#24 Heating UP

    As promised, here is another example of my stupidity. In this example, I must drag Josh and Hunter into believing the same thing though. United we stand, stupid. First day in the new house we realized that there was no hot water, but the stove was working; had a frozen pizza. We could not spark the hot water tank in the basement, but there was gas in the house because the stove was working. So I called the local fixer-upper, pops, and when he came over he walked into the kitchen and said "that's an electric stove you must not have the gas turned on." My response was- Yeah, that's what I was thinking too... Luckily the local gas company was able to rush over and turn our gas on 11 days after requested (5/28). And let me assure you- there is a big difference between a cool shower when you are overheated, sunburned, drunk, etc. and a cold shower that lacks the ability to warm up in the slightest. Some of my worst recent experiences all come in the shower recently. I have been timing my showers. My personal best cold shower time was 2 minutes and 10 seconds. I know that I heavily reference awesome movies, but I look like Marv in Home Alone when he is taking the electrocution; just standing and violently convulsing until I can't take it anymore.

Sunday 5/25- 15 miler with the housemates. I am convinced that someone slipped a few dozen horse laxatives in my drinks last night as the three of us watched the Pacers blow another game. Adam is an Indianan so is a lifelong Pacers fan, and I hate the Heat so currently we are rooting for the same team. I'd pick OKC if I could choose even though I am upset with them for letting James Harden go, never let a beard like that go. It's stupid easy to run from our place and I love it. We just went down the arb and out and back on the trail. I assume that will be a normal long run route. Simple and easy, aside from having to crawl back up the arb at the end of every run. It's weird, like every time we run down hills on out and back we end up running back up those hills. Who would have thought.

Before Conor started. Once he did, I was enjoying it too much for pictures.

     Conor Oberst did not fail to amaze me in Pittsburgh. It's crazy to think about for me. For the last 7 years I have listened to heavy doses of his work. Often times his music served as therapy for me; anything bothering me and it goes away once Conor is in my ears. There probably hasn't been a more influential person in my life that I had yet to see in person. I wish that I could have shaken his hand, but that dream will live on until I hopefully catch him one more time on this tour. That dream will most likely live on forever. He performed a good chunk of songs from his latest album, Upsidedown Mountain, but brilliantly mixed in some of his older songs that helped turn him into the legend that he is. I can't really describe the show in much detail. The more I think of a way to put it into words the less confident I am in my ability to do so. Let's just put it this way- If I was given the opportunity to pick one person from the world, past or present, to watch on stage/meet in person it would be Conor and I can't think of a reasonably close second to him. So it was two of my favorite hours so far in life. I've only listened to the newest album 15ish times through, but currently this is my favorite from it. And like all of his albums, every song on there will serve as my favorite eventually.

Oh and that reminds me, Dawes is an excellent band. They tore it up for 45 minutes before Conor and played his songs with them. I now own all three of their records and I'm trying to get to know them more and more. I want to see them again on this tour. Ideally, I will find my way to Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island this July. But like the saying goes- shit ain't cheap.

Monday 5/26- 8 miles with the Patrick through town. Patrick crashed on my mildly comfortable futon after the show and we planned on running once we woke up. And after we woke up and played a few hours of NBA 2k14 we did run, just as planned. Then I went to my dads after dropping Pat off and discovered that he can cut hair better than the people I pay. It's not saving a lot of money because I rarely cut my hair, but it's pretty neat. I then went to celebrate an American holiday full of meat and cookies. There were other options but I'm convinced the healthier the food is the harder it is for me to see it so I can't report on what else was there. I enjoyed it, my philosophy on rating how much I like people consists of two tests. Are they cool while sober? Check, well anyone can be cool sober. Are they cool while not so sober? If that checks out then they are cool. Alcohol brings out everyone's true colors and if those colors are awesome then I dig em. Oh one funny story about it. If you have seen the episode of Family Guy where Brian sees a dog tied up and decides to take it off it's leash and says be free. The dog immediately ate a smaller dog and killed two people I believe. Then Stewie said- that's probably why he was tied up, classic Brian Stewie scene. Well the beagle on the back deck was all tangled up on the leg of the table and a different Adam lifted the leg and untangled the dog. It immediately went and ate the food that a little tike was trying to eat. It wouldn't have been as funny without loving the Family Guy scene. Thanks to that show a lot of random happenings comes off a lot funnier to me than others.

