A skunk of a good time...

I've run across a lot of animals during my running career.  Deer, horses, fox, squirrels (oh the squirrels), bunnies, fox and so on.  But never skunk.  In fact, I've never seen a skunk living outside a zoo or animal show.  That is until tonight. 

Tonight I decided to do my interval/circuitish type workout on the golf course cart path at Cole Park Commons on Fort Campbell.  I like the trail.  Early early morning or late evening it's deserted.  Just you and nature and lovely views.  It's a golf course made up of rolling hills...lots of hills. 

Anyway, I was just finishing my first of three circuits (1/4 mile jog, 15 reverse lunges, 1/4 mile jog, 30 crunches, 1/4 mile jog, 15 push-ups, 1/4 jog then repeat two more times for a total of 3 miles, 45 reverse lunges, 90 crunches and 45 push-ups) when I looked off to my right and there he was...or she...I can't tell the difference and I wasn't going to get close enough to take a real look.  That skunk looked at me like I ruined his solitary stroll through the golf course (I could say the same about him or her) then scooted across the cart path and kept on going.  I decided to wait until he was well across the path before continuing...just in case.

So yeah, check that one off the bucket list.

On a training note, I'm feeling pretty strong.  That said, I need to start being more mindful about overdoing it.  I've been pushing myself hard and not worrying about recovery and I think it's catching up with me.  Thursday's run was my seventh day in a row without a rest and my calves were locking up.  I took Friday off before my long run on Saturday and everything seemed to shake back out, but I'm in danger of running down that path again if I don't force myself to take a day off early this week to rest.  Today may look light, but I also did a 55 minute pure barre class this morning...so basically my glutes are screaming and my quads were shaking during those reverse lunges tonight.

Moving to a completely different topic, I went on a bit of a shopping spree recently to spruce up my tired running wardrobe. Lucy was having a great sale on tops, so I picked up three, and while I was at it, I grabbed a new running skirt at Lululemon....check it out.  I took it out for a spin on my 14.7 mile long run Saturday (which I normally wouldn't do for a first wearing on a long run, but oh well) and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't ride up, roll up or cause any chafing.  All around, A+ and the same to the Lucy top I paired with the skirt.

New clothes, new animal sitings and overworking aside, I'm starting to feel strong and consistent again and looking forward to the insane fall racing schedule I've set for myself.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:

Total miles:  427.47...starting to chip away at a more consistent and higher rate
Feeling:  Stronger, yet not treating my body well enough

 

New running skirt...

Not a stellar performace today.  The left hamstring is still a bit tight, but its getting better.  That said, my legs felt like lead.  Wow, where did that come from?  Over four miles of feeling like my legs weren't moving even though the stats were showing I'm driving back down toward my normal pace.  Is it fatigue and I just need another rest day?  Or is it something else?  Whatever it is/was, I worked through it and finished the run.  After all, I'm determined to hit the 500 mile mark before heading to Newport next week.

The leaden legs aside, I had running skirt issues today.  I started out looking forward to the new running skirt.  It was the same brand as one I've been wearing the past year (so much in fact it basically was worn through), just a slightly different style and material.  In fact, I liked the style much better than the old one.  So it was with sadness that I looked down at the skirt at about mile three to realize it seemed to be shrinking up...not shrinking but the material seemed to be catching together.  It was really weird.  I've never seen anything like this in any of my other running skirts, shorts, capris or pants.  I'll wash it once, see if the material works itself out a little, and if not I will disappointedly return it next week.  Sad.  Oh well, after all it didn't have the elastic catches on the legs so maybe it wasn't meant to be.  Better luck with the next one.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.53
Time:   39:39 (average time of 8:45 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  must figure out why the legs were so heavy