Trying Something New While Rollin’ in the Deep (Trails)

Hey y’all! Update!

I have been consistent with running in the mornings, especially now that time has changed. I know a lot of people don’t like the time change, but I’m loving it! It has been very cold the past week and, of course, on my run days. I’m currently on week 10 of my training and I just wrapped up what Hal Higdon calls a “sorta-long run” with 7.8, then 4 miles. I have 15 miles scheduled for the weekend at some point when I’m ready to brave the cold. I have been using the 5:1 (Galloway) ratio and I like it. I have to remember on my long runs to take walk breaks because I’ll get in a groove and ignore my Garmin alerts. I’m definitely going to do a better job of staying on that!

Gear and Fueling

For the past few months I have been experimenting with different fuel, gear, etc. to see what will and will not be joining me on race day. I was using my CamelBak on my longs runs (which I love btw), but I wanted to try a different hydration system. This past spring, I found a 2-bottle hydration belt from TJMaxx, tried it out, but it didn’t quite work with these curves. Women with my kind of curves feel what I’m sayin’. I had my eye on the Nathan “Triangle”, but I really wanted the purple and pink. Since no one had the colors I wanted, I went to old-faithful, Amazon. I found it for $22.00 which was a lot less than in the stores. BAM!

 

I also found out about Pickle Juice (PJ) Sports Drink through my running group’s recent educational series. I had pickle juice at mile 11 at the Magic City Half last year and loved it! Also, as a kid, I loved drinking pickle juice out of the jar before my Mom discarded it. I know I’m not the only one. According to the label, the sports drink has more electrolytes than regular sports drinks and it helps with muscle cramps. I rarely have cramps (thank God), but I know runners that swear by it. I’ll definitely keep it in my runner arsenal just in case.

I ran into my friend, Leticia, a few mornings while getting my miles in! I enjoyed sharing the pavement with her, it made made those miles go by much faster.

 

My first Long Run with Coach Lubbs! 

If you don’t know who Coach Lubbs is, he’s one of my friends. He’s from Kenya and I must mention, he’s an incredible runner. It’s in his blood. He took me on a route with LOTS of rolling hills that I was NOT prepared for. So rude! lol I was pretty vocal about it too…and I will not dare type it on this post. I stopped complaining and looked at the brighter side—it was an opportunity to make me a better runner. Well…in this case, a better walker with those crazy hills! *side eyes*

   

I have no idea how we got here! It was my understanding that Coach Lubbs knew exactly the route we were taking; but he actually made it up as we went. *side eyes again* However, I was happy that I found this trail. I frequent this trail from time to time, but from another entrance. We left the road to enter this beautiful portion of the sun-forest. I was happy to discover that it was one of the trails that I always wanted to explore, I just didn’t know where it led. I think I can grow to like this trail running thing.

Then there’s this face. This is the face you make when your coach tries to take you more miles than what’s on your training for the day. I was supposed to run 13.1, but we ended up with 14 miles by the time we made it back to the start. That’s what happens when you go an unplanned route. *hmph* All I could think about was food!

 

After my long run I headed over to this cute, locally owned coffee shop called O’Henry’s (Coffees)! I have officially fallen in love with this place. It has a loft, country-rustic feel and it’s perfectly cozy for a post-run latte, relaxation, or just quiet time.  I had a bagel with a “skinny” Café Mocha…which was awesome by the way! If you’re in the Birmingham area or passing through, make sure you stop by one of their locations.

Until next time…