Recovering to race

9. The number of days I took off after running last months Turkey Trot in Loveland. Normally when I'm taking days off due to an injury, I go crazy. Crazy with anger and frustration.

This time around the injury occurred right before the dark cold days of winter set in. So there was no anger or frustration. I actually embraced the time off. Looked at it as a great reason to rest the body and mind from the almost daily grind of running.

Icing, stretching and the foam roller were my best friends during these days. Before I knew it, 9 days had gone by and I was getting ready for a run.

9 days off
2 days of running
1 day off
3 days of running
1 day off
5 days of running

The miles have been short and easy. Nothing to really write about other then the calf coming around very nicely and the warm days allowing me to run shirtless on a December evening. Continuing the conservative pace for another week with goals of upping the effort the last 10 days of the month are the immediate plans.

As the year comes to an end, I've been reflecting a lot on what has transpired over the past year and what to look forward to in 2011. Without getting in any detail, I have signed up for my first 2011 race. The 25 mile variety at the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run in Buena Vista, CO.

I've run this race (and distance) before. Back in 2007. I was in great shape at the time. More specifically, I was in great skiing shape at the time having a good 40 days at locations like Purg, Telluride and Wolf Creek while I learned the art of skiing without a locked in heel.

While my memories of the race are vague, I do recall the drive from Durango to Buena being long. The morning start early, cold, calm with overcast skies. Feeling good to the top of last big climb of the day only to peter out big time and getting passed by 5 or so folks to the finish. 13th place with a 3hr 41min time. Apparently some guy by the name of GZ won the race by a lot of minutes.

Lastly, I gotta thank the lovely wife for allowing me to run this race. Though I'm sure she's thanking me for not dragging her along. So can I consider this a win-win situation?