I fell hard on the trail today.

...on that rock right there.  See it?  Neither did I :\

Today's lesson:  Pick up yo' feet.

It wasn't a hard fall. Just a surprise.  Breaking into trail running is hard.  I'm still getting used to the rocks and roots and having to watch out every second of every run.  Hazards you don't really have on the road.  Thankfully the spot where I fell was pretty clear with just some loose rocks, dirt and snow.  No stumps sticking up or twigs which could puncture.  The snow help to break some of the friction as I slid to a stop and though my knees got a little banged up, I was able to get up, dust off, and keep on running.  From then on, I was hyper aware, tripped a couple of other times, but did not fall again.  Win!

There were also these weird frozen dirt pods in the ground that kept startling me.  By the end of the run I learned to look out for them.  I'm sure there's a name for them but I don't know what it is.  It looks like maybe the dirt got wet and then froze but some of the dirt underneath got washed away.  At first glance it just looks like you're stepping on frozen ground but then your feet break through the froze dirt facade and you sink/trip a little.  Weird, right?  Yah. Weird.

Today's lesson (updated): Pick up yo' feet.  And, also watch where you put them down.

I've fallen before on the trails but today's fall came while I was already feeling "off".  Or, maybe it happened because I was "off".  I don't know.  Perhaps I woke up tired or something but today's 12 miler felt 10x harder than the 10 a couple weeks ago.

• I wasn't prepared for it to be so sunny.  The sun was blinding the whole way.  I normally LOVE the sun but today it was bugging me.
• That and the sun and the cold were making my eyes water.  I found it really hard to keep my eyes on the trail while they're welling up and because I wear glasses and I was wearing my big winter gloves, I couldn't just easily wipe my eyes.  I had to lift the glasses with one hand and wipe my eyes with the other.  I tried this once while still running which you could imagine was not a good idea.  So I had to keep stopping to take care of this weird issue I've never had to deal with before...
• I developed a headache midway through the run. Probably because of the cold and the sun.
• And, I just felt like the whole thing was a slog.

So I guess Today's lesson (updatedx2):  Pick up yo' feet and watch where you put them down and wear sunglasses if it's sunny?

K, enough complaining.  

It's the end of marathon training week 7!

Today's 12 miler was one step closer to my goal of training for the TARC Spring Classic marathon.  The course is a 10k (6.2 miles) loop of mostly single track trails in Weston, MA.  It's all trails [all the time!] so it's my mission to get better at trail running before April 22.

I'm following the Hal Higdon Novice 1 training plan.  Back in 2012 I followed the Novice 2 program for my first marathon and it really helped me prepare well for it.  This time around I chose the more beginner program for its conservative build up.  Coming off of a lighter running year last year and surgery this fall I really wanted to make sure I'm being careful in training.

So far, I have found myself super motivated to complete workouts and to take rest days.  Rest days. Rest days. Rest days!  This plan only calls for a 4 day running week with 2 rest days and a cross training day.  This week I took all 3 days as rest days but normally, I would use the cross training day to bike.

I am really trying to stick to the plan and not give in to that beckoning 5th running day.  Being fully recovered especially for the weekend long run is going to be the key as the higher mileage weeks come along.   I'm looking forward to it. 

Today was hard and I admit I was a little discouraged that the trail and "circumstances" kicked my butt.  I'm not giving up though.  As long runs get longer, I'm giong to try hard to find running partners to run with.  I think that will really help.

What about you?

Have you ever had an "off" day on the trail?

Do you run with others or mostly by yourself?

Thanks for reading!  I would love to hear from you so leave a comment below.

Me: Okay now at that tree you're going to pick it up until that light.
Me:  Which tree?  That tree?
Me:  Well, okay maybe the one after the driveway but you're definitely not slowing til the light.

...

Nothing induces self dialogue like a fartlek workout. :)

Street sculpture. Foto taken on my run.

