May 6 - 4M in :30. Shakeout run on the Greenbelt. Core after. A little stiff from the long run the day before.
May 7 - 7M in :47. Tuesday Night Tempo. The weather cleared a little (still chilly with a breeze) and the run went well. Kyle reappeared to join us and pushed me on the tempo. 3M in 17:43.
May 8 - 10.5M in 1:24. Lunch run with Patrick and Hall Penn. We started into an incoming squall that hit us all the way up Powerline. It cleared up for our run back into town.
May 9 - No run. Don't really remember why.
May 10 - 5M in :36. Shakeout run on the Greenbelt in the morning before heading down to Fort Collins in the evening for Quad Rock.
May 11 - 26M in 4:35. My write-up of the race describes what I went through. After some more time to reflect, as well as some good advice from my friends (particularly Alec), I'm not quite as pissed off about this race as I was. I have a lot to learn, so I should just embrace it and try to enjoy it. Getting so frustrated about things is not going to do any good.
May 12 - Day off. Hung out in Cheyenne for Mother's Day.
Weekly Total: 52.5M in 7:51
May 13 - Day off. Quad Rock mocks me.
May 14 - Day off. Still pretty crippled.
May 15 - 5M in :43. Pub Run. Easy pace with several beers. Front Street to Bailey's to Alibi to Ranger to Crowbar for food. Elizabeth joined and much merriment ensued.
May 16 - 5M in :40. First run at Happy Jack of the season. Trails are clearing up quickly. I did a quick out and back from Tie City to the Overlook. Elizabeth hiked and enjoyed the good, piney air. Great to be back up on those trails.
May 17 - 6.5M in :52. Post-work run at Happy Jack. Summit, down Super Secret and Aspen, up Pole Creek. Not too bad. Still have some junk in my legs.
May 18 - 10.5M in 1:34. Silent Trails course. Third day in a row at the Jack (I just get so excited sometimes...). I took it very easy. Walked most of the climbs. Didn't feel super great, but I wanted to get in something longer.
May 19 - 22M in 3:06. Sunday morning long run. Started at my house and met Patrick and Jefe in the prairie. From there we ran the Pilot Hill course (25K). I made it up the climb in a conservative 1:19. Came back down in :54 for a total PH course time of 2:13. Not bad considering what I did to myself last week. Ran home from the prairie.
Weekly Total: 49M in 6:55.
Gear: Asics Speedstar 6 (52M), Saucony Peregrine 2 (90M)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Quad Rock
Three days later, I am still so sore that walking is not much fun. I even had a chance to go and do a few days of fieldwork in Casper this week and had to pass because I physically cannot excavate. Bending down to get in and out of a test unit sounds like nothing short of torture at this point.
The main issue I had with this race was the 5:30am start time. That made getting to the race logistically challenging. I could either leave Laramie at four in the morning and head down, or I could head down the night before. We chose to head down the night before and camp at South Bay of Horsetooth Reservoir. However, we did not get out of Laramie until 7:30, so by the time we got down there and set up camp, it was already 9pm.
I camped because it was cheaper and somewhat closer to the race start. However, the campground was packed with obnoxious people with screaming children, large RVs, generators, and a complete lack of regard for others around them. People were driving through the campground all night long, and the road noise from the highway never ceased. We had neighbors who stayed up all night next to their fire. Around 3am, one of them, apparently suffering from smoke inhalation, had a coughing fit that reverberated throughout the campground. The point of this paragraph is to illustrate that going into what became a trail marathon, I got maybe two hours of sleep. I will not be camping there again.
The race start was, of course, packed, and parking was an issue. However, we did get there with just enough time to spare. The one nice thing about long trail races is that they require no warm-up. The sun was just barely peaking over the horizon when we started. The first few miles were easy and gradual, primarily on roads and a wide single-track. I fell in line with Sam Malmberg and caught up on life and running. It was relaxed. Unfortunately, we started up Towers and that all came to an abrupt end.
I felt good half-way up Towers. Then I no longer felt good. I started walking. By the time I got to the aid station at the top, I was already getting frustrated. I had to take a few minutes to recoup before heading down to Horsetooth Falls. It was that section that ruined the race for me, I believe. I was still okay coming off Towers, but I chose to bomb down to the falls, and trashed my legs in the process. I wasted too much energy on that descent. Rookie, dumbass mistake.
The climb out of the falls and to the Horsetooth trail head and the second aid station was not too bad. Elizabeth had made it around and was hiking and cheering. It was good to see her. That boosted my morale, if only for a short time.
After the second aid station, we began the long climb up Horsetooth. I nearly dropped out at that point. It was a humid morning and my calves, as is their habit, succumbed to lactic acid as soon as I started climbing. I thought, "y'know, I could just turn around and head back to the trail head. Elizabeth is there and can take me home. I don't need this shit." I kept going.
