A World On A String

[Jericho Mile]

Riding a heat wave

Riding a heat wave

Been in triple digits the last few days. I'm running my rooms at 1/2 power...and even keeping the flower studio dark when I have to.

Ran yesterday and today in the heat...8 and 7 miles..oven running. Running well though...the elements are allowing me good passage....the body is holding itself up. I've run 12 consecutive days now. I'm at the point where as soon as I start the watch..my body resorts to muscle memory and relaxed breathing. Keeping the heart rate down...is important to rolling well in the heat. In the weight of the heat...everything looks different...and everything seems to be moving slower..my feet transversing melting terrain and heavy drip


Been down in fully baking washes...climbing my way back out..over hot rocks and loose sand..the radiating heat drying my eyes...cooking my senses...burning the lungs.

I do well in the heat...takes me to other places. For as long as this wave lasts...I'll find time to be in it. If one can hang in the heat of an August day...well then...one can hang in about anything. Heat training is important

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Was going to scramble up above 10,000ft in a very high canyon in the mountains today, and escape the heat of the lowlands. But the air is filled with smoke from wildfires. Could hardly see the mountains around me. Realized that I'd be climbing up into this mess and wouldn't be able to get the photographs I wanted of the surrounding terrain. So I turned the car around and now I'm sitting in front of the swamp cooler. Just as well. Got back home to find my lunch where I'd left it, still sitting in the refrigerator.

 

[unclefishstick]

i just knocked off a bucket list ride...and now thankfully i never have to go back there again!

 

[waveguide]

same... alive today, yesterday uneventful (bit of verbal eg. "never forget" but no bloodloss!) interesting proposition this "actual future" thing..

 

[Jericho Mile]

Ended up

Ended up

.....taking Sunday and Monday off the trails. No obvious reason..as everything was feeling smooth..no big hurts

yet..Sunday night I slept terrible...as my hips, IT bands, hamstrings, and feet were sending needles up and down making it impossible to lay in one position for too long...breaking up any chance at good REM/recovery sleep. then of course

I was near worthless on Monday...my attitude not all that good.

Today though..starting up another binge...ran 7 morning miles with the wife. I "stretch ran" the entire time...hitting off boulders and oak trees....messing with different exaggerations of bending the body.

* On my day 12 run (the last run of the last binge) I was finishing up on a short paved hill...running max effort down into a dip and then out and up the hill. When I was tight into the right handed turn..which comes at the steepest part of the hill...I felt my solar plexus fill out. It felt like my rib cage became wider...my entire core was sucked up and against the spine. When this happened I found an entirely new gear. I blasted off the ground...bouncing knees high and into a full sprint for the last 75 yards.

That feeling is fucking wild. It just came out of nowhere..yet...I found out this morning...that it is still with me. I've climbed up to another level. That's the sensation

** I've been watching videos of Ueli Steck "The Swiss Machine"....that dude is fucking madness. He takes endurance and speed climbing to a different level. Balls. Every time I think I'm a bad ass...all I have to do is watch shit like that.



^ Jaundice f2 expression #1

Jaundice = Bogbubble X Chem DD

I harvested this stuff on day 65...mostly due to the hot weather. She could have gone another 5 days. This is the expression..in which I said..was a bubblegum dominant plant. Smells really sweet...and yeah..like bubblegum. Hopefully all that aroma transitions over to flavor..and hopefully...all that resin is a head ringer.

No issues with her. Grew well...cloned well...all is well. I haven't had a bubblegum in years...so yeah...I'm happy to have these flowers. She looks and smells just like the Bogbubble mother I used to make the cross. I fail to see any Chem DD influences in her. Appears like she could have come right out of a pack of Bogbubble...that much a bubblegum.

* Expression #2 is going to be the killer though. She's coming up for harvest pretty soon. I believe that the Chem DD is dominating that one in some ways...and that the Bogbubble also has a role in her. We'll see soon enough...but observations this morning (her flushing on day 59) were: flowers are smallish and tight...flushing for 9 days..she shows..little or no fade out. Aroma is knock out..can smell her from aways away...Feline piss over funk fruit...incredibly strong and wonderful. Can't help but be fond of her. Funny though...I must also note that...#2 is not a vine or what I'd consider a floppy. Do believe she may be a 50/50 of each parent.

** I'm thinking of doing another Jaundice f2 run this fall/winter and making the f3 generation. I know what to look for. It seems that this cross split nicely in the f2 generation...with the different avenues pretty well marked. I'm sure that I could figure out the different lines in the male population. It comes down to a coloring thing...but it seems that the coloring makes them obvious. There are Reds (darker green leaves with red petioles) and Greens (lighter green leaves with pale petioles). In the Reds I'll find DD influences and in the Greens I'll find Bogbubble influences...or at least...that's how they expressed this round. Also..on the #4 (which turned out to be a male and culled)...a Red...I found the Mosaic Virus signs in some leaves. #2 and #4 were much alike. Reds.

*** The more I look at the plants...the more I think that this cross has a high % chance at success. So basic it's silly stupid

 

[Jericho Mile]

Other side of Flaund

Other side of Flaund

Flaund = TFlux X Jaundice

TFlux = Original Flo X Chem DD

Jaundice = Bogbubble X Chem DD

...before..or in the past...I've shown Flaund expressions #2 and #1. Both were Flo dominant expressions...the #2 too much so...and the #1 a solid expression..as far as...dainty Flo(s) go.

..but the Flaund run consists of a total of 4 plants...and #3 and #4...almost identical..have not been shown in flower. I call them the "other side of Flaund" simply for the reason that...they are unlike the Flo dominant expressions



^ case in point. This is Flaund expression #3 harvested day 61. A bulky....indica-like plant...which never needed to be tied up or given much attention. I can't get a read on the aroma...not sour...not sweet..not foul..can't really tell where it's coming from. Everything looks good and all...but that is just to say..I have no idea about what hooked up in the genetics

The #4 expression is behind by a week or more...and like I said above..she is looking like she'll be a twin to #3. You never know what's going to pop up when you use loosely knitted crosses to make further crosses. I was figuring that since the parents (Jaundice and TFlux) both had the same Chem DD pops...that perhaps..they would guide them along...though... again...Chem DD was loosely knitted to begin with....and being so...all bets are off?

We'll see how she smokes

* I have clones of #1, #3, and #4



^ Some Chimayo peppers ripening up. This is a New Mexican variety.

I emptied out the hot house. All the potted pepper plants are now either in the back bed or were placed along a pathway. I was having a major aphid invasion..dealing with the ants...and dealing with too high of temps in the hot house...so said "fuck it"...and cleared it out. Must remain dynamic. Air mobile, son. Be a mobile gardener....pick your shit up..and move...if you must.

* 9 days out from the timed 24hr run of 1/2 mile circles. Keeping the runs mellow and sleeping part of the nights on my yoga mat. Constantly stretching.

 

[Jericho Mile]

Kicked back

Kicked back

....watched a chemical weapons documentary along with some running documentaries while

trimming up that Flaund #3 plant



* have to say...I'm cruising right up to this 24 hr run without a whole lot of thought. Really don't know what to expect running the same flat 1/2 mile course..for that amount of time. My only thought out plan is to get into a comfortable and efficient form....drink and eat a lot...not linger long at the aid station..and keep pressing forward.

I'll be exposed out there. I mean..there will not be 100's of racers like during many of the trail races..and of course..with only a 1/2 mile loop...there is nowhere to hide from spectators. I'll want to slip into my head world..batten down the mental hatches..and keep lines of concentration. I'm going to need not focus on the hours or the miles...at least not for...the majority of the run. As I get towards the end of the time..then perhaps..it will benefit me to know..but otherwise..no split times (like normal..not racing with my watch on) or anything technical. So many ways this event can become a head fucking....

me always wanting to run free...but then why? it still comes down to someone else's measurements

...well in these races I should say..

beyond beyond. I can still disappear during races. The people and the entire event doesn't stop me. No. They are there to assist me to the places I seek to go. That's one of the beauties of paying to play this game based in time, distance, and endurance.

It's like being able to read a book in the middle of a busy city. I can go away anywhere...any time. That's one of my strengths.

 

[Jericho Mile]

Supposing

Supposing

...I didn't tell it right.



^ Jaundice expression #2. I had told that she wasn't a flopper. That was stated incorrectly...or I misdiagnosed her aspect. Anyone can see that she is floppy. She's also the best yielding...best smelling...and by far..my favorite Jaundice expression.