Until about a couple weeks ago, I had been getting my weekly speed fix at my running club's weekly Tuesday night track workout.  Since I started doing those workouts I feel stronger and more consistent.  I have really gotten used to this fast workout with friends as a part of my routine.  Due to lame circumstances, however, we no longer have use of the indoor track so until mid-late March I'm on my own trying to figure out speed workouts.  In reading around, I was reminded that track isn't the only way to add speed to your runs.

My first conscious attempt at shaking things up was this week's Fartlek. 

A Fartlek (swedish for “speed play”) workout involves sprinting and jogging off and on during a run (The Runner's Resource).  It's like playing...you run fast for a bit, then slow, then fast again for a longer bit (maybe) then slow again...it can be structured or unstructured. 

Wednesday's run was the first time I tried one of these workouts and I'd say it worked out pretty well.  My scheduled called for me to complete 5 miles total so I decided that I would use the first and the last mile as warm up and cool down and I would run the 3 miles in between with 2 minute pickups of 30-50 seconds per mile faster than my base pace.

I was roughly planning to run a base pace of 12 min/mile and pick it up to about 11:30-11:10 pace and hold that for 2 minutes.

The paces were all over the place but in the end, I think I got the result I wanted.  I was able to run hard enough to "feel it" but not too hard that I couldn't keep running when I returned back to my base pace.  5 miles was probably a long distance (for me) to start with-- I ended up walking a some of the last mile-- but I will definitely be doing this again.  At least, until outdoor track starts up in March. 


Also: 

I did a solid 10 miles (last Saturday).  My longest run since last summer.  Felt good!  I taped my arch for this run because I new I needed the extra support on the trails.  Such a good idea.  My foot did well on the run and has been great all week.

New shoes!  I bought them on a Christmas sale at the New Balance outlet but I'm only now breaking them out.  My Mizunos have over 380 miles on them but I like them so I'll probably keep them around for short stuff.  I got a good deal on these NB's and depending on how they do, the pink and blacks will be come my main pair. The black and gray pair are for trails.

Still figuring out the action cam.  I've been having trouble with it freezing on me. No good.  Also looking at anti-shake options.  Hopefully I'll figure it out.


Here's a short little video I did to test out the new camera.

How about you?

Do you incorporate any speed training into your workout?

How long do you keep a pair of shoes before retiring them?

The year is off to an interesting start. I was sidelined for a few days with my second cold in 4 weeks. It's been freezing, and warm, then freezing again. Typical NE winter shinanigans. I'm back running this week and was able to complete 9 miles this morning to close out my 4th week of marathon training.  I am feeling super excited and motivated. 

Thursday's runch...in shorts!

Today's run. So cold that my sweat froze the tassels of my beanie.

A few thoughts for the year 

Every December/January the creative and adventurous juices start flowing and all my daydreams are focused on the year ahead and all the personal records to break and cool events to be a part of. I had ambitious goals for 2016--some of which went unrealized (run my first ultra, total mileage goals, etc.) --and those disappointments taught me some valuable lessons that I want to use to help shape my goals for 2017.

First, I want to continue to dream. I noticed toward the end of last year a reluctance on my part in goal setting and telling people about ideas in case I had to bail.  But, I want to be excited and let myself be motivated by big goals and have fun with it. I have adopted the phrase "going for it" for this year.  After all, running is an adventure and getting excited helps keep that spirit. I just signed up for my first ultra, the TARC Fall Classic 50 miler! I have no idea if I can run 50 miles but I'm going for it and seeing what happens.

Second, I want to be flexible and not focus so much on the "stats" and hitting strict numbers...or whatever.  Things happen and flexibility helped me turn those "lemons into lemonade". I didn't get to do an ultra last year...I didn't even get a marathon both of which are a part of the plan for this year. I did, however have a ton of fun at other events especially at some really cool volunteer opportunities. If for whatever reason an ultra doesn't pan out this year, I want my life and outlook to be flexible enough to adjust and deal with it joyfully. 

