Babes in the Woods

Tonight, I went with my good friend Julie, who also coaches XC with me and is an Ironman triathlete and is, like, my only endurance-athlete friend, to Lapham Peak to run with the world-renowned Lapham Peak Trail Runners.  It. Was. Incredible.  Lapham Peak is my home trail, but it was amazing to be out there in the dark, with headlamps, under the stars, out of the city, in the woods.  I'm a bit intimidated by the LPTR runners, and Julie and I couldn't stay long enough to meet much of the group (although those I did meet were of course welcoming and friendly!).  It was just reassuring to see other people who like to run long.  Who think it's fun and not a punishment.  Who are used to playing outside and still consider themselves incredibly lucky blessed when they are able to do so.  It was about 35 degrees out, which felt fantastic, and Julie commented that the hills were less intimidating when you couldn't see to the top.  It was weird - like you didn't feel you were working that hard to get up.  My shin twinged a little bit, but as of now, I'm operating under this mentality: I will see a doctor about a possible stress injury when there is a splintered tibia sticking out of my skin.  BAM.

I'm so looking forward to my next run with the LPTR!

This week so far: 30 minutes of rowing on Monday with two separate sets of tabata intervals, and a rest day yesterday.

Get it, girl.

Stress Fracture? Paranoia? IDK.

Alright.  I may have a stress injury in my left shin.  It has always been a tender spot, I had x-rays a few years ago for the same symptoms, and it's hurting again, but more.  And there's a bump.  Shit.

Today, I did a CrossFit style workout with my peeps - kettle bell squat & swings, sandbag cleans, and burpees, with bear crawls and sprints in between.  It was good, but I don't want my leg to hurt and right now, my leg hurts.  I'm trying to cross-train, but next weekend is a moderate-mileage weekend.  I PRETTY MUCH REFUSE TO STOP RUNNING.  I may regret this later.  You read it here first.

You Think This Story's Over, But It's Ready To Begin

The Kettle Moraine 100 is June 1st and 2nd, 2013.

If I train right, eat right, and work hard, I will be able to run the Kettle 100, hereafter known as Kettle.

If I am able to run Kettle, I will be the luckiest girl in the world.

So, let's do it!

On my way out to my home trails at Lapham Peak State Park, I heard the Beastie Boys' Paul Revere.  It always makes me smile (in fact, the DJ on 102.1 said something like, "You can get punched in the face, and you'll still be happy because Paul Revere's on!" And she's not wrong).  But that line, "You think this story's over but it's ready to begin," really stuck out to me.  I had a rough autumn running season, and I thought for a second I might be done ultrarunning.  NOT SO!  Game on.  The training plan starts today, and I did a nice easy 6 on the trails.  I feel blessed to be able to run the park trails because once the snow falls, they are dedicated for nordic ski use, and I'll have to stay on the Ice Age (which I love, so.)  It was about 50*, the park was packed, and the vibe was good.  Get it, girl.