Here, There and Everywhere

Oh the trials of work,

The last several weeks have been a mess.  Work has not only taken me out of country but also to Washington DC as well as Sin City (Las Vegas, NV).  As you can imagine this has impacted training  (as well as home life) significantly.  Fortunately I was on some sort of taper for Salt Flats therefore the effect has not been that great (hopefully).

Nine days in the DC means pseudo-urban running.While short runs were on the roads near by, longer runs were on the Cross County Trail system.  I was also lucky to get in an orienteering meet with the Quantico Orienteering Club at Pohick Bay.  Not a stellar performance but fun.  Need to polish up some of my O-skills.

Sin City was not much better.  Being on the northeast side of town (instead of the west side) meant there were no nice trail runs out at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.  I had to settle for some forays up and down various portions of the Las Vegas Wash Trail.  Of course the weather was nice and warm (90's) bringing back some memories from MDS last year!

Las Vegas Wash Trail near Craig Road

Next week is the Salt Flats 100. Weather forecasts looks like cool temps (40's- 60's, like Bataan) with some slight chances of precipitation.

Bataan Memorial Death March

Once again I completed another Bataan Memorial Death March.  This being the 25th anniversary of the event was special as well as all the friend and family that participated.  I had to race down to Las Cruces from Albuquerque having stepped off the plane from France a mere 9 hours before the race.  Fortunately I was able to rest some on the trip back and there were no delays.  This well supported semi-trail marathon/march is a must do for me since I have completed this now for over 12 years. I do this event to honor the memory of my great uncle Penrod Reader who survied the Bataan Death March in 1942 and eventually died in the POW camps in the Philippines.

The weather was cold (40's for the start and low 60's during the day) but everyone was warm with friendship.  There again was the usual crew including Dirk (brother), Megan (daughter), Tim White (colleague and training buddy), Haley White (Tim's daughter) Forest White (Tim's son), as well as Avneet Sood and Jesson Hutchinson (work colleagues).  Also there was David Kovel and our supportive wives.  All completed their respective "marches" Megan and Haley doing the full marathon this year, both experiencing their first toenail loss.  Forest tore up the 14 miler finishing 2nd overall.


Since Dirk was coming off a training cycle to qualify for Boston (which he did) I decided to run light and just carried a hand held and some snacks.  Dirk and I ran the entire day and we both PR at around 3:53+.  

Next up is the Salt Flats 100.  

Bonjour!

My apologies,

Due to heavy work demands I have let this blog slip some as of late.  Part of this work load included an extended trip to the Burgundy region of France, specifically Dijon.  Yeah, I know it is tough duty but it actually was - really.  Including those three hour dinners with some very fine Primer Cru's.

After touching down in Paris, I fought off jet lag by taking an eight mile round trip walk to Boutique Marathon a somewhat specialty running store I stumbled across on my way to the MDS last year. There I picked up a long sleeve desert running shirt and a new pair of Mizuno Wave Cabrakan 5's.  I am continually impressed with these shoes and am disappointed that they are not available in the US.  These will be my race shoes for Grand To Grand.  Wish I had room in my suite case for two pairs!  Also a stop into Planet Rasoir was in order to pick up some wet shaving accoutrements.

Upon making Dijon the next day I linked up with colleagues from the office and took advantage of on-foot site seeing with runs around the older part of the city and to some of Dijon's parks in between work duties.

Dijon - and this is a wide street!

Included was Lac Kir, Parc de la Fontaine aux fees, Parc de la Colombiere and Parc la Combe a la Serpent as well as just some jogs up and down the Canal de Burgundy.  While not quite trail runs (most everything was paved paths) it was much more relaxing instead of dodging cars and people in the narrow streets.  And I am not kidding about dodging cars!  Almost got taken out by some lady on her cell phone when she blew through the red light just as I was stepping off the curb.  Less than six inches.  Almost had a Road ID story!

Installation d'un racher (beehives) in Parc la Combe al Serpent

An unexpected surprise was the small little running store on the street behind our hotel.  The Running Conseil - Dijon was well stocked and I even picked up a nice pair of Raidlight trail running shorts!

All in all a good trip. The only worry was making it back for the Bataan Memorial Death March.  Oh, and work went very well too.