Hot wheels, beat that.

Tuesday 5/27- 6 miles. Slacking on the mileage. That's okay though because I feel healthy and when running 26.2 on a trail I am just happy to not have any tweeks. I went in Fairmont with the town's star in the making. Then I went to Chauncy's for the first time since the Fairmont tried to take my license. My younger sister and pops have the same new fancy phone. There is this game on it called don't touch the white tile or something, basically it's like Dance Dance Revolution on the phone. A few days prior she was stuck at 175 trying to catch her friend at 186. Let me try a few times then I got hooked for fifteen minutes. I put it down with a 195. Then she cheated the next day and claimed(lie) that she did 282 which made me mad. I posted a 297 and said you'll never beat me. she then responded with a picture of a 401 and said beat this! I am still convinced that it is not her phone because I haven't seen her to confirm it. I took my dad's phone after finishing up dinner and waiting for the check and played once. I ripped off a 404 and sent this picture to her with the caption- K, now what? That summarizes our relationship. She tries to beat me and fails at everything. I have never let her have anything, and I'm going to be the same way with my kids. For years she would storm into her room mad that I would always just hammer her in whatever we were playing. But what I wanted to happened has happened. She got genuinely good. When we play super smash bros or super mario kart it is a toss up. And on super mario sluggers it is an upset if I win. I figure you can baby your siblings/kids and let them win everything and watch them amount to losers or you can whip em in everything until they are winners. I am proud of her rage quits though. She's just like me when if she is losing she will just toss the controller, turn off the system, and walk out of the room. Moments later returning like nothing happened. That's okay with me because a sore loser is only sore because losing is a rarity.

Wednesday 5/28- 11 miles. 5 and 6 double. I plan doing 6 right after uploading this so I'm going to go ahead and log it on here. It's been thundering all day but I stayed dry earlier on my run. I want to get stormed on. I love running through heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Only on short runs. I'd be pretty unhappy if I had a longer run and got dumped on early on. It's a nice break from getting burnt. I don't want to brag, but this place totally has hot water now... High roller alert! I said that I would give you all a tour of the new place, but I'm postponing that until next blog.

 Q &A, clothing optional.

1. How do you feel about your Minnesota Wild getting eliminated by Chicago for the second straight year?

    To be Franklin the turtle, not happy. This has been the best Minnesota Wild team in their young franchise. After gift wrapping two games for Colorado in the opening round and went seven games against an inferior opponent had me livid. Had we lost that series I would never forgive the team. At least I could fathom a series defeat to the Hawks; they won the cup last year so they can't be terrible. I respect Kane, Toews, and their top D pair. I don't respect their depth and think we could have won the series. And I especially think we would have won the series if Chicago had to play their 4th string goalie like we did, or if we had Harding in net; that would be more fun. It's like Prefontaine says in one of the two movies- your opponent is not better than you unless he beats you at your best. Do I think Chicago is better than Minnesota this year, no. Were they better due to injuries and deserved to win the series, yes. Am I salty as hell about it, yes. I am rightfully salty because after next season an inevitable chunk of talented youth will depart because they will be off of their entry level contracts and begin making real money that we can't provide to all of them. I say it every year, but this time it's truer than ever: Next year has to be the year. A sliver of me wants them to keep losing because I love them so much and the first time I walk downtown in Morgantown, 17 hours from St. Paul, and see Mr. Frat doucheface sporting a Wild snapback I am going to just lose it. People around here lie about bandwagoning like they lie about being racist. President Obama and Govna Manchin practically stand together on every subject, WV elects Manchin, but goes red. I can only think of one difference between Obama and Manchin...

2. How many tattoos do you have and do you plan on getting any more?
    4. I got my first one on my wrist 3 years ago. Three on my right leg: ms yellow bird, mr demon, and McDagger. I do anticipate one more on my right leg in the next year. Then that will probably be it. If there are more in my future I'm certain they will stay on my upper legs. Though I wouldn't mind getting a blank tattoo often just for the feeling. I feel like there is a reason that you rarely see someone with only one tattoo, it's an addicting pain. Hurts so good.

