Yoga under the Stars

Every once in a while a day like this comes along and you just have to thank your lucky stars you're alive. Tonight I was able to thank them in person. Half an hour after sunset, with the planet Venus rising above the SW mountains, a group of about 15 yogis met  inside the gates at Red Rock. The gates were locked behind us as the park was now closed to the public. After a short walk we laid out our mats under the cloud-less sky and we began our practice. Led by Cheryl of Blue Sky Yoga, we went through our yoga postures with a million stars in the sky. I haven't seen so many stars since Mom & I went to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz., last May. Living in the heavily-lit city of Las Vegas I'm lucky to see a full moon once in a while.

The yoga wasn't the only highlight of the day. I was able to implement some of the techniques of Chi Running. Guess What? It really works. I had one of my easiest, fastest runs ever at Red Rock with no recovery time needed. If I could just run at Red Rock at dusk and practice yoga there after dark I'd be in Heaven. That's what it felt like tonight.

Chi Running

Chi Running. I just started reading it today and what an awakening! After running on and off for more than 30 years I thought I knew a thing or two about the sport. But this new book combines the principles of T'ai Chi (less is more) with running to produce effortless, injury free running. It's all about the posture and the attitude.

 T'ai Chi owes its origins to the study of animal movements, like the cheetah. There are tons of testimonials of injured runners who never thought they'd jog again who not only returned to running but with faster, easier runs than ever before. The book explains how to be mindful, quiet and energetic at the same time. I'll know in a few months if it works for me too. Just in time for the marathon.

Before I started the book I ran 10 miles this morning on a flat course. Which was pretty easy for me after last week's hilly 15 miler at Red Rock.  The real effort was in Cypresse's Dynamic Flow yoga class. I really worked up a sweat as she pushed me to the edge and beyond. BS 116.

 

Pastry Junkie

Everyone has their inner demons. Now that the booze is locked up while I connect with Lewis & Clark's suffering of 200 years ago I sometimes find myself in a weak moment. Not for whiskey, wine or beer. My weakness, and this is very bad for a diabetic, is pastries. I love 'em, crave 'em and need 'em. But they're very bad for me. Sometimes I justify my indulgence with "Oh, I'll run it off." And many times I do. But still I better watch it. But lately the blood sugar numbers have been very good -- 126 this morning and 116 tonight.

What do you call those pastries that look like a big 4-leaf clover and each part has a different filling? One could be strawberry, apple, lemon or pineapple. That's my biggest weakness and why I must run the Red Rock loop so often.

Well it's the weekend (for me) and you know what that means -- lot's of running and yoga. Friday night at Red Rock there's a yoga class under the stars (flashlight required) and Saturday I'm in another 5k race. Gotta burn that pastry fuel.

Alaska 2006

Plans got underway today for the big 2006 Alaska tour. Taking a break from the Lewis & Clark trail, Dad & I decided we would venture to the 49th state for next year's adventure exploration vacation.

Initial plans have Dad flying to Las Vegas June 13, resting with a bike ride (for him) and a run (for me) around the scenic Red Rock loop. We'll fly non-stop from Las Vegas to Anchorage. Other plans  include the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon. What's a vacation without a 26.2-mile jog!

The rest of the week we'll visit Mt. McKinley, the tallest peak in North America. Denali as the natives call it. Dad will get in some great bike rides and I'll take a million pictures. No need for a flash because the sun doesn't set in June in Alaska.

My friend Amy from Florida may meet us there, she has cousins in Alaska. She says she's not running in any marathons. Why not Amy? 

Right on Track -- 11 Weeks

The only obstacle on the railroad track trail that takes me from my condo to Sunset Park is Eastern Avenue. But today it was perfect timing. Just as I got to the busy 6-lane Eastern a train arrived at the crossing, stopping traffic and allowing me to cross the busy street without breaking stride. It was a great 8-mile run as I did a couple of large figure 8 loops around Sunset Park taking in the lake and adjacent trails and even climbing a couple of mini mountains to check out the view. As usual I caused a few large rabbits to scamper away in fear. Work crews were setting up fences for this weekend's Renaissance Festival.

