Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

By this point in the trip Earl was back in Michigan. We did a one night stopover in Flat Rock to clean up and restock, then headed out to Hell for Run Woodstock. I've always wanted to do this event but the timing never seems to work out, so I was very excited to check it out as I had heard that it was kind of like Born to Run, which turned out to be a fair comparison, although perhaps with slightly less debauchery and Fireball.

The highlight of the weekend for me without a doubt was the Friday night "natural" run option, which coincided with a legit timed 5k. Everyone lined up (in clothes) together, and then about a mile down the trail, the natural runners split and went in a different direction. You came to an "aid station," which featured wine and beer (and the Race Director in the buff) and mats to take off your clothes. Once disrobed, you ran a mile or so loop, then hung out at the naked table and rehydrated, and got your natural run award (but where to put it???). Then you put your clothes back on and ran to the finish. I've run around naked before but never really legally. SO MUCH FUN!!!

C • Natural run!! 5

A couple of long days of driving meant a couple of missed days of trail time, so I was itching to get out by today. Exploring the very cool trails at Clinton State Park in Kansas.

Jim Creek Trail to Jim Creek Falls with my friend Erinn. I was disappointed that I didn't get all up on a mountain top on this trip but that was the one disadvantage to having Earl there - he wasn't able to get to some of the trailheads easily. And the days just flew by! This was my third trip to Winter Park and I really like the feeling that I'm getting a sense of where everything is, but also, that there is so much more to explore!

This was a beautiful warm sunny day and the falls exceeded our expectations.

Group hike out to an overlook for happy hour and the sunset. A lovely way to end our final evening in Winter Park!

Was supposed to be running a half-marathon today but while driving through Nebraska, I got a call from my doctor letting me know I'd tested positive for Lyme disease. I was weirdly relieved to hear this as it at least gave me an answer about what had been going on for the better part of two months now. It meant having to negotiate the American medical system when I got to Winter Park and getting on another antibiotic. I started it Friday and even though I was feeling fine, was worried about taxing my system and getting sick on the second week of the trip. So I hung out and volunteered instead, and spent the entire day debating if I'd made the right decision!

C • Lyme?! 3