Jaundice f2 = Bogbubble ('06 era) X Chem DD ('07/'08 era)

The flowers on this girl are dense....reek heavily of (before mentioned) feline urine with an underlying sweetness..perhaps even a bit bubblegummy

* I have not been able to sample her yet...but I did save her trim separately from that of other plants. I'm going to make her bubble all her. I'm usually too lazy to do separate runs of hash making..but in this case..I need to have it purely #2....for a better assessment.

** If this plant transitions her aroma over to flavor....I'll have another keeper...and another mother plant to breed with. I don't like getting my hopes up...as I know this genetic game is full of cruel expectations...but it's difficult not to.

To this stage in the summer runs of Jaundice, Flaund, and Easy Mox Trilogy......I've been awarded a for sure keeper:

EMT expression #3

...but I'm wagering hard that Jaundice expression #2 makes the cut

<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A week out from the race. I've been watching videos of the Killian Jornet killing every race in his path.

I'm very much looking forward to getting back to my racing. I'm missing the community.

 

[Fly by Night]

Hiya dawg, ever read "Born to Run"? Came recommended whew! Also wanted to ask if you keep cadence, if not how u get "chesty puller" outta your head!! This shitbird has wings, peace brodie!

 

[Jericho Mile]

Hiya dawg, ever read "Born to Run"? Came recommended whew! Also wanted to ask if you keep cadence, if not how u get "chesty puller" outta your head!! This shitbird has wings, peace brodie!

yeah..read "Born to Run" around 2010. I was still running in old skool Vans back then. That's about when the minimalist shoe movement started..and I'd imagine that story to have helped with influencing it. * The White Horse died on the Gila N.F. a couple years ago....dead feet in a stream. There is now a movie out about him...my run club was having a viewing..but you know..I'll wait until You Tube

For me...I was already running in the waffle sole...canvas/suede..no padding..Vans. Probably was running in those (even the hi tops) at least a year before I read the book. After reading the book though....I started wearing minimalist trail shoes....Vibram 5 fingers and 1st generation Merrell Trail Gloves....no padding at all. I ran for a year and more in the Merrells (couple pairs of the Merrells.. trashed the one pair of Vibrams in 75 miles)....but got tired of hurting my feet. Rocked my feet too many times to count..almost ripped off a pinky toe in the Vibrams...and could never really fly down hills.

It's a good book...but even that era in my trail running seems like long ago. Time moves way differently for me now.

* "Born to Run" will help motivate you to run. It makes a lot of sense.

** I don't count cadence...but I do get vocal at times. I hoot quite a bit...woooooo when I come up on people or when I pull off something good....and for sure..when I'm frustrated at myself...I turn grunt. Sometimes I yell in the canyons...and sometimes someone yells back. Communications on the trails...."runner up" "on yer left" "left left left".....letting them know I'm coming up or passing



^ morning handful of peppers and carrot juice



^ the wife has been making garlic spread/paste. Think she's been doing 3 cloves per...one with peppers...one not. I've been using this stuff (these are 2nd batch) and fresh peppers about every day...for the last month. Running fuel....grown at home.

<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Digesting the morning tacos, carrot juice, and coffee...but about to change and go hit the trails. Ran almost 8 miles with the wife yesterday morning (she's turning into a beast....great natural form)...but today....I'm going to get in some heat running. At this time next week....I'll be running in circles...so

I'm just going to ease into this final week...keep myself loose and focused. My mind and body are going into fight mode soon..

I was...am....and will always remain a : Shitbird

 

[unclefishstick]

my race "training" is going well,best time yet today,i think i can crack an hour on the 11 mile route,and that i think would win my category pretty handily...

 

[Jericho Mile]

my race "training" is going well,best time yet today,i think i can crack an hour on the 11 mile route,and that i think would win my category pretty handily...

'tis good to be going well. the faster you go..the sooner it's over.

At the end of all my races...my main motivation is to sit down. The Great End All....to sit on my ass

I went out and ran a bit over 8 miles...full sun but only 85 degrees. Ran some off trail, some single track, and about a 1/2 mile of paved hill...1hr 31min of bashing up and down hills

Lately I find myself starving to eat...but when I start eating..I don't feel like eating. Right now. I know I need calories..but can't eat...so I'm having hot tea with coconut palm sugar and canned coconut milk. About all I feel like having. Liquid food.

