Homestretch

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.