Yesterday, when I left the house for my long run, I hastily scribbled "Running at Eau Claire toward edworthy" on our blackboard. Then I hit the highway, intent on completing the 12k on my training plan, since my training has been a bit lax this past two weeks. As I passed Chestermere - an epiphany struck me.
A) It was much closer to home.
B) Circling the lake is about 10k
C) My legs would get a bit of a break on the trail sections and if I did an out and back instead of a loop, I could have two times on the trail.
D) Starbucks nearby
So, Chestermere it was...and I could see a plan for my summer long runs come together with Chestermere playing a big part in all of them. I'm too slow to run with most of my friends anymore - I don't want to jeopardize their speed plans while I am dying at 10 min/km
I parked at the Rec Centre and I was soon on my way.
The path doesn't actually run along the lakeshore out there...duh - that's where multi million dollar houses go. But it is a nice asphalt path
and lined in trees so I was grateful for the shade since even at 8am, the heat was already making itself known...
My new socks felt great...I found them on sale at Gords for $5 for three pairs! I had been on the hunt for thinner socks to wear in my mizunos. These Asics were going to fit the bill quite nicely.
Found the yellow submarine...not sure if it's big enough for all of us to live in, though...
Carrying on - even though there isn't much to see - it was still a nice run through the residential...
The Brids in this neighbourhood sure are lucky....
And at the half hour mark, I was 3k in and about to be where I could actually run along the lake for a bit...just through that little blue gate ahead.
This is always my favorite part of this route...running over the bridge and into the trail...
There were a ton of fishermen out at this end of the lake that morning. I had to watch my selfie-ing to make sure they weren't featured on my blog today...
The path was nice, but I was glistening...it was HOT out there!!!!!! So happy I got that early start.
I was hoping that the other side of the lake would also reward me with shade. Surely a McMansion can afford some giant trees to keep me cool, right? But no such luck...while the trees were there, the angle was wrong and the shade was just not in my favour.
And somehow, I managed to stay really close to the lake and was passing some "No Tresspassing signs at Camp Chestermere...but I didn't care - I wanted to just go straight. I'm stubborn like that..and it didn't look like camp was in session anyway... so I kept going....
phewf - made it without being arrested...just need to dart through this little path and I'll be on the street again...
CRAP! MOSQUITOES! EVERYWHERE! Attack mosquitoes too! Normally, they leave me and my precious O neg alone... But they were biting me right thought my capris. I must have looked crazy - flailing like Phoebe on the run to try to shake them. They plagued me until I was back on the other side of the camp on the return trip.
It wasn't long and it was time to turn around...hank gawd. The heat was wearing me down and while I am very slow right now, it was forcing more walk breaks than usual on me.
6k in one hour...sigh. Remember when I could race 5k in 27 mins? Ok - not letting that get me down. Slow is still go. Gotta keep moving. My only goal is to finish and to reclaim a love of running.
So, since I am trying to manage my nutrition and energy better - it was time to schlurp a Gu. Mmmmmm Salted Watermelon. I could eat this stuff all day. It is so freaking yum.
Things were pretty boring on this side of the lake. I mean the houses are pretty, but it is so quiet and straight...
I snuck back through Camp Chestermere...and then bid a happy farewell to the freaking mosquitoes and embarked on the trails again...
I made a lovely puppy friend named Gus, who really wanted to run with me. I forgot to take his picture. I thought he was going to attack me with how intently he was watching me so I walked and then he rushed over to me all waggy and happy and kept nudging my leg to see if I would run with him. HAHA
I was really happy to see the blue bridge again
And even happier I had opted to get my hair up a bit...so sweltering hot...gah. My teeny pigtails make me giggle...
As slow as I was going - I still had my Carseland run time beat at the 9.90km mark...by a whole two mins. Yay for improvements!
I really had to pee by this point so I was intent on just finishing this thing and getting myself to a potty! I could also tell I was going to have a pretty bad chafing issue...I only ever seem to chafe on runs in Chestermere for some reason.
Slow and steady in the shady homestretch...
At 1k to go - I decided to buckle down and aim to get 'er done in under 2hrs. I could totally do that. And, ultimately, looking at the stats later, I had my best speed that kilometer...something a little closer to my days of yore....
Finished. and pain free. My left knee had some niggles but my right tibia kept its yap shut for the entire run. My endurance is still shot, but I'll get it back. This year is about habit establishment and finishing this one half mara. Those are solid goals for me right now and I am happy to be working toward them so won't be stressing about the rest.
After hitting stop on my Garmin, I stretched a bit (oh was I ever tight. Note to self: incorporate some stretching videos) and then hightailed it to Starbucks for my post run coffee and a protein box. I am focusing on recovery too. I want those muscles to heal fast so I can get stronger and faster and more confident.
and Starbucks protein boxes are just yummy.
And the Garmin Geekery (which I will NOT be obsessing over)
