Michael: Handshake Deals

A veil of mist
Is draped over the mountains
Like white lingerie.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Within the past week I’ve had to old fashioned handshake kind of deals; one here in Panama and one in the states via the net.

In Panama I sold my old commuter bike to the local repairman; Adrian. Initially, I wanted him to fix it up and sell it and he could take 50% commission for whatever he got for it, but he was so enamored with it he wanted to buy it for himself. However, he didn’t have the $250 cash up front that I thought was a reasonable price, Instead he offered to pay me $50 a month until it’s paid off. Agreed. No paperwork, just a note in his ledger and a mental note by me that he’ll be done paying me by April.

In the states via the net I just reserved a motel room in Michigan near Grand Island for the Grand Island Trail 50k July 22. I wanted to stay at the race hotel and was willing to bite the bullet of $250 for two nights for the convenience that goes with all that the sanctioned race hotel offers. That was until I discovered my mistake of thinking the $250 was for two nights. It was per night. That sent me on a google search that ended up at a small local hotel that didn’t work through the usual computer confirmation route. Instead I e-mailed Larry asking him about availability and rates and he quickly responded. The set-up sounded reasonable to so to book I could either call or e-mail my payment information. I did. I haven’t received a reply back yet with confirmation number or any like it that would normally be instantly whizzed through the clouds if I were using most hotel outlets. But I’m sure I’ll here something from Larry soon enough.

All though I’ll admit these old fashioned type of transactions lack the cold assuredness of HAL, there is something satisfying in relying on human beings to trust one another.

Michael: Relax

The warm morning light
Radiates a comforting
Salve to the spirit.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

As an early retiree I thought with all the free time I have I’d be a gray haired  Superman by now. Well, given my body type, at least a lithe version of the super-hero. But it’s not quite working out that way and I now better understand why these comic wonders are written up as late 20/early 30 types. And the reasons, my friends, are yes - even kind of comical.

Let’s take sleep, that mysterious rejuvenator that rarely shows up on screen except as a sign of impending helplessness. We mortals need it. From what I’ve been reading, if we are indeed going to maximize our physical and mental capabilities, it helps to error on the side of making sure we get a good dose of it. I thought in retirement that would be one of the easy ins to relieving the stresses of life, but it hasn’t quite worked out that way.

Yes, it is nice not tossing and turning all night because I need to get up early to get to work early to prepare for the day. For the 25 years I taught elementary school, I was rarely one of those teachers that stayed late to get things done so I could walk away from school knowing that I was prepped for the next day. No, I was one of those teachers that took advantage of getting out early in the afternoon to go play. The price I paid for that was setting an early alarm, and sometimes losing sleep over the anxiety of working under a tight preparation deadline. I was for 25 years, the first or one of the first to arrive at school to prep for the day. It was a trade-off either way and for the most part I didn’t regret it.

In retirement I was hoping to at least sleep in until the sun rose, which seems natural enough. But it seems 25 years of conditioning can be pretty effective and I’m lucky if I ever sleep past 5. Yes, the restless anxiety aspect of being ill prepared for work has dissipated, but the joy of that has been somewhat mitigated by the need to urinate a few times a night. I suppose if I really wanted to I could try out adult diapers, but I’m not quite there yet.

I am going to bed earlier though and since I’m working out in the morning instead of working and then working out in the afternoon, I’ve been allowing myself an occasional afternoon nap. That was frowned upon in school even though I was fortunate enough to sometimes have students that would’ve actually been fine, or maybe even been better off, if I had been allowed to put my head down for a while instead of taking out my crabbiness on them.

Along with slightly better sleep and guiltless naps, not working is also allowing me to take more of a load off my feet. I’m sure as the years passed by I found time to sit down at work more, but with a room of 30 kids, administrators and parents hovering around, and bells constantly going off, there was just no way I ever came close to getting my feet in the air as much as I do now.

So all in all the physical and mental rest aspect of retirement has been a mixed but for the most part solid plus. Not quite the wavy dream straw hat drink in the hand soothing massage commercial I thought it was going to be, but I do feel it has been somewhat rejuvenating. Though I’m still a long ways away from that lithe Superman I thought I’d be seeing in the mirror by now.