Been like this for a couple weeks now. I don't think I'll have that issue on race day though. I believe it's more a heat hibernation kind of deal. Body making adjustments to the weather and the change in training routine.

It's interesting for me to watch and feel body transformations. The body is in constant change...doing its thing...making adjustments to the trail lifestyle.

 

[unclefishstick]

yeah,i havent been eating when i get home either,doing about 3 hours of riding on a banana and some sort of granola bar,been drinking ginger/honey tea on the bike to help settle my stomach and avoiding sports drinks,electrolytes while riding since it makes my stomach worse,been having exercise induced acid reflux so i have only been drinking enough to keep my throat wet during my training laps...
im more psyched that i managed to do the last climb on the race loop that had been eluding me...i think i stopped thinking and just pedaled,but normally for me if i do it once i never have any real problems with that climb anymore,or others like them...so its been worth the effort for that alone,i suck at techy climbs but theres no good reason i should...all in the brain....
yeah,i got in the groove and just let go of the brakes on the chunkiest part of the downhill portion,really nailed some sections,still some places for improvement...

 

[Jericho Mile]

yeah,i havent been eating when i get home either,doing about 3 hours of riding on a banana and some sort of granola bar,been drinking ginger/honey tea on the bike to help settle my stomach and avoiding sports drinks,electrolytes while riding since it makes my stomach worse,been having exercise induced acid reflux so i have only been drinking enough to keep my throat wet during my training laps...
im more psyched that i managed to do the last climb on the race loop that had been eluding me...i think i stopped thinking and just pedaled,but normally for me if i do it once i never have any real problems with that climb anymore,or others like them...so its been worth the effort for that alone,i suck at techy climbs but theres no good reason i should...all in the brain....
yeah,i got in the groove and just let go of the brakes on the chunkiest part of the downhill portion,really nailed some sections,still some places for improvement...

mind over matter. letting go is the step off the ledge..then nothing matters...and it all looks different.

 

[unclefishstick]

yup,it just went from being something in my way to just another piece of terrain to ride over...i am looking forward to just going back to riding for the sake of riding,got a couple more big climb rides in mind...well several really...heck,its not really a "good" adventure ride unless theres at least one leg breaking climb...
yeah,i have in mind poaching another local park trail,the let horses on it so im just gonna do it,but it will be a lung burner....but then 3.3 miles and 1600 odd feet of downhill,mostly on smooth trail so it should be fun and well worth some brief hike a bike sections...then i have to do it as a one way across the pass into the campground with my bikepacking gear,that will be a good one...

 

[chef]

Hey man. How ya been?
Saw these this morning & thought of ya
http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/28/next-pair-running-shoes-made-hemp/

Rain coming. Got some caging to do. Ill stop back by soon...

 

[Jericho Mile]

Coming down

Coming down

getting close to race day. gotten all my gear together...gotten the final instructions...stitched together the logistics. Tomorrow.

time to eat and take it easy. get up pre dawn...drive the 79 over to Julian..check in...get my shirt and bib...start running at 8 A.M. until 8 A.M. around the clock

Super Full Moon beaming...so..hopefully..won't have to wear a headlamp. Temps should be around 90 degrees day time...60 degrees night time. The course looks fully exposed.

Goals? I'd like to run a 100 miles. Anything over is gravy.



^ Early sample (day 61) of Easy Mox Trilogy expression #5. #5 is a sativa dominant vine. This flower has been drying a couple days..

* Fucked myself up a couple days ago...doing sets of Marine Corps mountain climbers followed by long chunks of up hill lunges on what I call a "sandbox" section of trail. Deep decomposing granite...like beach sand

anyways...I creamed my hamstrings/lower back/hip flexors...for no apparent reason. I was pretty sore all day yesterday. Not too bright.

way better today. Should not effect my race.

 

[unclefishstick]

broke an hour on the race loop today...on the single speed no less...

