Tuesday, September 14, 2021

We're Not In Kansas Anymore....Or The United States

Usually, I try to be witty and I think that is the case with the title here. However, it is also extremely true and a huge part of why for the past 8+ months there has been nothing posted here.

So, what am I talking about exactly? Well, I moved outside of the United States to Scotland. Specifically, Aberdeen, Scotland. Been here for about three weeks now but there was a ton that went into getting here. Packing, selling and a whole world of logistics. While many of our personal effects have yet to arrive, the lions share is done. (For now at least.)

As you can imagine, this really impacted running. Actually, I think putting 4100 miles in last year has impacted things most. Today, I hit 2000 for this year. BIG DIFFERENCE. My goal is 2500 so I am on target. I'm adjusting to finding new routes. Still haven't done any long 10+ runs. In due time. What I can say is that my mileage is ticking back up and more consistent again. For June, July and August, there were lots of disruptions that impacting getting out daily on either the treadmill or actually outside/ Speaking of the treadmill, no, it did not make the trip. I used it up to almost the end before it got rehomed with a friend/ 

Racing wise, 2021 has been more active. But not by that much even if I tripled last years output. Those keeping score will remember 2020 had one race. Meaning, with the assistance of math, you would be correct to get three as the number of races. Two were ultras. One was a DNF. 

First up was World's End 50K. It was a race that I was originally scheduled to do in 2020 and I would say I would have been in better shape for it then. Considering life's stresses, I treated it more as a training run than really a race. It was a good time even if people did have a hard time believing me beforehand when I said I wasn't racing it. Seeing friends and enjoying one of my favorite parks was really what it was all about. In the end, I think I was 9th male and 12th overall. Somebody care to fact check that for me?

Second was my attempt to celebrate all things NYC by doing TGNY100. Since, it was known I was leaving the country in August. If you know me, you know that NYC plays a bit of a role in my life. So even being undertrained, I thought I could muscle through 100 miles to see the city. Wow, I was wrong. Not so much on the undertrained but more on the heat. I suffered in the warmth early. Even stopping off at a 7-11 and getting a nice cold Slurpee did not do the trick of keeping me core cool. In the end, I got to the 50K mark and called it a day. One positive running take away, even with walking, I did cover it faster than Worlds End. Yes, I know apples to oranges. Can't I just get a little slack in searching for self accomplishment? Much of the rest of the weekend I spent hanging out in NYC going places and doing things I wanted. A very fitting goodbye.

While the year is not over and I may squeeze in a race, the last one I did was the One Nation 4 Miler hosted by RunBucks. It was on July 4th. Out and back course on pavement. Probably my best race of the year with a second place result. Managed a 4 mile race PR. By the end, I was sucking wind as the gas tank was empty. First case of real speed work since December of 2019! Again, take what I can get. 

Aside from those three races, notable running items include spending a few days up in the New Brunswick area doing a few old training routes. Also, made it out to a group run of Raritan Valley Road Runners where I knew some folks back when I lived in the area. Finished up the notable runs really with one last run from my house in East Falls over the Ben Frankling Bridge into NJ. 

If I had to have any regret is that I am missing the fall racing season back in the states. Missing out on this year's Rock N Knob trail race is one of those I had intended to do. Alas, not to be. 

Reflecting back, it does seem like a chapter in my life has closed. I spent 25 years racing in the states. So many accomplishments that I never believed possible happened. Running took me to many heights (literally and figuratively). 

Now, I have a new chapter, one, where I don't have expectations when I show up. That's good for me now as the weight of success is a hard one as the expectation is to somehow always be expected to show up and win. That sucks a little joy out of it that the act of winning only can do so much to help. It's a double edged sword. I'm older now. Officially, I am a 'masters' runner.

Moving forward, I'm going to be me in whatever form it takes. There's a lot of excitement out there and you know I will grab onto it. And no, this post does not mean the blog is dead. Far from it. It might be reinvigorated and repurposed into more. Just know that it's all from the heart.