Hello, strangers! I cannot believe it has been a month since I blogged. Time sure passes fast when you are having fun. Well, I would not call it fun, but I have been busy doing stuff around the house, training and just trying to stay busy. I am in the second month of my training and I am still loving it, although I think my coach knows I like a bit of improvisation, and my schedule allows me to switch scheduled workouts during the week, based on how I am feeling. A 47-year old body sometimes feels like a much older one. So I have enjoyed that aspect. But this past week I started to feel like running was more like a chore.
If you remember, before this training, I was the “zen runner” type, not caring about times, laps and splits. And this week, I went off-trail in a sort of way. I went running just for the joy of it without a watch. And it was liberating. I do not want you to think that I do not like training, because I am loving the aspect of pushing my time, and I have managed to improved my 5K time a few times in the past two months. But sometimes, the GPS has to be off.
The latest escapade took me to Coyote Trail at Whitewater State Park— my nemesis. I love/hate this trail. It is a point-to-point trail and regardless of where you start, the beginning is a straight up long steep hill (with approximately 20% grade) which gets you to the top of the bluff. There you will find a beautiful meadow that always makes me think of The Sound of Music. The trail then winds south leading you to Dakota Trail (to the right) or Coyote Point (left). I took Dakota Trail which is even more steep than Coyote Trail. And remember, what goes up and down, must go down and up. Those descents on rocky terrain really leave my knees sore. And I do not think I tied my shoes tight enough because my big toenail was hurting at the end of the run because my foot kept moving forward. But other than that, it was a good run. Slow, but good.
This weekend I have my long run which I have come to love and looking forward to it. Interestingly, one thing that has come out of training for trail running? I am falling back in love with road running. LOL. But that is another story. Have a great weekend!
Crossing the Whitewater River
This is a technical trail and it SUCKS… but I love it too!
What goes down…
Must go back up. Ugh.
About the only “fairly” flat surface on that trail.
Happy to be done!
AUGUST 2020 GOALS & PLANS
August is here and I can’t with how quickly this year is going. I am back to work, although it is full time remote for the rest of 2020. This still saves me one hour (each way) commute and that makes a difference with training. This month we continue slowly building my endurance and speed on the trails, but also start working on the technical aspects of trail running. I am excited for that. I was preparing for a trail running camp with other fellow military veterans, but due to COVID, it is now postponed until March. Yes, I get to escape the bitter cold of Minnesota for a week in San Antonio, TX. But this change in plans puts me back at square one. I would sign up for virtual runs but honestly, my heart is not into it. I have been looking at some trail races in the fall, and now I have to decide which ones to do. But am I the only who is not motivated to sign up for races? I was excited about the ones I signed up for, but the I got the dreaded email: CANCELLED. Welp!
One exciting thing that happened last week, is that I am now a member of Team Trail Sisters! If you have not heard about Trail Sisters, we are a trail running community on a mission— to increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running through inspiration, education and empowerment. In addition to the online community, we have a journal, host women’s discussion panels, award the Trail Sisters Adventure Grants, host Women’s Run With Her Trail Running Retreats and more (Trail Sisters).
This is one community I am excited to be a part of! Super excited!