Horsetooth pissed me off. I spent most of that trail cursing under my breath to myself. When I finally got back to the Towers aid station, I was beat, and still looking at 11 or 12 miles. I shoved as much food down my throat as I could and made sure I was refilling my water bottle. With the humidity that morning, I was dehydrated most of the race (I did not stop to pee once, which was a problem).
I started down from Towers and was caught by another runner who I believe was named Danny. I honestly don't remember. He was fantastic. He paced me, talked me off the ledge, and gave me hope for a few miles that things were going to eventually end. He would later go out for a second lap because he was a 50-miler. And I was a chump.
Arthur's aid station gave me more water and food. Unfortunately, it was at the base of the Howard's climb, which was a continuous switch back up and up and up, eventually coming out near Arthur's Rock. About half-way up, I tripped, and while I did not actually fall, the effort I made to catch myself threw every muscle in my upper body out of whack. I had to sit down for a second and catch my breath. I've never had to catch my breath without actually falling first. It hurt. Bad. I probably should have just fallen.
The worst part of that climb was the descent down to the finish. I had nothing left in my legs, and the steep, winding descent was a struggle to stay upright on the trail. One can see the finish line all the way down the descent, tantalizingly close yet, on the winding trail, it never seemed to get any closer. I was not enjoying my Saturday morning.
The last mile wound through the burn area and did eventually find its way down. However, I took a wrong turn right at the end, in front a race volunteer who was not paying attention. I realized my mistake after I had lost another place in the standings. I turned back and made eye contact with the volunteer and shrugged my shoulders at him in an attempt to ask him, "What the HELL?!" He apologized and I continued down the right way. The point was moot by then anyway.
I honestly was on the verge of tears when I finished. I exhibited some poor sportsmanship by disgustedly tossing my water bottle to the side and stumbling away. Elizabeth, bless her, was there to again calm me down. She has been an incredible team player when it comes to this running thing.
I was unprepared for this race and perhaps a little naive regarding its brutality. Our late spring has made trails inaccessible to running, and the Greenbelt is not analogous to the trails in the foothills. The course had over six thousand feet of climbing on it. And they were long, steep climbs. The more I attempt that type of running, the more apparent it becomes that I am simply not a climber. I am not built for it.
It was a humbling experience. Finishing 26th overall in 4:34:42 was much worse than I anticipated. I do not know what to do in regards to reconciling my ego with my ability. The two, currently, exist in different realities.
It's been a long held belief that one should settle on the shortest distance at which one can be successful. That distance, obviously, can change over time, given age, speed, fitness level, and general ability. Right now, I may be trying to do too much. I hypothesize that my current age, speed, and ability level may lend themselves more to the half-marathon or 25K distances. On flatter courses. The ultra stuff seems like it is over my head, physically and psychologically (in which lies my primary issue).
I will still be at Bighorn next month. But after that, I may forego this ultra stuff for a while longer.
The main issue I had with this race was the 5:30am start time. That made getting to the race logistically challenging. I could either leave Laramie at four in the morning and head down, or I could head down the night before. We chose to head down the night before and camp at South Bay of Horsetooth Reservoir. However, we did not get out of Laramie until 7:30, so by the time we got down there and set up camp, it was already 9pm.
I camped because it was cheaper and somewhat closer to the race start. However, the campground was packed with obnoxious people with screaming children, large RVs, generators, and a complete lack of regard for others around them. People were driving through the campground all night long, and the road noise from the highway never ceased. We had neighbors who stayed up all night next to their fire. Around 3am, one of them, apparently suffering from smoke inhalation, had a coughing fit that reverberated throughout the campground. The point of this paragraph is to illustrate that going into what became a trail marathon, I got maybe two hours of sleep. I will not be camping there again.
 |
| The last time I felt good. Photo by Elizabeth. |
The race start was, of course, packed, and parking was an issue. However, we did get there with just enough time to spare. The one nice thing about long trail races is that they require no warm-up. The sun was just barely peaking over the horizon when we started. The first few miles were easy and gradual, primarily on roads and a wide single-track. I fell in line with Sam Malmberg and caught up on life and running. It was relaxed. Unfortunately, we started up Towers and that all came to an abrupt end.
I felt good half-way up Towers. Then I no longer felt good. I started walking. By the time I got to the aid station at the top, I was already getting frustrated. I had to take a few minutes to recoup before heading down to Horsetooth Falls. It was that section that ruined the race for me, I believe. I was still okay coming off Towers, but I chose to bomb down to the falls, and trashed my legs in the process. I wasted too much energy on that descent. Rookie, dumbass mistake.
The climb out of the falls and to the Horsetooth trail head and the second aid station was not too bad. Elizabeth had made it around and was hiking and cheering. It was good to see her. That boosted my morale, if only for a short time.
 |
| Coming out of Horsetooth Falls. Photo by Elizabeth. |
After the second aid station, we began the long climb up Horsetooth. I nearly dropped out at that point. It was a humid morning and my calves, as is their habit, succumbed to lactic acid as soon as I started climbing. I thought, "y'know, I could just turn around and head back to the trail head. Elizabeth is there and can take me home. I don't need this shit." I kept going.
