One streak ends. Another streak ends. A new one begins.

My 58 day running streak was halted a couple of days ago. I had ran 51 miles over the weekend, and was a little tired, but not at all beat up. There was an insanely busy day at the office, and another stressful distraction to deal with, and before I knew it, the day and night was gone. A new streak was born--how many consecutive days could I go without running? Day one was a given, Day two was pretty easy too, what with the mud, cold, and wind. I just did not feel like running, and knocked out Day two with ease. But day three was tough. The sun was out, and I got off work at 3:30. I got home and Jake met me at the door, and that was the end of my non-running streak.

See, Jake never bought into the non-running streak thing. How could you say no to a face like this? To avoid all the mud on Turkey Mountain, we headed to Lake Bixhoma. The road/trail that goes about 2/3 of the way around the lake is mostly gravel, with a little pavement.

Jake was excited, eager to help me with my speed work. I had other plans though. I always take a lot of pictures here. This lake nestled deep in the hills of south Tulsa county is a hidden gem and a photographers playground.

We took the western route first, and ran the gravel road all the way to the end.

We had the route all to ourselves, or so I thought. A pick-up was parked at the turnaround and pulled out just as we came into sight. Oh well?

Jake got a drink, and before I knew it, he had plowed in. The water was clean, but he still got a bath when he got home. He was starting to smell like Stink Dog. On the way back, we climbed the Ichabod Crane Trail, and possibly it has been extended. We went maybe a 1/4 mile and hit a dead end. At this rate, in 20 years, it may actually go somewhere.

We ran back and crossed the dam. This is a great place for a sunset picture, but I was a little early.

Following the road and then the trail all the way around the east side, I was encouraged to see that someone had cut about 200 more feet of trail southward around the lake. Someday, there MIGHT be a trail all the way around.

Coming back, this gate is where the pavement starts. The whoile south side of the lake is off limits to vehicles, but the way I read it, foot traffic is ok.

Here's out route thanks to Map My Run. My Garmin was dead. iPhone agrees with the mileage. We took 64 minutes to finish the run--not exactly speed work, but a good start to a running streak!!

Old photographs

I was sifting through some old picture and found myself swirling away down memory lane. Pictures from the past are few and far between before digital cameras. I'd love to go back, if even to stand in the shadows with my trusty Canon.


This is my oldest son, Kenny. We called him Kenny3, as I am actually Kenny Jr. Kenneth Konrad Childress III. I am sure he dislikes Konrad as much as I do, although I profess to like it. But affectionately, he was called Pig. WHY?? Well, as a baby he was a fat little boy. Sometime or another while playing This Little Piggie, and seeing his cute little of fat, the name just stuck. Kenny3's brother still calls him Pig 30-some-odd years later.


This is Charly Tom, named after his great grandfather Charlz (yes that's how it's spelled) and his grandfather JR Thompson. Charlz Thompson Childress, and I do believe he likes his odd spelled name today.


Sassy is 14 years old now. She was barely more than a kitten in this picture, but today, she still likes to ride on my shoulders. This picture, taken in 1998 was before I was a runner. I liked pizza--a LOT--and had the belly to prove it. I had a lot more hair there.


This was taken in 2000. Charly is graduating--18 years old. Kenny3 is 20, and Jason is 16. These are three fine young men, and I'm proud of each of them.


This is Ken the runner, just before Lean Horse in 2005. This was before Dana was CrewBabe. This was before Trail Zombie or TaturCakes, and before TATUR. These were good times, but there were also good times ahead.

Post Oak Preview

I ran 10 miles at Post Oak Sunday. The big event(s)--the Post Oak Challenge is next weekend, with just about any distance you would want to run, and a double dose if you are extra ambitious. I ran solo and took my time, taking a dozen or so pix along the way.

This was taken on the descent of Hamburger Hill. Going down on the trail portion is steep and tricky when it's muddy. Going up is even tougher.

The thing about this trail is that there is a major switchback about halfway down (or up.) It's almost like you climb part of it twice. You really get your money's worth.

This year features a few miles of newer trail, some of which has been cut with heavy machinery, and some with Darryl's weed-eater.

Obviously, Darryl's weed-eater was not enough to cut this trail. I am wondering if there is gonna be a zip line through these clearings.

I stopped by Fred and Wilma's house. Fred and Barney were out bowling, and Wilma and Betty were heard in the distance yelling CHARGE IT!

The course is marked with multi-colored ribbons. Each color denotes the path of different distances. I think everyone must run through here.

And just ahead: Holmes Peak. This is the highest point in three counties.

Climbing the final 200 yards. I have ran this before several times, but I just did not have it today.

The views from the top are amazing.

Darryl has us going down the north side of Holmes Peak on some nice single track. The shady side of the mountain still had quite a bit of snow left over.

From there, I cut over to the trail west of the Botanical gardens. I lile this trail, which at times is simply a mowed path, but parts of it are quite rocky.

