Trails are Closed Until Further Notice Due to Wet and Muddy Conditions

My last run was Buffalo Alley.  I didn’t run Sunday, but planned a week full of trail runs.  And then the rain came.  It poured, lightening lit the skies, thunder growled loud enough to scare all my children.  Monday and Tuesday came and went.  I thought still I can get in one good long run before Malibu Creek.  And it continued to rain.  Wednesday left us wet, and I still thought, there’s time . . . there’s time.  Thursday, more rain – but it wasn’t supposed to rain!  And then at last today, Friday, I woke to rain once again.  But I continued checking the trail websites, even calling the park.  All I got was “Trails are closed until further notice due to wet and muddy conditions.”

Phooey.

All week I obsessed over going to the gym.  Spent hours each day there, as if.  As if somehow miles on the elliptical, weight training and core work could help me run up the Santa Monica Mountains.  Deep down though, I knew that I could ride the elliptical until the cows came home, and it wouldn’t help me run up those mountains.  Pretty much, the only thing that’s gonna condition me to run up mountains, is running up mountains.  Sure, strength training and cardio are aids, mother’s little helpers.  Little helpers that lessen injuries.  They don’t substitute for the real thing. (That is running up mountains)

But then I went and re-injured/re-strained what seems to be my left deltoid and pectoral.  The pain bothers me so much, that I cannot even rightly sleep.  It’s odd, standing up, even pumping my arms doesn’t cause much pain.  But I’m in agony when I stoop or lay down.  And I can’t even begin to get into a plank position.

Woe is me : )

And so this morning after checking and re-checking Aliso Wood Canyons website, plus phoning them SEVERAL times, I said screw it!  I did not go to the gym.  I did no core work at home.  I lifted no weights.  I simply ran errands.  I cleaned house, stabbed my hand with a fork doing dishes (literally had to pull the fork out of my palm).  I did laundry, dropped off the boys, picked up the boys and drove out to San Diego County with my oldest son for my mother to color and trim my hair. 

I can only do what I can – isn’t this the same ole’ story????  (I know this sounds a bit crazy, but it’s a fun story – that is, when looking back.)

On the good side, I’m only signed up for the 25k this weekend, which has the same time limit as the 50k, 8 1/2 hours!  I should be able to do that : )))