And so begins the training...

What's a trail girl to do when she approaches such a creek? She crosses it! No holding back. 

Not an obstacle but rather, an interest of agility in nature. 

3/28 – I feel like today was my ‘official’ first day back on the trails for a couple of reasons: 1-it’s the first spring run, and 2- it’s the first trail run since committing to the Playin’ Possum 50k in May. Yeah, I hit the trails a few times this winter but this time I'm running with intention and goals. My pace was a decent jaunt-pace of about a 14 min mile (turtle). I don’t consider that a fast pace by any means but the pace is the same I was running last season. I try not to fixate on my pace too much because with my asthma the pace is sometimes just out of my control due to limited lung capacity, and all. However, I do want to see an improvement in my pace this year. It's weird how a few years ago I was knocking out a 10-11 minute pace, and last year my pace slowed to 14-15 minute pace. I killed some hills, and for the first time in a long-ass time I didn’t dread hills. I told myself to “just run up the hill –get over it” a couple of times today, and didn’t let the hills get the best of me. I actually reached my Vo2 max on one of the big hills today. It was an awesome feeling.  A nice runner’s high hit me at mile four, and that in of itself is pretty kick ass rockstar feelin’. The weather today was decent in the 40’s and sunny. One thing I especially appreciated today as I took a moment to ‘feel it’ was the warmth of the sun. Ahhh, it felt awesome. 

 A couple of realizations from today’s trail run; 

1- I need new shoes (which I already knew but today’s run reminded me w/the pain in my feet). Just a reminder point.

2- I need yoga (again, I already knew that but my hips were like “Whaat?!”). Again, a reminder point.

3- I sometimes questioned running a 50k but then realized that the scenery will be more challenging and less boring than today's trail, and backing out is 'not my style' as it represents defeat.

4-  I captured the vision for some more business ideas to start an apparel company (something I’ve tossed around in the past but never really considered seriously, but a clearer vision will make it a reality).  

5- I reaffirmed what I already know in that I am and will always be an entrepreneur! 

That’s the whole ‘trail running girl’s perspective’ that happens when I run trails. Ideas come to light, realizations of what’s really important, what else I want to do in my life, and just letting go of any negativity while appreciating life to live it to the fullest.  

Happy trails,

~Cat~