A Couple Days Of Rekindling My Running Flame

 

Day 1.  I knew I was out of shape, but what a better time to start pushing myself to get back in shape than our trip to Oklahoma City.  There, I have some running spots that sort of "started it all" for me.  When I first got into running seriously, I discovered Bluff Creek Trails behind Hefner Lake.  This is where I ran my first trail run.  It was a 12K (twice around the trail).  After that, I was hooked.

So, on a recent trip we took for a preaching conference.  I decided I would at least get one run/hike around Bluff Creek.  I did, and I thouroughly enjoyed every minute of it (even though it paid it's toll on my lazy lungs and leg muscles.  It took me way longer than it should have, but I made it around and was very satisfied!

Day2.  The next day I was feeling pretty good.  3.5 miles of pretty technical trails hadn't really done any damage.  So, I was ready to hit my second favorite run--Hefner Lake.  I suspected I would feel this one, simply because it is 9.5 miles.  I have hardly had a 9.5 mile week in the last couple months, let alone a 9.5 mile day after running Bluff Creek the day before.  Nevertheless, I went for it.  I had about 20 oz. of water to drink (got me through about 7 miles before I ran out), and so I laced up my truck key to my shoe laces, grabbed my bottle, and headed off into to sun.  It was a nice enough day, I half way suspected a little burn on my face, but I didn't burn...well, my face didn't, but my legs were sure burning at the end.  I took it slow, but like I said, "Out. Of. Shape!"

Over all, I didn't need much recovery for my legs, and so I suspect I'm ready to up the mileage to about 20 per week for a while.  I'm not sure when my next ultra will be (it might not even be an official ultra), but I'm ready to get "ultra fit" again!

Bluff Creek Trail

This time of year, when things begin to freeze, I often think back to the start of my "running addiction." After I signed up for this particular race, The first Sooner State Winter Trail Run (a 12k trail run at the time) I began running on the trail quite a bit, although the race would have us running the course twice, and before then, I had never ran it more than once.



The area has changed a lot over the years, but still remains largely the same on the trail itself. They have added a large parking area, a bridge, a paved trail, and much more since then, but if you get out there on the trails you forget all that. The hills are still hills, the roots (stubbed my toes and/or tripped on those many times) still look like roots, the pine trees still smell like pine trees, the squirrels, birds...and snakes still scurry around you; and if you are lucky, you will still see a deer or two.

But after signing up for the race, it was getting cold, and I began to realize I would be running in the coldest part of the year. The beginning of February is usually snowy, icy, or just miserably cold in Oklahoma. This is why, on race day (which was almost cancelled due to the ice and snow on the trail) only the hard core and down right "nuts" showed up to run. It was then that I was first introduced to the world of totally insane athletes...which I was soon to become.

While some stayed in their cars with the heaters on before the race began, others stretched and jumped around to stay warm. Others even ran on part of the trail to stay loose. Whereas I remained outside in order to warn my body of the torture it was about to experience, I wasn't about to go running around. I was concerned about even being able to finish 12k on these hills and in these conditions, so why add anymore distance than I had to?

Long story short, I made it 12k that day. I didn't have an impressive time (finished somewhere in the middle), but to me this was a huge accomplishment. It got me looking ahead. I was ready to try a half marathon (more on this later).