Well today was a tough run. Ok, in reality, the last 2 weeks have been tough. I've got the weight of the world on my shoulders right now and running hasn't been the solace it usually is. I've been trying to follow my plan as religiously as I can and although I had an amazing 18k run 2 weeks ago, the wheels fell off the rails after that. But despite that, I still got out to the lake and "ran" the 20k course today for my trail race in 3 weeks (I use quotations, because can I even call this run a run? Did I run? Yes, but I also hiked a lot including the majority of the final 3 k loop). My plan was to keep it nice and slow to ensure good recovery, but boy oh boy, that was slow even for me. My legs were heavy, my head couldn't get in the game and my tummy was grumbling saying "Feed me!" as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. I had a quick loo break, popped open my lunch kit and ate half my bagel and my orange, had a quick chat with another runner who was also heading out and I started on the trails. I know this course well. I have ran the 3 parts at different times a lot this summer but this was the first time putting it all together. I knew it would be a tough one, but also knew there was no way to shorten it unless I bailed after the 16k mark and either walked the gravel road back to the car (a good 1 1/2km), redirected myself to run the final 2k of the 5k course which is shorter and through the meadow, or just bite the bullet and follow the prescribed trail back to the finish. I opted to go with choice 3 but decided to hike it. It took the pressure off a bit, still getting in the miles without the pressure of making these dead legs run. I stopped to watch a cute little frog bound away heading toward one of the ponds 🐸 which gave me a little giggle and lifted my spirits a bit. When I got to the top of the final hill and started along the top ridge, my legs were itching to run (I love that ridge run 💕) so I ran. Then I slowly skirted down the steep decent into the meadow (after stopping to take the picture of the inukshuk someone made at the top of the hill. It was tiny and cute, and I've never noticed it before. Perhaps it is new, or perhaps I just finally noticed it since I stopped focussing on my run). I started to run through the final meadow portion (about 600 m) but decided to finish with a cool down walk instead. My feet were sore, my legs were heavy, and I was physically and mentally done. When I got back to the car, I had a quick chat with a couple horseback riders then I made the quick drive over the bridge to the main beach at the Provincial Park that is directly opposite part of the trails I was running. I took my shoes and socks off, cooled my feet in the water and enjoyed what remained of my lunch. It was a nice ending to a tough run. It allowed me to reflect a little bit. Today was tough, but on the positive side, race day can't get much slower without them sending out a search party 😂. I'm normally a middle of the pack runner, but I'm thinking this race will have me bringing up the rear. I've ran most of these long runs easy, with the goal to keep it enjoyable and as such have changed my time goal often. My new goal is to still be smiling and running at the end.....and please be faster than today 🙏. I also think I'll cut back next week's long run (it is supposed to be 18k) to somewhere between 14-16 k and run some of the other loops that are not part of my race for a change of scenery. Then I'm off to a conference the weekend before my race which will mean no trail run and maybe a hotel treadmill run if time permits. A little break might be needed, perhaps.
The other two pictures where taken during my run showing that the leaves are just starting to change colour. I can't believe it. I guess summer is almost over 😢.
Written by
SaskAlliecat
Half Marathon
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It sounds like a beautiful run, and at exactly the pace you needed it to be 😊 The summer has shot by so quickly this year! I do love autumn and winter, but crikey, summer has been a real mad mix of weather here. I'm a big fan of having a break though. Absence makes the heart grow fonder for all things!
I can't believe summer is over. It hasn't really felt like summer here for most of it. I think we had decent weather, but I was always working and then when I wasn't working and had holidays the weather was cool and windy. It made for nice weather to run in though. Hubby is already thinking and talking about snowmobiling. I'm not quite that ready for winter!
The air does have that summer is over feeling! It seems the wheels always fall off at some point during a plan but the overall hard you’ve put in will surely make up for it. I’m sorry that things are tough right now. I’m glad you had the nice ending to the run. Maybe the little break will be a positive thing. As usual a great post with beautiful photos . 🤗
Thanks Lav. It was just a question of when the wheels were going to fall off, I guess 😁. Hopefully, they get back on track and race day turns out ok, but it is what it is. That was just a long time to be on my feet today 😅 but a wade in the lake followed by a lovely soak in the hot tub when I got home means the legs feel not too bad. I've got some calluses on my toes I'll need to deal with before my next long run though and I have a set of gaiters I've ordered that I may try on my next run to keep the crap out of my shoes, although it wasn't as bad today. Last week, I was pulling spear grass and somehow a porcupine quill out of my socks and inside my shoe liner 😩
It sounds like you were able to make the best of a tough situation Sask. Your attitude is great - just enjoy it for what it is. No expectations. Yes the summer does feel like it is winding down now too. Cooler temps are something I won’t complain about though! Great photos too!