Now that fall is here it's not so hot and I don't have to run so early.

Today marks 11 weeks of grog-free living as I honor the Bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition with my own Lewis & Clark Abstinence Reenactment. So far, so good. And they said it couldn't be done.

 

Making a Date With Liz Phair

Attention Insomniacs! I almost skipped today's entry, not much to report. Sure I ran and did yoga but I do that almost every day. Nothing extraordinary. I guess the day's highlight was getting a ticket for Liz Phair's Nov. 17 show at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.

I've seen her twice before both times at the House of Blues. It's a great venue. You can get up close and personal in a small club setting. I got her autograph the first time and had my camera confiscated (no photos allowed) but fortunately I got it back after the show (after I had taken a few photos). They didn't believe it was really a camera because it was so small. Maybe I'll try to smuggle it in again but not be so obvious about picture taking.

The diabetes numbers today were a little high (155 this morning) and a little low (98) at night. If I could just get somewhere inbetween I'd be doing ok. The Bills fell to 1-2 losing to Michael Vick and the Falcons 24-16.

 

Still Getting Faster

Another fast 5k this morning. Today was the Teacher to Student 5k (3.1 miles) at Desert Breeze Park (Spring Mountain & Durango). Once again I PR'd for my current age group (45-49) but alas it wasn't good enough for an age-group trophy. My time of 23:53 (7:41 per mile) placed me 39th out of 150 overall runners but only 6th in my age group. Would you believe the fastest male my age was under 20 minutes! Well, that's what I've got to shoot for. Ironically, my time beat many men half my age. I would have finished 1st in the 25-29 category. I thought you were supposed to slow down with age?

The run was a little hilly and went into a headwind part of the way and I know I gave my best effort despite much discomfort near the end of the race. But unlike drugs or alcohol when the user experiences a brief high and then a long-lasting low, a runner suffers a little toward the end of the effort then can bask in the glory of the accomplishment the rest of the day, week, month and beyond. By the way, I beat all the runners in the photo and still had time to go to my truck, get my camera and snap it.

 

Cold Mountain

Have you seen the movie Cold Mountain with Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger? Probably, it wasn't released yesterday. I'm content to wait until a movie comes to HBO, Cinemax or Showtime. Most people say they prefer to watch a film on the big screen. But I don't think I could have sat through 2 hours and 45 minutes in the theatre. It took me the better part of 2 days to watch it on my DVR but it was worth it. I don't usually go for drama but this was very well done. No wonder it got so many Oscars.

Just a 4-mile run today along the RR track trail behind my condo. That's all I needed after yesterday's epic 15-mile run at Red Rock. The blood sugar was only 99 after Kim's yoga class tonight. That's slightly surprising because I had a lot of carbs at Sweet Tomatoes this afternoon. But the body must still be metabolizing from yesterday's run. Anyone that wants to maintain a healthy body weight or control diabetes should just run 15 miles a day. No medicine required.

 

Red Rock Wipes Me Out

The first 14 miles weren't so bad. It was the last mile uphill that decimated me at Red Rock. That's when I ran out of water and struggled to the finish of the 15-mile scenic loop.

Having not really been challenged in last week's 12-mile trail run Forest Challenege I set my sights on a bigger, steeper and more difficult challenge. I met my Waterloo at Red Rock. Actually it went pretty good I effortlessly climbed from 2,000 feet elevation to 5,000 and back down again but the last mile uphill was a cruel insult. But I hunkered down and shuffled in a little over 2 1/2 hours after I started.

Along the way I saw a burro (damn, no camera) and the signs of the lightning-strike fire that destroyed 60 acres last month. The lack of brush allows the wind to blow the soil around and the road was a little gritty. The downside of the big effort is I'm too tired now to attend Cypresse's Thursday night yoga class. I hope she'll forgive me.

