A Date With My Nemeses

Workout: 5 fusterclucked miles, 11:08 average (sort of), Pace Gloves

When I got in my car to head over to the Coastal Trail this morning, I had high expectations for my return. It had been over five weeks since my last visit, an experience that annoyed me so much it had me running the same trails day after day. No more, I decided. It was time to go back. But alas, my return was not all rainbows and Cadbury eggs. Instead, to possibly quote Jeff Goldblum in the classic film, Jurassic Park, "everything that could go wrong, did." That quote may be off by a word or six; it's been a while since I've seen that movie.

So why did it blow so hard? Why else? My nemeses: skiers. I swear there's a "Skiers united to make Jeano miserable" foundation somewhere out there. Probably funded by Sarah Palin's PAC.

In their defense, it really was a ridiculously dumb move on my part. I completely forgot that today was the Tour of Anchorage, aka the largest cross country ski race of the year. Oops. Let's call it 90% their fault and 10% my fault.

Anyway, that long set-up is my way of saying these were five of the most interrupted miles I've ever run. It would probably be more accurate to call it a 3-mile mosey and a 2-mile jog. But hey, at least it was pretty out!

Love the sky in this. No filter, for once.

Other disruptions include: running on the main road for a few minutes in an attempt to get back to my car via an alternate route; almost getting hit by multiple cars; bushwhacking back to the trail; removing my Yaktrax while on the road and losing one after putting them on again; semi-accusing a stranger of having stolen my lost Yaktrak; finding said Yaktrak and feeling bad about semi-accusing a stranger of theft... the list goes on and on. Oh, and of course, the usual dog problems. Dammit, Bailey, I just can't quit you.

The best part of this run, I guess, is that I was barely aware of the fact that I was running. No fatigue whatsoever. Stopping every five seconds probably had more than a little to do with that, but whatever. I'll take it.

Wait, I take it back - the best part of this run was the view.

Downtown 

It was overcast for the first part of the run, but then the sun came out and it was glorious. This weekend's weather is deceiving. There's definitely a hint of spring in the air, but we've actually got a couple more months before it actually gets here. But that's okay with me! Give me some sun and I'm happy with whatever else I get.

This is Bailey's happy face.

I wore my Pace Gloves, which were awesome. I've been excited about my new shoes so wore them for three out of five runs this week, but putting my Pace Gloves back on was kind of like sleeping in my own bed after weeks on the road. Thanks, buddies.

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It's a momentous occasion: the end of week four of marathon training! How'd that happen? Who cares, because it's wrap-up time!

21 miles jogged

Three five-milers and two three-milers. All easy. This week's mileage was identical to last week's, but with the miles divided up a bit differently.

This coming week marks the end of "phase one" of the training cycle. Week six, my mileage increases significantly (like, 70% in one week significantly. That's totally permissible under the 10% rule, right? Right), I start running six days a week instead of five, and I finally get to run sub-10:52 miles. As terrifying (and unsafe) as that all may sound, though, I think I'll be fine. All this slower running is really quite remarkable. Today was my fourth day of running without a rest day and I feel fine. Fantastic, even. Last week, I said my legs were pretty fatigued after my fourth consecutive day of running. This was true at the time, but by the next morning I was all set to run again and was disappointed I wasn't allowed to. Then, when I had yet another rest day on Wednesday my body was like, "Another one? Already?! Let me out there!" But of course I didn't because I'm an obsessive plan-follower. I've also had no shin pain/other niggles whatsoever. Props, Hanson Brothers.

Sneak peak at week six. The dates on this are wrong.

Questions!

• Has spring arrived where you are?
• Have you had a mess of a run like mine recently? Let's hope not.
• Ms. TR says she's having issues scrolling down posts. Anyone else having troubles with this? We aim to please here at JJ-o.