I have come to the conclusion that trail running is a lot like a really, really,
really long CrossFit WOD (minus the equipment, ripped open hands, and chalk, respectively). Enduring the hills and uneven terrain for extended
periods of time is enough to challenge the most seasoned athlete. The constant
need to be alert or suffer tripping over terrain (rocks, tree roots, downed
trees, branches, snakes and various wildlife) is mentally challenging, and fun.
At the same time the physical demands of enduring such alertness includes the
ability to be agile in an uneven world on the trail. When a runner’s legs feel ‘heavy’,
hurdling over a little branch can be challenging. Don’t get me wrong because I am
certainly not discounting the efforts required for any athlete in his or her
given sport. My ‘sport’ just happens to be trail running, and I know the ups,
downs, and challenges well enough to know that it cannot be taken too lightly,
and can be dangerous. Like any sport there are risks. Some risks are predictable,
common, or expected but most risks are specific to the sport. Trail running has
its fair share of common and unexpected risks. Either way, the satisfaction of
when you finish your time on the trail is just as gratifying as beating your
competitor in your given sport. Just my
perspective.
Moving
on and speaking of endurance. I’m progressing nicely in my challenge of running
100 trail miles in August. I’m 10 days in and pretty much on target to finish
my 100 miles by the 31st. However, the over-achiever in me would
rather have about 8 more miles under my belt at this point in case I find
myself taking any extra rest days. I’m at 32 miles for the month after tonight’s
7.5 mile run. My new shoes rock (pictured above), and despite the little bit of tenderness in my
left shin I know I would be worse off had I not bought new shoes last week. My
trusty old trail shoes were so ratty, tattered, and ripped with worn-out insoles
that my shins were hurting pretty bad. Now, I’m just dealing with a little
tenderness on my left shin on the medial side where the tissue connects to the
bone. It sucks, but I do foresee a purchase of compression socks and/or kinesio
tape in my near future. The good news is
that it doesn’t suck enough to keep me off the trail. To be honest though, if a
tender shin is the worst of my problems I’m not going to complain. I have taken
a couple of rest days here and there as needed to allow healing. Rest is good
for the body and good for the soul. Don’t ever forget that, but at the same
time don’t ever find yourself taking so much rest you don’t appreciate it like
you should and end up changing your lifestyle for the worse. Your body is made for movement and your
mind is made to be challenged. Do as intended.
As a
side note, I will say that it saddens me to see leaves falling on the trails
already (it’s actually beginning to smell like autumn on the trail). The picture above was taken at one of the nature preserves earlier this week. Just know
that I love summer even with its heat and humidity on the trail. I adapt
better to heat and humidity than cold. Cold weather brings on different pains
in my body that are hard to manage, and every winter I find myself one step
closer to planning the big move to a warmer climate. Eventually, it’s going to
be inevitable. I love Ohio but I’m mostly not a fan of winter anymore because
of how it makes me feel physically. The question is where do we go: South where
the heat and humidity is harder to bear or west where the heat is dry, yet
super hot? South where the bugs are huge? West where there are critters like
scorpions and rattle snakes? Wherever we end up, we’ve got to have green! I
love lush green foliage pressed against the crystal blue sky. I’ve got about
five or six years to scope out ‘space’. Enjoy the scenery and take it all in every
chance you get.
Happy
trails,
~Cat~
