Wolf River Trails

I finally made it out to the WRT yesterday! My initial intention was to run the Tour de Wolf, but wanted a more "woodsy" run. I wasn't even sure that I was in the right place for WRT, but I saw some other people parked so I was hoping I wasn't about to look like a fool! Anyway...

Once parked, I met another runner named Johnny. I followed him onto the yellow trail and after about 10 minutes, I stopped to let him get ahead. I didn't want to crowd him and also wanted to experience the trail in solitude. First impression of the yellow trail: is this the jungle?! The trail was overgrown with vines and face-slappers. There were a lot of areas of "beach", where the sand would slow you down and get into your shoes if you weren't careful. A few logs that had to be jumped/climbed made the run even more enjoyable. My calculations were 4 miles out to Walnut Grove where you could continue on pavement back through the camping area, then to the start. I chose to turn around and retrace. It was too hot (only 94 degrees!) and my camelbak was almost empty.

WRT (yellow) was not as technical as Stanky, but a nice change of pace. There were a few ups and downs, but mainly just light rolls that you could open up your pace on.

Back in the Saddle

After taking two days off to let my PF heal, it managed four miles. I went to Stanky Creek, but there is a time-trial for the bikers going on (race tomorrow). Begrudgingly, I headed for the gym. I smoked the first two miles with a 8 minute per mile pace and felt great! My right heel was somewhat stiff, but not enough pain to stop me. What did stop me was a blister on my right ankle where my trail shoe had worn (I should have put my street shoes on!). The front desk people gave me a band aid to cover it, but it still burned like the dickens! I did not want to stop, but it my shoe kept digging into the blister. Wait a minute! This would be a great time to run barefoot...well, at least sockfoot!

I ran two miles at a 10 minute per mile pace in my socks and it felt very liberating! It took some getting used to, but it was great! Unfortunately, another damn blister...this time on the ball of my left foot which is where my foot would first contact the treadmill. Blisters be damned. Next time, I will wrap my feet regardless of shoe choice or surface choice. I am pondering on purchasing a pair of Vibram Fivefingers, which would make it much easier for me to run "barefooted".

To find out more about barefoot running, please give Barefoot Ted's site a look!

Good News...Bad News

Good news: Since changing from a base-building, slow run to a faster 5k pace run, I have seen much improvement since May. My 5k time has improved by 4 minutes and my 8 mile time has improved by 20 minutes! This is all wonderful news for me! Running slow and keeping my HR down during my Maffetone work-outs for 2 months was soooo boring. I am really excited to be running faster...and without pegging my HR out to max!

Bad news: I seem to have developed a case of plantar fasciitis. It started nagging me when I increased my pace this past Sunday. Halfway into a 10k run last night, I had a lot of trouble walking. I actually had less pain when I was running, so I finished the mileage. This morning, I could not bear any weight on my right heel. It became less painful as the day progresses, but still very tender. I guess I will need to lay off the running for a bit. The recumbent bike and elliptical will have to suffice for now (yuck!).

Stumpjump 50k

I just noticed that the Stumpjump 50k registration is closed! I knew that I should have registered this past weekend!

My alternative for that weekend is actually better than Stumpjump! I plan on joining Kevin Ponds who will be crewing for Jeff and Sherpa John at the Arkansas Traveler 100. This is a race that I want to run, but there is no way that I am ready for it. So...why not crew for some people that are ready? There is a lot I can learn from Jeff and Sherpa John! Maybe I can pace one of them, too!

Now, if I can just convince the wife to let me go play for that weekend!!!

Stanky Creek

The weather finally cooled down enough to run the trails! It was 97 degrees, but very humid. Even if it were over 100, I don't think I could have hit the treadmill. I needed to run the trails...and run the trails I did.

I've decided that I am tired of running slow. I need more speed. Today's run was to be considered a speed run....eight miles of speed. I hit the trail head at a blistering pace and held it constant except for uphills. After the first four miles, I was dog tired. I took a short walk break and then took off at a steady 11 minute pace. I had my watch set for a 3:1 interval, but usually just kept running. Another short walk break at mile six. My body and mind were telling me to slow down, but I wanted to push it as much as possible. I finished the loop in 92 minutes, which is shy of my PR by a few minutes. It was exhausting, but I felt good about my performance. I know an eleven minute pace is not fast for a lot of you, but it is on the trail for me. Of course, I doubt I could have kept that same pace for much longer!

Side note: There were lot of bikers on the trail today. As I passed a family of said bikers, the wife called out to her husband: "Here comes a jogger, Ed!". A jogger?! How insulting! I am a runner, by damn it! I am a ultradistance runner! I am the best ultradistance runner known to man to my wife!