How much do runners adhere to their training plans? I actually have no idea. I have never followed a training plan before now. And I’m finding it very difficult to follow it precisely. Life gets in the way. And sometimes it (life) drags me down so much that I wake up in the morning just too dang tired to follow the plan. That’s what I did this morning. Woke at 5 AM, walked out to the living room and lay back down. I knew that I couldn’t sleep in too much longer because today was my scheduled long run.
But I just couldn’t do it. I could not get myself up before everyone else in the house, and disappear for 7 hours. It would have probably done me good, helped to free my mind. But fatigue was too much this morning. So, I moved things around in my brain-calendar, came up with a better plan of postponing my long run and running a shorter run this afternoon, then fell back asleep. Eventually my boys kicked me out of the living room and I went back to my bed. My comfy, comfy bed.
My feet finally hit dirt at 2:30 PM in Aliso/Wood Canyons. And of course the trails were a scorcher this afternoon. I was pretty dang miserable and the thought crossed my mind on many occasions to turn back and go home. But I’m a loopy girl, don’t really get into running out-and-back courses. There’s got to be a special reason for me to run an out-and-back course. Misery just isn’t a good enough reason.
So, I ran up Wood Canyon and Cholla Trail to the ridge. I spotted a coyote along the way eating something in the grass. Several hikers mingled about the canyon, mountain bikers rode up and down it. Reaching the ridge took a great deal of my fleeting strength. It was pretty lonely up there. Lonely and lovely.
I connected the loop with Car Wreck Trail, an old favorite that I don’t hit often. I looked forward to the shade at the end of this trail. What I got were two doe standing in the middle of the trail. They stood close together as I skidded to a stop. It had not yet registered in my brain what I was seeing. I had only gotten to “tall animal, tan fur.” Then we made eye contact. I snapped a picture, and they were off speeding through the forest to almost instantly disappear.
Ended up with 10.54 very slow and difficult miles today. And I have to say, perhaps someone can relate – I enjoyed the misery of it. I really did.
West Ridge:
Car Wreck Trail:
Elevation Profile:
I really think that one problem is people stick to their training plan *too* much. We strengthen through recovery, not by pounding the crap out of our bodies for weeks on end.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right Glenn. Thing is, my training plan has "rest weeks" and I still can't keep up with it. Especially in this heat!! Thanks for commenting.
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