Cold Sissy

I'm not sure exactly when it happened. But somewhere in the past year plus, I became a total sissy when it comes to the cold. Partly because I get this strange arthritic pain in my left wrist when exposed to colder temps (usually 60 degrees or below). But also overall...I just get cold easier.

I have a theory that my loss in weight/body fat % can largely be attributed to this. At the tail end of my stress fracture recovery period in late 2009, my weight ballooned up to the low 190s. I was still trying to remain active by mountain biking and going to the gym but nothing could replace running. I'm sure it didn't help that I still ate like I was running 40-60 miles a week.


December 2009, in heavier times.


December 2010, in leaner times.

Fast forward to present day where I am about 20+ pounds lighter and body fat is right at or below 10%. These days I can't step outside without at least a pair of gloves, arm or long sleeves. A couple of nights ago with temps in the 50s, I went out on a double-digit run donning a pair of gloves and arm warmers thinking I'd ditch them at some point. They never came off.

Add to it that I find myself either scheduling runs based on the weather or skipping them entirely if conditions are too "cold". What the hell happened to me?


Ideal no more.

I know most runners relish running in cool temps like we're having but I increasingly and uncharacteristically find myself pining for summer-like temperatures in the 70-80s again.

Guess living in LA all these years finally caught up to me and is making me soft. That, or I need to start doubling up on my caloric intake.

Race Report: 2011 PCTR Montana De Oro 50K (DNF)

D-N-F.

Those 3 dreaded letters no one wants attached to their race result. But it happened yesterday and now I have to live with it. For clarity, no I was not injured, no I was not sick. It was not out of necessity, it was a choice. My legs just failed me and while I probably could have kept trudging along, I chose to drop. They were done. I was done.


Kristin, Colin, Me + Evan at the race start.

I was running well through the 1st loop running 4th behind the female leader. I thought I was running within myself and running smart. Cardio-wise I felt great. Steady on the ups, fast but not out of control on the downs. I was drinking often (containing my calories + electrolytes) and taking my salt.

In spite of all of that, those all too familiar calf twinges hit me after about 10 miles into it. They started in my right calf, then it spread like a virus to my right hamstring, left calf, then both of my quads. On my descent down from the 2nd major summit, my legs were full-on seizing and I knew I had to throw in the towel.

I don't know how I could have expected any other result based on how little I've been running. I tried to go out again after coming through the halfway point at 25K (although it measured more like 17 miles) but only made it about ~3 miles out before I finally threw in the towel and walked back frustrated but not too dejected.


Colin and Kristin finishing together.

The trip itself was actually a blast as my girl and I along with our friends Colin and Kristin made the drive up the day before to make a weekend out of it. We had lunch in Santa Barbara, passed through some beautiful wine country, stayed at a charming bayside cottage in Los Osos and ate at my favorite steak joint Jocko's Steakhouse post-race. Also, I took immense pride in my friends who gutted out all 32-33 miles to go along with 6,400+ feet of climbing on a tough, sunny day.


Above Santa Barbara wine country.


Jocko's Steakhouse.

I will certainly be back. The course is too beautiful and too luring in the challenge it presents for me to not return. I will just be better prepared to deal with it next time.

Operation Jack: 61 Marathons Video

On December 26, 2010 my buddy Sam Felsenfeld ran his 61st marathon that year to raise money and awareness for autism.

Here is the video of marathon #61 that our new sports film production company High Gear Films shot and edited of that day...hope you enjoy: