Notes
Sarah Owens cannot be at practice this afternoon, so I had the great opportunity to accompany her on her long run this morning. What a fantastic morning. Weather could not have been more gorgeous. Sunny and 50, the perfect long run temperature. We left regents and headed out north street, and opted to walk up the near-entrance to Dunnings. She had asked what I suggested for a 10 mile long run today, I had offered up Mink Farm, Fish Hatch, or a route on trails. I was SO HOPING she would pick trails, and she did. I knew I liked her. We did a couple laps of Dunnings, taking advantage of Captain's and Upper Ice Cave trail and Snail Trail. She hasn't done much running on trails thus far and was very adamant that I simply lead wherever I thought was best. Oh darn ;)
We left Dunnings and headed up Rocky Road to Van Peenen. Took First Right into the Prairie and I opted for a loop of Pines East. after the long uphill climb that is rocky road. Sarah was saying she was still feeling the work of the B Hills workout on Friday. The Pines was fabulous as usual. The Sun was just able to penetrate the thick cover, and the light fog and sunlight over the valley was breathtaking. Took the short jog over to Pines west and enjoyed that segment as well. After coming out into the prairie again we ran the perimeter for a while before hopping back on first right and connecting to little big horn. Sarah didn't think she had ever run Little Bighorn, and I told her it was a must-stop whenever you get to van peened. It still might be my favorite trail in Decorah. Ran Little bighorn all the way around to the far side of the bluff, before finding Gunnar, Dust Bowl, and Public TV, and making our way down the very bottom portion of Quarry Hill.
I definitely didn't want the run to end. I felt fantastic, and I could easily have done many more miles up there in the trails. I don't consider 10 to be a long run, but it was definitely a great distance day, and fun to have great company. I'm definitely going to see if I can get out later today as well and get some more miles in for the day.
I'm thrilled that I felt good towards the end of last week I was feeling quite tuckered out. But after an easy day Saturday and a day off on Sunday I felt fabulous, which was a welcomed surprise. I'm not sure how long I will be able to feel good. My summer this year started earlier and was higher mileage than ever, and I never really took any time off after track season. My motivation and health might come to a screeching hault sometime, but until then I am enjoying the training, the topography, and the company. After not getting into the TC 10 I don't have another significant race in my mind for the fall, and I am simply enjoying seeing where the weeks take me. I have decided, however, that I think grandma's half sounds like a fun goal for next spring. Thoughts? I'm sure by then I will be eager and ready to take on a new phase of training and have a significant goal to work towards.