This is on the farthest northwest part of the course. This loop is wild and and scenic, with rocky creek crossings and a glimpse of what could be many miles of undiscovered north woods. From there, I took every turn and switchback towards the lodge, and then zigzagged back on both trails leading to the Pole Barn. Ten miles for the day, and there are five more miles out there I did not see. Good times ahead!

Sunday morning TOTs

Here's a few pictures from out Sunday morning TOT (Training On Trailz) group. My photographer/trailrunner friend Maggie graciously donated her collection to our cause, so you are in for a treat.

We ran the LoChi trail, but not to the end. I promised a steep climb, but only the 4th steepest climb on the mountain. Before the end of LoChi there is a trail that goes up to HoChi, but at a more gradual ascent.


The first ones at the top got to catch a breather while watching the rest make the final climb.


Shorty gas a plethora of names to call me--none of them good. :-)



Running along the HoChi  always gives an awesome view of the river, but as you get further north, the aroma was out in full force.


Maggie and Venus charge right up the hill at the Spider. They get better on hills every week.


We took about a 5 minute break here before heading further west.


We took the high trail over Mooser Creek, then rounded Pepsi Pond and descended into the creek bottom.


Popping out on the Powerline trail for a minute, we tucked back into the woods on a trail I call Stormy's Trail. It has no name, but he always takes it when I've ran with his group.

Cruising through a couple of switchbacks.

We took another breather at Justin Beiber Pond. The distinguished man in the center is Bruce, who was running the first time with us. We finished up with 4 miles in a little over an hour. It was a great morning for some playtime in the woods.

9 runs

Today, I ran semi long to start off, and then tacked on 8 more short runs. Sort of an off the wall way to tack on miles, and actually I did not get the total mileage I needed, but had fun, and I can run long tomorrow.

Group run with RunnersWorld. Ran with Bobby and Kathy. Mostly through neighborhoods, and a loop around LaFortune Park.

Tacked on some additional mileage--the same route out & added a bit of a bike trail along I-44.

Ate breakfast, went home and got Jake, and we came back to that bike path along I-44 and ran the entire distance. It sort of begins nowhere, and ends nowhere. So, I've been to nowhere and back.

This is Whiteside Park. It's mostly a chat path and we ran basically did a double loop.

Mudd Park?? Just west of Yale on 56th St. It's a short loop, but kinda pretty.

Manion Park by Nimitz Middle School. It's all chat, and a decent place for a short run. Jake took a dip in the creek.

81st and Yale. I don't know the name of this chat trail or pond, but it's a half mile around it and if you did not mind the endless loops, it would be a good place for a long run. 80 loops would be a good 40 miler--just sayin.

I thought I had another chat trail around a pond, but it ended up being a dead end. We did a little zig zagging to get down to a creek where Jake could swim again.

Hunter Park. There are paved bike paths that make a decent run. This also hooks up with the Creek Turnpike Trail. We ran to Sheridan to see if the trail was torn up due to the turnpike construction,, but it was not. It looks good toward Yale too. Jake spent about 10 minutes in the Biscuit Acres Dog Park. There were lots of friendly dogs and lots of butt sniffing. Jake decided to take a poo while in the park, so I got to clean it up. I ended up with 23.25 for the day, and jake had about 8.

The trail alongside I-44.

Whiteside Park.

Mudd Park on the northern part of the loop.

Manion Park. I would go back to run a few laps here. if I had to run on pavement.

This is the pond and trail at 81st and Yale.

This was a weird day of running, but kind of fun. I did not wear myself out at all. Jake thought we were a little crazy running those short loops and then loading back up in the car. Plus, he really likes real trailz better.

Tomorrow, I need at least 25 more miles. I am thinking about half on trails and half on hard stuff. Might do some wacky stuff too. Time for bed. Nite.

Odd Stuff Ultra Runners Eat

I am always open to learning, and when that acquisition of knowledge has to do with running, I am an eager student. So, a Google search of "odd things runners eat" brought up several links to explore, I noticed after the third or fourth click that it was virtually the same list over and over.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40010281/ns/health-fitness/#.USbleKWR9ac

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-weird-energizing-foods-runners-swear-by.html?page=1

http://quickiechick.com/2010/12/weird-foods-that-runners-rave-about/

http://www.curiousread.com/2010/12/weird-energizing-foods-runners-rave.html

Salted potatoes, pickle juice, coconut water, hard candy/sugar, beet juice, tart cherry juice, and chocolate milk. I think one health specialist copied another and so on and so on. Most of these are on any ultra-runners list--but beet juice and tart cherry juice? Really? I think someone was copying someone's homework!

