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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Hot Saturday Run [message snippet]

Okay, so, [] I just wanted to say Hi to the running gang. I remember that one of you can't make it to the run this weekend. And I know it's going to still be quite hot. Which is why I'm just saying Hi. I don't want to push anyone to overdo it in the heat. However, I'm still hoping to run. The coordination of this run could be close to impossible because I certainly don't want to ask any of you to wake up at 5am so that we can meet in the Arroyo somewhere so that we can get our run in before the heat sets in. But at the same time too perhaps if I'm awake at that hour not that I'm going to set an alarm or anything but I'll be going for it. I'm planning to run the Arroyo and you are all welcome to join me for part or all if you can figure out what time I might be out there running. Just go out there when you wake up really early in the morning because you haven't been able to sleep quite right because of the heat and I'm sure you'll find me. Possible encounter spots include: The Casting Pond (6:35?), The Aquatic Center (6:50?), That NW corner of the Rose Bowl Loop that we've met at before (7:10?). You can try me on my tele [] but unless someone specifically requests that I do, I won't be bringing it with me so call early. Or if you don't feel like running perhaps you could bring us doughnuts! 
Thanks for reading. See you at the pub in the afternoon… 
peace&run 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

half-life of running shoes

The "new" shoes have run halfway to joining the 1000 Mile Club - at which point they will be retired -  because I've got to pick some kind of random number and that seems as good as any. They, the shoes, look and feel in pretty good shape still. There's a small hole in each upper near the little toe contact point. This holes developed probably within the first 100 miles and hasn't changed much since. 

I'm enjoying the shoes - even though they may be a half size too big - I didn't realize they were 2E wide when I first got them - but they're fine - they don't fall off, right…

Oh, for those of you that aren't keeping close track of what I've been running in, they're New Balance 730GB2. They have a 4mm drop from heel to toe - not much drop - so, a low heal and therefore a natural-er footfall. They're fairly close to what one might call a minimalist running shoe but with just enough heal to make downhill running a little nicer and faster. 

Towards the beginning of their running life, right around the time those two holes developed, I wasn't too confident that they'd ever join the 1000 Mile Club. Now I think they've got a good shot - even though, if they do make it, it will likely be just barely - they may disintegrate at quadruple digits. 


Already, they seem to have been swept from the shelves and discontinued. Always a temptation to stock up on a bunch of shoes when you find one you like to avoid this type of situation but I'm sure when the time comes "a [shoe] will rise…" 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

another running dream

It used to be when I dreamed about running I'd be running away from something or trying to catch up to something… but now it's a whole new dream world and I love it… I had a dream last night about running - I've actually been having similar dreams for several months now - where I'm, like, out on a run just for the sake of running - run for the run, as I like to tell myself - it's so awesome - I'm so aware of the sensation of the footfall and foot placement and the feeling of running. In last night's dream I was running through a neighborhood to start out and I remember thinking that I could just weave my way through various networks of streets and blocks - then I arrived at track practice! Not just any imaginary dream practice but I was actually running around the track with a whole group of people who I haven't seen in like two decades! And my coach was there, too - Gary… can't remember his last name but he had a great moustache - in life and dream. It was really nice to be back with such a strong running community. I'm working on developing a strong running community again here in real life but these things take time - it will happen. Running, running, running,.. it is a cool pursuit at any age/stage/consciousness in life… peace&run

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Saturday, April 12, 2014

currently reading

Come and Gone: a true story of blur-collar bike racing in America
by Joe Parkin, 2010