I particularly enjoyed his last post where he talks about what a bad ass my dad was as a young runner when I was a small child (his personal best in the marathon was 2:36!). Sometimes I wish I could grasp more, when I was young, that he was so fast and been able to watch, ask questions and learn. But, of course, kids are kids and I don't remember caring that much that my parents and family ran or how talented they were. I was just a kid, screwing off, doing my own thing or whatever.
Well, here's to you dad! Below are a couple photos my mom sent me of my dad running back in the day...
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| (My dad at the Lake Sammish Marathon back in the day! I'm the little kid holding the papers in the front of the photo.) |
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| (My dad, again, at the Lake Sammish Marathon back in the day...bad ass shot!) |
My running...
Well, I ran once a couple weeks ago and that's it since the Tonto.
I seem to have a bit of a tender spot that has flared up again after the Tonto and I am a little concerned about it. The tender spot is under the pad of my left pinkie toe. I'm not sure what it it (stress fracture, ligament issue or something else) but I am sure that it is now a reoccurring thing that seems to not want to totally go away with minimal rest that I have given it in the past.
So... I am committed to getting rid of it by taking a bit more time off than usual. Basically, I am going to climb, hike, bike, and work on general strength and range of motion stuff to keep myself distracted as much as I can until I have no discomfort in that spot long enough to forget about it. Then, when I can get started running again, I'm going to take my sweet old time building back up the miles and monitor the foot. If pain comes back then I will take even longer off next time.
Hopefully, this will get me back running again in time for the fall season but we will see. I've got some options for some really cool long runs late in the summer and into the fall so I'm crossing my fingers to be in shape again for those. We will just have to be patient and see if I can get there with my foot. Otherwise, I might just accidentally get back into climbing shape and start pushing myself again on the rocks. That would be rad too, so I guess I can't go wrong either way. We will just have to see how it all plays out.
You should think about some runs/ridge traverses in the Sierra this summer. The snowpack is thin this year, access should be great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting these memories. Those were the days - when we were young and fit and invincible! I was looking online for the results of that Nike marathon (1975 or 1977?)- then remembered, results weren't posted on the internet then ;-). I think the race started in Springfield, Oregon. We stayed in a motel that was next to the Greyhound bus station and got NO sleep at all. I'm surprised he was in any condition to run at all!
ReplyDeleteKen- I am most definitely thinking about it... Susan and I are trying to plan what the hell we are going to do for a couple weeks at end of June/beginning of July. We have only very briefly gotten to talk about our options but maybe a backpack trip in the Sierra's and then climbing around your area and hanging out with you all is something we will need to consider... It would be great to see you guys again. Do you think the high Sierra would be open by that time? Any suggestions for weekish long loop or point to point to backpack that would stand above the rest? Hope all is well in Bishopland!
ReplyDeleteKim- ...I think that I am loosing a bit of that young, fit and invincible now myself! My foot is still hurting and I am realizing it is all tied together with all the tight shoes and climbing I've done for the last 20 years. It's all starting to catch up with me now.... arrrggg. Oh, to be an adult! I think this is the phase in life where I learn to manage tweaks and pains to keep doing the things I love instead of completely recovering from them anymore... we will see.