Breakfast Burritos and Bloody Good Runs

I really hit the running hard this holiday weekend. Saturday I did 15 miles of hills, yesterday 25 miles of hills, and this morning I enjoyed a very nice 11 miles around Stratford/Scenic Dr. That gives me 51 miles for the holiday weekend and takes me over 200 for the month. It's been a while since I went over that landmark.

I woke up this morning a little stiff courtesy of Ladera Norte, but this run was exactly what I needed to stretch the sore muscles out. And after the last few days the hills of Stratford Dr seemed very easy!!! I ran with a couple of road buddies who ensured we kept to a good pace, and we enjoyed a beautiful morning (though a little humid). The longer we went the better I felt and it was a good feeling to cruise through the last few miles while enjoying the company of friends, the effortless energy of a good rhythm and the feel of the pavement passing easily and swiftly beneath my feet.

When I got home I wanted something quick, so I cooked up one of my favorite runner's breakfasts. This thing can be made start-to-finish in less than 5 minutes and fills you up nicely, which makes it ideal when you're in a rush after a midweek early morning run.


Mark's Quick Breakfast Burrito (serves 1 hungry runner)

2 pieces extra lean turkey bacon
2 extra large eggs (can substitute egg whites)
Reduced fat cheddar cheese
Plain yogurt
1 8" tortilla

1. Microwave the bacon until crisp (about 1 minute 45 seconds).

2. While they're on the go, crack the 2 eggs into a small microwavable container and beat with a fork.

3. Microwave eggs for 45 seconds. Stir and microwave for another 45 seconds or until just set (note: this is absolutely the best way to cook scrambled eggs).

4. Microwave the tortilla for 30 seconds. While this is going, chop the eggs roughly with a fork.

5. Put the tortilla on a plate. Add the 2 pieces of bacon to the center, and top with the scrambled egg.

6. Add cheese and spoon yogurt (or sour cream or guacamole) over the top.

7. Fold up the bottom of the tortilla and wrap both sides around.

Enjoy!!!

Rainy Days

The rains came through Austin this afternoon, bringing thunder and lightning with them. I love afternoons like this - there's something about the rhythm of the rain that soothes my soul. So I stacked Tom Waits' Closing Time onto the jukebox and mellowed out. I don't think I can adequately describe the effect this combination has on me so I'm not even going to try, suffice to say it's the perfect setting for sitting in the dark and reflecting on days gone by. His voice is not quite as "gravelly" as some of his later work, but haunting nevertheless (interestingly, if you listen to some of Louis Armstrong's early stuff that famous gravelly voice is also missing).

Like any long distance runner I need that "alone" time (though that doesn't necessarily mean I need to be alone - sitting on the porch swing with my arm around my little boy watching the rain come down definitely counts). And like most ultra runners I have places I can go to in my head during a long run. Sometimes it's nice to visit them at other times just to hang out for awhile, and the lonely sound of a jazz trumpet solo is the quickest means of transport I know.

This morning it wasn't raining and I had the pleasure of running with a good buddy who happened to be in town. We did 15 miles of hills and enjoyed catching up. I have noticed that continually running that 10 mile Ladera Norte loop is definitely having an effect - it's getting a lot easier. 25 miles of hills are on the radar for tomorrow and 11 miles around Stratford/Scenic Dr (with a super fast road buddy) are set for Monday. Good times.


PS. I'm still feeling mellow but that may now be partly due to the excellent "Pine Belt" ale from last week's Sweaty Twenty.

PPS. I love the rain, but I hope it stops long enough for me to get the brisket going tomorrow night.

Throwdown

I am very cheeky - it is one of my defining characteristics (and one I seem to have passed down to Gavin). Which is why I challenged a bunch of the guys from work to a barbecue throwdown this memorial weekend. We will make our choice of ribs, brisket or pork and bring them in on Tuesday for a blind taste test. Yes, it's just an excuse to sample lots of good barbecue and we have about 8 participants. And there's no downside for me - as I pointed out to them, this is Texas barbecue and they can't possibly let a left-handed Welshman win!!!

