Bonus

It was a bitter / sweet week in the biome that is Carl’s closet.   We said goodbye to two pairs of running shoes.  It was time for them to go off the great long run in the sky.  I hadn’t run in them in months.  They were taking up room in the jumble of shoes.  More importantly, I believe they were the cause of the odor that seeped out of the closet.  I got a bit nostalgic thinking about the hundreds of miles I'd run in them. 

Also into the trash went about a dozen shoe liners, which I believe are superfluous.  Putting a removable shoe liner in a running shoe is about as silly as asking Carmelo Anthony to throw you the rock.  That man thinks that guard-ing and pass-ing are two cities in China. 

The bonus of the week was today’s 20 mile run.  After Friday’s snow storm I had written off any long run for the week.  Friday’s fitness journal entry was “shoveled show five times.”  Yesterday I ran nine miles on the treadmill while I watched my Syracuse Orangemen put the hurt on the St. John’s Redmen.  It was a colorful game.  Seven of those miles were at 6:40 / mile pace. 

Last night Ken sent an email saying the Cherry Creek Reservoir path and roads were clear.  So, Tom and I met Ken at the middle school parking lot at 8:00.  Half way around the first lap we met up with Scott and Frank, so we had a quorum.   It is so hard to put in the quality and quantity of miles while running solo and I was grateful for the company.

There was one incident, though.  At the beginning of the second lap Ken slipped on some ice and fell.  My innocence was witnessed this time.  Unlike Tim, Ken obviously had paid attention during tumbling time in pre-school.  He executed a nice one somersault with a half twist in the semi-tuck position (degree of difficulty – 1.7).  I’d score it a 5.  Ken bounced up and we were back on pace in moments. 

The consensus is that while the High Line Canal path is a nice place to run; soft surface, no traffic and scenic, the REZ, with its hills and open, windy terrain is a better place to train for the spring races we are targeting. 

Returning to my closet; once the floor was clear, I was able to vacuum.  I replaced my athletic shoes; two by two, just like Noah.  I built a base of flip-flops, huaraches and an old pair of Bata Bikers from the ‘80s.  On top of that I put my flats followed by my trainers and dress sneakers.  Two positive things came out of this undertaking.  One is how nice my closet smells; not exactly spring fresh, but not compost pile either.  The other good thing is I now have room for more running shoes.