Solo long runs are tough, but doable

I have yet to find running buddies, but I still need to get long runs in. It is definitely more difficult getting out the door to run several hours by myself. On Saturday, armed with a Nathan Hydration Vest, my phone and my iPod loaded with an audiobook, I set off for my third long run since moving here. 


One thing I really enjoy about Fort Collins is that it is set up very simply. It is a grid with several main roads going north/south and east/west. It is very difficult to get lost. You will eventually come upon one of the main thoroughfares and know where you are. There is also a great system of multi-use trails weaving through the city. After a brief look at a map of these trails, I had a good idea of my route.


I started out on Power Trail, a trail that runs along the railroad tracks. There are some cool murals painted on some utility boxes, but other than that, this isn't the most beautiful path I have run since moving here.

From there I ran on the Spring Creek Trail.  I have run on this trail, in some portion or another, on each of my long runs.  It runs about 7 miles east/west. My first long run I ran on the middle portion of that path and last week I ran on the western portion.  Saturday, I ran east from the Power Trail, for just under a mile, to meet up with the Poudre River Trail.


The Poudre River Trail runs along the main river in Fort Collins through the northeast part of town. It is a gorgeous path. I ran on this trail in January when I first visited the town and again in May during my house-hunting trip.

I needed to turn toward home, so when the trail hit Lemay, a major north/south road leading back to my house, I got off the beautiful trail and headed back south on the road. This last chunk of the run wasn't as pretty or pleasant as the first chunk.  It is a nice road with a good sidewalk, but the trail system really spoils me.  Why do I run on sidewalk when there are such great paths that are nowhere near traffic?


There are definitely some pretty parts of the road.  It goes next to a couple lakes, including the one below.  Honestly, I haven't really found an "ugly" part of Fort Collins!

It was a long, HOT sixteen miles. I still haven't fully acclimated to the elevation. I take more walk breaks than I ever have. I am not sure if I would push through those urges to walk if I were running with someone else.  Probably. My pace is SO much slower than it had been. I have two months to get rid of those walk breaks and speed up that pace.


I am happy that I got my long run in as scheduled. It wasn't pretty, but I did it. It can only get better.  


I hope your long runs went well this weekend.   Happy Running!

Making a new home

As you know, we moved. We are no longer residents of Southern California and are proud Coloradans. As I create our home and unpack boxes, I have been trying to keep a running routine and my mileage up.  I wrote an article on theRUNiverse.com about finding ways to do just that.

When I have gone out for a run, I have struggled a bit with the altitude. It is right at 5000 feet here and I honestly didn't think it would affect me as much as it has.  In the past, I have been able to run at even higher elevations several times (in 2008 and 2010). What I have learned is that the effects of altitude don't necessarily show up right away. After two weeks I still feel the altitude, especially when going up hill. It has also been pretty hot (as it has been all over the country) and I have had a tough time motivating myself to get up early.

I was very spoiled with my running group.  On any given day, I had a friend to run with. Running by myself has been a difficult transition. It really makes motivation a struggle. I miss my friends quite a bit. I am going to try to join local runners soon. I really need to psych myself up for going. I am nervous. My running isn't really up to par and I am a little afraid that they will leave me behind.  Once I acclimate a bit more, I will have more confidence to join strangers for a group run.

On one of my first runs through my neighborhood, I saw the following evidence of women doing workouts.  I didn't see anyone, so how did I know it was women?  Do you know any men who write "love" in a heart? I have yet to see this type of evidence since, but I am hoping to catch the "culprits" and maybe invite myself to join them?

On my first long run, I followed one of the many bike paths in and around Fort Collins. There were cool statues, a few motivational signs, some murals, a pelican on a quiet lake and a snake.  I loved all of it except the snake.  Yikes.

I know I will love it here. I know I will find a new community of friends, moms and runners.  I am just feeling a bit impatient, I suppose.

I am off for another long run tomorrow.

Happy Running...

Altitude Training Part 4

Yesterday's run was really nice. I was looking forward to it all week and it didn't disappoint. The weather was perfect! It was chilly enough when I started that I needed a long sleeved shirt over my tank top. By the time I finished, I believe it was in the low 80's (warm enough to be glad I was wearing a tank top). I know a lot of runners are dealing with icky heat and humidity right now and I feel fortunate to have spent a week in a wonderful mountain paradise.

Distance: 10.05 miles
Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Pace: 10:10/mile
Elevation: 7174 to 6749 back to 7174 (I love the Garmin!)

I ran from Bear Mountain Ski Resort down to the lake. I ran along the lake for a while and it was really peaceful. There were several people fishing along the shore of the lake. When I ran over to the North Shore Pedal Path, I saw a lot of walkers enjoying the beautiful morning. There weren't a lot of runners, surprisingly. I only passed one other pair of runners during my ten mile run.

If anyone reading this is ever planning on running the Big Bear Marathon, my hat goes off to you!!! I had thought it might be fun, but not only is it on my son's birthday, it is also going to be REALLY HARD. I ran part of the marathon route during my run. Specifically, mile 7.5 to 9.5 or so is the same road as mile 18-20 on the marathon. After eight miles, that hill was hell. I can't even imagine running up that at mile eighteen!

So my altitude training is done. I am back home in San Diego. It is definitely hotter here. I am happy that I was able to wake up and get four runs in while on vacation. I must really be dedicated (or crazy). I remember when vacation meant sleeping in!