Cbus to ATX & Back, Uphill Both Ways

So the stars aligned and L & I were able to coordinate a short vacation, visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Austin. The days we selected just happened to coincide with the Austin City Limits Music Festival, so finding halfway decent prices on plane tickets was less than fun - but it worked out. At the same time, L had never flown before and was a bit nervous about it. Barring any major catastrophes, this would be an interesting experience.

Getting up at 4:30 am on Friday, Oct. 12th in order to fight the morning rush hour to make it to John Glenn International Airport and get through airport screening before our flight was a necessary evil. Though it was, at least, an informative experience. The airport shuttle driver from the parking lot to the terminal waxed about the facility's history as we struggled to keep our eyes open during the predawn hours. Did you know the CMH utilized to identify Columbus' airport stands for: Columbus Metropolitan Hangar? When established in the 1920's, the airport was more known for commercial cargo flights. When the facility evolved, the Federal Aviation Administration issued called letters simply stayed.

Downtown Austin: L, Brother
Chad and Sister-in-law Steph
hanging in the distance

Having not experienced flying, or the process of getting on a plane, L was quite keyed up. It was new and different for her, so having to remind her to relax took place a lot. She's a planner and having things not go as planned are not her forte. Of course, a few things didn't go as expected - but weren't detrimental. She was a little off kilter at take off because of the noise and unfamiliar surroundings, but our 75 minute flight to Nashville went off without a hitch.

It didn't help as we were about to land in Music City, the woman sitting to my left sticks her arm in front of L & I and points to the flaps moving on the wing and quips, "Is that supposed to move like that?!" At the window seat, L looks out and then back at me with wide eyes and her jaw dropped opened as if to say, "Are we about to die?!" 

Now, I'm obviously not a pilot but I have flown before. I calmly explained why the flaps were moving to the best of my knowledge, calming L down. The woman then follows with, "Oh, okay. That makes sense. This is my first time flying." (Well, no sh*t). Geez woman, it would help to NOT freak people out who are on edge to start with.

Back in good spirits just before touchdown, I tell L, "Remember what it sounded like when we took off? Get ready."  Just then we return to Earth, L is jostled and goes through a range of emotions but is in one piece. From here on out, the ride was smooth and uneventful. Her only issue was the first time she utilized the restroom mid-flight, saying that flushing the toilet was "a little terrifying". I had to agree as not everyone is prepared for the sound of the universe being sucked into a black hole while held captive in the upright casket made for humans of less than average size at 10,000 feet.

We enjoyed our four days in Austin, walking everywhere and running & biking around the Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake areas. Watching the crowds of people going to and coming from Austin City Limits was quite entertaining. We didn't attend, though you could hear the music from my brother's backyard with relative ease. Oh, and Austin is not flat - my legs were given one helluva work out in those few days. Taking Monday off from running was most welcomed.

(A photo spread of our adventures can be found below)

As you can imagine it was quite hot in Austin. From Friday through Sunday, it was 90 plus degrees, sunny and beautiful - which was awesome. When we left on Monday, it was a different story. The bottom fell out and it may have reached 70 at one point, but it was actually warmer at home in Ohio for a time - and it was cold by our standards. It was like we were found out and The Buckeye State came looking for us, planting itself in the Texas Capitol.

It was also quite enjoyable to fly home surrounded by those who had attended the music festival over the weekend. Most were still wearing their 3-day pass bracelets and looked like death warmed over as they struggled to be coherent, utilizing the drop down trays as makeshift beds. We were tired too, but it was because it was early and the sun had yet to come up - not because we had been awake for three days.

It may have rained a little after we left Texas.

It was cloudy with a storm-filled sky as we flew out of Austin. And we experienced more than our fair share of turbulence, which kept L on pins and needles for a time. She didn't freak out, but was ready to jump out of her skin. Once we made it though the storms, she was able to sleep for a little while. Starving, we ate at our favorite greasy spoon in Delaware - Hamburger Inn - after leaving the airport. At home, we both slept for a few hours. Now a veteran of the skies, L is working on deciphering where the next adventure will take us.

