Cliff Cave run

RUN 10 miles in 1:50

TV has mentioned going to CC park in south STL many times, but the Googler says it takes 40 mins to drive there. So I argued against running a park with short trails that has a long drive. Today proved that wrong! It was only a 20-25 mins drive from TV's! We showed up early and had to wait! Gave us time to enjoy the view of the river, very nice.

We were joined by new friend KN from the Thursday run. The first 5 miles were a paved and flat loop around flooded cornfields. Gave us a fantastic view of the bluff, the houses up on the bluff, and some shade along the southern portion. Ran the first 5 miles in about 45 mins.

The second half was on trails. After an "oops that's not a trail" mis-turn, we found the trailhead and dived into a rocky ravine/creek bed that ended at a cave. Appreciated that, found the trail again, and more muddish running. Never too much, but enough to slip every now and then. The trails were random and branchy- you could probably run there all morning and never really know if you're running the same segment or not. Noodly, I call it, like a wet noodle just piled up.  The other hazard was low hanging tree branches. At one point I mused about whether I should be more concerned with slipping on mud or getting hit by a tree. The conclusion was that I didn't need my face to run, but did need my feet!

Good line from TV -- calories are bad, energy is good. KN is studying to be a nutritionist, so we have a brief conversation on that in the last miles.

Great trails and great run! My knee didn't bother me at all, got worried about the mud and rocks at first but no issues at all. No pain once it warmed up after 2 miles. So I think I'm skipping the MRI?

8:19 hours training this week: 2hrs strength, 33.5 miles biking, 27.1 miles running, and 34 miles commuting (untimed).

Goal next week is to edge the running into 35 miles.