Hard Core

On Saturday Les rode with a bunch of his cycling friends.  They call themselves the ADO group.  ADO = All Day Ordeal.   And that's exactly what they do.  They ride All.Day.  And it's usually an ordeal!  Saturday was no exception, they rode 102.9 miles and climbed 10,979 feet!

Many of the riders in the group regularly ride double centuries (200 miles in one day.)  One of the riders has completed over 100 double centuries!  Another is training for the Furnace Creek 508.  Les is seriously thinking about going for the California Triple Crown next year which means riding three double centuries in one year.

While they were riding, Les told one of the other riders what my plans for Saturday were.  "She's running 18 miles, training for a marathon."  The rider, a triathlete, said, "Now that's hard core." Coming from anyone in that group being called hard core is a huge complement!

Source

When I headed out to run this morning, I was sore from Saturday's run.  I started slowly and was tempted to take it really easy, but after about a mile I asked myself, "What would a hard core marathoner do?"  I pushed on and picked up the pace!

At about 3.5 miles, I stepped off a curb and landed funny.  I felt a pull in my left hamstring and glute.  Oh man!  Not again.  I stopped and stretched, then started walking.  After about a tenth of a mile, I had to ask again, "What would a hard core marathoner do?"  I slowly started jogging.  The pain wasn't too bad and I was able to finish my run with minimal pain.

My muscles actually feel better now than they did when I got up.  An easy run is the best answer to sore legs.  At least that's what hard core runners think...