Oh, and we apparently returned home at the right time, this was posted on Tuesday by The Trail Foundation: 

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is CLOSED. 

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department(PARD) is closing the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike trail in conjunction with the Austin Fire Department’s waterway ban and the opening of various Highland Lake dam gates.

Due to heavy rain, large amounts of water are heading towards the Austin’s waterways. Water levels in Lady Bird Lake are expected to increase 2-3 feet over the next couple of hours posing safety hazards along the Trail. Trails may be impacted by water, erosion, and other hazards.

PARD strongly encourages park patrons not use the trail during the closure. Please obey signage and do not go on closed trails. The closure is to help prevent injuries due to high waters and unstable conditions

To say we dodged a bullet would be an understatement - sorry Austin. We didn't get the rain, but we do have barely above freezing temperatures to deal with.

The following weekend came the Nationwide Children's Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. Running in 30 and 40 degree whether would be a big change from the heat of Austin the week before, but I was hoping the cooler temps would assist in improving my finish from last year. I started out too fast and then a calf muscle I strained days before reignited, causing me to pull up and end with a less than desirable time.

Also, I'm in much better shape at this time than I was in 2017 and a more experience half marathoner. This was just my second attempt at this distance last year, this year - barring any weirdness - would be more of a mind game. Being patient and running my race, not attempting to beat the world.

And several members of the Traffic Panthers Buck Fifty 150 Mile, 24 hour, 10 Person Team Relay squad would be taking part in the marathon and 1/2 marathon, so there would be some familiar faces taking part as well. Awaiting her next 5k, L would be spectating and attempting to keep warm in the wee hours of a chilly October morning.

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                                    Live Hard. We Got You.

The half marathon route would be exactly as it was the year before, a stroll around downtown Columbus along Broad Street (aka: historic  U.S. Route 40), passing Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, through German Village and Brewery District and finishing in the shadow of The Arena District and North Bank Park. The marathoners and half marathoners start together with those of us running the half splitting off along High Street on the return trip to the downtown area.

A storm front came through Saturday night, dropping temperatures 40 degrees with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The following morning wee leave early enough to park in our regular spot for such events and under the cover of darkness, we walk to the start/finish area. On the way there, attempting to retain the little bit of heat we had in the car, we are moving quickly. We followed a sidewalk under the I-670 overpass and just as we came out on the other side, those in front of us departed the walkway like the retreating Red Sea. Not paying attention as to why they moved, L and I are then splattered with water droplets. Apparently, the automated sprinkler system in the lawn at the business we were passing had not reached it's seasonal end. We then, belatedly, moved off the sidewalk as well and continued to dodge the next few errant sprinklers as we made our way past them. A less then desirable wake-up call it was. 

Arrival at the corral on Sunday morning was less than warm at 37 (it was near 60 the day before) degrees and quite breezy. As runners arrived there wasn't anywhere to shield one's self from the wind, but as the start time inched closer and the crowd began to swell, squeezing into the middle of all the humanity helped protect from the light - but piercing - gusts.

Just entering the corral, look closely -
you can see the sprinkler splatter.

With three minutes to go on the countdown clock this event's standard of playing Thunderstruck by AC/DC  began and suddenly the blood is pumping, the corral restless and it was cold no more. At triple zero the bang of the gun echoes off the banks of the Scioto River and fireworks illuminate the blanket of clouds occupying the overcast above. I drift the the left, giving myself some running room and avoid the mass of athletes attached to the street's center line like magnets. Telling myself to find a decent pace and not follow the professionals, I push toward being competitive and getting comfortable.

On to Broad Street, I slide behind a group of three - a guy and two females - who are pushing the pace bit but aren't so completely out of my range. I skip the first two refueling stations and run through a personal checklist of how I'm holding up, at this point all is well. We are passed every once in while, but for most part we are holding steady with those in peripheral. I pass L throwing out some encouragement and can only imagine how cold it is for her, standing and cheering in the wind.

