Des Linden

Des Linden won the Boston marathon today, battling opponents as well as a strong headwind and light-heavy rain for the entire race. She came from 30 seconds behind to take the lead around 22 miles.
Des even slowed down around the twelve mile point to wait for fellow runner Shalane Flanagan, who needed a port-a-potty stop. Des wanted to help pace Shalane back to the lead group of ten women. She didn't feel well herself at that time and thought she might be dropping out soon, so why not wait?
Evidently Des's training really kicked in and she was able to claw her way to the victor's stand.
This is a quote I found on Twitter from Des;

 I think many of us can identify with these feelings. It's nice to hear a world class runner saying it. Des become the first American woman to win the race in 33 years. Hey, she's even a coffee aficionado, whiskey connoisseur, and book nerd.What's not to like?

Mulligrubs

My favorite new word, from the Oxford English Dictionary “word of the day” on Twitter. Mulligrubs – A state of depression; low spirits. Also: a bad temper or mood. 

It’s highly possible I’ve been fighting the mulligrubs for several months. Coming off three months in late 2017 without being able to run due to injury, it was tough to get going again in the depths of winter. I was hesitant about running on snowy roads. I switched between the treadmill, running on a short indoor track and outdoors. My original goals for early 2018 seemed to be slipping away. My running pace was abhorrent, at least a minute slower per mile for any distance even when compared to 2017. 

In late February the weather changed drastically (for the better) and I actually got outside more. Hope entered my mind. Then March came along, colder, snowier, and windier than any March in recent history. I went further down into mulligrubs. 

Sure, there were some positives. I lost 9-10 pounds, which was desperately needed. I still have to get at least five more pounds off, and they aren’t letting go easily. It’s now early April, the weather still sucks and spring is just a dream. A six mile run is long for me and my pace is still sloth-like.

I am physically fit, especially for an old man. I do some running, biking (indoors), swimming and weightlifting. I’m happy to be fairly healthy and able to do the activities I enjoy. But I am not race ready, not even close. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to run a decent race again. 

We are fortunate to have an active running community with many opportunities to race on roads or trails. I constantly look at race calendars and think, yeah, I should sign up now for that race. I could finish a sprint triathlon right now, today, after work. Finish, yes, compete, even against previous times of mine, no.So why bother planning ahead and spending the money? 

I hope the sun and warmth come back to western NY and my mulligrubs disappear and real training begins.