So, on to the fun stuff! First, my body. I have noticed a definite odd coloration change that has occurred in my skin. It has become...brown. Now, for a typically pasty redhead, this is noteworthy! I have slowly but surely tanned due to sun exposure IN SPITE OF USING SUNSCREEN (it sweats off)--but what I have can best be classified as a "runner's tan." The gist of this is that my arms, neck, back, face, midriff, and legs are all tan. See?
My feet from the ankles downward, however, are what is known as "fish-belly white." (Actually, my mom taught me that phrase and habitually used it to describe my normal complexion). She was a sun-worshipper's sun-worshipper and absolutely loved to lay out. I, on the other hand, preferred the soft shadows of whatever clump of vegetation I could hide behind. Now that I am running, especially on the track, I am getting some definite UV. For those of you who are worried about skin cancer, rest assured that I know the ABC's of suspicious lesions and keep a very close eye out. Plus, with autumn's approach I will soon be fading back to my typical pallor (with a scattering of freckles).
Here is a picture of some really SCARY runner's tans (courtesy of http://jrtrunr.blogspot.com):
In other news, I'm still flat. But that is very good for my running! My arm and shoulder definition has increased and with the addition of ankle-weights and knee-strengthening exercises, I have noticed development in my VSO muscle (it's part of the quadricep and helps to hold the knee in place during running).
Right now I am pulling down about 60 or more miles per week. I've been at that mileage for about a month now. Before that, it was 55, and 50, 45, etc., so I have been slowly increasing my mileage in order to give my body time to adapt. It's a really amazing instrument. Learning to live in balance with it is an education in itself!
This week's trail runs have been amazing. On Tuesday my planned Long Run was going to be 22 miles. I felt very confident in completing the distance--I've done more than that, before. I actually even completed over 20 miles on the treadmill once, which was the single most BORING thing I have ever done in my life! This is what I looked like afterward:
BLECCH! Someone get that guy a towel, please.
Anyway, so my Tuesday run was at Forest Park (spanning almost 5,000 acres and 70 miles of trails!) on Leif Erikson Drive, one of the main trails that goes for about 11 or 12 miles into the depths of this incredible natural resource. I had my water, my Gu gels, my Garmin and my Nike+ sportband. It was a little hard to find parking because people were taking advantage of this gorgeous morning in the middle of the week to come out for some hiking and running! So I don't blame them for the painfully pathetic attempt I made to parallel park my little Volvo halfway up a hillside. Luckily I didn't hit any other cars!
The first stop on the trail was the outhouse, about 1/3rd of a mile up. Did I say "Up"? Because the concept of "up" is very important when discussing the Leif Erikson trail. It is uphill for 6 miles. It kind of sucks if you have never done the trail before because you are not at all interested in the natural beauties surrounding you as you heave and gasp for air. But, to seasoned veterans such as the fellow I happened to meet by narrowly missing his car whilst attempting to parallel park (see the above description), Forest Park is a vision of green loveliness in summer and frosty, crystal glory in the winter. Here's a picture of the green loveliness:
We ran together at a 10 min/mile pace for the first 8 miles and it was really nice to have someone to talk to for a change. Since I run alone, I usually have to rely on my tunes to break up the boredom (during track and treadmill running) and increase my enjoyment (during trail runs). Tuesday my playlist was dubbed "Reggae Cherry," and was a combination of Michael Franti & Spearhead ("All Rebel Rockers") and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies (various songs from all their albums). The very interesting and fit dude with whom I conversed turned back at mile 8, and I continued on.
A little bit down the trail I was chased for a full 1/4 mile by a psychopathic horsefly. Those bastards are persistent! He buzzed and buzzed me like the Red Baron on a strafing run. I was terrified. Then he zoomed up and took a bite! I managed to clip him but he ultimately escaped. Darn!
I was feeling really good and looking forward to the 2 mile stretch that would take me to the halfway point when my right foot caught on a nice pointy rock hidden by pine needles and debris. I went flying--and so did my water! It popped open and spilled quite a bit onto the trail, much to my annoyance. Not to mention the fact that I landed on my right knee and got a few colorful bruises and swelling and a delightful vertical cut which bled down my leg. Ick. And this is coming from a nurse, people!
I had to rest a minute before I could attempt to stand. Boy, was I covered in mud! Well, I guess it's mud if trail dirt mixes with sweat--Dirt + Water = Mud, right? My knee was throbbing like crazy. For a split second I looked down the trail at the mythical halfway point--alas, no more a possibility. I'm all for valor, but not stupidity. The thing to do was head back, making my long run an 18-miler instead of the 22 I planned. But I'm no fool--I knew I needed to get the thing iced and elevated and medicated, pronto. So, slowly I started back.
After about a 1/2 mile I began to feel better and my knee to feel stronger. About two miles from my car, with no water and a tender knee, I thought I saw an interestingly-shaped water fountain. I was so relieved! WATER!! I ran up to it and saw that it was an injured trail runner with his left foot resting on his right knee, massaging his calf. Oh, hell. No water. We fell to talking and it turns out that Art was a chiropractor and he and his wife are spending their retirement driving around the country chasing MARATHONS! Is that amazing or what?!? Art's goal is to do the 50 states. During the course of conversation, I revealed that I thought he was a water fountain from far away. "Water? Water, you say? Why, I have plenty of water in my Camel-Back." Huh?
He didn't mean this:
He meant THIS:
Here I am, back at home in my ice bath (before I dumped the cubes in):
Sooo--it was quite a day! Despite the undeniable fact that that rock had it in for me, I really enjoy the trails here in Portland. The natural beauty and solitude are compelling and even magical. I really am quite lucky to live so close to such wonders.
Well, adios till next time, folks! Take care and enjoy the summer!
