Monday Ramblings / Summer Roundup 12K

For no apparent reason, in no particular order.....

* I don't know why, maybe it has something to do with my wierd fixation of Bagpipes or that my Grandfather was born in Dublin - but I have always wanted to
go to Ireland.  My wife and I have talked about it a few times - she has equal desire in going there as I do.  Who knows if and when we will ever go.  But I woke up this morning thinking about it and actually looked at plane fares (+/- $1k per person).  With a family of 5 - I am reminded why we are yet to go.


* Summer Roundup 12K yesterday - My goal was to finish.  I started at the very back of the 700 or so people doing the race.  I shuffled my way uphills and did okay - no real pain and discomfort and because I went so slow, I never walked - which allowed me to pass a fair amount of people.  Then on the downhills, basically did a mix of tip toe hip hop sliding shuffle - (that might be a new dance move).  Most of those that I passed going up, passed me going down.  I finished, but it was very frustrating thoughout cause my goal (prior to the knee) was to break 1 hr - last year did 1:03 and change.

* As for the 12 year old....... Was unsure how he was going to do.  BTMR  is next Sunday, so I tried to encourage him that this race should be a training run, to not go too hard so as to have it negatively affect his potential for the following week.  I didn't tell him - but was kind of thinking he would do around 1:15.

Pic is a little tough to see - cropped it from another website - but it is the award for 2nd place in his age group.  1:04:54.  He came second to a 14 year old who took almost 4 minutes off the previous record for the 10-14 yr old age group.  Very impressive.  I now have no idea how he is going to do next Sunday.  Good (probably), or bad (not likely, but w/ that tough trail who knows).  Regardless, I'll proudly claim him as my own.

* After yesterdays race, we made it home in time to see USA vs Brazil Womens World Cup Soccer quarter final game.  Sheesh, pretty exciting stuff.  The soccer fans in my house have a new hero.

Hope Solo

* Knee Surgery tomorrow.   NY Yankee Alex Rodriguez has the same thing as me.  I'm such a trendsetter, soon everyone will want to tear their meniscus - he's expected to be back playing Baseball in 4 weeks.  I ain't him for sure, but if I'm back running in 4 weeks - that gives me a week to get ready for the Ascent.  Cool, sign me up, oh wait, I already have.  The reality though of whether I can do it or not remains to be seen.  Kind of depends what the doc does tomorrow and if he finds any other issues while scoping.  Guess I'll wait and see - after I wake up.