A Break in the Rain

The rain arrived.  It arrived early this morning about 3AM.  I loved the sound of the rain hitting our roof as we nestled in our beds, warm and cozy.  Unlike newer homes, our home (built in 1947) is not sound proof.  We don’t need to look outdoors to see if it’s raining.  We can hear it falling.  I rather like listening to it. 

So, word is, that we’ll continue with a series of storms until Sunday night.  Thunder storms.  If the next few days are anything like today’s “storm,” I’ll have plenty of time to get in my miles. 

Rain fell fairly lightly today.  And then, it broke about noon.  That’s when I quickly changed my plans to fitting in a quick run.  I laced up my trusty New Balance “trail” shoes and headed out the door for a road run.  I noticed quite a few runners and cyclists had the same idea – get out there when you can. 

The skies were blue and beautiful, the air was crisp.  I didn’t even feel cold.  My slow pace was faster than my trail pace.  And I do believe my overall pace is gradually increasing (yay!  Almost time for speed training).

No rain has fallen since the break at noon.  With the onslaught expected over the next few days, it will be challenging to get in my remaining 20+ miles. 

Miles run:  5.33 (8.58 km)

Know Thyself

The only thing I wanted to do when I woke this morning was go back to sleep.  For a fleeting moment, I considered chucking my running plans and returning to bed after dropping the boys off at school.  But I knew that with the impending rain, I would regret not running today.  Still, maybe the rain wouldn’t come.  Just maybe.  

First off, I knew the rain would come.  Secondly, I know myself.  I know that if I just got into the truck, I’d feel better about running.  And if I didn’t, I’d feel better about running as I ran through the windy canyon.  And if I still didn’t, I’d feel better after climbing to the ridge and looked out over the miles of trails I’d covered.    Worst case scenario (or best), I would be happy finishing up the run.  I can’t remember a time that I ever regretted going for a run.  I know this much about myself.

It was a BEAR climbing Mentally Sensitive.  But, oh what a sight of the Saddleback Mountains!

Still smiling, even after having to stop to deep stretch an aching plantar fascia:

My Time in Eden

Sunday:

Holy Jim / West Horsethief Loop:  14 miles (22.5k):

Three Days in a Row

I got 6.5 trail miles in yesterday, a hot, winter day.  I ran up on my first baby caterpillar of the season, as it wiggled its way across the trail:

I crossed this creek:

And I crossed this bridge:

I felt a bit sluggish, being that Friday was my 3rd consecutive running day.  I try to get in four running days a week.  Hardly do I ever run more than two of those days consecutively.  Though I didn’t keep my pace up as much as I planned, it still was a good, salty-sweaty run.  And already, this morning, I feel rested enough to run again today.  But I won’t.  I’m teaching an all-day computer course today.  It’s going to wipe me out more than a run ever does. 

Training to Run Slowly

Today, I kicked it up a notch and returned to trails with some slightly difficult elevation gains.  Adding flatter terrain in my running of late with hopes of picking up my pace, has left me yearning for hills.

Though I love those hills, they aren’t always good for my training.  You see, all my running up and down mountains has slowed me down significantly.  I’ve inadvertently trained myself to run slowly!  I’ve tried to run up mountains faster, but I can’t seem to manage it without killing myself.  I always knew deep down that I just needed to get my legs used to moving faster.  I just didn’t want to do it – run flats that is (because that inevitably means running roads). 

I’m here to testify that running roads and flatter trails is working.  My legs are moving faster.  I feel stronger.  So, back to the hills I travelled today.  I took on Aliso/Wood Canyons for a short run up to the ridge, then off to Top of the World in Laguna Beach.  It is after all not distance that scares me.  It’s elevation gain that scares the crap out of me (excuse my language).  It’s not distance that sends me staggering to the ground.  It’s not distance that whirls tiny stars about my head.  Yup, it’s elevation gain.  And oddly, I love it!  If I had to choose, I’d pick elevation gain hands down.  But the pace I’ve trained myself to run isn’t going to finish Twin Peaks within the cut-off times this October.  Gotta get those legs moving faster.  

 

Spring Firsts

The sun decided to hide behind gray clouds all day, and as such, I began my run feeling cold, under-dressed with a beanie on top of my head.  But I quickly warmed.  Though not officially, what little we had of winter has come to an end.  Spring is here.  

Today while running Arroyo Trabuco, I came upon my first mustard seed plant of spring:

I ran along Arroyo Trabuco for seven plus miles before turning around.  Making seven creek crossings on the out, and seven more on the back,  I only fell into the creek once (as I approached the 13 mile mark).  I was more fatigued than usual because I worked on keeping my pace up.  That’s my excuse for falling into the creek, and I’m standing by it.  (I only submerged part of one foot, so it was a quick recovery fall.)

Looking a bit gloomy, but still pretty cool:

My first stink bug sighting of spring 2014:

Yes, spring is here:

Miles run:  14.57