BricksGuy

And Then There Were Two...or Was That 33?

MAN! I have got to stop getting older! 

As many know (for one reason or another), this past saturday I ventured out for my annual "Jess' Jog" (name coined last year by by Chris), and as you can tell by the photos, took the better part of an ENTIRE day! To bring those up to speed on what that wacky annual expedition consists of: basically I run my age in miles the saturday closest to my birthday every January...and have for the past four years..I know, I have a problem...now don't you want to join me!?!

Well, this year, many did...and in particular one Mr. Christopher Hurd for the entire event! I must say that the companionship for the duration of said "ultra" event was very refreshing. Also joining me for parts of the day, some to run side by side, others to just be around and get there workout in at all costs (Bob) :) were approximately 20 other folks (that we know of) who logged miles in honor of the event, some even from long distances away, like Capt. Mark Slik, who was currently deployed, and ran 7 miles over the seas...Mark is quite an amazing guy, and was there for the inaugural event that left from my driveway back in 2007...and after logging what I recall to be about 10 miles, went back and got his bike, and rode along side me for most of the rest of the way as course support. Ironically enough, that day was unseasonably warm, and the temp was well over 60 degrees. i was doused at the finish with a cooler of ice water over the head by my brother in law Ben. NOT the case this year, as we experienced the coldest and harshest temperature to date. The thermometer was reading in the TEENS when we left my warm home early saturday morning, just the three of us you see below...trying to log as many miles as possible before heading over to Brecknock Park to start running different paces on the tedious 1-mile trail...more on that later....

 

Our greatest concern heading out were the icy patches that were everywhere we looked and stepped, and that had NO intention of melting at any point of the day. In fact we were so attentive to the ice, and it was so prevalent, that both Chris AND Jimmy (Simons, the FASTEST MAN in the City, who also did a total of 25 miles on this day) took to SLIDING along the patches everywhere we looked! I wanted nothing to do with that shenanigans, as I knew that as soon as I attempted, I would be resting on my backside...33 miles TOO early. I am sure we looked we looked quite a site though, as we were running all around Dover, wind blowing like crazy, looking like 21st century mummy's, sliding along ice patches and laughing...

One of the traditions that Chris and I have started the last few months, is to stop at various establishments along the undetermined route to refuel on sustenance, stretch, use the facilities if required, defrost, etc. and it has become a TON of fun...(side bar...if any of you saw two IDIOTS running down RT. 13 several weeks ago with DQ blizzards in our clutches, yeah that was us, and now you know the rest of THAT story.) and this day would be no different, as we stopped first at the route 10 WAWA about 3 miles in to get the first of our power packed, recovery blitzing, nutritionist nightmare, treats...an Entenmann's chocolate covered donut! We left from there and headed up the highway and made our way along the trail off of rt. 10 all the way to where it ends along 113 as you leave the Del-dot parking lot...next stop...WAWA by the Capitol for a quick Gatorade and another photo...yeah...we thought we were bad...the pose was not my idea ;)

 

After there we realized that we were running out of time to get back to my house and pack things up and get over to Brecknock before the first possible runners showed up...so we hightailed it down to the green, and down state street back to my place....about 12 down at that point...yikes.

What happened next can only be described as exasperating...after packing up, driving over to the park, unpacking, setting up, etc...my body had completely cooled off, and had NO interest in running another step. I was mentally ready, but after the first slow warm-up loop of the park, I realized that I was going to be in a bit of trouble before this day was done. MY KNEE WAS HURTING! It would seem that the combination of "monkey" balls, on sandy, muddy, snowy, CRAPPY terrain was not going to work AT ALL. the more I ran on that trail after coming off the blacktop, the worse off I was going to be...so after a few more laps, and one with my little girl (VERY proud of her putting in a mile!) I called it quits on the trail and headed off for the street...however much of the damage was already done, as the knee would not get any better, but progressively worsen as the day and the miles wore on.

In our tent, which had three side of wind protection, and a wonderful effective placebo heater, we had stocked nutrigrain bars, pop-tarts, hot chocolate, water, etc. These helped out as well, for any and all to partake of and replenish there depleted stores. This WAS however, not enough for an approximate 5000 calorie burn of a run. As the miles wore on, and the attendance grew thinner, we went out for an approximate 6 mile jaunt, and ended up trying to go to the bathroom at someones home (we knew them we swear) at the exact same time that their REAL ESTATE AGEANT AND POTENTIAL BUYERS showed up to show the place...THAT went over well I'm sure "You see folks, one of the real draws of this beautiful home is the security of the neighborhood" "Uh, pay no attention to the three bizarrely clad, eskimo looking, wind chapped, burglars in the driveway, peering into the windows...I am sure they are just Amway salesman"...nice....too much fun..