 

Shark Tales

Have you ever heard of a vegetarian shark? That was one of the main characters in the movie Shark Tale I just watched on cable. It was the story of a shark (Jack Black) who wouldn't live up to his father's (Robert De Nero) expectations to be a ruthless mob killer. He preferred kelp over fresh fish. Other voices in the movie include Will Smith, recently broken up Renee Zellweger, Angelina Jolie and Katie Couric. It was a cute flick from the same folks that brought us the Shrek movies. I highly recommend it.

A light rain didn't stop me from getting in a 5-mile run on local streets today. I became one with the rain. 

Recent blood sugar numbers have been sporadic. It was 112 (excellent) last night, 170 (cause for concern) this morning and 120 (very, very good) tonight. That 170 this morning might be blamed on a late night trail mix snack (raisins & M&Ms and a few prestzels) but the rainy run burned that off and things were back to normal.

Peace Out.

 

10 Weeks

Today marks 10 weeks without a glass of beer, wine or spirits. And they said it couldn't be done. I don't really miss it that much. Only once in a while after a run a beer would be nice. But the running's been going great lately and the blood sugar numbers have been pretty good. Although lately they've been in the 130s & 140s when they should be closer to 100. But I'll keep monitoring my numbers to see if it's a short term thing or what. I'm due to see my doctor for my three month check-up and blood test in early October so we'll see how I'm doing then.

When this L&C Abstinence Reenactment finally does come to a close Sept. 13 or 14, 2006 (depending which journal entry I go by). I think I will celebrate with a beer or two but I don't think I'll ever go back to the level of consumption I once had. I just don't need it.

I was back on the roads today with a solid one-hour run in the new shoes. I've got another 5k race Saturday and I'm looking to get a 15-mile run under by belt (or shoes) sometime soon.

Lazy Sunday

No big run to report today. After 45 miles in 5 days last week I was due for a day off. So it was just some easy yoga and relaxing at home today with Carl Hiaasen's new paperback novel Skinny Dip. It's about a wealthy 30-something wife who is thrown off a cruise ship by her husband off the coast of Florida. The husband thinks she's dead, but she was a champion swimmer and survived by riding a bale of marijuana that just happened to be floating by. She loses her clothes in the fall from the ship (thus the title) and is rescued by a recluse on a private island. Instead of notifying the authorities of her attempted murder she vows to get even with her husband. It's an offbeat thriller but a good read.

Bad day for Bills today as they took it on the chin to the tune of 19-3 to the Bucs.

Blood sugar not stellar but under control. Must resume running program Monday with new New Balance shoes.

 

Forest Challenege

Today was the great Forest Challenege at Macks Canyon on Mount Charleston. When I turned off the highway I started seeing elevation signs: 4000, 6000 the last one I saw was 8,000 feet and I kept climbing to the start. My little truck barely made it.

Starting temperatures were in the 40s. Undaunted I proceeded on the 12-mile trail run in shorts and short sleeves. My recent trail running really helped.  I was never fatigued. Granted I went pretty slow up some hills but I didn't have to walk like most of the "runners."  One was my yoga teacher Kim Culp. I had taken her class the night before. She was nervous about running the 8-mile course. She'd never run more than 6 miles. But she decided to run the 12 which she finished. Results weren't available when I left but it looks like I took 3rd out of 8th in my age group.

The most tiring part was the drive home. Rising before 5am, driving 60 miles and running 12 over very steep hills the last thing I wanted to do was drive for another hour. I took plenty of photos so look for another slideshow.

Day Between Trail Runs

Well as this Lewis & Clark Abstinence Reenactment continues what better way to honor the top two American Explorers than Adventure Trail Exploring. That's what I call my new hobby. It takes the edge off better than alcohol but it's not without danger. Thursday I suffered a mild sunburn but I didn't plan to be out three hours.

Today was just a 5 mile run on local streets as I rest up for Saturday's 12-mile Forest Challenge Run at Macks Canyon Road in Lee Canyon. That's somewhere near Mt. Charleston I think. I've never been there before. The real challenege for me will be getting to the starting line but once the run starts I'll be fine. There's not too many who train on trails as often as I do.

At yoga class tonight I learned my teacher Kim Culp is also running in the Forest Challenge. But Kim is running in the 8-mile event. It's over the same course so hopefully I'll see her after the race. Maybe I'll take some photos along the way so you can again see what I see.

