VFF’s at the Rails

my vff's on a stump at the rtt

Today I ran 5.78 miles at the rails to trails with my 5fingers.  That was a challenge, to say the least.  The rails is quite pebbly and rocky most of the way.  There were many very loud “OUCH’s” emanating from me as I ran.  There were also a few other colorful words coming out of my mouth as I stepped on one large rock after another, I’m ashamed to say.

the rocky rails to trails are not 5 fingers friendly

I did not time my run since I forgot my stop watch at home.  Actually, I had not planned on running at the rails today.  After work I went straight to the gym with the plan of lifting weights for about 45 minutes and then putting in a four to five mile run in and around the Y complex.  That’s when one of my running buddies asked if I wanted to run the rails.  Its been a while since I’ve run the rails and, since I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie of running with another person.  So, I met Brian Welch at the rails and we ran the first four miles together.  After 5.78 miles I was done but Brian kept going.  He was bound and determined to knock twelve miles.  For those of you that know Welch, you know what disciplined and amazing runner he is.  It could be twenty degrees or one hundred degrees but Brian is going to run what he set out to run that day.  He’s the most disciplined runner I know.  That’s why at 50, he’s running half marathons at a 6:30 mile pace.

Any way, it was nice to smell the salty air at the rails and to hear and see the seagulls that flew overhead.  I love the rails.  Its such a beautiful place.  I just don’t love the rocky terrain -not when I’m wearing vff’s.  They are murder on the feet.  It was also nice to see the original prayer flag project along with the “shrine” while out there.  Its been a month or so since I last ran out there.  That’s way too long.  I really need to run out there regularly again.  Its just such a special place.

I did not hear from my realtor today regarding my offer on the bonaventure house.  It might be safe to assume that the owners of the house did not respond to the offer even though, they requested an extra day to think about it.  Then again, I’m not at all impressed with my realtor.  Please don’t say anything to anyone about that.  I wouldn’t want the word to get around that I don’t think very much of my realtor.  I seem to do all the work finding possible homes and she just tags along to open up the houses I want to see.  I’ve disliked every house she’s picked out to show me.  What’s that all about?  I don’t know.  I’m a little grumpy right now.  If you cannot say anything nice about some one then, don’t say anything all, right?  Ok, lets change the subject…

my tattoo and my vff

My stomach was a little upset again today during my run.  I just don’t know what’s going on with my stomach and running.  I did drink a cup of coffee about an hour before the run.  Maybe, that’s the culprit.  In the past, coffee and me do not mix when running.  Normally, when I run early in the morning I bypass coffee until after the run because if not, there is hell to pay during the run…I..kid..you..not!  With me, coffee and running equals runs.  Not good.  So, tomorrow no coffee after 2pm.  That should give me enough time to get it out of my system before my 4:30ish run.

Wildlife inventory:

• dozens of pigeons on a pile-on
• 5 cormorants
• 2 seagulls
• 1 grackle
• 1 mocking bird
• 1 million gnats of which half I ate while sucking in air.
• 3 kind of ducks.  They were like dark charcoal color.  I don’t know what kind of ducks they were.
• a whole bunch of little yellowish/green birds darting in and out of the shrubs that hug the sides of the rails

my running log

my mapped run

Thanks for giving up some of your time to read my running blog.

All the best,

God bless…

peace,

dh

02/22/2010

the vff's on scorched earth

the end