Yo, Adrian, I did it!

Not sure what it is I did, though. I’ve written before that waiting 24 hours to write about a run is self-defeating. The inspiration is lost. I’m still pumped about my longest run ever yesterday, but some of the juice is gone. It doesn’t help that initial calculations were skewed and a final measurement that is likely more accurate than those early attempts is jilting me of a mile I had hoped for. 

Geese in Lincoln Park caused a bit of a road block. These
are in the grass, but the road was full of 'em, too!

I set out Thursday morning to do another long run. At first I thought I might just duplicate Tuesday’s route, maybe see if I could find anything new that might have been lost in the two days since. But that idea quickly faded. I was inspired to head to Lake Storey instead. I’ve missed the first two Wednesday morning runs of the summer and I miss that place. In addition to running the path through the park and woods I have fond memories of walks with friends and nearly being arrested there just a week ago (OK, we were merely warned to be out of the park by midnight in the future after we were caught 15 minutes past curfew – luckily our names cleared the records check and we were released).

Bittersweet sight: Yea, recycling! Boo,
unread newspapers!

I knew it would be my longest run ever as soon as I decided to do the lake trail. That route, out and back from my apartment, is actually 12.6 miles (7.6 miles from here to the trail head, 5 miles out and back on the trail). I glitched it by not exactly going out and back. I looped the lake, which somehow is slightly shorter than the trail, which, east end to west end, is just over 2.5 miles one way). South Lake Storey Road back to Lincoln Park is shorter – or so MapMyRun tells me. I see it now.

The disappointment is that I thought at first I had done the equivalent of a half marathon. Proof to myself that I could have run the first ever Galesburg Half Marathon Express earlier this month instead of the 5K. I have no regrets in my choice then. And I am certain I could do it next year (assuming my body is still in good condition). It’s just a little letdown to discover the miles didn’t add up as I’d first thought.

Still, I made running friends proud and myself, too. Not boastful pride, though I suppose I am boasting a little, but pride in recognizing an inner strength I didn’t know I possessed. That’s a great feeling, a confidence-builder. It pays to push your limits sometimes, put yourself to the test to see just what you can do with a little determination. Just as Rocky.

Tiger lilies are my favorites. And they're
everywhere along my routes.

Today's Stats

Temp: 70 degrees F (82 at the end)

Distance: 12 miles

Weekly Total: 20 miles

Treasure: 21 cans.

iPod Playlist (shuffle)

You Keep Me Hangin’On – Kim Wilde

Tin Man – The Avett Brothers

Thing Called Love – Bonnie Raitt

(I’ve Had) The Timeof My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

Come On In My Kitchen – Steve Miller Band

Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC (Yeah, same video from a week ago but I LOVE it)

Daria – Cake

The Walls Came Down – The Call

I Never Told You – Colbie Caillat

Send ‘Em Back – The Foremen

Rip This Joint (Live) – The Rolling Stones

Time and Time Again – Counting Crows

Part of Your Own – John Gorka

Life Uncommon – Jewel

Like a Hurricane – Neil Young

Fire in the Hole – Steely Dan

Running to Stand Still – U2

Elected (featuring Rob Zombie and Slash) – Alice Cooper

Fisherman’s Blues – The Waterboys

Red Dress – James McMurtry

More Than a Feeling – Boston

The Ballad of Billythe Kid – Billy Joel

Highway Patrolman – Bruce Springsteen

You’re the Inspiration – Chicago

4:37 A.M. (Arabs with Knives & West German Skies) – Roger Waters

Lucky Star – Madonna

I’m Afraid of Americans – David Bowie

Worried – Michael Been

For the Love of a Princess – James Horner

The Bag Runner

I wonder sometimes if people talk about me. I don’t seek fame or recognition as some local “celebrity” in the vein of the “Waving Lady” or the late Anthony Rodich. But I wonder if I’m known around town. 

Tire iron frenzy.

“Hey, there’s the “Bag Runner.” “Have you seen that guy that runs with the grocery bag?” “What’s he got in the bag?”

My eldest daughter’s boyfriend once commented he had seen me running “with your groceries.” I know the exact day to which he was referring. I had two bags that day – cleared 87 cans! Do some folks look around for my dog, assuming the bag must be filled with puppy poo?

Honestly, I don’t care what people think. If I was worried about their perceptions of the guy who runs and picks up stuff, I wouldn’t do it, and I sure as hell wouldn’t write about it. And really it’s kind of neat to think that somebody might have thought it interesting enough to note to a friend, “Hey, have you seen that guy who runs and carries a bag of God-knows-what? What’s with that?”

Story of the day

Red and blue lights flashed and the cruiser’s siren chirped a warning. Nobody move, it said. Nobody listened.

