"Ridgeline@Blanton: My Best Run Yet! (46 deg)"

6 Jan 2009 - Ridgeline Trails @ Blanton, Eugene Yesterday I ran the Blanton chunk of Ridgeline again. My wife and I have decided to target the Ridgeline Ramble event in May this year. I'm psyching myself up to try to do the 20k version, even though I've never even run a 10k :) Gotta have goals. I know I can do the distance, the real question is how much of that I can run (vs. speed hike). Anyway hit Blanton yesterday (which is the starting point for the 20k), in a super light mist as I arrived, and 46 degree temps. I am extremely happy with this run, as it's my best effort yet! I ran nearly the entire 3.8 miles. The only thing I didn't run was the very first open segment (about 2 minutes, and the part I consider my warm up anyway), and then the steepest pitch on the way back. I also did not stop at the turnaround point, although did stop to pee a little while later, something I seem to have to do on runs, and is a bit annoying. My knee/leg was hurting a bit, but I just tried to run through it. It's not too sore this morning, so I'm thinking I need to keep up the running and simply get that conditioned. It's in my right leg this time, whereas earlier last year I had the same thing in my left leg, so I know it's just a conditioning issue. Temp was on the warmer side, and I still dressed too warm, but this is one reason I'm tracking all this, to see what works in what temps, etc... * "Icebreaker Altitude Zip":http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreaker_man_bodyfit260_altitude_zip.html (Bodyfit 260): this was all I really needed on top today, but... * simple fleece vest - this wound up being overkill, although I had it on and zipped up nearly all the way for about the first half of the run. I'm still learning how warm I get running. It's not like cycling where you have a wind effect. * shorts, again just fine in these temps. * Smartwool hat, took this off at maybe 60% through the run, probably should have skipped it altogether. * Burton gloves/liners (these are a heavy/warm liner). Took these off at probably 3/4 of the way through. If I had worn a thin liner glove, those probably would have been ideal and kept on the whole time. * Usual socks and shoes. Saw another guy running while I was out. From what I can tell, he parked at the Willamette trailhead and was doing the same, but opposite loop. He was faster (no surprise there). However, given how much of the loop I ran, it was also my best time yet, 36 minutes.