Can I get an Amen?!

Wow, I have missed this happiness over the past 12 weeks. I got in five miles on some damp trails in this perfect Indiana fall weather. The calming patter of raindrops in the tree canopy above was my playlist. I won a staring contest with a healthy second year whitetail buck, it's two tined antlers showing his age. It felt like I was the graceful deer bounding down the wet but not yet muddy single track. I am so grateful to be back on the trails and am incredibly thankful to God. He took me out for a reason and He gave me that clarity of that reason today.

See, there is no time that I feel closer to God and his creation than when I'm trail running. There is no other facet of life in which I can so appreciate the living, breathing, working organism that is my body. No other facet of life in which I can experience the simple freedom of movement, breath, and life. But for so long that was the extent to which I connected to God. During this period of being out I've been moved to become active in my church, to reach out and connect with other believers, and more importantly to grow closer to God through prayer, worship, scripture and being among other Christians.

Honestly, I haven't been this content of a person since I was a teenager pre-drinking days. He knew I was ready, but that I wouldn't give the time to see what He wanted with all the focus I was placing on running. There was no intent on my part to slow down, so he helped slow down the running with a case of ITBS that came out of no where and without warning. This body is weak and can be lost at anytime. I've learned I can continue to not drink, to be content, to find happiness even without being able to run. One of my biggest fears in this new sober life, one that I worried about almost daily, was what would I do if I could no longer run? Would I be able to continue not drinking? Would I be able to be happy? Seriously, we're all a car accident away from never walking again. I was at a loss for what would happen to my life; now I'm not worried at all.


AMEN!

I ain't as good as I'm gonna get (But I'm better than I used to be)

Three Lakes Loop: I love the feel of soft needle covered trails, the scent of pine wafting with every step. (Photos courtesy of Terry Fletcher and my favorite trail running community Indiana Trail Running.)

I'm still here and going strong. No posts last week, it was a week of learning rather than sharing. Today I'm feeling inspired to write, and let everyone know I'm sober and improving. I'm doing my best to keep every post somehow tied into running and somehow tied into recovery. I've had an idea for a post shaping and melding in my brain for the past week. It finally hit that moment of transformation from loose concepts and themes to a printable post this morning on my drive in to work.

"I ain't as good as I'm gonna get, but I'm better than I used to be."

- Sammy Kershaw, Tim McGraw

Most recently I heard this lyric from Tim McGraw and it spoke to me and where I am in life (something told me I had heard it before, turns out Sammy sang it first, I've been listening to country since I was 7 years old living in Texas). The moment I heard the song I knew I wanted to write about it. I feel as though I've come a long way, but there is so much further to go. For me, sobriety isn't just about not drinking, but about becoming the best person I can be. I want more than anything to be the best man I can be. The first step is sobriety. Alcohol turned me into a lot of things I didn't want to be. I never lost all of myself, but I wasn't always the man I know I could be.

The same goes for running. I've come a long way. In fact I literally ran 26.2 miles this weekend. Six months ago that would have seemed impossible. Running a 2 mile loop twice was a long run for me back in August. I can feel in my soul there is so much more ground these legs can, want, and will cover. Saturday I ran 16.2 with a new friend I've made running. We had a great time crossing creeks, climbing up-hills, and bombing down-hills. We did our best not to fall around some really technical trail sections down in Morgan Monroe on Saturday morning. 

Sunday I went back for another 10 miles. I really like solo running. It gives me a chance to get lost in my head. Sunday I used my time to focus on other people. I thought about all the trials, tribulations, and sadness that other people have to face on a daily basis rather than my own problems. To be honest, it made my problems seem trivial. All I could feel was an extreme gratefulness to be in such a beautiful place, with the health and courage to run 10 miles of difficult terrain. I'm blessed to have what I have and be who I am.

Three Lakes Loop: Byron Lake, a gorgeous February day for a run.

