The following is in response to a post from The Dirtbag Diaries facebook fan page:

Funny this topic should come up, because this was one of the dominant ruminations on my run yesterday.  I began to trace back through my life and try to peg down a day or moment where I could say, “on that day, I truly became a Dirtbag”, although at that time the term wouldn’t have really meant anything to me.  As I passed cold, quick running streams and observed the quaint German countryside around me, I continued to evaluate my life from a perceived subjective perspective.  Then it slowly occurred to me, that there was no real moment, no defining day or trip that irrevocably changed my life for the Dirtbag.  This is because I have always been outdoors.  My Dad proudly tells me that my first camping outing when was I was 9 months old.  However, a camping outing with my family wasn’t like an orthodox camping outing that might come to most people’s minds.  My Dad was (and still is) an enthusiastic living history reenactor.  Even to the world of the Dirtbag, this term problem means nothing to most of us.  But for me growing up, I learned about using flint to start a fire, how to throw a knife, how to tie knots and what was being asked of me if requested to fetch “some kittlin’”.  I did all this in clothing that hadn’t been dawned since the turn of the 19th century and loved every second of it.  I built friendships with children whose parents also took them along on these camping rendezvous every summer.  We swam in rivers, participated in hatchet throwing competitions and collected local snake specimen. 

As I got older, my interest in living history camping waned, as it wasn’t deemed “cool” by my 20th century peers.  I got more involved in soccer, girls and “conventional” teenage pastimes, but I would still sneak out to Fort Atkinson near Omaha, NE to visit my Dirtbag roots with my Dad.   I enjoyed waking up with the sun and having a simple bowl of oatmeal sweetened with raw sugar and a cup of black Early Grey tea.  Sometimes our days would be filled with teaching visitors about the intricate nature of daily solider drills at the peak of the Fort’s usage in 1820 and some days we’d just sit around and enjoy the long summer days.  At night, we’d drink beer or gin, play guitar, mandolin, and fiddle and sing until the wee hours of the morning. 

When I graduated high school in my hometown of Council Bluffs, IA, I headed straight for the mountains of Wyoming in pursuit of snowboarding, mountain biking and camping.  4 glorious years of dirtbagish lifestyle ensued, filled with days of working at the local ski resort as a snowboard instructor and long nights drinking pitchers of Sierra Nevada or Fat Tire beer with friends that I’ve sadly lost contact with over the years.  In the summer, I flirted with climbing at one of the most prominent climbing areas in the region, Veduwoo.  Although I never did much more than bouldering and free climbing, it still offered an escape from the drone of studying Monday-Friday. 

In spring of 2005, I decided a trip abroad was in order and packed my bags and headed to Bavaria for a year.  I willingly hiked trails in the heart of forests that our grandfathers trudged through in order to spurge Europe of fascism.  I paddled down streams that snaked through valleys crowned with medieval castles.  I met enthusiastic dirtbags from a different culture and loved every minute of it. 

I met my wife during this experience and promptly (albeit it bit unexpectedly) set up a family and have spent most of the last 3 years in Germany.  The run that I just concluded is part of training for a 13 km trail race in a week and in the beginning of June, I’m doing a 2-day 180 km bike ride through the local national park.  As my children grow up, I look forward to giving them the same opportunities I had to enjoy and experience the outdoors.  Now as I look around my apartment, the traces of dirtbag are sprinkled throughout a domestic existence.  A mountain bike in the corner with a Camelback hanging from the handlebars.  A pair of trail running shoes lazily thrown to the side in the hallway.  A Macpac backpack that’s been my right arm throughout many outdoor and international excursions, sunglasses with interchangable lens, a few pieces of rope here and there.  Of yeah, the dirtbag lifestyle is very much alive in me and doesn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon.  Regardless of the time period, environmental surroundings, and friends along the way, my life has been enriched every step of the way with an active, gritty lifestyle that I wouldn’t trade for every comfort of conventional domestic lifestyle.

