The sound of the rain...

I had two dreams

in both, I was running.

In one dream I was running for a very long time on beautiful single track trails.  The extra 15 pounds I have been working on losing wasn't holding me back, I felt fast and light with each step.  Although it was dark when I started running the sun was rising.  It was amazing.

And in the next moment I was running urban trails in the heat of the day.  I could hear traffic and people.  We crossed under an overpass and slipped onto a small trail that led us across a river filled with large stones. 

I could hear the sound of water and then familiar voices...

I slowly woke to realized that I wasn't running my 77 mile ultra that was to be the next step to my 100 mile goal.  I wasn't even running the Xterra 21k  in Richmond a race that I had a free entry to run.  But in fact, I had fallen asleep sitting on the deck in the morning light after my run in sweat-ville Virginia.  It was starting to rain and the kids were playing in the increasing downpour.

As my dreams linger in my mind, I am the tiniest bit sad that my plans didn't work out to support my dream to continue seeking a longer more adventurous challenge - that weekend.  But another day will come when things fall into place for my next step.  There is no time to be sad or regretful.  I will be ready when that race day comes but for right now there are kids who think running in the rain with mom is a pretty okay adventure.  

The perspective of children.  Priceless!

I'm off to splash in puddles. 

I did what I do

LBM and I did what we do.  We went for our run. 

We were one second slower than Wednesday night's run. 

I am doing a bit better at the run slower to run faster idea even though I really don't think with the type of races I am doing currently, I am overly concerned with pace.

Since I am breaking new ground for me and running new races every finish line is a PR of sorts.

Not that I truly care.

Right now I am enjoying another run completed, day dreaming about how hard challenging almost frightening great the Xterra Xduro Trail race is going to be and feeling the breeze and the sun as I rest in this hammock.

Mel at Tall Mom on the Run is hosting a Nathan's Handheld Giveaway. 

Actually she is hosting a bunch of giveaways to celebrate her 500th post!

Day 31 - 31 Days to Go

Some of you might have thought I was enjoying a rest day today.  In a way, I did.  I skipped my morning run and enjoyed a little extra rest while the rain poured outside.  Good timing.

Aye Matey.  LBM's pirate eye.

So after work LBM and I waited for a break in the rain and headed out for 6.5 miles that ended up being a wonderful dual purposed run.  I got some exercise and the jogger got washed.  It poured down rain.  It was great!  LBM snoozed through the rain hitting off the weather shield.  My legs felt amazingly rested and ready to go.

What is in those silos?

We saw a huge rainbow that seemed to end on the neighbors silos.  It was beautiful.  While I ran I got to thinking about the timing of my upcoming races and this crazy idea of doing 100 Days of Running.  I realized that I don't have enough time before my Ultra in July to go 100 days without a recovery day.  I have concerns that I will need to take a recovery day after the Ultra and I wouldn't want the pressure of a self-challenge to make me continue to run when my body really should rest.

Day 31 - Run 47.  6.5 miles 53:58

So I think I might try doing 100 consecutive runs before my Ultra.  I placed a poll to the right.  See it there? 

I know I have mention that my June race is a 21k Challenge type race.  I will be running it to see if I can do it.  I doubt that I will be able to "race" it at all.  It is in 10 days. 

And in 31 days is my next Ultra.  The Skyline Challenge.  A little trail 50k up and down a mountain.  If I do the math I could be done with 100 runs before that Ultra.  I just wonder if I will be able to get in long runs with no recovery longer than 24 hours. 

Maybe my poll should be "How many runs will Shelly get in before coming to her senses?"

We played in the rain...barefoot.

At this point I am attempting the 100 unless one of my faithful followers gives me a piece of advice that makes me shorten the goal or focus on the race more.

But as for today, I rested (my definition of resting anyway), I ran, I played in the rain. 

I moved one step closer to completing another goal whether it turns out to be 100 runs or a new PR at the Ultra.

Laken and Lila are having a June Giveaway!

S'ghetti girl loves Heather's amazing skirts.

She would live in skirts and knee high socks (thanks Tonia) if I would let her...and I do.

A Case of Havetaraceitis

Second consecutive 10 mile day - check.
16 miles to reach my 50 miles for the week - check.
A case of the havetaraceitis - check.

I am pretty pleased that I have not let the less than stellar weather keep me from getting out and running.

This morning this little guy was hanging on for dear life.  I wonder if he spent the entire night hanging there upside down?  Talk about head rush!

The morning was great.  Foggy run with LBM (3.5 miles/28:34), s'ghetti was eager to head off to school and Hubbs surgery went better than expected.  No crutches after today!  Looking forward to a complete and rapid recovery!

Then off to the big girl job.

(insert 8 hours of utter yuck-ness not apporopriate for my life-is-mostly-rosey-running blog)

After big girl job and kiddos retrieval, LBM and I were off for the second half of our 10 miles today (6.5miles/52:45)  I love running in the fog and drizzle.  With LBM falling asleep quickly during our run, it made it feel like I was the only person around.  The heavy fog has a way of making everything so exteremly quiet.  I can get lost in it and forget that I am not the only person as demonstrated tonight when I got lost in my thoughts and began thinking out loud!  Yep.  There I was running down the foggy road chatting away to myself and the gentleman who happened to be out on his porch chuckling at my lively conversation with myself.  Oy vey! 

 

On tap is another 10 for tomorrow.  The challenge will be Family Fun night at s'ghetti's school after work.  I have to figure out how to fit it all in.  Then Saturday will be 6ish miles to finish my 50 for the week.

It all should be very do-able.

With all this refocus on my mileage/schedule, I am coming down with a case of the have-ta-race-itis.  So.....

I am toying with the idea of doing this Xterra Trail Series 21k trail race on June 19th near Richmond, VA.

 Anyone interested in giving it a go with me?