Three Lakes Loop: Into the forest we go.

So how do I get there, to that place where I am a better runner and a better man? I've taken a couple of steps. About a month ago I walked into my first AA meeting. Can't remember the last time I had been so nervous or afraid to do something. Even as an alcoholic I was afraid other alcoholics wouldn't accept me as one of their own. Like somehow I was a fake. Thankfully I couldn't have been more wrong. It's the best decision I have made in maintaining a sober lifestyle. The community was and is over pouring with encouragement and acceptance. I felt at home from the first meeting. Fellowship with like minded people is key to this sobriety thing. I don't feel so alone when I walk through the doors of a meeting and I've been getting to 3-4 a week. 

On the running front I've made some great new friends and also have a regularly meeting run group. We don't have a name yet, but we're going to make shirts and it's going to be awesome. I've found an incredibly supportive online community of running friends through Daily Mile, blogging, and Twitter. I've got a directory of people I can call up or message and say hey "wanna go for a run this weekend" and be guaranteed to find someone shouting "Yes, name the place and time!"

It's with all honesty, sincerity, gratefulness, and hope that I can say thank you to you all, I ain't as good as I'm gonna get, but I'm better than I used to be. Hang in there with me.

All photos courtesy of Terry Fletcher at Indiana Trail Running, who happened to be out on the same trails this past weekend and thought to bring a camera.

Lone Wolf at Turkey Run (Picture heavy post...now with bonus video)

This was the only Turkey I saw, stuffed in the nature center which turned out to be a nice warm place to use the bathroom and change out of my soaking wet clothes before driving home.

I was craving some adventure and some lone trail time this past weekend. It's long been on my list to head west to Turkey Run or Shades and do some trail running and exploration. So, I mustered some courage, braved the rain, and made the hour drive. Turns out it was the perfect day to run. Muddy, but not too muddy. Distinct lack of other people. The creeks were low, ankle to shin deep and most crossings were jumpable for me being 6'3". Many of the trails are the canyon carved creek beds themselves, wading through the icy water was the only way to go in some cases.  I was hoping to put in 15-20 miles, but 3 hours on my feet was the real goal. I stopped to take pictures whenever the mood struck and made a pit stop at mile 10 for a hot cup of coffee and a honey stinger waffle.

This was my farthest distance ever in my Merell Trail Gloves and they did the job perfectly. I did find they are not very good on wet rocks and slippery wet wooden stairs. But I'm not sure anything is. They dried very quickly, didn't hold any water in at all. The only two times I fell, I was thinking distinctly about how great I was doing not falling on both occasions. The first time was on the last down step of a wooden staircase. The second spill came right after mile 13 on some wet rock and put me knee deep in a creek of ice cold water. After wading through 32 degree water for what felt like the 7th time on a sub 40 degree day, my legs said "enough!" So I walked the final mile back to the car. It was a great run, but I could see how during heavier tourist days it would be almost impossible to run here with all the traffic and limited trail space. Well that and not all of the terrain is actually runnable; wet rocks, boulders, roots and the hills! Did I mention the hills? I gained 1700 ft and lost 1700 ft over the course of 14 miles.  My hill mantra was "Holy Hills Batman" over and over again on every hill and every stair case. With plenty of connecting trails it is a great place to run when the they are your own and an absolutely gorgeous gem of a state park in Indiana.

The Turkey Run Trail System.

The Trails which I ran.

Sugar Creek. Covered Bridge at a distance

Entrance to the covered bridge. I totally broke the rules and ran.

Boulder Canyon found on trail 9. It's much steeper than it appears and one of those "unrunnable" sections of trail. But it was fun and I imagined myself as a mountain goat jumping from rock to rock.

Some of the lovely creek beds I ran, hopped, waded, hiked. Yes, the creek is the trail.

The ladders! This part was really cool, and really dangerous being as though I was soaked from rain and mud.

