You guys! I am tapering!!! Wahoo! I can’t believe Rim to River is a few short weeks away. I’ve spent this training cycle trying to be as low key as possible about this race to ensure I didn’t freak myself out. I had such success this spring being so low maintenance about all my races, so I wanted to trust that as much as possible.
That said, this past weekend was my last big (BIG) weekend, and now I feel like I’m coasting. Some people get the taper crazies but not me. I love all the extra time and the break I get to take from prepping for workouts or weekend runs. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to do those things, but it also feels great to check out a bit.
My last few weeks of training have been very enjoyable. I’ve also been sleeping A LOT. I really can feel the difference when I’ve recovered well at night.
Two weekends ago, Patrick and I went out to Wardensville, WV to run the Big Schloss 50k and Erica and Derek joined for a WV getaway.
The weather was phenomenal and I felt really good. During the race, Patrick rolled his ankle (bummer) and was DNFd waiting for me at mile 18. After hugs and some comforting, I took off to continue the race but it didn’t feel right. I wanted to be with Patrick since I knew he’d be disappointed with his injury. I turned around and ran back to the aid station to DNF myself! I don’t regret it one bit. It was fun to hang out with our friends there and I didn’t feel like I had to run the whole race to feel ready for Rim to River.
Later that night we went to a pizza place for dinner and they happened to be hosting trivia! We got second place! The folks who won gave us their prize (gift certificates), which Patrick and Derek both used to buy matching shirts (as seen below).
On Sunday, we all slept in and then spent some time popping around local markets in Wardensville before getting into more activities!
First I went on a solo run up to Halfmoon Mountain! The views were spectacular. I was also freezing! I had no clue the trails in that area were so good. I can’t wait to go back and spend more time out there.
It was 6 miles round trip, which is such a nice distance for a trail run!
After my trail run, I ate a sandwich and then joined Erica for 6 more gravel miles. I absolutely love running through the national forest. The leaves were only barely starting to change for the season but it was glorious nonetheless.
While we were running, Patrick and Derek were out on a gravel ride. We actually ran into them on the road as we were starting our run and they were finished their ride. When we got back to the cabin, they were already cooking in the hot tub! Again, ’twas glorious.
We all woke up pretty early on Monday to drive home and get back to work. It was an amazing weekend in the woods and a good reminder to slow down and enjoy nature around you.
This immediate past weekend, I had my largest weekend of training yet! But also, my last big weekend of training. On the docket: 30 miles on Saturday and 20 miles on Sunday. In classic Juliana fashion, I flipped them and ended up doing 20 on Saturday and 30 on Sunday. Why? Because it was raining on Saturday and I didn’t want to slosh through the rain more than necessary! Was it also raining on Sunday? Yes, but that is beside the point.
Anywayyy, on Saturday I got an early start on a 20 mile road run. I chose to take this long run on the road for two reasons 1) convenience, duh but also 2) Rim to River has a lot of honest to god running in it, so I wanted to experience a very long run full of actual running. You get it!
It was gloomy and I was rained on for at least 12 miles of this run but I had a great time. I took a new-to-me route and enjoyed the exploring and sightseeing aspects of it all!
Plus, I went by my favorite street in all of NOVA: Juliana Place!
And I was done before 1 pm! I’ve got to remember how good that feels next time I moan and groan about getting up early. I spent the rest of the afternoon absolutely chilling. Patrick and I even watched a movie on the couch – can you believe it?! I was asleep before 8:30 pm that day.
I woke up early again on Sunday to take on my 30 miler. I had decided to do the course from a fatass I did last October in DC called Hallowoogie. It was a nice blend of trail, road, and flat, runnable rail trail. Again, I was looking for something challenging but ultimately quite runnable.
I started off doing a classic Rock Creek Park loop before venturing towards Georgetown and then into Maryland. I’ll be honest with you, I trespassed twice on this run. That’s the problem with urban trail running! You never know what you’re going to get!
When I came through Georgetown, I stopped at Baked and Wired for a pumpkin cupcake before taking off for my last 12 miles or so.
Did people probably think I was stinky and insane? Yes! Rightfully so!
By the end of the run, I was happy for it be over but felt like I could’ve kept going. I also practiced non-chafing strategies on both of my runs over the weekend and was pretty happy with the results. If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that chafing is Public Enemy Number One for me.
I got home at a reasonable time and Patrick made homemade Detroit-style pizza for dinner. It was soooo delicious. We ate an entire pizza.
Now, a few days removed, I feel very good! I feel like a bottomless pit and have delayed onset hunger but am otherwise not sore or bothered. I’ve got a few more runs over the next few weeks but nothing over 10 miles. I’m stoked.
I hope you are having an excellent October so far. Wish me luck in a few weeks!
Love,
JN
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