Lastly, and this is super random, I want to learn how to use my new action camera really well. :)  I just got it last weekend and I can already tell I'm going to spend a lot of time at it. It's fun and running-related but in a different way.

My new action cam, the Akaso ek7000 (review to come)

The Akaso ek7000 without the waterproof casing. It's so tiny!

19 different mounts came with the camera

What about you?

What goals have you set this year?

Do you have any fun new toys or gear?

All things considered 2016 was a great year.

I joined not one but 2 running groups.  The Somerville Road Runners is the local road running group that I do most of my weekly runs with.  I have run with them in the past unofficially but 2016 was the year that I wanted to really get involved.  It has been a great support finding other runners in my pace group.

Trail Animals Running Club is the trail running group in the area. Their reach is wide (runners in most New England states) and their energy is contagious.  It is really fun to see runners from all levels and abilities meeting huge goals at some of the TARC ultra races.  I hope to do the Spring Classic trail marathon in April.

Volunteering with these two clubs was a priority of mine this year.  Volunteering really made me feel like I'm giving back to such a great community of runners (both road and trail runners) who have helped me in this pursuit of mine and it's a ton of fun.  I hope to have time in 2017 to continue do this.

My running calendar took a bit of a hit this year due to abdominal surgery in the fall.  I took two months completely off and I'm pleased to say that I am back to running somewhat consistently again.  Surgery was without a doubt the necessary and best route and I'm already feeling much better than I did pre-surgery.  Even with those two months rest, I was still only 10 miles off of last year's mileage.  I hit 690 miles this year!  PTL!

Also in 2016!

I bought my first pair of Hokas!  Hoka One One Cliftons.  They're nice :)

And...my first hydration vest, the Nathan Fireball. Now I can carry tons of water and snacks.  Convenient!

And...finally made running on trails a regular occurrence.  I'm still pretty slow at it but oh well!

Between a slow start to the year, surgery and then recovery from surgery, I've learned many lessons in 2016.  Trust, patience, perseverance are just a few.  I trust that God has a plan in everything.  Sure, I was anxious at times but reminders of God's past faithfulness lead me to trust and produced in me patience to seek/wait for the solutions and the perseverance to keep on.  

I ran a lot of 14 minute miles this year as I was figuring out my health issues because running slow was better than not running at all.  "A mile is a mile".  I took a lot of encouragement from that common saying.  I hope to carry this same hope into the new year.  My theme for 2017 is "Going for it".  Life is too short and injuries are too common :) First, the trail marathon.  Then...a 50?  Who knows!  I'm just going to go for it and see what happens.

Enjoy this short video I made of my last run of the year.  Let it encourage you to keep on and to appreciate even those toughest workouts.  God has a plan in everything!

Two thumbs up for tonight's run.  I was scheduled to do 6 miles and was able to have my friend Adele who is visiting from out of town run with for half it.  First of all, it was a beautiful day and evening and I picked a route in the West part of town that I really enjoy doing even though I have to walk a lot on the hills.  

Though the pace was slow, I'm still proud to say it was steady.  We did not walk AT ALL and only had to stop at a couple of stop lights.  I was for sure tired at the end but gained a lot of confidence.

Selfie after our run

I have been working on not taking so many walk breaks and trying to get mentally tougher when it comes to pushing through tiredness.  Tonight was definitely a victory.  6 miles.  The farthest I've gone in a while and the end to the first official week of marathon training.

Yep, you read that right!  Marathon training. 

The goal race is the TARC Spring Classic Marathon the end of April.  It is a trail race in Weston, MA put on by my running group, the Trail Animals Running Club.  I figure even though I've never done a trail race it will be a good low key intro back into running. I'm really just looking to get back into a running routine and do my best!  No pressure.

Check the blog from time to time for training updates :)  Also, I'll definitely be updating my upcoming races page soon as I plan out 2017.  Exciting times!