Running Up a Hill and Down a Dream

Beer #183 Southern Hemisphere Harvest / Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA

Today was spent with a little 5k.  I know what you're thinking; 5k doesn't sound very hard, 25 minutes of running or so and you're wrapped up.  WRONG.  Try a 5k trail run through the deep woods, at 2pm on a 90 degree day, with murderous hills, blazing sun when you ran through the fields, and then more murderous hills just when you've near given up.  Even the downhills weren't fun, because your legs were so chewed up from the uphills, it was hard to control speed going down.  Clearly, this race needs to be run in May, or possibly at 8am.  I mean, I'd have beers at 9am post run - wouldn't you?  The good news?  Our friend Kelli and I made it through in record *cough, notexactly, cough* time, and we got to see and run with a number of other friends.  Plus, free beer post-race, courtesy of Victory Brewing Company, the primary event sponsor.  And special thanks to Marci, who served as our crew for this one!

Only regret?  The one water station on the course had beer, but we blew past it because we felt good (and didn't know it had beer).  Could have run faster with a mid-run beer, I think.  Anyway, this was the first time I've put a race bib on since July of 2010.  I took some time off due to injuries, plus some additional time due to laziness, but it feels good to be back.  Reaffirms my plan to run another ultra-marathon in 2013.  Oh, indeed.

The best way to celebrate a big accomplishment on the field of battle is with beer.  There were some free beers from Victory on draft for everyone there, but seeing how we already crossed them off our list we ventured to TJ's to sit on their comfy chairs and continue unwinding.  Tonight's beer is the Southern Hemisphere, an IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.  Yes, we're crossing a California beer off the list right before we actually go to California, but based on it's readily available status at home, I don't feel too worried about this.  In the glass, this beer shows off a copper color in the glass, with a lingering white head.  You pick up a lemony citrus on the nose, and when you drink this you get pine, hop bitterness, sweet malt and lemon.  There are flavors of tea in there as well, which is a nice addition to this brew.  Very well done here - definitely check it out if you get a chance.

All the gold medal I need, thank you very much

Sierra Nevada has been brewing since 1980, and is one of the true pioneers of the craft beer movement.  Great beers all around, regardless of whether you're drinking them in California or not.

Thing to Think About Today:
Even though the race was short but challenging, I loved it.  Felt good to be out there.  If we're thinking about running, then let's have Tom Petty send us to the ice bath with Running Down a Dream.  Pretty sure this song/video has nothing to do with running, but it's a great song, and you're bound to be in a good mood if you listen to this - running up hill be damned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1D3a5eDJIs

"Felt so good/Like anything was possible..."

Dancing Elephants with a Huggy Bear Cameo

Beer # 79 Delirium Tremens / Brouwerij Huyghe, Melle, Belgium


Today was a Monday, and let's leave it at that.  Marci thinks she's getting sick, we're having soup for dinner, I picked up new running shoes.  Yes, another pair of Saucony Triumphs, and no, they're not neon orange.  Let's just leave it at that and get to the bottom of a glass of beer, shall we?

And what a fine beer indeed - Delirium Tremens from the good people at Brouwerij Huyghe in (guess where?) Belgium.  Another brewery Marci has already crossed off her list, so I'm catching up here.  Before you even get to the beer, you notice the unusual opaque bottle with a pink elephant dancing gracefully on the label.  This beer pours a clear pale gold color, and while the aroma isn't overpowering, there's a light, fruit scent on the nose.  The taste brings a pleasant mix of malt, yeast, and a peppery spice on the finish.   The aroma isn't overpowering, but has a light fruit nose.  There are banana notes along the way, and a light, effervescent finish.  You barely notice the 9% ABV, which is mildly dangerous, as I could drink this beer all day.  Every day.  Which is why it's headed for my Top 25 list, people.  Also important to note, this brewery has been in operation since 1654, which astounds me with its awesomeness.

I neglected to take a picture of my beer, so here's a picture of my new shoes.  What up.

Thing to Think About Today:
Thought about making some form of Huggy Bear reference to play on the Huyghe brewery name, but that didn't seem quite right, despite how awesome Huggy Bear was on Starsky & Hutch.

Huyghe Bear?  Play on, playa.

So instead, in the spirit of the beer name, let's get delirious.  Eddie Murphy's Delirious.  Possibly the greatest comedian ever, at the absolute zenith of his career.   I mean, he did this comedy special in A RED LEATHER SUIT, with the jacked unzipped to his navel.  You can't get away with that unless you're a gigantic, glowing star.  Clearly, this isn't safe for work, unless your employer looooves profanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JfMCBh1sJQ

ICE CREAAAAAAMMMM!!

I'm Not Lazy, I'm Just Resting (a lot)

Beer #35 Halcyon / Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell, England
I wish I had some profound story of today to share with you, some mystical tale of how my day included things wonderful and profound.  I wish.  Instead my day was spent being lazy and relaxing.  The only excitement was Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast and the dogs barking at the mailman (all junk mail - even the US mail isn't exciting today).  Maybe sitting down to write will spark some energy to do more than sit on the couch.  Or maybe I'll just enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.

