Indecisive!

Ok soooo a long time ago I registered for the Crazy Soles Nipika Trail Run 25km in Kootenay National Park taking place on May 30th as my first trail race of the season. For some reason I had thought it was way closer to Calgary and then when I realized it was about 3 hours away I got to thinking maybe I wouldn't want to do it. So then I decided I wouldn't do it and ended up registering for the Calgary half marathon which is the day after this trail race on May 31st.

Now I can't decide which to do...I kind of want to do both. But I know I should be doing more trail races and less road races in preparation for Transrockies. Argh. I also feel like I could get a kick ass PB in the Calgary half but if I do the trail race the day before (no matter how easy I try to run it), i'm sure i'm asking for a slow half the next day. Do I care? Well I shouldn't but I'm sure I would seeing as how darn competitive I am. My second half of Boston was a PB so I can't help but think I should be able to beat it? Hmmm....

Bah, i'm so indescisive...I just started reading Sunshine Girl's race report from last year and now I want to do it. You know what part of my problem is? BEARS! How do I get into trailrunning/racing without freaking out about bears...i'm terrified. I don't want to be doing a race where i'm likely to be on my own for the most part...in the woods...and run into a bear. Bear spray does not make me feel safe. Maybe if I can find a partner who'll stick with me throughout the whole race I'll still do it...hmmm. Guess I could call up my bro and see if he's interested. I don't think he's quite there yet in terms of distance...he's slowly building up his long runs. Any of you guys want to be my running buddy in 3 weeks in Invermere? Come on...you know you want to... :)

I'm taking another day off from running today...still a bit sore from Sunday's run. I'm going to do some easy cardio for an hour...the stupid crosstrainer elliptical thing and probably some bike. The rain has now started in Calgary today so I don't feel too guilty about being inside!

Happy training! :)

(and seriously, if you want to be my running partner for a fun 25km trail race in 3 weeks let me know!!!)

It's Monday...and I couldn't be happier!

Well, i'm super pumped! After last sunday's long run, I finished feeling depressed as I knew my leg was bad enough that I needed to take the whole week off from running to see if that would help. I couldn't pinpoint the pain but I felt like it was IT band related...my hip was sore and achy and it radiated down the side indicating IT issues. I also had a tight upper calf and that hurt around the side of my knee and also behind my knee.

I've not been good with recovery since Boston as for some reason I just always want to get back at it as soon as possible after a race. My own fault...lesson learned!! Anyhow, my body told me to bugger off and I finally did! I took 5 days off from running, did a bit of light crosstraining, some weights and some climbing...then saturday evening I went out with a friend for a 10km run...i felt awkward at first...not running in 5 days just felt so weird. I did have to stop halfway just to stretch out my hip and IT band as they were tight...but not painful...just needing a good stretch and a good session on the foam roller after.

Sunday I woke up with no pain wahoo! I knew I wanted to do at least 32km but more around the 35km range. Well it ended up being 38km!!! This was unplanned as I ended up taking some detours and reroutes in an area i've never run before. But it was fantastic and I finished with a big smile and a great feeling of satisfaction. Ahhhh....so nice to do a long run again virtually pain free. I think I just might be able to do my first 50km in 4 weeks afterall. We'll see how the Calgary half goes first...3 weeks till that race. I've got to try and work in some speedwork as I haven't done any since before Boston. I still think it'll be a great race and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm such a happy girl when I can run! :)