Second Chances

Going into this weekend, I had a mild freakout about the next 50K which is now less than a month away.  Mileage-wise, I feel OK.  Trail-experience wise, I'm still freaked out and know I need to get in more trail time.  I also have a new pair of trail shoes I want to try out.  They were a Valentines Day gift from my husband.  I could care less about flowers, chocolate or jewelry but a surprise gift of new running shoes is pretty sweet!

I wanted to try to get in some trail time on Saturday.  I couldn't find anyone to go with me.  Add in wind advisories and not being too keen on trail running alone, I chickened out and stayed close to home on my normal back roads.  I tried to make the best of it and decided to give a few things second chances this weekend.

Saturday morning, I went out for 10 miles.  The wind was awful but the running was wonderful.  It was one of those days where everything felt effortless.  Each song that came on the mp3 player was better than the last.  The wind reminded me of my first half marathon 2 years ago and reminded me of how far I've come.

The pace was good and if I wouldn't have had to stop for the 2 different sets of loose dogs that came after me (they were harmless but pretty sure anyone remotely afraid of dogs would have been freaked out by these guys and the way they charged), it would have been even better.  I was afraid all of them were going to get hit by a car.  The first group crossed a road that cars fly on and the second group were little tiny dogs.  Luckily, they seemed to all return home (not that any owners were even around that I could see) in one piece after they were determined I was harmless and not interesting.    

I decided to take a handheld water bottle with me.  I tried it quite some time ago - once.  I hated that thing so much that I considered just chucking it off the side of the road.  I didn't but the hand held has never left the cupboard since that one run so long ago.  This time, it was much better and think I may actual be able to use it again.  Good to know.

On Sunday, I headed out for 20 miles.  I spent the first two miles trying to determine where I wanted to run for the day.  I decided to try a new loop.  I didn't know how far it would be but was hoping it would be around 14 miles. It turned out to be a great loop with some great views but was only around 9 miles.  My outrageous fluorescent outfit scared a large group of cows on a farm I passed.  Normally, when I run past a farm with cows, they just stare intently.  Two different groups at this farm just started running away from me while looking back and watching as I passed.

On this run, I decided to give gels a second chance.  I'm pretty sure I don't need to give gels a third chance. They just don't work for me.  At least this brand (Hammer) didn't make me sick (like GU does) but I'll just stick with what's been working.  I wish I could say the 2nd half of this 20 miler was all rainbows and unicorns like the first half or Saturday's run, but it wasn't.  My legs felt OK but my mind was totally out of it and I was quite dazed and confused.  I'm actually quite surprised I found my way home.  Luckily, the foggy state went away after sitting down and eating.  Either way, another 20 miler complete and I now only have 3 more weekends between me and the next 50K...one of which has a half marathon - first race of the year!