The tire iron, choice of car thieves and alley toughs of yesteryear, clanged and clattered as Brian dropped it to the pavement. He wouldn’t need it now that the police had arrived. The two punks who had been threatening him bolted. Why is unclear. Being in the middle of the long bridge carrying County Highway 10 over the BNSF classification yard, escape would prove difficult. That and the fact that the police car was blocking their Chevy Lumina from going anywhere.

Brian’s assailants were apprehended quickly and then the questions began…

This Bud's for me.

Meanwhile, across town, Rich and Zach were ambling along the sidewalk, swilling Budweiser from cans not so discreetly disguised as soft drinks. They weren’t disguised at all, point of fact, except that the festive Budweiser cans in red, white and blue for the approaching Fourth of July holiday kind of resembled Pepsi, or so they thought. Two cans down, they reached into the plastic grocery bag for another beverage and found just one can remaining. They had swiped four from the fridge at Zach’s house, so what happened to the fourth beer?

They never did notice the slit in the bottom of the bag, as they discarded it as soon as they came up with just one beer and an empty sack. They agreed to split the last brew and continued on their way, never realizing one full beer lay sadly in the grass by the road not 10 feet away.

And that’s how I ended up with an unopened can of beer and a classic tire iron today.

Today's Stats

Temp: 59 degrees F

Distance: 8 miles

Treasure: 3 pennies; 1 pair gloves; 1 full beer (Budweiser); 1 tire iron; 1 pink shop rag; 37 cans.

Smoke billows from the fire at the former
Willis Steel plant at Ferris Place.

 iPod Playlist (shuffle)

Say You Love Me (live) – Fleetwood Mac

Virgin State of Mind – K’s Choice

Innocence Maintained – Jewel

Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own – U2

The Red Strokes – Garth Brooks

Two of a Kind, Workin’ On a Full House – Garth Brooks

Beautiful – Christina Aguilera

Keep Me In Your Heart – Jorge Calderon

Mr. Roboto – Styx

History Will Teach Us Nothing – Sting

One Moment in Time – Whitney Houston

Pursuance – John Coltrane

Rock Me Amadeus – Falco

Sink or Float – Aberdeen

Rosanna – Toto

Watching the Wheels – John Lennon

Mystify – INXS

I Wouldn’t Want to Be Like You – Alan Parsons Project

You’re the Inspiration – Chicago

Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey – The Beatles

So What – Miles Davis (Try this video for something different)

Nothin’ but iTrouble

What is it about technology that we take it for granted until it doesn’t work, then we treat it like the evil it really is? Work is rolling along at the speed of success and accomplishment, then WHAM, BANG, KERPLUNK! The stupid program freezes or crashes. Suddenly you’re cursing its existence, never mind that it makes newspaper work so much easier (in some ways it’s more work, too) than it was in the days of hot type.

My iPod was the culprit today. Usually I wear my Nano (first generation oldie) for running; it’s small and easy to use. But I was inspired to listen to a particular playlist this morning and I needed to load it onto the Pod. I plugged the Nano in, deleted one playlist to make room for the new one, and dragged the substitute to the Rob’s iPod space in iTunes. Coolio, I was ready to go. Or so I thought.

When I went to set up the playlist at the start so all I’d have to do when I hit the sidewalk would be push Play, the playlist wasn’t there. What the hell? Back to the laptop. Repeat. Looks good. Playlist shows under Rob’s iPod. Click on it. No songs listed. Repeat. Ditto. What the hell?!

Fine! So I stripped the case off my iPod Touch and crammed it into my mp3 player armband case and headed out the door. But the iTrouble wasn’t over. The silly rotating screen thwarted my attempts to hit Play on the touchscreen so I had to take it off my arm to start the music. But wait, there’s more. In a bit of a funk last night I had been listening to some songs on repeat. I’d pick a tune and play it half a dozen times or so. Then another. Well, it was still on Repeat 1 when I set off on my run, so as I hit Academy Street near Knox College and “January” by The Usual ended, it started all over again. Drat! Stop, fix, move on.

Finally I was on track musically and settled in at a comfortable pace and continued my random route. Within a block a glint of shiny metal caught my eye in the gutter and I backpedaled to check it out. I knew instinctively it was a ring. I was at once disappointed and relieved to discover it was a child’s toy, the cheap kind from a gumball machine. I stuck it on my right pinky and continued. Half a block later I picked up a work glove – leather with orange nylon. The real prize came on the W.C. Jackson Bridge from Third to Fourth Street over the BNSF yards.

We’ll see how the shirt cleans up. It appears to have a couple of faded patches on the back, so it won’t likely see a night out on the town unless it’s under a jacket. Still, it’s a nice Aeropostale button-front  Henley. So how did it come to be balled up under the handrail on the western approach to the bridge? Here’s an idea:

It was a warm night for early June. Too warm for a long-sleeve shirt. The sun had set hours ago, the waning moon now climbed toward its zenith. But the air was still and the heat hadn’t dissipated. Sherry stripped off the Henley and slung it over her shoulder. He’d get a thrill seeing her standing at the door in her camisole. He didn’t know she was coming over – she liked to surprise him sometimes, keep him on his toes.

