Connersville, IU, and Trails, Oh My!

The last few weeks of training have been better than I would've anticipated several weeks ago!

Connersville Spartans or Indiana Hoosiers? 

Two weeks ago, I was at my parents' house for the weekend for a high school basketball game at the Spartan Bowl.  I intended to run Friday, but it was super windy and I knew that wouldn't make for a pleasant 7 miles. So, I held off until Saturday morning. I could've ran down some of the county/country roads right from their front door and incorporated some pretty good hills, and I have at times. But, honestly, I was a little concerned about doing that for 7 miles. In the past when biking or running in those parts, I've had some pretty close calls with cars and dogs. I mean, I honed my driving skills on those roads when I was 16 and 17, I know how people drive on them! 

So, instead I started and finished my run from my old stomping grounds at CHS. I started off with the 1/2 mile loop we used to run for gym class (and which I hated - people can change, I guess). Then, I ran through town, which is not particularly hilly. To get in at least one good hill, I made myself run up 3rd street hill. If you are from

Post-run photo at CHS

Connersville, you know what I'm talking about. Uphill, into the wind, toward the end of my run. Whew. I had to take a break at the top! 

Last Saturday, I did 8 miles in Bloomington. Most of my long runs in Btown have not involved running near or on campus. Now that I'm getting up there in mileage, I've had to be a little more creative on my routes - especially since I'm trying to incorporate hills in preparation for the Hoosier Half (aka Hilly Half). I ran from my apartment, over to Indiana Ave, north to 17th St. Once there, I realized there aren't really sidewalks on that stretch of 17th St. Oops! So, I ran back down to 13th St, past the SRSC. I finished up my run by going toward the mall, and then back through Bryan Park, and onto my apartment. It was basically a nice big loop - with me checking my Garmin every so often to figure out where to go next to get in enough miles. 

Then, today! Today was great. I ran with a group for the first time in ages and ran on trails for the first time in over 2 years! Fairly recently, a fellow IU grad student started a trail running group for women. I stumbled upon the group FB page purely by accident. Expressly for women because it seems many of us are not particularly comfortable hitting the trails on our own. I sort of fall into that category - maybe if I knew the trails better I wouldn't mind going alone. But, I'm not super interested in getting lost in the woods, so.....until I know the trails better, I'm a little leery of going at it by myself. The group meets about once a month - today was the first time I could meet up with them. We ran the Lake Trail at Yellowwood State Forest (~5.5 miles) and then tacked on an extra 4 on the road around Yellowwood. That means I actually ran a little over my intended 9 miles. It was so nice to have the company and the trails were really fun. The time passed so quickly, I think due to the company and new(ish) terrain. If you're a female runner in the Indy/Btown/Columbus area who wants to hit the trails with the group, check out Indiana Female Fellraisers on FB. 

AND. AND. I was really worried my SI joint/back would flare up because it felt a little off on the treadmill Wednesday morning, but it did not. I'm so, so, so thankful to my body for not giving out. But, I will take it fairly easy the rest of the week until I see the chiropractor on Friday. Seriously, the glute bridges and lateral leg raises have been lifesavers. I've also started lifting my legs one at a time while doing the glute bridges. I think the whole "strengthen your core" advice is holding true for managing this injury. 

Lots of running talk, not so much on anything else. When I go to Michigan for a field campaign this summer, my academic work might become more story-worthy. ;)