The New Year Post

Posted in travel, ultras by Nate

We’re well rested. A month of nearly 70 hour work weeks including freelance work that follows you from the office until the moments before you go to sleep meant a physically and emotionally grueling December. I haven’t worked a day since the Friday before Christmas, though, and it’s been wonderful.

For an actual break, we headed out to New York City for a few days of shopping and enjoyment. I love the city as much as ever, but am now forming a clear distinction in my mind separating it from a place I once wanted to live to a place I should only visit once per year. In addition to virtually bleeding money every minute you’re there, it wears you down. At least this is the case the older I get. The city is beautiful but my mind is elsewhere. I don’t seek out the hustle and bustle like I used to, and would rather have trees, mountains, solitude and a few good miles of great trails.

To cap off 2007 we saw the legendary Les Paul perform at the Iridium Jazz club, just north of Times Square. At 92 years old, how many more opportunities will we have to see him (though he is a weekly act there)? The show was amazing, but the food and service a disaster on account of poor management. We felt bad for our waitress, having to spend her New Year’s Eve placating irate customers, and ended up tipping her an additional $50 in cash and a hug to hopefully be some glimmer of light in the midst of an awful evening. Further proving the notion of Karma, a few minutes later when we were exiting, we got to meet none other than Les Paul himself. I asked permission to shake his hand, and we talked for a few solid minutes about the Detroit Jazz scene, the clubs he once played and old contacts he had in the city. We hopped a $20 rickshaw ride the mile back to our hotel at 57th and Lexington, and got to soak up some final glimpses of New York City on New Year’s Eve. All-in-all great night, and a complete contrast to what we did last year. Something I’ll always be thankful I did, but probably something I only need to do once in this lifetime.

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In terms of running it’s been a disappointing few months. The Marathon required a few weeks of recovery, but not as much as I took. A nagging knee pain (probably my perpetual IBS) was the continuing excuse, but work was the primary cause. It’s a cruel irony that when I need it most is when it’s hardest to fit it in. I guess that’s what separates the hardcore from the hardest-core; and I’m obviously not yet the latter.

As I look out my window though, the 11 inches of snow are stacking up against the early setting sun. It’s the first day of 2008, and the official 1 year anniversary since I began running seriously. This day last year I set out for a 5 mile run in the bone-chilling winter winds of Northern Michigan. I made it maybe 2 miles before I was attacked by dogs and had to return home, with my figurative tail between my legs, but the training went full force from that point on. Ten months later I ran the Detroit Marathon.

Tonight I’m inclined to set out for an ambitious and symbolic 10 mile snow run. I’ve got the gear and feel mentally prepared. The sidewalks aren’t shoveled so it might as well be trail running, except for the storefronts and streets on either side of me (and thus the perpetual risk of getting squished by a car). That said, it all seems a great start and a necessary step for the year I plan on finishing my first ultra: the North Country Trail Run 50 miler.

9 months and counting.