welcome to the taper, again! only 2 weeks until we all arrive in MN for the Twin Cities 10-miler and marathon.
This training seemed to almost fly by, maybe it's just the fact that it's almost October already. Technically, my taper ended up beginning 2 weeks ago after a long run in Harbor Springs, MI. Due to schedules, it worked out better to get the 20 miler in up there and run with Kpax, Julie and Claire (we missed you, Jen!)
That was my first training run (or anytime in my life) that I encountered bear tracks. For real.
I mapped out a course online trekking into some unexplored - by me - territory north of Harbor Springs. The walk, jog, run site allows you to view the topography map, but I neglected to pay attention to how much hill work was really involved - Kevin, I apologize. After a few pretty decent climbs a little south of Harbor Springs (think up around Nubs Nob/Boyne Highlands if you are familiar with the area), we ran through town to head north.
This also happened to be the weekend of the annual
DAL-MAC which put a lot of bikers on our route. Plenty of people to say hi and good morning to (that was my job). They were on the final leg of their 4 day bike route to Mackinac. Once we were out on 119 heading up the coast through the tunnel of trees, we veered inland onto "Ridge Road" ... this turned into a seasonal road about 500 yards in. A seasonal, dirt, sand uphill road. Trail is one thing, but loose sand uphill isn't very nice. Due the recent rain the past two days, there were some dirt bike tracks, now ours, and bear tracks - super fresh bear tracks. Lots of black bears in this area apparently - and those were some very distinct bear tracks. Fortunately, we did not see any bears and after that mile climb, it was pretty much coasting down a winding back road to town. Claire and Julie picked us up on their 7 miler to run us back in - almost forgot about Stella! She enjoys her up north runs as well.
We ended our run in the creek. Natural ice bath if you will. Kevin had sprained his ankle earlier in the week, but didn't let that stop him from running 20 miles - uphill on incredibly uneven terrain (fail on my physical therapy end of things). I advised him to go straight to the creek and get his ankle under water. Well... weak sauce Kevin didn't exactly listen to this doctor. Julie, Claire and I toughed it out and lasted 7 minutes (really after 2 minutes, the excruciating pain resolves into a welcome numbness). I'm sure Dan enjoyed watching that from above - it was pretty comical. I will say Kevin had A LOT of females to deal with that weekend... so I'll give him a little credit. But, holy shit that water is cold.
This 20 miler has to be one of the most beautiful runs I've done. First, the weather was perfect for running. Then it encompassed roads, hills, trails, dirt, frequent lake views from many vantage points, plenty of people, but also plenty of peaceful time in the country-side. Not only that, the run finished with good beer on the beach with the fam. Not a bad way to spend Labor Day weekend.
And just like that, our longest run was behind us. In a way, it almost hangs over your head throughout training, but by the time you get there you are ready for it (some long runs go better than others), but for the most part you are ready. Then it's done - that daunting task is in the past and it's on to the taper.
The plan was to keep our mileage high for one more week and squeeze in an 18-miler, but waking up to buckets of rain (literally) Saturday resulted in a quick text conversation that determined Jen and I were not running. There have been plenty of runs in the rain, snow and whatever other elements, so this really didn't seem necessary and sounded entirely uncomfortable. So that weekend turned into dropping down to a 15 miler. I'm a fan of my extremely flexible training plan. Who knows - this 4 week taper might just work out.
So here we go, less mileage, more rest, and prepping for seeing the whole group in MN. Hard to believe this will be my 5th marathon. Just over 2 years ago I got my feet wet with my first half marathon and had no idea what was coming. Forever grateful for Anna convincing Adam and I to run the marathon and to everyone else who has run with and supported us along the way.
I'm still constantly asked why I run and how I do it without music. Thankfully, quite a few of my patients are runners and they get it. It's hard to explain to non- runners when running is what keeps you going... or at least from punching them in the face that day. One of my favorite patients is back and she began asking about running again and who was running, where we were running and why we do this. So I decided to break new ground. I told her we run in memory of our friend. She asked a few more questions, which I answered as vaguely as possible. Sharing part of the story with just one new person was enough for now.
It's quite surreal that the 2 year mark is upon us and Dan was just 25. I'm sure the marathon weekend will bring many mixed emotions and feelings. I'm glad so many of us will be together and that there is also an opportunity for solitude in running.
Whatever you may be missing right now - a person, a place, a feeling, maybe you are injured and missing running - whatever it is, have peace and take heart - remember that any goodbye makes room for a hello. Kristin Armstrong, Author and runner
