TL;DR Version: This was my first week of training for the Hippie Half trail half marathon at Run Woodstock. I did some run/rides with hubby, got to run with a few different friends, gained more trail experience, and I even did some strength training and hill training. One week down, 11 more to go!
The longer version: Way back in December, my friend Kirsten messaged me: “Woodstock September 9-20 you’re going. Brian is already getting us a site.” It really did not take me much convincing – Kirsten has done Woodstock many years in a row and always tells me how much fun it is. Who wouldn’t love a whole weekend of music, food, tie-dye, camping, and running?! The only thing for me is that I am not (I should say was not) a trail runner. I wasn’t a complete newb – I had gone to a couple of group runs in Midland City Forest in the past, and I did complete a loop in a trail relay last November. I knew that the trail I’d be running on for Woodstock would be a whole different animal, though. Especially since I had made the mistake of asking Kirsten why she wasn’t trying to convince me to do the half marathon distance. (See conversation below)
After that conversation, I started preparing myself for trail running. I found a great beginner trail half marathon training plan. I bought trail shoes from someone off Poshmark.
At the time, I was training for the Little Rock Marathon in March. After completing 26.2 miles of “holy hills”, I compared the elevation of Little Rock to the elevation of the Run Woodstock half marathon. I told Kirsten that they were pretty similar, and that I needed to do a better job at hill training for Woodstock, because I definitely was NOT prepared for the hills of Little Rock!
This week (June 17-24) marked the beginning of my training plan for Woodstock. I started off with a 4-mile run from my dad’s house, which is one of the hillier routes I have access to. It felt pretty good to get out there and do a longer run and to conquer those hills. Plus, I just love running in Canadian Lakes. It’s where my running journey started many years ago.
Monday was the official start to the training plan, and Mondays are not running days. I did an upper body workout from Morning Meltdown 100, one of my favorite Beachbody workout programs. I have decided that I will be making my way through that workout program again, skipping the cardio workouts since I will be running 4 days per week. The strength workouts hit all areas of the body: upper body, total body, lower body, and core. There are also yoga workouts to get me stretched out and work on my flexibility.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were all running days. On Tuesday I headed out to Chippewa Nature Center with Ken, Christine and Rebecca. We ran the 3 mile river loop, which was fairly easy, but still trail training. Wednesday was hill workout day, so I met Staci in Frankenmuth. She walked while I did my hill repeats and then we did a 1 mile cool down run together. We had dinner afterwards and closed the restaurant! Thursday I ran 3 miles on my own and practiced running longer without walk breaks. My hope is to run most of Woodstock and walk the hills, aid stations, or when I just want to walk.
I had a total rest day on Friday in preparation for my long run on the trails with Kirsten on Saturday. We headed out to Midland City Forest and ran the South Loop, which is 5.5 miles. It was mostly single-track, with a good mix of some technical areas, a few hills, and easier parts along the way. We ended up with almost 6.5 miles because, trail running. And of course, we got some yummy food together afterwards, too!
Today was an active recovery day. And boy, did I feel like I needed RECOVERY. I haven’t felt this sore from a run in a very long time. Those 6.5 trail miles felt more like a really challenging half marathon. I decided to do another Morning Meltdown 100 workout – today was a core workout. It was shorter and I guess I just like the idea of trying to complete the workouts in order rather than skipping around. That means tomorrow I’ll do a total body strength workout.
I wouldn’t say that I am in love with trail running yet, but I am definitely having some fun. Kirsten told me that I would feel so accomplished when I finished my trail runs, and I definitely felt that after our run together on Saturday. It’s tougher than road running, both mentally and physically, but the scenery is so beautiful. I also have found that trail runners are a whole different breed of people. I think I am going to fit in well with the Woodstock runners!
Stay tuned for more training updates!
RD on the Run 