3. What are your favorite shoes to train in?
    This one is a toughie. Not because I am in love with various shoes; I really don't care too much about shoes. In high school I went all adidas and had four pair of Solutions. People tell me that isn't a good shoe, but who's to say what good is. Shoes that I hated- old Adidas glides, Brooks Cadence 2, most New Balance trainers. I don't like Nike either, unless I'm going to play basketball. In that case I would wear Iversons. Trail shoes are easier for me to talk about. I've only worn the NB 110v2 (coming out in July) and I love them! But I have absolutely shredded them because I either have wide feet or I go too hard in the paint. The original Brooks Cadence are probably the best shoe ever. I still walk around in those bad boys. Today if I had to pick up shoes I'd probably go with Saucony Kinvara because I feel like it. I never have fancy reasons to get shoes. I like em, or don't.

4. Where is your ultimate vacation destination?
    I don't think this counts, but a vacation that I have dreamed of and plan on doing is training through Europe and Scandinavia. Training- to travel via train. Figure that I would start in Switzerland, train all through there- Geneva, Saint Moritz, Zurich. Then go damn near everywhere in Germany, but highlighted by Munich and Dusseldorf. Then to Amsterdam. If I somehow escaped from there I would return to Germany en route to Poland. I would be sure to not travel east of there and head up to Scandinavia. Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, and on to a ferry to Finland and if I never return from there I am cool with that. My vacations aren't to specific locations. To this point my favorite vacation has been driving to Eugene, Oregon and back. That's a vacation.

5. my son is starting high school XC in the fall...right now he's barely under a 7 min. mile for the 5K. Do you have any tips for how to run faster and uninjured for younger runners?
    Consistency. The best way to improve, especially during the summer, is just consistent running. Gaining fitness doesn't have to be complicated and actually running in general isn't complicated early on. As long as he doesn't spike his mileage too quickly, he should be injury-free. Of course there are always inevitable injuries in all sports. I've had my share of bumps in the road, and progressions. It may still be May, but cross country season is just around the corner. Running should be year round to see the best results. Plus running is fun, why wouldn't ya want to do it year round.

6. If you could live anywhere where would it be?

    I am going to stick with places that I have visited before because it's hard to say I would like to live somewhere that I haven't visited. I see two potential final destinations for me and they are quite different. If I live in or around a city it will be the twin cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul are both in my top three cities individually, along with Pittsburgh. If I move to the great white north( Minnesota. There is nothing north of MN in my mind) I will live out my dream of being the 90 year guy in Xcel Energy Center who hasn't missed a Wild home game in 50 years. Crazy old guy is my dream regardless of where I live. The second area I'd like to spend the majority of life is the Teton Valley. I traveled out to the Grand Tetons on a whim for my first trail marathon and honestly getting in my car and driving back home was one of the hardest things that I have done. I stayed in Driggs, Idaho but I spent time in Alta and Jackson, WY. It is the most beautiful place in the world, that I have seen. I would have to take up cross skiing if I wanted to maintain any sort of fitness though. Sidenote- my two favorite campuses I've visited are Colorado State in Fort Collins and surprisingly Ohio University in Athens. It's surprising because Ohio sucks.

7. What books are on your summer reading list? 

    Jo Nesbo's Snowman is next. A good friend recommended it when I spent the night with him in Kansas City and I purchased it shortly after. Every time I go to start another book I keep picking one over Snowman, so it's definitely passed due. Time and Again by Jack Finney will be after that. I am reading that because Stephen King was inspired and credited this book largely for his 11/22/63 novel that I just finished so I have to pick that up. I always follow books and music to its roots. For instance, Conor Oberst has time and again said one of if not his favorite musician growing up was Leonard Cohen and that he has influenced a lot of his work. So I listen to Cohen and try to take from it what Conor would; I am sure that I don't but it passes the time. I also anticipate having my first fictional book published this year. But I won't go further into that until it's out.

8. When did you first know you had a passion for running?

'07 Team. I overdressed with bball shorts. Best fall ever.