As it would happen, Jill was the one kept on her toes. She had just made the bridge when she heard it.

Woof! Woof! WOOF! No yipper, it was a big dog. Then she heard the skitter of its nails on pavement and the hah-hah-hah of panting as it raced to catch her. This bugger wasn’t chained!

Jill bolted. The approach was a significant grade, but her legs remembered their track heritage and surged uphill. Her arms pumped to drive her legs harder in hopes of outdistancing the dog in pursuit. The hanging Henley flew off her shoulder and landed three paces in her wake.

Whoooeeet! “Hey!”

The shrill whistle and hoarse shout stopped Bruiser in his tracks. But not Jill. She sprinted across the bridge and didn’t slow until she reached Mike’s front door two blocks beyond. He was indeed thrilled to see her in her sweat-soaked cami, out of breath and hair frazzled.

Dirty Sock stayed where it lay, out of
respect for its individuality. After all,
I don't know if it might be locomotin'
to the Holy City or someplace.

Today's Stats

Temp: 77 degrees F (82 at the end of the run)

Distance: 4.3 miles

Weekly Total: 8.8 miles

Treasure: 1 leather Boss work glove (right hand); 1 Aeropostale button-front girl’s Henley, blue, medium; 1 MasterCard debit card; 8 cans.

iPod Playlist (Mix for a friend)

January – The Usual

Detox Mansion – Warren Zevon

Short Skirt/LongJacket – Cake (Love this video!)

Reality – Newsboys (Funny song with meaning.)

Shame – The Avett Brothers

The New Love Song – Joshua James

Hang – Matchbox 20

Down to Earth – Peter Gabriel

The Man Who Couldn’tCry – Louden Wainwright III

Give it Time – Eric Lindell

Wednesday’s Stats (June 6)

Temp: 70 degrees F

Distance: 4.5 miles

Treasure: 1 black and white striped headband; 1 Camel cigarette pack; 5 cans.

iPod Playlist (KGHS mix, second half)

Wrapped Around YourFinger – The Police

Caught Up In You - .38 Special

Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne

More Than a Feeling – Boston

Time for Me to Fly – REO Speedwagon

Rosanna – Toto

Mr. Roboto – Styx

Owner of a Loney Heart – Yes

Hungry Like the Wolf – Duran Duran (This one's special, check it out.)

Tom Sawyer - Rush

(Not Just) Another 5K Day

It was not like any race I’ve yet run. The inaugural Galesburg Half Marathon Express/Go Outside and Play 5K/1 mile Gator Run was one kick-ace event. Three races in one, it offered something for everyone into running. The proof is in the amazing turnout. I won’t go into facts and figures; this isn’t a news story (you can read one here). Suffice it to say there were more than 500 participants. I’m told unofficial figures have about an even split between 5K and half marathoners – at least as of the close of online registration last Thursday night.

Ellen says, "Go stand over there," so I do.
I take orders well. Then look goofy.

I arrived at the city parking lot at Kellogg and Simmons streets, across from the former Carriage House Furniture, just after 7 to register in person. First, let me say I thought the registration area was well laid out and organized. The lot offered plenty of room and convenient proximity to the start/finish line, as one would expect.

The race packet was wonderful: a nice water bottle from OSF St. Mary Medical Center (Cottage supplied some, too); a nice towel from Cottage Hospital Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine; a foot-shaped refrigerator magnet from Russell Carlson, DPM; a Thrushwood Farms beef stick; a bottle of Dave’s Gator Sauce; fliers for upcoming area races; and a business card for GalesburgSports.com, official photographer for the event (I think). All was gathered in a nifty maroon drawstring back-bag. Oh, and the sweet tech shirt, also in deep maroon with the cool Half Marathon Express logo, and a participation medal (which is really, really nice).

All those goodies were worth the price of registration. But it was all donated, or much of it; proceeds were earmarked for a local charity.

Arriving early to register, I was surprised so few people were milling about. That changed pretty quickly. I signed up and started a form for my running partner for the day, Ellen, who had yet to appear. Once she arrived and got her race packet, we meandered the lot looking for familiar faces. We found a few and chatted up old friends. But, truth be told, I’m antsy before a race. My legs were all bouncy and hoppy. I was really psyched and I couldn’t wait to get going. A friend from church, Jeanne, asked about my pace and I told her I typically do between a 9- and 10-minute mile. She decided to pace off me in hopes of showing up a co-worker or friend from the gym. Sorry I don’t remember the specifics; like I said, I was antsy and psyched.