Michael: One of Those Disrupters

The fire blossom leaves
Spread throughout the canopy
Here in the highlands.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Today, right as I was about to head out for my Saturday ride, DHL called to let me know they could, at long last, deliver the brake fluid I’d ordered from Chain Reaction Cycles on December 31.

Now for the details that caused me to miss my ride.

For one, the package wasn’t exactly there yet as their carrier from the airport was running late. Therefore they couldn’t give me an approximate time it could be dropped off in Volcan.

Fine, no problem. I’ve waited over 6 weeks, a few hours longer and one rowing session substituting for a short ride won’t kill me.

At this point it still amuses me how these delivery transactions transpire:

- I get a call in the morning notifying me my package can be delivered today.
- They ask me for my address, which is kind of humorous in itself because, being Panamanian, what they mean by address and what it means for me coming from the states, are two very different things. In the states you give them street names and numbers. Here you give then a description of how to get near to where you live.
- I ask them to call me back when they can give me an approximate delivery time.
- At one o’clock they call me telling me their courier is in Volcan at Romero’s Market.
- I tell them that’s about 20 minutes away. Do they want me to meet them there or would they bring it to Hotel Dos Rios which is only about 5 minutes away.
- Hotel Dos Rios it is.
- I jog on over there and sign for the package.

And that is why I’m about to hop on the rower instead of having gone for a morning ride.

Michael: Improving Conditioning as I Age

The red, black and white snake
Slithered across the garden
And into the brush.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Let’s see? What can I do to improve my running performance as I age?

I suppose I could start with improving my training and diet. But my diet is pretty good and I’m happy with it, so I’m going to leave that out of the equation for now and tinker with my training.

Improved training may increase stresses on my mind and body which I’ll try to counter act in some other stress relieving ways. I know, I know, all that falderha about how great exercise is at reducing stress, but I’m not talking about lollygagging on a treadmill while listening to my favorite tunes. I’m talking about focused consistent high intensity training and there’s no getting around the facts that that kind of training is both fatiguing and stressful.

Last year I was running three days a week, riding twice a week and strength training 2-3 times a week. On the advice of the constant e-mail blurbs I get from Trail Runner Magazine, I’ve decided to try and follow their advice by increasing my mileage by as much as I can without injuring myself or becoming so fatigued I end up decreasing my performance. To that effect I’m now running 4 times a week, riding 3 times a week, and strength training 4 times a week.

I enjoy riding and as I age I also figure, while not a perfect substitute for  running mileage, it may allow me to hold my weight in check while also doing some additional cardio work. I do one moderate hilly ride of a couple hours on Monday, a longer 3-5 hour ride on Thursday and a short, relatively flat ride on Saturday.

Running wise, on Tuesday I’m doing a hybrid recovery/tempo run. Yeah, don’t tell me; keep the easy runs easy. But from where I live I can jog up a hill at an easy clomper pace in 45 minutes. I figure the downhill is ideal for a tempo return and it may even hurt my running to try and brake the whole way to reign myself in. Why not just pick up the pace and turnover and enjoy the long beautiful downhill? I feel letting the terrain partially dictate the pace is pretty natural and conducive productive and enjoyable running.

On Wednesday I’ve been alternating a moderate hour and a half trail run with a longer trail/road run of two and half hours. Friday is speed work at the airport and Sunday is a long trail jog/hike of between 3-6 hours.

This year I’ve really decided to up the ante as far as upper body strength training goes. This isn’t particularly related to the goal of increased running performance but more to do with long term health goals. As I age I want to carry as much strength as practical forward. I suppose it’s possible, as far as running is concerned, that some of that effort could be put to better use working on running related exercises, but I’m hoping there will be some benefits to my running performance.

On Monday I row for 30 minutes then lift. On Saturday, after my short ride, I do a short kettle bell routine, and on Tuesdays and Fridays I go to the gym and follow the instructor’s program there. He rotates me through various routines that sequentially focus on chest and triceps, back and biceps, and shoulders.

Outside of myself and tidbits I pick up on-line, that’s the only coaching I’m getting. And that is the one area of training I’d change if I could, but I don’t believe it’s necessary or economical at the moment. If my performance indicators don’t trend in the right direction, or I come into some money, I’ll look into coaching.

