Now What?

I abolutely love the trails. But, the roads are calling me. It's time to gear up for the Steamboat 15k. Real men run the 15k. I can say that since last year I ran the 15k. It's no 50 miler at McNaughton Park, but it's a challenge. I've been putting in more miles on the road to get used to that pounding. My body hurts. Friend of mine training for a Boston qualifying marathon said to try ice baths after a long, fast run. He swears by them. Tried it. You've got to be tough just to stay in there for that initial first few seconds. After that, numb. It did seem to help though. Anyways, my goal is to beat my time from last year 1:09. I talked a speedy buddy of mine into running the 15k with me this year. My strategy in the past when running with this guy is to see how long I can keep him in sight after the start. The longer, the better my time. One day, he will try to catch me at the finish line. It may be when we are in the 70-75 bracket, but it will happen. Roads stink very highly. Trails rule.

Got out to Farmdale the other day after school. Man, that place is colorful since the last time I was out there. I saw absolutely no one the whole time I was out there. I only put in a good hour, but it was a quality hour with running all the hills. Felt good to fly through the forest. I'm getting closer to putting on a trail race out there. It's a perfect place to do it. My dilemma is whether to have a shorter or longer distance. The answer may be to have both. I want to get new trail people to come out and see a beautiful place to run and I want the veteran trail runners to come out and do the same. It'll happen. Host it, and they will come. Things are coming together fast and I hope to be able to pull off the inaugral event this Fall. Several area runners have told me they would love to run it and many others want to volunteer. Keep October 7 or 14th open. Those are the dates I'm looking at, leaning toward the 14th.

I had three goals for this running season, 1) Do the 8 hour Jubilee Run, 2) Complete the McNaughton 50 miler, and 3) Run across Illinois. So far, two down, one to go. Once I get the logistics together, I really think it will be possible. I'd like to have some company, but as long as I have a crew person, I can run the route solo. I'm pumped about the idea.

Well, that's my update for the past couple of weeks. I hope to get out to Farmdale and run some more trails and figure out a course!

Happy Trails.