    I love this question! Because it is an easy one, and funny to me. First glimpse of running came in 8th grade track. My girlfriend that remained on in off 7th-10th grade ran hurdles and told me I should come out even though I played baseball. Claimed that they do nothing at practice and we could just hang out a few extra hours, I was out the next day. "What do you want to run?" My response- One or two laps. Don't want to sprint or run too long. Ended up 2:26 and 58 that spring. Decided to go out for CC because of the friends that I had made that spring. Freshman year was probably the most fun I've had still to this day in a season. But I was more invested in the social aspect than the training. Then 8/8/08 came and snap goes my femur. After hating the world for a month or so I found my passion. It took not being able to run to discover that I needed running. I also think that caused my to be easily annoyed when I see talented runners go through the motions. I honestly think injuries can be a blessing not so disguised. I broke my leg and prior was all about having fun and screwing around. Came out of the cast determined to snap everyone's neck. So to speak. In the past few years my passion for running has been tested, but no matter how low the coaster has taken me I have kept my passion alive.

9. Are you considering career options as a runner?

    Depends on your definition of career. Do I plan on making running my only source of income? That would be a terrible decision. Unless there was a weekly Clarksburg 10k. Do I plan on making any money as a runner? No. I'm sure I will make child's money here in there throughout life, but I never plan on it. Running is one of the last sports to try to make money in. I anticipate running forever though, so it's a career addiction. I mean after Sunday I will only have 3 out of 50 states x'd off for my goal of racking up 50 trail marathons or longer. Then perhaps I will take to the roads. Completely different races so I have trail and road marathons rightfully in different categories. I will always have goals as a runner, varying in impressiveness, but $$$ isn't one of them. I am planning on doing the US Skyrunning series fall '15, but that's not really a career; just a plan.

Next:

• Monday, I know I said Sunday but that was when I was under the impression that my marathon was on Saturday. It's on Sunday.
• Review of Conquer the Cove Trail Marathon (Roanoke, VA)
• House tour
• Continuing the constant flow of random happenings/ movie references. 

I enjoyed all of the questions!

 One Love!

#23 New House, New Year, Same Dreams

Digem's Trails

#23 New House, New Year, Same Dreams

Last Friday, 5/16 I spent the day lifting and moving furniture from the town home near Cheat Lake and into a runner's paradise. The new house is in sight of the tempo loop and will make it difficult to not double. Honestly, it serves as the perfect kick in the butt. And I viewed it as such. Before I get to the spacious new house, moving all of my crap was a trouble worth sharing. Looking at everything neatly organized in my room now makes me think of my possessions as more than crap, but when I'm carrying things too heavy for me- it's all crap. Anyone with a pulse has seen Home Alone 1 & 2.  Anyone with a pulse stopped watching when Macaulay Culkin stopped being Kevin. I played the role of Harry and Marv in the second movie. My bed played the role of the big red tool chest; thankfully it didn't weigh much. Chris Hunter helped me out a ton with moving everything and I couldn't have moved without him, but before he got off of work I wanted to move everything from my upstairs bedroom to the front door. Then everything from Josh's upstairs bedroom while he conveniently worked a ton. Being lazy and dreading extended manual labor, I made a decision at the cross road that everyone faces before moving out. Heavy to light furniture or light to heavy? Of course, I went light first. I took my bare queen mattress off of the springs and started maneuvering it through my door and to the top of the stairs. I then quickly back peddled down the stairs. There was a moment when I questioned why I was moving so quickly. That thought came to mind as I clipped my own feet and went airborne down the last three or so stairs. I've always had a fear of breaking my tail bone, but to this point I have avoided it while breaking/dislocating a knee, femur, 8 fingers, bone in my neck, two bones in my foot, 5th metatoe, and growth plate in an ankle. Turns out, I didn't even hurt my tailbone in the spill. I landed against the wall smacking my back and head before landing on my fully intact tail bone. The mattress then smacked me between my spread legs and gave me a friendly pop in the face. I remained seated for awhile before deciding to move everything downstairs. I was shocked that there was no hole in the wall from my back, but the wall's days were numbered. The fall initially reminded me of Home Alone 2, then of a New Years party for either 2008 or 09. A friend was looking for an intoxicated friend and it was one of those perfect scenes when he asks if we have seen his friend just before that friend flew down the stairs and put a knee and head through the wall if I recall correctly. That didn't matter because midnight was around the corner to provide a clean slate. Moving provides a clean slate too. 

