Working Out The Kinks

Two-mile training runs are the pits!

It's been seven weeks since returning to some semblance of a regular running routine. This brief daily escape has been terribly missed, as I climb back onto the wagon with the welcoming clasp of an old friend. But of course, it's not without its growing pains. I put on some sympathy weight (....OK, 20 lbs), including more than a few lbs of upper body muscle mass that pushed me into the 195-lb range. I attribute this to many long days of swinging a pick and shovel while searching out my most favorite crystal digs. My knees are definitely not getting any love from this fleshy backpack. Now that we're in the gemhunter's 'offseason', the ground is frozen and will not be accepting my hand tools anytime soon. Bye, bye, guns (kisses biceps).  At the start of Week 8, I've already withered to a svelte 187, and looking to shave another five lbs from this frame by the New Year, especially after hearing that each lb of extra weight adds about 0:02 to each mile. So, imagine the hours I would sacrifice in a 100-mile race!

Rather than bore you with statistics or my paltry running log, I'll focus on what has changed for me as I approach the 2012 season. First thing to go was the Maffetone Heart Training Method. I recommend it as an initial means of building a strong aerobic base, but feel that the method is designed for the sea level runner training on little or no hills. I live on a hill at 8,700 feet, and there's just no easy way to keep your heart rate below, say, 140 bpm, without walking at some point. I was hiking at least one portion of every run, not realizing it was reducing me into a comfort-seeking, slow runner at race time. It eroded my ability to suffer, when suffering should be what drives me more swiftly to the finish line.

Instead, I've modified an existing training program to stack two long run days in a row, with a break on either side and then some shorter days throughout the week. It was tough starting from scratch. 'Hmmmm, let's see...Monday - 2 miles.  Uhh, t-t-two miles???'. We'll see how that goes.

The next move was from the Salomon XT Wings 2 to a lighter shoe. I've found that the Wings are simply too beefy, and while I'm not yet ready to jump on the Vibram train, there is something attractive about running technical singletrack in a minimalist shoe. I'll stay with the already-discontinued XT Hawk 2 until I can't find any more in my size.

Finally, there's the heartfelt desire to cut down on Diet Coke and sweets, which has been surprisingly easy - especially the sugary stuff. It only took a few days for the cravings to dissipate, and the health benefits are already materializing in other venues (read:mood). 

As I scan through the 2012 schedules, I realize what I missed most about the races was the camaraderie and competition, and honestly, being able help others along the way. In the meantime, I'm pining away as the mileage creeps forward. Maybe I'll be eating your dust on the trails next spring.

Call of Duty 4 - The Run!

'I'll teach you not to steal my Shot Bloks!'

In the most recent Trailrunner Mag (December 2011), a runner from Las Vegas in the 'Letters' column boasts that he always carries a gun, a knife, and pepper spray on his runs, stating that 'it adds a little weight, but the peace of mind is worth it'. 

Really???? Is he running down 'The Strip' at 3:00 AM?

It brought to mind the diversity in how we each manage our own sense of security. I live in the foothills of Colorado, where the most one should fear is a possible attack by a wild animal. Yet, I see the metal gates, home alarms and floodlights popping up everywhere. I remember having a discussion with a former FDNY firefighter and a rather large retired fire chief (also from the Big Apple) regarding the level of safety up in these hills. The FDNY guy said that he always packs heat and felt much more secure in the boroughs of New York than in the sleepy ascents of Conifer, to which the gregarious Chief replied, 'If someone breaks into my house, The first thing he'll see is my fist going through his face.' Ah, Chief. Good on ya, man. Maybe you should be joining me on my night runs.

In Other News...

Carson at Costco Optical

I was trying to think of something clever to announce my brief return to blogland, but alas, nothing. Much has happened since January 2010 - We welcomed the birth of our second son, Carson Ray, just a few minutes into the new year, I left my job as a geologist with a large corporation and started my own consulting company, I discovered a large pocket of monster quartz crystals while on a training run which spiraled into a gem collecting obsession, resulting in a drop-off in my training mileage. Needless to say, the urge to run was always present, and I'm currently in the opening stages of a 'comeback'. I've signed up for a 50-miler in April 2012, and have struck a fragile balance between miles and stones. Much of this stuff deserves posts of their own and may get some extended treatment in the future.

Monster Smokies

In the meantime, loads of 'sorries' go out to those who commented on previous posts only to hang in limbo while moderation notices went to my now defunct corporate address. My music site is also a memory, but the free song downloads will soon find a new home, and I'll post a link when those are ready. (Edit: Here's the link!) Plus I need to figure out all of the new Blogger bells and whistles that have been added since I was away. Good times.

Looking forward to seeing you on the trails.

Kirk

The Dignity of Labour

Ahh, yes. 2011. I haven't posted in a long, long time. I get it!

In a previous life I was a synthpop artist. Back in 2003 I was signed to a small independent label out of Utah, released a single, XRV, in 2004 and then a self-titled album in 2005. During the recording process, I agonized over every detail, and the finished product never really mirrored the image I carried in my head. Years went by before I could even listen to the album. But lately that dissatisfaction has mellowed. Sure, that mental red pen still clicks to life whenever one of those tunes comes up on my iPod. But these days I find myself enjoying the works for what they are - simple musical snapshots in time.

A long time ago, I came to the realization that the album was not going to make me the superstar I had once hoped to be, but it still has merit as a melodic, provocative effort. The disc sold well in the synthpop circles, via iTunes, Amazon, etc., and online sales are enough to buy some new software as of late.

You can download some covers, remixes, and unreleased items here. The album is now on iTunes, and so is the bonus disc!

Download and Enjoy. 

Update January 2016: I've been working on some new material, with a possible new album scheduled for 2017. Stay tuned.