As we boogied away after attempting for some reason to explain what we were doing, we headed up to Lowes, for another gatorade, a mountain dew, and another potty break ("why is my pee maroon?") I couldn't help but smile as I ran along the road, trying to avoid being hit by careless, selfish drivers, with my buddies Chris & Ben...good stuff. We made our way back to the park with "only" 8 miles to go, and had to bid adieu to Ben (Big Ben shot down 10 miles on this day, and was ready for more) as he was needed in a more important place at that point. We then had to make a big decision, or should I say, CHRIS had to make a big decision.."Should I stay or should go now......Should I stay or should go now......If I go there will be trou-ble.....if I stay there will be dou-ble...."

Please understand that Chris had never done a run longer then 14.5 miles at any one time, and he was already at 25! I knew what I had felt like my first run of over 20 miles, my first marathon, my Ironman, etc, and I was a bit concerned for him...he was braving it out, but HE WAS HURTING. However, more then he wanted to stop, he expressed that very much wanted to finish, and didn't want me to have to go at this alone...so we made the decision to head back out on another "loopish" sort of thing and see what happened when we got back. as we headed off into the now setting sun, i couldn't help but smile again...we had gotten just about as cold as we possibly could, we had a measly 8 miles to go, and I was running with company...again, good stuff.

 

As we headed back towards the park for what seemed like the 50th time, we made the command decision to to stop into Rite-Aid (again the weird looks...are we THAT odd looking? Doesn't anybody just run anymore?...:) ) for a quick pick-me-up...A Snickers bar could have NEVER have so "really satisfied", or tasted so good. We headed up 13, and as we passed the park with a yell we pushed forward....for all of about 15 steps...My man needed a break...and I was happy to oblige. As you can tell from the photo below, we were at 28 miles...just 5 to go...we decided that we would much rather break camp before we had not the energy nor desire to do so, and I would finish up in the more familiar and slightly safer surroundings of my neighborhood. 

 

After we spent about 35 minutes getting things over to my place, it seemed to have helped Chris and I both fairly well as far as recovery goes, and so with 5 miles to ge we headed down the street, and towards the "finish"...of course as we approached about 2 1/2 miles to go, a strange feeling came upon us...it was...TOTAL NUTRITIONAL DEPLETION!!!...we had traveled over 30 miles, and really had only taken in about 1000 calories or so...what to do?...The answer was revealed to us at the next traffic light...Royal Farms fried chicken and fries...all washed down with a Vitamin water...sweet. If we thought that we had been looked at oddly at all on this day, it was topped in tremendous fashion by the patrons of the rt. 10 Royal Farms that evening...after leaving nothing left of the chicken (did I actually eat the bones?), Chris thought another picture was in order, AFTER I had already thrown the packaging away. So after a dig into the trash, and a quick pic, we left on our way for the last 2+ miles.

As we rolled up the street and "sprinted" to the finish, I was overwhelmed both with jubilation, and fatigue all at the same time...at this point even taking a picture hurt...all I could think about was eating, resting, and bringing my core temperature back up to normal...we posed for our picture, had a handshake, hug, and a high-five for congratulations, and went our separate ways to recover. As I entered the house i was of course surprised again by my daughter (7), who was extremely passionate about heading out and running ONE MORE TIME with Daddy...holy CRAP...what was I thinking?!?! Well, if you know me, you know I headed back down my steps (THAT felt GREAT) and down the street doing sprints with my little girl...what a way to recover from a nice long run...

 

After I entered the door for the final time, had my amazing post run meal of a delicious steak with all the right sides...and made my way to a NON-RECOMMENDED warm shower, I was able to reflect a bit on some of the combined totals of the day:

• 23 athletes
• 198.65 approximate total miles ran
• 2+ gallons of hot choc
• 16+ bottles of water
• 1 box of pop tarts
• 1 box of nutrigrain bars
• 2 gatorades
• 2 vitamin waters
• 1 mountain dew
• 2 snickers bars
• 1 2-piece fried chicken with dinner roll :)
• 0 blisters, bleeding appendages, killed toenails, major injuries, etc. 
• =.....1 AMAZING day!

I am so honored and privileged to have had the opportunity, health, and support too be able complete this again this year, and thank all of those that were able to share it with me, both near and far...

See you next year!

:)

To Shave Or Not To Shave...THAT Is The Question?

