Happy Trail 20 Mile Run!!!

Often times it's the simplest things that can get me excited about running, like buying a new pair of socks, wearing a new hat, adding a new playlist, lacing up a new pair of shoes.  Today, it was a new route that got me motivated and had me feeling like a kid in a candy store with a butt load of money to spend.

My dear friend Linda had offered to bike with me for this week's long run since I wasn't able to get it in with the ladies over the weekend.  I took her up on the offer and made plans to attempt a new route.  True friendship = one who willingly will bike 20 miles at your pace while carrying water and supplements in a backpack on a 28 degree morning through a hilly forest?!  Wow, I just may owe Linda a certificate to a massage place!  

It was a beautiful morning for a long run!  28 degrees is pure bliss for me, sweating by mile 4 but not enough to dehydrate is just perfect.  We started the expedition on a slightly downhill trail but only a few miles into it, we hit our first uphill climb.  Little did we know, it was only the first of many miles of hills that would wreak havoc on our quads!  Long, long uphill climbs up and around turns through the woods almost made me feel like my ears should have been popping.  The trail and scenery was absolutely breathtaking, so picturesque and serene, it really made for a fabulous running experience.  Although the hills killed my pace, my confidence grew with each hill I was able to tackle.  Going out today and conquering 20 miles of hills was a great way to assess my training and realize it really isn't too far off.  Umstead trails, I shall return to take on your hills at a faster speed.

By early evening today, I felt as though I could go out and run another 20 miles, it's a great feeling.  My hip pain has settled down quite a bit and with more stretching and icing today, it's feeling pretty good right now.  I will take Tuesday off.

Wednesday's plan:  7 x 800 with warm up and cool down
Thursday:  Active Edge and an easy 4 mile run
Friday:   9 miles with 7 at MP