After spending half of the summer on injury reserve, I'm slowly coming back and adding back mileage cautiously. First two to three weeks had been sluggish. My legs had no spring, running uphill felt like hopping up and down on the same spot, and I just felt heavy. With each run, however, I'm gradually feeling like my old self again. Then, I remember. My muscles, my cardiovascular system, and my body in general need to re-learn and re-adapt to the heavy-lifting of running. They need to be strengthen again. It does get easier with practice...just like everything in life. Loving others takes practice. Extending kindness takes practice. Giving grace takes practice. As I am so thankful to be able to run and visit my favorite places again, I'm reminded that love also is a muscle; use it often. :)
(If you haven't read Part 1, it's here .) (Sat) Oct 13 - Sunrise at Spruce Knob 6 a.m. start in the dark. My legs surprised me by being happier than yesterday. My heart is in better place as well. The first 6.7 mile goes up to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. Part of this section was on fire road and I welcomed the faster miles. Steady progress was made in the first 20 miles or so until the long, long descent into Aid Station 3. As I have decided yesterday, I'd start the race, go from aid station to aid station, and re-evaluate my condition at each. I left Aid station 2 feeling good but then the long descent once again put doubts in my mind. Running reduced to little steps on jello-legs. Compression socks helped to contain the injury and pain, but the strength to support the pounding was still lacking. Soon, my knees started to hurt as well. At aid station 3, they told me I had 2:45 to make it to the next aid station before the cut-off. At the pace I...
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