12 Miles With Mixed Feeling, But Completed...

I met up with the gang at 9:00 at Draper this morning.  The gang being me, Shay, Melissa, Peggy and Dave.  Dave rode behind us on the bike.  Dang, riding that slow has got to be an awesome ab workout!  The last time I ran these trails was very frustrating for me.  Ya know, when your head is just not in the right place?  And, my left achilles was bugging me to no end.  Well, today was so much better! We did Blue, Green and Orange at a 5:1 and finished the 6 miles in 1:10.  I'm very happy with that!  My hamstring felt awfully tight, but I pushed through.

After that loop, it warmed up quite a bit so we shedded layers, gloves and hats.  Shay was afraid to remove her hat as she feared what her hair would look like...  I pulled mine off and she knew she couldn't look nearly that bad!

After that loop, it warmed up quite a bit so we shedded layers, gloves and hats.  Shay was afraid to remove her hat as she feared what her hair would look like...  I pulled mine off and she knew she couldn't look nearly that bad!

Dave and Peggy left after one loop as Melissa, Shay and I took off for another.  Yep, the left achilles kicked in...  Melissa out ran us after the first mile, but Shay and I plugged along.  We decided to the Advanced  Red loop.  I haven't been there in almost 2 years.  This one has a heck of a lot more drops and shorts, steep climbs.  I thought this might be good practice for Cross Timbers.  Shay and I just laughed as we ran through it.   I swear, my legs almost gave out on me a couple times!  We both whooped and hollered as be finished Red and got back on the safety of Green.

Our pace was definitely slower than the first loop, but that's OK, we planned it that way.  We pushed each other, tried to keep the conversation going.   When I almost stopped for an extra walk break, she talked me through it.  When she mentioned she planned to walk up the big hill once we exited the trail, I just said, "Let's see."  We both ended up running it just fine.

It was a good day.  I was almost afraid to go back, but my Draper demons are gone.  We worked hard, and deserve a nap!

Happy Trails!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Karma and I met up with Tanya, Rian, their dog Jimbo, Shay and Nancy for a Thanksgiving Day run.  No problem that is was 25 degrees out! We were all standing in the parking lot, bundled up, waiting to see if anyone else was coming and Karma, smart dog that she is wiggled back into the car through my open door.  "If were just gonna stand here, I'm going back where it's warm!"

I was a nice paced, easy run.  Rian went on ahead, Tanya held back some with her dog.  Nancy led our little group and Karma kept us entertained with her antics!  Only one loop for me as I had plenty to do at home in the kitchen, but at least I burned outt some of the calories that were just around the corner!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Trails

Two Falls Too Many!

Within the first 2 minutes, I fell hard.  I got up, we all laughed and continued with our run.  This was the first time I've been to Clear Bay trails out at Lake Thunderbird. 



Ouch!







Wasn't exactly the way I like to start ar run!  But it happens.  The Oklahoma Trail Running Assocation made the venture down there to check out Julie's home trail, and Wow!  I loved it!  There are some long, steep climbs followed by some nice flat single track for recovery.  With about12 miles of trails, Julie had mapped out a nice 7 mile loop.  Oh, I can tell that I'm out of shape, but this will be good training for Cross Timbers.  I can't wait to get out there again!



Time For A New Challenge

I've learned that I don't workout unless I'm training for something.  Most of the gals that I usually run with had signed up for the Cross Timbers Trail Run, so I figured I should too.  After some frustration about finding a hotel room, Scott and I will be staying at the same motel as the rest of the gang.  I'm glad he's coming along as he is my best friend and safe place.

Cross Timbers has a 50 mile, marathon and half marathon.  I'd love to tackle the 50 mile event, but with the uncertainty of my right leg, I decided on the marathon.  My goal for most events is to finish in the top 50%.  So, after looking at results from previous years, I'd like to finish around 6:00-6:30.  Of course, the weather could change everything, but that's what I'm looking at right now.

My running hasn't gone well for the last few months.  While training for the Dirty Double Dozen, I injured my right hamstring and it hasn't completely healed, AND, 2 days before that event Dr. Flesher found a cyst on the back of my right knee.  So lately, my training has been yoga, spin classes and the elliptical at the gym.  But now that I have an event to train for - I'm  motivated.

Namaste