Hello Runners!
The last couple weeks have consisted of some fun things that I wouldn’t usually get to do in season during the school year and building back an aerobic base! The next couple posts are unlikely to have any huge updates running-wise with races still being months away. I was told recently that people still want to hear about my life, so- cool- here’s what I’m up to, as well as some summer training tips and a new recipe. I have also organized the website so the recipes should be found more easily on the “Recommended” page. The core video is the first thing that should pop up, there (be on the lookout for another soon)! My teammates have been telling me every time they do it and it always makes me smile!!
After I got covid in the beginning of summer, I left for Michigan to visit with my family for a couple days and then flew to Anchorage, Alaska for an awesome week of exploring how big and wild everything is compared to me. We did a lot of hiking (got lost within the first couple hours of being there, classic), kayaking, and a few fun excursions to Denali and Seward via train and boat!
During these weeks my running has been all base miles, so just getting out there and building up some volume before we add back some more structured work. The first week was super tough, running felt completely foreign to my body after 10 days of rest and covid. When I was in MI I went to my favorite dirt road to run on in high school, probably one of the best places for hills in Grand Rapids. I did a run there and felt suddenly amazing, and knew that it was all coming back. I’ve steadily increased mileage over the last month and am now at 62 miles for the week, with my highest going to be ~75. While I will be bored of easy running sometime soon, I am enjoying some new trails and feeling fresh… which means I get to push the pace on long runs, of course.
For collegiate and high school runner’s alike, summer training plays a crucial role in determining your fall cross country season. This is the time for consistency and paying attention to the “little things,” which really add up in the end. While this looks different for everyone depending on the level at which you compete, amongst other things, there are a few factors that I try to put emphasis on.
When I look back on my summers, what I remember most is running with my friends, going to new places to run, and having time to take care of my tired body. Without organized practices, it can be difficult to want to show up every day. Reaching out to running buddies, whether it be people on your team or others who you wouldn’t normally get to run with, can make it easier to get out the door to run. Besides the fact that trails and dirt roads are good for decreasing impact on your body, they can make normal recovery run days a lot more fun and interesting. In Fort Collins I have a plethora of soft surface trails and paths to run on, but still like to try out new spots by using tools like the All Trails app! All this being said, finding ways to change things up in the summer can make training more fun.
Doing the little things takes an extra step, but makes a difference in the end. This might look different for everyone, but for me it includes stretching and rolling after my runs, doing core and prehab exercises, getting quality fuel, and sleeping a ton. For me, even while training alone, I found it difficult not to do everything in my power to be the best. If I knew it would help me and I was able to do it, I did. I have made a lot of sacrifices over the years, which I have never regretted because I love what I do so much. Running is hard, even doing the bare minimum is hard… so putting in the extra time and energy every day is something I won’t cheat myself out of for all the work I do. If that makes sense. While that is not what everyone wants from the sport, I do not want to have any regrets come the end of a season.
I love summer training. I love feeling the work and being tired from all my miles. I also know that cross country is right around the corner and I couldn’t be more excited to contribute to another great year for the Rams. Being able to keep your goals in the front of your mind doesn’t come easily for everyone all the time, nothing in life is always easy, running included (isn’t that what makes it special?). Anyway, I am in love with running and training and the process right now, but I hope that if summer miles start to feel monotonous, you are able to find ways to remind yourself why you love running and what you hope to achieve, and I am here for support!
Little video from one of my run days in MI-- took my sister, Hope, with me to our favorite hilly dirt road to run on, while we didn’t do our runs together it was nice to have someone to drive with and a change of scenery! First day I felt like myself again after covid. Yay.
Can’t Beet Me Smoothie 2.0
Okay okay, at this point my recipe suggestions have basically just become an advertisement for the Run Fast Eat Slow cookbook, but hey, I stand by that. I had to include another recipe from Shalane and Elyse’s second book because it reminds me of summer. I made this recipe religiously when I discovered that beets boost nitrate levels which helps your body work more efficiently. I love beets, but in my opinion, they taste like dirt. This is one of my favorite recipes because the rich chocolate peanut butter flavor pairs really well with the earthy flavor of the beets. This makes a great pre-run snack as well as refreshing post-run fuel.
Happy running!!
Anna
Anna. Your words so perfectly describe my all too brief time knowing your mom while we all lived in Appleton. Colter’s mom and I were new parents and so were your dad and mom and we were all just trying tonfigure it out while trying to squeeze every second out of our time with you guys. Your mom, always the supporter, often the ringleader. Such a light and both enthusiasm and calm too she brought to the room. You had it too, just the best energy, as you were running around with Colter, and i see it here in these photos and words too…It’s funny, she and your family are what i miss most still about Appleton, all these yea…