Gordo Running

What a trail run!  I've written about how fun trail runs are before, but last night's was the epitome of San Angelo trail running for me.  It was the San Angelo Road Lizards Christmas Light Run.  Now, I don't know if that's an annual thing or something that Kent thought up but that's how it went.  Out of the seven of us, only two didn't have lights.  Yeash... I was one of the bah humbugs so I had to tuck in with the more well-lit runners of the group.  Kent being festive Photo Credit: Dennis Hall I've been in a bit of a funk the last couple of weeks, not really wanting to run.  Looking at some of the civilians at work with the giant guts in envy.  "If only I could just stop caring about the shape I'm in."  I had to talk myself into heading out the door.  That being said, I don't think I ever remember regretting going for a run.  I never seem to come back thinking "Man, I shouldn't have done that."  With that in mind, I...

Sometimes a run is simple.  You are out there trying to burn some calories, get in some training, or "get you cardio in." But sometimes it is therapy in motion.  Much like going on a drive and screaming along with Taking Back Sunday, Chiodos, or Story of the Year (Yeah, I was one of those kids) when I was a teen.  The endorphins, views, and yes sometimes even the pain help to relieve that stress.  The problems will still be there when you finish, but you feel just a bit better.  And, sometimes, that's all you need for a start. Blanca snapped this one of my during the Rudolph Run just before the Santa hat fell off

The Rock N Roll series, while being crazy expensive, is the jewel of San Antonio races.  20,000-30,000 runners come out and fill the downtown streets over the weekend running distances from 5K to a full marathon.  Bands dot the course as it also takes runners on a tour of San Antonio landmarks.  Not only are there 20,000+ runners downtown, it seems like 100,000+ spectators and another couple thousand volunteers line the course.  RnR is known for their cool medals and giving special medals away to runners that complete certain challenges.  They also give special treatment for longevity, as runners this year got a big sticker modeled after a Hollywood star if they've run RnR races 10 years in a row.  2017 was #7 in a row for me. The RnR has always held a special place for me.  It was my first 1/2 marathon back in 2011 and I set two marathon PRs and a 1/2 marathon PR there.  I joined Carrera to train for the RnR in 2014, and that changed how I thoug...

When you toe the line, the course is the same for everyone.  The course does not care about how fast you run it, what your day was like, who you are, what you've done at other races, or how your preparation went.  The course will humble you and can even defeat you.  The course is what it is, nothing we do as runners will change it.  During my first foray into the 50 mile distance, the course humbled me, but certainly did not defeat me. Just a heads up, there might be some explicit word in this one as I replay what was going on in my head during the race.  Sorry Grandmas. I'm starting this Sunday night just after getting out of an epsom salt bath.  I have a blister that seems to be taking over the second toe on my right foot and four blackened toenails that I may lose. Jason, Anne, and I had talked about bumping up from the 50K we did in 2016 to a 50 mile race.  I forget exactly how/who, but somehow Wild Hare 50 miler was the chosen race. ...