Monday was a Good Workout Day

We are supposed to be tapering. It's a two-week process where the workouts are less intense and we get more rest.

I, however, decided on Monday that I was freaked out that I had never officially run the entire 6.2 mile distance that will be required of me on the 28th at the event. I brought my running gear to work and hit the trails at lunch, and was initially planning on the ~5 mile route I usually run. It was so gorgeous outside, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I felt absolutely fan-effing-tastic, so in my infinite wisdom I extended the run. I ran up to the gates as usual, then instead of turning around I ran through the gates, across the road, and into Wilder State Park. There is a fire road that goes ~1.1 miles to a point that overlooks the ocean, with picnic tables, and I figured I'd run maybe halfway and then turn around so I would add about a mile to my total distance. I used to run these trails when training for that Death Valley half marathon, and was remembering how much I enjoyed Wilder.

Again, it was so lovely, and so peaceful, and I felt so great that I just kept going! I ran to the picnic tables, then turned around to head back. And promptly realized why I felt so great.

I'd been running downhill. Very downhill.

I guess I realized part of that, but had forgotten how long of an uphill it is on the way back. It just keeps going and going and going, which makes it great training, but not when you didn't bring a water bottle or any kind of electrolyte-replacement chewy thing. And it was sunny, so I was sweating. A lot. Which meant I was losing a lot of salt.

There's no dramatic finish to this, just that I did run the whole thing and managed to not die. Actually, I ended up finishing pretty strongly - there's a big uphill right at the end - it's short but it's steep - and I charged right up that thing. I think I was just so happy to be finished that I sprinted to the end.

My total distance was about 7.5 miles, and those trails ain't flat, so I am pretty happy with that performance.

Monday night was a lovely swim workout. Needless to say, Monday night I was pretty tired. Tuesday was an off-day, and today I am supposed to play water polo but I am not feeling super great and will likely skip it.

We are in a taper, right? Two days off in a row wouldn't ruin my training, right?! RIGHT?!