My first trail run (six days after my knee
mishap) was mellow with a hint of awesomeness. Do I enjoy running slushy, ice
trails? Not really. Do I appreciate catching a runner’s high as early as mile
1.71? You bet! Considering last weekend I didn’t even come close to ‘floating’
I’ll take the high early on.
Then there was the camaraderie between trail runners…yep, small talk amongst trail runners is what keep us trail people on the same wave length...even while running. Just like the belief of all life being inter-connected in the universe in Buddhism, the trail running universe is also inter-connected. We mesh and understand each other on the trails.
Then there was the camaraderie between trail runners…yep, small talk amongst trail runners is what keep us trail people on the same wave length...even while running. Just like the belief of all life being inter-connected in the universe in Buddhism, the trail running universe is also inter-connected. We mesh and understand each other on the trails.
I hit some simple non-technical nature preserve trails
for my first run back after my failed 20k, yet successful 10k trail race from the
previous weekend. To clarify; my reason for the downgrade in distance was due
to some pretty intense and sharp anterior knee pain. Not my winter
deconditioned state. I'll be busting out a 50k and a 50-miler this May and June. Winter lung capacity still sucks.
My knee was fairly cooperative the week following my first trail race of 2015 in my daily 6am heat yoga classes, but there were a couple of days when the single-leg balances just weren’t happening. So I wasn't sure what to expect. But as any endurance athlete would do, you go back the next morning and try again. Note: In trail running, you never let a 'bad' trail run define you. You put your shoes back on the next day and run again.
My knee was fairly cooperative the week following my first trail race of 2015 in my daily 6am heat yoga classes, but there were a couple of days when the single-leg balances just weren’t happening. So I wasn't sure what to expect. But as any endurance athlete would do, you go back the next morning and try again. Note: In trail running, you never let a 'bad' trail run define you. You put your shoes back on the next day and run again.
When I started my week later ‘recovery’ run my knee
was pissed and I didn’t think I was going to complete more than two
miles. The terrain was a slushy icy annoyance with occasional spots of mud. Yet I
chose this particular trail for a reason: it’s good for recovery runs and good
pace. So, despite the circumstances I busted out a pretty good pace. Yay! Redemption!
 |
| For the love of slushy, icy trails. |
The trick to slushy and icy trails is to run 'off-trail'. Running on the grassy, leafy areas on either side of the trail is a great
bypass to the middle of the trail that is packed down with snow and ice. It's also a great way to
avoid walkers on the trail. Just sayin’. But be mindful and show Mother Nature’s
house the respect it deserves by not leaving any off-trail damage.
 |
| Winter sunsets are still pretty awesome. |
Needless to say I finished a fast (according to me), fabulous four miles slightly injured (issues in my tissues). I enjoyed the short miles with a few high-fives to fellow ‘dedicated’ trail runners
along the way. The recovery run proved to be a win-win.
 |
| Wet trail shoe problems: thankful I always have extra pairs of trail shoes in the Jeep for post-run errands. |
Happy trails,
~Cat~
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