Not to say I haven't been running. In fact, I managed to complete what are arguably my two favorite training runs, especially when it comes to marathon training.
Two weeks ago I ended up in Los Angeles for a couple of days which gave me the opportunity to finish favorite run number 1. I flew out early in the morning and due to some unfortunate meeting cancellations, found myself with the afternoon free. I set off around 4:30 or so from Redondo Beach for a long run along the Strand, a strip that stretches through Manhattan Beach and ends, well, I don't really know, somewhere past LAX where I ended up. But on this occasion I found myself in El Segundo, having passed through Hermosa and Manhattan Beach to get there. I turned around and set back along the water, thinking I would run a mile or so on the beach. I ended up making the complete return trip in the sand. It was perfect...I felt good, the ocean was calming and the sun was setting just so. 13 miles passed in virtually no time. And, I finally got to run in shorts again.
A week later we headed to the Adirondacks for a few days of skiing and favorite run number 2. The irony of this run is that it includes a 10k race course that I truly hate. For years I ran this race which includes a significant uphill in each of its 6 miles. After each race I was determined to never run it again, yet the following summer I would find myself at the start line thinking "well, it really can't be bad as I remember...". Yes. Yes it can be that bad. And yet, as part of a 14 mile training run around the lake, I love it. Go figure. I suspect it has something to do with views like this...
In any case, we skied Oak - the mountain in the background - on Tuesday. The next morning I got up early and ran, stopping about halfway to take this pic. Went back to Oak that afternoon and my nightfall, my legs were fried. Oreos helped to ease the pain enough that I was able to ski Gore the next day.
Mixed into these two runs, I managed to get in some decent miles. I'm focusing now on longer less frequent runs in an effort to minimize the problem with my right hamstring. I ran 8 with Rick before James' swim meet at Hauppauge HS. We made an attempt to head into the woods but gave up as the trails were still too snowy and icy. Yesterday I dropped James off for an early swim practice in Huntington and went over to Caumsett. The paths were in great condition, the trails less so, despite the warmer weather and rain. I did a couple of loops with some side trips - good enough for 10 miles. This morning Rick and I met up in Kings Park and ran into Sunken Meadow. The trails were manageable - clear in some spots, icy in others. But nice to be back in the woods again. We ran into Sunken Meadow and out to the golf course, passing a number of groups of soldiers humping around heavy packs on their backs. As we ran back to KP up Cardiac Hill, we passed a couple of them walking up. It's hard enough running up Cardiac...can't imagine what it would be like hauling a pack up it. We shared some quick words of encouragement and ran steady back to KP.
219 miles down, 281 to go...
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