Me and Chris Hunter

Chris came over after work and we began moving heavy to light as we loaded the moving truck. Josh has possibly the least convenient chest/dresser that I have ever lifted. Or whatever the proper verb would be since I never 'lifted' it. More like walked it. Tugged it. When that heavy s.o.b picked up steam down the stairs you are damn right I moved and let it penetrate the wall. Then we stealthily shifted the chest around and down the last step; leaving a deep trail in the wall. I had no expectation of a check for a security deposit so I wasn't concerned. Relieved if anything. That chest put a hole in the wall; probably would have killed me. I say probably because I can't say for sure whether or not I am invincible. I've gone over 21 years without accidentally dying, so you never know. I would test my invincibility, but I don't know Spiderman's hours and when he can provide my one get out of death free card so I will just keep on trying to not take physical risks. By the symphony of bones crackling when I get up from bed or walk up stairs I would say that I have had enough hard knocks for this lifetime.

Go ahead, try and bring it in my paint.

By the end of the night I was sleeping easy in my new house in suncrest. I have added Adam as a 2nd housemate so there's a fat chance that he will be a part of blogs moving forward. Also, we live walking distance from Mario's Fishbowl and Blackbear which will know the three of us by name behind the bar by the end of the year. My definition of success has changed often over my lifetime. How good someone was at NBA Jam on SNES, how well you flipped on a trampoline, whether or not you can hit/throw a curve ball, the percentage of homework you turn in without doing it yourself, how fast you can run, and most recently- how happy you are. The last year has easily been the happiest of my life. And that's all that really matters, before I would look at people and say: what a loser, but they seem a lot happier than me. With this move I can't imagine getting much happier. Completely satisfied with a lot of things right now. I'd like to improve on my fitness level and complete a few projects that I've been working on before Sid Meier's next game comes out. Because when that happens I begin losing track of time by the weeks. For the first time in seemingly ever, here is my weekly running blog:

Sunday 5/18- 18 miles. I wanted to run preferably all at once, but ended up doubling up. Josh, Adam, and Russ finished a solid 16 out at Cheat Lake. I went nearly 11 with them before tapping out for a second time due to my stomach being in knots. I exited the bathroom and tacked on another 2 before stopping at 13 for another bathroom break. Later on that evening I went for 5 more because I wasn't pleased with my morning run. If it were fatigued legs or just poor fitness I'd be fine with crappin out 11 miles in, but it was my stomach; legs felt fine. By the end of the day I registered 18, but not in the most beneficial way.

Monday 5/19- 11 miles. Consecutive double, but this one was planned ahead of time. Easy 5 miles and then a speed workout with a few legs of my old high school's 4x8 team who were prepping for a lackluster performance at the state meet in a few days (spoiler). 3 miles of track work and taking the warm up and cool down into consideration- 6 miles was put down for the afternoon. My first hot fudge brownie avalanche at Dairy Cream Corner this year which is embarrassing that it took so long. If you are ever blessed enough to cross Fairmont, WV go to DCC because it is the only place that kinda rocks. Plus you get to see the people of Fairmont so it's a great people watching spot.

Tuesday 5/20- 8 miles. Living in suncrest has provided various loops for me to run, but I think this route will be the most common that I run. Just down junkyard and onto the rail trail and head out toward Point Marion before turning around. So out of all of the potential loops, this isn't a loop.

Wednesday 5/21- 11 miles. With my friend leaving for the summer on an internship, I went 5 miles early with him. It was actually my first time running with him. He has cut weight and is just recently getting into running, but a childhood friend so one of my only non runner friends may turn into a hobby jogger. That would take away a serious percentage of non runner friends. I then went six with Josh, Hunter, and Adam. That will probably be a normal group, so from now on they will be addressed as the boys.

Thursday 5/22- 6 miles! The boys headed out toward Point Marion like I did Tuesday, but I wasn't feeling sexy so I turned early and made a loop back to the house.

Friday 5/23- 8 miles. I took to the streets of Fairmont prior to leaving for the state meet. As I mentioned earlier FS's 4x8 was poo. But after sitting through a day of blah, the 3a boys 2 mile kicked off! Colin Radabaugh (Radbra) has made several appearances in blogs already and has taken titles such as "my favorite high school runner". Coming in with the 8th best mark, I just wanted him to get all state, top 6, but the crazy s.o.b went off and placed 3rd. I will not give my play-by-play or post a picture today, but on one of my next two blogs this week I will post the video once the youtube guys upload it. OH! 3 blogs in 8 days coming up, Whaaaa?

