A few things I haven't done in a LONG time

It feels like it's taken me forever to feel confident as a runner again. 2009 was just crazy. I never felt confident in my training or racing. It was like I was going through the motions and never showing up at the start line feeling that my work was done and the race was the reward. 2010 is just over three months old and I am feeling so strong and really happy about my running, training and racing.

I spent a lot of the last 12 months incorporating things into my routine to strengthen my feet, ankles, lower legs and hips... all the places where I seem to have 'problems' whenever they crop up. I am an true believer in Magill Drills, the Myrtl Routine, dedicating at least 10-14 weeks to aerobic base building, running on soft surfaces whenever possible, and running hills whenever possible.

Anyway, in the past month I have partaken in a couple of activities I have not done in quite a long time. It has been 7 years since I last did BAREFOOT STRIDES on the grass. It has been about 7 months since I last ran long on hilly trails. My lack of confidence in '09 prevented me from doing these things. I just didn't believe I was strong enough.


On Monday after doing an easy run with Magill Drills, I did just 4 x 100 barefoot strides on the same grassy field where I did the drills. I was a little apprehensive at first, but as soon as I hit my full stride, it was the most freeing, exhilarating feeling I'd had in so many months. I flew.  My feet and legs have never felt stronger!

And yesterday I got the privilege of running some hilly, rocky trails in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was such a switch from the flat canals where I run all the time. Talk about exhilaration!  It was so fun to run up steep grades, to pay attention to my footing when coming back downhill, to leap over big tree stumps, to run through mud, to run over rocks and have to really watch my foot strike over them. Trail running really makes you stay in the present. What a gift.

God willing, I will continue to get stronger as I run more. I hope you all do, too!