No perfect runners...

No one is born a perfect runner. And none of us will become one. But through incremental steps, we can become better runners. And that’s the beauty of our sport: There are no shortcuts, nothing is given to us; we earn every mile, and we earn every result.

- Peter Magill

 

 

I can across this quote today and it really rang true to me. I am definitely not a perfect runner and I know that but I have come a long way from where I once was. I think people get discouraged from running because it seems too hard, and honestly - it is hard. And it doesn't get easier. That mile doesn't get any shorter. But I've come to realize that I get stronger which makes it feel as if it is easier.

 

I got some great runs in this past week and thought I'd share a few pictures with you. The first picture is from a 4.6 mile loop up K2 and down the Western States trail in Auburn. This is one of our favorite week night runs because we can get it done in about an hour. The first mile and a half is very steep with about a 1000 ft elevation gain in a mile. You come up the top of the mountain near Cool, cut across some flat, open meadows and start a gentle decline back to No Hands Bridge. Last week Jason and I picked up our friend Ashley and headed up for a quick run. It was getting dark as we headed up the hill and as took me off the trail real quick to snap a shot of the sunset. Too bad we hadn't gotten to the lookout point about 10 minutes earlier because it was an absolutely gorgeous sunset to watch through the trees as we headed up the hill. I'm pretty sure Jason rolled his eyes at us because of course we were slowing him down.... but it was to dark to see!

 

 

Saturday was another fabulous run. Ashley and I got up early and headed back to Auburn. Have I told you how much I love Auburn State Recreation area??? I do! We parked at the Quarry parking lot, headed down Quarry trail, up American Canyon trail, down Maine Bar, and back along Quarry for a 16 mile lollipop route. We stopped to enjoy a beautiful scenery a few times, ate some snacks overlooking the valley, and overall just had a good time.

 

Here are a few pics from the day.

 

 

So back to the quote that I started with..... this past week wasn't about being a perfect runner or even running a perfect race next weekend. It was about putting in the effort, earning the miles, and enjoying along the way.

Slacker blogger

I admit it.. I am a slacker blogger. I'm not very good at this whole blogging thing! I think about blogging... I've even intentionally taken my phone on runs with me to take pictures, I then leave it in my pack and carry around the extra weight for 10 or so miles before heading home and realizing I didn't take any pictures.

Anyway... Way Too Cool 50k is quickly approaching and per usual, I haven't trained enough. Ugh!! Not again! At least this year I am not injured - I've got that going for me at least. AR50 is less than two months away. I still can't really fathom that I will be running 50 miles... but it will come and I will do it. (I think I can... I think I can... I think I can....)

I've about done with my current read so I think I will revisit Born to Run by Chris McDougall. If you haven't read this book - and you are a runner or are thinking about being a runner- get it asap. For me, this book was actually life changing in a way. I read it just as I was getting in to running and it made me believe that my body could run far and push beyond limits that I had set for myself. I am starting to get to that point of doubting my decision to run these next two races because I am undertrained and I feel that this book will help me push through and complete 50 miles.

Born to Run is a book for runners, but for readers as well. It skillfully intertwines running talk, anatomy, physiology, and history with tales of several interesting characters who eventually end up in the middle of the Mexican canyons racing against the Tarahumara tribe. It discusses specific aspects of human anatomy that give humans advantages over other running species and how to run more efficiently without the need for fancy, over-cushioned running shoes.

http://www.chrismcdougall.com/

Here are a few videos from the author, Chris McDougall -

This one is a little bit long... but good nonetheless.

Let me know if you are interested in reading it, we can talk about it as we go!