“We’re still 99% animal […] It’s because that’s actually what our bodies ask for, they want to be splashed with cold water while you’re going down rapids. Our bodies say ‘Yes, thank you.'“ — Dave Eggers
Most of us aren’t professional adventurers. Venturing out into the wild gets shoehorned between prepping kids for school and clocking in to work. The last two weeks, there were plans, BIG plans. But Chance had other ideas. Even the safety net of daily routines failed.
The big plan was three back-to-back long days in the woods, running with new people, visiting some old favorites in the park. The troubles started the week running up to the first day. Heat, humidity, a surprise dentist appointment, extra work forcing zero days, a delayed project finally ramping up.
By day two, I scrapped the plan, pivoted to what would fit in with a home plumbing project, a buddy in town, the holiday, etc… What else could be done? Put running above and beyond friendship and a working bathroom? The friend probably wouldn’t’ve minded, Charlotte prefers a working commode, though. Other options were what? Anger? A tantrum? Sulk? *shrug* Maybe. Despite watching cartoons with my morning coffee, I like to think I’m a grown up.
Running in the mountains has helped deepen my patience and acceptance. Plans fail. All that’s left is regrouping, re-evaluating, and re-establishing the course. In this case, it became about putting my head down to wrap up projects, clearing the upcoming weeks, and getting back in the routine of laying out the upcoming week’s training. I hope this next few weeks will have more adventure and more of giving my body what it needs.
Weekly Summary
It’s been a weird two weeks. Routine got thrown out the window. Time and energy for training was lacking. The big goal was to do VHTRC’s July 4th Trifecta. 60 miles over three days. That didn’t happen. Made do with 43 miles over those three days.
Weekly Log
Mo: 3.6
Hit the Sperryville loop at a stupidly easy pace. And it hurt. Body was the most wrecked it’s been since starting this. It’s the heat. It takes time to adjust. Till my body adjusts, it’ll just suck.
Tu: 0
Unplanned rest day. Spent quality time with Charlotte.
We: 3.6
Did I mention I’m doing the Sperryville loop pretty much all week? Yeah. Got big plans for the weekend. This isn’t really a recovery week, more the trough before a massive wave.
Th: 0
Rest day due to smoke from the wildfires.
Fr: 3.6
Slightly harder Sperryville loop. Ankle and big toe are starting to feel better.
Sa: 3.6
Sperryville loop at tempo pace. Hot and sticky, but everything’s feeling better than it has in awhile. Trying to give the legs a little speed before the long weekend.
Su: 23.75
Hot and humid Sophie’s Death March. (There’s a trend forming.) Speed wasn’t really there. Nice to run with a large group. Nutrition held up through the run. Stomach kept functioning.
Mo: 7.6
And some plumbing problems creeped up Sunday. Not my plumbing, actual plumbing. Starting thinking about it—running Little Devil Stairs, realized a project at work needed attention… And ditched the second day of the Trifecta for Old Hollow. Not sure I missed much.
Tu: 11.8
A friend was in town. It was July 4th. I can run Browntown any week I want. So, ditched the last day of the Trifecta for a jog to JD’s place and back. My legs were tired. Somehow, they kept pumping out some slow miles.
We & Th: 0
One was a rest day, the other was unplanned. Finished a major work project at 11 on Wednesday. Body was in no shape to run on Thursday.
Fr: 3.6
That first run back after a couple days off always sucks. Ran around Sperryville, yet again.
Sa: 7.2
A hot go at RFD. Slow compared to recent efforts, but overall felt good. Worked on jogging all the hills. Added a few strides towards the end. Still feeling the long weekend.
Su: 0
Woke up feeling pretty great. Might be the weed. Making Sunday a standard rest day. Had too much to do, keeping a remodel at work rolling. Spent the morning getting back in to a routine. Routine has been lacking the last few weeks.