Why Do You Do That?
Not by choice, but I'm old and possess hobbit-like feet without all the hair, and was running in thick Hokka trainers that cut me off from the ground. Anyway, while running ten miles yesterday on the rocky trails leading into the Angeles National Forest, I hit a rock and fell.
This happens once or twice a training session and I've gotten better at dealing with it. First of all, I don't fight the fall and avoid tensing up. Second, I perform a half-roll while in motion. This mitigates the scrapping away of flesh and the impact of striking the ground.
Unlike March where I rolled into chaparral, this time I was unmarred. Of course, wearing excessive sun block, my legs were breaded with dirt.
The fall was witnessed by three people and two dogs. A woman asked, "Are you all right? Did you hit a rock?"
I replied, "The only thing hurt is my dignity."
She smiled.
A couple asked, "Are you all right?"
I said, "Only my pride was damaged."
They smiled the weak grin of the uncertain.
All that aside, training continues for the
California International Marathon, taking place the day before my birthday. The longest runs will take place over the next two months. I'm going to experiment with limiting my long runs to no more than three and a half hours. Recent info informs me that any time on my feet more than that won't help my overall aerobics. It also takes more time to recover.
Last year's 21-miler was rough. Perhaps I can do less with more.
