Everything is Smaller

I woke up today not quite sure where I was. The room was unfamiliar and it was dark, but after a minute I realized I was home, in the same room I slept in throughout high school, a different bed but the same place. I had slept nearly twelve hours, a combination of the Nyquil and being tired but awoke to a steady rain coming down, making me prone to rolling over and sleeping more, knowing I wouldn't be enthusiastic about running in the cold rain when I'm trying to get over a cold.

When I finally did run, it seemed I picked the perfect window, only a few minutes of rain during the hour and a steady downpour fifteen minutes after I got back. All the hills, roads, rivers and lakes that I had grown accustomed to in high school and all seemed so big, now don't. I remember one hill in particular on the back of the reservoir on Mills road, it's more of a gradual incline for a quarter mile. When I would bike or run it in high school it seemed hard or at least long, but when I got there today it was as though I were Gulliver in Lilliput.

I guess when you move away, things get bigger in your mind, or you don't remember them exactly as they are. Additionally, running has changed for me in recent years and whereas I might have seen an eight mile run as long when I was in high school, I now see it as something done easily well under an hour. But as I get older, my perspective changes, as I get stronger, as I get faster, or even just am around fast more often, or around faster more often. Living with Brandon and Lee, and training with Nick certainly has that effect. Brandon telling me about ten mile tempo runs at Wisconsin ending in consecutive miles under five minutes sounded crazy at first listen, but now I'm getting accustomed to it, to the idea of it being something we could do.

I think perspectives changing is part of how life has to be and especially of how a runners life should be, well, any athlete. If your pond never changes size, then when you're the biggest thing in the pond, you'll be satisfied, but if your pond is ever expanding as you grow, you always have a new challenge.

Traveling home

Coming home is always an adventure, nothing too exciting on the plane except for almost missing it. I guess you're supposed to check in at least thirty minutes before a domestic flight and I got there about twenty five minutes before the flight and then had to make it through security. I started getting nervous when the flight was supposed to leave in fifteen or so minutes and I still wasn't through security, but they didn't mind my knitting needles and I made it through alright. But as soon as I had my things back, over the intercom they said that the door at the gate was going to be closing in two minutes yet I was still ten gates away. Running isn't a problem, but running with a backpack and a huge timbuk2 messenger bag is not so conducive to speed. I made it just in time.

It was great to see Dad when I got off the plane and out of the airport, we drove up to Mom's where we all had some birthday cake since yesterday was my Moms birthday. My uncle, cousin and her fiance were here too, it was great to catch up and help eat some of the cake that had been piling up. Even though I know what's going on with Mom and how her health is, no matter how much detail I get, it's still hard to come home and see her when I know that usually she's so strong and on top of things. When she's weak and the option of just working out a lot to get stronger isn't there, it's a really tough situation. A big part of me wants to just stay here instead of living and training out in Ann Arbor, and while I don't think it would be easy to handle, I know that I could. I don't know what the answer is.

Michigan Football

Today was an awesome day, a little long but definitely amazing. Started with a run with Brandon which turned out to be pretty fast but felt good on a crisp morning. I had a quick breakfast and headed down to the stadium. I was on my way to the tailgate for From the Heart but I had to make a pit stop on the way.

Smartly I thought ahead of time that I needed to bring my folder from lifting so that I'd have it with me next week at home so I'd know what I'm supposed to do. Stupidly, I forgot my planning on Friday when I was in the weight room and left without it. Luckily, Brent was in the weight room this morning (having what looked like an awesome session) so I was able to pick it up. Smartly I put it in Coach Eddies van when I got to the tailgate so I wouldn't have to carry it around with me all day at the game since he said that he would have the van at the end of the game when we were all leaving. Stupidly, when Torey and his parents were ready to leave, I left with them and took a ride back to my car forgetting that it was still in Coach Eddies van. Smartly I realized that it was in his van and met him at Northside Grill to pick it up tonight while my dinner was growing cold. But at least I have it. What a hassle over a little folder. But it sure is an important folder.

Once I got to the tailgate, I met up with Torey and his parents, they were, to steal a phrase from my roommate Brandon "totally stoked" for the game. We made our way there, found our seats after a funny conversation with with an event staff member, where they tried to tell us that we could take the stairs to our seats which were clearly in the wheelchair section but after I asked three times how we could all get there, with increasing emphasis on the word 'all' he got the picture. We all had a good laugh about it. The seats were tight, great view of the game, especially for a first time viewing experience (it was Toreys first time at a game). I was cold but I guess I'm always cold, despite having three layers on. Torey wasn't, so it was all good.

