The day passed by fairly quickly as we had our sixth straight day of "good" weather - ie. high temps in the 80s. Good cloud cover this morning and a couple rain drops didn't hurt. Jennifer and I ran together all day as we enjoyed 22 miles on the Wabash Cannonball Trail and a couple "local" trail miles in the Toledo area. My left foot continues to get better from whatever the problem has been these past few days. I took my second fall of the run about mile 40 today when we were running on the busy US-20. I failed to pick up my left foot enough when passing over some waste concrete that was in the shoulder and I tumbled to the pavement. One of my fears was realized with the fact that I fell and rolled towards the passing cars on the road, but no harm was done. I appear to have suffered no injuries from the fall.
At mile 14 we said goodbye to Steph who has been a fantastic member of the RAAoT Team. Steph provided aid to us all through Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. Since we first met Steph in Nebraska and she left us in Ohio she has been with us for five states. Thanks for everything Steph!!! May your music career continue to go superbly!!!
Thanks to my parents for continuing to provide super crewing to Jennifer and myself!
By the time emails are sent out Wednesday morning to those who are following the Run blog I will have transitioned from being CDR Mike Samuelson, United States Navy to CDR Mike Samuelson, United States Navy Retired. I send a big shout out to all my friends and Shipmates at the Navy Personnel Command and the PERS-4G Team. Thanks again to all who worked in the 4G1 shop taking care of our Shipmates in the field. I look forward to our paths crossing again soon.
West Unity to Elmore, OH 43.70 miles
Jennifer 9:55:06
Mike 9:55:06
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Day 62 - Into Ohio!!!
For the fifth straight day the high temperature hasn't reached 90 degrees - super!!! The humidity has moderated somewhat also the past four days now. May this weather streak continue!!!
I KT-taped my left foot this morning and my left foot issues weren't as bad today. I believe this is he fourth time on the Run I have used the KT Tape. Great thanks to the KT Tape folks. All road miles today - mostly on low traffic volume country roads. No "Welcome Ohio" sign to greet Jennifer and I when crossing the state line due to running on a rural road - a very small disappointment in the big scheme of life.
My spirits were much higher today due to the decreased left foot distress. Hopefully the foot will continue to get better - and no other injuries will occur.
Pleasant Lake, IN to West Unity, OH 43.95 miles
Mike 9:42:58
Jennifer 9:49:28
I KT-taped my left foot this morning and my left foot issues weren't as bad today. I believe this is he fourth time on the Run I have used the KT Tape. Great thanks to the KT Tape folks. All road miles today - mostly on low traffic volume country roads. No "Welcome Ohio" sign to greet Jennifer and I when crossing the state line due to running on a rural road - a very small disappointment in the big scheme of life.
My spirits were much higher today due to the decreased left foot distress. Hopefully the foot will continue to get better - and no other injuries will occur.
Pleasant Lake, IN to West Unity, OH 43.95 miles
Mike 9:42:58
Jennifer 9:49:28
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Days 59-61 - Amish Country
Day 59
Ultrarunner Chad Wooley and his dog Diamond ran with us for 12 miles as our route passed right by his house. It was great to run with Chad! We enjoyed running the Oak Savannah and Prairie Duneland Trails before continuing east on country roads. I slowed as left foot problems kept me from flying down the road.
Day 60
After leaving La Porte and making a couple turns we ran 32 miles on the same country road to get to our stop point for the day just west of Goshen. I continued to fight through left foot issues.
Day 61
We continued to head east - neither of us feeling great after the shift to EDT and losing an hour. A couple miles on Goshen bike path and the Milrace Canal Trail were the trail miles portion of the day. We ran through Amish country but saw nearly no one since we ran through during Sunday morning religious services. The finish point today was a welcome sight. Maybe I will tape my left foot before we start out Monday?
Goshen to Pleasant Lake, IN 44.78 miles
Jennifer 10:24:00
Mike 10:24:00
Ultrarunner Chad Wooley and his dog Diamond ran with us for 12 miles as our route passed right by his house. It was great to run with Chad! We enjoyed running the Oak Savannah and Prairie Duneland Trails before continuing east on country roads. I slowed as left foot problems kept me from flying down the road.
Day 60
After leaving La Porte and making a couple turns we ran 32 miles on the same country road to get to our stop point for the day just west of Goshen. I continued to fight through left foot issues.
Day 61
We continued to head east - neither of us feeling great after the shift to EDT and losing an hour. A couple miles on Goshen bike path and the Milrace Canal Trail were the trail miles portion of the day. We ran through Amish country but saw nearly no one since we ran through during Sunday morning religious services. The finish point today was a welcome sight. Maybe I will tape my left foot before we start out Monday?
Goshen to Pleasant Lake, IN 44.78 miles
Jennifer 10:24:00
Mike 10:24:00
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Days 59 and 60 - Into the Eastern Time Zone
No time to blog again.