Today we spend some time with Halycon, an IPA from Thornbridge.  The beer pours a clear, golden straw color, and has a mellow grapefruit nose followed up by a nice hop bite.  The right amount of bitter without an overpowering hop flavor. The Brits invented the pale ale, and they definitely do it up right.

Not sure if this beer inspires thoughts of calm or the good old days like the Halcyon name implies; to me, it inspires thoughts of great beer.  In addition to sours, saisons, and the various varities of pale ales, I'm also a big fan of ESBs, and it looks like Thornbridge has a version I'd like to sample in the future.

Thing to Think About Today:
While I was sleeping in today, elite runners were competing in Houston for the right to represent our country in the 2012 Olympic Marathon. These guys run a marathon about as fast as I can run a half marathon, which always warps my mind.  If we're thinking about running today, I'll stop and share a band I very much enjoy who sings a song that references running - and it brings a great pounding soundtrack for your run, particularly if you're climbing some steep, long hills.

Without further adieu, I present Wolf Parade's You are A Runner and I Am My Father's Son:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkJKpja8EVQ

Sadly, it doesn't appear they made an official video for this song, so you get a live version & homemade video.  Want an official video of another song?  Also check their video for I'll Believe in Anything (who doesn't love alt rock videos prominentently featuring pistol duels set in Victorian England?)

Decisions running through my head

Beer #8: Vicaris Generaal / Brouwerij Dilewyns, East Flanders, Belgium
Great day that started with a long walk by the river in Valley Forge. Only people out were some folks walking their dog - we brought Flash, but not the other two - and some dedicated runners.  Which made me realize I need to make a decision and make it fast: whether or not to sign up and run another 24 hour ultramathon next year.  Having run two 24 hour races in the past three years, it's time to put up or shut up for running one in 2012.  The upside is the race is an awesome adventure; running 50+ miles is something most sane people don't bother attempting.  The downside is the seemingly endless training. I love running, but I don't always love the amount of time I need to dedicate.  Plus, some of my fellow runners aren't running it this year, which is a downer.  Need to figure this out, and fast.

On to the beer.  Keeping with the Belgian theme (and I'll be spending a lot of time with Belgian beers this year), the next beer is another Belgian I wasn't familiar with, the Vicaris Generaal.  The beer has a reddish brown hue, and a rich, malty taste. The flavor is actually lighter than the dark color would imply.  Just a hint of sweetness, but nothing too overwhelming.  Plus, their logo is what appears to be a blue horse with a rocket pack.  Nice!  Very solid beer choice, and I feel like I'm back on track after yesterday's clunker.

Thing to Think About Today:
Caught the new Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows film - absolutely loved it.  Just as good as the last one, if not better.  Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law nail their roles, as does the guy who also plays the British guy on Mad Men.  You know... him.  However, let's think back to an earlier time, when Robert Downey Jr was just on the cusp of stardom.  Back to School?  HILARIOUS.  Johnny Be Good?  SURE!  Weird Science?  YES!  How was he playing second banana to Anthony Michael Hall in not one, but two movies?  Damn the 80s were strange.

How many sit-ups is that?

Beer #4: Philadelphia Pale Ale/ Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia PA

Another day in December, another holiday party.  Like all Americans, this season challenges my waistline with baked goods, parties, and drinks.  The eating gets compounded with less sleep which leads to less desire to wake up and run in the morning.  Embarking on a beer challenge isn't exactly going to help my desire to not gain an extra ten (or fifteen) pounds this winter.

The average beer has about 150-200 calories per 12oz serving.  That number tends to go up significantly for beers with higher alcohol content, and let's face it: I often have more than 12 ounces per day and they're often strong.  Round that number up to 300 calories per day and some quick math suggests that over the year, I'll be adding over 109,500 calories to my diet through beer alone.  Probably waaaay more.  

So I was already going to consume a bunch of beer throughout the year, but damn: 100,000+ calories sounds like a BIG number.  Sounds like motivation to get up and run tomorrow morning, regardless of how tired I might feel.  Sigh.

Tonight's function was at a bar with some decent local brews on draft, so I chose a pale ale from Yards Brewing Company.  Nice pale ale that could be a bit hoppier for my taste, but definitely a solid choice.  I actually prefer their Extra Special Ale, if given my druthers.  Marci was at a separate function, and curiously enough also chose a Yards beer.  Clearly a demonstration of our telepathic connection.

Thing to Think About Today:

I'll be pulling a pair of these bad boys on tomorrow morning to try and wipe a few hundred calories off the ledger: a pair of Vizi-Pro orange Saucony ProGrid Triumph 8s.  Mildly overweight guy in day-glo orange shoes?  Aw, yeah.  If you're in the market for a neutral cushioned, plush yet responsive running shoe, look no further. Get a pair in neon orange and easily shave a minute or two off your pace.  Might burn a few extra calories in the process....