Saturday 5/24- 6 miles. Intentionally cut my planned distance down because I feel quite run down, sunburnt yesterday, wanna be ready for a solid long run tomorrow, etc. Pick an excuse. 68 miles is child's play, but I'm all settled in now and I'll have hot water starting Wednesday so a routine should be hit here soon. Next week I'm only planning in the 70s. Racing in 8 days. The 100 miler has turned into a chore currently. I am getting really pumped for the 50k in September and want to just start getting faster, but I have to keep in mind that I am crippling myself at the end of June.

Book Review

11/22/63 by Stephen King

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book, all 800 pages of it. If you are a fan of time traveling, J.F.K, or the late 50's early 60's: you should enjoy the book as well. I'm going to try to summarize the book without giving any spoilers because I really think it is a good summer read. If it sucked then I would tell you what happens. Basically this school teacher is friends with Al, owner of Al's Diner. He noticed that Al had seemingly aged five years over night one day which was odd because he saw Al almost daily. Later Al tells Jake that he isn't healthy enough to finish the mission and asks for Jake's help since he was a single man with no real ties. Al has a portal into 1958 and every time he goes through it and returns to the present, only 2 real minutes pass. Al was convinced that the world would be a better place if he went back and killed Lee Harvey before he assassinated the president. Due to illness, he was forced to put this mission on Jake, his only friend, and with the Diner being torn down in two weeks, Jake didn't have much time to think about it.
    I enjoyed the book, one of my top ten reads ever, but I do have a few complaints/disappointments.  Though the book is about preventing John Kennedy's assassination, only a sliver of JFK's life is told in the book. For the most part it is about Jake and the insignificant fictional characters that crosses his path. It is Stephen King so of course the story was brilliant and full of twists and turns. If it wasn't I wouldn't have blown through the book in four sittings. I believe this is the longest read ever, unless one of the Potter books was longer. In that case, it is the longest read since then. My second complaint is that King and all of his brilliance simply chalked the assassination up to Lee. I like conspiracies, but more so like the truth. I am not saying that Lee didn't shoot the president, but I don't like that no other theory was mentioned in the novel. I guess it was easier to write if there was only one assassin.
    The one generation that should enjoy this book more than every other would be my dad's. I knew that he would dig it and gave it to him to read which he did very quickly. Being around for the real 50s and 60s makes all the difference in this book. The story is full of references to vehicles, music, celebrities, etc all from that era and provided an escape from this world and let my dad and all others who once lived the era, relive the early 60s. As much as I loved the book, pops loved it more. That is because when they are throwing out all of the dance moves and music and cars, that's like reading deutsch. I didn't listen, drive, or know every reference that was made like he does. I would recommend this read to anyone. I would strongly recommend this to anyone 60+ in age. So If you know someone in that age group, make them read it and they will thank you for it.

On my next blog I will go on about the concert tomorrow, give another example of my stupidity, show my new pad, and potentially answer a Q & A. I have actually had several people recommend doing one. So, if you have any questions about anything and want me to answer, leave the question in the comments and I will copy them over to Wednesday's blog along with my answers.

ONE LOVE!
 
Next on tap:

• Conor Oberst concert tomorrow night
• Midweek Blog Wednesday
• Conquer the Cove Trail Marathon Sunday 6/1 in VA
• Mohican 100 miler June 22nd.

