Running in the Rockies

AM: 5 on trails with pups + 2 on roads with hubby in ~12:08 avg pace. Avg heart rate: 144, Max heart rate: 175. Min elevation: 8,370'; Max elevation: 8,697'; 1,025' gain/loss. 

We are taking care of our neighbor's three pups until Sunday, one of which is our little one's (B pup)  sister (we will call her N pup). N pup is even more stubborn than B pup, so I decided to run with both of them on leash this morning. L pup and Q pup joined us off leash. B & N did pretty well, although they ran a little slower than I would have liked sometimes, so I ran into the back of them a couple times. We occasionally had to stop and check some pee mail or nibble on a flower, and sometimes B & N wanted to go in orthogonal directions- but for the most part, they ran side by side. Pretty cute. Got home and wanted to do another 5, I convinced my hubby to run 2 with me. On the way back from the little two mile loop I realized that my IT band was pretty tight and maybe I should just use the time I had to do some foam rolling. Plus, I skipped breakfast before the run and was starving at this point. Three largest toes on right foot are still numb and second toe on left foot is still a bit numb. They've been numb since the race on Saturday. Definitely an odd feeling.

AM: 3 miles on trails with pups + 9 on roads alone. In summary: 12.13 miles in 10:48 avg pace. Avg heart rate: 159, Max heart rate: 180. Min elevation: 8,250'; Max elevation: 8,703'; 1,129' gain/loss.

B& N pup on leash, L& Q pup off leash. B&N did pretty well, they only really pulled (nice upper body workout) for the first 10 minutes and then we settled into a fairly good/slow pace. L is still being kind of stubborn about coming back when called, don't know what his deal is lately. We turned around near a trail entrance with a small (like 2 cars) turn out where people sometimes park. Well, this guy was flying down the road coming towards us (thank goodness we were not on the road), sees us and then swerves over into the little parking area to allow his fairly large, mean looking dogs bark like mad at us. I know this sounds insane, but he was smiling at me while his dogs were going crazy trying to launch themselves out of the back of his truck- so it is the only logical thing that I can think of.. nice huh?! Some people.. I just don't know. Anyways, Loki acted like he was going to have a go at the dogs (unwise- there were 4 of them and like I said.. not exactly friendly looking)- so I had to scream at him to come back to me.. he's such an idiot sometimes. I'm SO glad that I had the little ones on leash- I am sure if given the chance they would have taken off to case them. Just as we crested the hill heading back the way we came, the guy peeled out of the parking area and took off down the road. Awesome.

Dropped the pups off, changed out of the trail shoes, grabbed a water bottle and went back out for 9 on the roads. The pups were not pleased to be left behind. This was suppose to be an easy run (heart rate ~145ish), but I knew right away that goal was going to be out the door. My heart rate was super high this morning (likely the two large cups of coffee I had with breakfast). I felt like I was barely moving and my heart rate varied between 165-170 on the way out and 160-165 on the way back, with the final uphill 170-180. And my pace was painfully slow. Additionally, I noticed some tightness/soreness in my lower right calf. It only got worse and by the time I got home- it was pretty painful. So, I tried to do something that I have not done since college soccer days- ice bath. I only managed 15 secs x2... I remember why I have not done these since college- so painful! So I foam rolled it for a good while, put the compression sleeve on, and will be icing later. I may try to stand in a bucket of cold water later as well. I may have to work up the ice bath again. I really hope I didn't do any serious damage. That would be such a bummer.

PM: Afternoon run with pups on trails. 3.13 in 12:35 avg pace. Some stopping to meet mt. bikers and to smell the flowers. Avg heart rate: 142, Max heart rate: 169. Avg elevation: 8,500', 560' gain/loss.

AM: 7.35 in 9:24 avg pace. Avg heart rate: 156, Max heart rate: 180. Ran a mile down to the bus stop, then road the bus down to Boulder for run and PT appointment. Heart rate high even in Boulder. Maybe I need to cut back on the coffee for awhile. Sigh.

PT said trail shoes are no good for my feet and are likely the culprit of the initial shin splits/ renewed knee pain. Did some graston on calf/tibia and quad on R leg. IT band was surprisingly good- yay foam rolling!

Visited Fleet Feet and after trying at least a dozen shoes, decided to go with a pair of Saucony progrid mirages and a pair of Brooks Cascadias + red soles, which are still in good shape. I hope this solves some of the lower leg problems. Shoes are not cheap and sadly it looks like I am no longer able to just run in whatever pair of shoes are on sale when I need a new pair.

AM: ~4.5 mile hike with hubby and pups. Left much too late in the morning and was bombarded by mt. bikers. I'm all about sharing the trails, but it's pretty tough to share a trail with someone that is flying down the hills around blind corners. Had to put all dogs on leash because we needed to be able to pull them off the trail in a hurry when the next 5 bikers came around the corner without warning. Don't get me wrong, I love mt. biking- but so far this year, I've not been impressed with the trail etiquette of the mt. bikers I've met.