Today’s Run: 10.36 miles
How to classify today’s run. Trail run? Road run? Hmmm…hard to tell. I will tell you my story.
I ran on the frontage road that runs parallel to Highway 82. This is an East/West road. I decided upon this stretch of road because we were supposed to have a strong North wind this morning and I did not want to be running directly into a Northerly wind. Seemed smart at the time.
As my mileage for the Ultra has increased, my training runs are getting longer which means I need a longer stretch of road on which to run.
Enter the frontage road.
The frontage road will take me up to 30 miles of un-interrupted road. No turns. Just one stop light and that is by the exit to get to the airport. A nice stretch of road. A hazardous stretch of road.
There is a high school on this road. Already, I have learned not to run on this road when people are coming to school. High School students do NOT watch for runners. They are busy juggling their phone, coffee and smoke all at the same time. They are usually driving with their elbow or knee. Spooky.
Running during rush hour is not advised. I have learned that the hard way, too. Same reasons as when school is getting ready to start. The people going to work are probably more distracted than the students. They, too, drive with an elbow/knee.
Today, I waited until 8:45 am to run. That seemed safe. Again, I was wrong. That is the time the Fed Ex and UPS fleets begin their day. Both of these businesses are extremely busy this time of year and both of these companies are located on, you guessed it, the frontage road.
As I began my run, I was congratulating myself on missing the high school students and parents/commuters. Patting myself on the back even. Then all of a sudden, zoom!!! Then again Zoom!!! ZOOM!!!!
I thought to myself, “Hello!”
Then pretty soon, I thought to myself, “Look Out!!!”
The Fed Ex guys were driving like nobody’s business! Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, Zoom as one after another, after another, after another Fed Ex truck rushed by me. They were intent on making their deliveries. I was very thankful to be wearing a Very Bright Orange Shirt this morning. Without that shirt, I do not think they would have noticed me at all. I really think that orange shirt saved my life this morning. Worth it’s weight in gold, that shirt!
As soon as the Fed Ex trucks were dwindling down, the UPS guys started up and we repeated the process all over again.
Now, I told you I think that orange shirt saved my life. I also believe that my fancy new running shoes saved my feet today. Those Hoka’s are the best! I think I spent 50% of my running time this morning off the road on the shoulder. The shoulder is gravel/grass combo. Trail running? It was hard on the ankles and feet. Up and down. Back and forth.
What a run!!! The weather was delightful. 30F. Sunny. And that North wind never did show up. Oh, well…10.36 miles in the books.
