Celebrating Global Running Day on the Trails

On Wednesday, runners all over the world celebrated Global Running Day. Global Running Day was started as a movement in the US in 2009--do you remember National Running Day? It eventually evolved into a worldwide celebration of running and has grown in size and popularity over time. 

As a longtime runner--I've been running for well over 30 years-- Global Running Day always reminds me to reflect on how important running is to me. I started running in my late 20s to help me manage my debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. Growing up as an anxious child in the 1970s, I didn't learn any coping skills. By the time I was in my 20s, I was struggling. Someone suggested that I try running as a good way to 'get rid of negative energy'. I didn't even know how to start. We were living in Chicago at the time, and I joined a beginner's running group with the Chicago Area Runners Association. We trained for a 5k--the Zoo run at the Lincoln Park Zoo--and I was hooked. 

Looking back on my life as a runner, I can say without a doubt that running has been a gift to me. Running has carried me through every season of my adult life--through infertility to pregnancy to parenthood (especially the teenage years) to grad school and now into my current era--gram to be, retiree to be, and caregiver for my elderly parents. Running saved me from myself. Running gave me confidence and strength--both physical and mental. Running has brought some of the best people into my life. I don't know where I'd be without running, and I can't imagine a life without it! I'm grateful that my body still lets me move like this, and I continue to be grateful for the gift of running.

Weekly Rundown

Sunday: Ice Age Trail Devil's Lake Segment 8 miles/1400ft

Monday: Yoga with Adriene

Tuesday: Fluid Running

Wednesday: Global Running Day trail run 7 miles

Thursday: Yoga with Adriene, strength training

Friday: unscheduled rest day

Saturday: Trail Sisters run 

We were up at the lake on Sunday, and my son and I were out the door early for a planned hike at Devil's Lake State Park. Devil's Lake is a glacial lake formed during the ice age, and is surrounded by bluffs and wild rock formations. It's also very popular, so I wanted to get there early before it got crowded. My son didn't complain about the early wakeup call, which surprised me! 

After a ride across the Wisconsin River on the car ferry, it was a short 2 mile drive to the IAT trailhead, which to me is much more preferable than the main entrance to the park. My son soon realized the value of this hike, which is absolutely spectacular. We hiked 2 miles along a densely wooded trail and gradually climbed until we were on the east bluff. Usually, there are a lot of rock climbers scaling the steep rocks, but we didn't see any until our return trip down. 

Once up top, we enjoyed exploring all the rock formations, including Devil's Doorway and the elusive Balance Rock, which I've never been able to find until today. My son was excited about seeing his first Indigo Bunting, along with so many birds. That birding class he took at UW sure has come in handy!

On the return trip, we accidentally ended up on an unmarked trail that took us down a very deep and rocky path, through an empty creek bed, and deposited us onto a road. We were a mile from the meadow where we started, and from there, it was a mile back to the car. What a great morning!

Wednesday was Global Running Day, and while I had FOMO about missing out on the Fleet Feet event, "The Big Run" due to work--Wednesday is my late day--, I consoled myself with a trail run. It was a beautiful morning, and I was happy to see some of my furry and feathered friends along the trail, celebrating with me! 

Apparently, it was my lucky day! After about 2 miles, I came upon the sandhills, foraging along the trail for food. While stopping to snap a few photos, a group of 2 young bucks and 2 does entered the scene, a little further back in the woods. It was so cool to see all of them in one place, as well as seeing the little bucks with their velvety nubs on their heads. 

I continued to see deer all over the preserve! No fawn sightings though. This was a really strong, well-paced run, and it felt great to run like this. 

I woke up Thursday morning achy and sore. Maybe RA, or sore from pushing myself on my run yesterday. I had to pop some ibuprofen! I did some yoga with Adriene before going to the gym, and warmed up on the bike instead of running with the class. We worked on cleans again. We did a Clean and Jerk E2:30MOM x 8 rounds. Rounds 1-5: Clean + Hang Clean + Jerk. I built to 75#, Rounds 6-8: Clean Pulls x3 at 100% (95#). 

The accessory work was a 12 minute workout:

4 x8 single arm seated presses (20#)

4 x max effort pullups (assisted and banded)

4 x10/side medball twist throws (10#)

Saturday was National Trails Day! I swear, there are so many 'national' days--but this is one I can get behind. I messaged Ilisa, the leader of our trail group, and we planned a run for Saturday morning. Four of us met up at this pretty preserve with the mountain bike trails. It had rained overnight, but the trails, while soft, were packed enough that we didn't leave footprints. There were no mountain bikers there, I assume because of the trail conditions, so we had the trails to ourselves. It was steamy out! With a dew point of 69, we ran slowly, and we took lots of walk breaks. There was plenty of shade, which helped a lot. 

I was pleased to see so much wildlife on this run! I spotted this buck in the distance, but he was the only deer I saw. There was a lot to see! I'm so glad we got out there. We wrapped up the run with a stop at Starbucks for some icy beverages.

Off the road...

My week was mostly uneventful, but the family drama continues unabated. I'm not going to rehash it here--I'm sure all of you are as tired of it as I am. It has been exhausting. I'm going to keep my focus on the positive things that are happening and spend as much time as I can in nature, doing the things that I love!

How was your week? Did you do anything fun for Global Running Day? How about National Trails Day? Anyone running any races this weekend?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.