Week's running

Phew - decided to step it up this week and I really felt it!

Saturday - Ran at 7:00 a.m. with Bridget and Judy. They are so fit it was really inspiring! I also learned a new route along the Highline Canal, but with a hilly road interlude. Great stuff, but I was ready to be done by the end. 1:50, probably 14.5 miles.

Sunday - Felt inspired, had the time, and wanted the challenge. There was serious hail mid-afternoon, but it cleared out. I ran up to REI on Cherry Creek Path and then down the Platte path to Santa Fe, and back up Logan. I tried a new little sucker that I bought at the farmers' market instead of a goo package. The sucker was actually Vermont-made pure, hard maple syrup. I saw it and immediately thought, "Huh! That would be a good thing to have for energy on a run, like an all-natural goo-type." Small, easy to carry, didn't melt and tasted delicious. I was really struggling by the end of the run so the little sugar rush helped big time. 1:37, probably 12.5 miles.

Monday - Easy recovery East on Cherry Creek then up through York/back streets. The hill from 6th up to 11th really stretched out my Piriformis and I picked up the pace for the last 15 min home. 1:02, probably 8 miles.

Tuesday - UGH, return of the dreaded track workout. I set myself out to do the first track workout in over a year. Wow, ouch. More on this in another post but here is the quick and dirty. Run through Wash Park to South High dirt track, 3 x mile @ 6:40, with slow 400 jog/active rest in between each, straggle home through Wash Park. Miles ended up being 6:40, 6:41 and 6:50. probably 9 miles total.

Wednesday - Easy shake-out after work through the city. Legs were obviously dead and I was SLOW. 43 min. 5 miles.

Thursday - Went to Matthew Winter's park for a trail run with friends. Woo-wee. I didn't know what to expect because I'm usually just along for the ride to run whatever distance, at whatever altitude, and whatever speed. I think my legs were still in shock from the whole week of running so this was incredibly tough for me. Also, my running friends kick my butt! Endless energy, friendly boyfriend-girlfriend rivalry ("Oh, he's coming! Let's sprint the last mile back to beat him" - Gah!), great adaptation to altitude, and strong up the mountain. These trails always start high (over 5000) and start with a huge uphill. And by "uphill" I mean "up mountain." Great views of Denver, Red Rocks and beyond. 1:35. 8.5 miles.

Friday - 7:30 a.m. Ran to Wash Park, 2 loops, Back to friend's house. We had baby-stroller and all, but we got excited and a little carried away. Usually it takes my friend 55-58. We did it in 51. Maybe 7?

3:50 p.m. A friend and I rallied big time after a divine lunch at WaterCourse Foods by deciding to go running instead of falling victims to the food-coma nap. 20 min. 2 miles.

Total Weekly Mileage: 66.5