#22 Returning to my roots

5/7/14

#22 Returning To My Roots

    Since the Iron Furnace 20k in Ohio I haven't taken a step on any of my trails. I have been running though. I have also decided to venture through the mountain highways to Roanoke, Virginia for a trail marathon June 1st. That's a different state than West Virginia. I honestly feel like I have to say that in case anyone from not West Virginia is reading this. I have been dumbfounded many times by people's honest to god belief that West Virginia isn't a state. Just last year Josh and myself went up toSchenectady, NY (I want to take this moment to say this is the proudest moment of my life to not see a red squiggly line under a word.) to run in a 15k. Well Josh ran the 15k. I decided to only run 4 miles then thought better of it. Upstate New York is such a beautiful place, it's a shame that it is within the same border of that dirty butt NYC that I hate so much. Anyways, about to turn this full circle. Josh sent in his elite entry from Morgantown, WV. The official entrants were put online- Josh Simpson- Morgantown, VA. One of many times that I think people honestly don't know of this state's existence. Other times people have just told me that they didn't know of WV. But we are the stupid ones. Don't get me wrong, this state is infested with stupid people, but so are the other 36 states I've been in; forcing me to assume America along with every country has idiots. I haven't run on trails in awhile. I believe that was where I meant to start this entry off at. I have taken to my original running routes a lot; something that I haven't done in a long time. Returning to my origins as a run is always the perfect move to pry me out of any rut that I find myself in.

    Last weekend was filled of WV running; and I lived a good weekend by a running spectator's standards. Friday I drove through the woods to Glenville. That is one of this state's many sketch communities. There was the inaugural MEC championship. Best friend Patrick & Co were preparing for another dominant performance. The first event that I wanted to see was the steeple. Glenville is notorious for running the worst meets potentially in the world. 45 minutes it took to raise the steeples from girls 5mm height to a height that you can't trip over. The hurdle crew consisted of one big Glenville State football player. I assume that he could throw the steeple a solid forty yards. But he and the rest couldn't raise it. Eventually it kicked off and Joe killed everyone. 1/1 in distance events for Wheeling Jesuit. Men's and Women because Jen won the female steeple chase by a funny margin. I'm pretty sure she has been running the show since forever. Then Jes won the girls 10k. Now, for my favorite- men's 10k. Luke was the heavy favorite and ran like it. Patrick and Riff were trying to beat a Notre Dame runner who was seeded better than the two of them. They annihilated him. Jesuit 1-3. I am looking forward to watching Luke run at nationals later this month up in Michigan. Funny fact- Joe & Jen and Luke & Jes are both items and won the same events. 

Right after chatting with the 10kers and WV's best coach, esp if you're a male- Ricky Moore, I hopped in my car and flew back through the backroads to i79 and made it down to Laidley Field just in time for Jesuit's future Cardinal's 9:34 3200m. I was about 90 minutes late based off of the rolling schedule posted before Gazette Relays kicked off. But if there is one thing that I faith in it is that no WV meet will ever run on time. I did miss the race I wanted to see, and would have if MEC hadn't run much later than planned. Ol Radabra ran 9:34 in the AAA 3200, but I wanted to see my boy from Fairmont run in the AA 3200m. Honestly he should have been in the AAA race, the fact that my old school has been relegated to AA is annoying. We always had AA enrollment but every sport was competitive on the AAA level against schools with thrice the students. I am convinced the relegation was by request because the football team had taken a turn for the pathetic and they wanted to mask it with worse competition. Granted, I am sure that is not the case, but I will believe it nonetheless. Truth is what you make it. The following morning was the 1600m. Jake ran a 4:44, big PB for him. There was Dave Ciarolla, probably the toughest CC runner in Fairmont Senior this millennium, class of 08. Patrick and myself, '10-'11. Nick Trefz '12. All fantastic runners for FS. Then there was nothing. One of the most embarrassing things I've ever witnessed is the distance team of recent. But that is going to change. Jake is only a sophomore and is making leaps and bounds. Running times faster or similar to the champs that came before him did at his age. There is at least one state title in his future- you heard it here first!

Luz these guys

After his mile I head northeast for Glenville. Day two of MEC was underway and I needed to make the 1500 and 5k. I missed the 15, but made it well before the 5k. The plan was to do the same today as they had done the day before. Sure enough, Luke calmly whooped the field and PatRiff broke the field and took 2nd and 3rd once again. The most impressive part of the entire meet was Patrick's chops n stache. Wheeling Jesuit didn't win the team title because there is a stupid school called Wesleyan that breed a stupid number of mediocre people. To attend that school you must be unable to win anything, but with great numbers of losers comes great number of points. There isn't really a rivalry between Jesuit and Wesleyan because Wesleyan is so terrible at everything. Maybe one day they can learn how to do something well and turn this into a rivalry. 

Coolest pin out of the 36. Part of the hardest 18 you'll ever play.