Unknown Territory

Today's trail run was located somewhere between Jean and Primm, Nev. In other words in the middle of nowhere. It took me almost an hour to run from where I parked my car to where the trail met the mountains. Then, although the trail was too rocky to run and I had to hike, it was almost another hour to reach the summit. Along the way I saw plenty of giant rabbits. As big as dogs. They were too fast to photograph. But I did take over 150 photos. You'll see some of the best ones soon. It was all downhill coming back so it only took me about an hour to descend. I didn't see a soul the whole 3 hours I was out there. But the further I climbed uphill the cooler it got and the lusher the vegitation became.

Being Thursday, it was Dynamic Flow yoga with Cypresse. I was a little soar and sunburned after my run but the yoga was just what I needed to work the muscles I missed running. The 3-hour run also helped the blood sugar. The last two readings had been in the 140s but tonight after yoga it was an excellent 110.

 

365 days to go

One year to go. 365 days. On this date, Sept. 14, 1806 the Lewis & Clark expedition returning to St. Louis came across some fur trappers heading up the Missouri. The trappers offered the expedition it's first liquid libation in 435 days. According to one of the enlisted men's journal, "The captains received some wine and the men were offered whiskey."

That was a good day for the Corp of Discovery 199 years ago, but it was a bad day for President William McKinley 104 years ago today. In 1901, President McKinley died in Buffalo, N.Y., of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him.

It was a good morning for me today. I broke in my new New Balance 856 running shoes with a crisp 4-mile run and to top it off I found a folded $10 bill in the street!

 

New Shoes

My new shoes arrived today. New Balance model 856 size 12. The shoe is supposed to be for the high mileage runner with flat arches. That's me. I used to be a size 10 but then the arches flattened out. Who knows why? Go figure.

The thing I like about New Balance running shoes is they're made in America with American parts by Americans. Unlike Nike and a lot of other brands that use and abuse cheap Asian labor. And I got a great deal on the shoes. They retail for $94 plus tax but I got them online for $74 plus $8.50 for shipping so it's really a great deal. I can't wait to try them out on a local run tomorrow morning.

No run for me today. I'm still a little sore from the 12 miler Monday. But I did a little yoga to stretch those sore muscles and that helped. Blood sugar was a very respectable 116 this evening after being a tad high at 133 this morning.

 

12 on the 12th; 9 weeks complete

It didn't dawn on me untill this morning that I forgot to record a journal entry for Sunday Sept. 11th. I hope that didn't cause too much distress for anyone. The big highlight would have been the Bills' 22-7 victory over the Texans.

Today it was back to Sunset Park. To stay on track for the Dec. 4 LV Marathon I felt some LSD (long, slow distance)  was in order. So I pounded out 12 miles on the one-mile dirt oval. To avoid boredom I switched direction every three laps (miles). As usual there were plenty of walkers, runners, ducks, geese and a few murderous fishermen surrounding the lake. It was a steady 10-minute-per-mile pace as it took me 2:01 to complete the distance. It took a lot out of me. How am I ever going to run 26.2 miles in less than 12 weeks? Somehow I'll make it.

Today marks 9 complete weeks of sobriety! I still can't believe my devotion to Lewis & Clark got me started on this madness. But if it works don't knock it.

Sewer Line Fouls Up Race Finish

First the good news: my blood sugar was an excellent 116 this morning. But I'm mindful not to be too complacent when life's situations seem to be going great.

Case in point: this morning's Las Vegas Track Club's 12k race. Well it was supposed to be a 12k (7.44 miles). The race got off to a sloppy start when 1/10th of a mile into the race we had to splash through some sewer water as a local crew worked on a sewer line at the Pittman Wash. Then with wet shoes the out-and-back course proceeded uphill. I was 8:09 at the 1st mile, 16:30 at Mile 2, 25:12 at 3 and 31:30 at the halfway point as I looked forward to a fast finish downhill. I was gaining speed 33:32 at 4 miles, 41:55 at 5 miles and 50:52 at 6 but then with half a mile to go we had to take a detour. Apparently the crew that was working on the sewer line had blocked the course! We were forced to run almost a half mile out of the way to the finish. But I was still 15th overall and 3rd in my age group in a time of 64 minutes over nearly 8 miles. The funny thing is a lot of people thought I was from Alaska with my Team Raven Alaskan tank top.

