September 25, 2012

2 miles (?) 20 minutes (?), 2:00pm Lebanon HILLS west(Bold for emphasis)
Awesome hill run today! Horse trails dominate this course but Google earth, nor any other map I found, even recognizes them so I had to make due with the hiking paths for the distance and elevation climbs. Starting off, a very slight incline turns quickly into a descent that requires putting on the brakes or you'll likely lose control. After about 3/4 mile of treed in wide sand and dirt path, a horse trail diverges from the hiking path, marked by a large definitive No Hikers symbol. The hiking route probably follows along a slight incline back towards the trail head. Screw that! When I peered UP the horse trail it had an inviting look at about 30 degrees so I accepted and was promptly welcomed to a 45deg. incline after the first bend; just why I came this way -  fun climbs with the side benefit of increasing leg strength and begin inching my way to ultra trails with their technical terrain and steep, leg deteriorating inclines.

The hill was probably only 50 yards up, but manageable to my surprise. Better yet, two more good inclines followed before I reached the summit and ambled along a flat section before an easy long descent near the beginning of the trail. Unfortunately there are no breaks in the trees for viewing from the "summit."

3 miles, 27minutes, 5:45pm Jensen lake + 2 small lakes
Tried to make this a recovery run of sorts, worrying the hills this afternoon may encourage cramping later on tonight, but ended up cruising it at 9 minute miles despite taking all the extra hills one can detour off the main trail.  Right about the half way point a bridge spans the two small ponds on the new route I added to the run at the last minute, that could have been right out of Alice in Wonderland.  Imagine a twisted wood planked structure that teeters at each step. Damn that was fun! Trail running has me hooked. Those kinds of things won't likely be encountered on asphalt paths and concrete roads in town.  I'll be back again tomorrow!