Planting Seeds

I sure do suck at updating this blog. And, well, the main reason for that is that I haven’t done anything worth writing about running-wise.

This summer was a bit of an unusual one for me. From May 22^nd to July 7^th, I rented out my house in the Wash Park area and went traveling around Europe. As may be obvious from my name, my family is Irish. The primary excuse for the trip was going to go to two family weddings in Ireland. There was one wedding on my Dad’s side in late May and another on June 30^th on my Mom’s side. So I figured, what the heck? I’ll go to both. In between I made side trips to Scotland and Spain. Needless to say, it was a blast. But it was a bit spotty on the running front.

The lone exception to that was the Scottish Island called the Isle of Skye.  Holy crap was that a fantastic spot for trail running. I did about eight hours of trail running there in three days and didn’t begin to scratch the surface. If you ever get a chance to go to Scotland and you’re a trail runner, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

My fiancee showing off just one of the many views on Isle of Skye

I'm about the world's least attentive photographer, but if I weren't, I could post another 77,000 fantabulous pictures. On google images, check out Nesit Point, Fairy Pools, Quiraing, the Cuillins, and the rest of the Isle of Skye, if you're curious. Perhaps the coolest trail running locale I've ever been.

Anyhow, I came back. And that's nice, too. Long story short, I’ve been pretty consistent about trail running since I’ve been back. I’ve gone on 6 runs in the last eight weeks on mountain trails that have been 2:30 or longer. That doesn’t make me Tony Krupicka circa 2007, but it’s a nice start for me. I’m starting to feel some strength get back in my legs. I have a tendency to injure myself when I ramp up mileage, but suffice it to say that I’m building a wee base.

For what?

I have a few things in mind.

1. I’d like to do the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim this October/November. I’ve never done it. My fiancee’s never even seen it. So we were thinking of taking the dogs down to Arizona and giving it a go before the federal government declares ultrarunners illegal down there. If that sounds like anyone’s idea of fun, let me know. We’re thinking of Halloween weekend.
2. Last year, I ran 36 miles around Wash Park on the Saturday before my 36^th birthday. This year I’ll probably do 37. If I’m healthy, that’ll happen Saturday, November 15^th.
3. Rocky Raccoon 100 – Jan. 31^st, 2015? I ain’t committing just yet. Getting to the starting line fit and healthy is half the battle. But it’s a thought. Not a goal yet. But a thought.