Week 12 Recap

Biking Miles: 68 (109,4 km)

Running Miles: ~10 (16 km)

The weather here hasn’t been the best, but it hasn’t been so miserable that it’s a valid excuse for my lack of running miles.  I figure that about half of my biking miles are going to be commutes, but that number may fluctuate as well.  My bike has been riding well though and there are just a few minor tweaks that need to made, as well as a few new components that need to be added.  I really need clipless pedals before my 2 day race in June and most likely new tires within the next 200-300 miles.  Not huge costs, but still things to keep in mind for the future. 

Unfortunately I only got 2 runs in again this week.  One was a base run to Naegelstedt on Friday and the other was a recovery run this afternoon with a circle route near home.  On the advice of the book I’ve been reading, the run to Naegelstedt was a bit higher pace than I’m used to, but I was able to make a good run out of it and was encouraging.  The recovery run was exactly what it sounds like, an easy paced Sunday run.  I also took a bike ride yesterday that totaled about 25 miles.  This started in Bad Langensalza and went through part of the Hainich Forest.  I would estimate about 60% of the ride was on paved paths and the rest on gravel and trails, so not a terrible combination, but all trails would obviously be ideal.  I’ll try to get some pictures here i the next few weeks, when things start blooming and getting green.    

Next week is the 13 km Steigerlauf race in Erfurt.  As I mentioned before, I wish I had trained a bit more diligently the past 10 days, but I keep trying to tell myself that this is just a warm up race and to have fun, but we’ll see how it pans out.  This coming week I have only one tempo day planned and a couple of base runs and a recovery run.  That should bring me right up to Sunday’s race.  

Hmm, not much else going on.  Still looking forward to true Spring weather and some nice, long riding days.  Have a good week!

Anywho, I’ll be switching up my training a bit after some recent reading and research.  I’m already a few chapters into a fabulous book by Bob Glover and Shelly-Lynn Florence Glover called “The Competitive Runner’s Handbook”.  Although my interest in running is only a fairly recent development, it’s still an interesting read for anyone involved in competitive sport.  I have a feeling as the weather gets warmer, I may focus more on biking, but that remains to be seen and at the moment I’m just enjoying being able to get out as often as possible. 

I want to enhance my own progress, as well as the blog as much as possible and therefore have decided that every Sunday (or so) I’ll post quickly about how many miles/kilometers I have covered each week.  Along with that I’ll post any music, books, websites I’ve found helpful recently.  I also decided to try to set down some loose goals for myself.  I’m going to try to cover 150 km (approx. 93 miles) each week between biking and running.  Note this number will include my weekly commute, as well as training distances.  I reckon about 2/3 to 3/4 of that will be covered with my bike, but as I prepare for different events, I’m sure that will vary.  Again, I’ll post each week with how much I’ve covered.  Well, with that in mind, I’ll go ahead and post again on Sunday with my current bike mileage, as well as my running mileage.  Have a good weekend, enjoy the madness that comes with March basketball.  (I know I will be)

So, my bike has been in suitable riding condition for just over 48 hours now and I’ve already put over 40 miles (64 km) on it.  There are still some minor tweaks that I need to iron out before I start doing any serious riding, but for simple commuting and checking out the trails around home, it’s been a blast riding around again.  The weather has been decent and it’s starting to finally feel like Spring may be arriving in Germany.  Unfortunately I haven’t got many runs in lately, but I’m hoping to change that with an active weekend at home in Bad Langensalza.  Below are some quick shots I took of my new commute to work and around town.  Hopefully I’ll be able to post again later this weekend when I have a bit more time.  

My bike came earlier this week.  I haven’t been on a ride yet, as I’ve had a couple set backs while putting it back together, but on Sunday evening or Monday morning I’ll go into the details from that, along with pictures.  I’m also hoping to get some pictures of the pleasant scenery I enjoy here while I’m training, but like I said, all in good time.  In the meantime, have a great weekend and get outdoors if you’re in Germany, it’s supposed to be 13 degrees and sunny on Saturday!

