Building A Better Bumblebee

Forgot about that part, huh?

Nick Morris wrote:Forgot about that part, huh?

The 50K? Pfft. That's just time and distance. Pace it correctly and it's fine.

Okay, it may hurt. Okay, it WILL hurt, but it's still..

... oh hell.

What did you say again?

Mark B wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:Forgot about that part, huh?

The 50K? Pfft. That's just time and distance. Pace it correctly and it's fine.

Okay, it may hurt. Okay, it WILL hurt, but it's still..

... oh hell.

What did you say again?

I have learned that no matter what the pace is, a race/run can be very challenging...

Nick Morris wrote:

Mark B wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:Forgot about that part, huh?

The 50K? Pfft. That's just time and distance. Pace it correctly and it's fine.

Okay, it may hurt. Okay, it WILL hurt, but it's still..

... oh hell.

What did you say again?

I have learned that no matter what the pace is, a race/run can be very challenging...

Oh, that.

I did cross training work yesterday, focusing on the hips and core. I was amazed at just how much the glutes can feel it when you're doing a bridge and doing your best to crack walnuts, if you catch my drift. I've been doing them for a while now, and I never felt it quite like I did then. I'm taking that as a sign of progress.

I also whipped out 50 single-legged heel rises later in the day, just to keep the gastroc on notice that it's supposed to be building.

I was going to run today but ran out of time as I was getting ready for us to head out after school to the coast, so we can enjoy a weekend outing and volunteer at that ultra. It won't be as fun as running it, but it'll be nice to still be a part of it - and to help out those who are running.

Enjoy the volunteering.  It is kinda cool to be on that side of the race equation looking in, although it does sometimes make you want to join in the fun.

Tom H wrote:Enjoy the volunteering.  It is kinda cool to be on that side of the race equation looking in, although it does sometimes make you want to join in the fun.

It did, indeed!

I plan to put together a little "non-race report" today, except I've got workers in the house and am a little distracted.

It did, indeed!

I plan to put together a little "non-race report" today, except I've got workers in the house and am a little distracted. [/quote]

C'mon Mr. Multitasker, a couple of workers shouldn't get in your way. Slip off the shoes, imaging the feel of the sand underfoot for the first few miles, and pen your non-race report!

Tom H wrote:C'mon Mr. Multitasker, a couple of workers shouldn't get in your way.  Slip off the shoes, imaging the feel of the sand underfoot for the first few miles, and pen your non-race report!

Alas, no. I had to have them make a change to their work already, and they're cooling their heels because they accidentally didn't get all the material they needed this morning. Oops.

I will divert my attention sufficiently to post one photo, which may give you a sense of how the weekend went.



How's that for a finish line? Nice, huh?

Looks like it was an awesome weekend for both the volunteers and the runners...waiting for more details...

nkrichards wrote:Looks like it was an awesome weekend for both the volunteers and the runners...waiting for more details...

Hi, Nancy!

You can read my non-racing race report over in the race report section.

I'll be posting up a selection of photos from the weekend momentarily.

Now, photos, in (more or less) chronological order:


Morning = wet



Very wet.


Part of the trail that passed our hotel.


Late-morning hope! Clouds begin to clear, and a rainbow appears.


It's dry as we head to the finish area.


Setting up.


Are these awesome trophies, or what?


The band sets up.


The pizza crew already working.


And we're ready for runners! (A couple of people asked if we were associated with the Mount Hood 50. Oops!)


The party.



The view.


The pizza was very popular, once the post-run fuzz faded and appetites returned.



The pièce de résistance.

An amazing day.

Looks like your rock has a longer potential life than the jug.  Nice pictures, too.

ounce wrote:Looks like your rock has a longer potential life than the jug.  Nice pictures, too.

True, and you wouldn't want to put them together in the trunk of your car on a bumpy road, either.

I'm very fond of the logo for the race - it's a woodcut design featuring a cranky crab on a rock as waves crash all around.

We interrupt our interrupted schedule for....

Closure.

After more than four months, I'm pleased to introduce yourself to our restored house.


(Floor, sofa, loveseat, footstool, blinds, curtains, cat climber, chandelier, rugs, dishwasher all replaced; walls, ceiling, kitchen cabinets, dining table, coffee table, bench all restored.)

The contractors wrapped up the last items on our punch list (replacing the wood around four windows downstairs that should have been replaced months ago) yesterday afternoon, and I put up the new curtains. We still need to sign off on the final completion, but there really is nothing left to be done. The house is complete.

   

For his part, Fluff approves of the changes.



Now all we have to do is go through the couple dozen boxes in the garage and figure out what to return to the house, what to sell, what to donate, and what to throw away. That might take some time, but at least the house is d-o-n-e, done!

Whew. Dang. That was one long haul.

(We now return you to our regularly scheduled program.)

Glad to see that you had a great weekend volunteering. Also, it is good to see that the house is all put back together. It looks gorgeous!!

