Day 7 - The First Trail Run (if you can call it that)

Work was finished early enough today that I could sneak in a run before picking up the kiddos.  I decided to head around to this weird, little wooded valley/trail that runs through our neighborhood.  My assumption has always been that this land couldn't be used as part of the subdivision so it was basically left as is.  It consist of a long, flat valley (all grass) that takes a right hook uphill and forms a trail running along the top of a ridge.  It loops around nicely back to my house.  Lacie and I used to go back there all the time to take a walk.  My Garmin was having trouble reading while I was running, so my distance was only 0.52 miles.  I was aiming for more like 0.60.  It sure felt like more than 0.52 miles.

Distance: 0.52 miles

Weight: 210 lbs (home scale)

Results: There is some soreness in the medial calf, likely Tom, Dick and/or Harry (I bet my PT friends will be smiling as they read that), but otherwise ok.  Actually, legs felt more stiff before the run/walk than after.  The pavement was pretty hot, once I was off the trail, so I might have just lightly burn the bottom of my feet.

What I learned: Keep going.  No reason to stop yet.  Running on the firm earth/grass down there felt pretty good, although it was harder to focus on the mechanics of my stride because I had to pay more attention to my immediate environment.  That may be a good thing, in the end.

Plan: Next will be Friday morning, before work.  At the mo, going back to our little mini-trail seems like a good idea.  Today, I will do some stretching and some lower body strengthening.