Thanks Decker. I was working hard to be positive today, but when you're 8k into a 20k run without any way to easily cut it short, you just have to grin and bear it and prepare to keep going and going and going 😆. At 14k on my second to last climb, I was asking for a slight breeze and it came....then went. So I asked again 😁. It didn't come back but I found other little things to make me happy.... a family hiking in the valley below me who noticed me, gave a huge smile and wave so I had to give a huge wave back, a pair of horseback riders who moved over onto the grassy area so I didn't have to stop, a gorgeous black horse galloping in the meadow far below me on my final climb with his mane just a flowing, and then the cutest little inukshuk. It was an ok run, despite being tough with sore feet, a painful hamstring insertion (darn I should have been doing my stretches - oops), and tight hips. At least I now know I can complete the distance, ugly or not.
You are a tough one, going it alone out there. You found some things to smile about though and that is important. And like you say, you’ve done the distance so a wee bit of pressure may be eased now.
Tough run and one tough runner! You managed the distance and you found the positives to keep yourself going when you could have bailed out. It's looking good for your race Sask, I'm in awe of what you're achieving. So sorry you're having a hard time, I'm hoping at least you don't have to think about snow for a while yet!
Hopefully not, but you just never know around here 😂. I did say to someone at work last week that summer is over so sorry we're wishing for snow this winter, but in reality, I'm not ready for winter. Our summer didn't feel like summer this year so would like a few more warm days when I'm not working.
I am looking forward to not following any sort of plan after this race is over. Last winter I was building up to the HM but this winter I'm not going to follow any plan and just run whatever feels right and really work on getting stronger legs.
Beautiful run Sask.... I loved everything we saw on that run. I think a few of us are feeling the weight of the world right now.. I know I am !
The run was what you needed and told you what you needed to know.. and wasn't that lunch time soak just perfect. Thank you for taking us with you... beautiful photographs xx
I'm sorry to hear you've also got things weighing you down right now. I wish I was better at just letting things go, but I can't so I can't seem to shake this right now. I'm pretty sure there are some hormonal changes playing a role as well right now, too, which isn't helping.
It was really nice heading over to the beach afterwards. Usually I just head back to the houseboat and get on with the day but we aren't on the boat this week and I didn't want to just drive home. It was a nice little reprieve. The beach was pretty quiet too which was an added bonus. I just wish I had more time to stay longer but had to get back to town to get ready for work 😔. At least we have one more weekend on the boat next week before we officially call it quits for the summer. So bitter sweet.
I am constantly amazed at what you do Sask.... You are far too hard on yourself! Sounds flipping awesome to me! You have a full-on life and you certainly don't take the easy option on your runs do you?! Hope you can squeeze a bit more summer out before the weather changes..... a lot more dipping of toes in the water needed! Only seems like 2 minutes ago you were battling blizzards!
Thanks FPF, it's nice to hear from you. I miss your posts and banter on the forums. I hope you're doing well.
I made the rookie mistake of looking at results of others I know who have ran this race and giving myself an unrealistic time goal to start with. I've amended it a few times, but it still bothers me how slow I am on the trails. Stupid, I know. Running is so individual, but the competitive person in me still rears it's ugly head from time to time. But given I don't push these runs that hard, I usually am smiling afterwards. We'll see what happens in 3 weeks, I guess but I keep telling myself my goal is to have fun and enjoy it, so that is what I shall do....I hope.
This sounds like you've tried with all your might to enjoy a tough run...and let's face it, we all have them...the run itself sounds tough without you having the weight of the world on your shoulders Sask, I hope whatever it is isn't with you for long xxx
It's quite disappointing when running isn't the escape you hope it will be and you are trying and trying to get in the zone to take yourself away from reality for a while and it sounds like you were having a mental battle most of the way round?! But you carried on and yes, it is definitely a run, even with the walk breaks, your runs always sound tough to me...and amazing!!! I love the end where your tired feet are bathed in the sea, perfect. Summer hasn't really begun here in England this year, we've had the odd hot day here and there but that's it, this weekend is supposed to be hot but as we head towards September I always feel sad that summer is coming to an end but also that my children are going back to school and another school year is starting, they're growing up....😰 xxx
Speak for yourself. It’s been pretty hot for days at a time darn sarf, and we’ve got a mini heatwave right now: up to 28 degrees today, 31 tomorrow ☀️Xx
Lol..darn sarf it's always warmer than up north, its grim up ere than nos?!! But, like you my lovely friend, we are avin a mini heat wave for the bank holiday, I've only just come in from outside and its nearly 11.30!!!!! Now that is some kind of record for me!!! Xxxxx
It's felt like we haven't had much of a summer either this year. We've had a couple really hot spells, but it seems whenever I'm not working and can enjoy summer, it is cool and windy. It has made for better running conditions (glass half full, right? 😁) but it is hard heading back into school mode not feeling like we got a summer. It probably didn't help that I spent my last week of holidays volunteering for the majority of it at the Summer games that our region was hosting and that my hubby was away as soon as we would finish our volunteering stint for the day and my kiddo was away at camp. You would think that would be nice, the peace and quiet, but I just wanted to spend time with my family having some summer fun. It really was a weird summer.