Horsetooth pissed me off. I spent most of that trail cursing under my breath to myself. When I finally got back to the Towers aid station, I was beat, and still looking at 11 or 12 miles. I shoved as much food down my throat as I could and made sure I was refilling my water bottle. With the humidity that morning, I was dehydrated most of the race (I did not stop to pee once, which was a problem).
I started down from Towers and was caught by another runner who I believe was named Danny. I honestly don't remember. He was fantastic. He paced me, talked me off the ledge, and gave me hope for a few miles that things were going to eventually end. He would later go out for a second lap because he was a 50-miler. And I was a chump.
Arthur's aid station gave me more water and food. Unfortunately, it was at the base of the Howard's climb, which was a continuous switch back up and up and up, eventually coming out near Arthur's Rock. About half-way up, I tripped, and while I did not actually fall, the effort I made to catch myself threw every muscle in my upper body out of whack. I had to sit down for a second and catch my breath. I've never had to catch my breath without actually falling first. It hurt. Bad. I probably should have just fallen.
The worst part of that climb was the descent down to the finish. I had nothing left in my legs, and the steep, winding descent was a struggle to stay upright on the trail. One can see the finish line all the way down the descent, tantalizingly close yet, on the winding trail, it never seemed to get any closer. I was not enjoying my Saturday morning.
The last mile wound through the burn area and did eventually find its way down. However, I took a wrong turn right at the end, in front a race volunteer who was not paying attention. I realized my mistake after I had lost another place in the standings. I turned back and made eye contact with the volunteer and shrugged my shoulders at him in an attempt to ask him, "What the HELL?!" He apologized and I continued down the right way. The point was moot by then anyway.
 |
| Finally done. Photo by Elizabeth. |
I honestly was on the verge of tears when I finished. I exhibited some poor sportsmanship by disgustedly tossing my water bottle to the side and stumbling away. Elizabeth, bless her, was there to again calm me down. She has been an incredible team player when it comes to this running thing.
I was unprepared for this race and perhaps a little naive regarding its brutality. Our late spring has made trails inaccessible to running, and the Greenbelt is not analogous to the trails in the foothills. The course had over six thousand feet of climbing on it. And they were long, steep climbs. The more I attempt that type of running, the more apparent it becomes that I am simply not a climber. I am not built for it.
 |
| Yep. There's the problem. |
It was a humbling experience. Finishing 26th overall in 4:34:42 was much worse than I anticipated. I do not know what to do in regards to reconciling my ego with my ability. The two, currently, exist in different realities.
It's been a long held belief that one should settle on the shortest distance at which one can be successful. That distance, obviously, can change over time, given age, speed, fitness level, and general ability. Right now, I may be trying to do too much. I hypothesize that my current age, speed, and ability level may lend themselves more to the half-marathon or 25K distances. On flatter courses. The ultra stuff seems like it is over my head, physically and psychologically (in which lies my primary issue).
I will still be at Bighorn next month. But after that, I may forego this ultra stuff for a while longer.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Reading is FUNdamental (see what I did there?)
One of the things I've been trying to do this year is read more. Elizabeth is an abundant reader and her influence is strong like bull. Plus, I have wasted way too much time over the years watching episodes of Scrubs, The Office, and Parks & Recreation on DVD.
I find that my tastes lend themselves more to non-fiction, and in particular narratives about survival, the wilderness, athletics, and generally being a bad-ass. I delve into fiction once in a while, but I often struggle to get into novels and do not get out of them what I get out of non-fiction.
The ladies have had a book club going for a while now. They meet once a month, rotating between each others' homes, enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres while discussing their current book. I often teased Elizabeth that I would show up to a meeting so I could discuss books with them. However, the creation of a men-only book club seemed a better idea. I know separating the sexes is sort of anathema to progressiveness in this day and age, but I do still believe there is value in men hanging out together. And in the case of book club, hopefully we are exercising our minds and not just getting drunk.
With that, Evan and I (mostly Evan) organized "Manly Book Club" with several of our male friends, primarily those whose wives/girlfriends are in the ladies' book club. We'll meet once a month for dinner, beers, and hearty discussion. Hopefully some feats of strength competitions as well.
Now, what do we read? I have been slowly picking off books from The Art of Manliness' "100 Must-Read Books." Some of them are decent enough suggestions, but as Dave pointed out, some, like Ulysses, The Republic, and anything Russian, would take a billion years to read. A poll of the assembled group indicated that we have a greater general interest in non-fiction, with a specific interest in tales of survival and manliness.
