Imagination running wild

Thought I heard the strains of banjo strumming coming through the woods as I ran down a dark and lonely road in southern Missouri yesterday.

Maybe it was just my imagination.

But the run definitely had a bit of a Deliverance vibe. Although I was trying to keep a moderate to slow pace during my continued somewhat-pathetic attempt at base training, wild thoughts about what might be lurking in the Ozarks woods caused me to pick up the pace a bit.

My, what a fun holiday visit to the in-laws.

Now, now, now I am just kidding. It's a fine region filled with wonderful people. There are even pockets of sophistication. Springfield, for example, is home to one of the well-stocked and best wine shops in the entire region. But I did snap the photo up above on our trip home. My twisted imagination ran wild as I thought about the wedding celebrations that would involve guests picking gifts from the list of a bride who registered at the local hunting and fishing supplies store.

Actually, we did have a good time during the visit. But by the time Sunday morning rolled around, I definitely needed to get out for a run.

Kind of freaked my father in-law out when he heard the front door creaking open just after 6 in the morning. I apologized for the disturbance, but said I was heading out to get in some miles. Yes, it was still dark. I promised I would be OK.

I returned after 7 miles and, very thankfully, no Ned Beatty-like incidents.

One thing I had hoped to do in the past few weeks was reflect on my running in 2007 and then set some goals and target races for the coming year. That hasn’t happened yet, but I do hope to make it happen today or tomorrow.

Dazzled by the holiday lights

Mrs. Oz is an adherent to the Good Choice, Bad Choice School of parenting.

A typical case might involve her query to the boy Ozling just after he had been caught smacking his sister upside the head. “You struck your sister. Plus, it’s three days before Christmas. Now was that a good choice or a bad choice?”

This little pedantic exercise is supposed to help him realize the error of his ways.

My all-time favorite case was one Halloween when we were on a haunted hayrack ride where various spooky creatures popped out of the shadows in an attempt to frighten us. They had a headless horseman on a real horse. Very cool. Then we went around the bend and out popped a guy with a leather mask wielding a chainsaw and threatening to chop off our heads.

She turned to our son and said something along the lines of “Now, trying to cut peoples’ heads off with a chainsaw, is that a good choice or a bad choice?”

I didn’t do anything so crazy this morning as recklessly wielding a chainsaw or even smacking someone upside the head. But I probably have opened myself up for one of the infamous queries.

“So, Oz man, you have run twice in two weeks and today you ran 10 miles? What were you thinking?” ….(wait for it….) “Was that a good choice or a bad choice?”

In my defense, such as it is, I didn’t really mean to go so far. I just got caught up in the Christmas spirit. As I took off this morning, I kind of wanted to wind my way down to the Country Club Plaza. It was still dark, so I thought I could check out the beautiful Christmas lights. Plus, thought I might do some window shopping, er window running?

I kept telling myself to take it slow. And generally I did take it easy. John Ellis, sitting in for Steve Runner, on this past week’s edition of the Phedippidations podcast had some fascinating advice about base training. Running long and slow in the off season can provide major benefits as you prepare to begin training for a race.

He also said something about the importance of frequency and consistency. I guess three runs over two weeks doesn’t count. But I am hoping that the holiday craziness, my frantic work schedule and the icy nastiness on the streets will ease a bit so I can hit the road more regularly as I prepare for my races in 2008.

Once-a-week-whether-I-need-to-or-not training plan

Iciness this past week was not very conducive to running.

So I didn’t.

When the sun popped out, at least a little, on Friday, so did I.

Once again I had an almost out-of-body experience when I changed the time I usually run.

I had the day off, so I dropped the Ozlings off at school and then took off. What the heck were all these cars doing on my streets?

There is a huge difference in traffic when running at 5 in the morning compared with running a little after 8.

I went 7 yesterday and I am kind of feeling it in my legs today. Kind of sad to see so much of my conditioning evaporate.

Guess its only going to get worse as long as I continue this run-once-a-week-whether-I-need-it-or-not training plan.

Like a pig on rollerskates

Slip sliding away.

My common sense, that is.

I made a disappointing, but what turned out to be a good decision, to bag the Chili Run. That would have involved driving on the highways and byways for some 20 miles to reach the race at Wyandotte County Lake Park. Not a good idea.

It was crazy out there.

I could barely remain upright at times while navigating the streets on my size 12s.

I had hoped to get in my 8 on the 8th. Looks like I am going to need to get a rain check (or would that be an ice check?) for another mile and a half. I put in 6.5 miles this morning.

Glad I did. It was treacherous, at times. But, as my last post indicated, so was my state of mind. I needed some pavement therapy.

I could feel some of the frustration, tension and anger melt away as I logged the miles this morning. It’s disappointing that Topher and I did not get to meet up for a run together. We’ll have to find another run in the coming weeks, or more likely after the first of the year.

Now it is time to warm up and maybe have some hot cocoa. Then the real treat awaits.

More painting. Sigh.

Craptaculosity

I'm pissed off.

In a word, this week sucked. Today, appropriately, capped them all.

Discord. Squabbling. Stupid mistakes.

I realize everybody gets a turn with these kind of weeks. This was mine.

Still, I'm exhausted. I'm angry.

I want to run.

Please, please, please, please let this ice apocalypse that has all the weather forecasters in an absolute tizzy hold off long enough Saturday for me to get in my 8 on the 8th.

I neeeeeeeed to run.

Smacked

Don’t cry for the Tigers.

Not that many of you planned to anyway, I realize. Well, maybe a few crocodile tears. Right, Jayhawk?

It was a helluva season. They were tough, mostly. Chase is amazing. They still are probably headed for at least a New Year’s Day bowl.

I’m whining today, but not because of the beatdown the Sooners inflicted on Mizzou. Stayed over last night at my mother-in-law’s house where we watched what turned out to be a not-so-big-game. Thought I would go for a run this morning, but I ended up forgetting a few crucial pieces of gear. Running without socks would not have been good for my ‘ol size 12s.

By the time we got back to the Land of Oz, it was time to paint. Joy.

Looks like we might get the dining room done tonight, but this little home-improvement project looks like it will extend to next weekend. Joy oh Joy.

Maybe if I am a good boy, and promise to come back to paint, I can sneak off for this….

12/08/2007 (Sat) MARA Chili Run
6.5 mileWyandotte County Lake91st & Leavenworth Rd.Kansas City, KS10:00 A.M.http://www.mararunning.org No entry fee for MARA members, $5 for non-members; donations for charity.816.741.2314

What we do for domestic tranquility

Oh, I get it. December, on it's own, does not bring enough stress, chaos and wearying merriment.

Just for some added fun, let's paint the dining room. And the living room. And the main hallway.

Oh well. Even I must admit that the place is starting to look pretty good. And this is only with the first coat of primer.

I don't always understand -- or agree with -- the timing of Mrs. Oz's plans, but they usually work out for the best.

Gotta roll....