House looks awesome and it must feel good to be back.  You are keeping the bathroom doors shut, right?

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:  You are keeping the bathroom doors shut, right?

Or at least taught Fluff how to turn off the faucet when done using it, right?

Nick Morris wrote:

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:  You are keeping the bathroom doors shut, right?

Or at least taught Fluff how to turn off the faucet when done using it, right?

Fluff slipped the sheetrock guys some kibble to provide access to the bathroom from a wall. 

Walk: 2.3 miles

Weather: Overcast, breezy, cool. 60 degrees

I did some core work this morning and decided to get a walk in at lunch. A major rain system is moving in tonight, so it made sense to take advantage of the dry while I can.

I also tried out the new "RunForth" app put together by the RunningAHEAD folks. It includes GPS tracking and automatic upload, which was attractive for these walks. I can give it only mixed reviews. It worked fine while I had it in a jacket pocket while I had the jacket on, but it lost signal when I took the jacket off and carried in it my hand. Oh well.

The walk was fine. My right peroneal was a little cranky, which was odd. Hopefully I can keep working the calves and train my body to not overuse the side muscles anymore.

Nick Morris wrote:Glad to see that you had a great weekend volunteering.  Also, it is good to see that the house is all put back together.  It looks gorgeous!!

Thanks, Nick! We're very happy with how it turned out.

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:House looks awesome and it must feel good to be back.  You are keeping the bathroom doors shut, right?

Ha! You'd think, right?

Nick Morris wrote:

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:  You are keeping the bathroom doors shut, right?

Or at least taught Fluff how to turn off the faucet when done using it, right?

Better yet: We removed the handle part of the tub faucets.


"Hmph. Spoilsport!"

So unless Fluff gets opposable thumbs, we should be safe. We also installed an overflow drain to the tub, which can't hurt. And we'll never be late paying our homeowner's policy.

ounce wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:  You are keeping the bathroom doors shut, right?

Or at least taught Fluff how to turn off the faucet when done using it, right?

Fluff slipped the sheetrock guys some kibble to provide access to the bathroom from a wall. 

Oh, I'm sure he's got other plans. He's not sharing them with us, though.

Mark B wrote:
Better yet: We removed the handle part of the tub faucets. (I'll post a photo later.) So unless Fluff gets opposable thumbs, we should be safe. We also installed an overflow drain to the tub, which can't hurt.

Yeah, and you felt safe from the crafty feline before, didn't you?  Don't forget, he did get to watch all the construction being done, so now he has an even better idea of where all the key weak points are hidden.  Fluff the ninja will bide his time and strike when you least expect it.  That is his way.

Tom H wrote:

Mark B wrote:
Better yet: We removed the handle part of the tub faucets. (I'll post a photo later.) So unless Fluff gets opposable thumbs, we should be safe. We also installed an overflow drain to the tub, which can't hurt.

Yeah, and you felt safe from the crafty feline before, didn't you?  Don't forget, he did get to watch all the construction being done, so now he has an even better idea of where all the key weak points are hidden.  Fluff the ninja will bide his time and strike when you least expect it.  That is his way.

Knowing Fluff, it'll be when HE least expects it, too...

Mark B wrote:

Tom H wrote:

Mark B wrote:
Better yet: We removed the handle part of the tub faucets. (I'll post a photo later.) So unless Fluff gets opposable thumbs, we should be safe. We also installed an overflow drain to the tub, which can't hurt.

Yeah, and you felt safe from the crafty feline before, didn't you?  Don't forget, he did get to watch all the construction being done, so now he has an even better idea of where all the key weak points are hidden.  Fluff the ninja will bide his time and strike when you least expect it.  That is his way.

Knowing Fluff, it'll be when HE least expects it, too...

A rainy day today, as Southwest Washington sits midstream in an "atmospheric river" that extends back beyond the International Date Line. Part of me wishes I was able to be splashing around in it (it's subtropical, so it's warm rain), but I know I need to hold off a day and let the core work and walking yesterday do its job.

Even so, I did what I call my "stress position" exercise today: Standing on one leg, with my knee locked, for as long as I can stand it. The first few minutes are fine, then the burning sets in. I feel it in my hips but more significantly in my feet as those intrinsic muscles strain to keep me upright.

I'm up to six minutes per side, with a bit of upper body motion (bending over reaching toward the floor) thrown in to make it harder. At some point, the PT told me, I ought to do it on a pillow, bosu or other unstable surface. Sounds like fun. Sorta.

Regardless, I can feel the difference already from the core work I've done so far (and the work on the calves). I feel stronger and more fluid as I walk. And when I squeeze the gluteus maximus when I'm doing a bridge? Holy cow. I can feel that whole big muscle starting to work; I've never felt that before, and it's quite a sensation. Imagine what it'd be like if I could actually use it while running!

So while it's unusual for me to spend so much time on strength-building work, I think I might finally be mature enough to get the most out of it. I'm trying to be methodical and consistent, hopeful that it'll pay off when I get back to running in earnest.