One Down, Two to Go

Goal: 7-10 Miles  7:30 - 9:00/mi.
Actual: 9 Miles @ 8:24/mi. w/ some 7:15 pickup

Who Does Hills for Warm Up?

With so few days left until we leave for Blue Ridge Relay, I knew I wanted to take advantage of another "day off" from work in time to "taper" just before the relay.  Since it's Tuesday, why not start with some decent mileage at the Miner's Run.  Before bed last night, I decided I would arrive early to park at Spanish Trace and get my last elongated hill in before BRR.  I started off abruptly but easy up Monroe Rd. for a mile, not feeling any burn.  Turning onto Sardis Rd North I prepared for the mile descent.  Surprisingly, I felt very comfortable cruising at comfortable pace and just let myself flow down the hill.  I felt so good, I decided to change plans and go right back up as soon as I hit Sardis Rd. itself.  The climb back my legs may have burned a little, but really I was just glad to stretch the legs out.

Seriously love these shoes.
Photo courtesy of RunningWarehouse.com

The main purposes of this portion of my morning run was to get in some last minute hill training,  try out my new reflective vest, and get a feel for how well my ASR's could transition back onto asphalt.  I will most likely use these for Leg 2 of the Relay.  If anyone is looking for a good trainer that can function on trail due to it's water resistance, sturdy midsole, and durable upper, I love my Brooks Adrenaline ASR7's.  I can't wait until the ASR-GTX is in my budget too.  My Nathan vest looks really cool, but after a couple miles it was extremely awkward, fitting much like a plus-sized NCAA women's half singlet would fit me.  I am certainly glad I decided to change the routine.

Running down the greenway to meet the group, I was cruising comfortably at 7:45 fearing that the the rest of CRC might soon be dropping sub 7:30 by the time I saw them. As I saw the pack approaching in the dark with headlamps streamlined I pulled to the side  to avoid causing fright only to find myself the frightened party as Kahn shouted, "Identify yourself!"  Geez, I'm no good at yelling to communicate to people, so I just tried to spit out some gibberish in hopes that I could really just concentrate on getting my wheels spinning in time.

A peak at a typical miner's run as Megan leads the pack.

Spritely and and ever so comfortably, we bounded down the greenway to the XC course.  Being in front, gleaning from the wisdom/antics of Kahn, I hardly noticed I was in front until one mile into the XC course. Avoiding any owl attacks, we continued the brisk 7:15 pace and picked up Beigay.  Realizing I was still in front, I admitted to Kahn, "I can't lead up the hill today."  He obliged as Paul quickly clamored, "Can we please not do the hill today!?"  I was more than thankful to hear this from Paul.  Coming up to the Shue Sea I was approaching the end of my mileage and I let the group continue without me.  Headed back to the car came up .6 short and decided to tack on striders.  Felt really really good.  The Miner's passed the Spanish Trace a few minutes later and I let out a cheer.  I'm just so thankful for the Miner's Run in particular.

Every joint and muscle flowed as smoothly as can be expected today. Only the slightest twinge after I finished, but no time to dwell on how great it was. One down, two to go.