We shall see though - I make a mean smokey brisket.

Can I bottle this weather?

Today was my triple header of hill runs - two 10 mile loops of the Ladera Norte monsters, with 5 miles of the Bull Creek trails inbetween. I got to the dogpark at 5am and met up with Roger, Stephanie and David for road loop number one. The temperature was wonderful - perfect for running - and there was a cool breeze blowing. What a difference a week makes!!! It was one of those days that I felt really strong - we set a lively pace, took the uphills in our stride and made hay on the flats and downs.

We got done in good time for the trail portion and were joined by Marcia, Gabe, Janice, Jeff F and Robert. I hadn't seen Jeff F in a while and it was great to catch up with him.

I knew when I left the house that I had forgotten something, and it turned out that something was my trail shoes. The trails were pretty slippery after all yesterday's rain, and I held back a little because I was slip sliding all over the place in my road shoes. Nevertheless it was a good run and broke up the road sections wonderfully.

The last loop of 10 miles road was down to me, Roger and Stephanie - and by the end it was just Stephanie and myself. We hadn't run together very much, so we had a great time chatting and getting to know each other. She shared some great stories about her time living in London, in particular a trip to a "traditional sports" festival in the Cotswalds (I still can't believe they had a "shin kicking" contest - that's hilarious).

I felt so strong for all of this loop, which really surprised me. I just didn't get tired today, and took on some of the monster hills - even managing to run most of the way up Smokey Valley (which made my day). I guess hill running is like anything else - the more you do of it, the better you get.

So I was very pleased with my weekend - 42 miles of good hilly running. To top it all off, when I got home Nancy had made some of Ashlee's lemon yogurt cake which was super yummy and really hit the spot (though I suspect it was partly a bribe to get me going on the "honey do" list).

Whatever, it was a nice end to a fine weekend.

Pictures from the "Sweaty Twenty"

Meghan, Steve and Clea

me, Steve and Clea

These are the pictures from this morning's "Sweaty Twenty" run at Bastrop State Park (which actually finished anywhere between "Sweaty Fifteen" and "Sweaty Seventeen" for various participants). Four of us signed up for this "odyssey through the pines" which meanders up and down the rolling hills of the park road between Bastrop and Buescher State parks. This was planned as a fun run and it certainly lived up to its billing - the pace was relaxed, the group was fun, the scenery beautiful and a good time was had by all. Plenty of good conversation and laughs made it worth the early morning alarm clock.

At the end Clea had some "finishers awards" for us - a four pack of "Southern Star Pine Belt" pale ale each for Steve and myself and a nice bottle of wine for Meghan. I have two of them in the fridge and will enjoy them with supper. Much appreciated Clea.

(Incidentally, I thought the pine reference was very appropriate, but I just read the description on the side of the can and it is brewed using "high quality American two row and choice British crystal malts". So doubly appropriate - God save the Queen and God bless America!!!)

And best of all, we made it home before the storms hit, bringing torrential rain, thunder and lightning with them.

Although some people kinda enjoyed them!!!

Nancy and Gavin - the rain dancers

As for me, I'm off to enjoy some of the brownies that Nancy and Gavin made this morning. Tomorrow I have 25 miles of hills lined up and a super early start.

That may not be quite so much fun.

Much Better

I didn't want to get up when my alarm clock went off this morning, but I'm so glad I did. Gone was the humidity, and in its place was a lovely cool breeze and it was so much nicer to run. I could feel the stiffness in my legs ebbing away.

Then this evening I ran at the greenbelt with the HCTR Wednesday night group. The weather was fantastic - we stopped at one point and I actually got a little chilly. I felt so good I even ran up the Hill of Life at the end. I know it's only a temporary respite, but it's very welcome.

59 miles run this week, and a lot of them up and down hills. That's more than I've run in quite a while - I'll take it.