This past week

A step back week and found myself on 2 short trail runs mid week. 1 was on a trail i may incorporate into the big run. not sure just yet. part of it was new to me and lovely. was there about 5-6pm and the light and shadows and weather were all perfect. smells so good out there. i can’t quite name the smell…a mix of fragrant trees…need to investigate this! the part that was familiar to me was the part i have run many times in the past. I used to live closer to this trail years ago when i was began my love of running and ran here frequently. So, the delicious smell is even more welcoming. Went about 5.5 miles.

      Old, trusty ASIC Trail shoes!

Next day, went to trails near home. Was super tired/sore but I just had to go – you know that feeling, right??! As my legs and arms moved in unison and i felt the crunch, crunch under my feet, my level of happiness increased. Wasn’t tired anymore. Was another gorgeous early evening with few other beings in sight. The views, the gently swaying of the super dry grass/weeds, the hanging branches causing even my short body to duck a bit…all lovely and comforting. The last .75 of this one trail i like to do at the end is my favorite. It is mostly downhill with some twisty turns. I just absolutely love this part…i’m sure i’ve mentioned it before…i just feel like i can fly…my stride opens and there’s an awesome flow and freedom and i just wanna laugh or yell the whole way….it feels so much like the most natural self i can be. i’m not quite sure i can put it into words. I love when i am present enough to feel such a thrill. It happens often, but not all the time. the feeling is absolutely unmistakable and there is no replacement. this is part of the why. AND, the feeling lingered long after i was off that trail….

Saturday: elected to do the longer run since i was gonna be out late in the evening. Ran more of the possible course and was a tough go even though it was only 13. Legs just felt heavy. Not surprised. Need a few rest days and a massage. Noticed during this route and last weekend I had to stop a lot for traffic which is not ideal, but necessary if i want to do this mostly on road. Need to start earlier. May also look for some alternate routes.

There are days when I feel certain and days of doubt. This week had both.

      New Hoka Stinson 3’s

XLV

Of Late

The spring weather here in NorCal has been interesting these past 2 weeks. First we had quite a bit of rain where the temps were cool-ish, then this past week, the temps have been all in the 70’s….with a day or 2 touching 80 degrees. I mention this because I do think my body has some reaction to even just this type of change. I tried running last Saturday after 2-3 days off and felt horrible. After 1.6 miles, I just walked. Sunday ran 5, but still didn’t feel quite right. How did I feel? Tired! Lethargic, achy, sore. What surprised me was the degree to which I felt this way considering the level of exercise I had been doing which was not too much. Continued to feel a bit strange the next few days. Did some other short runs this week and am now feeling much better. Weird. Anyone else have really noticeable physical reactions to weather? Maybe I am just getting old, LOL….which is also something that has been on my mind. Age and our bodies and physical performance and all that!

I’m signed up to race a 5 miler this Sunday in the town I actually live in. Can you believe it? Actually doing a race where I live? 🙂
I’m not crazy at the course, but I volunteered for the race 2 years ago and enjoyed the atmosphere. Also, the proceeds go to a local high school and their athletic dept so I like to support that of course!

After this race, I believe I will start getting back on the trails. I’m thinking of racing Double Dipsea. Not signed up just yet, but thinking about it! In June, I think.

Go get outside and do your thing!

What? I’ve been running! I ain’t no slacker…

“You don’t need a reason – you need a road. Believe in the run.” Nike Ad

July 24: 3 miles – treadmill
July 22: 4 miles – treadmill – tempo run
July 21: 3.34 miles – outside, hills
July 19: 10 miles – Silver Comet w/ jeff
July 18: 5.5 miles – outside, hills
July 16: 3.1 miles AM; 2.2 miles PM – massage
July 14: 3.50 miles – treadmill

Overall, the training is going ok. I am, however, getting the familiar feeling of noticing it becomes increasingly more difficult to fit all the miles in….you know, with the rest of life. And i really don’t do much else besides work! LOL! But, yeah, overall…going well. This past Monday, which was a rest day, i felt good after the weekly total. Both weekend runs were done at good paces. I was happy to have Jeff eith me on Sunday because i could have easily seen myself splitting that run into 2 had I been alone. So, good to get all 10 done in one fell swoop! THANKS, JEFF!
What is different about this training segment is that I am really trying to be much more deliberate in EACH run. Not going out simply to “get the miles in”, but to be more conscious of what is the purpose and goal of each time out. Trying to much more “pace specific”. And as such, i think i will have to adjust my initial lofty goal of 4 hours. 4 hours is a 9:09 pace/mile. I am not confident right now that i can maintain that pace. It’s still early. I’ve got what, 12 weeks til race day. I’m not giving up on the 4 hour goal by any means; but I am assessing. Important.
I’m back to getting massages every other week which has been incredible. I have a wonderful, strong massage therapist! YAY!
Oh…and yeah, i am thinking of getting another new pair of shoes. Probably another pair of the K-SWISS K-Ona’s in a different color. Awesome shoes.

Thanks for following. Train Hard, Train Smart. CHEERS!

A recent shot; i like the shadows