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

Friday Night Run With Friends...

About 2 hours in to the adventure! Lookin' Good!

Some of my friends can't understand how I can put in so many miles at Bluff Creek, but it's home to me. I started at 5:30pm, while it was still over 100 degrees out. I set up my little aid station with a note to Tanya and Holly who I knew would be out there soon. Once I ducked into the trees and into the shade the temp dropped quite a bit, mind you it was still way hot. I wore my Classic Vibrams because I was afraid the full foot of the Bikila's might be too hot. Well, that lasted 1 hour. The bottoms of my feet hurt. Switched to the Bikila's. Soon after that I met up with T and H who planned to walk/hike for 4 hours. Even if I wasn't going to hang with them, it sure is nice knowing someone else is out there.

I've never tried "5 Hour Energy" before - until tonight. Since I had to sleep last year during the 24, thought this might be a good idea. I took a huge swig of the Lemon-Line flavor and GAGGED! Yikes! It reminded me of a liquid cough medicine I had to take when I was hospitalized with pneumonia back in High School! Yes, bad tastes like that stick with you. Hard to tell if it worked, but I never laid down during the run to take a nap.

Before they saw the trails...

Switched from the Bikila's to my Asics as my toes started cramping. Now that is something new and different.

I walked most of the last 1 1/2 hours, but definitely kept a strong pace going. I think I'll be good by the time the "Double Dirty Dozen" rolls around. Moved my body forward for 4:45 and moved it about 18-20 miles.. And that's good enough for me!

 

Happy Trails.

My Best Training Partner

No offense to any of my friends, but I LOVE running with the Karma Dog!  Most of the gang I run with knows all of the trails very well so there usually not a problem if someone wants to speed ahead, or drop back.  We all know our way home.  But the Karma Dog will never leave me!

Karma and I met Julie at Bluff Creek for an evening run.  We figured a start time of 7:45 would be cool enough.  WRONG!  When I left the house it was still 95 degrees out!  With Karma, and no water available on the trail, we decided to do the 2 mile Dirty Double Dozen loop.  Julie is thinking about doing the 6 hour run for that event, so she was all about learning the course.  We set Karma's water bowl at the trail entrance.  I forgot my watch, and Julie didn't have hers set so we ran until we wanted to walk, then walked until we were ready to run.  Worked out fine since it was so hot.

Conversation flowed easily with this new friend of mine, and Karma was the perfect companion too.   She has finally learned NOT to trip my fellow runners.  The first loop was great - hot but great.  Karma gulped and gulped her water.  Previously I'd tried to get her to drink from my water bottle, but she wants nothing do do with it. 

With about 1/2 mile to go it was starting to get dark.  Originally we had planned for 6 miles, but the heat just wasn't going to allow it.  Not only were we tired, but now Karma was lagging behind.  I felt so bad for her.  She wanted to stop, but was no way going to let us out of her site.  When we stopped for a walk, a dribbled some water on her snooter.  This time, rather than running away, she started gobbling!  Yea!  She finally figured out that this bottle was a good thing!  Now, she's gotta start carrying her own...

Happy Trails!

Oh, My Aching Feet!

I moved my body forward for 3 hours today.  Oh yeah, it was a tough one.  I met up with Peggy, Beth, Melissa, Shay and Julie for a training run at Draper.  We stuck together pretty well for the first 6 miles and I felt great!  I wore my Vibram Classics for that first loop.  Once we got back to the cars, I switched to my Asics - didn't want to overdo it.  Shay and Julie left us there for home and some yoga, but we picked up Janice.  As we headed off to the yellow loop, I slowed the pace some.  We had run the first part at 5:1, but I needed to switch to 4:1 if I was going to last another hour and 45.  So, the gang dropped me - by my choice and it was a good thing.  My feet started to hurt!  After a while, I noticed I was practically limping - definitely altered my gait.  It hurt just to put my left foot down.  I ended up taking off my shoes and short cutting out of the trail.  Hobbled back to the car and put back on the Vibrams.

I did the rest of the run on various parts of the green loop and my feet felt fine.  Have I really become so used to the Vibrams that I can't run in regular shoes?  Never heard of anyone having that issue before.  But, the balls of my feet were pretty sore.  I may need to get the Vibram Bikila - with a thicker pad at the ball of the foot.  I finished the run at a 1;1 pace, but at least I finished!  I only need to tack on 21 hours before October!

Happy Trails!