VBC... on Training, Trails, and Treadmills: The Ole' Back to Backer

Another big weekend of running in the books, I mean trails :) It wasn't easy, but was definitely doable. Saturday's run consisted of implementing a new nutrition plan with less calories per hour, new dilutions of my magic brew (CarboPro), MORE salt and electrolytes, and some new foods. And of course, more water. I am not the world's best water drinker, and the camelback doesn't always help ensure I remember to drink the appropriate amount. Overall, I think the new nutrition plan was successful, and for that matter I think the runs were successful overall. I ran 2 loops of Turkey Creek on Saturday (with a few extra areas)....I was panicked for a while and tried to control my adrenaline/ stress because my new phone alarm did not go off (yes, I got a new phone for Happy, Happy Joy Day), so I woke up an hour late....ahhhhhhh! Oh well, just get out the door as fast as possible. And try to keep the heart rate down! After the run, I hurried home (since I was now an hour late), took an ice bath, cleaned the downstairs, ate some lunch, and napped for 45 minutes. Then it was time for a 6 year old birthday party, with the Happy Happy Joy Day Celebration following.

Sunday morning came very early, and it was time to his the trails again. The run was shorter, so I tried to not make the nutrition supplies so high maitenance...plus I wanted to try this new Bonk Breaker. It was actually very good...peanut butter and chocolate chip! I ate half of it at the 1 hour mark, and was starving by the 1:45 mark....so I caved at 1:50 and crammed in a gel. After the run I was so hungry that I crammed the rest of the bar down as I attempted to stretch a little before getting in the car to head home. (It is now Monday and I think I would eat my desk if I thought it would agree with me! ). Overall Sunday was a mental training day, as I definitely wanted to stop running and just roll the rest of the miles. But, I knew the purpose for the back to back runs was to RUN when I didn't want to....so RUN is what I did...albeit at molasses pace. Okay, maybe it was a trot instead of a RUN, but in my mind it was running, and that is what matters.

I enjoyed getting in various miles with friends along the way....Steph, Crystal, and Bill Hansley. Even got to run 1/4 mile or so with Teresa. Always fun to see people out and about on the trail and use running time to catch up :) Crystal is pacing Steph for Lap 5 at Umstead (for the second time!) and me for Lap 7, so we discussed some strategy. Kris should be warned- we are preparing to smoke you on Lap 7 PLG :) (I know, nothing would make you happier)!

Enjoying some recovery as I continue to put one foot in front of the other :)