Brain at absolute zero

The countdown to the Brew-to-Brew has begun. My mantra throughout will be: rediscover the inner turtle (well maybe not this turtle). On the 22nd I ran 16 miles at a leisurely pace to see how my race would go: it worked out well and I finished feeling I could do another 27-28 miles. Last Saturday's run was less spectacular, but I still feel like I'm ready. I just need to book a room, find an ironic t-shirt, and get some last-minute supplies together. This is an exciting week. I'm looking forward to Sunday's run which promises mild weather and then - the following day - I'll mothball the running shoes and become some sort of Biking Giant.

I'm really more of a biker, but winter ultra-running is a nice change of pace and it's a weight-bearing exercise which Ed Pavelka has convinced me is important for cyclists to engage in. Still, it's hard not be excited about this year's cycling season: following the Boz's meteoric rise through the ranks of road and off-road racing; knocking out the Brevet series, completing the Five-star century series on the fixie, and (though France is out of the question) maybe taking a bike tour in Colorado or New England.

The above picture of Sammo was taken at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich a few years ago - left foot in the western hemisphere, right foot in the eastern hemisphere, brain at absolute zero.

Spring is Here!

Well, not really. But this winter, any day that it's not snowing or raining torrents is spring-like. Brew-to-Brew training has been going well enough. On the 8th, I did another urban marathon (in my new shoes) which went fine. Last weekend I took just a short run on Sunday before Church. The weather was nice, but my gut rebelled (probably from too much pizza the night before) and I sprinted from porta-potty to porta-potty looking for TP. A meager four miles. C'est la merde!

Today I'm beginning my taper for April 6th. I'll do 10 to 15 miles this morning and maybe 8-10 next weekend - but fewer miles and maybe some biking will be the order of the day. After all, the cycling season begins the Monday following B2B. I'm very excited about knocking out the first 200km on the fixed-gear bike. I have a spiffy new Carradice bag to put on the revamped fixie - so, stylistically, I'm there. Now let's just hope the wind is not too bad on April 12th.

Semi-serious

Actually, the training regime has been going well despite some snowy weather in these parts. I've been hitting the spinning cycles at the local YMCA twice a week in order to keep my sea legs under me and running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Last Saturday, Stephen and I hit the Katy Trail for a brisk 20-miler. I'm excited about the Brew-to-Brew on April 6th.

I'm even more excited about the grand opening of Big River Running here in South Saint Louis. Ben there - though he looks about 17 - was very knowledgeable and hooked me up with a pair of Brooks Adrenaline shoes. I'm glad City residents don't have to travel to, say, Chesterfield just to buy a pair of running shoes from a dedicated running store. Pay them a visit and spend lots of money.