Trails!

AM: Back at it again.  6 on Landfill loop.  Starting to get my strength back.  This run sure cleaned out some junk.  

PM: Rick's Canyon to Steel Canyon Loop with Jon.  I started out VERY sluggish and tired, but felt better as the run went on.  We didn't slack on the uphill and REALLY blasted the downhill.  Overall, a very solid workout for still recovering from the cold.  I would also go out on a limb to say that today was a great day for a trail run.  Super hot in the valley but very nice on the shady trails.  This is why I run.  I was really enjoying the downhill until it felt like I was shot (imagining as I have not had the privilege) in the quad.  I looked down and saw a little wasp.  That is it?  No blood?  Why does it kill so bad?  Even now, my leg is throbbing.  I am not being overly dramatic, I am not!

T-1:40:50 (8:24) ~2000 feet of vertical gain

Providence hills loop - easy pace

T- 1:03:50 (7:30)

Running has gotten in the way of life.  Time to take some time off and adjust accordingly.  I will still get out running once in a while, but all future races will be postponed until next year.  I am bummed to lose such great fitness, but it is necessary.

So after 3 days of reflecting, I am not ready to give up on my goal of a PR at TOU (both the Half and the Full) this year.  There is no doubt that my family has enjoyed my extra time that I have spent with them, but for the most part my running doesn't interfere with most family activities.  I get up and do a run before work and before they wake up.  Its only those pesky doubles and big workouts in the evening that take up too much time.  So if I can eliminate those, I would feel better about everything.  Its really my own conscience that bugs me anyway, not my family. 

My short hiatus gave my body a chance to finally recover from my illness I got last week and to finally catch up on some well-deserved sleep.  I did realize how much I do enjoy the occasional run.  The daily grind necessary for marathon training gets to me though.  Anyway, enough of this rant for today.

Sadly, Bethany and the kids left this morning and traveled up to Colestrip Montana with her parents to see her sister, husband, and 2 kids for the weekend.  That freed up a lot of time so I took a jaunt on the Planet Walk 5 mile loop.  Everything felt ok and the foot twinges that I have felt lately weren't present.  

  T-37:03 (7:25)

Met Paul in the light drizzle and headed out for a loop into Millville.  Once we were out there t the drizzle turned into real rain and we were soaked rather quickly.  Enjoyable run nonetheless and it was great to get out with Paul again.  He kept the pace rather brisk at times with many of the miles in the 6:40 range. 

T-1:46:20 (7:05)