Punch Bowl, this would be fun to play in if it were hot out. Being sub 40 and not directly on the trail. I just gazed in awe.

 One of a few waterfalls I ran by.

Gobble Gobble, The End!

Bonus Video Footage of the ladders...they were really cool. I was excited when I saw them.

Planet Adventure Winterfest Trail Marathon Race Report

I'm gonna spit out the detail everyone is looking for right off. I finished in 2:11:25 for 65th place out of 228 half marathon runners. I finished 9th in my age group of 25-29 year old males. My splits were 1:07 for the first and 1:04 for the second loop. Ok now that you have the official results, on to all the fun details that made this race great.


So I arrived to Eagle Creek right around 5:00 to get signed in and pick up my race packet. This was my first Planet Adventure sponsored race so I wasn't sure what to expect, but let me tell you I was impressed. These guys know how to put on an event. The total field (quarter, half, and full marathoners) was limited to 500 runners and sold out weeks before the event. Who knew there were 500 people crazy enough to run a night time trail race on a freezing January night? My point here, the race was not overcrowded and not to small, it had a great feel.

This is a really cool race trailer setup at the start finish line. The two flat screens on the left show a detailed course map including mileage and aid stations. The two screens to the left (and they switched over one of the maps after the race started) displayed live race results for the quarter, full, and half. It was really cool to see how you placed and your splits immediately after running. If you had friends running you could track how they were doing. Very classy setup and much more than I ever expected.

Quick shot of the start finish. It was a bib chip timed event. The bib did not need returned post race which is nice to not have to worry about.

We all gathered for pre-race instructions at 5:40. I was busy looking for all my blogger, daily mile, and runner friends. I did catch on important detail, and one I had pretty much expected, the course was muddy. In fact, we were told 2-3 inches of standing water and mud in places. I think Matt also mentioned quarter marathoners should just wear spikes and they would breeze right through it. More coverage on the mud to come. I was able to find Ben L. and Dan pre-race, but everyone else was bundled up due to the sub freezing temperature and I sadly wasn't able to recognize. The quarter marathoners started their run at 6, and the us halfers were to be off at 6:10. The daylight was still fading, but the headlamp was on for me and most others anyway. 

I contemplated where I should start the race, front pack, mid pack, or back. I wanted to avoid the temptation to take off too fast, but had been concerned all week about the first mile, it's the most tightly winding single track on the course and I feared it wold bottle neck. I started back of the mid pack section, biggest mistake of the night as it would turn out. Just as I feared, it bottlenecked hard as people tried to avoid the muddy spots. First mile was a 12:50 when I planned for a 10:00. I was fortunate in where I started to pick up a new running friend Chris. A tall lanky bearded fella. We paced well together and made good conversation. Chris had quit smoking about a year ago and got back into running. Tonight was a training run for him as he has aspirations to run the Winona 50k this spring (another Planet Adventure race). Cool, one more person who found running as a way to help overcome unhealthy habits. Hmmm, there might be something to this.

We got to the part of the course that on the map looks like you are going to run on the water. There is actually a wide gravel pressed levee that runs through a bird sanctuary section of the lake. This was by far the coolest section of the race as you could see the streams of headlamps and runners across this nearly mile long section. We were also able to pick up pace and start moving at our own speed. We turned in a sub 9 across the levee and up the long slow hill to the next aid station. I had planned to take a gel and water at this point, but was going to rely on the aid station gel. Since we were already behind my schedule I didn't want to take anytime at the station and grabbed a cup of heed, poured it down, and kept on running.

By this point, complete darkness had set in. My headlamp was working well and there were plenty of runners in front of us so that we knew which general direction the trail would be going. Now, here comes the mud. This next section of the course is almost always wet to some degree until late Summer. Ben and I had been talking all week about how we would rather the temps stay below freezing all week so that it would be a frozen over swamp. Well, it had been above freezing the last few days, rained a good bit, and all the snow and sleet from mid week had melted. There was literally a shoe sucking mud mile. I had thus far kept my feet dry jumping over puddles. At this point, there was no jumping over. I started by trying to find a dry path, but eventually gave up and charged right ahead. I made the mistake of following some other runners around the biggest longest puddle on the course and found myself ducking through brush.

