Just Plodding Along

Finally got back to more regular running after being kind of eh about it for a few weeks. And I felt it. Some shin soreness happened but it seems to be going away. Monday I ran 6 miles and lifted weights. Tuesday and Wednesday I threw in some 400 repeats into my 3.5 miles on Tuesday and 5 miles on Wednesday. Well that almost killed me. I haven't pushed it in awhile. Thursday and Friday I took off. Saturday I went for an easy 4.5 miles in the desert by my house and ran by my favorite water storage tank. Why there is a fish, I don't know but I like it. Sunday I did 10 miles with some of my favorite runners.  It was a good morning. Bit windy and I could for sure tell that I have been running between 3 and 6 miles and nothing longer. After mile 8 my hamstrings were like "what the hell are you doing!?! Are you trying to kill us!?!?!" But I made it. I am really gonna miss running with these people. That is one area where I feel very lucky in life. I have live...

This past Saturday it was trail running Saturday!!! So it was off to Dripping Springs New Mexico. I am so glad we went there. It was beautiful. The trails were actually runable (as in not super rocky and covered in cactus). The weather was perfect. And it actually looked and felt like fall. This area has abandoned buildings- an old lodge and sanatorium. And an actual dripping spring. Water in the desert. Weird. Super fun to explore.  It was a super fun morning with some awesome ladies. I love my trail group. We always have so much fun! Looking forward to some more trail running this weekend!

I might just be riding high from another successful excursion trail running (successful being I didn't face plant and eat dirt) but I really think that trail running is one of the best things out there lately. And while I call the trails in El Paso a bit hostile (everything is sharp and poisonous, see below this beauty that is right next to the trail just waiting for you to trip into it and be real sad) I am thankful that I live just down the street from an awesome trail running area. Reasons you should consider giving trail running a go: 1) Breaks up the monotony of running on the road. Road running is easier for sure but can get a bit boring after awhile. Trails feel like you are off on an adventure. My advice is take water and a snack because it really can turn into an adventure so be prepared.  2) The scenery is always refreshing. And on a trail it is totally appropriate to stop with hands on hips and take a look around even if all you are actually doing ...

This morning I went trail running.I love it so much every time. It is just so dang fun. And now I have trail shoes which makes it even more fun and less painful on the feet and ankles. Because I am dense I was skeptical that trail shoes would make a world of difference. They do! And unlike brand new road shoes, when your new trail shoes get all muddy and wet you are excited and think good job self, well done.  After frolicking through the trails singing the hills are alive (just kidding I was cursing at all the hills, Georgia is so hilly, who knew) it was time to pack for......THE RELAY!!!!! Hey true story hardest part of packing is my giant ass shoes. Big footed runner problems.My shoes take up more space than five running outfits. Two more sleeps and we are on our way to North Carolina! Can't wait!

and I am still sore from trail running on Sunday. In weird places too. My obliques are killing me. And I have some weird bruises from eating dirt once during like mile 4. Always good to get the falling out of the way early. That way for the rest of the run you look super tough scraped up and covered in dirt. Or at least that is what I kept telling myself I looked like. Most likely I just looked super sweaty and exhausted.  But it is just so dang fun I can't wait to do it again! Trail running just seems more exciting. Like you are on an adventure. And as long as you know where you are or are with people who know where they are it won't turn into the kind of adventure that winds up with you on the news because you are lost in the woods. This is key to trail running I think. My hope is to do lots of trail running this summer. I even have a list of places I want to go: Pine Mountain Providence Canyon Back to Chewacla State Park Flate Rock Park Any other trail ...

Best start to a Friday. Gather five awesome friends and hit the trail for seven miles of fun. At first it was dark and a little scary but good practice for running in the dark during the relay. Note to self: need brighter headlamp. Awesome friends and a nice sunrise equals happy for the rest of the day! Photo Credit: Nicole! Photo Credit: Dana! Happy Friday!

I have run 51 miles this week. Holy crap. No wonder I am tired. This Hanson program really sticks it to you with high mileage. And the fact that this is the first week in a while I was able to do all the workouts is probably what resulted in a three hour nap yesterday. That amount of napping really eats into your day especially when it goes nap, wake up eat dinner, go to bed. Or maybe that is just the perfect Saturday. 14 of this weeks miles were on the Des Plaines River trail this morning. I suited up in my favorite running skirt, shoes and hydration pack for what I imagined would be a super sweat fest. I was not wrong. So putting ice cubes and ice water in your hydration pack is the best thing ever. Keeps you cooler longer and is just so much more refreshing then warm water. I am slow to catch on. For once being unable to get up and get moving with any sort of speed paid off. The trail doesn't open until 6:30 so when I rolled up at 6:22 there was some waiting involved unti...

This weekend I had to switch my runs around. On the schedule: 3 miles for Sat/ 9 for Sun. Actual: 9 miles Sat and 3 miles Sun. Due to weather- Saturday a balmy 46 degrees. Sunday- 18 degrees. Is it just me or does switching your running schedule kind of bug you? I did it to avoid another 9 mile mental test on the treadmill but after a six mile run on Friday this 9 miler was tough. But the good thing was I headed to the Forest Preserve to run on the trails. I love running on trails. Being outside and running along the river is a lot of fun. Even when it is cold, windy and slightly frozen it is still fun. The only thing that is a bit frustrating is that I have to slow down a bit. For some reason this frustrates me. I know that running on trails is harder and yet I still want to go at the same speed. I need to learn how to relax a little bit. Trail evidence The best part about the weekend trail exploration is the fact that I have found the perfect place for my long runs for mar...