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On The Trails Again…

26 Aug , 2014,
Heidi Kumm
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8 comments

Saturday marked exactly two weeks since my last [attempted] run. That two weeks was spent off my feet and on the couch. Rather than losing myself on single track I got lost in the long list of “recommended for you” movies offered up by Netflix. I ate ice cream everyday, I spent more time with friends, I took very painful “naps” on the tables of both a massage therapist and a physical therapist multiple times a week, I cleaned and I organized…and I didn’t miss running, not once. If that isn’t screaming proof that my body needed a break I don’t know what is!

I was afraid I’d go a little stir crazy without the option to head out onto the trails and while the whole “no running allowed” mentality was kind of annoying it was the social aspect I missed, not the sweaty miles on my feet. Turns out I meet friends at the trailhead far more often than at a bar or restaurant or…anywhere else! I had to turn down a few runs and a few more hikes which kind of sucked, but as for the actual act of running? I didn’t miss that at all.

But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to be a couch potato-y homebody, not yet. The sunny skies were calling my name, loudly, on Sunday. Running was still 100% off the table until my PT visit on Monday morning so I opted for the next best thing – an easy hike with Paige on a new-to-us trail in Lyons. I was going to test out my legs just to see if they still knew how to hike.

Turns out they do! We spent about two hours wandering the rolling trails of Hall Ranch Open Space. Aside from some dicey moments with hordes of grasshoppers it was gorgeous. The trails were relatively smooth and there were no steep climbs or hard descents which made it the perfect spot for a trial hike…and the perfect spot to come back to for a trail run!

I went into my Monday morning PT appointment with all sorts of hope – and walked out with even more. I was cleared to run – and not just across the Target parking lot when it’s pouring rain…actually run! This weeks the runs will be short and the miles will be slow, but I get to use my running shoes for their intended purpose – running! As of right this second the Run, Rabbit, Run 100 is happening. A lot can changes in the next 17 days but if all goes well I’m starting that race with the intent to finish!


…the ideal way to finish off a hike – with ice cream!

Is taking on the RRR100 after a summer of lackluster training ideal? Of course not. I know that and I know that anything, literally anything, can happen during this race. I have never gone past 50 miles – I have no idea how my body is going to respond to food or the distance or the lack of sleep or…whatever Steamboat throws at me. But even if I didn’t take two weeks off from running I wouldn’t have answers to those questions – this is my first 100 mile race, there is going to be a HUGE learning curve.

Conditions may not be perfect but is it wrong to go out there and give it my all? I’m not hurting anyone else by doing this – it’s my money that was spent on the registration, my body that I am going to be listening to, my PT that is giving me the go ahead, my brain that has to fight through the long miles and my pride that takes a hit if I DNF. I’ve always been told running is selfish, especially ultras…I guess this proof of that. And I refuse to apologize for that or feel bad for wanting to give this a shot, to give it everything I have and walk way knowing more about myself and my body, regardless of what happens!

8 Comments

  1. Betsy August 26, 2014 at 10:36 am Reply

    Congrats for getting cleared to run! And I am amazed at the amount of miles you are looking to tackle. The most I have done is a half so my hat is off to you. P.S. Beautiful pics!

    • Heidi Nicole August 26, 2014 at 9:56 pm Reply

      I have all my fingers and toes crossed that it will go well! And thank you — it’s easy to get lost in a run with views like that! 🙂

  2. Natalie @ Free Range Human August 26, 2014 at 11:42 am Reply

    I’m so glad things are looking up! I wish I could come cheer you on at the 100 in person, but I’ll definitely be doing it from several hundred miles away!

    • Heidi Nicole August 26, 2014 at 9:56 pm Reply

      Ha — it’s Colorado, you’re always here in spirit! 🙂 <3

  3. Pavement Runner August 26, 2014 at 1:10 pm Reply

    Running is all mental… well, it takes a lot of training, but we know that the mental aspect is what helps get us through the tough times. You never have to apologize to anyone for running a distance you want. Walking, hiking, running, jogging… whatever gets you to the finish line healthy.

    • Heidi Nicole August 26, 2014 at 9:58 pm Reply

      Thank you! It’s great to hear this from someone crazy enough to run back to back marathons — you’re crazy for all that pavement, but I think it’s awesome you did it!

  4. Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb August 27, 2014 at 6:11 am Reply

    I’m all for going for it. I know it’s a totally different ballgame but I’ve done half marathons on very limited training. Funny thing? They were my best races. I’m a firm believer that while it’s important to prepare I think many of us make the mistake of over-training. Come race day our bodies are so worn down that we don’t have optimal races. Just my opinion =)

    • Heidi Nicole September 2, 2014 at 10:24 pm Reply

      I’m going to go ahead and stick with your reasoning. And honestly, I think you’re right — I’ve moved on to the mental prep since I’m as far as I can get with the physical prep!

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