Run Run Run

Put down about 50 miles last week. Best weekly total that I have had since getting back into the sport three years ago. Topped the week off Sunday morning by doing a trail run with my buddy Colin down in Kure Beach. We lopped back thru the neighborhood he lives in and beat the bush back to and then across Dow Road; picked up the trails and headed into the wooods back towards the mouth of the Cape Fear River. Varied the pace some, picking it up on some of the "straigher sections" and zipping up and down the small undulations in the terrain.

Found some old cement underpass that we ran thru twice (out and on the way back). Learned something new about trail running, as Colin picked up a fairly large rock and wipped it thru the "tunnel" and yelled several times, to scare off any wild animals that may have been lurking in the dark shadows and damp cool provided inside. Talked afterwards while sitting around the pool about doing speedwork; said its what I need to lower my race times. Had an invitation then Wednesday to meet up with a local high school track team and do 800 meter repeats, but won't be able to attend due to my work schedule.

Took off Monday, much needed day of rest, then got out for a solid eight to nine mile run Tuesday evening. Legs were heavy/ stiff the first few miles but took an easier pace and allowed them to warm up and eventually loosen up. Got into a nice cruise type pace then, ended up putting down a few miles in the state park. Passed a few other runners, as well as people out walking dogs on the numerous winding trails. Said hello to a lasy I know. Had the thought while I passed a grove of trees just off the main entrance road into the park, that a modern day old Buddha was sitting at one of the picnic tables meditating and perhaps blessing all the trees around him.

Ended the run back on the short strecth of boardwalk off the main square in Carolina Beach. Zoned out to the sound of my new running shoes hitting the wooden boards, the calls of a few laughing gulls swooping around, and the sights and sounds of the waves rolling in off the Atlantic ocean and the surf sliding up onto the beach.