j-lyn's corner

Went out for a quick 4 miles during lunch. I had stayed to eat lunch with Ben (didn't want to blow him off) but knew I was sacrificing time. I figured I'd have enough time for 6 even though I really wanted 10. When I left it was hot and sunny, and within 2 miles clouds blew over and little bit of rain were coming down. I had an unprotected phone, 2 dogs that were following me, (1 that tried to bite) I had called animal control, I was worried about getting to work on time... and I bailed. 9:10 AP @DD.

But after work my boys were climbing with their Daddy and the crisp air and blue skies so I went out again, this time to stay on the running path, and did 5 more. 8:20 AP. Saw my friend I mentally nicknamed "Hector." Whenever I run the rail trail in the eve I see "Hector" running with headphones in and we smile at each other. He seems to run fast. 

Short lunch break run again. Had to do dishes and laundry during lunch (company staying the night) so I got in what I could, wished for more, and actually was surprised at my pace. Felt like I was going slower than the night befoe but was going faster. Wish these regular runs were back in the sub 8 range like they once were before I started trail running though! 8:10 AP

With the pounding rain on the Twins, I bailed on the thought of doing the Cottonwood Traverse, and instead opted for some "flat" miles that would be better training for my fall events anyways. Turns out my "flat" trail still gave me 2300 vert gain! oh well.

I was planning on running 26-28. I went out and did 7, turned around (thunderheads were rolling in so I wanted to stay closer to the car for the rest) but by mile 9 my IT band was screaming at me. It had hurt off an on pacing last Friday and hurt pretty bad for 1/2 the run on Saturday. Since by the end of Sat's pacing duties it felt better I thought I had "run it off." It had flickered here and there on the road runs but seemed much better. All the vert gain/loss today seemed to make it flare. I thought it'd be smart to just run back.

Once in my car I drove to the dimple dell trail heads twice on my drive home, resolved to just go get the miles I wanted. Then I remembered that my peak weeks start next week and I don't need nagging pains to turn into injury and drove home. Once home it took 2 hours for me to stop being ready to dart back out the door again. I curled my hair so I knew I woldn't go back out in the rain. :) Two years ago I wouldn't ever bail on mileage. Two years ago I got injured much more frequently.

So here's to being lazy, rolling out the ITB, and wishing I was still running... 10:14 AP, not bad for me on muddy trails with decent gain.