Aug. 16 - 4.5 Miles Ran

OK, the description of Friday's run following this initial paragraph is not for the refined, the weak-stomached or anyone consuming or about to consume food.  I ran the Day Pond Loop, 3 laps, for total of 4.5 miles.  The weather was very nice when I got out around 4pm.  However, the events just after the 1.5 mile mark created the need for the advisory to those of weak constitutions.

If you are still reading I trust you have digested my admonitions, so let's proceed.  This was a DefCon 1 run, and as many long-distance runners know, the Def does not stand for "Defense".  Before most runs, I do my normal systems check which normally entails a quick trip to the bathroom.  This run was no different.  With no problems apparent, I headed out under the default DefCon 5.  At about the half mile mark, things changed.  A strong tummy rumble dropped the rating down to DefCon 4, which is really not a big concern as I would guess that status occurs at some point in 25-30% of my runs.  However, as I got on the Day Pond road (1 mile mark) we had a quick drop to DefCon 2.  This fairly rare event requires maximum concentration and even increased pace to get back home, and can even require an aborted run to return immediately home.  As I entered the pond loop around the 1.3 mile mark, however, the sirens sounded for DefCon 1.  In a lifetime of running, I have experienced DefCon 1 three times; all of them resulting in the kind of stories that are only told at or near closing time.

Amazingly, however, I survived Friday's DefCon 1 with no collateral damage.  You have probably deduced that DefCon 1 requires immediate action, and therefore you ask, how can there be no collateral damage during a jog in the woods?  Well, Day Pond is a state park and I can now tell you with precision (thanks to the Garmin) that the Men's facilities at the park are 1.62 miles from my mailbox where I started the run.  No one ever wants to experience DefCon 1 on a run, but if it happens, you cannot be more fortunate to have facilities 3/10ths of mile away.

For anyone who didn't heed my warning, I'm sorry for ruining your dessert.

I completed miles 920-923, sponsored by Keith Webster.  Well, how appropriate; Keith was hoping to vicariously enjoy my pain in completing his 50 miles.  Well, he probably couldn't have anticipated the method of delivery of the pain, but there it was nonetheless.

Today's (Fri) Line:

Date

DoW

ToD

Distance

Time

Min/Mile

Notes

Effort

Total Miles

8/16

F

4:00p

4.5

35:10:00

7:48:53

72f

7

923.9