After the game we went down to the tunnel in Crisler and Torey got all the players who came out that way to sign his football. Patrick Omameh (bff), Rich Rod and Tate to name a few. They took pictures with the dance team, the cheerleaders and all the players that came through. It was really great for everyone. On our way down the tunnel to the field in the Big House, we got to see Denard Robinson, he signed the football and took a picture with Torey. I could tell Torey was excited for that, I mean after all, Robinson is playing great, so with good reason. It was funny how Coach Frey had him held up in a side room there and we had to walk down the tunnel a little so that people outside didn't see him (and go crazy).

When we got down to the field we threw a football around, took pictures on the Block M in the center of the field and just hung out for a while. I tried to grab the upright so we could get a picture of me hanging on it, but I'm a baby and I couldn't jump that high, nor did I try really...I'm a baby. But by the time I got to my car, it was starting to sink in how tired I was and that we hadn't really made time for LUNCH in there. I'm a guy with a small engine and not a huge fuel tank, I need to get topped off early and often in order to keep going. Somehow I was alright through the whole game, but when I got home, I was hungry. I think that because we were having so much fun sitting at the game and talking the entire time, I didn't even think about it.

It was an awesome day, I'm sure Torey and I will hang out not just at football games. Tomorrow I'm leaving for NY and then down to NJ to watch Ken and Julie row and be awesome as per usual. Early flight out and back though, but I've decided to bring my knitting with me. A tough decision to be sure, but I think the right one. We'll see.

No Trespassing

Though Brandon and I aren't doing workouts right now, we drove over to the Skyline track with Lee, warmed up with him and then went out for some more while he was getting ready for the workout. When we got back, the school cop came running out of the building telling us that we weren't allowed to be on the track during school hours. We explained what we were doing, though he wasn't really interested in what we had to say, and simply replied that if we didn't leave, he'd charge us with trespassing. My favorite quote is surely "I don't care if you got approval from President Obama himself, you can't be on the track during school hours". Now let's be serious for a second, if Barack came out and said, "I know that's the rule, but these guys are with me" I'd have a hard time believing this guy wouldn't pee himself and then hold our water bottles for us.

The thing that wasn't so hot was that Lee was all nice and hot, ready for the workout, and then we had to drive to the UM track so he could get it in. I forgot to mention that the wind was incredible. But when we got there, I opted to get my lift out of the way while he was running so I wouldn't have to drive back later on. Despite rain and a stand up wind, Lee ran a pretty sweet workout, I'd say he's ready to run at Commonwealths in about ten days.

We had an awesome trip to Walmart, but not just Walmart, we went to a Walmart Supercenter. If you didn't know there was a difference, you should go check one out, it's significant. Needless to say, I got a vintage looking Ironman t-shirt for three dollars. Now only to wait for an occasion worthy of it. The only thing I can think of is my cousins wedding, but that's about two months away, not sure I can wait that long.

Tomorrows another football game. But instead of working up in the suites/club level, I get to actually sit and watch the game. Heading there with my friend Torey who I met up in Mott, shoot, a couple months ago now. It's going to be sweet. Unfortunately Lee is leaving tomorrow, so it'll be our last run early before the game. Goodbyes are always hard.

Jersey Shore

Somehow I got totally sucked in to Jersey Shore. Lee was watching it while I was eating and I caught part of an episode, I hate to admit it but that was enough to get me to watch most of the second season today. It's probably one of the worst shows I've seen, not only does nothing really happen but the people on the show and I have virtually nothing in common. I can't...though I guess I can believe there are people actually like that out there. In any case, we're anxiously awaiting the episode tonight but voted to wait until tomorrow so we can watch it On Demand and avoid the commercials. I guess there are worse things to be passing crazes around this house. It's not as though we don't work hard the rest of the time. Especially now that we have the power tower.

