After a "bad, much-NOT-needed" 3 week layoff from any running whatsoever (a move, an injury, and getting a very nasty cold...) I finally got my shoes back on and out on the trails again. I'll just call it "tapering" ha!!
After 3 or 4 easy runs of 20 to 45 minutes, I determined the pain in my lower calf/upper achillies is not getting worse so why not go on a "pretty big one" and test it out. By big, I mean a nearly 5 hour run (with a little hiking sprinkled in on the super steep stuff).
MapMyRun - Lost Dog Wash - To Paradise Trail to Windgate and Tom's Thumbs Trail and BACK.
MapMyRun - Lost Dog Wash - To Paradise Trail to Windgate and Tom's Thumbs Trail and BACK.
Ran from the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead at 124th and Via Linda (it's actually Cactus Rd at this point), up over to the Taliesen Overlook, along the back edge of McDowell Mountain Ranch (also the ~front~ edge of the McDowell Mountains - gee! imagine that!). Then over to the trails at the new Gateway Access area near Bell and Thompson Peak (just next to DC Ranch). From there, up the Gateway Saddle to the Tom's Thumb Trail, and to the top of Tom's Thumb (well, not the last 50' or so UP the rock - I'd get hurt).
After a nearly 3 hour jaunt UP it was time for the 12-ish mile journey back down, and over to where I started. Had to detour to the drinking fountains at the nearby trailhead before the last 6 or so, but after fueling up and taking it really easy back to the car, I was satisfied that if nearly 5 hours wouldn't hurt my leg any further, then another 10 hours on top of that in the Grand Canyon likely wouldn't either. Hope my rim to rim to rim trail-mates don't mind me living on the edge and praying I don't break down with 24 miles to go. If they have to carry me, at least I've lost a few pounds the last few months. ;-)
Geez I need to get on the ball. My two and a half hour run the other day looks like peanuts now. I am going to try to get a long one in tomorrow:) Glad to hear your body is cooperating with your mind- I hate when they stop "communicating". See you soon buddy!
ReplyDeleteNah, you'll be just fine for R2R2R! I always seem to make up for my lackluster training by doing a silly long outing or two a few weeks before. Does it do me any good? Answer: The night of May 1st I'll have to check the score of the mind games I'm playing with myself!
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