Thus, our first book is Skeletons On the Zahara by Dean King. It's an account of a crew of American sailors who shipwrecked off the western coast of Africa in 1815, are captured, sold into slavery, and forced to endure the Sahara Desert. It arrived in the mail yesterday, and thus far, it's pretty entertaining. I look forward to a lively discussion. A manly discussion.
Here are books I have finished in 2013. Some of them I started at the tail end of last year, but I was lazy and did not finish until after the new year.
I find that my tastes lend themselves more to non-fiction, and in particular narratives about survival, the wilderness, athletics, and generally being a bad-ass. I delve into fiction once in a while, but I often struggle to get into novels and do not get out of them what I get out of non-fiction.
The ladies have had a book club going for a while now. They meet once a month, rotating between each others' homes, enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres while discussing their current book. I often teased Elizabeth that I would show up to a meeting so I could discuss books with them. However, the creation of a men-only book club seemed a better idea. I know separating the sexes is sort of anathema to progressiveness in this day and age, but I do still believe there is value in men hanging out together. And in the case of book club, hopefully we are exercising our minds and not just getting drunk.
With that, Evan and I (mostly Evan) organized "Manly Book Club" with several of our male friends, primarily those whose wives/girlfriends are in the ladies' book club. We'll meet once a month for dinner, beers, and hearty discussion. Hopefully some feats of strength competitions as well.
Now, what do we read? I have been slowly picking off books from The Art of Manliness' "100 Must-Read Books." Some of them are decent enough suggestions, but as Dave pointed out, some, like Ulysses, The Republic, and anything Russian, would take a billion years to read. A poll of the assembled group indicated that we have a greater general interest in non-fiction, with a specific interest in tales of survival and manliness.
Thus, our first book is Skeletons On the Zahara by Dean King. It's an account of a crew of American sailors who shipwrecked off the western coast of Africa in 1815, are captured, sold into slavery, and forced to endure the Sahara Desert. It arrived in the mail yesterday, and thus far, it's pretty entertaining. I look forward to a lively discussion. A manly discussion.
Here are books I have finished in 2013. Some of them I started at the tail end of last year, but I was lazy and did not finish until after the new year.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott
Fitzgerald (Where's DiCaprio?)
Running With the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn (Not terribly complex, but a good take on what current running culture is like in Kenya.)
14 Minutes by Alberto Salazar (Who knew Salazar was that catholic?)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Fantastic book. Louis Zamperini is the epitome of bad-ass.)
Open Season by C.J. Box (Wyoming author who writes mind-candy mystery/crime novels featuring a fictional game warden protagonist set in a fictional Wyoming town. This is his first of an on-going series.)
Touching My Father’s Soul by Jamling Tenzing Norgay (A great education on the Sherpa customs and beliefs regarding Everest, a look into the life, relationships, and mind of the author's father, Tenzing Norgay, and another first-hand account of the 1996 Everest season, since I assume we have all read Into Thin Air by now.)
The Room by Hubert Selby, Jr. (I exchanged my Selby, Requiem For a Dream, with Becky for this one. Selby is always a dark and pitiless read.)
Shooter by Jack Coughlin (Raided my father's book stores. Lots of military stuff, as one would expect from a retired, 27-year USAF veteran. This is the autobiography of the top-ranked Marine Corps sniper. Focuses primarily on his role in the Iraq War.)
Team 7-Eleven by Geoff Drake (Dad's book. Not the most well-written book, but entertaining. Good history of cycling in America before Armstrong fucked everything up.)
Art of War by Sun Tzu (Dad's book. Probably did not get out of it what I was supposed to.)
Seal Team Six by Howard Wasdin (Dad's book. Interesting and informative perspective on many conflicts, especially The Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Dude was there.)
Down the Great Unknown by Edward
Dolnick (Very entertaining narrative about Powell's 1869 Colorado River expedition. Another ultimate bad-ass.)
Just Ride by Grant Petersen (Silly book I borrowed from my dad. Attempts to throw commonly held cycling beliefs and practices out the window. I do not believe it succeeds.)
Wild by Cheryl Strayed (I borrowed this from Elizabeth. The ladies read this for their book club last month. This was, hands down, the best book I have read in a long time. Highly recommended.)
Kings of the Road by Cameron
Stracher (Narrative about the rise of the running boom, centered on Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, and Alberto Salazar and their battles at Falmouth. Again, not a challenging read, but a great story. I read it cover-to-cover in an evening.)
Dubliners by James Joyce (Thought I'd get classical with this one. A little boring. Reminded me that I prefer non-fiction.)
The Kite Runner by Khaled
Hosseini (Currently reading. I know I'm behind the times and this book has sat on my shelf for years. I figured it was time to see what was all the rage in 2003.)
Skeletons On the Zahara by Dean
King (Our first Manly Book Club book. I am two or three chapters in as of this morning.)