Chris and I along with another runner who enjoyed my pace finished the first lap (6.55 miles) grabbed a bottle of water and headed into round 2. This time no bottleneck through the first mile, but it's still the tightest , turniest, rootiest mile of the course so a slowed pace to keep upright was necessary. I had one close call on a downhill where I was about to run off the trail and literally bear hugged a big tree to keep from falling. I got to the levee again and realized I had lost Chris. I also noticed that at this point there were very few other runners in my vicinity and things were noticeably darker. I got passed by a full marathoner just before the lake, but other than that I was doing all the passing and it felt pretty good.

I was feeling great at this point and focused in on watching my light and the ground in front of me. I was able to keep great form by watching my light. The less it bounces, the smoother and lighter you are running. My sole focus at points was keeping that light sailing without a bounce. I also noticed other peoples lights bouncing from side to side and knew they had to be struggling. Right at mile 9.3 I got a shot of runners high. I felt it start in my head with a happy thought, and then seconds later could feel the shot of endorphines coursing through my veins to my extremities. Now, I've never mainlined anything (not counting surgery) but I imagine it feels a lot like that, only no downside to this high, I just started running faster and smiling. It couldn't have come at a better time, because the longest hill on the course was coming up coming off the lake and back into the trails.

Round two of the mud was much more difficult. This time I did it with a no holds barred full on charge through the center of it all I'm not sorry for splashing you attitude. The mud was muddier, the water was colder. At one point I was wet up to my knees and it felt like a million tiny needles stabbing my feet and legs. Thank God for smartwool socks and awesome tights. It only lasted a few seconds. My Kinvaras also don't hold water (literally) and stayed pretty light. However, running through the mud was like skating. Every step my foot would slide an inch or two. I wore my Garmin and knew my sub 2:10 race was attainable, but I had to keep it up through the mud. The little voice were telling me to stop, but I said heck no and powered on.

I went almost a mile without seeing another runner anywhere in front of me, but was determined to find more people to pass. Finally I saw a light and set a goal, pass this guy. It took me probably 3 minutes, but I caught up and passed just before the creek crossings. I came upon a couple of other runners who knew I was determined (pretty sure I was grunting and swearing as I made the creek crossings and jumped all the logs on this part of the trail) and they just got out of my way, sweet. I saw the sign for mile 6, which this time meant mile 13 and I really picked it up. I found one more poor guy to pass, hit the opening in the trees and full on sprinted the last 50 yards to finish and let out a loud and rowdy howl which was awesomely returned by others. Wow that felt great. And hello, my mom brought my kids to and they saw me finish! Best part of the entire race was hugging each of them.

I'm extremely proud of my finish and know there is much more I can do. I will be back for this event next year. Thanks to Planet Adventure, Eagle Creek, all my new running friends and family!

Vibram Five Finger Komodosport LS (Those Crazy Monkey Shoes)

If you're new to running, and especially minimalist and barefoot running, well you're in for a treat. If you are an avid blog reader like myself, then you have read 100 of these posts. I'm not necessarily aiming to be like every other running blog and review shoes, but I'm passionate about and have spent a crazy amount of time thinking and reading about what goes or doesn't go on my feet. Besides, every well established running blog has some sort of VFF review.

