Clinton in the Springtime

My long run this weekend was a 20 miler at Clinton Lake with the Western Division of the KC Trail Nerds. Besides being overdressed and undertrained, I had a ball. There were about 5,000 runners there at the start. Ok, maybe it was closer to 15, but it was a huge group for a training run. Most of the group was doing 15-16 miles and there were 4 of us who did 20.

That was the first time I had ever been to Clinton. The course we ran is the same course I'll be running in a few weeks for the Freestate 40 mile race. It's much more runnable than WyCo; I would say it's a better version of the trails at Shawnee Mission Park. With all the rain we had last week, it was super muddy.

The group stayed together for the first 8 miles or so, which I thought was pretty cool. A group this size usually splits up after a mile or two. We ran around the lake, through wooded areas starting to show signs of spring with a carpet green plants starting to spring up. I would have liked to look around more, but if I took my eyes off the trail, I'm sure I would have done a face plant.

After we split, it was Gary Henry, a couple up visiting from Texas, and me. Gary was great. He truly is a trail veteran, keeping pace, telling stories, and even breaking into verse. I slowly dropped back - the full sun sections were frying my HR and I had to take a few walk breaks. But I enjoyed the trails and the company. Besides making sure I made it back (I made one wrong turn), Gary also had cold water in a giant cooler in his car. I changed into dry clothes and refilled my water bottles a few times, before heading back to KC.

I wish Clinton was closer and I could make the Clinton run a regular thing. Maybe it will be a monthly occurrence. It is definitely worth it.

Older and Wiser

So far my week looks like this:
Sunday: 6 mile run (crappy weather)
Monday: 11 mile run
Tuesday: 60 min bike, 6 mile run
Wednesday: 2000-3000m in the pool (later tonight, TBD)
Thursday: 7 mile trail run
Friday: rest (maybe 30 min easy spin after I tune up my bike)
Saturday: 20-25 mile trail run
Sunday: 90 min bike or swim (TBD)

Makes me tired just looking at it.

I had originally scheduled another 10+ mile run for yesterday to make up for the 20 miler I missed this weekend. My nagging knee pain had started to return on Monday (I blame the pavement). Training for my first 1/2 marathon, my right knee cap started to feel like it was caught on something, and didn't move in it's natural track. Overuse injury I decided, and all the more reason to keep up tri training. Except this winter I've piled on the miles and let my bike collect dust.

So last night, instead of 10 more miles of pounding, I spent an hour on the trainer and then did an easy 6 miles through the neighborhood. That may not sound like taking it easy, but trust me, replacing 4 mile with 60 minutes of riding did me a world of good. At home, I stretched a little, rolled my legs and back on the foam roller, and iced my knees. No knee pain during the run. Bowl of ice cream with fresh strawberries as my reward. :)

I'm a little short on miles, but I think the bigger victory was listening to my body for a change instead of just grinding through another workout. I'm trying to be better at this, especially since I'm a "little" under-trained for the 40 mile race in 2 weeks. I'm trying to add miles and cardio, but I can't afford a complete breakdown. It's an interesting balance.

On a different note, I'm hungry all the time. One of the many joys of training. It's a good thing we're stocked up on apples, grapes, strawberries, carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. If it's raw and was growing out of the ground, I don't have to worry about how much I eat. Getting enough protein is a different story.

Where did spring go?

My daffodils looked much happier on Saturday when it was 60 and sunny. Yesterday, I could have sworn we were back in January for how crappy the weather was. We helped out Bad Ben at his aid station for Brew to Brew. I think 38 degrees, sleeting, and 30 mph winds is quite possibly the worst weather to run in. Or be outside in, period. But if it wasn't for the weather, I wouldn't have had the latest in trash-bag fashion. I'll post some pics when I get them. (Hint hint, Sophia :) )

Between the rain and the PBR Fairy on Friday night, I didn't do much this weekend. Which was kinda nice, but also means I have ten mile runs back to back this week. I did 11 tonight, and I really noticed how much pavement sucks. My knees were starting to hurt, so I think tomorrow I may ride an hour and then run an hour to give my knees a break. Actually, I'm icing my knees right now. Damn pavement.

