Patience; the new endurance sport.

I lived!  The past 9 days has really been a ride. Although I ran close to 50 miles last week, my 'long' run was only 12 miles. Then due to Sunday, and work going from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Monday, I couldn't get away.  Two days later.....I ran 5 miles, decided to use the sides of the trail rather than the asphault and had an amazing run.  All that spongy debris gave me confidence to really stride.  That plus I enjoyed the small obstacle challenges.  At the end, I did have to get back on the pavement toward the end, and felt like sprinting-- I went  all out for about 1/16th. I felt great.   Hips and back are feeling much better after the rest.

Josse and I switched our day--which works better for both of us (well, now that it's summer).  She needs to take it easy post hard Tuesday work-outs, and I need to ramp it up.  8:30's are my race pace and 8:30's is her 'easy' pace.  Today I didn't bring my dogs-- and what do you think-- no one was on the trail to be bothered.  Figures.  It was a nice  cool morning, but darker with the few clouds in the East.  The river wasn't quite as cold today as it was last week (rain run off instead of snow melt is my guess).  These rainy days have left everything so lush, fragrant, and green. I can't get over the smell and the feeling in the air.   Everything is so alive. The river is running high and the sound of it almost takes my breath away.  The rain has left the air humid, I can feel it on my skin (especially when I stop running and I'm suddenly dripping rivulets of sweat).  My yard (although filled with weeds) is about to explode with roses.  I cut two of my favorites that have just bloomed to perfection (Hope and Ingrid Bergman) to Josse to take back to her daughter. I should see a whole bush full of them in the next 4 days.  Roses are just so fat and proud and strong.  It's hard to not get all poetic about them.

I woke up this morning in my clothes, in the exact same position I fell asleep in.  I thought I was going to lay down for just a second while my kids got ready for bed around 9:30.  I was really disoriented when I opened my eyes.  It was really, really light outside and I thought it was still the afternoon of the day before.  How's that for exhausted?  Don't ask me why.  It's latent I guess from last week.  Sadly, I slept right through my running hour and had to go to work all slovenly and unbathed.  Luckily it was cool and cloudy when I got to run in the very late afternoon.  The river is at an almost frightening level.  I've never seen it this high in June.  I guess the resevoir is full and they're letting more downstream.  Every week  I tell myself I'm going to get a kayak.  I'm kicking myself I don't have one right this second.  Saw a girl riding her bike down the trail today and she was reading a book.  I've tried to walk and read, but ride a bike and read? 

10:06/9:51/8:39/8:32/8:46/9:39 

Ran the first 2.5 easy.  Ran into Jeff and Sasha around the lake about 2.5, turned around to run a 1 + with them before they started an interval.  Nice to have a good reason to run faster than I would alone.  Sasha likes to point out, in an encouraging way, when we're running an 8 m/m pace.  I know I can run a few miles that way.  I've run a few 7:45' in races and attempting tempo runs.  I just don't LIKE to.  It's hard. Just being ouside for an hour or more every day is my victory. I know, it's sad to enjoy something I'm not even that good at.  So, everyone's doing Utah Valley next week.  Sasha and Jeff (or maybe just Jeff) are going to try to "slow" their first miles to 5:50's to see if it saves them energy to do 4:50s (?) for the last 6.  They talked to me of fat vs. carb burning paces, and why not just run fast at the earlier part of the race if you're just going to burn the same....Me and my 10 minute mile just couldn't agree more!!  My goals for UVM are lofty. ...I just don't want to fall down and break my hip.  I know, I know, aim for the stars!

We didn't leave until 7:00 but the morning was fresh along the trail. I was surprized it was such a beautiful morning;  pristine skies, cool air, river high.   There was still some dust left over from the winds yesterday and the lake was all churned up from the run-off, but still.  It was steeple chase morning. Days after big wind there are millions of tree branches that line the trail you have to avoid or jump over. If the trail had been clear, I might have put reins on Catherine and brought my rollerblades. She's running with such grace and ease.  I need to get her running with some real runners, but she's shy.  I enjoy our runs so much, but I'm just not running like I have in years past. It makes me feel bad to be holding her back. She's only 26 and has so much room for improvement.  She's been on her treadmill running 7:30's for like half an hour at a time.  It's not in me to not try and encourage her to do her best. Today, it took me real effort to maintain a 8:59 pace for the whole distance. I don't know what to think. That used to be my easy pace.  If I run more miles and train more, speed picks up naturally, but then I'm at higher risk for injury/re-injury.  If I run slower, I lose some running friends (if not lose them, slow them down and become their charity partner).  I just don't know why it's so different this year.  But I have to take the taper more seriously this time around, and I'm not going to push next Saturday other than to make an honest effort.  I am looking forward to it--although that loopy-loop at the end is making me crazy to think about.  By the time I hit 23 I become violently exhausted and angry about it.  I have not yet been able to refocus that energy inward. Considering this, I just do not want to run a mile loop before the finish line.  What a crappy ending. I've got to mentally prepare for that one.