An adventure awaits...

I find a lot of joy in many different things in life, but not many things bring as much joy to me as a good adventure.

I think that's one of aspect of trail running that keeps me coming back for more every time. I absolutely love finding new trails. I can't help but see what's around the next bend in the trail. What's over the next ridge.

This year, my actual racing schedule is pretty up in the air. The only races I'm 100% sure on right now is the Leona Divide 50, Plain 100, one of the Cap't Karls 60Ks, the Summer Solstice 6hr run I've done for a few years in a row now, and pacing Cascade Crest. I'm also contemplating doing the White Rock Marathon in hopes of a new marathon PR, but that's another post for another day.

This year I've decided to have some fun and do as much camping/trail running/adventuring as I can. I've had this idea to cover the entire Ouachita Trail in my head for awhile, but before I do that I've been wanting to run the Athens Big Fork Trail. Well, after more research I found the Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas. It's a combination of trails including the Athens Big Fork Trail.

The trail is only 26.8 miles round trip, but has over 13 "Arkansas mountains" to climb, with numerous river crossings. To say I'm excited to run this thing would be a HUGE understatement. I'm planning on heading up there the weekend of the 31st with a friend to run the whole thing, plus a few other possible trails.

We're going to get to do some camping, trail running, and adventuring. Doesn't get too much better than that.

Spending time in nature, and getting to cover large distances on foot does good things for me. It helps keep me grounded.

Running through any wilderness area will help put things in perspective. A good reminder of how small we really are.

I also have a few more adventure plans for the rest of the year. I'd like to run as much of the Ouachita Trail as possible, if not cover the entire thing. I'm thinking maybe cover 100 miles a weekend and it would only take 2-3 weekends. That's still up in the air.

I'm also going to go volutneer at Hardrock and camp out while there. I've never seen the San Juans in person, and am giddy like my 6th grade version in a candy store. Pictures of the San Juans blow my mind... I can only imagine what I'm going to think when I see these beasts in person.

So, with that said, I've got plenty of "maybe" races on the schedule, but we'll just have to see how things develop. I love racing, and love the chance to compete, but the schedule this year isn't coming together as well as I was hoping.

While I could trade out my Hardrock weekend and some of the time on the Ouachita Trail for some races, I think I'd rather embark on the adventures than race for right now... Plus, adventure training won't hurt when I get to Plain.

Lastly, praise God! I was able to run shirtless for the first time this year today. I love you Texas. Now bring on the heat.

_Jacob_

This is a video that is hands down incredible. Deserves so much more recognition than it will ever get.

Just bad runs...

I did my usual routine. 

I sat the GPS watch outside to aquire a signal while I laced up my shoes on the patio. The weather was textbook for a great run. Not a cloud in the sky.

Grabbing the watch I saw it was acquired and ready to go. I jumped the gate and checked out the Plano post-work commute insanity going up and down Midway road. Within a mile I'd be at the trailhead and out of this traffic.

As I stepped off the curb into a running stride I knew it. 

This was gonna be a bad run. 

It's amazing how after years of running now, I've come to a point where after the first few steps of a run I can tell what kind of run it's going to be. 

Last Friday I went out with the intention of running 10 trail miles at a nice comfortable clip, while enjoying the incredible north Texas weather. It was a beautiful day to be running. 

Unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be. I ran to my local trail and after 2 miles or so I was throwing myself a pity party. I was working way too hard for the pace I was running, and it just seemed like my body was screaming at me to walk. The thought kept creeping back into my head. 

"Just walk for a little bit...."

I was determined to keep going, and to make this run a great run. I tried pushing through it. I tried the whole mind over matter thing, but it just wasn't happening. I started walking back home.

I succumbed to my mind and made a bee line for the trailhead. I waded through creeks, jumped a fence, and climbed over deadfall. I began the slow walk home and made sure not to stop my watch. I wanted to watch the pace slowly creep up.

The average pace was over 12/mile. I'd gone from a sub 9 trail pace to over 12 walking home. Oddly enough, I was totally fine with this. 

I'd realized this run wasn't ever supposed to happen. However much I'd wanted it to, it just wasn't my day. Looking back now I'm not sure if I mentally just wasn't into it, if maybe I hadn't slept enough, if maybe I hadn't eaten enough, etc. I could try to list all the excuses in the world, but it just boils down to the fact that it was a crappy run, and one that wasn't going to do anything for me in the long run. 

I continued walking home and enjoyed the sights that north Texas provides in early March. 

I ended up running the last half mile or so home. 

At that point I just wanted to sit down on the couch and do what I call, "Veg". Do nothing. I just wanted to watch TV and eat. 

The next morning I went out for what I call a "redemption run". I decided to do 13.1 miles on the roads around Plano after work so I started running Saturday around 6AM. 

Sure enough from the first step I knew. It was going to be a good run. I did 13.1 miles at a pleasant 7:47 pace and had a great morning. I realized yesterday didn't mean I was a crappy runner. 

If you have a bad run, don't get down on yourself. It's totally OK to have a crap run every once in awhile. It just shows us we're not invincible, and that our bodies need some rest when they ask for it. If you can tell you're about to have a crap run, don't be afraid to bag it and save that energy for another run. 

________________________________________________

In other news I've got some exciting news coming up here soon, but won't be able to post for a few weeks. As soon as I can I will! 

Last week I did end up getting around 55 miles without any pain. I didn't get to run Nueces 50K due to some work conflicts, but am still happy with the mileage I got in. 

This week I'm hoping to get 60 miles, but I'm going to play it smart and listen to my body. I've got plans this year and want to make sure I'm ready when they get here. 

Lastly, the local trail run I started every Wednesday is still be held every Wednesday morning at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano. We did an easy 5 trail miles and are normally done around 7:30AM. Starting at 6:30AM. Check out our WMTR Facebook page if you're interested. 

I'm out. Run hard. Run happy.

An oldie, but a goodie.

_Jacob_

Learning to juggle clubs...

I taught myself to juggle years ago. I mean like when I was 10 years old I taught myself to juggle.

There was one summer specifically where I had a lot of free time as a 10 year old, so I just picked up some tennis balls and started juggling.

Well, I finally bought my first set of juggling clubs a few weeks ago and since then have gotten the chance to practice with them a few times. (not as much as I'd like!)

I think with my "type A" personality, something like juggling clubs is a great way to "relax" and practice on a skill other than running for hours on end.

I shot a quick video yesterday and did some real quick editing last night. The end product I'm posting to the blog in case you're interested!

Enjoy!

_Jacob_