The holiday season is here and school is over.
So I finally found the time to run on Saturday. Members of the Palo Alto Run Club do their long runs at Sawyer Camp on Saturdays. I hoped to join them.
Unfortunately, I have never joined in any of their events and don’t know anyone. So rather than doing the MBA thing (i.e. be outgoing and asking people if they were members), I decided to run by myself. Yes. Loser strikes again.
The one thing I like about the trail is that there are markers every 1/2 mile. This allows you to keep track of your running speed without a GPS watch gadget . All you need is a standard runner’s watch with the lap times.
I ran the the first 3 miles (3 out, 3 in) with Jessica, an MBA course mate, several weeks ago. This time, I did all 12 miles of it.
The trail is pretty flat in the beginning but begins to rise at mile 3.5. The last mile is a little steep. Okay, it was a little steep for me. But it was good. All in preparation for Big Sur in April.
Going up the steep parts was fine. It was the coming down that was challenging. As it was, I ended up with a pain on the left knee.
This was my first long run since the half in the Silicon Valley Marathon early November. So I guess I was overdoing it again.
Oh well, let’s hope it heals soon.
The good thing was that I was able to keep at a 10 minute/mile pace. I should be good for that pace for Big Sur.
Next week: 14 miles.