I have an ever-growing list of books I wish to read. Some I may suggest to the book club. Some, I reckon, should probably have something to do with that thesis I have never written.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Laramie Spring Time Running
The last couple of weeks have been a perfect example of the variability of spring weather in the Rocky Mountain west. That always makes for challenging running, but the days are trending nicer and it's easier to convince myself to get outside. Except for last Wednesday. That was bullshit.
The past couple of weeks of training have been productive. I feel good about Quad Rock. I am not so sure I will be competitive, but I do feel I can produce a 4-Hour or slightly under effort. I would be happy with that a month out from Bighorn.
April 22 - 5M in :37. Greenbelt run. In the snow.
April 23 - 7M in :47. Tuesday Night Tempo. 2M warm-up to Washington Park. 3M tempo in 17:54. 2M cool down home. Still pretty cold.
April 24 - 11M in 1:26. Lunch run with Jefe, Patrick, and Jason R. Powerline Climb/Middle Aid Station loop in the prairie. Sunny, but chilly wind.
April 25 - 5M in :36. Greenbelt lunch run. Great weather.
April 26 - 5.5M in :41. Friday form work. Form exercises, plyos, 4x2-lappers with one-lap rest.
April 27 - 7M in :48. Late morning run on Greenbelt. Beautiful weather. Followed by a trip down to Fort Collins. Hiked to Horsetooth Falls, drank beer outside, and caught a movie. Nice little Saturday, really.
April 28 - 15M in 1:57. Long trail run at Curt Gowdy. Hit Twin Lakes, Canyons, Highline, Blue's Cruz, Cliff Hanger, Middle Kingdom. Windy, but warm.
Week Totals: 56M in 6:52
April 29 - Day off.
April 30 - A.M. - 3M in :21. Morning run on Greenbelt.
P.M. - 7M in :48. Tuesday Night Tempo. Rain/snow mix in 30 degrees. 3M tempo in 18:21.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January - 107 (15:29)
February - 132 (18:29)
March - 170 (21:25)
April - 158 (21:26)
2013 - 567 (76:50)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 1 - 10M in :35 on the bike trainer. Frigid and windy day forced me indoors. 10min warm-up spin, 6x2min with 1min off, 8min cool down spin. I want to not have to get the trainer out again this season.
May 2 - 7M in :51. Patrick's West Laramie loop. Felt like garbage. Sore, achy, lightheaded. Managed a decent pace considering.
May 3 - 5.5M in :39. Last Friday form workout. I plan to move on to something similar but different (contradiction!) after Quad Rock.
May 4 - 8M in 1:04. HPH breakfast/coffee run. Most of us were feeling the previous night's festivities a little. Run was mostly Greenbelt starting and finishing at Crowbar & Grille. Chipotle biscuits and gravy awaited.
May 5 - 19M in 2:28. Long run Sunday. All prairie/trail miles. Started with an out-and-back up CC, refueled at the car, then out for a Powerline/MAS/single track/Owl Canyon/Hogback Ridge meander. Overcast and windy, especially up Powerline. I am pretty impressed with how I held up.
Week Totals: 50M in 6:11 (+10M bike in :35)
Gear: Asics GT-2000 G-TX (231 miles), Asics Speedstar 6 (35 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (19 miles), Asics Speedstar 6 (retired at 379 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (retired at 415 miles)
The past couple of weeks of training have been productive. I feel good about Quad Rock. I am not so sure I will be competitive, but I do feel I can produce a 4-Hour or slightly under effort. I would be happy with that a month out from Bighorn.
April 22 - 5M in :37. Greenbelt run. In the snow.
April 23 - 7M in :47. Tuesday Night Tempo. 2M warm-up to Washington Park. 3M tempo in 17:54. 2M cool down home. Still pretty cold.
April 24 - 11M in 1:26. Lunch run with Jefe, Patrick, and Jason R. Powerline Climb/Middle Aid Station loop in the prairie. Sunny, but chilly wind.
April 25 - 5M in :36. Greenbelt lunch run. Great weather.
April 26 - 5.5M in :41. Friday form work. Form exercises, plyos, 4x2-lappers with one-lap rest.
April 27 - 7M in :48. Late morning run on Greenbelt. Beautiful weather. Followed by a trip down to Fort Collins. Hiked to Horsetooth Falls, drank beer outside, and caught a movie. Nice little Saturday, really.
April 28 - 15M in 1:57. Long trail run at Curt Gowdy. Hit Twin Lakes, Canyons, Highline, Blue's Cruz, Cliff Hanger, Middle Kingdom. Windy, but warm.
Week Totals: 56M in 6:52
April 29 - Day off.
April 30 - A.M. - 3M in :21. Morning run on Greenbelt.
P.M. - 7M in :48. Tuesday Night Tempo. Rain/snow mix in 30 degrees. 3M tempo in 18:21.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January - 107 (15:29)
February - 132 (18:29)
March - 170 (21:25)
April - 158 (21:26)
2013 - 567 (76:50)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 1 - 10M in :35 on the bike trainer. Frigid and windy day forced me indoors. 10min warm-up spin, 6x2min with 1min off, 8min cool down spin. I want to not have to get the trainer out again this season.
