Naptime Speedwork

In an effort to fit it all in smoothly yesterday, I ran my weekly speed work session with the single Bob and Isaac. We dropped the girls off at school, kissed, hugged, dashed back home and loaded into the stroller with a sippy full of (almond) milk and some dried apples for the boy to munch. I was hoping to get the workout in by 10am and still make it home for his morning nap (2 of 4 hours I get all week to myself to do things like pay bills, take a shower alone, eat a hot meal before it grows cold, and other such parenthood luxuries). Less than 10 minutes in and the boy was passed out. I reclined his seat -- a very real luxury of the Bob stroller -- and punched "start" on my chile pepper red running watch.

Three mile repeats at 1/2 marathon pace. 7:10/mile. Not too bad, no intense pain, no all out sprinting, no peeing in the pants (yes, this is a real concern for postpartum mothers). My current training plan on tap is for the Valley Crest Trail Half Marathon which nearly runs through our backyard. The course traverses 13.1 miles of the Santa Monica Mountains and happens to cover the same trail route I run on nearly every day of the week. The race is on June 8th, just two days after I turn 29 and will be my birthday present to myself. I can't wait. The training overlaps perfectly with Chicago marathon training and will gradually prepare my body for the increasingly longer runs and higher mileage of full 26.2 mile rigor.

I decided to run the mile repeats up on the trail yesterday. I had to forgo exact mileage and simply run for time and feel, but that is what trail running and racing is really all about anyway. 7:10 miles on my favorite muddy trails with my favorite little running buddy made for the best possible Monday morning. Still feeling quite good and aware that my partner was snoozing away (and would wake the second I stopped running), I continued straight on another 4 miles to reach the Top of Reseda and back. Top of Reseda is a popular running/mountain biking/hiking hub and the start/finish line of the Valley Crest 1/2 Marathon. The view up there is incredible. Breathtaking.

The beauty surrounding us never ceases to amaze me. When we are willing to push ourselves and reach the top, we are never disappointed.

Isaac hiking to the top on Tuesday morning.