Turning right onto Drexel those I'm following get some distance, even still, the few times I have glanced at the running clock I'm at PR pace and I'm feeling good. Turning back onto Broad Street for the return trip, I can still see those I have been following - though they are well ahead. We are passing some later starting marathoners who are making their way down Broad Street on the other side going the opposite direction and at about mile seven I hear, "Craig Simpson is my hero!!", bellowed from that group. I don't look or turn, I just smile. I know already, his voice is a major tell, it's Traffic Panther Teammate Tom (one of the marathoners). Having played nearly every sport with him from elementary through high school, he is hard not to distinguish among the thousands running and cheering. It is a bit of an incline, but I'm maintaining.

Approaching mile eight I can feel fatigue rearing it's ugly head, but we have a decline for next couple of miles. I have lost some speed, but keep my arms and legs pumping. My follow group is long gone, but I'm rarely passed. L finds me, "Keep it up, you are still at 1:25 pace!" I then begin to wonder where Traffic Panther Gary is since I haven't seen or heard from him. I should have seen him by now or he should be passing me soon since I've lost some momentum. Near the same area on mile ten, just north of Schiller Park, where my calf strain returned last year, I can feel my lower back start to tighten up. Struggling to maintain, I focus on form and stride as miles eleven (6:50) and twelve (7:12) are uphill.

Headed north on High Street for the big straight stretch home, my arms and legs are rolling but I'm not getting any faster. The good part is that I'm not being passed like I'm standing still like in 2017. Though I am getting over taken by a handful of men & women and I'm unable to stay with them to block the massive head wind. After mile twelve it is a downhill to the finish, so I let gravity do it's work (mile 13 - 6:33). Annoyed with the knowledge that I have slowed down significantly in the last 5k, I'm hoping I'm completely off of my PR. Coming into the finish I hear my name called as they announce those reaching the summit. I cross the end line, stop my watch and struggle to walk a straight.

Starting my zombie-like walk through the finisher's corral, I glance down to see: 1:27:16. I'm :46 seconds off my my half marathon PR, but I'm ten minutes faster than last year - disappointing, but hard to complain. The finisher's corral leads you to the finisher's photo op in front of giant marathon logo screen and I take part, then it is on to the runner's trick-or-treat. You are given a bag and hit tables of sandwiches, snacks, chips, fruit, drinks, protein bars, crackers...you name it.

By now, the cold has set it. It is maybe 40 degrees, cloudy and windy. My once warm, set drench self is now shivering statue of fatigue. Traffic Panther Gary finds me and we congratulate one another. Fighting through recent injury, Gary finished behind me - but not by far. Traffic Panther Patricia finds us to offer congratulations as well. She attempts to give me her coat - noticing the chill is setting it - and I MAKE her keep her coat on (she wouldn't relent) as I am meeting up with L to garner my own jacket shortly.

Finally meet up with L, I get my jacket and pull the hood over my head and we walk briskly to the car. Once there, we crank up the heat to melt frozen toes, fingers and bones. Here I scarf down half the post race runner's SWAG. At home, we crash and I move off of the sofa when only it is a must watching football in a weary & sore state, but satisfied with how the morning turn out. L went to her city rec softball tournament and they came away with the fall league championship. A decent weekend all around, I must say.

We aren't sure what will happen next, but those holidays are on the horizon and the holiday themed races and events are a dime a dozen. Last year it was a super cold family Thanksgiving morning 5K we took part in. I'm not sure everyone would be up for that again this year because, well, we are a little older and some of us have a bit more of a curmudgeonly attitude toward less than average weather conditions. And here in Ohio "average" can, and will, be all over the place. Sometimes it is an effort to find that once youthful mindset of not caring about such things and it has to forcibly be recalled. Though, when found, the trick is getting it to stick around...

