Take me home...

Country roads (and trails)  provide endless inspiration for a good, long run.  I find I can lose myself in the quiet solitude - the slap of my shoes on the pavement underpinned by the chirp of the birds and the babble of brooks - and the miles just melt away.

This past weekend, while on travel that took me briefly through my home town, I hit the Headwaters Rail Trail for my long run.  The Headwaters Rail Trail runs from Garrettsville, OH to Mantua, OH and follows the route of the old Cleveland-Mahoning Railroad line.  Incidentally, the last great train robbery occurred on this line at the depot in Garrettsville in 1935 (#coolhistoryfacts #garrettsvilleismorethanlifesavers #moveoverhartcrane).  The crushed gravel trail is growing in popularity for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. 

I grew up crossing this trail, which ran between my grandfather's house and the old pony track behind it, when the trail still held railroad tracks and ties.  I remember crossing the railroad, not just on horseback, but also with packs of friends to the creek to hunt newts and crayfish.  So, coming back and running almost the full eight miles out (and then back) felt a bit nostalgic. 

The run was strong...oh boy was it strong. 

There are days you walk out the door, hit your stride and never look back.  Sunday was one of those days.  The first mile was a bit of a drag which wasn't real surprising...it was on roads through town en route to the trail.  Once I hit the trail, though, everything just clicked into place.  The air was cool, the ground was forgiving, my mind was focused and my body was engaged.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't so focused that I couldn't enjoy the scenery around me.  Brilliant green trees, Queen Anne's lace and daisies dotting the edges of the trail, scenic yet functional barns peaking out from the farms, and the occasional sound of water rumbling over rocks just off the side of the trail.  And the silence broken only by the sound of my shoes and the chirping of the birds.  I couldn't have made up a more peaceful environment in a deep daydream.

Now, it wasn't all fun and games.  I would be remiss if I didn't confess to the pain in my rear that ended up being a horse fly biting in and going for a ride.  Yikes that was a bit painful....and now I've succeeded in causing you to imagine that sight.

All this bucolic bliss gave me additional endurance I didn't know I possessed when I slinked out the door earlier that morning.  Rather than the twelve-mile out and back I planned, I pushed out an extra mile...and got stronger on the second half of my run rather than slowing to exhaustion. 

Swept past the old grist mill downtown

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That is such a great feeling.  When I finish stronger than I start, it gives me confidence that a bad start to a run never has to mean a bad run (though this run didn't have a bad start...it was just a good run that grew great).

I'm so happy to have the opportunity to experience runs like the one on the Headwaters Rail Trail.  Truly, country running helps me find a happy place that settles my training into a comfortable place.  I hope others feel the same about trails like this.  Happy trails!!!

2015 miles to date:  609.12 miles

Observations:  The back pain I was experiencing last week has passed.  I switched to a standing desk at work since it was sitting that increased the pain.  That seemed to help a bit.  I'm still riding the high from Sunday and hope to drive that all the way through to my long run this weekend.

 

Rhythm is gonna get you...

If you are a runner, you know getting into that rhythm during a workout really matters.  If you can't find that pace that keeps you steady, the whole run will feel off kilter.  That's how it felt tonight.  I just could not find my rhythm.  What caused that?  Could be anything, or it could just be a mediocre run.  Back in the day when I was just getting back into running about 7-8 years ago, I would have just ended a run like this before it could drive me to burn out - got out before it could feel like a chore.  These days I am a more mature runner and can handle the not so good days along with the good days.

Here's how it went...first off, I made the good decision not to run in the high sun and heat of the day, opting for an evening run when I got home from work (I've really got to learn how to run in the morning before I head into the city...it could just solve some of my problems).  So yay for me on that account.  That's about the only good part.  Well, that and my running partner.  My husband joined me tonight.  He needs to build base miles so he can trim his 3 mile time for work.  Second, it was still really warm and super humid when we ran.  The air was so thick it made breathing difficult, so no rhythm there.  Third, my hamstrings were still tight, also breaking up the rhythm. 

What were the high points?  Or at least the interesting stories?  There were a couple.  For one, there was the really stiff rustle in the grass as I ran in the trail next to the road.  I have no idea what it was (let's hope it wasn't something slithery or I'm bound never to run that route again...very limiting).  And then, perhaps one of the most interesting sights I'll see all week, was when I turned around to see my husband jogging alongside a car giving the driver directions to get back onto route 50.  Uh, here's my question...why not just stop to give directions instead of continuing to jog breathless and speaking?  Let's suffice it to say, it was Jason. Ha.  Here's hoping to find my rhythm tomorrow.  Happy trails!

***P.S.  I just signed up for my first 5K to benefit an organization combatting brain cancer this coming Sunday in my hometown.  Let's beat these diseases!
Stats -
Miles:  5.51
Time:   48:14 (average pace of 8:45 per mile)
Location:  Broadneck Peninsula, Bay Head, Log Inn
Feeling:  Rough, but got it in