After we ran, we went over and talked with Ron. I think I'm more sensitive than I need to be about wanting to be one of the guys, I surely recognize that my resume looks nothing like the two guys I'm living with. And while I believe that mine will get significantly better once I start racing after having trained in this group, that doesn't change the current state. But at the same time, that matters little, and as Nick and Ron have said, we're all equal in this. So I brought my training logs over and handed them off to Ron. Not that I think it matters much, having been out for the past year after the accident, it's not as though my body knows a system so well that Ron needs to slowly add in some of his as he takes away what I've been doing. I'm somewhat of a clean slate. And while I want a plan tailored to me, the advantage of working with the other guys outweighs that in my mind for the most part. I know that I'll have probably more speed stuff to do, but also that there is the chance I'll move up to the 1500. It's all going to hinge upon what the training shows and what Ron thinks. No rush to decide anything right now, there's no need.

Slows BBQ

We watch a fair amount of Man v. Food on Hideaway Lane, it's a great show most of the time, except for the one where he tries to eat a seven course Italian meal, basically the menu. It's just not a good challenge, there's nothing special about it. Now, the sushi place in Utah, that was quality, you have to eat one piece of level 4, 5 and 6 before you can even attempt the challenge, a six piece roll of level 7. I don't really like spicy food, not a lot of it anyway, but this was a good challenge, there was some story and the guy made all the sauces in house, and you were basically crying before it was even over.

At any rate, there was a place in Detroit featured the other day called Slows BBQ and Ali suggested we go there, so last night the four of us headed out there with the thought to even catch a Tigers game (@7pm afterward). The door was hard to find since it just looked like part of the wall, and the neighborhood was, well, maybe not exactly where you'd want to raise a family, but there was another Volvo there, so we knew (hoped) we'd be alright. We basically ordered the menu, or at least enough of it to get a good taste of what they were doing there. Everyone got a sandwich which were very reasonably priced, and then we ordered a combo plate that had some of each of their three main meats. Everything was amazing. I did make the mistake of ordering my sandwich on a Kaiser roll instead of on their texas toast, but even that couldn't take away from the sandwich which I won't even try to describe. I think we plan to have it be a...well, monthly or so place to go.

We made it over to the Tigers game afterward and only missed the top of the first inning I think. But we sat out in the bleachers for pretty cheap and just relaxed, it was a great time. We toured the stadium, took a lap around, Lee studied the Coney Island menu, apparently some very reasonably priced items!

Today I got in to see Bo before we ran. He just knows so much about what we're doing, I'm elated to be able to work with him, or rather, for him to work with me, it's my privilege. I know I'm getting stronger and my knee is starting to come back. After that week off following the triathlon, it was bothering me, getting swollen and just being obnoxious. I think partly because I wasn't lifting, and doing some of the PT exercises I was doing in coordination with lifting. But it hasn't been swelling and it feels alright, it'll get used to it, and I'll be up at seventy in six shortly. Then we'll start doing real work in November. After lifting we ran from the condo, I certainly felt the lifting I had just finished but I like days like that. Makes me feel like I'm doing something. Running mileage with Brandon is going to make a huge difference, he likes it faster and while I can't always be the one to push the pace on a distance run, I can keep up and I'll get used to it before long, then we'll be getting somewhere nice. Pile on some speed work and see what happens.

Adventure to Detroit

This morning Brandon and Allison and I ran out to the track to watch Lee and Nick workout, I wasn't quite sure how to get there through the trails but we made it out alright, without too much confusion. Maybe right at the end I wasn't sure where we were going, but Brandon had been out that way before and so the uncertainty was only temporary. Nick and Lee looked great in the workout, flying around the track. Some high school kids came by for practice but we were just finishing up when they got there and so it wasn't an issue. Funny to think they were out on the track and didn't know who it was that was sharing the space with them, that they were on the track with an Olympian and a two time NCAA national champion, both of whom are going to the Commonwealth games in a few weeks.

Last night on Man v. Food they were in Detroit at a place called Slows BBQ and Brandon and Allison suggested that we go check it out tonight. It might even work out that we can catch a Tigers game in the process which would be awesome. I've never been to one before but it should be a lot of fun. It's too bad OSU starts class tomorrow, otherwise Katie could have stayed up here another day and come with us.

We also had a serious group bonding session today after we got back from working out. Nick had bought a power tower for the house but it's been in the basement for a few weeks now, not yet assembled. But with everyone here, and the help of Allison to guide us through the process, we got it all put together, and then everyone here did one pull up. It's going to really help, rather, make it easy for us to do core in the house on a daily or near daily basis. Then we can all have six packs in time for summer. The timing will definitely be close but I think we've got a shot.