Over the hills and through the woods...

I guess sometimes it is helpful to pretend that I forgot how difficult or easy are certain route was, in order to get me to go out and do the same route again. Today was such a case. My training schedule told me that I had to go 10 miles. In order to not take up the whole morning, I decided to cut the driving time and go to our nearest State Park. None of the trails are 10 miles long, so I had to combine different trails together.

I decided to play a mental game to help me through the run. So I went the shorter route first and took the seven mile loop second. What I love most about trail running is that I feel way more relaxed about my running and don't panic, if I allow myself to stop in between. Today, I took a whole bathroom break after the first loop - that returned me back to the parking lot - stretched and then headed back out for the longer one. I think that was actually the smartest thing to do, because after 2-3 miles my legs love the stretching and fair much better with the rest of the run.

The part that I had "forgotten" was that the seven mile loop was grated "advanced", which meant lots and lots - and I mean almost all - hills. There is a reason it is called the Kettle Moraine area. I definitely feel I am increasing my fitness level, as I constantly have to use different muscles.

When I started out and up until the middle of the run, I wasn't so sure that I felt like this was a good run, but by the end I had changed my mind.

On the way, I encountered a man who seemed to have something like summer skies on. He had poles in his hands and was running with them. I was kind of amused and wondered, if there is all kinds of equipment out there for each kind of sport to be extended into all seasons. This seemed like an extension of cross-country skiing into the summer. I bet he used those a lot this winter. I have to say though, I was very impressed by the speed he managed to run in those things with.
Speaking of speed, I had the humble experience of being passed by a group of young runners at the top of a double hill. I stopped to let them pass, so I didn't feel like I was followed.
Okay, I confess it was the perfect excuse to stop at the top of the hills.

The run started out cloudy and still a little chilly, but then the sun came out and it welt pleasantly warm. I felt like that sentiment reflected my run today. I started of with a cloudy mind and ended with a smile on my face...