I’ve been able to follow this routine consistently for the first 6 weeks of this year. Naturally, a few unforeseen errands have popped up a couple of times, but outside of those life bumps, I feel this schedule, while challenging, is doable. I’ll also flux the workouts as races approach to taper in and recover out.

As objective baselines to establish the effectiveness of these changes I plan on several races both here and in the states over the next year. I’m particularly looking at how I’ll do in the Bull Dog 25k in August as that will be the only race I’ll do in the states that I’ve done several times before.
The best I’ve ever done on that course is 2:06. Of course one race isn’t necessarily the best indicator one way or the other of measuring training variables, but it is the only historical indicator race I’ll have this year.

Michael: Running in Pants?

The wild boar’s curved tusks
Froze me in delight and fear
Waiting for his move.

Wednesday, February 15, 20`7

Growing up in Southern California I pretty much stopped running in pants, except at airports, after Jr. High School. But here in Panama I’ve found a few reasons to put some back on.

For one; modesty. In L.A. I didn’t use public transportation, but after the first time on a crowded bus here when I had to stand and my thinly covered gonads were almost squished into an indigenous child’s face, I thought I’d better re-think my attire.

I still wore tights but I wore running shorts over them. That gave me three layers of separation between any women and children and my private parts: shorts, tights and underwear.

But that was an uncomfortable fix, so on Kimme’s return from the states I had her bring me back a pair of Under Armour Training Pants. That solution trims one layer of clothing while also looking more refined.

Initially I was concerned that pants would prove to be too warm here, but so long as there’s a breeze or it doesn’t go much over 65 degrees, these pants are very comfortable.

Beside the modesty factor, pants have two other advantages over knickers or tight shorts. One is the additional coverage protects against bugs. And I’ve also discovered that the loose fit of pants seems to change my attitude to a more relaxed take it easy mode that is a good change of pace for me.

On return trips to L.A. where just about anything goes I doubt I’ll wear them. But when I do a fastpack trip in Michigan or some such place, where I may need to take a bus shuttle or just want to head off trail quickly to have lunch at a small diner, these pants will be what I‘m wearing.

Michael: The Alpha 2

The cows butting heads
With open fields underfoot
Neither yielding ground.

Monday, February 13, 2017

There was quickly a bit of irony involved in my first run with my new Ultra Aspire Alpha 2 pack.

Within a quarter of a mile from the beginning of the single track section of the Quetzal trail I came upon a family of about 6 wild boar, the dominant male having very large and distinct curved tusks. I stopped and if the “Alpha” pack was so named because of the assurance its moniker bestowed upon me of my pre-eminent position in the wilderness, it was a complete failure.

Fortunately, the family split in two and bolted off on either side of the trail allowing me to pass with only a scary grunt of inconvenience.

Outside of it’s lack of buttressing my manly resolve, the pack worked. It isn’t flawless, but it is a very comfortable pack that is a worthy replacement for the Gregory Tempo pack that was taken from my not so secret cache spot a few weeks ago.

Was there anything wrong with the Tempo that required its replacement? No. It’s a great pack. But I got it on sale so I looked to see what other packs in its range were on sale. I also  like to try new things, particularly from companies I’ve had positive experiences with in the past. I’ve had a few Ultra Aspire packs that I’ve been pleased with, so when I saw the Alpha 2 on sale at Running Warehouse I did some research and decided to give it a go.

First off, the pack is advertised as a racing pack; I take it as an ultra racing pack given its large two liter bladder and ample storage pockets. I see it as a 4-6 hour training pack and for that reason some of the racing features are actually more of a detriment than a plus.

For example, the magnet closures on the stretch pocket in the back are not as secure as zippers or snaps would be. Also, I’m limber enough to touch my hands behind my back but can’t really use the back pocket without stopping and removing the pack. Even on the Ultra Aspire website Bryan Thatcher, the designer of the pack, has his model turn around while he removes a puffy jacket. If it were so simple to use on the run, let alone standing still, I figure he would’ve had the model demonstrate this feature. Besides, taking a few seconds to stop and pull out or stuff in a jacket or whatever isn’t going to cost most of us a place in an ultra. I feel features like this are mostly psychological and not practical.