Trying to do My Part

It took me almost as long as FEMA to respond to Hurricane Katrina's devastation. But today I sent the Red Cross a check for $100 for hurricane relief and not to forget the poor displaced, frightened and suffering animals I gave PETA $50 to help comfort our furry friends.

Cypresse warned us in class last night not to relax too much when times are good. Be wary that trouble is right around the corner. Well she was right. Just when I was starting to think I'm doing a pretty good job of controlling my blood sugar it soared  to 155 this morning. It should be under 120 before breakfast.

Undaunted I charged out of the house and ran about 5 miles around Sunset Park. I would have run further but I'm resting up for a 12k race (7.44 milles) Saturday. Then for the 2nd consecutive Friday I took Kim's yoga class with live music (sitar player). That run/yoga combo was just what the doctor ordered as the bs dipped to 96 after class.

 

Bliss

All I need for happiness is a run, a yoga class and vegetarian food. I got all three today.

The day began with a swift 8-mile run on the Pittman Wash trail in Henderson. Although the first half was a steady incline it was easy for me. As I came up on one walking couple who moved to the right leaving me a thin strip of shade to run in I called out "Thanks for yielding me the shade." The girl replied, "You need it." I guess I did.

The evening highlight was Cypresse's yoga class. I hadn't taken one of her classes in over a month and it was such a pleasure. She helped me with proper alignment in several positions and as usual it was demanding and rewarding.

After yoga I treated myself to dinner at the Go Raw Cafe where I enjoyed an organic tossed kale salad and a purple cabbage burrito filled veggies and greens topped with salsa and guacamole. Yum. Blood sugar was a perfect 106. Bliss.

 

Blah, Blah, Blah

Can't think of anything earth shattering to say today. Of course I ran (only about 3.5 miles but at a brisk pace) and the blood sugar was so perfect (109) that's the example that's used on meters and in BB King's commercial.

It's been a stressful last 2 days at work. Thank God, I'm off the next 2 days so I can concentrate on running and yoga. We're short handed and busier than ever during football season. I wish a hurricane would blow away the Hilton.

 

"Wild beasts and birds are by right not the property of people alive today, but the property of unborn generations, whose belongings we have no right to squander...A grove of redwoods or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral."
                                                                           -- Theodore Roosevelt, President

Born to Run

Started the day with an 8-mile run and finished with a candlelight yoga session.

Yesterday the blood sugar was a little high (147). So today I passed on the deadly pastries the Hilton puts out and would you believe it was only 81. That may be low but it makes sense. I burned a lot of carbs and didn't replace them all. That's easy to fix. Injest carbs. Problem solved.

I got an email response from Nina tonight in reference to our meeting at a yoga class Friday night and my inquiry about her charity event. She writes:

Hi Ham:
That was an interesting one for sure... but I always enjoy Yoga.  Thanks
for saying hi.. hope you enjoyed yourself as well.

Ticket sales are going quite well for the big charity event.  There are
still concert tickets available, but the VIP portion of the event is
sold out.

See you there!

Nina Radetich

Well that makes my day!

Starting the Day at Sunset Park

Don't worry. I have a never ending supply of photos from Sunset Park. Today I explored some new trails as I ran for 105 minutes (about 11 miles). I knew I needed a long run with the marathon less than three months away. I'd like to get one or two 15-mile runs in this month, a couple of 18s in October and two 20s in November to be ready for the race.

Everytime I start to think by blood sugar is invincible I'm reminded I'm a diabetic. After logging all those miles today I thought I could indugle in a big bran muffin and another one of those gooey decadent pastries the Hilton puts out for free to fatten up its workers. Well today they got me. My blood sugar soared up to 147 two hours after indulging so I'm reminded no matter how much I run I have to watch what I eat.

