Notes
first, the silver linings:
a) i still managed to run my fastest time for "the fells loop" this year.
b) i may have saved my legs for a more important run/race in a little over a week.
c) any run in the fells is better than pounding the pavement.
so... i had hoped to squeeze in a solid 10-12 miles today. got out of work early and out on the trails by 2:15, plenty of time for an hour plus 20 minutes. my legs felt amazing (light, loose, effortless) and the weather was perfect. i began the run with a slight uptempo, and set my sights on running a PB for the loop early on; slight progression, work the hills, maintain a good hard effort throughout. early pace was easily 6:00-6:15, even with the hills. splits at the bear hill intersection and end of railroad tressle all were ahead of targets. but around 25 minutes the GI issues broiled up... by 30 minutes there was no avoiding the inevitable. found a good place for a pit-stop and hoped i could resume the assault. not to be... i was wrecked for the remainer of the run. gave up the attempt after my second stop, then hobbled for another mile or so before i seemed to recover (a bit) and then one final gut-check with a half-mile left... waste of a perfect day/run... bummer. at least i managed to keep my shorts clean :)