Also, if they had so much faith in the magnet feature why didn’t they use it to secure the bladder hose on the front of the pack? My Osprey has that feature and it works great. Instead, the Alpha 2 uses a plastic clip feature that’s not a problem but not quite as simple as a strong magnet is.

Just another minor nit pick… The bungee cord in the back not only serves as jacket storage but is also advertised as a way of cinching down a shrinking bladder and further enhancing the comfort of the pack. Yes, it works. But again, because of the location of the pull at the top instead of the bottom of the pack, this isn’t so easy to use on the run or without removing the pack. That’s not a problem for me. Even in a race I wouldn’t see it as a reason to get flustered while stopping and gathering my thoughts or repositioning supplies to take a second to remove the pack and cinch down the cord in the back.

Otherwise, it’s an extraordinarily comfortable pack. The two sternum straps that stretch while you breathe hold the pack firmly in place. One of the large mesh pockets easily held my 5 oz flask and a bar, while the other held my phone, I.D. and some cash. I tested out the salt tab magnet pocket and after two hours of sweaty running, my Saltstick chewables were high and dry. I used the other small zipper pocket in front for my keys.

In back I had a liter and a half of water in the 2 liter bladder. I did replace the push/pull hose with the a twist on/off version because I’m use to it and like it. Maybe the push/pull isn’t a problem. I’m sure I’ll give it a go one of these days.

In the stretch pocket I had a small first aid kit and a windbreaker. It does seem like it could hold a bit more comfortably, perhaps a small water filter if need be, and that, along with a bit more nutrition, would be about all I figure I’d need for a long day’s fast pack journey.

Oh, and of course, I like the green trim on my medium size pack. Goes with my motto: Just because you’re not fast doesn’t mean you can’t look fast.

Michael: Treats

The reluctant mist
Is pushed ever so slowly
Over the mountains.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

It was just brought home to me, literally, How much I miss certain items from the states that I had completely forgotten about.

For example, on Kimme’s return from the U.S. she brought back two of my regular treats from when we lived in L.A.; blueberries and a Whole Foods trail mix called Chocolate Stampede.

The Chocolate Stampede I should definitely try to refrain from when we return back to the states either for a visit or for the long haul. It’s expensive, definitely not a “whole” food and also not something I can indulge in in moderation. But I’m sure I’ll end up gorging on at least one bucket of the mix.

Blueberries, though are almost the opposite. I can’t get enough of them and I don’t worry about it even though in California they can be expensive at times. They’re definitely on the top of my list wherever and whenever I can get them. Blueberries I feel I can indulge in without feeling I’m being over indulgent.

I’m sure there will be other small treats that I’ll be smacking my forehead over when I get the chance to get back home and take a good look around.

Michael: Greeted Like a Dog

Lemon yellow wings;
Jewelry on the hot sand
Still moves with beauty.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Yesterday I went to the airport to pick up Kimme after she’d been in the states for three weeks. I also went for a run again on the Lagunas trail and was greeted again by the golden retriever who ran with me last week.

This dog, who’d only seen me once before, bounded with glee at the sight at the prospect of going on another adventure with me. I was thinking wouldn’t it be nice if I would greet Kimme with that kind of enthusiasm at the airport?

Maybe, but I didn’t. She didn’t exactly run circles around me when she saw me either. And I’m not saying we weren’t happy to see each other. There were other people there picking loved ones up and they all seemed to greet each other with about the same enthusiasm Kimme and I did.

And that’s just being civilized and human. But it would be great if we could drop that front once in a while and just wag our tails, jump and slime people with our wet noses.

Michael: Buffed Trails

Battered butterfly
Is pushed recklessly by winds
It doesn’t control.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

It’s been two years since I’ve done a trail race on a buffed out trail. Next month that’s going to come to an end when I run in the Valencia 50k near Santa Clarita, Ca.

You would think the opportunity to return to the milder trails of L.A. would bring a sigh of relief and expectation of a much easier go of it, compared to the rocky, rooty, gushy and difficult trails I’ve been training on in Panama. But that isn’t necessarily the case. Here, I step carefully. In L.A. without those worries, will I be able to step lively?

