Long 5 Finger Run…in the cold too.

Today was  soggy and cold and just a nasty day to be outdoors.  I ran anyway.  I ran 9.56 miles in Thunderbolt (where I live) with my vibram 5 fingers.  That was an experience.  My pinky toe on my right foot still aches.  The toenail on that pinky is totally black.  It looks pretty nasty.  Yeah.

After the run my feet were soooo sore.  And, my toes were numb too.  It was chilly outside when I ran -41 degrees with 98% humidity.  That’s pretty chilly for me.

after my 9.56 mile run

I started my run at the Bonaventure cemetery (I’m really liking this area) and ran to the Greenwich cemetery.  I left the cemeteries behind me and ran down Bonaventure Rd toward Victory drive.  At Victory I hung a louie and ran over the Thunderbolt Bridge and into the marina on the other side of the bridge.  I followed some roads back there to a pier and tried to get as close to the water as possible but part of the pier was one of those floating types and with the tide low there was a steep decline at the end of the pier and, when I tried to go down I slipped but by the grace of God I managed to stop my fall by grabbing the rail on one side.  That part of the pier was at an angle more like a slide at a child’s playground than a leaning pier.  Had I not been able to stop my fall it would have been a very long slide down and probably a nice cold dip in the river.  Speaking of the river, I saw TWO DOLPHINS!!! as I crossed the bridge!  It was so cool!  I love seeing dolphins in their natural habitat.  Tomorrow, I’ll try to check out this pier during the low tide and photograph it so that you can see what I’m talking about.  It was like a slide at a playground but this slide would not have been any fun, I assure you.

9.56 mile route

After running around a little bit on the other side of the bridge I ran back over it and back toward the cemeteries but passed them up and kept running up bonaventure to Delaware ave, to Tennessee and to the dairy farm.  After the dairy farm I ran back to Bonaventure cemetery and ran to the end of it and back but not before running through the portal or gateway (as some may call it) to that other parallel dimension where plants are flourescent and animals have six legs and the people are ten feet tall with blue skin and long tails.  It was really cool.  I checked out that hot alien…what’s her name?…Neytiri before coming back to our world and finishing my run.  I have to say, though, that Neytiri looks so much hotter in human form.

the portal to another world lies just beyond...

The “portal” I speak of is that amazing monument at the far end of the Bonaventure cemetery that has like a doorway with a bearded dude standing along side it.  You know the one I’m talking about?  Just check out the picture.  I always say that its a portal to another world.  Its really cool.

there it is

I’m not sure that I will run on Sunday.  I’m just very beat up after this run.  I will see how I feel in the morning.  And, I have to take Isabella for a walk on Sunday.  Poor girl has been cooped up all week long in the house.  I gotta let her stretch out her legs and get some fresh air in her lungs. So, tomorrow she and I will take a walk at the dairy farm for awhile.

Speaking of the dairy farm, I’ve been informed that Fenwick will be removed from there.  It is sad that its come down to this but its probably the best thing for the community and for Fenwick.  A 58 year old man should not be living in the woods.  Its just not healthy for him.  Its been an unusually cold winter in Savannah.  I find it miraculous that Fenwick has survived these cold snaps out there in the woods.  And, with Fenwick’s unsavory past and his obvious mental instability it just isn’t good for him to be living in an area where children play and where women go for walks with their children and/or dogs.  Even for men, Fenwick’s presence at the dairy farm can be unnerving.  Just today as I ran at the dairy farm and passed the area where his campsite is I felt a little uncomfortable.  To be honest, I had an irrational thought as I ran through a trail back there toward the marsh.  For a second I had this image in my head of Fenwick running out of the woods toward me with that big axe he had in his hands last week when we talked in his campsite.  I know that was crazy but that image played itself out in my mind as I ran along that trail.  And, of course, the thought was because of the crazy thing Fenwick told me about killing, skinning and eating my dog the whole time holding onto that axe.

the serene dairy farm

So, as much as I desire for Fenwick to find a peaceful place in the world for him live out his life I feel uncomfortable knowing that he is living in the woods of the dairy farm.  If I had children they would not be allowed back there.  I’m so sorry Fenwick.  May God give you rest and peace.  May He restore you to a right state.  God bless you, Fenwick.

Next Saturday is the Tybee half marathon and 5k. I’ve already registered for the half.  I already know that my time is going to suck but I’m going to run it nevertheless.  I’m just not running as strong and fast as I was just a year ago.  I gotta get my mojo back.  Some one stole my mojo, I’m afraid.   Help me find my mojo, please!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret but please don’t spread this around.  I’m thinking of running the half marathon next week with my vibram 5 fingers.  Yeah, that’s true.  Don’t tell anyone, though.  I haven’t made up my mind completely yet on this.  I really enjoy running with the 5 fingers and, I’m finally getting my calves and feet strong enough to run longer distances.

If you decide to try out the 5 fingers, the one thing I will tell you is to take your time getting used to running with them or, risk an unnecessary injury.

Wildlife inventory:

• 2 dolphins
• 3 pelicans
• 1 wood stork
• 3 cormorants
• 6 seagulls
• 5 great egrets
• 1 snowy egret
• 3 squirrels
• 3 female cardinals
• 1 red-tailed hawk
• 1 crow
• 5 sparrows
• 9 doves
• 2 robins
• 1 mockingbird

That’s a heck of a lot of wildlife!  It was awesome!  How many times have you seen a dolphin while out running?  Not too many I bet (unless you have a pet dolphin you take running with you).  Dolphins cannot run very well, you know.  They flip-flop too much.

my running log

my mapped run

Ok, lastly, I had to clean my 5 fingers.  They just looked way too nasty after today’s run.

before

after

Thanks for taking the time to read my running blog.

Take care & enjoy life.

God bless,

peace

dh

01/30/2010