Behold the Steiger (Pizza) Lauf in Erfurt on March 29th, (Happy Birthday, Danny!)  It’s the first race in the Erfurt running series, which I’m thinking about competing in all 4 races.  Here’s the website, the link given is for pictures of the last races.  http://www.ltv-erfurt.de/index.php?iid=3-4&ksubmit_show=fotos

It’s a 12,7 km trail race and I’m aiming to finish at just under 1 hour.  I’m using this race more as a training race and benchmark for the rest of the season, as opposed to an actual competition.  I talked to my friend Marco and he said that the event is usually a really good early season race.  I’m aiming for about a 4:32 min/km.  Admittedly a rather slow race pace, but again this is my first organized event in years and I’m really just curious to see how I place.  Nonetheless, if I finish under my stated goal, I should place in the top third of the field, which would be a minor acheivement, considering my relatively little experience.  If you check the website, you can see all the times from past races under the field “Ergebnisse”.  ”Streckenskizze”  is the course outlay and topographical maps.

I went for on a 14km mix road/trail run on Sunday.  A pretty decent base run on an early Spring day.  The weather started off decent, but towards the end of the run began to get a bit breezy and rainy.  I’m going to try to get a nice tempo run in today, but that depends completely on the weather.  In the meantime, I’ll keep you posted with any updates and changes.

As most of you know, I’m currently living in Thuringa, Germany, which is basically smack dab in the middle of the country.  The landscape is very pleasant in a quaint sort of way.  With rolling hills and an abundance of forest, it reminds me of a mix between Iowa and Idaho.  My last couple runs around the area, I’ve been able to find some singletrack that look like they may have potential come Spring.  

Finally, as I mentioned in my previous post, I am starting to get back into the swing of my blog, as I now have Internet at home again and am able to post more regularly.  I would like to thank Gary at www.doingstuffoutdoors.com for the mention on his latest podcast.  As I’ve expressed in earlier posts on this blog, I feel that he has one of the most comprehensive, interesting outdoors podcasts out there and just having the mention is an honor.  So, stay in touch here with me and I’ll keep you informed about all that is the active outdoors and lifestyle in Thuringa, Germany.

Wow, it’s been a really hectic few weeks as well, but somehow I don’t have terribly much to report.  I’ve been on the move almost constantly for the last 3 weeks between Bad Langensalza and Grimma.  Nonetheless I’ve been able to get some training in and I’m really starting to feel more fit.  I’ve begun an actual “training schedule” and so far I’ve already been able to reap the benefits.  I usually do one long run a week, one tempo run, and one anaerobic exercise (like football).  Depending on the weather, I have been able to get a couple 4 day weeks as well, but for the most part the weather has been grim to say the least and thus, mostly 3 day training weeks. 

I’ve also taken a newfound affinity to coffee.   I really like a larte cup of coffee in the morning while watching the news.  I don’t know why I’m including this in my post, but I felt it needed to be said.  So, let the record show, I like Dallmyer coffee with 1 and a half sugar and milk.

After reading this controversial introduction, you’re certainly begging to differ with me and pleading with your computer to present your defense:  ”But, Graham, the Mini is a British icon, right up there with the The London Bridge and Fish and Chips!   How can you possibly postulate that it is possibly the worst piece of engineering to come out of the UK?”  Well keep your britches on, as I said, I plan to elaborate on this matter.

#1 Lower back

This is the first section of the human anatomy that is likely to feel the adverse effects of the lack of shocks and struts in the Mini.  After a brief 5 minute ride, the passenger will already begin to notice a sensation that resembles that of having a baseball placed squarely behind the small of your back.  After another 15 minutes, severe cramping will set in, leaving said passenger begging to be drawn (but not quartered, thank you very much) by the fiercest stallions in the village.  Finally after a normal day’s commute, our heroic traveler will be left all but incapacitated by the jarring journey.  