In sports news today, the Miami Hurricanes found much more resistance than Hurricane Katrina found last week as they were upset by Florida State 10-7 and Jerry Rice, the greatest receiver in NFL history called it a career.

 

Two Months complete

Today marks two full dry months completed as I march in my 435-day L&C Abstinence Reenactment. How's it going? Well, I'd say I'm in the best shape of my life. My weight's always somewhere in the 150s, both my blood sugar and pressure are significantly improved and most important -- my race times are getting faster everytime out of the chute. Three months from today is the Las Vegas Marathon and I'm going to be very ready for that 26.2-mile adventure.

Who knew that following the lead of a couple of early 19th Century explorers who ran out of grog halfway across the continent would have such a positive effect on me in 2005. Today I expected my bs number to be through the roof after having 2 pieces of rye bread, a big bran muffin and a decadent strawberry pastry with a salad for dinner. But after my evening yoga session it was only 106! And I didn't even run today!

Now a quote from my favorite Vietnamese Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh:

"I long to accomplish a great noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. We have to learn to live happier in the present moment, to touch the peace and joy that are available now."

 

Getting Faster Every Race

This Lewis & Clark Abstinence Reenactment nonsense is beginning to reap some benefits. Faster race times for one.

In today's Million to One 5k run I finished in 24:04. That's a 7:44 pace per mile. A year ago my 5k race times were over 9 minutes a mile. Today's effort was good for 36th overall out of a field of 98. Not bad. But in my 45-49 age group, it was only good for 5th. There's some fast old men out there.

After the race I struck up a conversation with Lindsey Sheer. Lindsey was just ahead of me finishing in 23:30. She was 2nd in her 25-29 age group. Lindsey is running 18 miles Sunday as she trains for the NYC Marathon. I noticed she was carrying an entire set of keys for the race. I suggested she take only one key. Now I might never be able to catch her. I told her about the 12-mile Grand Circle Trail at Red Rock and she said she'd like to join me out there someday. Just doing my job as local trail navigator. Whether it's the Lewis & Clark or scenic running trails I'll always be there to lead the way.

 

Local Celebrity in Yoga Class

Run. Yoga. Those two elements always make up a good day and today was a great day. Nothing special about the run. Just a local run on a dirt trail. But the yoga class, now that was something really special.

Friday nights on the west side Kim Culp teaches a candlelight class with live music. Tonight's class had a sitar player. How perfect for yoga. It was great to visit with Kim before class. I hadn't seen Kim for a few months. Then she was trying to teach with a broken foot. That was before her doctor put her in a cast and told her to rest. But since then Kim has healed in a big way. She's performing in Jubilee at Bally's and training for the LV Marathon. What a coincidence! So am I. Training for the marathon that is.

That was enough for a great day but to top it off I thought I noticed a familiar face in the back of the class. It was Ch. 3 news anchor Nina Radetich! I know Nina. We've exchanged email but this was the first time we met. Nina's a cyclist and a runner but I didn't know she did yoga too! What a small world. Kim and Nina made my night!

Oh there was one more thing... When I got home I saw Venus and Jupiter. 

 Venus and Jupiter -- the two brightest planets appeared  right next to each other at twilight in the west southwest sky. Venus is roughly 106 million miles from Earth, while Jupiter is 575 million miles away. Look tonight after dark and maybe you'll see them too. How's that for a day of star gazing?

What's Another Day?

Thursday Sept. 1, 2005

After further review of the Lewis & Clark journals I realized I underestimated my abstinence reenactment by one day. It was Sept. 14, 1806, not the 13th as I earlier believed. So now the total dry spell is 435 days. So, 13 more days -- plus another full year to go. You're invited to the party Sept. 14, 2006. 

That may be a sacrifice for me but nothing like New Orleans and Mississippi residents are going through. This story keeps getting worse every day. What are the refugees doing with their pets? I couldn't leave my cats behind. I'm not attached to my possesions or material things, but the cats, I'd have to take them with me.

I had a great 9-mile run this morning and my yoga teacher Cypresse called me to discuss her September yoga schedule. Life is good here.