Today, we are enjoying another day of sun. I returned from mass filled with energy that I didn’t have before. It is the kind of energy that leads to the completion of long-ignored chores and the development of grandiose aspirations. For me, this energy does not come in a regulated form. There is no telling what craziness will follow.
After church, I drove to the grocery store and quickly selected my items for purchase. Somewhere along the way, with the itch to get moving again, I began thinking of what physical activity YaYa and I could do on this lovely day. A swim or hike might be nice, I thought.
I considered a nearby local which I haven’t explored much. I’ve been there to run a 25K trail race but haven’t wanted to venture there alone for fear of getting lost or worse. The place, however, is beautiful and allows dogs. I figured that we could take the Ronin along with us for company and keep to the larger trails.
Only having let this park enter my mind, I began entertaining larger thoughts. Suddenly, thoughts of miles upon miles of running there with this dog of mine that so far has not been able to go more than 3 miles without slowing down seemed totally within the realm of possibilities.
Then, came the next leap: I could run the 50K.
It’s funny that I should even be thinking these thoughts given the fact that my left knee has a lingering twinge this weekend. But 50K, says our dear friend, “is only 5 miles more than the marathon.” So my biggest worry would then be the hills, which I honestly haven’t been training on. I could, of course, start now.
Imagine how easy a marathon would be after completing a 50K. Maybe this could be the ticket to a BQ in October. Is this just crazy talk, or is this just the next logical step?
A 50K is only 5 miles more than a marathon? I don’t know why I never thought about that before. I guess because I always think of the marathon in miles. It does put it into perspective doesn’t it? Hmmmm.
Plus you don’t have to chase the clock during a trail race, you just have to keep running.
Go for it! A change of pace & scenery might be just what you need.
As soon as I’m able to switch jobs to where I’m not traveling anymore (and get that 5:00 finish I’ve been chasing), I’m training for an ultra — can’t do it now, but I know I could someday soon.
Do it! I agree, maybe a change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered
I think it’s crazy talk…but I believe you can do it. you crazy gal.
good point about the 50K trail run helping you get to a BQ. I’m pretty sure trail running has done wonders for me.
I’m sort of waiting for Jeff to weigh in on this one. YaYa and I did go out hiking there with Ronin today. It was so incredible.
How can you get lost with Ms. Garminia? LOL… Some people do achieve marathon break throughs after doing 50 or 100K.
you know what i’m going to say. i’m a trail addict now and have sworn off road races. the freedom that running trails and trail races provides is something akin to an epiphany. knowing you, i think doing something long without a time goal would be ideal.
what i HAVE noticed, though, is that i’m slower on the roads now and all the trail miles make recovery harder from running roads. i hardly feel the effort of 20+ miles on trails the day after, but if i go out and do 10mi on road, i FEEL it.
i like the idea of using the trails to help with core endurance and building strength in your stabilizing muscles and with october in mind, if we continue to keep you on the road occasionally, running a trail 50k has the potential of being highly beneficial for you.
if nothing else, it’ll rejuvenate your soul and that’s better than any pr, bq or time goal.
Thanks Jeff. I was hoping, actually thinking, you’d say something to this effect.
i will probably only be able to get in paved runs or track workouts during the week but could do long runs on the trails. Another consideration is that it WILL be a challenge to train around YaYa’s baseball schedule.
Gumby flexibility plan:
If by May 9th, I’m not ready for 31 miles of intense hills, there is a 25k option and i can choose another race down the road. I like the idea of my 15th marathon being an ultra. Since I’d be trying for a BQ to run Boston in 2011, I don’t need to attempt in October should other things look better.
Looks like you’ve made up your mind already, but I was going to vote Yes anyway! Plus I think something different might be a great change for you.
still a noob runner, but I have to add my voice to the chorus saying “do it!” — sounds like you’ve found a good compromise if necessary, and I suspect you’ll really enjoy the trail-running.
Es su crazy plan?
DO IT!!! :) :) :)
Thanks for stopping by the other day. The runs have been less good and more great this week. Glad to know that you are still blogging and running.
never a dull moment with you! wow!