A Momentary Break...

in our Summer weather. It was actually gloomy and drizzly for part of the weekend last week, unfortunately the rain wasn't here to stay. In fact, it's suppose to warm up for the weekend. I sure hope we get some rain before Spring starts, the water situation, from what's been reported, is not good.

Headed out with The Endurables trail running group with Sam, Jenny and Mary. These guys like to run around Mt. Tam and are a good group to hang with. Because of all the moisture, the trails were trickier than usual - the wooden steps, roots and rocks were slippery. Despite my Vasque's with the aggressive treads I was sliding around all over the place. Several years ago we had a particularly muddy and slippery Quad Dipsea. It had rained during the week and all through the night stopping just before the race. Our champion that day, William Emerson from Oregon, ran the race in racing flats. I've never forgotten that and I think about it every time I slip around in my super engineered trail shoes. I still remember seeing him in those shoes and being dumbfounded.

Everything was so lush and beautiful though. Love those trails. It was a two loop run and on the second loop, Jim, the coach, led us up to the top of Mt. Tam using a steep, rocky trail that he wanted to check out. Some of it was un-runnable, well for me, but amazingly fun and refreshingly different. I have a new way to the top of the mountain. Jim has completed Western States 3-times among other accomplishments so he knows what he's doing and doesn't mind me running with his group. I need to start paying the drop in fee though, can't continue riding for free. We would end up doing 13-miles total for the day and I took off for another 3.5 hours. On my way out I ran into Gunderson and we headed back toward the bridge together. Perfect how that worked out.

This week I've just been laying low. Been feeling sluggish like I had mentioned last week so I made good with my plan to take it down a notch this week. I took the last three days off of running and just hit the gym for light workouts and stretching in the sauna. The core/groin soreness is still there but I don't expect any miracles. I saw a doctor about it but I need a new one. He thinks I should give up running altogether and just do aerobics instead. Right, right that will happen, who are these people? Then he tells me that I'm only able to do this because I'm single. Right, right, he should tell that to Mark Tanaka who is an ER doc with kids. I already have a lead on two doctors which I'll follow up on shortly. I need a primary physician anyway. I haven't had one since I left Hawaii 16 years ago. It's not that sore when I run it's the lingering soreness when I'm not running that bugs me.

Ran short this evening and it was fine, will run short stuff for the rest of the week with a half-marathon this coming Sunday. I'm reasonably fit and prepared for this road race. What I failed to do however was lose the 4 pounds I gained during the holidays. Since January 1st I lost (drum roll please) half a pound. Yes, yes even with all that running. It's the sugar. Whatever time I finish I'll think to myself, that could have been faster. Serves me right. Jo-Lynn you feel my pain.

Well you all have a great weekend!

Sure this is runnable, oh you mean by me? On our way to the top of Mt. Tam. Photo courtesy of Sammy.

Behind me, there's usually a great view. On our way to the top of Mt. Tam. Photo courtesy of Sammy.