Fourth Day - Lessons Learned(?!)

Back in July 2010, I ran the Last Annual Vol State Run - commonly referred to as Vol State. Vol State is a 314 mile run across the great state of Tennessee. The first three days of the run were oppressively hot and humid with feel like temps of 110 plus at times. Day four dawned with overcast skies and lower temps - a break in the weather!!!! However, I could not get my legs to turnover. I could walk, but I just couldn't get the legs to run. It was very disappointing - especially since "decent" running weather had finally arrived. I really, really wanted to drop out the run as I am a runner not a walker. Kevin Dorsey was crewing for me at the time and he convinced me to remain in the run. As an aside, I did drop out of the 2010 Vol State on day 6 due to shin splints.
Fast forward to day four of the Run Across America on Trail. The weather was perfect at the start - 54 degrees, overcast, no precipitation. After three good days of running the legs felt a little "heavier" this morning - and the left hip (my biggest injury concern due to previous left hip issues) wasn't 100%. Not surprisingly it took more effort to get the legs to turnover at the start, but turnover they did as I covered the first four miles of the day at exactly 11 minutes per mile. I was very happy when I looked at my watch and noted that time. However, the good times didn't last long as a rain commenced and I got just a bit colder than I would have liked. The hip didn't like that at all and I was forced to a limp by mile 6. I didn't panic. I met up with Heidi and Karen (and Daphne - our dog) at mile 7 and changed from my RaceReady split cut running shorts to my RaceReady compression shorts that I wear when biking. I did this since my hip has proven to prefer the slight compression of the compression shorts. I took some Advil and applied some Qi Extra Strength Recovery Cream. I left the Roadrunner and executed Operation Fast Walk, ie. walk quickly which I am able to do. For you number folks out there I walked mile 9 in 14:48. The hip kept feeling better and better and at mile 10 and a half I started to punctuate the walking with a little slow jogging. As the miles went on I slowly increased the running to walking ratio so much so that the I ran the last four miles of the day at 11:10 pace. I could have definitely done without the forced limping and walking today, but with the help of Heidi and Karen I was able to resolve my issue and continue the needed relentless forward motion. All in all it really was an enjoyable day of running - but days of 50 and 60 degree temperatures won't last long.
National Trails Day is the first Saturday of June each year. There were many trail event held throughout the country today at state and national parks. We did our part by running 12 of the 14 paved King County Interurban Trail miles on the 2012 National Trails Day.
Scorekeeper reports the day four run times below for the 38.06 miles:
Justin     5:57:57
Jennifer 7:13:46
Mike     8:45:35

Day Four Comes to an End

All in and feeling well!
Gray day turns to beautiful sunshine!

Fpurth Day Start-No Rain

Fourth Day starts with nice weather: cloudy and less traffic!

Day Three - Good Knee Gone Bad

This morning started on a sad note when Marty informed everyone that his knee was in no shape to continue walking the route - let alone do any running. Jennifer, Justin and I wish Marty the speediest of recovery to his knee issues. There is good news to report as Marty and his fantastic crew, Corky, are still with us, and they are going to crew for Justin and Jennifer when Katie departs in a few days.
The "on Trail" part of the run got off to a good start with the inclusion of the 14 mile paved Yelm-Tenino Trail - a rail trail. We crossed our first rail trestle over Johnson Creek(?) shortly after enjoying some views of Lake McIntosh. It was fantastic to be on the trail surrounded by a sea of green and to be off the road away from the cars. Possibly the most enjoyable part of the trail was a section about a mile and a half north of Tenino - the southern end of the trail. After the trail crosses WA-507 from the east to the west, the trail gradually ascends the side of a hill allowing for a super view of the valley below and the foothills across the valley.
The day didn't start out with rain, but the heaviest rain of the three days hit the runners this afternoon quickly soaking us. The least inviting thing about the rain was the spray sent our way by all the passing cars on the highway we ran for the last 11 miles of the day. No complaints - as it is a virtual guarantee that more spray will be sent our way by numerous cars in the upcoming days.
For the music folks out there, Waterloo played in my head all day long. Maybe I will hear a classic rock song on the way to the start on Saturday?!
Scorekeeper reports the day three finish times for the 35.82 miles:
Justin     5:13:08
Jennifer 6:46:33
Mike     7:08:05

 

Sprinkling is one thing....down pours are another "ballgame"!

 

On a side note...if you're ever in Tacoma, WA ....be sure to stop by "The Hub"!

It was DElicious!!!!  Nice surroundings too !

SUPER SECOND DAY

So we were driving to the start point - which as one would expect is the end point from yesterday - this morning on the Run route when we came upon the dreaded orange road crew signs. Then the most dreaded of all signs appeared - the Flagman Ahead sign - which often indicates a pilot car. Nnnnnnnnoooooooooooo I screamed inside my head due to the unexpected road issues on day 2. The crisis was averted as Karen and Heidi talked to the crew and the runners were allowed to safely transit the zone of shoulder weed maintenance. As an aside, I thought the crew was performing quality work.
The weather was no surprise as we had light rain and drizzle for a couple hours followed by a nice overcast low 60s temperature today. And the finish order of the day was also no surprise as it was the same as day one. Similarly the scenery was also not a surprise as the world was green around us all day as the route took us by foothills at first to the west of us and then to the north of the route. Everyone enjoyed the scenery once again. Nice low traffic roads for most of the day before finishing up with five miles of a high traffic volume highway. I enjoyed plenty of blissful silence broken up by birds chirping rather than What was a surprise is the song that went through my head all day - Tommy Tutone's 867-5309/Jenny. I must have heard it on the classic rock station as we waited for Marty to finish on Wednesday as the song that plays in my head is usually the last song I hear.
Not all was was super today as Marty is having knee issues which have slowed him. May his knee feel better on Friday.

If you would like to read Jennifer's blog on the run you can do so at runningandbaking.com. Jennifer uploaded a great picture of an old railroad trestle we passed on Wednesday as we headed east to Aberdeen from the ocean. I suspect it is the same rail line in which a small part in and around Aberdeen that has been paved and we ran a mile of on Wednesday.
If you would like to read Justin's blog on the run you can do so at justinrunning acrossamerica.blogspot.com.

Note -  We're having issue uploading pictures to the blog. Run pictures are presently on Jennifer and Justin's blog and on the Run Across America on Trail group page. Request to join the Run Across America Facebook page if desired. 
Scorekeeper reports day two times below. Today's run was 33.78 miles, day one was 31.20 miles:
Justin     5:12:09
Jennifer 6:26:51
Mike     6:32:27
Marty  12:00:30

Some Pictures from Stage One:

Some of the Pictures from Stage Two:

 

Keep checking back for more . . .

Third Day off to a Gray Start

Runners are off and heading to their first trail today with sadness as Marty decides to drop from the run physically, but not in spirit.

Day Two Starts with a Shower

Day Two is off to a wet start. Everyone in good spirits and feeling well.