[JohnnyB]

I officially took myself off MAF yesterday. Wanted to try out my new trail shoes and I knew that would not work out so I figured I've got my 12 weeks in at least anyway, so now I'll just try to manage my zones. But yesterday was nuts. The trails I wanted to run, where we used to walk the dog, were literally rivers of ice and hard pack snow. Very little room on the edges to try and dance around it. I was laughing when I first started running them because it was so crazy. But several ankle turns, and about a dozen near death experiences a few miles later, and I decided maybe yesterday was not the day to cut my teeth on trails. The Montrails were nice on the trails, not so much on the roads, and absolutely useless on ice. I used the stock inserts which will be history for the next run. I am so spoiled on the sof-sole inserts now that I can't run on anything else. I got in about 4 on the trails and 6+ on the road. No my best day running.<br><br>
Suds, I feel guilty for getting in to the lottery. I honestly never expected to make it in and really just did it because you were all talking it up so much. I am so not worthy of it right now. I have much work to put in before I am ready. A little hill work and trail running yesterday had me at a pretty elevated heart rate. I'm not even sure I can really make the race logistically as it is a good 7 hours away and I have to get a hotel room etc. I may be making the trip on my own just because of the time of year. But now I kinda feel like I need to carry on since you didn't make it in. Once in a lifetime shot right>?

 

[JohnnyB]

I certainly have to attempt a respectable showing to make up for Suds not getting in. But the magnitude of a nearly mile high vertical rise over a scant 7+ miles is beginning to dawn on me...I'm fkn terrified

 

[JohnnyB]

And I was really psyched to hit the trail too. I ended up gingerly sidestepping, sliding, leaping over giant logs and trees just to get around the ice rivers. It was insane. Hopefully in another month or so, the surface will be thawed. I was actually looking forward to running in the muck, but my trail shoes were no match for the ice. My left ankle is still a little fuckity from the run. The shoes did well for the few thawed areas I could hunt down.