The humidity was high, but at least it felt like we had a break in the temperature, so that helped. I also finished up three different virtual challenges this week!

Was nice having a down/recovery week after the 50K the week before, still have another 50K (or potential 50miler) on the horizon for the end of the month as the fundraiser for Pink Lightning.

O24 is still working with Cleveland Metroparks, we’ll see what happens. Right now, all events in Metroparks are cancelled through September, and the race is the first weekend of October. I’m not confident I’d feel safe and not sure what all the race would be able to provide, but waiting for official word either way is harrowing, I’d just like to make a decision!

• Monday: Rest.
• Tuesday: 5 miles. First of my four virtual legs of the GAP: Leg 1, Southside to Homestead
• Wednesday: 9 miles. Finished Runnsylvania 283 and GAP: Leg 14, Ohiopyle to Ramcat
• Thursday: 7 miles. GAP: Leg 22, Frostburg to Woodcock Hollow
• Friday: Rest.
• Saturday: 9 miles.
• Sunday: 15 miles. Finished GVRAT 1000K and GAP: Leg 12, Connellsville to Brunner’s Run
  
  I headed down to the GAP to do my last run on it (we had teammates across the country doing this, so it was neat to do one run on the actual trail). It’s been a while since I’ve run on it and there’s a lot m ore benches and picnic tables now, as well as a lot of erosion control put in place. But otherwise, it’s the same: a decent trail where the cyclists are really rude to runners (at least, just in the city part, along other parts, it’s always been fine), but a good, and soupy run.
  
• Long run fuel: Tailwind, Gatorade, Gu, Bobo’s bar.
• BWF/Core work: Week 2 of yoga in the park!
• Stretching: Slowly getting back into it (with thanks to Netflix, although I need a new show to watch while I stretch, preferable a half hour comedy)
• Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee 1000K progress (1021K): 647/634 miles – DONE!
• Runnsylvania 283 progress: 291/283 miles – DONE!
• GAP Virtual Trail Relay progress: 4/4 segments – DONE!

The heat continued to be horrible this week, getting up early and running late worked, but after tomorrow at least, it’s supposed to break a bit.

This was also the first week of (a five or six week) outdoor yoga class I had signed up for in February. There’s about 15 of us in the class, all spread out and it was the perfect yoga for me. Bit of flow, but mostly stretching. I think I’m learning that ‘beginner’ yoga is really what I like (although I still want to try Yin). We did some balance work, which I was happy I had not lost a lot of skill in after having not done any in so long, and the instructor is very nice. I’m one of two new people to the class, everyone else seems to carry over each time which is both intimidating and speaks well of the instructor!

This is also the week of training after which I stopped my training for Eagle Up. I finished this week, took a week off then dove back into my modified program at week 1 to get me here. I’m feeling less and less confident about O24 each week (both in it happening, or if it does, my comfort attending), so we’ll see. I hope there is a deferral option, but I understand if there isn’t. The training is also wearing on me a bit. I still have one more virtual 50K next month, and finishing up my virtual runs across Tennessee and Pennsylvania, but then I’m looking forward to a break.

• Monday: Rest.
• Tuesday: 6 miles.
• Wednesday: 8 miles.
• Thursday: 4 miles.
• Friday: Rest.
• Saturday: 31 miles. Hit the trail super early after bad night’s sleep, and by the end, was roasting. Ran with Steve and Liz for my middle loop (and a bit of the third) and the company was amazing, I forgot how much better I run with friends. The last loop especially was tough in the sun-exposed areas, and I tended to walk those, but I finished really strong despite the bad conditions.
  
  I also grabbed the Strava title of “Local Legend” for one of the segments. Had to look up what that meant, but it means I’ve run that segment more than anyone else in the past 30 days, so that was pretty cool! Arbitrary (and a weird segment in terms of where it starts/ends), but still cool nonetheless!
  
  I have in my head a goal of a sub 6 hour 50K, not an impressive goal, but since I’ve never raced a 50K (just ran them as virutals/training runs), it’s been on my mind. Ran today’s miles in 6:09:XX, so I think with the right weather and a bit more focus, it’s totally doable!
  
  I wasn’t as hungry as I thought I would be after (although Sunday was a different story), and I’m only a bit sore. My one knee was bugging me at the end, and my Achilles’ didn’t give me problems like I thought they would!
  
  I went to the Carrie Furnace drive in cinema that night, and walking around the mini-tour, as well as getting concessions from the food trucks on the ground helped to keep my legs stretched a bit, so that was good, and a very enjoyable way to spend the evening!
  
  I also forgot, but was reminded of, what it’s like to sleep after an ultra distance. Bodies and legs do weird things.
• Sunday: Rest.
• Long run fuel: Tailwind, Gatorade, Gu, Bobo’s bar.
• BWF/Core work: I’m going to count yoga in this category!
• Stretching: Slowly getting back into it (with thanks to Netflix)
• Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee 1000K progress (1021K): 602/634 miles. Still going, still motivated to run in the heat due to this, so it’s doing its job!
• Runnsylvania 283 progress: 277/283 miles.