So after some serious blog hopping, google searching, and in store viewing I made my first minimalist shoe purchase a few months ago. It was a close tie between a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves and The Komodosport from Vibram.  And then I discovered there was an LS version (lacing system) of the Vibram shoe I was sold, boooyah! I wanted to purchase locally from my running store, but they aren't conveniently located to me and they don't carry the LS model. I felt bad because I went in and tried on the regular velcro model and then didn't buy them, but whatever, I'm a consumer. If they read this then now they know, shoulda stocked the LS version.  I purchased mine online from REI.  At first I tried to purchase from a smaller company recommended by another blogger. This other unamed company had terrible customer service!  I wanted to purchase the shoes with two different gift cards to cover the total cost. Of course you can't do this over the internet, which I expected from the beginning. No big deal. So I call in, get an incredibly unprofessional greeting along the lines of "Hello, what do you want?" and was told I would have to call back another day to make it happen because the manager wasn't in. Wow, how dumb can a company be? I called in begging to give them money and they said no.  REI on the other hand apparently understands basic business principals. Someone comes to you with money, you do what they ask, they give you money. REI was accomodating and did it with a smile, which is why I highly recommend them now.

Gratuitous Link to REI website and shoes I bought

Hey REI, how about sponsoring my next race? I promise to deck out in REI gear =)

Now on to the shoe! The Komodosport is arguably the beefiest of the VFF product line and there still ain't much there between you and the terrain. It boasts a 4mm thick sole and a 2mm thick removable insole with a zero heel to toe drop. That's right folks, 6mm between your foot and the ground and not an ounce of padding to be found. Yet, I would brag they are the most comfortable shoes I own. Everyone ALWAYS asks, "Doesn't it get annoying to have material between your toes?" No. I was concerned with this before purchasing, but they are so well designed with a seamless interior, that I wear them without socks and forget their is anything on my feet at times. I certainly never even think about the material between my toes; it's a non-thought. I've never had a blister or hot spot on or around any of my toes.

Now the sole of this shoe was designed with the off-roader in mind as well as the cross training crossfit type. So it suites me perfectly. You can see they gave thought to the lateral movements of many cross training activities and designed the grip to support it, unlike previous VFF models. The toes are well protected with the sole extending over the front so that when you inevitable kick a tree root, rock, stump on the trail you might not rip your toe nail off or worse yet break a toe! However, this shouldn't be a concern if you pick your feet up.  I fall from not picking my feet up just about every other time I hit the trails. It gets hard to remember after a grueling hill climb or you're distracted by the gorgeous scenery.

This picture was taken on the highest point of my favorite trail run at Eagle Creek.

The shoes are designed to be worn sockless (or with toe socks if you must). I love wearing them sockless. I much prefer to run without socks on. Probably because I can never find the socks I want, or worse just one of them. The entire hassle is eliminated with a good sockless design. There is one slight drawback, these shoes have some serious stank!  I don't mind it, but EVERY one else does. So long as they stay on my feet, the smell stays locked up.  Thankfully, the dang things are machine washable. I threw them in after putting about 40 sweaty sockless miles in and they held up great.  The stench is mostly gone.  I don't think that kind of piercing foot stank smell can every be entirely eliminated and I make no apologies for it. I'm proud of my own brand of stenches in every variety.

The groundfeel is awesome with these shoes. Go outside right now. Take off your shoes. Run down the driveway and then maybe 50 feet down the street and back. Pay close attention to how the ground feels beneath your feet. Now do the same thing in the grass.  Be mindful of each step as you take it. You probably stepped on a pebble or two, it probably hurt, but all those other steps on the asphalt felt surprisingly pretty good and well, different that what you are used too. Now the grass and the soft damp earth, that just feels awesome. VFF shoes give you as much of that feeling as possible, and surprisingly a lot, but none of the pain when you hit a pebble. You feel the pebble underfoot; you know the pebble is there, but it doesn't hurt. This is gonna sound uber hippy, but it brings running to a whole new level when you feel a connection to the ground you stand on. When on the trails, I feel like an ancient Aztec zipping silently through the forest, stalking my prey. Running has never been so much fun as it is in the babies. They are stealth shoes, if it wasn't for all the fallen leaves right now, no one would ever hear me coming.