or, rain isn't the only thing that means pain in distance running.
bonny and the kids crewed for me during the santa barbara nine trails run last saturday.
we planned on meeting at each car accessible aid station, about 2.5-3 hours apart, throughout the day.
i got to the first station earlier (same mistake twice?) than i had planned, so i was on my own to refuel. i took my time hoping that they would show up, and they did. bonny hopped out of the car and said, "Malibu's on fire again, 37 homes have burned this morning."
i knew that that would make her day even longer.
the second car accessible aid station is the turnaround point in the race. i made it there in better shape than last year, but not much better.
i did decide to move on so started the way back. not to go into too much detail, but the race is very long (35 miles) and very steep (18,000 feet of elevation change). by the midpoint i couldn't run the downhills very well anymore as my legs hurt quite a bit, and everyone but the winner (not me in case you were wondering) stopped running anything that resembled an uphill about 10 miles in. in a course with NO flat, if you can't run uphills or downhills, there isn't much running left.
i made it to the 3/4 point, the last place i would see bonny and the kids until the finish, and was pretty worked over. honestly i was fighting back tears as i saw them. i didn't want the girls to see me cry, as they are young enough that i was afraid they wouldn't catch the fact that pushing oneself is in fact generally a positive experience. i also want them to think that running is great, not a punishment, and at their ages they don't often associate tears with joy.
at the 3/4 point there is a section of pavement, so bonny followed me in the car as i slogged along.
near the end of the pavement she offered me her ipod. i have never run with music but as i had another 3 hours to go i thought that a little distraction might be helpful.
this is what i heard as i dropped down the trail out of view, knowing that i was now committed to see this through-
"tears of joy and tears of sorrow....
my life ain't no holiday, i've been to the point of no return. i've seen what a man can do...
vanishing point-new order
"you don't know just what i've been through"
mr. disco-new order
"the picture you see is no portrait of me. it's too real to be shown to someone i don't know...
you think i am crazy but what can i do?"
round and round-new order
"addict/fanatic"
fine time-new order
"join in the fight that will give you the right to be free"
les miserables
"i had a dream my life would be so different from this hell i'm living"
les miserables
"the horses are on the track...
when you reach the bottom line, the only thing to do is climb, pick yourself up off the floor..."
the bottom line-big audio dynamite
"i don't feel like dancing....no sir, no dancing today"
i don't feel like dancing-scissor sisters
"and then you sense a change, nothing feels the same"
love walks in-van halen
"i know you have a little life in you yet, i know you have a lot of strength left...
i should be crying but i just can't let it show....give me these moments."
this woman's work-kate bush
"wider than a mile, i'm crossing you in style...oh dream maker, you heartbreaker........
there's such alot of world to see."
moon river- audrey hepburn
".....i walked alone under branches lit up by the moon, as our days disappeared too soon. but i've wandered much further today than i should....
help me if you can i've got to get back..."
house at pooh corner-kenny loggins
at this point i tried to turn up the volume (just on the ipod) and had a technical difficulty. i ended up finishing up with "E' eats everything' by They Might Be Giants.
rather appropriate for those of you who know me well.
note - this was posted by bruce, under bonny's account
13 comments:
Way to go Bruce!
It's a good thing that Bonny created such a great playlist for you. (I am assuming it was accidental?)
Good for you. Your girls will be better people for seeing their dad do things like this. How are you feeling now that it's over?
I don't know because I'm not a runner but is this sort of thing, like, good for your body?
Don't ask Kacy!
And the pictures are not showing for me.
But I admire your perseverance Bruce!
the list was accidental and kind of perfect. it is even in the order that i listed the songs. i had to laugh as i listened.
not sure about the health question. i guess it is worth thinking about, not that i haven't.
a few thoughts-
running is weight bearing exercise, so i guess that helps long term.
my resting heart rate is pretty low, as is my blood pressure and chloresterol. i had a high cholesterol test about 8 years ago and as the doctor reviewed my diet he said my only way to lower the cholesterol was through exercise.
my weight isn't exactly where i'd like it to be, but it isn't horrible either and i have no doubt i'd be carrying an additional 20 or more if i didn't run.
i've had my joints looked at by more than one doctor. all have said that they seem good, no deterioration. i've read lots about this, but mostly from runners, so the sources are biased.
i am happier when i am running somewhat regularly. bonny can attest to this.
i'm sure if i ran (or did another exercise) the same miles that i run each week on a more regular schedule that that would be better for me in lots of ways, but at this point in my life that really isn't an option-
the number of times i leave bonny alone with the kids counts more than the duration, so two short runs during the week and a long one on saturday work best for our family.
i will be cutting down the long runs now, with bishopdom, house construction and the kids getting older. also, a rest for a month or so is probably healthy.
moderation in all things, including moderation, i guess.
hopefully the pix will show up now
They did for me anyway!
Thanks.
I wish they had encouraged running in girls when I was young - I was "sprinter" in my day, but I bet I could have been taught.
Now my joints just can't take it - but at least walking is an option!
i think more sports need to be available to more children across the board. it's a great way to relieve stress and a good habit to get into while they are young.
Bruce you mentioned house building ... are you meaning your normal everyday 9 to 5 or are you and Bonny working on a new place to call Chez Bolander?
Well done, Bruce! David & I did a 50k in Ridgecrest this past weekend and were talking about you, wondering if you were ended up doing the race. Congrats on finishing!
Pardon the bad grammar of my previous post. Me is tired.
wow! 50 k - nicely done liz.
and jake - we're building a little rental house across the street - chez bulander is waiting. and he still has his 9 to 5 job. or rather 8 to 6.
Holy cow man, does this mean you found the zen listening to les miserables?
well done!!!!
Try the foo fighters for the finish. that stuff does wonders.
Dave
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