I have been doing road work with some intervals and speed runs both to prepare for the occasional road races here, but also in anticipation of some summer trail races in the states. This race in late March should be a good test to see how wise I’ll be able to play with the tachometer in conditions I haven’t been in in a while.

Speed is one thing. Gauging how to use pacing over 4 hours is another. Lately I’ve been able to gain confidence that I can stay out there for over 7 hours, but now can I gear it up a notch on easier trails and use all the fuel in the tank to bring the old jalopy across the finish line between 4-5 hours? It’s a little nerve wracking thinking about it.

Michael: The DHL Express Comes to a Crawl

Turbulent waters
Churn through the rocks creating
White watery beards.

Monday, February 6, 2017

Stock up because special needs can be hard to come by out in the boonies in Panama.

For example, my bicycle requires a specific type of brake fluid. I ordered the fluid from Chain Reaction Cycles in England on December 31. It’s been held up in customs ever since.

To be fair to DHL they did call me twice once my package arrived in Panama a week after I ordered it. Once we got cut off due to a bad phone connection and the other time I was driving so I tried to have Kimme relay what the contents were. I told them bicycle equipment and that was the last I heard from them. I’m not sure why Chain Reaction Cycles didn’t list the contents but that’s an investigation for another day.

I kept watching the tracking on-line for another week with the message that it was being delayed in customs for reasons unknown. I figured it was the flammable brake fluid that was slowing things down (seems appropriate doesn’t it?) and I was correct.

After sending them an e-mail last week stating what the contents were and asking if  there was any other information they needed, they got back to me on Friday with a message in Spanish. I called them today to ask them what it was about and after telling them verbally this time it was brake fluid, they informed me they needed to get a permit from the Fire Department to continue shipping. That should be another 3-5 days.

It’s a good thing I ordered this well in advance of needing it or I could’ve gone quite a while without getting out there on my trusty steed and going for some rides through this beautiful country.

Michael: Jack and Anjelica

Punished by the gods
Like Sisyphus pushing air
Instead of a rock.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

This is the 40th anniversary of Annie Hall, Woody Allen’s pivotal film. Last night I watched it for what must’ve been close to the 40th time. You watch something that many times and you’d think you’d know it by heart, but a small fragment of the film caught me by surprise.

For the first time when Paul Simon’s character invites Annie and Alvie to go with him to a party I caught the reference to Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston. I can’t believe that it took 40 years for that to hit me.

What a surprising entity the human brain is; to see something 40 times but never process it. So why now?

Has me wondering what else has washed over me multiple times without my being cognizant of it.

Michael: Long as I Can Grow It

The chattering bird
Punctuates the afternoon
With te-te-te-te.

Friday, February 3, 2017

There are a few old hippies around here. Old white dudes with their long thin white/gray hair pulled back into pony tails. Hippies were just slightly before my time, and I never was keen on the pony tail thing. But I have since middle school grown my hair long and now it’s about as long as its been in 15 years which still is a long way from the mid-back length I had it in it’s prime.

Funny how hair is. It’s definitely one of the more noticeable signs of aging. Not only the color; mine started going gray in my early 40s, but also the texture and thickness.

Fortunately, I’m no where’s near going bald. Shoot, I had friends starting to go bald in high school. But I am having on of those Seinfeld moments. This one from the time Elaine was dating a man who had been shaving his head for years and Elaine wonders if he might be going bald without noticing.

Well for simplicities sake, I’ve been having my haircut with a #2 blade for years. So I’ve also got the itch to see what my hair situation would be like if I let loose for a while.

Strangely, at the moment, my hair style resembles my mom’s. Kind of a gray wispy cloud that hovers over my head. And it’s much thinner than I’ve ever felt it before, though it’s still got enough life in it to wave in spots and curl in others.

I’m not sure a middle aged man should rock the same hairstyle as his mother. I’m not sure how long I’m going to let it grow. I don’t foresee a pony tail in the future, but I am curious as to what I would look like with long hair again.

