It has been a long time since I have run a distance that I would previously call a long run. My running has recently been cut back so much that I affectionately referred to even a three mile run as a “Long Run” not too long ago. It doesn’t seem too long ago that I would talk about 10 miles like it was no big deal, even priding myself that I was perpetually in half marathon fitness – but then life happened. Work and then ultimately injury stepped into the picture and I found myself sitting instead of running, even to the point that I went more than just a few days or weeks without lacing up for a single run.That time has now pastAfter many discouraging attempts at returning I am happy to say – that time has now past. Simple one mile runs which left me sore the following day are once again nothing but a memory as I slowly test the long run legs ever so cautiously. Just one week ago the longest run I had attempted was five miles, but I am happy to say that the roads and trails have been nothing but accommodating with each new foot-fall.Yesterday a friend and I met for an early morning long run on some local trails. He is running the Pinhoti 100 in just a couple weeks and I committed long ago to crew and pace him a bit. The pacing will not be the previous agreed upon distance of 20 miles, but will be a challenge none the less. We hit the trails at 5:30 and just ran until my body told me I was finished.…that run that reminds you that all is not lost, that you will returnI ran just shy of 9 miles, and really didn’t quit because I was tired or hurting, but rather because I had asked enough of my legs and if I continued to circle I would be tempting fate. The run felt good, and yet was a push. If it was nothing else, it was a confidence run – that run that reminds you that all is not lost, that you will return.As I continue to lengthen the long runs I will be thankful each time that I can run. Instead of feeling sorry for myself that I am not as fast as others, or cannot endure as long, I will be thankful that each step will not be my last. Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
The North Face Endurance Challenge-Trail Runners
The much anticipated weekend for many Atlanta runners has arrived as The North Face Endurance Challenge arrives with it’s flurry of races. Since this is only the second year the challenge will make it’s way to Atlanta I am sure there will be many who will be running it for the first time. F.D Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain will no doubt be the place to be for Trail Runners and Ultra Distance Runners from more than just the surrounding area.This race was on my list for some time, but with my recent injury and lack of mileage lately I dropped it from my calendar. A recent email prompted me to rethink that, but unfortunately I was not quick enough to get registered in time to join in the excitement. With races ranging from 5k to the elusive 50 miler there is a distance for everyone. I have a lot of running friends who will be participating in different events this weekend. One will be running his first 50k, two others running their first 50 milers, and one who is hopeful that she will be the one to break the tape after trudging through the woods for 50 miles.I am a bit bummed that I won’t be running, but there’s always next year. Who knows maybe by this time next year I will be ready to battle the 50k or 50 mile distances….. we will see.Those that make it out this weekend will have the privilege of meeting UltraMarathon Man, Dean Karnazes in person as he runs a little bit of each race. I am wondering if he would have run all of the races in their entirety if they were not being run simultaneously. :) Maybe he will chime in because I am sure he is a regular reader of 26.2 Quest. :)Will you be running the North Face Endurance Challenge in Atlanta this weekend? If so, what distance are you running? Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..