# 2 The Neck and Shoulders

While designing the Mini Rover, the engineers apparently used the approximate model height of the average human in the year of our Lord 1237.  What I mean to say is that the height and proportions of this car are not appropriate for anyone larger than about 5’3″ (161cm).  The first time you fully realize this half-witted engineering folly is at a stop light.  The driver is then forced to crane his or her neck in a manner that had only been thought of possible with flamingos up until the invention of this automobile.   While in motion, the shoulders are busy attempting to control the wheel of this Mini-devil while shifting gears, as it was thoughtfully unequipped without power steering.  Upon exit of the vehicle, the driver often resembles a modern day Quasimodo.  

# 3 The Legs

Again, this problem concerns mainly the driver of the vehicle, as you must first fold yourself together to resemble a “N” before entering the Mini.  After this is achieved, you must keep in mind that you must hold this artful pose that would impress most yoga masters for the duration of your journey.  However, an automatic was not an option for these diabolical engineers and you must navigate your legs through the maze of body and metal in order operate the clutch.  

Now with these drawbacks clearly laid out for the reader, it should be noted that there is certain niches that the Mini was intended for.  I have compiled a short list for you:  acrobats, midgets, contortionists, clowns, people under 5′, baseball catchers, and Dick Cheney (just because I despise the man).  However for the rest of the population the Mini is merely a cheeky automobile with the driver’s frustration in mind.  That being said, I’m happy to have a car at all and am looking forward to all the experiences the Mini and I are sure to have in the future.

First off, I need to warn my readers (all 4 of you) of something about international moves.  Don’t plan on taking anything larger than a backpack with you unless you plan on taking out a new mortgage.  Let me explain:  I have a mountain bike back home.  I love it, it has solid components, good frame design, and I’ve put in enough miles on it already that it holds a special place in my heart, right next to my vintage CCCP flask and affinity for Burger King.  It needs to come over with me, as I could use it for my daily commute between lessons and more importantly there are a couple races I would like to participate in this summer.  For more info on that, check out this website. There’s some pictures there and if you can read German, some info as well about the race.  But I digress…  So about 2 months ago, I mentioned to my parents that it would be a nice Christmas present to “simply” help me send the bike over.  Now the saga begins.  First my Dad (bless his heart) takes it to the bike shop, where a friend of mine back home begins researching different methods of sending it over the pond and estimating costs.  After calculating costs for UPS and FedEx and looking into either sending the wheels separate from the frame or sending the whole thing at once, we find out that the lowest price would be in the neighborhood of $330.  Seems a bit steep, especially considering we need to pay to have it taken apart on top of that, so my Dad asks around at his old stomping grounds about whether they could send it by freight.  This seems a bit more promising and they quote us at about $200 and I’d have to pick up the bike in Frankfurt, Berlin, Leipzig or maybe Shanghai.  Well anyways, this is certainly not the last of the bike saga, so I’ll be sure to keep you posted, as I’m sure this whole narrative has kept you on the edge of your seat.

It’s been a decent 2 weeks of training, considering 2 Fridays ago I was a bit occupied discovering the jewel of a club in the heart of Mühlhausen. (See pictures)  The following Saturday I set out exploring the lore of the “Eulenspiegel” bar, located in beautiful Bad Langensalza.  I’m not thinking of building a summer cabin near either location, but both provided adequate entertainment for a blistery weekend in January with good friends.  I spent last weekend in Grimma taking care of Brooke and Lenni, while Anna was, for all tense and purposes, bed-ridden with a nasty flu.  Nonetheless, I’ve been slowly extending the length and durations of my runs, which is promising.  Once my bike gets here, I’m really looking forward to a noticeable increase in my fitness level.

So, like I mentioned earlier, I’m hoping to post more regularly here and at some point post some more pictures as well.  The pictures I posted today are courtesy of my good friend Sarah, who has moved on the smaller and worse things in France.  (I kid, Sarah, France is a lovely place…..for an invasion!  hahaha!)  Okay I promised myself I’d only make France jokes once a month here, so I’ll stop for now.  But seriously, France sucks at war.  Good night.