"There's only one hard and fast rule in running: sometimes you have to run one hard and fast."








Friday, August 6, 2010

731 Days to a New Age Class

Yep, it's my birthday (48) and so far... no toast (see last post). Having a birthday in summer means you get to do the New Year's-type reflection every six months. 47 sucked. Good people, but horrible events... thanks, good people!

Each year around my birthday I try to do things I can't believe I've never gotten around to doing. Last year I hit some famous local eateries and made a pilgrimage to the Black Hills. Tomorrow I'm headed to lake Itasca; I've actually lied about having been to the start of the Mississippi River, rather than admit to this lapse on my part. There's a 25K race and, though it's on trail and I'm in horrible shape, I may set a PR (I walked into the finish of the Litchfield Watercade in 1981 (?) and the Afton 25K in 2003 (?), so the bar's set very low).

Drive 4 hours, run 2, drive 4. Ugh. Still, given that it's the only chance to run outside of sweltering heat and humidity this month (make that this season), it's worth it.

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No, RBR, I won't be wearing a tiara and pink boa - too ex-Govenor Jessie Ventura for me. (The eCards just arrived. Thanx!)
Piccola PineCone: I'm finally getting into the "Wilderness Tips." So far, so good.

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I'm starting to look toward that next age class on the horizon. Guess that means the retirement's off again.

16 comments:

Gretchen said...

Happy Birthday! I am actually still in your town. (I mean, next door town.) But I guess if you're going to Lake Itasca tomorrow, you won't be around for a quick morning run around here. Have fun at the race!
I'm headed up to Grand Rapids tomorrow, and hopefully for a few days on the North Shore after that. I'm *really* hoping to get in a long run (20-30 miles) on the Superior Hiking Trail. Any suggestions for a section I should run? I'm hoping for point-to-point if I can talk my husband into the drop off/pick up thing. Let me know, or if your around for a run! gbrugman at hotmail.com

Lauren said...

Happy Birthday! Leos unite!

I love that you felt like you had to lie about going to the start of the Missisippi. I'm at the end of the river so if you pee in it, I'll get it in a few weeks!

John Kendrick said...

Happy Birthday! Have a good run!

Emz said...

HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY!!!

wildknits said...

Watch out for the poison ivy at Wildwoods - got a few runners last year (as did a lack of course markings).

What a way to celebrate your birthday!!

Gretchen - how "hilly" would you like your section of the SHT to be? Any section is a treat - but some can provide a bit more fun than others.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

hpy bdy

Samantha said...

Happy Birthday! Wildwoods was fun, if poorly marked, last year. Mostly on ski trails with a short single track section and some gravel road. Take a look at the course map ahead of time if you still can and enjoy.

sea legs girl said...

Did you know that Itasca comes from a shortening of the Latin veritas and caput. So I guess it must be the true head of the Mississippi, though I've often wondered where it really starts... Elk Lake? Well, you get to find out the answer later today, I guess. A 25 k on trails sounds just awesome. Happy birthday!

sea legs girl said...

Oops. That should be a ? after caput.

Lucinda said...

Happy Birthday!

Thank you so much for your supportive comments on my blog, it made me think very differently about where I placed.

PiccolaPineCone said...

Hey there, hope you had a day full of celebration. It's a very widespread phenomenon that people don't get around to seeing the sights in their own stomping grounds - don't know how common it is to lie about it :) anyway a 25 km trail race sounds like a great way to celebrate 48 years to me.
I'll be very curious to hear what you think of Wilderness tips. I have probably read it in the neighborhood of 30 times. I find the stories in it mesh together to make an amazing whole, reading it always reminds me of listening to the Rubber Soul album in the sense that the whole seems to be much greater than the sum of its parts.
Anyway Happy Birthday.

Robert said...

Happy Belated Birthday Steve! Blessings to you on your day and for the year ahead. Hope life is treating you well. From a runner who will never be in your class! In Christ, Rob

RBR said...

*laments for not the first, and certainly not the last, time that you do not run with a freaking camera*

I hope you are having fun and see pretty things even if we do not get to see them too. Selfish bastard. ;)

*smooches*

Olga said...

Happy-sad 47. Hope your PR was worth a toast:) I think if there was a climate ONLY 4 hr drive away that is not hot and humid right now,I'd be there this weekend...and every weekend. Nearest ok weather is 7 hrs away by car...

joyRuN said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

More ass pics to celebrate?

C said...

Happy belated birthday! Hope you PR'd.

I've been confused by everyone in the comments now. Did you give the Mississippi head on your birthday??

Weirdo.