I'm an Endurance Athlete

No really, I am. The proof? Tonight's run.

My trail running group canceled our Thursday night run due to thunderstorms. This really bummed me out for a few reasons.

1) I was really looking forward to seeing if I could run 6 miles.
2) I ate today thinking I was going to run 6 miles (read: ate my calories before I burned them off)

I set out to run around the lake, twice. One lap is ~5K. I ended up with negative splits! How you ask? We'll, this is what I believe happened

A) I was warmed up. (run/walking 2 miles will do that to you)
B) I got past the dreaded 20 min/2 mile mark. (I've always had this, have you?)
C) I embraced my slower pace.

I think C is the most important. I really don't like being at a 13+ min/mile. I really don't. It was where I was when I first started running. I was trying to run faster than I my body can. I'd get running craps and ankle/IT Band/hip issues. This run was different. Like the longer distance runs of old. On the back 5K, I was warmed up, mentally in the run and had no unplanned walk breaks. These 3 things were missing from the first 5K.

As to why I'm an endurance athlete, after the first 2 miles, I felt like I could go forever. Well, at least for 4 more miles, maybe 6. I got into a good groove, although I really need to change the music on my shuffle and make it more shuffley, and started loving the run.

I did help that 3 guys waved/said hi to me on my run. Encouragement is always welcome.

July Peter's Canyon Trail Race

Today was the 2nd of 3 trail races at Peter's Canyon. It was also the 2nd of 3 races I'm running between 7/3 & 7/11. (side note: the bean will be 6 months old on 7/11).

This course was the harder one, running the trail clockwise (up trail, not the hills). The trail has a slight grade to it. Last month's race, we ran up the hills, then down (read: downhill) the trail. This month we ran up the trail.

I still shaved ~2 minutes off my unofficial time. I'm excited about that. I'm thinking I'm probably not going to get under an hour in August, but I should get close.

It did warm up a bit, but the race weather was still nice. We ran up the trail, then over Devil's Crotch (not sure if this is an "official" name) and back down. I saw more mountain bikers than on previous runs. In the middle of mile 2 I ran into a pack of hot guys running down the trail. Almost turned around. *almost* But I did think that my bib number should be my phone #, or maybe my twitter name.

I did end up finding a groove after mile 2, as always. Had a hamburger after the race and headed out to pick up the bean. I do love a race where the food is actual food. Not just bagels and bananas.

The final race of this series is on 8/5. Wish me luck and persistence in following my training