When I first started running, Runner's World Magazine (the mag with the skinny supermodels on the cover posing in a frozen running stride) said I needed Power Bars, GUs, and Carboom. Today, I gag at the thought of chocolate slime at mile 18. When I fuel during a run, it's with "real food". When I first ventured into distances past 26.2, I saw crusty old guys (who beat my butt to the finish line) scarfing down regular old food. At my first 50K, I an old codger pulled a sandwich out of his shorts pocket, scarf it down, suck down a cup of Coca Cola at an aid stop, and sped off in leaving me in the dust. At the second or third aid stop, I noticed a styrafoam plate with cubed potatoes smothered with salt?!?!? On my return trip (it was an out-and-back) someone saw my dilapidated state and suggested I try the potatoes. AT that point, I was watching my good pace for the race drain away, and was desperate for any kind of help--so I tried a small piece. "Get yourself some more. You need it," I was told, so I did. No more than 100 yards down the trail, the nausea I was battling left, and I even had a bit of spring in my step, and were it not for the blisters, I might have ran the final five miles in. But I was a believer in salted potatoes.

Since then, I have come to like plain old food--stuff you have to chew. Potato chips, Fritos, Pretzels, and PBJs, ham and/or turkey sandwiches, cookies, brownies, candy bars, and a lot more.
One of the first trail run shirts I earned said the race was like running from buffet to buffet. Aid stations in the races I put on are meant to WOW people. I think that my runners should never be hungry. Hearing reports at how awesome our aid stops are makes me proud.
But besides having an all you can eat fast food restaurant in the woods, my intent is to provide the calories runners need to run the perfect race. Salted potatoes provide the sodium and potassium runners are depleted of, plus they're an easily digestible  carbohydrate and give a quick energy boost. The sodium helps settle my stomach too. I carry my electrolytes and a baggie of sea salt with me in long runs for cramps and nausea. Works for me.

Back to the seven foods mentioned in the above links:

• Chocolate milk is a great post run recovery drink, although I have chugged some during a race. They are a good balance of protein/carbohydrates and with the calcium.
• Pickle juice is a miracle cure for severe cramps. The intense sodium and vinegar gets into your system immediately and can keep you in a hot race.
• Potatoes--believe it. They work, and might be the best ultra food.
• Coconut water is not something I have used, but a lot of people swear by it. It's rich in potassium and is good for re-hydration.
• Beet juice--YECK! They're high in nitric acid, and help with stamina. (No can do da beets!)
• Hard candy keeps your mouth from drying out and gives a slow release of glucose. It might not be the best thing for your teeth though.
• Tart Cherry juice is high in antioxidants and helps with recovery. 

The four above links give a more scientific explanation of the benefits, but for my purposes, I like to know if they actually work, and know someone who uses them. I endorse five of the seven.

But there are MORE foods that are (or should be) staples at every nutritional oasis in ultra races.
Burritos, pizza, quesadilla are foods I have been pleasantly surprised to find in the middle of the nght on an ultra. Sometimes something "off the wall" just sounds good, and that's a good when you're at the point where nothing sounds good and you have not taken in calories in a couple hours. Bonus points if they're warm!

Chicken soup and potato soup have saved my life during 100 milers. It's cold, and you've walked more in the past 4 miles than you've ran, and someone hands you a cup of potato soup. And dumps a little salt on top. It warms your near-dead body, gives you sodium, potassium, and calories enough to get to the next aid station.
I thought I had found heaven at Rouge Orleans when one of the aid stations were cooking heavily buttered crispy toasted grilled cheese sandwiches. YES!! (I only got half of it. Had to share with another runner.)
Another time in another race, I had quit eating, but knew I needed to eat. A lady suggested I try a boiled egg rolled in salt. I reluctantly tried one, and it hit the spot. And yes, I had another.
The first aid station in Arkansas Traveller serves up pancakes and BACON!! This might be the tastiest aid station food ever. I take a pancake and roll up as much bacon as I can. I might have been frowned at, but hey, it's BACON! It's carbs from pancakes and sodium which I needed. But most of all, it's BACON!

Bacon is became a staple in TATUR races. It's funny to see runners new to trail races jog up looking for a cup of Gatorade and catch a whiff of bacon. Their eyes get big, and they sometimes ask if it's ok if they eat that. Some will refuse it, saying runners shouldn't eat stuff like that--but we know better. Some will get 100 yards down the trail, turn around, and come back for seconds. And for the privileged  you might be asked to take the syrup challenge: Can you chug a shot of pancake syrup? It's better than GU.
The first aid station that the 100 milers and 25Kers see at Pumpkin Holler is called the Waffle Stop. Waffles, bacon, sausage, and coffee are on the menu. Many a 25Ker ditched their goals of PRs (the monstrous hill preceding the Waffle Stop might have a little to do with that) and just had breakfast.
If you "know the right people", you can find refreshments other than water and Gatorade at a few aid stops. I happen to be "in the know" and enjoy a half-a-beer during warm weather ultras. Sometimes you really need a good burp.

But the aid station food that gets the most comments are a creation we stole from Sunmart, an old trail race that was held on the same trailz as Rocky Raccoon.
Take an Oreo cookie, smear peanut butter all over one side, and then sprinkle M&Ms on top. These are the real deal.
And for those needing some pain relief, you can substitute a couple Advils.