Exhausted...

Ben in the backcountry above Brainard. Badass.

And I'm spent. ~ Austin Powers

Post L.A. things didn't really improve for me fitness-wise. I did those two 9-mile runs and felt pretty crappy then followed up a week later with a fun (but somewhat frustrating) run on the 3rd. Bob and I started from his place in Boulder, ran up Flagstaff and back down to Boulder Canyon (down the back side of Flag). I really enjoy this run most of the time. The section from the top of Flag down to the canyon is frequently filled with interesting fauna and this time was no exception. Bob and I saw 9 turkey (turkeys?) in a group on the side of the trail. We stopped to watch them for a bit and then continued down the hill. We did spot what appeared to be big kitty tracks and then were pleased to be able to confirm that yes, bears do in fact shit in the woods.

While heading back down Boulder Canyon, I started to fade a bit and really started to suffer going back up and over the shoulder of Flagstaff. Just feeling really weak, somewhat nauseated, etc. We made it back to Bob's in under 3 hours (~14 miles) and I started feeling worse and worse. Just pretty much limped home (drive) and called it a day.

On the following Monday, Ben and I went out to ski Mt. Toll. More of the same, really. It was quite warm but I was really, really slow. I didn't even make it up to the top. By the time we actually were skiing, I felt like hammered crap and was again nauseated and just spent. Oh well. It was a gorgeous day, in any event, so that was nice. Ben and I were a bit late and the snow had turned to mush by the time we were skiing but it was a lot of fun. Feeling like ass aside.

So post that adventure, I made the decision to take a couple of weeks completely off. I will allow myself to hike a little, maybe play some golf. That's it. One week down now and another to go (at least). I think I am just mega fatigued from this Spring's events. Whatchagonnnado?

New ride.

In other news, I bought a new motorcycle. So far, I really like it a lot. It is a DR650 and is geared for dual-sport riding. I am going to set it up for dirt adventures and have found thus far for the bike to be quiet, smooth and light. Certainly compared to the Beemer I sold in April.

I also have watched a few good flicks of late. Iron Man was quite good as was American Gangster. We watched Long Way Round again which is really entertaining. I recommend all three. Go see Iron Man in the theater. It has incredible special effects and Robert Downey Jr. is great (as usual).

Other than that, just laying low, getting some work done, and resting. Good times.

~stubert.

I have sausage toes...

Rach's mental image of how my feet must feel.

Damaged by you. Damaged by me. ~ Black Flag

So thanks to Rach, I am recovering nicely. She has just been an absolute life saver - going to town with care, food and massage. Apparently, I am even polite in my sleep as she gave my poor toes some TLC last night while I was sleeping. I don't remember any of this as I was in a coma but I guess I thanked her, which is pretty funny. She rules.

I slept for a solid 14 hours and am actually feeling pretty well this morning. My feet seem to have taken the brunt of the trauma (go figure) and several of my toes look like those lame little sausages you get at even lamer dinner parties. I appear to have not lost any appreciable amount of weight (which is a good sign) but feel skinnier somehow. Not sure exactly how that works but there you have it.

The outside of my right foot was incredibly bruised yesterday but this seems to have subsided (or at least spread) to the point where it is less noticeable. The one area that is amazing is on my right shin. Yesterday there was a small bruise forming here which has now spread to be about the size of a pancake if one were to wrap that around my leg. The body is an interesting beast. I suffered no outward trauma to this area but the internal damage has manifested itself as exterior evidence. I sense an ice bath coming in the not-too-distant future.

Movie review:
So I can't say for certain but if you have just gotten home from running roughly 3 consecutive marathons, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters may be the very best movie ever made. But don't quote me on that.

More to come...

~stubert.

Mellow fellow...

One of these days I gotta get myself organizized. ~ Travis Bickle

Yesterday: Hike - Casa del Critters, 30 minutes
Today: Run - GGCSP, 1 hour
Tomorrow: Ride - Ned area, 1.5 hours

Busy with work stuff but staying rested. This is a good thing. With a little over a week to go before the big event, I am feeling great. Just trying to rest up as much as possible, get organized, make some last minute preparations and whatnot. Dan sent me some great documents to look at to help get everyone stoked. I am getting more and more excited every day. Probably should try to tone that down a notch.

Last night I just went for a short hike behind our house. As I headed up the hill, I saw our neighbors, Joe and Steph and their twin critters walking up ahead so I caught up and hiked with them for a bit. Their boys are about 1 and a half and are just adorable. Little blonde monkeys.

I am still on the same basic plan: Eat well, get lots of sleep, keep things moving but not in a way that creates any stress or fatigue, and wait. Lots of wait. Just over a week now. Getting very close.

~stubert.

R&R...

Is this a... what day is this? ~ The Dude

Yesterday: Nuttin'
Today: Nuttin'
Tomorrow: Ride - Not sure where just yet, ~2 hours

How time flies when you are sitting on your ass waiting for your friggin' leg to heal. I haven't done a damned thing since Sunday and it is making me a little cranky. On top of that, I have been at least a day off all week.

The shin got some extra love today with a visit to Shirley, a taping instructional from Mark and my first venture to a chiropractor. Good times. Needless to say, after 38+ years of abuse, I am a little tweaked but Dr. Boynton at North Boulder Chiropractic seems to be throwing the good mojo at me. He assessed my tweaked spine, did some stress tests, cracked my back a little then used this mini jackhammer gizmo on me for a bit. So far, so good. I immediately regained some strength in my legs and somehow felt taller after the whole ordeal (which, frankly, wasn't really much of an ordeal at all). I go back on Monday to get re-tested and to get some more alignment done if need be.

So I'm off the feet, working like a crazy person, jonesing to run and see The Simpsons Movie, and plan to get on the bike tomorrow to get back in the swing of training. Should be good. I'll run a little next week if the good doctor says that is cool. Roughly three weeks to go.

~stubert.

In lieu of...

You begin saving the world by saving one person at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics. ~ Charles Bukowski

Often times, we seem to only see the full task of what lies ahead and that can be quite overwhelming. "Why even start?" one may ask. Look for the small victories, the tiny differences we can make that, as individual pieces of the puzzle mean little but are quite powerful as a collective whole. If we do what we can, make small sacrifices or changes to our lifestyles, we can make a difference. And by making a difference, we can influence others to do the same. And so on.

Today was spent at COHRS cleaning rabbit cages. I had plans to get out for a run or ski but just didn't have it in me today. Good to take some rest when you feel the need.

Tomorrow, we are hoping to get out for some backcountry sking. Will see if that plan comes to fruition but mark your calendar for a Tuesday evening Singlespeed ride. Should be ready to roll by 4:30 or so.

How will you make a difference today?

~stubert