - something your Dad loved to watch you do - on this day.

skinnbones wrote:

I'm still sidelined as well but it will get better. Went through a battery of tests last week and have more this week. I am able to swim and ride now though so that will keep me occupied.

Keep thinking positive and positive things will happen.

I'm still with you skin! Keep the faith. Also, condolences to spikez.

Grand Canyon State Games this weekend, wrapping up a 25-mile week (only three days running, as a recovery week). Ran a blistering 5:05 1500 in 112 degree heat, then three hours later ran a 3-k and immediately thereafter a 4x4 leg. All three races equally sucky, but I appear to have survived them so we'll keep plodding forward. Got a long long way to go, though.

Those of you going to the Trials, have a blast. If you still need lodging, check out Duckworth B&B, about 400m. from Hayward Field across the cemetery.

High school team's summer XC program begins tomorrow.

Spikez, very sorry to hear about your loss. Celebrate his life with family and friends in the coming days. I'm a fan of the Irish tradition of sending off loved ones with a party. If that's not your tradition, at least keep happy thoughts about what your dad enjoyed and the good times you had with him.

I had a decent week with ~ 57 miles and a couple of short races. Summer track had started off on a wrong note with a couple of mediocre 1500s, but this week I managed to get back close to last summer's form at both 800 and 1500. Not quite all the way there yet, but close, and my track season is still less than 3 weeks old. I'll race a few more track races in July (next up 9 July) and maybe early August (we'll see... will be transitioning to the half marathon by then for a late September race).

This week coach has a pretty brutal schedule of short fast work lined up for me. Should be great fun!

Have a great week everyone!

I'm pushing 54 and our parents mortality, kids getting established, and our own injuries are all age related issues we have to deal with. I have an aging parent that I try to help out in a way that keeps some dignity and autonomy. Like more sons I could do more than I do. But I'm lucky in that she one that appreciates anything you do.

I had surgery at age 50 that I thought would take me out of running. It didn't and the one good thing agout surgery it gave me a whole new set of PR's to set. My post surgery PR's. That was kind of fun.

I running well now. I do find I don't dig quite so deep during races (unless I'm getting passsed). I don't make the move, take the risk, to go for the guy ahead of me that easily any more.

Spikez,

I'm sorry to hear about your father - I know from what you have posted that you were close to him. It was nice that you had the opportunity to honor him on Father's day just last weekend. I'm sure that was just as important to him as it was to you.

Scott

Spikez:

I can't imagine.

Take care.

JR

Spikez,

My condolences. Your original post a few weeks ago hit home for me knowing that my Father is aging as well. I'm glad you had the opportunity to see him again and the strength to write about it.

Skin

Thank you everyone for the very kind wishes. It's hard because I was close to my dad. He lived a long full life and went peacefully without sickness or pain which is a comfort to my family.

My condolences to you too Spikez. And my best wishes for you and your family in this hard time.

SoCal,

It was interested to hear about your current brief hiatus from running - it's something I plan to try later this summer, but I was wondering if you did anything to burn a few calories. Maybe some easy cycling or playing pick-up basketball with your son? At the women's marathon trials, we had the opportunity to talk to Ryan Hall a few minutes, and he takes a full two weeks off from training after a major marathon. He commented that he needs to recovery both physically and mentally. Hearing that you have success with the rest gives me even more incentive to incorporate it into my training plan.

Thanks, nyloco

Spikez,

My thoughts are with and your family at this time, take care.

Well, it has been a a few weeks since I have visited the message board...I did not want to post when I was running crappy because of my heel...My left heel is now all healed up and I am in much better spirits! It has been almost two years of off and on nagging....Looking forward to running a few good races this summer now that school is over and hope that the results will be better than racing when I was hurt...I look forward to racing the USATF CC Championships 8 km in MD and then the USATF Champs also in MD, both sites just an easy 4.5 hour drive...

Spikez: I remember your post a few weeks ago about your father and that really moved me, it must be tough to be far from home- especially at times like this. My condolences to you too Spikez. And my best wishes for you and your family in this hard time.

nyloco - I do burn a few calories playing both touch football and basketball with my son, Sean. But I'd be lying if I said I burned anywhere near as many calories as I take in! In fact, I'm eating M&Ms as I type this. No, I pretty much devote my time off to non-exercise activities (films, books, an overnight roadtrip or two), pizza, snacks, and a few nights of beer-drinking. Then, once I start running again, I wait a good 3 weeks before stepping back onto a scale. And I heartily recommend the same kind of break to anyone else who needs one! Frankly, I've gotten so good at both avoiding and responding to injury these past couple years that I no longer miss any significant training time due to injury (and with Zicam, it's been 1-1/2 years since my last cold ... and was 3 years before that). So the only way I can get down time is to take it. Of course, everyone's a little different, but I think time off plays a huge role in our continued success at this age ... or maybe that's just the M&Ms talking.

My first race in almost 4 years went really well. I am only a couple minutes slower for a 5k than I was before my accident. It will be fun to see how fast I can run this year on two days of running each week (about 11 miles).

Wow, first race in four years, gives me hope.