Saturday's training run leaves the TCU area at 4 a.m. Who's with me?

The reality of Heartland is sinking in. I've got 10 weekends until the run. That's two and a half months before I attempt (again) to run 100 miles. I have a lot of preparation to do. Here is the schedule leading up to the Kansas run:

Saturday, August 1
30 miles

Sunday, August 2
10 miles

Thursday, August 6
26 miles

Friday, August 7
10 miles

Saturday, August 15
28 miles

Sunday, August 16
10 miles

Saturday, August 22
30 miles

Sunday, August 23
10 miles

Saturday, August 29
32 miles

Sunday, August 30
10 milesSaturday, September 5
34 miles

Sunday, September 6
10 miles

Friday, September 11
26 miles

Saturday, September 19
20 miles

Sunday, September 20
10 miles

Saturday, September 26
14 miles

Sunday, September 27
6 miles

Saturday, October 3
8 miles

Sunday, October 4
4 miles

Saturday, October 10
100 miles - HEARTLAND

The weather gods hate me.

All week, it has been (relatively) cool. Temperatures have stayed (mostly) below 90 degrees. We've had several gentle rain showers. It has been grand.

Of course, I did not have a 30 mile run planned during the week. Instead, my 5 hour trek around Fort Worth takes place tomorrow. And, naturally, the predicted forecast has the mercury soaring into triple digits.

Why have I offended thee?

"What is a two-way petting zoo?"

"You pet the animals, they pet you back."

Classic.

El Scorcho Tres from Ryan Valdez on Vimeo.

Just five hours until the start of El Scorcho Tres. It's hard to believe how big our midnight 50km has become. This year, we have more than 500 registered entrants ready to run from 12:01 a.m. until 7 a.m. It's a lot of work putting on this race, and Jim, James, Jason, and I put in the hours (and then some) to make it happen. Good luck to all the runners! And if you find yourself with some time to kill in the wee hours of the morning, swing by Trinity Park and join the party.

Good luck to John (and everyone else) running the Hardrock Hundred this weekend. You guys are impressive. I will do a paltry 22 mile run tomorrow in your honor, and I will try to keep my bitching about the heat to a minimum in light of the distance, altitude, and terrain you will be traversing this weekend.

For those of you who aren't aware (and I certainly was not until recently), Hardrock is a 100 mile run with 33,000 feet of climb, mostly at 10,000 to 13,000 feet elevation. The highest point is 14,048 feet. Holy crapola.

Here are some pics I found on the web. These are actual shots of folks running Hardrock. Let me say it again: HOLY CRAPOLA.

Vaya con Dios, amigos.

Taffy's Marathon from Ryan Valdez on Vimeo.

It's 3:16 am.

I suppose it's time to go for a 26.2 mile run.

I should seek mental help.

Anybody want to join Jballs, Taffy, and me for an unofficial marathon Friday morning beginning at 4:00 am?