This morning was Short #3 of Short, Short, Short on Easy Week. The weather was the same as yesterday – dreary. BUT, I am not complaining. No siree. I am fortunate that I can run trails. And I am fortunate that even though I am pretty much dirt poor, I can still afford to run (and running ain’t cheap!).
Three short runs back-to-back is so odd to me nowadays. Before and after running, it seemed like I had all the time in the world to tend to other things like laundry, dishes, ab work, weights, etc., etc., and still have plenty of time to get to work.
I ran the same out-and-back today as Tuesday and Wednesday. Entering Wood Canyon from an Aliso Viejo Neighborhood park, I ran up Cholla Trail and ran the rolling hills (in the end not so rolling) of Westridge to Top of the World. I tried to beat yesterday’s time which was 13 minutes faster than Tuesday’s time. But I was a minute slower today than yesterday (that’s still 12 minutes faster than Tuesday!). All is good on the run. I felt strong. And according to my garmin, my fastest pace was 8.25 (that’s down from 9.17 yesterday and 10.39 on Tuesday.) I’m getting faster on the downhills. Oddly, it’s harder to increase my pace on the downhills than it is on the uphills. With the downhills, especially technical downhills (that is rocky, rutted trails) there’s always the fear factor – the fear that I’m going to eat dirt. And I don’t want to eat dirt.
Running up Cholla Trail:
On Westridge, headed toward Top of the World:
Looking down on Laguna Canyon Road (take it all the way to Main Beach in Laguna Beach):
The Ups and Downs:
Nice run again! I also have that fear factor part with me always. I just don't think the risk is worth a few minutes at the end. A bad downhill fall can put you out for months. Have a super weekend Lauren!
ReplyDeleteThanks again Johann. Fortunately, I've never had a fall to put me out for weeks. But I've had a few stunners. Hope you had a great weekend too!
DeleteGreat training week! I am also cautious on the downhills; something about going down, dislocating my ring finger, and spraining my ankle during a race forever changed how I approach technical downhills. Hope you have fun weekend of running and other non-running events.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Rachel! That sounds terrible. My biggest falls have been during races too. I think that's when I lose focus most.
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