quiet dog

sunrise. the rhythm of windshield wipers parting rain. coffee and an abandoned trail head. the lashing on of threads with elements and duration in mind. checking to make sure the fuel for the day was on hand, plus spares for mishaps. the click and whirl around, checking air pressure and brakes and then a short, sharp descent and the sluggishness of judging speed into that first tight turn on a wet sunday. slick, wet wooden bridges with raw cut wood and sawdust from a recent resurrection. the mix of mossy growth, snow patches and lichen trying to figure out which season we are actually in. having a loon answer back the howl of my wet, snow clogged discs hoping for love and companionship from the steel beneath me. almond butter, banana and honey sandwiches while cold water falls from tree branches right down the back of my neck. steam rising off of wool. being impressed with how versatile musa pants are, yet again. acknowledging the lack of full commitment trying to clean a tech section in jagged lava knowing the water logged surface could turn on me and how different that mindset is in winter versus the confident dry of summer. dam controlled overflow beds awaiting that spring run off and how these trails will disappear for a few weeks while mother natures work is moved towards the ocean. being impressed with how ride able snow can be, but humbled by a slick, parallel root that keeps me focused. being grateful for having an entire trail system seemingly all to myself. understanding the confidence that comes from retracing your steps back to where you came from and taking stock in the ironic psychology in that experience. expression on a trail, an not having it hurt...in that way. the glassiness of a snow tempered mountain lake not quite cold enough to stay frozen, yet looks so still. the awkwardness of changing out of wet into dry clothes while the rain continues to fall. loading up a bike and hoping the speed and rain will make it cleaner than it is now on the drive home. remembering when you used to be able to do rides like this without having to have the car involved and missing that...yet again. sunset and the same rhythm of those windshield wipers. hank williams on the radio. dry, wool socks,heated seats and drowsy eyes.

wisdom

(jedi section of alpine trail. 68 degree day in march @ 4700 ft. looking up while waiting...i live here)

old words. i think the beauty of good advice is in it's timelessness. it's never dated if the mind and the spirit are ready to "hear" it and follow it. there is a lesson in finding myself back in this place once again. some cycles should never be repeated, but then again, comeback is a word in our vocabulary. you have to know where you have come from to know where you are going.

I'm ready when you are. You don't have to impress me. I want to help you get from where you are to where you want to go. We'll schedule a program to get you there. You don't have to come to me fit, but it is best if we're healthy. I can't judge how much something is bothering you or whether it is progressing at a reasonable or acceptable rate. The best thing is to make sure you're feeling alright without repercussions or remnants of the previous trouble.

When you're healthy, the work will be able to pile up quickly and we'll be alright. We can go from unfit to fit with solid and well planned training. We can't go from injured to healthy with a training program. Point is you have to be healthy before we worry about getting fit. So, take your time to get healthy. When you're healthy we'll get moving toward getting fit.

As an ultra runner (if you want to be a good one and have a long career) then you have to show patience. To perform your best and to maintain your health and longevity, you have to be smart about what you're doing and also methodical. There are lots of guys who over race who will never reach their potential. There are lots of mileage guys who are more centered on the numbers than the performance. Being patient and having a good plan will outdo those other styles. You only have to answer to yourself. Stay away from blogs and reading crap about how hard and how much people are training. Most of it is crap. What is best for you is what is planned to be best for you.

We'll start when you say. Glad you're seemingly putting some healthy time behind you. You may not be where you want to be, but I always say "You gotta start somewhere".

word.

itch

a few more sunny days than rainy days. blooms and buds. grass needs mowing. there is a smell on my morning commute that tells me the change is here. i find myself walking outside to sit in the sun instead of staying focused on tasks indoors. equally, i find myself enjoying the humid fog of night, riding around after everyone is asleep.

i'm getting signs from all around me in the things i read, the folks i talk with. music streaming. links being forwarded. chance encounters that all point towards this inner itch. first workouts on the bark taking ginger steps, remembering the memories of the journey past taken. had turkeys in my backyard a few mornings back...the cat just staring, unable to comprehend the presence.

thinking about mt. tam in july. north umpqua in may. colorado in august. friendships, fires and nights under the stars. sharing pints in pubs i've not yet sat. vista's, views and dust from other states being banged out of my trail shoes or wiped off the visor on my helmet. sharing the physical and spiritual connection with the itch that comes with spring. sweet tides...