I cannot imagine not being with my family, that for me would be the weight of the world on my shoulders....you sound to me like you need some TLC and some time together..yes, your glass maybe half full but better than half empty xxx take some time for you and yours, time is precious, kids are precious and they're only kids once xxx
And do you know what Sask??? The fact that you have tough runs makes me feel better, I'm in good company and my tough runs are normal so thankyou for your honesty xxx
Wonderful photos as always and awesome running. What a beautiful place to run. I think we’re all floundering at this stage, and am assuming this is normal and it will pick up by race day. I can see what an inukshuk is but what is it? Is it a grave, a cairn, a wayside shrine, a trail marker?
Inukshuk are traditionally used by the Inuit in the north for markers. They can be navigational purposes or communication and are supposed to signify friendship, hope and safety. However, you'll see them all over the place in different regions in Canada that someone has just built for fun. The race directors have placed a lot of different little rock piles along the trails to block some of the trails that aren't part of the course (most of our trails are animal trails that we follow so there are lots out there) but this one was in the shape of an inukshuk and was just sitting at the top of the hill. It is a symbol of the Canadian north and did it's purpose of bringing happiness to this person who saw it. They always give me a feeling of warmth, happiness, and Canadian pride when I see them for some reason. It probably helps that people usually build them in pretty places while they are out exploring this gorgeous country that we have. Ok now I'm getting all sappy, darn hormones 😆
Sorry to hear things are weighing you down Allie. x
You went out and covered the ground, which will help physiologically I hope. I agree don't be so hard on yourself this is tough trail running in hard country you are doing. I wish you lots of luck for three weeks time, and maybe getting this particularly tough one under your belt will help.
A super write up as always, I'm glad there were some good things that made you smile too.💪😊xxx
Thanks Jan. Knowing I was going to be out there for hours, I knew I had to just stop and find the little things to bring joy....or sit down and cry which wasn't going to achieve anything. I planned for 3 1/2 hours, it ended up being 3 3/4 hours, which wasn't bad considering my frame of mind. I just really don't want race day to be that long. It shouldn't be with the excitement and the other 150 runners running this course and the 200 running the 50k who will start ahead of us. I really shouldn't look to see how fast others I know have ran it in, but that hasn't been helping. Oh well. I know It is my race and that is all that matters, but sometimes it is hard to follow our own advice 😜
Amazing run Sask, and you bossed it. You knew your limitations and you stuck to them. A wise move. What fantastic photos too. Isn’t the moment you take your shoes off after a long run the best feeling ever? Free feet! 🎉🎉
Good luck with your runs leading up to your race. You seem in total control. 👍😀
Think of me slogging my 10k race tomorrow. An iconic bridge run, but there’ll be no reprieve from the sun. ☀️🥵 I’m bringing a herd of snails to accompany me! 🐌 🐌 🐌
Best of luck tomorrow! Running in the heat without any shade brings it's own set of challenges, that for sure. After my way too hot trail race this summer, they had a kiddie pool with ice water in it. One of the other racers recommended I take my shoes off and stand in it. It was pure bliss and cooled me down immediately. If they have anything like that at the end of your race, definitely use it. I hadn't seen it before, but I don't run a lot of races, preferring to truck along meandering and enjoying doing my own thing. I can't wait to read the report and see the pikkie of the snail herd 💕
I don’t know what facilities they’ll have tomorrow Sask, but an iced kiddie pool would be most welcome! Having cool feet makes all the difference doesn’t it? 😀
I’m hoping for hoses or super soakers en route. I won’t care how I look! 😅
Yes, snails a’plenty .... no PB attempt for me in this heat. 🥵🐌
The Inukshuk looks like a mini little Stonehenge .
Hey Saskie, I know i'm behind with your runs but I haven't internet at the moment. That was a tough one and I know you're hard on yourself too which makes it a bit tougher. It is difficult not to compare times with other runners but we never know their circumstances. They might have athletic genes and have started running at the age or two. They might be taking performance enhancing drugs! They may have had a bad takeaway the night before. We run for ourselves, for our physical and mental well being. I love resting before a race (it's my favourite bit apart from the finish line food). You'll do fine on race day. P.S. I'm hoping for an Indian summer
Oh, I know. Comparison is the thief of joy. I shouldn't have looked at last year's results to get an idea of finish times. I will cross the finish line on race day and will hopefully enjoy race day, then will decide if next year will be running the race again or volunteering instead. I am looking forward to exploring some different trails next weekend for my long run though.
Or your long meander/hike/photo shoot/rapid racey run. Enjoy it and hope things get a little easier for you. P.S. I almost aborted a run today and thought of you and continued
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Trail du Gévaudan - check!
