A lot of medals have been draped around my neck in the past years. Some are more special to me than others. For some, it is the design that makes them special. Others, it is more about the race and my performance that makes the medal a medal of honor.
Early in the year, I laid out my training schedule for BSIM as a training race or “fun run.” Basically, I set out to train well enough to not suffer horribly on race day but with gumby-like flexibility in the plan to allow for my busy life. No pressure to BQ, no time goals, just enjoy the beauty that is Big Sur.
Then, life began to place hurdles in the way of my training. I began wondering if I was running enough to even meet the goal of a finish in Big Sur. I somehow found ways to make time for at least the long runs. And still I dream of finishing the race with my BQ in-hand. That’s just me. I have to dream.
Just as in Steinbeck’s Mice and Men, dreams are often just that. You can lay out a plan to achieve your dream but the dream may or may not come true. That never stopped me from trying though.
Although I realize the ugliness that making a BQ attempt on this course could result in, if by some miracle race day showed signs of the best of all worlds, I’d certainly give it a go. I will toe the line open to all possible scenarios and let the day play out as it will.
That said, “the plan” I laid out calls for 20 miles this weekend. For some reason, I figured that I could settle back into an easy weekend and do 20 next weekend. But as I flip the calendar over to April, I can clearly see that my taper is set to begin following this weekend and I do not ever mess with the 3 week taper.
So, I guess you know what I’ll be doing on Friday. I’ll be making “good” on my plans and going long.
On Friday, I was told that I was indefatigable. I had to look it up to determine if it was a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose, like almost anything, it can be taken either way depending on the context.
in·de·fat·i·ga·ble
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin indefatigabilis, from in- + defatigare to fatigue, from de- + fatigare to fatigue
Meaning: incapable of being fatigued : untiring, an indefatigable worker
During Saturday’s long run, I tried to access any indefatigable tendencies. If you’ve got it, then use it. Right? If only it was as easy as deciding that.
The trails were tough. I haven’t been able to enjoy them enough these days. Venturing out for a 20 mile trail run, however, proved both exhilarating and exhausting.
Truth be told, fatigue was setting in. However, the solitude and sounds of nature were just what I needed. Running one of the less popular trails, a brief chat with a backpacker loaded up with weight for the sake of training for Mount Whitney (he’s entered into the lottery) after 10 miles of climbing provided just enough human contact to not feel isolated. Of course the decent was nothing more than exhillarating.
I’m stealing Donald’s blog title from his Better Together post.
Although I do find times where running solo is exactly what I need, I am finding that I am preferring to pair up with a good friend to share a run, a meal, a movie, or just a good laugh.
With 18 miles scheduled, I was more than happy to accommodate Cindy’s request to join me for her 6 mile run. Her only caveat was that I was sufficiently tired by the time we hooked up. This was easily accomplished by me running 12 miles ahead of time.
Our time together passed quickly. We took turns catching up on the other’s life events.
Talk, talk, talk — run, run, run. Soon, we were done, done, done.
It’s been a while since I’ve run at my favorite open space. Although I’ve found new ground, I always welcome a trip back to trials from my running past.
As with many things, time away can change your perspective. You may experience the same-old-same-old in a whole new light, which may be good or bad.
This was how today’s run was for me. So much was the same, yet so much was new. There were new fences, lots of new growth, and even the birth of new animals at the farm. But there were still eight switch backs on one of my two favorites trails.
The familiar twinge in my knee reminded me to be cautious. I obeyed. Meanwhile, my heart joyfully said “go for it.”
Following the switch backs, I ran back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. After a short while, my breathing eased and the run became more like a meditation. I exited the last switch back completely filled up and renewed with energy.
I sure do love trail running. Don’t you?