Let's All Do The Turkey Trot

Training report: I ran today.

End of report.

Actually, it was a pretty good run. It was my first 20 miler this training cycle. I've scheduled myself to do 2 more - a backdown run next weekend (12-15 miles) and then the following weekends will be a 22, 20 and then a 2 week taper before my marathon. I actually wanted to do more training miles leading up to this marathon. I'm thinking that might be part of my problem in bonking when I have my last few marathons. Well, maybe just in Fargo this past Spring. The 2 prior to that there were extenuating circumstances that I'll chalk those runs up to (yes, I'm fully aware some of you will read "extenuating circumstances" as "excuses"). For Fargo's I was kind of banking (i.e. hoping/wishing) my triathlon training would carry me through that one. I found out the hard way that triathlon training does not substitute fully for marathon training unless you're training for an Ironman.

Knowing I wasn't going to be able to con someone into running the whole 20 miles with me I set out trying to find someone to do part of it with me. Even we introverts can get bored when it's just ourselves on a long run. Kris bit at the opportunity and we set the plans to meet this morning.

I got to the neighborhood where we were going to meet and found out there was a 10 mile race in progress so they had all the roads closed in the area which made getting to the meeting spot cumbersome. Needless to say, we didn't meet up through no fault of her's, just a matter of unforeseen circumstances. That meant I had to run alone...by myself...solo...party of 1...for 20 miles...105,600 feet. There was a nanosecond there when I just thought, "ah, skip the run, you don't want to run that far by yourself." Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at things) I was able to push that thought aside, sucked it up and told myself it'll be a good mental workout too getting through it - needing to rely on just myself to make it and not lean on someone else to pull me along.

I laced up the running clogs and was off.

I won't take you through every mile, but in conclusion the first 17 went well and I was feeling good physically. The last 3 were noticeably slower and there was some competition going on between my physical and mental beings. I had to resort to some tricks and play games between the two, they both got their fair share of wins, but in the end we all came out stronger after getting through it so this first 20 miler was a success in my book.

My route today was along the Mississippi River and the last 10 miles of the TCM marathon. I love this time of year with the leaves starting to change. The colors aren't there fully yet, but the river banks were still nice to look at and were a pleasant distraction. Next weekend is that marathon so I'm sure they'll be even more apparent. At that point in the route if you can take your mind off how you're feeling and look around hopefully you're able to appreciate the beauty of nature. You can sometimes forget that you're in a metropolitan area which is a nice reprieve.

So I went for a run with a bunch of turkeys on Thursday, literally. I was able to sneak out during lunch for a quick 5 miles. My route in Eagan takes me from my office, down along the pedestrian path along 494 and across the MN River. As I turned the corner to get on the path and head down to the river there were a bunch of wild turkeys standing there, some on the path, some eating in the brush off to the side. I'll admit they scared the crap out of me a little! What is a group of turkeys called - flock, gaggle, group, bunch? Anyway, I wasn't sure if they were going to move or what and thought I remembered hearing they can be somewhat aggressive. I kept running towards them hoping they would part and leave me alone. Some snuck back into the woods off to the left, some kept eating off to the right and some started sauntering down the path in front of me. Have you ever seen a turkey saunter? You should. Those in front picked up their pace a little and I kept with them stride for stride (only 2 or 3) before they darted off into the woods too. After getting past them I did look back a couple of times just to make sure none of them got brave and started chasing me. That would've made for a good speed workout I suppose. Thankfully they weren't there on my way back about 20 minutes later.

Well, that's it for my training report. Seriously this time.

We have conferences for the kids this week. Farmington is on the 4 quarters system, not trimesters like we're used to with New Prague, so it'll be nice to meet the teachers we haven't yet and get the synopsis from them on how the kids are doing and adjusting. There have been some minor transition pains, but I think all 3 of them are enjoying themselves by now and fitting in.

I think Kayli's used to her short hair by now, but I still do a double take when I see her. She says the biggest difference is just in washing her hair because it goes so quick now. It's strange not having her around here anymore. I have to cram our time together into the 5-10 minutes I see her when I pick up the boys. Kinda weird. I do have Guthrie tickets for her and me to see a show in a couple of weeks though so I'm looking forward to that.

Well, I think that's about it for tonight. You're all caught up so I'm gonna sign off.

There's a post-ironman party on Wednesday hosted by the 2 we went to watch. Hopefully they'll let loose a little now that everything is behind them so there may be a story or two to tell from that evening. Stay tuned.