May 2 - 7M in :51. Patrick's West Laramie loop. Felt like garbage. Sore, achy, lightheaded. Managed a decent pace considering.
May 3 - 5.5M in :39. Last Friday form workout. I plan to move on to something similar but different (contradiction!) after Quad Rock.
May 4 - 8M in 1:04. HPH breakfast/coffee run. Most of us were feeling the previous night's festivities a little. Run was mostly Greenbelt starting and finishing at Crowbar & Grille. Chipotle biscuits and gravy awaited.
May 5 - 19M in 2:28. Long run Sunday. All prairie/trail miles. Started with an out-and-back up CC, refueled at the car, then out for a Powerline/MAS/single track/Owl Canyon/Hogback Ridge meander. Overcast and windy, especially up Powerline. I am pretty impressed with how I held up.
Week Totals: 50M in 6:11 (+10M bike in :35)
Gear: Asics GT-2000 G-TX (231 miles), Asics Speedstar 6 (35 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (19 miles), Asics Speedstar 6 (retired at 379 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (retired at 415 miles)
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Spring? How Does That Work?
The forecast is finally, FINALLY, trending in the direction of weather that does not, in description, require the qualifiers awful, terrible, freezing, and bullshit. I am also finally kicking whatever virus lodged itself in my system. The two coinciding is fortunate. While it is late, and I will be going into Quad Rock much less prepared than I had wanted, I think the time I have before Bighorn will now hopefully be spent on some trails. The Greenbelt has grown quite tiresome of late.
May is going to be busy, but in a very good way. And some good weather will help hope spring eternal.
I have mulled over the events in Boston for a week now, digesting my emotions and thoughts regarding what happened. And the best thing I have seen or read the past week was from Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run Boston in 1967. She registered for the race using her initials to disguise her gender since women, at the time, were not allowed in the marathon. A few miles in, a race official following the race saw Kathrine in the pack of runners, jumped in the race, grabbed her, and screamed, "Get the hell out of my race!" A few runners around her grabbed the race official, tossed him not-so-gently to the side, and then formed a pack around Kathrine so she could finish the race unmolested. Later, she would say, "If you are losing your faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon."
I have always felt a pull toward Boston, as I am sure a lot of runners have. The marathon is something that has always scared me. I think the issue was I never wanted to just run a marathon. I can do that. I wanted to race a marathon, and the thought of training properly for it seemed daunting and tedious and perhaps like something I did not particularly want to do. And even if I did prepare well, 26.2 miles is a long time for any number of things to go wrong. And, at 6'1" and 165 pounds, I am not exactly built like a prototypical marathoner. I was decent over shorter distances on the track, road, and cross country course because I was strong and fairly fast. The marathon is a different animal entirely. So I skipped it and went to trail racing were my natural strength again played to my advantage.
However, it is time to make my foray into the marathon. And having done the longer races, I now have a better understanding that 26.2 miles is not an eternity. After Bighorn, I will start doing what I can to get ready for a marathon in August or September. Boston registration opens in September on a to-be-determined date. Therefore, the marathon I am considering, on the recommendation of Patrick, is the Mesa Falls Marathon in Idaho August 24. It is not the fastest course, but it can be used as a qualifier, and it has a half associated for Elizabeth to run. All I have to do is run 3:05. If I'm in decent shape by the end of the summer, I can do that.
Hopefully, this time next year, I will be checking the Boston Marathon off my bucket list.
May is going to be busy, but in a very good way. And some good weather will help hope spring eternal.
I have mulled over the events in Boston for a week now, digesting my emotions and thoughts regarding what happened. And the best thing I have seen or read the past week was from Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run Boston in 1967. She registered for the race using her initials to disguise her gender since women, at the time, were not allowed in the marathon. A few miles in, a race official following the race saw Kathrine in the pack of runners, jumped in the race, grabbed her, and screamed, "Get the hell out of my race!" A few runners around her grabbed the race official, tossed him not-so-gently to the side, and then formed a pack around Kathrine so she could finish the race unmolested. Later, she would say, "If you are losing your faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon."
I have always felt a pull toward Boston, as I am sure a lot of runners have. The marathon is something that has always scared me. I think the issue was I never wanted to just run a marathon. I can do that. I wanted to race a marathon, and the thought of training properly for it seemed daunting and tedious and perhaps like something I did not particularly want to do. And even if I did prepare well, 26.2 miles is a long time for any number of things to go wrong. And, at 6'1" and 165 pounds, I am not exactly built like a prototypical marathoner. I was decent over shorter distances on the track, road, and cross country course because I was strong and fairly fast. The marathon is a different animal entirely. So I skipped it and went to trail racing were my natural strength again played to my advantage.
