Will These Socks Work?

I stand now at the start line as my race season begins.  I suppose it’s now the “moments of truth,” as I’ve got a few races planned over the next five weeks.  Time to find out if all my training helped.

I know one thing for sure, I’m going into this year’s season in better shape than last year, and with no repetitive use injuries.  Although, the other day, it seemed I strained one or more of my chest muscles, not by running, but by strength training.  I am happy, so very happy to report a two-day recovery for that strain.

First up, in less than 7 days, I’m set to pace my friend Hank for the last 20 miles of Twin Peaks 50.  There’s not much more I could have done to prepare for this.  Besides training, I’ve memorized the route, I’ve run to the peak as much as I could take the time to do so.  And I ran to the peak from the bottom.  I start mile thirty from the Main Divide which cuts out a MAJOR climb.  Now, I’m just fine tuning – things like, filling the headlamp and flashlight with fresh batteries, washing my stinky hydration pack and deciding on attire (it may get cold).  And since I usually wear thin socks, I decided to run today in the pair I’ve chosen for Twin Peaks.  They are really comfy, warmer socks that I’ve never worn with the shoes that I’ve been training in recently, and also wearing next Sunday.  Today I put the combo together and went out and ran 12 miles of trails.

Yellow!  A good sign, my favorite color

We’ve got a cool down in Southern California.  The skies are blue with white puffy clouds.  The reptiles are lethargic, the rattlers unseen.  Rain is even forecasted for the next couple days (not good for my local trails!  They close them in the rain )  Today however, I didn’t need to worry about that.  My run was tranquil.  I barely needed fluids, though I packed plenty.  I didn’t even take in gels or solids.  I’d call it a very comfortable run.  Most everything was beautiful to my eyes.  Often I couldn’t resist a picture.  At times I escaped the present and the thoughts turned negative, but mostly I just ran.  I didn’t stop because I was tired.  I stopped because I was just plain ole tired of running.  My husband said, “What are you doing?  You still have time to run.”  He knows me.

Some scenes from my “winding down run”:

Off in the distance is where I’m pacing next weekend:

Top of the World (overlooking Laguna Beach/Pacific Ocean):

Running the rolling hills of West Ridge:

It’s all down hill from here:

Sycamore Grove (Wood Canyon):

The final stretch (about 3.5 miles remain):

Miles logged this morning:  12.02:

Oh ya.  The socks were comfy as usual and worked wonderfully!