The Revivalists - Wish I Knew You

You shine like a star

You know who you are

You're everything beautiful

She's hot, hot like the sun

The loneliest one

Still everything beautiful

Well I'll be god damned

You're standing at my door

We stayed up in the city

Until the stars lost the war

So Friday night, holy ghost

Take me to your level

Show me the one I need the most

I need the most

I wish I knew you when I was young

We could've got so high

Now we're here it's been so long

Two strangers in the bright lights

Oh I hope you don't mind

We can share my mood yeah

Two strangers in the bright lights

I wish I knew you

I wish I knew you

Oh I wish I knew you when I was young

Truth, it's all that you need

You bury that seed

It's everything beautiful

And that sound comes from the underground

It's all inside you now

It's everything beautiful

But what you, what you, what you, what you running from?

And they got, they got, they got, they got you on the run?

So Friday night

Holy ghost

Take me to your level

Show me the one I need the most

I need the most

I wish I knew you when I was young

We could've got so high

Now we're here it's been so long

Two strangers in the bright lights

Oh and I hope you don't mind

We can share my mood, yeah

Two strangers in the bright lights

I wish I knew you

I wish I knew you

Oh I wish I knew you when I was young

Maybe we can share my mood

Hmm hmm hmm

Maybe we can share my mood

Hmm hmm hmm

Maybe we can share my mood

Hmm hmm hmm

I wish I knew you when I was young

We could've got so high

Now we're here it's been so long

Two strangers in the bright lights

Oh and I hope you don't mind

We can share my mood, yeah

Two strangers in the bright lights

I wish I knew you

I wish I knew you

Oh I wish I knew you when I was young

Pictures provided by Lauren B.

Random sign found...it is ours now.

L and I - sampling Texas beers

Gertie - the cat

My brother and I

My brother - after eating some way too hot
sauce 

The top floor of Austin's main library

L and I at the library

Crashing at my brother's place

Riding along Lady Bird Lake

L and I, bike ride pit stop.

My brother and I - people watching as the crowd disperses
from Austin City Limits

Hello Austin!

Downtown Austin

Along the bike/hike trail

Chilling out at my brother's place

At Gibson Street Bar

At Cosmic Coffee & Beer Garden

At Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company

At Uncle Billy's Brewery & Smokehouse

Hamburger Inn in Delaware

Inside the Hamburger Inn Diner

Finisher's fun

Arrival on Race Day

Cold & tired post race

Mile 12 incline

In the gray in the middle mile 10

The end is near!

Forced smile at the finisher's photo op

Birds of a Feather Run Together

Last year when it came time for the autumn equinox, someone forgot to wake up fall or summer was just having to much fun to leave. You could hardly blame it - I met L, spent a week in Costa Rica and broke the seal on the half marathon (and melted in the 90-plus degree heat in Celina).

This year, fall wasted no time. The 2018 autumn equinox landed on Saturday, Sept. 22. The three days before we had high temperatures of 88, 88 and 90. On this day, we had a high of 70 (the jury is still out on whether we actually hit 70) with the preceding days struggling to equal that mark.

The football weekend felt like you would expect a football weekend to be like. It was just weird at how much the weather transitioned in a 12 hour period. A monsoon of rain, wind, thunder and lightning hit us at rush hour on Friday and similar to the aliens in the War of the Worlds film, fall forced itself upon us by Saturday afternoon.

No one is complaining, its just interesting how summer was shoved out the door and told not to come back for eight months...in a nice way, of course (just ignore the image of the footprint on it's backside). It has been lovely to run in the recently arrived mild weather. I for one enjoy running in the cooler weather and the rain. It reminds of those bygone days of  high school and collegiate cross country.

Having just completed her first race since joining the running crowd, L has been all-systems-go regarding getting faster, adding miles and exploring event possibilities. Being an outdoorsy person, animal lover and avid bird watcher, she was excited to throw our hats into the ring regarding the Red Tail Run 5K and Walk for Wildlife at the Ohio Wildlife Center in nearby Powell. 

