Getting Back on the Trail

The new Trail Runner came today and I found myself day dreaming for 30 minutes as I flipped through the pages.  It has been far too long since I have been on the trails.  I kept telling myself over the past 2 years I was too busy or that I didn't want to miss out on family time, but I look back and the time I spent on the trails was more than just exercise, it was...my time.  My last real trail run was the 50k I finished.  I got out of the rhythm after the race, maybe burnt out, and for no real reason  I didn't continue.  So I sit here with my daughter asleep on my chest jonesing for a run.  I tend to put a big plan together and shoot for a crazy goal, like running a 50k with 6 weeks to train, which I did and know this is part of the burn out.  Far too much bitten off.  As of now I have no plans other than to get to the trails and run.  

11 Miles on muddy trails, 2 ticks, 4000 spider webs and dive bombing horse flies

WyCo Lake Trails

On a humid day, running after work, I realized it takes alot to push through a long run on tough trails.

I ran through my check list of the supplies needed for my run as I was leaving my house. Water, nuun, GU, lights, shoes, socks, bandanna, phone, car key, energy bars(which I forgot) and my watch. Out the door I went not knowing this run would test my drive to continue training for a 50k.

When I arrived at the lake I scouted out some new trails. I wanted to run around the lake so I parked at the Park Rangers office. I got out and got ready.

Starting out the trail was a mini creek meeting me at the trail head. The run was pretty uneventful up until mile 4. This is when I started encountering spider webs every 5-6 steps. I must be the correct height because all the webs hit me on the nose. Spiders and their webs don't phase me, usually. On this run they were so prolific that it became an irritant.

At the same time the webs made me feel like Indiana Jones my legs began to burn from slip sliding in the mud. My shoes must of weighed 10 pounds each. Although my feet had been soaked from mile one blisters were not an issue. Cabrakan by Mizuno are great shoes at pushing out all the excess water.

Now comes the best part of the run. Horse Flies! I must of looked crazy waving my hands and swatting at my head and back. The gigantic buzzing beasts chased me for about 6 miles. They backed off only a couple times. I was so fed up with them I almost lost it! I stopped, cooled off, and made a point in not letting the flies and spider webs get under my skin. From that point on things went smoothly.

The rest of my run even though it was tough was great. I finished tired, sore and very happy. I am sure the trail can get tougher than last night, but all I can say to that is "bring it on."

Post run: 2 ticks one on each calf and a soaked seat in the car on the drive to work this morning.

Muddy Trails

The trails at Wyco are very tough today or my body needed a little more rest. I started out like any other day, the first mile or so is slow while I am getting my breathing down and muscles back into motion. I have run this section many times and can usually burn through it. Todays run was a different story. To start I couldn't find running socks and had to run in regular cotton ones (ouch). Then once at the trail head I could still see water coming out of the path. Didn't think anything of it, hopped out of the car and was on my way. Two minutes in I had mud from toe to waist. Heavy mud at that. Legs are burning, socks are rubbing and I am thinking about turning back. Then it comes to me, in order to have fun I need to relax and just RUN!! I get to the turn around and there is a wonderful stream that is cool and refreshing and at this point I have turned my chrono off. I am just enjoying myself. Instead of staying on the trail I take a detour up the stream, all the while trying not to slip on the rocks. A fence ran across the creek about 100 yards in so I turned back. When I got to the trail I reach down and wash off my legs and arms in the creek. The water revitalized me and I was like a rubber band, or as the East Coasters like to call them Elastics, being squeezed off a rubber band gun. Would people from Maine then call it an Elastics Gun? From the stream I took off and climbed the three hills of hell. I felt as though I was running on ice or marbles in a slap stick movie. Just spinning the wheels but going no where. By the time I was closing in on the trail head I could have been compared to a Mudman from Woodstock. At the pavilion where I parked was a spigot so I proceeded to wash off and clean up my shoes. I stretched in a spot where the trees broke open and let the sun crash in. Even as tough as the run was I feel great and I can't wait to get out tomorrow.

nuun

My wonderful sister sent me some products to try earlier this week. In the box of goodies was nuun. I have only used it a couple times but I can tell a difference in my swelling. When my electrolytes are off my hands well like no other or I get blisters when hitting the trails. Since I have started using nuun this has stopped. Thanks Lala! I can't wait to see what else nuun can do for me.

Rainy Thursday Trail Run

I ran 5 miles at WyCo. The trails were covered in running water, which made it nice because it wasn't as muddy as it should of been. At first my legs felt heavy because this was the first time on the trails since I sprained my ankle. The farther I ran the more fun it became. Uphill and down. Over rushing creeks and through rain soaked tree tunnels. There was one point where the trail is about 100 feet above the creek running parallel. The lush green forest kept putting thoughts of Romancing the Stone when Kirk Douglas and Kathleen Turner are running in the Columbian jungle. When the next turn came, out jumped a trail reminiscent of northern California. The smell of decomposing leaves and ferns lined the trail. At the bottom of a hill the creek was full. Most of the trail was under water and I had to dodge the same bull frog on the out and back. By the time my run was winding down all I could think about was letting go of time & mileage. Trail running is only fun if you relax and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!