Life After a Rest Week....

I was so looking forward to a rest week, after the high mileage from the week before......but once it hit, so did the fatigue!! It's sometimes not until you stop, that you realize how tired you actually are. In retrospect, I wonder wether I should've kept up more mileage that week, but to be honest I don't think I could've done it physically and more importantly, mentally.
The last 6 months have been some of the most stressful and full of change I've ever experienced. I've moved into a new clinic for work, moved living locations 3 times in 3 months, and seen the end of friendships and a separation from a relationship. All this while trying to maintain high mileage weeks of training for the Trans Alps Race. It's been a struggle to find balance in my life, needless to say.
Living so far from my family, my friends really do become my family and my daily support system. Don't get me wrong, I feel immensely supported by all my family in PEI but they are far away, and some days hard to talk to (with the 4 hour time difference).
So, having any loss to this support system is pretty upsetting, and I do feel like there is a mourning period that goes along with this. So, I have to thank my friends, family, and everyone who has supported me during these last few months. I can't thank you enough. A really big "THANK YOU" to my Trans Alps partner, Rene for being such a great friend, and soundboard on all our long runs. You've helped me through a lot of tough days.
So, after the rest week, I got to run on Saturday with my friend and adventure racing partner, Mel and a new running friend, Hjelmar. We went out for a 2 hour run on the greenway and that was my first consistently paced run on flat terrain for as long as I can remember. I got to hear about Mel's race in Ireland where she competed in the World Championship 50miler Trail Race (and placed 8th female, and 1st canadian!), and also about Hjelmar's upcoming Death Race. I feel so inspired and am so amazed at what the people around me are doing!! So amazing.

The next day, Rene and I did the Dirty Feet 21km trail race in Kal Park in Vernon. It was a great route, and our first time racing together. We had fun, took it slow and finished strong. I have a great partner to race with in the Alps!! Just for the record, we did NOT plan on wearing the same running outfit.....