Then again, if it's nice out, I may just head to SMP and put in 9 miles on trails, bibke be damned. We did run on Sunday, so it wasn't a complete waste, just not the 20 miles we both had planned. That just leaves me with a small issue - biking. My White Lightning still hasn't shown up, so that's my current excuse. Hopefully before this weekend, and I can get outside.

This Saturday, I AM RUNNING AT WYCO. 2 loops. Hopefully the weather will be nicer. Although after running last night and again tonight, there is something to be said for running in crap-tastic weather. It gives you a much bigger sense of accomplishment, I think. "Did you see the game last night?" "No, I was out running 11 miles in 30 mph wind." Alright, so my answer is always just no, the last part is in my head. But knowing I was out there always makes me smile.

My tulips aren't far behind my daffodils. I'll post pictures when we have some sunshine.

Back on Track

Last week John and I were in London and Paris, so other than LOTS of walking, I did nothing. I brought my running shoes with good intentions, but let's be serious - we were in Europe!

I am glad to be home, and after some All-Bran, fresh fruits and veggies, and an 8 mile run around the neighborhood, I fell like at least I am heading back in the right direction. My run was great, not fast, but I felt good and my HR was lower than I was expecting. Dinner was cranberry oatmeal with extra cranberries and whey protein. Not the greatest, but not the worst.

Tomorrow I am doing a brick on the trainer and then around the neighborhood since it's supposed to be in the 40s, then swim on Wednesday and run at WyCo on Thursday. John's out of town tomorrow and Wed, so I'm flying solo for a couple days. Good time to attack my training plan!

ROOAAAAARRRRRR!!

Run the Mud

My First Ultra Marathon

There once was a girl named Sam.

Her first 50k she ran.

Lots of mud and some pain,

she will never be the same

with her finisher's medal in hand!

Fair Weather Fitness Fans

Spring is in the air and I couldn't be happier! All of the usual signs are there: my tulips are coming up and the red buds are getting ready to pop. And of course, one of the clearest signs of spring - the fair weather runners are back!


I'm always somewhat amused by the people out running this time of year, especially when they're huffing and puffing like it's their first run since Labor Day. And maybe it is. I think it's great their out there running and being active, but a little part of me gets possessive of the streets in my area. I ran here all winter, in snow and rain and temps below 0, when no "normal" person would want to be outside, and that makes the streets mine. But I guess I can share. After all, that was me a few years ago.

But maybe that's why I like running in the rain so much. The streets clear out and there are no strollers or dogs, it's just me and my empty streets. When you do see another runner out on a crappy day, you always says hi or wave. There is a connection when you run in the rain - you'd rather be outside in the rain than be relegated to a dreadmill in a gym somewhere, or worse yet, sitting on your couch.

Trails are the same. You don't run trails because that's an easy option. So when you see or meet others on the trail, you always say hi, just because you have the wilderness in common.

I know that fair weather runners will come and go. When the temps hit 90, the streets will again clear. And I'll still be running, praying for winter. :)

Trail Nerd Swag

At our usual Thursday night run, John and I had a nice surprise. Bad Ben gave the two of us hats for being "Thursday night anchors" and leading the group runs at WyCo. I'll go ahead and admit it - I'm a total dork and this really made my night.
It made my night for two reasons. 1. It's a nice Sweat Vac hat and I could use another running hat. 2. It was nice being called an anchor. And yes, I take being called an anchor as a compliment. :) We've been running consistenly on Thursdays since July (and only recently do I not get lost).

We do Thursday nights because we love it. It's the one group event I do a week and I even plan around it. The guys at work know I won't work past 6 on Thursdays and I even turned down playing on a beer league sand volleyball team because the games were on Thursdays nights. Now that's dedication.

So if you're ever in KC on a Thursday night and want a personal tour of some of the best trails in the area, you know where I'll be. And I'll be wearing a pink hat.