However, it is time to make my foray into the marathon. And having done the longer races, I now have a better understanding that 26.2 miles is not an eternity. After Bighorn, I will start doing what I can to get ready for a marathon in August or September. Boston registration opens in September on a to-be-determined date. Therefore, the marathon I am considering, on the recommendation of Patrick, is the Mesa Falls Marathon in Idaho August 24. It is not the fastest course, but it can be used as a qualifier, and it has a half associated for Elizabeth to run. All I have to do is run 3:05. If I'm in decent shape by the end of the summer, I can do that.
Hopefully, this time next year, I will be checking the Boston Marathon off my bucket list.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Updates
I have been down to Moab and back since the last post. We were graced with fairly poor weather during our trip, enduring blizzards and downpours going to and coming back (Vail Pass was a shit show), as well as enjoying the coldest weekend in Moab in weeks (highest temp we saw was 59 degrees, very briefly). It was good to catch up with guys. It was good to sit around a fire. It was good to sleep in my tent. And it was good to get in some trail miles, both on foot and on bike.
I came home from Moab and spent three days on my butt feeling pretty poorly. I am not sure what got into my system. I felt very light-headed, nauseated, and very, very tired. Then, Wednesday night, it just quit and I immediately felt better. I am a renowned hypochondriac, so I wondered if I wasn't just thinking it up. However, I got word from my friend Sid that he suffered from a similar illness this past week. There may be a little bug going around.
Feeling that way left my running last week unfulfilled. The weather still is not helping most of the time. And by last weekend, I was more concerned with eating my weight in breakfast foods at Easter brunch than I was with getting in some miles. However, I came back strong this week and polished off some quality miles with a 16:40 5K here in Laramie, which, when converted, would be good for a 16:16 or so at sea level. Considering I have done exactly one tempo run this year, I will take it.
The weather is once again supposed to be undesirable the first half of this coming week. Spring, where for art thou?
Week of March 18 - 24
50 miles (36 run, 14 bike) in 8' 19" (4'49" run, 3'30" bike)
Week of March 25 - 31
17 miles in 2' 02" (sick)
March: 184 miles in 24' 55" - 170 run (21' 25"), 14 bike (3'30")
Year to Date: 534 miles in 65' 12" - 409 run (55' 23"), 125 bike (9' 49")
Week of April 1 - 7
59 miles in 9' 01"
Gear: Asics Speedstar 6 (327 miles), Asics 2000 Trail (209 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (400 miles), Asics HyperSpeed 3 (114 miles)
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| Chris and me running Porcupine Rim. |
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| Wasn't feeling super hot, but a good view can make up for it. |
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| The "Three Amigos" (me, Chris, Brian Knight) present for a Delicate Arch sunset. |
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| Delicate Arch, Arches National Park. |
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| Epic mountain bike ride on Porcupine Rim. Jeremy and Hisch enjoy the view. |
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| Taking a break, assessing bike damage (among us, we would take care of three tires, two chains, and one rear shock). L to R: Cosmo, Hisch, Brian Knight, Jeremy, Matt. |
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| A reunion of Wyoming's 2004 Men's Cross-Country team. L to R: Matt Hudson, Brian Harnisch, me, Jeremy Thompson, Chris Schabron, Brian Knight, and Nick Cramer. |
I came home from Moab and spent three days on my butt feeling pretty poorly. I am not sure what got into my system. I felt very light-headed, nauseated, and very, very tired. Then, Wednesday night, it just quit and I immediately felt better. I am a renowned hypochondriac, so I wondered if I wasn't just thinking it up. However, I got word from my friend Sid that he suffered from a similar illness this past week. There may be a little bug going around.
Feeling that way left my running last week unfulfilled. The weather still is not helping most of the time. And by last weekend, I was more concerned with eating my weight in breakfast foods at Easter brunch than I was with getting in some miles. However, I came back strong this week and polished off some quality miles with a 16:40 5K here in Laramie, which, when converted, would be good for a 16:16 or so at sea level. Considering I have done exactly one tempo run this year, I will take it.
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| Start of Jackalope Loop 5k, Laramie. Record number of participants. Pretty decent weather (for once). Photo by Wendy Perkins. |
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| Third mile, feeling the beers from the night before. Photo by Wendy Perkins. |
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| After the race, Elizabeth and I went for a hike in Curt Gowdy State Park. This is Hidden Falls. |
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| Hiking buddies! |
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| Balancing rock on El Alto trail. |
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| Curt Gowdy from Scenic Overlook. |
The weather is once again supposed to be undesirable the first half of this coming week. Spring, where for art thou?
