Flood Run Day 2

Five miles this morning seemed like a safe plan. I knew I didn't want to do 10 in the afternoon bakery/sauna that is Midtown. The run was nice- my pace started slow but got better as my legs loosened up.

After work- I ran Belmont Blvd. + and got in 7 miles. The sky was turning purple to the west as I finished and thunder grumbled in the distance.

My mileage is now 40, but running has a cumulative effect. I know I have hard miles ahead of me. I pray for strength.

I thought of this while running... Vanity is an unarmored breast.

28 miles- Flood Run Day One

Sunday started early- 4am after a short restless sleep, I was to Percy Warner Stonegate by 5am and running down Belle Meade Blvd thereafter. I watched the sky go from dark to a rich lavender as daybreak approached. The beautiful homes sat still full of sleep. The magnolia blooms smelled sugary and were covered in dew. Only me, a few service trucks and the police seemed to be out. Five miles and I was back to the Jeep to refuel.

I debated whether or not to tote 2 handheld water-bottles for the next stint. It was the 11.2m through the park road. The trees rose above me like the walls of a cathedral as the fresh morning light began to shimmer in the early morning breeze. I drained both bottles and was thankful to have them.

Back to the Jeep at a step or 2 under 17 miles. By now the park was buzzing with bikers, walkers, dogs, kids, joggers, and running groups. The heat is no longer coming... the heat is here. I am soaked from head to toe in sweat. I opt to carry only one bottle. I am running toward the Radnor Lake Nature Center-it is to be 5.5 miles out and 5.5 m back. The short part on Hillsboro Rd was challenging, mainly because of the lack of a descent shoulder and cars traveling fast. I found myself yelling, "How bout a few inches here!" I was starting to feel the heat, I get irritable (irrational) when my body is depleted - miles 20 -22.5 leveled out in effort and I was blessed to run in some shade and I got my head together.

Entering the air-conditioned Nature Center was just incredible- as I filled my bottle I looked at the tile floor beneath me. A puddle ring had already formed around my feet, sweat. I gobbled down my last gel and headed back whence I came, the temp was nearly 90 and so humid it felt like a sauna.

I worked through the last miles and was glad to have an ice water towel waiting on me in the car.

Then, I met a good friend at Loveless for Biscuits and such.

28 miles.

Trail Head

A trail has a mind, it has the mind of those who created it… near civilization a trail will make very thoughtful turns, having a purpose, a feel, a sense that its heading somewhere specific. But when a trail gets out, far away… it takes on a new mind… one that meanders, explores, twists and turns in nonsense ways or to far off landmarks or waterfalls. There is a definite cognition to both- almost speaking in your ear as you run, sometimes merciless, often wondrous. -- JMS

Flood Relief Run

Last week of July- I will run to benefit 3 Lodge Brothers who suffered major damage in the flood. It's hot and humid and the trails are dusty... a few more weeks to prepare for what I have committed to do.

more to come... as the pace increases.