 

[unclefishstick]

wow,so 24 hrs....thats gonna be something...and 100 miles?...dang,thats alot of footfalls...

yup,im starting to get a feeling i can win my category,i think i can even place well in the whole shebang,no matter what age group and finish up with the fast 30-39 year olds,but in my bracket last years winner on a 10 mile loop finished in 52 minutes,i just did 11 miles in 57 so i figure thats a pretty solid time...i did barely make 2 of the short climbs on my 22 tooth gear so i guess now i should try on my 20 tooth since i will pick up about 1-2 mph so long as i can turn the cranks on the climbs...and that would drop my time by maybe up to 5 minutes...i hit an 11.4 mph average today,i think last years winner had a 10.4 mph average speed...if i can push it past 12 mph then i should crush...i guess all these boring laps are helping,i sure know the route well at this point...

 

[Jericho Mile]

Julian Station Full Moon Run 12/24hr

Julian Station Full Moon Run 12/24hr



^ That was an experience. Much more brutality than beauty. It was exceptionally difficult.

The 1 km course loop was not level...had many bends and turns..and was fully exposed to the sun. Day temps were in the 90's...night temps in the 60's (maybe upper 50's).....

What became enlightening was that there was no exit except making the 24 hr time. Time was the end all. I couldn't run faster to get done faster...no...

running faster just made for running further...doing more laps...adding more miles. That sounds so simple...yes? It does and it is...but it can also be perceived by an exhausted mind as a complete fucking.

"Why am I trying to move quick? Where am I going?...it's useless...it's stupid..my legs are fucking gone...I need to sit down..I want to stop...this isn't even running anymore"

Then there is the monotony. The same km over and over...technical enough that a runner had to concentrate on foot placement and form movement. There were lots of holes, dips, bumps, grass clumps, roots, rocks...etc..even bump hills that needed to be ascended/descended

* In the heat. O...I was strong. There were few people running well in the heat..and I capitalized. Totally on my game...got in a lot of laps. The heat played a major factor..in the minds and on the bodies. There was some melting. But...for me...the heat worked in my favor. I scored heavy.

** In the 1st 10 miles or so...I had to gag myself a bunch of times to vomit out stomach contents. Believe it was the oil in the aid station corn chips (Fritos)...I was snacking on..while I ran. They appealed to me...then they didn't...though the salt and calories were nice..the oil mixed with water, salt, and gels..no go. After puking 4 times..I stopped eating corn chips and gels...then had to find other foods I could get down. YOU MUST EAT AND DRINK CONSTANTLY or...you'll be dust. I've said for many years "Puking is acceptable...stopping is not"....so very true...now and always. No need to stop to puke..just turn the head and let it go.

*** I finished near the top. Went a lot of miles. I was forced to change my strategy late in the night. I became very sore in my left hip/ass cheek..cramped up..my hip flexor there..having trouble bringing my knee up. I switched over to a power hike (the same one that Marine grunts call humping. Slightly bent over with arms swinging for momentum) which uses the muscles differently and can be sustained at 3-3.5 mph....allowing some recess from the sharp/throbbing/bone deep pain...well until...

that "humping" form gave out (after a couple more hrs)...leaving me 2 forms down and reduced to a quick walk. The walk...of course...was painful..and painfully slower...therefore..deep depression and weakness projected from the mind...bringing me to some very bad lows. These lows...I repeatedly fought my way out of..would be ok for a while..then they would sneak back down on me. FIGHTING OFF THE PAIN AND THE LOWS....is essential to survival. It's not pretty. It's just not. The beauty is on the other side.

I was hoping that when the sun came back out...indicating that I only had a couple hours left...that I'd smell the barn and close out running hard...but

no. My left side was so stiff..that I had to swing my leg out with not much bend...and very little authority. I kept catching my sore feet on the terrain..stumbling with cramps...having to catch myself..

beat down and just hanging on. That's how I finished. There is beauty in that. It's like a soul cleansing...

**** Would I do another timed run? Absolutely. It's a different sort of endurance game. I learned a lot...was exposed to a lot. I am a stronger endurance freak for having participated in one.

***** what's amazing? my new hero, "Jester". Jester runs in a jester headdress and skirt..(complete with jingling bells..and at night..a light scheme of multi colored lights). He races in that outfit at all times. 53 yrs old....took 1st place by far...with a total of 127.8 miles. There was no way I could catch him. No way. The man is a legend..and I was in awe of his abilities....awesome dude. So much respect for him. He operates like a machine. True poetry in motion.