This race in the Shawnee Hills area of NW Columbus supports the nearly 5,000 animals from 145 different species admitted to Ohio Wildlife Center’s free hospital each year. The goal is to treat these animals and get them back to the wild. All race proceeds, "are directed back to Ohio Wildlife Centers non-profit mission of fostering awareness and appreciation of Ohio’s native wildlife through rehabilitation, education and wildlife health studies."

As you can see, this race - and those it would benefit - are right up her alley. And it would be a change of pace for us. Instead of L following me and joining in on my suggested quests, we would reverse rolls. This did land on a weekend I was scheduled to work, but with it having a 9am start and my Sunday work day not beginning till 12:45. We could squeeze it in, especially since it would be just 12 miles (20 minutes) from our house.

Another added fun benefit would come after the race. According to race details, "Once finished, racers can witness the release of a recovered wildlife hospital patient back to the wild and visit with resident hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes and other education ambassadors at our Powell center." It would be nice spending a fall morning running a quick 5k.

The Tuesday before, I noticed some soreness around my right heel but it dissipated as the day went on. Then Wednesday morning the same pain returned but was more pronounced. Annoyed, I look into it and discovered Plantar Fasciitis had developed. This was obvious when the "morning hobble" set in, or your foot trying to heal itself in a contracted position overnight. Taking that first step out of bed causes sudden strain on the bottom of your foot, resulting in pain in your heel or arch and I felt it to the full extent.

I ran about six miles the prior afternoon without issue, but the pain recurs after long spells of sitting. Of course, it fades during a run or once you are consistently moving again - but it is quite frustrating.

Not amputating yet

The condition is caused by drastic or sudden increases in mileage, poor foot structure, and/or inappropriate running shoes which can overload the plantar fascia (the connective tissue that runs from your heel to the base of your toes), resulting in heel pain. Since the first three on that list I can safely rule out, I'm guessing it has to do with my shoes. I bought them at the end of May, just before the New Moon Half & Quarter Marathon, Crescent Moon 5K, and they are starting to show some wear. Doing the math, I have put about 500 miles on them (give or take 5 miles or so) - which is a standard for when to put shoes to rest.

This does not mean you have to stop running, you just have to treat it with things like stretching, icing, arch support, foot taping, wearing a night splint and taking anti-inflammatories. If treated right, it shouldn't persist. At the moment its just annoying, like the calf strain I developed about this time last year. I purchased an arch support brace and have been wearing it since and it has helped immensely. And icing the area after each run has put a stop to the awful morning hobble.

I never had these issues back in the day, but then gain I wasn't in my 40's then either. Come on body, try to keep up with the mind!

**We back EVERY pair with 

FREE Replacements if Lost or Broken**

**Each order also secures 11 meals 

to fight hunger through 

Feeding America**

Get a discount on your next pair of @shadyrays, Next Generation Shades, by using my promo code: "Simpson"  https://shadyrays.com/  Check them out, I have the X Series - Infrared Ice Polarized

   

                                    Live Hard. We Got You.

Our route would begin at Ohio Wildlife Center's service driveway, and then right onto Cook Road, and then the next 3 available left-hand turns onto Merchant Road, Concord Road, and back to Cook Road and finishing at 6131 Cook Road, in the same location as the start line.

It was a partly cloudy, bright, cool Autumn morning. The kind where you don long sleeves but just before it feels too warm, the cool air reminds you why you avoided the t-shirt and shorts. I wore tights in order to avoid cramping and to protect some still-recovering lower half muscle tissue.

I position myself in front and L works her way into the middle of the pack of the corral. Warming up, I notice at least one dude who looked like he would wipe the floor with me which would be a good thing. Having someone in front would be a great way to work on half marathon pacing. Sure enough, as we take off he darts in front and I follow just enough to keep myself in line.

The beautiful sunrise and cool fall breeze along the country roads made it easy to get comfortable. As the gazelle in front drifts further away, I push my stride to work on maintaining a relatively fast pace. It was a race, but great real time practice for future endeavors. The rolling hills were a fun roller coaster ride and the openness of the topography allowed me to keep the dude in front within sight.

