trail run race report

So the question is: Was it a big mistake to do a trail run with my knee periodically "acting up"?

Answer: NO

In fact, it seems to be just what I needed. My knee did not hurt one bit during the run, not after, and not even the next day! I am not sure why, perhaps the ultra-soft ground on which I ran? Seems somewhat logical, but at any rate, it was a great decision.

The weather had forecasted rain and thunderstorms for most of the day, but when I woke up it had not rained yet and it was a cool, crisp 55 degrees. I got ready and picked up Brooke and we headed up to Mounds State Park in Anderson, IN. We arrived in plenty of time to get registered and still have time to relax, do some light stretching and get ready for the 5k race.

When we lined up for the race, we started in an open field that was an out and back configuration which then went right into the woods and onto a well maintained path. The first mile was not bad, some minor hills, but nothing compared to my first trail run last year. Our pace was a little faster than what I thought it would be, but it seemed okay at the time. It seemed mile 2 took a little longer to get to and our pace settled to a more comfortable pace for the terrain.

We had been warned that at mile 3 there would be a set of stairs to climb to get to the finish and to make sure we had some energy left... at each stair we came across on the course I wondered if they would be worse than these (because they did not seem all that bad).

Well, they didn't disappoint. These stairs took every ounce of strength I had left to get up to the top and be able to run to the finish. I was spent. I was very glad I did not choose to do the 15k run - especially since it began raining just as we started our climb at mile 3. I finished in 26:54 - 55th out of 117 - not bad. Roughly 8:41/mile pace...

This was a great end to my step-back week and I am looking forward to this week where I will start building my mileage again. With a cold spell coming in on Wednesday, I will be sure to get out tonight and/or Tuesday for a run. Hope everyone's weekend was a good one.

Happy running to all!

stretching my legs

So it was decided yesterday to definitely run a trail run on Saturday - rain or shine. It is time to baptize my bright yellow trail shoes into the mud.

So, with the weather being nice yesterday and me feeling sluggish, I headed out before dinner for a quick trip around the neighborhood. I felt the need to push it - no slow and steady today. I wanted to give my legs a little more of a challenge. I didn't break any speed records, but it was still a good pace and fairly consistent.

Mile 1: 8:29/mile

Mile 2: 8:31/mile

Last .5: 8:17/mile

The knee felt a little sore at the beginning of the run, but it loosened up and felt just fine. It is feeling good today too. Funny thing is, it will act up every now and then for no particular reason, mainly noticed when I walk down stairs, but other times it is normal... can't figure it out, but it is not affecting my running like before, so I am moving on.

slow and steady

I had decided it was time to get serious about my running again. Having been miserable without running I knew I had to get something started. After 5 miles on Sunday and working in the yard all day, I was a little tired and a little sore. This week is a perfect time for a step back week, but with a couple of short, easy mid-week runs in to get a routine established again.

So it began this morning. The alarm went off at 4:30 am and I was up and out the door by 5:00. It was dark and a very cool, comfortable 61 degrees. I told myself that this was a recovery run and just to take it easy. So I started out very comfortably at about a 10:30/mile pace. It felt great, I was surprised how easy it was to maintain an even pace. There were a few times I wanted to push it a little more, but I was able to keep my pace in check, telling myself I had nothing to prove, I knew I could pick up the pace if I wanted, but that was not the goal of the run. Mission accomplished. I think I am getting wiser with each run and certainly stronger.

Happy running to all.

"how high's the water, mama?

5 feet high and risin'..."

A little Johnny Cash to begin this post.

I didn't get out to run on Saturday, so no 5 mile trail run for me... probably best. I slept in until 10am.

Yep. That's right.

I slept in.

After another week of about 70 hours at work, I could feel it. I just needed sleep. So, I didn't do much of anything yesterday and it was wonderful.

Today was another story. I did sleep in until 8am and didn't get moving until 9. It wasn't until 10am that I finally got around to my run. I had a 5 miler planned. I thought it seemed do-able and I felt pretty good. Plus it was sunny - no rain in sight - and about mid-60's. So I started on my usual route at the state park heading out the back to fall creek trail that I enjoy so much. Well, that ended quickly.

I got to the trail head and as I rounded a corner, I scared up some ducks that were floating in the middle of the trail, or lack thereof. Yes, Fall Creek had gone over it's banks and were covering my path, so I turned around and headed back, determined to make up my mileage in the state park. But this meant running on some hills - something I have been avoiding. I decided to take it easy and just see how it would go. It actually wasn't bad, but the hills were tiring. On top of that, my GPS somehow added 3/4 of a mile onto my distance, so I when I thought I was done at the 5 mile mark, I actually had to go an addition 3/4 of a mile to get to 5... it was tough - especially since I have not been running at all during the week. So this coming week I will be stepping back my weekend mileage and doing some easy runs during the week.

The rest of the day I was outside working in the yard - cutting back ornamental grasses, pulling weeds out of planting beds, etc. There is still lots to do, so I'll be busy for awhile it looks like...

Hope everyone's runs went great this weekend! And I hoped everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather out there!

Peyton on snl

Hilarious... http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=84993