Michael: Landmarks

Dark green canopy
Is tinged with fire red foliage
That resembles fall.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Outside of running out of water on my Wednesday scouting run, I faced another difficulty. I am very directionally challenged, so shortly after losing sight of the major landmark here, the volcano, every trail intersection could potentially turn into a coin flip.

But Wednesday, possibly to make up for bursting my pack bladder, the trail gods were kind and put two trail angels exactly where I needed them. They were also the only people I saw during my 1:45 jaunt on that particular farm road.

The first angel showed up in the guise of a farmer at a very confusing three way intersection. I asked if he could point me toward the main road to Caizan and he did.

At the main road again was an angel that saved me a coin toss. This time it was a young mother and child. She was waiting for the bus. The road leads either to Caizan or Volcan. Without her help I’m almost positive I would’ve headed toward Caizan and away from home.

This, I feel, is somewhat my ying/yang fate. I have very good endurance, which I need because I often get lost and spend more time out in the boonies than I would if I had any sense of direction at all.

Michael: Unexpected Company

Golden retriever \
Formed a hunting pack with me
And we chased squirrels.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The vast majority of dogs here are not my best friends. Half of them ignore me while the other half threaten to assault me. Today was different.

Today I went out exploring on a farm road to see if I could make a long loop run. The farm road starts right after crossing Volcan’s rarely used airstrip and heads toward one of the tourist spots around here known as the Lagunas.

As soon as I crossed the airstrip a spry golden retriever came bounding my way. I could tell from his body language that he wasn’t going to threaten me at all and seemed like he was happy to have some one to run with and possibly head off into the bushes to hunt squirrels with.

The dog stayed with me for the entire farm road. Well over an hour’s worth of warm weather running. He even continued to run with me on the road for a couple of miles until he met three other dogs and decided the hell with me.

At first I was worried about this dog running for so long without water, but that notion changed pretty quickly after I stumbled and did a 9.5 point shoulder roll that left me with only a few nicks on my knees. But, Ironically, the roll over also caused a small nick in one of the goofy seams in my Osprey pack bladder which then put me in the same position as the dog as far as water goes.

I say ironically not only because now neither of us had water but because this was the second time in a week that I was doing a very long run without water for the second half of the journey. Sunday my entire pack was taken from my stash spot. Today, at least I still have the pack, and should be able to patch the bladder. It’s busted at a seam before and a bicycle patch did the job.

It’s also Ironic because toward the end of the run there were a few streams by the road and my golden companion could bound off and drink while I was left high and dry.

I’m not very keen on running with most people but I’ve got to say I can understand why people enjoy having a dog to run with. It was very comforting to have this silent partner looking out for me. I’m not going to get one, but I’d be very happy if I met up with this retriever again.

Michael: Small World

Lying on the ridge
The rainbow appears to be
A tropical fin.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Today on a morning jog that I was suppose to go on yesterday, I ran into two people I just saw a couple of days ago. Sean, a stock broker and cyclist from Canada whom I don’t see very often and the ranger whom I met for the first time on Sunday when my bag was taken while I was hiking the volcano.

Sean rides a Cervelo, which was the brand of my first tri bike. I’d love to get a Cervelo S3 Disc when my mom wins the lottery. Not that there’s anything wrong with my bike. I love it, but the Cervelo is a more aesthetically appealing bike. I know that sounds shallow because it is. But for me a touch of green and a pleasing paint job go along way.

Every time I ride I think of Sean because he had a very unfortunate run in with a dog that cost the dog its life and Sean some road rash and a new fork.
So to see him out there smiling and enjoying riding again lifts my spirit.

Seeing the ranger honk as he drove by meant that they didn’t get any information about my missing bag on Sunday, which is a ying/yang kind of thing. Within hours of scrubbing up after my Sunday outing I was online looking at new packs. I don’t need much of a nudge to shop and after so quickly ordering a new bag, I was beginning to feel a little guilty for not giving my “old” bag (only had it for a couple of months) more time to find its way home. Now I can at least not concern myself with getting that phone call.

I am wondering what I would do if I see it being carried over someone’s shoulder when I’m out and about. Perhaps, “Pardon, Cuanto cuesta por mi mochila?” (How much for my bag?)