So recently I have had the opportunity to be in, around, or the brunt of several conversations regarding the removal of hair from ones legs…men in particular…this is a topic that often raises eyebrows, sometimes from the female folk, but mostly from the male persuasion who look at you like you have on a dress and mascara – and those are the nice guys. After having endured these comments and insults, and in vain have tried to come up with the easiest lines to use to explain, I have decided to make this next blog entry on the topic. I have read many an article about the benefits, some about the lack thereof, but recently I found a very cool article that simply listed the GOOD reasons to go sans hair, and the BAD reasons as well…though I will tell you in advance that the final out come of the article, was that “everybody doing it”…so there was no support in for the DO NOT DO IT crowd…J. It was titled: 5 reason why you should shave your legs (that have nothing to do with aerodynamics) and I have taken the liberty of taking some excerpts and added some of my own thoughts as well.

First a couple of wrong reasons:

To ride faster (due to better aerodynamics.)-yes maybe for the water portion of your event there would be some microscopic difference, but the fact of the matter is that it does nothing for wind resistance, and has not even had many studies on the subject because any difference would be so minute that it would render it pointless.

For sheer joy and excitement. (Wait was that “For the ‘shear’ joy of it?)…doesn’t really need much of an explanation now does it?

Now the GOOD reasons:

Reason 1 - To look good. Wait a minute, did I read that right? Yes…think about it, This is what it’s all about right here. You can have a fancy, sleek helmet, and top-of-the-line bike, but if you pair hairy legs with tight spandex, the cycling fashion police will be forced to haul you away. (Best of all, hairless legs emphasize your muscles. With hair, your legs will still be big, but once they’re shaved, every little ripple in your muscles stands out for the world to see.)

Reason 2 - To feel like a pro. All the pros shave their legs. Not once have I seen a professional racer (on the road, at least) that foregoes shaving, and even the majority of recreational roadies and amateur racers shave their legs. If you shave yours, too, it makes you feel like part of the group. You’ll feel faster, too, just like the pros. Heck, you might even get motivated enough that your mind is driven to ride faster. This is a placebo effect, not aerodynamics, but it could very well result in faster times! And not only do you feel like a pro, you just feel good. That’s probably because hairless legs keep you cooler (think of hairy legs like wearing a cotton t-shirt.) Plus, you actually “feel” the air moving around your legs, which is very neat.

Reason 3 - To treat road rash easily. The less you race or do group rides, the less you’ll have to worry about road rash, but it’s always a concern. But if you do a lot of group rides and races, there’s a good chance you’ll experience road rash first-hand.The previous two reasons (looking good and feeling good) will help you on each ride, but the (hopefully) rare cases when you get road rash will be the most memorable “I’m so glad I shaved my legs!” moments. That’s because cleaning your raw skin is much easier if you don’t have hair in the way. Not to mention, the hair will likely trap more dust, dirt, bugs, and gravel in your wounds. If you end up in the hospital to get your hairy road rash cleaned out, chances are a tired, unsympathetic nurse will bust out the wire brush to scrub your wounds. Ouch! So in this case, leg shaving is kind of like wearing a helmet - you hope you don’t need it, but it’s there just in case. Smooth legs also come in handy if you’re a mountain biker and get scratched up or cut; then you can put a band-aid on your wounds without it pulling out your hair (which can sometimes be more painful than the cut itself!)

Reason 4 - For better massages. Again, this probably doesn’t matter on a day-to-day basis (unless you’re a pro,) but getting a massage feels so much better if your legs are smooth. Part of the reason is that the hair gets sticky and creates friction, which makes it harder for the masseuse, which translates into a sub-par experience for you.Try it yourself: rub some massage oil on a hairy leg, and then do a little self-massage. Then try the same thing on a smooth leg, and you’ll see a big difference. Your hands will glide easily, and it will feel oh so good!

Reason 5 - To deter ticks. If you ride in the woods (or even on back roads,) ticks can jump off weeds and grab your leg hair, then make their way around your body until they decide to bite. Smooth legs don’t leave them much to grab onto, so it’s less likely that a tick will stay on your body. It will also be easier to spot a tick if there isn’t a mass of hair obscuring your vision.

So there you have it. Five solid reasons to shave your legs that have nothing to do with aerodynamics. I hope all those out there who have been on the fence trying to decide will find solace in knowing that you will have brothers (and sisters) out there with you, look at it like a support group of sorts. Plus now with your handy list of reason (excuses) to give them, what do have to be afraid of? Other then the damaged caused to your partners legs, and your super expensive compression socks, by your NEW found friend…leg stubble…J