Glorious

It was a great day for running. About 34 when I started and 48 when I finished 14 miles later. This is the longest run I've done in a while and I did a lot better than expected. A 2:21:03 time with a 10:05 pace. For my long runs I combine shorter runs and do them out and back and sometimes tack on a couple of miles around the neighborhood. This time after doing a 2 mile run, I did my run around Sunview Lake and through Dickcissel Field that I ran last time. It combines a beautiful 2 mile jog around the lake with some good hills and the dirt road field setting of Dickcissel Field. That's about 6 miles out and then reverse the course to give me 12 added to the 2 at the start. My left hamstring bothered my slightly a couple of times so I better be careful not to add too much mileage. I've already paid for the marathon - hate to have to miss it! It a great day for the lake birds and I saw Canada Geese, Great Egrets and plenty of Ring-billed Gulls along with Eastern Bluebirds, Brown-headed Nuthatches and Song Sparrows. I've seen Bald Eagles at Sunview Lake gliding high above the lake catching the thermals and letting the winds carry them along. Long distance running can become monotonous if you let it, but the combination of terrain and wildlife on this run, plus the different running challanges it presents keep it new and fresh every time. A fluffy white dog came out to yap at me, more in support than anything else. I gave him the thumbs up and moved on.

toadshade

Dickcissel Field

Just did a 5 mile run at Dickcissel Fields. It's a dirt road that connects Garner's Ferry to the Caughman Road Area. The road has been closed to through traffic mainly because of the huge mudholes that seem to linger forever after rainstorms. My running shoes will attest to that! It's a good place for field birding and in the late Winter and early Spring, the wheat fields attract Bobolinks, Dickcissels, Meadowlarks, Pipits and various hawks. I reported the closest pair of breeding Dickcissels in the Columbia area - hence the name. I was famous with about 3 people in the Audubon Society until they started showing up everywhere. I'm not much for the limelight anyway! Anyway it was a great run at a 9:15 tempo pace in the wonderful slanting light of the Winter sun. Got stopped by a dog who didn't seem to want to share in the beauty of nature and my elevated mood. I think he wanted to take my leg off up to the crotch. Would have cramped my style. A friendly driver stopped by and blew the horn and helped me scare him away. He finally trotted off to psychotic dog land. Anyway, great run, great day, great psychodog!

toadshade

Beginnings

I am beginning this blog to chronicle my training for the Ellerbe Springs Marathon. My inspiration comes from Doug Dawkins' Run/Walk Across America blog that he completed in December 2008. Doug is one of the racing directors of the Ellerbe Springs Marathon and The Boogie Midsummer runs. He is one of the founders of the Mangum Track Club of which I have the priviledge to be a member. The requirement for membership is running the 15 mile Shirt Run from the crossroads at Mangum to the Dog Pen 15 miles later. It goes from the middle of nowhere to the middle of nowhere. The Ellerbe Springs Mararthon runs through the beautiful rolling hills (some steep) of Eastern North Carolina. It is run in the early spring when the Winter wildflowers are being replaced by Spring ones. Where the red blush of the Red Maple blooms give color to the landscape. Only about 100 plus runners run this marathon and there have been times where I've been the only runner in sight. I'm trying to break out of a running lethargy I've been in for the last 3 years. Where laziness, overeating and general lack of direction have taken their toll. My sponsor always said that I did a lot better emotionally and spiritually when I had a solid marathon training program. Can't argue with that!! So here goes - to save my soul and have some fun!!

toadshade