He distanced himself quite a bit and I had no intentions of trying to close the gap, but it did feel great to stretch the legs and keep them rolling for the 3 1/4 miles (it was a 5k race, but my Garmin Watch claimed it was just a bit longer). Turning the final corner and back into the Ohio Wildlife Center, I cross the finish and stop my watch at 19:54 with a chip time of 19:51. This is about the time I figured out as to why my time didn't seem to correlate with how I thought I was running, as the miles covered portion on my watch displayed 3.25. The second place finish with splits of 5:56, 6:15 and 6:09 were more than satisfying.

Downing some water, I garnered my finisher's medal and hung out at the finish line - high-fiving others as they come in and waiting for L. Making my way back up to the road, I glance down and see L on the horizon, she's looking pretty smooth and I cheer her on as she, too, reaches the end. Meeting up with her, she looks perplexed. Fighting through winded breathing, "That wasn't a 5k, it was further...wasn't it?"

"Yeah, it was 3 and a quarter."

"I was gonna say," she states, "I didn't think my watch was that off far off. Still, that's 30 seconds faster than my time at the Amish Country 5k!"

Post race us

Actually, it was 34 seconds faster despite being .15 of a mile further and she placed 20th overall - not too shabby. We scarfed down coffee, donuts and bagels while browsing some of the rescued birds and raptures who are permanent residents at the center.

The highlight was watching a Red-Tailed Hawk be released back into the wild after completing rehabilitation. The carrier it was in was opened, allowing for it to take off on it's own but instead just sat there for about five minutes. When officials attempted to coax it on, the rapture turned toward them and spread it's giant wings as if to say, "Chill out man! I'm taking my time, back off humans!" Maybe it needed to time to reflect. Moments later it spread it's wings again, but this time it lifted off the ground and soared into some trees before disappearing in the morning horizon. It was quite a sight to see.

We hopped back in the car and drove the 20 minutes or so home where I then made myself look appropriate and headed off to work. As for L, she dug into some homework before heading off to play softball with our neighbor's city rec team.

It is now officially October - the time of year for Halloween, trick-or-treat, fall foliage and college football conference games, not to mention the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon is just three weeks away. The leaves are changing and pumpkin spice everything is coming out of the woodwork...whether you like it or not, it's only right....

Wallows - It's Only Right

New ways to spend all my time
Some's gone and some doesn't feel right

I need a notice to stay and I don't think I'm gonna find it

You say you want, but never will

Just take it back and tell me no

It's easier to be alone, than to be lied to

Why'd you waste all the time

Back and forth in my mind

Clean it out, tell me now

Was it worth all the time?

You're not here, with me dear

Can we go, through the years?

Take you there, every night

Say that it's only right

White noise that plays in my head

Tried to recall the words you said

Can you sink into my dreams?

And then I'll never wanna wake up

I hear you talk, when you're not there

It comes at me from everywhere

Can you lose the rest of me

And take my mind away?

Why'd you waste all the time

Back and forth in my mind

Clean it out, tell me now

Was it worth all the time?

You're not here, with me dear

Can we go, through the years?

Take you there, every night

Say that it's only right

I'm wide awake, it feels like all the time

I need to know if it'll be alright

I'm waiting on another day to fall

When you're awake to hear my call

'Cause it's...

I'm wide awake, it feels like all the time

(Open, my door is open)

I need to know if it'll be alright

(Please let me know when)

I'm waiting on another day to fall

(You're coming home)

When you're awake to hear my call

Why'd you waste all the time

Back and forth in my mind

Clean it out, tell me now

Was it worth all the time?

You're not here, with me dear

Can we go, through the years?

Take you there, every night

Say that it's only right

Pictures provided by Lauren B.

"Staas-toberfest" at Staas Brewing

Race day sunrise from the car

Second place goof off

Start & Finish Line

Injured, permanent resident

Red-Tailed Hawk being set free

Horned Owl

This Turkey is either injured, or faking
it until after the holidays