Next week we are moving into a house on the tempo loop. This means my fitness level will shoot through the roof. Living right on an excellent place to run means that I will be running so much more. I am pumped. With the move comes a 5 day layover period where the current lease is up and the next lease doesn't begin. So I have slowly been moving everything into my old house in Fairmont and will stay there for the five days of Morgantown homelessness. Since I have been in Fairmont a lot, I have been running my old long run courses, hanging with old friends, and running with FSHS's future distance stud. Also I started another season out at Morris Park. Out of the five states that I have played disc golf in, Morris Park is still my favorite park to play in. 36 holes and the option to tee off short or long and throw to short or long pins. It's a disc golfer's paradise. When I snapped my femur in '08 I swore off ultimate frisbee. I replaced that with disc golf and have gotten pretty damn good. I played in a tournament either my junior or senior year of high school and took 4th, beating my U18 age group by like 16 strokes in 36 holes. It was a blast. I love the hippies out there. Shelby is the local legend I'd say. I remember when he first saw me playing and I almost nailed a shot from 100+ft out. "Woah you almost chained that maaan." It's funnier to hear in person. Last year I started playing at Dorseys Knob and hit my first Ace when playing with Justin. The hole was weird, you throw it straight down a hill and wrap it around brush to the left and the pin is set out of sight from the tee off. The throw was terribly short and hard, but it skipped up and hit the chains for an ace. Had it missed I assumed it would have been a 4. 

Hole 9 at Morris Park is almost the exact same set up. Blind tee off. The pin is down a big hill and wrapped around to the left. 190 feet away. The tee off isn't really a 'blind shot' anymore for me. I have played over 100 times through those 18 holes and know exactly where the pin lies. Just because I know where it is doesn't mean I can hit it from 190ft out. Twice in my life I have hit the cage, but the disc never stayed in for an ace. Yesterday I was playing a round with my dad, to be nice I will say our calibers are slightly different. Our way of playing makes it a decent competition though. I throw from the long tee to the long pin and he throws from the short tee to the short pin. For example- on one of the holes he has to throw 235 ft and I have to throw 510 ft. Makes for a close game except today I was hitting all of my shots. Making threes that I never make. I believe that I hit four long three shots out of five in the first 8 holes. I had just come from a track workout at the glorious four turn track in Fairmont. Imagine- 100 meters LEFT, 100 meters LEFT, etc. It was build by idiots. I used to always play a round or two after workouts in high school, that's why we were out; returning to roots. When we got to hole 9, last hole that we planned to play that day, I whipped my disc right above the ground. I always throw it less than a foot from the ground on that hole because the ground drops out from under it. 'Get in' I said as it curved left out of sight around the bushes/trees. I have thrown this whole well over 100 times. Every single time I say get in once it bends toward the pin. Until yesterday every time I said that I would look dumb. But I would always say that just in case it would find its way to the cage. Then saying get in as it went in would sound like a boss. Every time the disc cuts left I stand idle for a moment hoping to hear the sound of the chains catching my disc. Yesterday I heard the chains explode. I am not sure what the world record is for the 380ft dash is, but I think I set it. Instantly I threw my hat as high as I could and took off in a dead sprint down the hill to confirm my first ever ace at Morris Park. There my disc was, sitting in the cage. All pink and junk. I rounded the cage and sprinted back up to tee off; with my index finger pointed to the heavens and pumping my fist. I probably sounded like an ass. The only other time I have pumped my fist with my finger raised was on the rail trail from Fairmont to Morgantown last year. Josh and I were running the 18 mile trail when a bald eagle decided to fly with us for a good quarter mile. We both raised our hand and chanted USA for far too long. That was the most patriotic moment of my life. The only thing that would top that is if I rode on the back of a bald eagle as we circled the white house, but I don't see that happening. 

I am completely refreshed and excited for the summer. I have a great feeling about this summer. I am excited for my future. I plan to take all of you along the journey with me. I want to hear what is on everyone's agenda this summer! 

In the comments below, leave me your summer plans!

Coming up:

• Trail Marathon #3 6/1
• No NHL blog. I started it, but was too critical on my work and scrapped it. 
• Lots of Running
• Book Review on 11/22/63 by Stevie King

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