Chasing Kris

I've totally strayed off course from my training plans for Ragnar.  The Granite Head Trails and Ales race totally knocked me off track.  I had a complete breakdown at mile 9 of the 11 mile race and had to walk the last 2 full miles.  Up to that point, I was feeling awesome! I haven't had this particular pain in a couple years.  It's a pretty classic IT Band syndrome.  I'm sure it was just a factor of ramping up my mileage too aggressively.  The amount of added mileage I take on needs to be slow and steady in this new post-chemo body because I just heal slower now.  I guess I was pushing myself to see where that edge was.  Found it! So I took a full week off from running.  I added a series of strength building exercises to my daily routine in place of my usual running.  I will need to get in another long run, at least 8 miles because that's my longest single stretch for Ragnar. I think I'm pretty much on the home stretch at this point.  Whatever endurance,

Granite Head Trails and Ales is a race that fit into my training plan for Ragnar Napa in November and also keeps me having fun and on track for my California International Marathon Relay in December.  I've run this race before and, since it's practically in my backyard, decided to sign up again this year for the long course (11.2 miles). This race is put on by Fleet Feet and begins and ends at the Granite Bay Main Beach area of Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, California.  They offer two course options, the long course and a shorter version that is a little over 6 miles.  The parking is abundant, although getting through the entrance into the State Park can take a while.  If you don't have a State Parks Pass, the parking will cost you $10 at the gate. Pre-Race organization was very good.  The check-in process on site was quick and easy.  There were plenty of fresh new porta potties to keep the lines short.  Runners get their bibs and shirts right in the parking lot, so it

Welcome to October! This week was the last week of September, and my second week of training for my triple thread of  upcoming runs. My training mash up of clustered runs and long runs is working out okay.  I'm more sore than usual, but I am choosing to believe that means it's working.  If it were easy, I'd be wondering why I haven't stepped it up before. Last week I tried a few new or unusual (for me) things.  I ran four days in a row. My normal routine always includes a day off between runs, just because I'm slow at recovery and have a tendency toward chronic issues if I overdo it.  I'm the Queen of Overdoing, so my moderation policy has been one I've deliberately ingrained.  It's fun throwing that out the window and embracing my Overdone nature once again! In addition to clustering my runs, I also got up before the sunrise and ran with a few of the ladies who will be on my Ragnar Napa Team.  My policy of "No Run Before the Sun" has