Mountain Bike Trails

I live a pretty boring existence at times! I can't really give you any grand stories of what I did during the day, or even anything that remotely resembles a good story. It almost feels like a routine of wake-up, do your things, go to sleep. The "do your things" part is pretty vague, but you can group all your daily activities into that category. The most exciting thing I have done the past few days includes downloading new music, and booking a hotel for New Hampshire that has a moose as a mascot.

Now for the running thing! On Tuesday night...Kelly, Chris and I ran to the SPA track, but it was being used by a pretty large group. It is the only time in the past two years that I have seen that track in use by other people. So we ran to Macalester. There are usually people on that track, but it is usually not a big deal to use that track, except there were steeple barriers blocking the inside lanes. The easy solution for that, was to move the barriers. So the planned workout was to run 5x1200 meters at faster than 5 minute per mile pace. My first three reps were between 3:40-3:41, and 3:45 in 5 minute pace. My fourth rep was 3:45, with a bad middle lap. And for the grand finale I only ran 800 meters in 2:30. Now granted this is the first time in a while I have run "faster" reps on the track. So, you could call this workout, "feeling it out". The part I was pumped up about was starting the workout with two 200 stride repeats in 32 seconds.

On Wednesday was National Running Day, and I ran from the Highland Lifetime Fitness as part of Twin Cities Marathon. Ran 6-7 miles with the group from the club. A nice relaxed pace. My legs did not feel fresh...I had a hard time figuring that one out!

Today I drove to Afton State Park to run some hills, and check out the ski hills at Afton Alps. I was surprised there is no fence between the state park and the ski area. So my run in the state park last about 5 minutes, and I crossed the grass in the Alps. I started the run in the Alps by running straight up a ski hill, then I noticed a dirt path and some markings, so I followed the markings. It turns out there is a 6-7 mile mountain bike course at Afton Alps, that travels up and down the ski hill. I may have a new favorite run! After I completed the first loop, I stopped and wondered why I signed up for a mountain race. The second loop around, I didn't run as hard, especially on the downhills. It is a lot more difficult to make those steep downhill turns on questionable footing when you are getting tired. In all, I ran for 1:21, I think that might be 11 miles...not sure though. I will definitely head back out there before running mountain race. Maybe try to get in 3 loops on the mountain bike course. It is tough running, and you question why you are doing it at times, but it is also the type of running that I love, and one of the reasons that I am drawn to this sport.

Song of the Day: Fake Tales of San Francisco - Arctic Monkeys