Trail run Rescue

Sometimes an adventure sounds like a good idea... 
A recent escapade of mine started off that way!

I had a plan to run trails with a friend, but she couldn't make it. I dropped of the boys and headed to a trail I have scouted out, but never ran. Dexter Reservoir has a lovely view and in the winter will sometimes have clear skies even when town is "fogged in".

It was chilly and the fog was just starting to burn off at 10:30. I got on my Altra Lone Peaks (review coming soon), and headed off across the reservoir road. The wind was biting so I came back for gloves.. And I was off again!

My initial goal was to make up my long run that I cut short over the weekend.
Then I began talking myself out of it.
Or maybe I just realized I wanted to be able to take pictures and not just run.
Or maybe I was tired.
Or maybe I was just being a wimp.

It could be all three.

Anyway, I forgot my camera at home, but had fun with my hubby's cell phone.

Finally found the trail! (It's the rocks without moss, if you were having trouble locating it.)

There were a few dead-end paths taken before I found the "River Trail" that connects Dexter Reservoir to Elijah Bristow State Park. 

The trail was a mixed bag of sand, dirt, bark and several stretches of ankle-breakers- round river rocks that roll if you step on them. It was mostly fun. Big bonus points were scored for not getting injured!

There were several smaller side trails that went right to the river, I presume made by fishermen and horseback riders (great access for horse trailers in the parking lots).

Once I was to the second park (about 2.5 miles from Dexter, or 5 miles if you are running with Raina down all the side trails that don't connect together), there was a lovely dirt/forested trail that was (mostly) free of the ankle-breakers.  

I tooled around on the "improved" trails a little bit before heading back to Dexter, enjoying the sun that was now out. I wished I had left myself a bigger window for running, but there were groceries to shop for and parent-teacher meetings to attend.

Upon returning to my car, I opened the trunk and set my pack in it. 

I grabbed a water bottle out and closed the trunk....With my car keys inside.

Idiot.  I am an idiot.

Luckily for me, my dad is kind, retired, and not an idiot.

I sat with my back against the park restroom door where the temperature was about 15F warmer, and waited about a half an hour for him to show up. And like the hero he has always been, he rescued me with a keychain full of older Japanese car keys. (He is a resourceful hero too!)

...We ate lunch at DQ and talked about the long term "hide a key" plan for when he dies ;)
Thank you, Dad! I know you are reading :)

So, I got a trail run and a lesson this week.
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Other running stuff:

• Somehow I ran 50 miles last week! That's the most miles I have ran in a week since the injury. 
• My long run didn't happen this past weekend. It was my hubby's birthday and I just had too many things to do. Instead I have been adding a little bit to my weekly runs with the goal to keep my overall volume up.
• No intervals to report since the last set, but I did do some strides.
• I ran a 14 miler yesterday to make up my long run. That is possibly the first time I have ever ran a long run on a Thursday. I used to be so locked into a Saturday/Sunday schedule. It is nice to let things go sometimes! My pace was pretty unspectacular and took a bit of a dive after 10 miles. But I did do weights and gravel hill repeats in my driveway the day before, so that's my excuse.

Running tip:
Fortunately IT band syndrome is one injury I have not dealt with. Many runners end up with ITBS. If you are one of them, try widening your gait and check out the exercises on this LINK.
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That's my week in a nutshell. How was yours?

Did you do any trail running?
Are you rigid about when you do your long runs?
Has anyone come to your rescue lately?