Multiple times we referred back to ‘taking the long view’ to running, the fact that there are guys in their 50′s who are blazing fast, and that neither of us are elite athletes (a statement that would trouble neither of us.)

When I think about it, taking the ‘short view’ burns me out. I can sustain it for a few months and then I get bored/tired/irritable.

Taking the long view keeps running in perspective.

The other runs were a looped run over the Second Narrow’s bridge and Lions Gate. Just fun and at times flowing, runs.

As far as next steps, there doesn’t seem to be an ultra (that get’s me excited) that times up well with family commitments right now. I’m still searching.

Two races cancelled in two months. Like M says, “You need to find a 50 miler on a beach…”

Here’s the thing (and if you are a runner you’ll get it.)

I’ve gone through two training cycles (build up and taper).

It takes a ton of time management, persistence, patience, hard work and luck to prep for an ultra. To come all this way, then have it cancelled is tough to accept.

Wah. Wah.

OK, that’s enough crying.

Time to get back to the trails.

Here is the email from the RD (who by the way has done a great job in my opinion):

The Fat Dog race has been called off due to snow and unsafe
conditions, such as exposure to long falls. We are not able to mark
trails according to permitting requirements. As well, we cannot set up
three remote aid stations. On Skyline, you would need crampons and an
ice axe to navigate the route (and all events must use Skyline to
return to the finish). In some locations, there is a 7 foot bank of
snow on the trail.

There is no alternative route that is not impacted by snow.
Nature has beaten us this year; like other trail races that had to
deal with weather changes.

Anyone for a 50 mile run?

(The wine and 72 hours of inhaling paint fumes from an epic renovation doesn’t help either…)

It reminded me of a time in the late 90′s where I worked at a start-up internet company. My title was ‘Client Strategist’ – a juiced up name for Sales. I had no fucking clue about the internet and remember buying (and sharing with more than a few employees) a copy of Internet for Dummies. You could fool anyone back then – mostly clients with gray hair – because the web was so revolutionary…A heady time it was…

The office culture was casual but intense (techno, flip-flops and dreams of big money) and in the end, after the bubble burst in 2001, the four partners sold their company for a paltry 12 million – pocket change considering some of the valuations nowadays. 12 million split 4 ways…you could barely afford a house in West Van for 3 million.

I know where most of the people are now – they are mostly in their late 30′s and 40′s and none have managed to pull off a Facebook or Google or anything close.

Likely for some the dream of a next Facebook is still alive.

Twitching so bad, it grosses my kids out.

I’ve had problems with cramping in races in the past but I recognize it was due to a lack of mileage. When I am trained properly, I have no cramping.

So, with the Fat Dog 50 just two weeks out and having doing a decent amount of training, I was a bit surprised to see my calves hopping around…until I found this;

Fasciculation also often occurs during a rest period after sustained stress, such as that brought on by unconsciously tense muscles.

Taper anyone?