Needed: Rest

I hit a bump in the road after a couple of nice weeks of training as I eased back into things after a rest-filled February.

Achilles tendinitis.  My guess is that I still hadn't fully recovered from the 100-miler.

Hells Canyon Adventure Run last weekend? Out. Badger Mt. 50k this weekend? Out.  WSU 100k next month? Probably out too since I'm missing all my long training runs.  

The plan right now is to take two weeks completely off before I test it out, then I'll go from there. We're headed to Germany in May, so my main goal now is to get ready for that race. I went for a short walk this past Sunday, and it was clear that running is not an option right now.

I've felt really lucky during my short running career to have gone mostly injury free. Some runner's knee in 2008 kept me off my feet for a month or so. Achilles tendinitis (in my other leg) back in 2010 left me limping through Chile. Torn calf last summer kept me out for five or six weeks. That's about it. Not too bad.

Of course it's no fun not being able to run, but I understand that part of the risk of running big ultras is that destroying your body sometimes means long layoffs. Risk vs Reward.

Sadie loves running as much as I do, but she'll have to be okay with ball fetch for a couple weeks.  I think she'll cope. 

On a walk by the river with Sadie

-Scott

Trail Running Southeastern WA

Here are a few photos from the gorgeous run I had over the weekend with Buzz and Sadie on the Asotin Creek Trail near Asotin, WA.  This trail offers a 17 or 22-mile loop option and has quickly become on of my favorites since I discovered it a little over a year ago.

Other than the short snow/sleet shower when we were on top of the ridge, the weather was just about perfect. 

Running with Sadie and Buzz
along Asotin Creek deep in the canyon

Trail snakes along the ridge after we climbed out of the canyon

Sadie

Buzz and Sadie running along the ridge

Meadow on the ridge

Last meadow before we head back down into the canyon

End of Winter is Near

Running 100 miles is hard on the body.  February was a recover month, though I did run a little here and there only because I hate sitting on the couch.

I'm feeling mostly rested so it's time for me to kick up the mileage a little to get ready for a 50k at the end of the month. The plan is if I'm feeling good after the 50k, then I'm going to run the WSU 100k next month. I'd like to sneak under 10hrs on that course.

Winter is slowly melting away. Snowstorms are now few and far between. Lower elevations trails are mostly snow free (still another couple months until Moscow Mt. is snow-free).  The days are getting longer too, which makes me very happy because my after-work runs are in daytime again.  Goodbye headlamp until next winter.

Spring is almost here.

Sadie above the Palouse River

On a gravel path with Sadie

Keep running!

Scott