I am
coming into the homestretch for the year. San Juan Solstice is right
around the corner and then I’m taking some time off. My body is screaming
for a break. I feel strong but joints, aches and pains have been
accumulating and I’m afraid the results could be really bad if I don’t lay
off. This comes with
mixed feelings. I think it is going to
be really hard to sit. In my mind I've
gone from giving myself at least one solid month of no running to more recently
just one week. Summer is a great time to
get out and run the high country and that is my favorite place to run. Deep down I know that I need to shut it down
and let my body heal. I know that I have
years of running ahead so a month isn't anything in the grand scheme of things
but I have a feeling it is going to seem like an eternity. At least I’ll know when I come back it will
be because I want to and hopefully I’ll be re-energized.
I ran the Dirty 30 last weekend and finished about 9 minutes
later than last year. That’s not a bad result but the way I felt during
the race was far different than last year. Last year I felt stronger as
the race went on and felt fresh afterwards. This year I got weaker as the
race went on and didn’t feel great afterwards. There is a picture of me
during the race and my form is garbage. My left knee has been giving me
the most recent problems. In the picture you can see it totally
caving in. On Sunday I ran 20 miles in the hills and felt good until the
last 4 downhill miles. I had not flexibility and there was some
concerning pain. I’m sure it is a result of compensating for my ankles
and probably some poor core strength training. Bottom line is, my body
needs a break.
Before the break I will take on the San Juan Solstice 50
miler out of Lake City, Colorado. I can’t wait for this race. The
San Juan Mountains have a pull on me like no other mountain range.
It is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. The
race climbs over 12,000
feet and ranges from 8,500 to over 13,000 feet in elevation. It is a
beast. My only goal is to finish and have fun. I’ll probably cruise
in in around 15 hours. That is the same time it took me to run the Rim to
Rim to Rim and the vertical gain is pretty much the same.
I found a place on Lake San Cristobal. The race pretty
much circles high above the lake. The family is coming with me. It
should be a great time.
