Prepping for the 48s

It's been a long time since I've hiked a 48...been running....but there are some in my future (oh isn't this what it's all about anyway?)...and I need to get my knees in shape. After the 48s there may be an ultra in my future. That is where my goals may take me. So....

I ran almost 7 miles at Blue Hills today. Originally I was planning on running the Skyline Trail 8 miles (4 out and back), but ended up running about 3 miles on it and then bailed on less rocky trails for the remainder. I also walked the last 1/4 mile. My time was awful. It may be I'm just tired from a very active week this week, or I'm just old and out of shape...Wasn't too smart to start running right up the first hill without much of a warm-up. 15 minutes in, my heart was pounding and I was gasping. I was passing a lot of people, even whilst hiking the steep parts! I went straight up Tucker then Buck hills.

Had to walk some of the downhills which were steep and gravely...then headed across route 28 and up Chickatawbut. I found some nicely packed with little rocks or root trails and ran those for awhile (the first 3 miles were knarley as hell) I also tuckered out completely at five - bugs were bugging and feet were hurting (stupid La Sportiva shoes too loose) - but once I got on green dot (very easy) trail, I was good for another two. I don't think I'm ready for the 7.5 mile Skyline race next weekend though...My GPS said it was 3172 feet of ascent, but I think it was more like 2000.

I ran 3.5 miles last Sunday at a 9:29 pace (much faster than any normal pace I do when not racing). On Tuesday I walked the treadmill at an 8 incline (out of 10) for a mile at 3 mph. Wednesday it was extremely humid (94%), but I ran almost 6 miles at a 10:11 pace.  Thursday I decided I would start trying to increase my speed - maybe for a 5K.  So, not warming up as much as I should have - I ran 3.5 miles but 2 of those at an 8:20 pace!  I didn't think I had it in me...it didn't feel all that hard.  I also didn't run with compression for the first time since the calf tear.  Yesterday I did almost 13 miles on the bike at a pretty good clip (14 mph) - but it felt easy to me.  I also started this morning doing a 2.5/1.5 walk/run for 25 minutes with Bethany.  So, I guess it makes sense that I was a bit run down today...

Stats this week:
Run: 19.5 mi
Bike: 12.7 mi
Walk: 7.5 mi