I chickened out last night and went for a walk instead of the planned 8 miler. I was just feeling a little down so I decided to gorge on beer and food at a favorite resturant called Dish. Im gonna make it up today with a 7 mile trail run at lunch today.

QOTD: One of my co workers is getting into running lately to loss a little weight, last week I took him to a local trail. Although the trail was easy and relatively flat he seemed to enjoy it, I almost feel evil trying to convert him to the dark side...

I was planning on a short road run today but my calf muscle is bothering me so I think I'll stick with an Elliptical workout. Since my elliptical changes elevation I get actually get in a pretty good hill climb workout without stressing my calf as much.

QOTD: I tried to get my daughter interested and I think she would like it. The problem is that she wants someone to go with her and I'm the only one who she knows that runs or hikes so she rarely goes out. DS likes it as well and was thinking about doing another race with me this spring but it didn't quite work out. I can see him starting to run more trails in the future, especially if he would find a young lady that also enjoyed trails . DW has also tried it and likes to do some hiking and would be interested in shorter easier races but kind of gets tired of the rocky, rooty, messy PA trails. So at this point it's been a mixed bag for me.

Running 8 with the mister outside last night was glorious (thank you DST) and I'm itching to get back out there ASAP, but I do need to get some weights in. So, maybe it'll be a toss up of inside/outside tonight.

QOTD: Yes, we've always encouraged others to join us at some of our races. We've added a few to the "dark side" (hehehe) permanently, and others who have been so shocked by the experience that they decided to avoid running altogether.  

Went to a new (for me) park and ran/explored for 10 miles. Then stopped at girlfriends work and took her to Chinese buffet for lunch, now I feel blah.....

QOTD only introduced myself to trails, but so far so good!

Finally, I got to explore a new trail. I had been wanting to scout it already a few weeks ago, but could never make it over the mountain by car to go there because of the ice (and it would be a 22+ mile run just to get there).

It was an epic run. First 3 miles up the mountain, 1350 vert ft, then some downhill, and back on mostly non-technical sections. I cut the loop short by about 3 miles, so it was something around 8 miles or so, but I know now what the rest is probably going to be like, and the trails I ran were just beautiful. Scenic, great to run, not too steep, but still challenging. I am sure I'll go there again to run, even though it is quite a drive.

Glad I got out there early, later on, there were some snow squalls, whereas while I ran, it was pure sunshine and warmth (35F, and quite windy in some places). Except for the feet, which had to go through several creek crossings, swampy stretches, and a stream crossing. They were a bit frozen, but still ok. Which reminds me, better get some smartwool winter socks while they are on sale!

My hamstrings are really tight today after the intervals yesterday, so my planned easy run became a 4.5 mile recovery trail run. They never really loosened up while running, but they do feel better now so I am hopeful I'll be mostly recovered tomorrow. Not that it really matters, as long as they are feeling better by Saturday. I have a 27 mile race.

qotd: I have tried, but most of my friends are crossfit junkies and, while they like Tough Mudders, I can't seem to convince them that they would have more fun if they actually trained to run trails a little.