Day 59
Schererville to La Porte, IN 44.58 miles
Jennifer 9:29:07
Mike 10:28:29
Day 60
La Porte to Goshen, IN 46.24 miles
Jennifer 10:15:05
Mike 10:29:03
Day 59
Schererville to La Porte, IN 44.58 miles
Jennifer 9:29:07
Mike 10:28:29
Day 60
La Porte to Goshen, IN 46.24 miles
Jennifer 10:15:05
Mike 10:29:03
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Day 58 - Into Indiana; Karen, Rich, and Debbie
Wow - a good weather day and friends can make all the difference in the world. We got sprinkled on a bit today and the humidity was just about 100% all day. I never put on a hat or sunglasses until after finishing the stage since there was good overcast skies until late afternoon. The high was at least 10 degrees lower today as compared to yesterday's high 90s finish temperature. The additional humidity didn't help my feet any as the skin on both feet was more macerated than usual when I was finally able to take off my shoes and socks off after stopping. I sweat a lot - even the feet sweat like crazy.
Karen crewed again today. It was great to see her at the aid stops. Thanks again Karen!!! Rich Limacher (aka The Troubador) biked with Jennifer and I for 30 miles today, and his long time training partner Debbie (who's last name escapes me at this late hour) biked with us for 20 miles. It was great to talk to Rich and Debbie most of the day, and they fearlessly fought off the cars for us on 10 miles of busy Illinois/Indiana roads with little shoulder to get us to the stage finish point at the we-have-it-rough Holiday Inn Express Hotel. Thanks Rich and Debbie for making stage 58 a great one!!! May our paths cross again soon.
I attacked my weight loss by scarfing up hundreds (over a thousand maybe???) of yummy Chili's bottomless chips and salsa calories with my usual ribs order while consuming a large Dairy Queen vanilla shake right after finishing the stage and another one after the large dinner at Chili's. Additionally, I ate more Gu while running than I have been eating during the Run.
Thanks again to my parents and Stephanie for their great crewing also!!!
Joliet, IL to Schererville, IN 41.20 miles - same distance as stage 57
Jennifer 8:37:28
Mike 8:42:47
Karen crewed again today. It was great to see her at the aid stops. Thanks again Karen!!! Rich Limacher (aka The Troubador) biked with Jennifer and I for 30 miles today, and his long time training partner Debbie (who's last name escapes me at this late hour) biked with us for 20 miles. It was great to talk to Rich and Debbie most of the day, and they fearlessly fought off the cars for us on 10 miles of busy Illinois/Indiana roads with little shoulder to get us to the stage finish point at the we-have-it-rough Holiday Inn Express Hotel. Thanks Rich and Debbie for making stage 58 a great one!!! May our paths cross again soon.
I attacked my weight loss by scarfing up hundreds (over a thousand maybe???) of yummy Chili's bottomless chips and salsa calories with my usual ribs order while consuming a large Dairy Queen vanilla shake right after finishing the stage and another one after the large dinner at Chili's. Additionally, I ate more Gu while running than I have been eating during the Run.
Thanks again to my parents and Stephanie for their great crewing also!!!
Joliet, IL to Schererville, IN 41.20 miles - same distance as stage 57
Jennifer 8:37:28
Mike 8:42:47
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Days 56 and 57 - Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail
Day 56
After finishing the eastern end of the Hennepin Canal Towpath Trail we transitioned to road before reaching the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. It was nice to finish at our hotel for the night in Ottawa. I was happy with how I ran fighting off blister and foot pain and the heat and humidity.
Day 57
We were on the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail all day today. High heat and humidity took its toll on the body and it was a tough day. Thankfully the blisters didn't bother me too much today. It was great to see Karen again since we last saw her in Spokane! Karen crewed for me most of the day giving my parents a little crew break. After finishing today we all went back to Karen's for dinner and our first night not at a hotel since before the Run started. I weighed myself six times on two different scales before eating dinner and I have lost much more weight than I figured and apparently now weigh about 161 pounds - well at least before the spaghetti dinner. Yes, I will consume even more calories - two dinners every night needs to be the norm.
Ottawa to Joliet, IL 41.20 miles
Jennifer 8:44:52
Mike 8:57:00
After finishing the eastern end of the Hennepin Canal Towpath Trail we transitioned to road before reaching the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. It was nice to finish at our hotel for the night in Ottawa. I was happy with how I ran fighting off blister and foot pain and the heat and humidity.
Day 57
We were on the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail all day today. High heat and humidity took its toll on the body and it was a tough day. Thankfully the blisters didn't bother me too much today. It was great to see Karen again since we last saw her in Spokane! Karen crewed for me most of the day giving my parents a little crew break. After finishing today we all went back to Karen's for dinner and our first night not at a hotel since before the Run started. I weighed myself six times on two different scales before eating dinner and I have lost much more weight than I figured and apparently now weigh about 161 pounds - well at least before the spaghetti dinner. Yes, I will consume even more calories - two dinners every night needs to be the norm.
Ottawa to Joliet, IL 41.20 miles
Jennifer 8:44:52
Mike 8:57:00
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Day 56 - Blisters
No time to blog.
Princeton to Ottawa, IL 43.59 miles
Jennifer 8:56:40
Mike 9:01:20
Princeton to Ottawa, IL 43.59 miles
Jennifer 8:56:40
Mike 9:01:20
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