Recovery run

After yesterday's disastrous attempt at a run, I needed a real run to help me keep my motivation up. I didn't need a great run; I only needed one to remind me that I'm capable of achieving at least modest goals.

I got to Forbidden Drive a little later than usual for a morning run. The air was warm but dry, so I had no concerns about beating the heat. Today, though, I planned to alter my routine. Instead of running the orange trail, I decided to run the yellow trail. I planned, then, to run about 2.5 miles on Forbidden Drive and to follow a side trail up the hill to the yellow trail. Then I would take the yellow trail back to Valley Green (or farther).

Everything went according to plan. I note, though, that I don't find it as hard to run the yellow trail in the last half of my run as I do running the orange trail at that point. As I suggested in an earlier post, it seemed to me that running the orange trail at the end of run posed a greater challenge because I have less energy at that point. Now, however, I'm beginning to think that the differences are purely psychological. 

The yellow trail does seem to be rockier than the orange trail, and, unlike the latter, is open to bicycles. About a half-dozen cyclists passed me during my run, and they exhibited varying degrees of trail etiquette. One alerted me to a cyclist coming behind him; another nearly ran me off the path.

I also had some near spills. Was this due to the rocky path or carelessness or both? I don't know. I've never had this problem on the orange trail.

At this point, I'm thinking ahead to my next run. Since I have Monday off, I'll run that morning. By midweek, the high heat and humidity will return. Perhaps it will be time to retreat indoors for some speedwork on a treadmill.