Since spring has finally decided to grace Ohio with its presence, I have gotten back outside for my runs and rides as much as is possible with the crazy schedule of my life. Last week I ran my first hills circuit since I fell last summer (bruising my tailbone and jacking up my back) and peddled my longest trail ride so far ~ a whole whopping 18 miles. I have LOVED every minute of being off the treadmill and the trainer, and very much look forward to more opportunities.
Despite snow 2 days ago, it was sunny and 65 today, and I was itching to get out on the trail after work. Planning on hitting the hills trails, I decided to shake things up a bit and try a different combo of trails which added just over 1/2 mile to the distance I usually run for this circuit.
I should have known better.
The Coyote Run Pet Trail is described as "unimproved trail", which translates to gravel, hard-packed dirt, raised tree roots, and grassland. After the most recent round of wet-death, today Coyote Run was more like a muddy agility course. Thank God for trail shoes, right? With their traction and extra-grippy soles? Did you know that those extra-grippy soles HOLD the mud they grip? Ever try to run with the extra weight of wet mud sucked into the traction of your shoes? My socks were pink/yellow stripped when I started out on the trail. I'm not entirely sure what color they are now, but I'm pretty sure it cannot be described as pink or yellow. Taken from a different angle, you know it was a fun run when you have mud splashed up the back of you pants almost to your rear-end.
The next leg of my run was on one of the "improved" trails, which must mean it is more than just mowed and has better drainage and water run-off. No mud on this trail ~ just a dyslexic Cub Scout pack that had no concept of "stay to the right." In my customary circuit, I usually run this trail first. This evening, I ran it last, as in after I had already run the muddy agility course. So I was more fatigued than I usually am when hitting certain hills. I did more than a little praying during this run as my quads felt like they might quit and my breathing hit a pattern that I don't like to fall into. When the headache hit, it dawned on me that it had been a couple of hours since I'd eaten and my sugar and sodium levels were now tanking. Awesome. I knew the trail well enough to know how much farther I had to go, and I was pretty sure I would make it without passing out or throwing up, so I pushed on and emerged victorious! I may have been sucking wind, but I was victorious, right?
In spite of all this, I think I like this combo. At this park, there are 3 nature trails that can be run in a seamless circuit that totals somewhere around 8 miles, more than half of those miles with mild to moderate degrees of elevation change. My goal is to run this 8ish mile loop before the 1/2 marathon in October. I have an idea of how this plan will progress. Now if Mother Nature would just decided what season she wants it to be...