Week of March 18 - 24
50 miles (36 run, 14 bike) in 8' 19" (4'49" run, 3'30" bike)
Week of March 25 - 31
17 miles in 2' 02" (sick)
March: 184 miles in 24' 55" - 170 run (21' 25"), 14 bike (3'30")
Year to Date: 534 miles in 65' 12" - 409 run (55' 23"), 125 bike (9' 49")
Week of April 1 - 7
59 miles in 9' 01"
Gear: Asics Speedstar 6 (327 miles), Asics 2000 Trail (209 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (400 miles), Asics HyperSpeed 3 (114 miles)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Ramping Up-As Best I Can
Things have been going pretty well training-wise since the Trudge. I have primarily hit the mileage I wanted and have felt decent doing it. The feeling of coming around, getting more fit, and not struggling every run is one that I am glad to have again. I have had some good hill workouts and some good weekend long runs, including trail runs on Blue Sky in Fort Collins, the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota, and up at Curt Gowdy.
The only issue I have had is my seasonal affectiveness disorder. Spring is a tough time to train in the mountain west. Such a mercurial climate is always getting one's hopes up only to bring them crashing to the ground. Just last week, we had a surprise blizzard Monday afternoon into evening that dropped about half a foot of snow. Two days later, I was running at lunch in a t-shirt, getting sunburned on my ever-more-exposed forehead in 60 degree temperatures. By my long run on Saturday, I was fighting a howling wind, trudging in remnant snow on the Gowdy trails, feeling like total waste. Such is spring in Wyoming.
I am starting another "up" phase in my mileage build-up this week. By the end of this month, I hope to be back up to 60 mpw. I have been taking Mondays off. While it flies in the face of my New Year's resolution, I really need that day off right now. My body just simply does not handle mileage like it used to. In fact, my body never really handled mileage all that well to begin with.
I am heading down to Moab the latter half of this week with what consists of the majority of the Wyoming men's cross-country team from 2002-2006. It is turning into a reunion of sorts, and I am excited to see the guys again. Some I have not seen in several years. I am also looking forward to getting in a few miles on desert trails. While the weather reports indicate that we may not have the best of weather gracing us down there, a change of scenery is always welcome. I have mentioned this previously, but Laramie is wearing thin on me lately. Plus, I have always been infatuated with the desert and its canyons. No wonder Edward Abbey wrote so vociferously about it. It is truly beautiful and encapsulating in its simultaneous grandeur and stark emptiness.
Week of Feb. 11 - Feb. 17
20 miles in 3' 22" (lazy week)
Week of Feb. 18 - Feb. 24
35 miles in 4' 55" (Trudge week)
Week of Feb. 25 - March 3
44 miles in 5' 29"
February: 132 miles (18' 29")
Year to Date: 239 miles (33' 58")
Week of March 4 - March 10
50 miles in 6' 06" (weekend runs in the Black Hills)
Week of March 11 - March 17
40 miles in 4' 57" (felt sub-par toward end of this down week)
Gear: Asics SpeedStar 6 (276 miles), Asics 2000 Trail (186 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (385 miles)
The only issue I have had is my seasonal affectiveness disorder. Spring is a tough time to train in the mountain west. Such a mercurial climate is always getting one's hopes up only to bring them crashing to the ground. Just last week, we had a surprise blizzard Monday afternoon into evening that dropped about half a foot of snow. Two days later, I was running at lunch in a t-shirt, getting sunburned on my ever-more-exposed forehead in 60 degree temperatures. By my long run on Saturday, I was fighting a howling wind, trudging in remnant snow on the Gowdy trails, feeling like total waste. Such is spring in Wyoming.
I am starting another "up" phase in my mileage build-up this week. By the end of this month, I hope to be back up to 60 mpw. I have been taking Mondays off. While it flies in the face of my New Year's resolution, I really need that day off right now. My body just simply does not handle mileage like it used to. In fact, my body never really handled mileage all that well to begin with.
I am heading down to Moab the latter half of this week with what consists of the majority of the Wyoming men's cross-country team from 2002-2006. It is turning into a reunion of sorts, and I am excited to see the guys again. Some I have not seen in several years. I am also looking forward to getting in a few miles on desert trails. While the weather reports indicate that we may not have the best of weather gracing us down there, a change of scenery is always welcome. I have mentioned this previously, but Laramie is wearing thin on me lately. Plus, I have always been infatuated with the desert and its canyons. No wonder Edward Abbey wrote so vociferously about it. It is truly beautiful and encapsulating in its simultaneous grandeur and stark emptiness.
Week of Feb. 11 - Feb. 17
20 miles in 3' 22" (lazy week)
Week of Feb. 18 - Feb. 24
35 miles in 4' 55" (Trudge week)
Week of Feb. 25 - March 3
44 miles in 5' 29"
February: 132 miles (18' 29")
Year to Date: 239 miles (33' 58")
Week of March 4 - March 10
50 miles in 6' 06" (weekend runs in the Black Hills)
Week of March 11 - March 17
40 miles in 4' 57" (felt sub-par toward end of this down week)
Gear: Asics SpeedStar 6 (276 miles), Asics 2000 Trail (186 miles), Saucony Peregrine 2 (385 miles)
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