First of all, I HAVE NO IDEA how to eat for a long run that begins in the evening. Until now, I have never run a race or endurance event that didn’t start first thing in the morning. In fact, that’s why I do all of my long training runs at the crack of dawn: to be ready for early morning starts! Read More
My running has taken on a dullness post-PDTR that is more dull than usual this time of years. (While I love running in the snow, I do find it hard to stay motivated during the winter.)
The 50-mile failure, plus the Morton’s neuroma, plus an inexplicable pain in my left foot that took a week to resolve, plus several days of flu-like symptoms, plus the cold and dark have made for many short runs and many days with no running at all. I set a goal of running 1000 miles in 2013 and I’m right where I should be to meet that goal, IF I complete my normal runs. I plan to do that, of course, but it feels really hard at the moment.
This was my goal race for 2013 and I trained long and hard and traveled a long way to get to the starting line. Unfortunately, the finish line didn’t materialize for me. After running three 50k races in the past 18 months, I was anxious to step up to another distance and I chose the Palo Duro Trail Run for a couple of reasons. One, it felt nostalgic and comforting to try something big and new “at home.” Two, I have hiked hundreds of miles in the canyon and I wanted to run somewhere familiar for a change.
Packet pick up took place on the night before the run at WTAMU, my alma mater. We were treated to a pasta dinner and a course overview. There was also a man there known as “The Ancient Brit” who is 86 years old and a friend of the race founder. He came to give a speech of encouragement to the runners and to present a proclamation to the park service from his home city of Westminster, England. It was pretty cool to hear about his experiences and the dinner gave me time to hang out with local runner friends and meet some new people. Read More