Soon enough, though, it was 7:55. Runners clogged the street. There was a countdown: 5… 4… 3… 2… and … pregnant pause. Damn. The starter’s pistol didn’t fire. Then, BANG! And we were off. My one complaint: the starting chute narrowed too much, which made it hard to find my pace as soon as I would have liked. I always start at the back, knowing I’m not particularly speedy. Plus it feels good to pass people who are even slower. So I started criss-crossing through the pack when an opening presented, and within a couple of blocks I was up to speed. 

It was too early for a ponytail, but I did follow a couple here and there. One, a cute blonde in wild pink knee-high socks, bright orange shorts and a hydration belt (a runner’s belt with water bottles attached) was a good start. Ellen noticed her in the parking lot and commented that such runners kind of intimidate her with all their gear (like they're seasoned pros, ya know?). OK, I noticed her in the lot, too. And I feel that intimidation, too. So I was kind of excited (and a little bummed) when I passed her by fairly early. My guess is she was doing the half marathon and was pacing herself.

The half marathon would curse my ponytail methodology again. Near the turn-around at North and Arnold streets I had settled in behind a couple of motivators. But when the course split and the half marathoners (and the occasional distracted 5K runner) turned left, I found myself without my moving marks. But, by that point I was in good stride and I just kept going. What else was there to do?

So keep going I did. And somehow I maintained my strong pace. I tell people quite honestly that my only goal in a race is to finish and survive. I don’t mean that flippantly. And I don’t seriously think I’m facing death or the prospect of it each time. Now, that’s not to say I don’t want to do better than before or that I don’t hope to place. That’s always nice; I’ve done so twice and that was cool. But to achieve a personal best today, though not placing, was a pretty damned fine feeling. I was quite proud, actually. I never resorted to walking, which I’ve done on long weekly runs and did three times during the Bix last year. There’s absolutely no shame in doing that, but I don’t like to do it. I want to go, go, go. Get done. Relax.

And I have to tell you, I finished strong this time. I kicked it into high gear for the final block and it felt good. Milling about after the race and visiting with friends was great, too. And I even stepped in to fix a P.A. problem when the race announcer suddenly lost his audio power. He was checking connections around his table and I noticed it all ran to a power strip that then connected to a long yellow extension cord. I followed that over to the results table and saw a girl step on the connection between that cord and another. She wasn’t the first, but it was an indicator of what I suspected. That link had become loose. I jammed the two cords back together and the day was saved. Yes, my arm is strained from patting my own back. It helps distract from the knee pain.

After a little winding down at home, we were off to Budde’s for the post-race festivities, featuring Frank F. Sidney’s Western Bandit Volunteers and bacon bloody Marys. Yeah, you read that right: bloody Marys with BACON! Wowza! It was there that the day’s real treasure was found: two new friends, Rick and Stephanie Lindquist. Nice folks to meet and I think Rick may have persuaded me to sign up for the upcoming Oak Run triathlon in September. We shall see. 

The lighter works! But the lid won't stay shut.

Today’s Stats

Temp: 53 degrees F (one hour before race time)

Distance: 3.1 miles (5K)

Weekly Total: 9.2 Miles

Treasure: 1 Bic lighter in a cool silver and green metal case; 2 new friends.

Race Stats

Bib: 523

Net Time: 27:20 (personal best); Ellen logged a 31:something, also a personal best. Congrats!

Pace: 8:48

Div. Place: 9

Overall: 65

Race Weight: 196.8 lbs.

iPod Playlist (KGHS Mix – hits from my high school days)

Roll With the Changes – REO Speedwagon

Hold On Loosely - .38 Special

In the Dark – Billy Squier

Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions

Rock of Ages – Def Leppard

In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins (Rather too mellow for a good running song, but it's in the mix and I don't rely too much on the tempo of the tunes for my pace.)

 Last week's runs I didn't blog:

May 31 Stats

Temp: 54 degrees F

Distance: 3.1 miles

Weekly Total: 6.1 miles

Treasure: Nada.

Goofy Old Navy hat I found last week while
biking. I also found an 8-inch Craftsman 200mm
adjustable wrench, a rain poncho and a small
fleece throw/blanket.

iPod Playlist (shuffle)

Watching the Wheels – John Lennon

Warehouse – Dave Matthews Band

Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC

The Red Strokes – Garth Brooks

Other Possibilities – Rachel Portman (“Chocolat” soundtrack)

Tin Man – The Avett Brothers

May 29 Stats

Temp: 60 degrees F

Distance: 3 miles Fremont Street from GHS to soccer fields on Carl Sandburg Drive, 8 laps on GHS track.

Treasure: Nada.

iPod Playlist (repeat)

I Don’t Wanna – The Call (Yeah, you read that right. I just played this song on repeat for three miles.)