Tuesday, November 30, 2010

November Wrap-Up

The November stats:
461 miles
69h 35min
97,000' climbed

Which makes 5929 miles, 900h 19min and 1,051,800' of climbing on the year.

A discerning eye will notice that those monthly totals look just a touch deficient when compared to what has generally been my norm in 2010.  Unfortunately, this is not because of a particularly aggressive taper for this weekend's highly anticipated TNF 50 Championships, which, much to my disappointment (obviously), I won't be running.

For the past week and a half I've been nursing a strained calf muscle that resulted from running uphill in snow without sufficient traction, which in turn resulted in my first extended break from running of the entire year (I missed five days in a row last week, bringing my yearly tally of days off to 11).  While I'm back to some very light jogging now (20min this morning), I unfortunately won't be in Marin this weekend duking it out with the rest of the best trail/ultra runners in the world.

I know it foils all kinds of dream match-ups (Geoff vs. me for ultrarunner of the year, a Western States re-match between Geoff and I, a taste of Europe's best vs. North America's best, fast road marathoners vs. fast 50/100 milers, etc., etc.) and, believe me, I have been at least as interested as everyone else to see exactly how things would've shaken out this weekend with me in the mix.  Now, I'll just be watching from the cyber-sidelines like most people.  I've been focusing my training on this race so much this fall that I still can't quite believe I won't be lining up.

Whenever I get injured I first get really frustrated and generally pissed off at the injustices of life, but I eventually cool down and start to try to learn something from the situation so that maybe I can avoid making the same mistakes in the future.  I'm still not sure what exactly happened this time.  I first tweaked the calf on the evening of November 14th while completing lap two of a double-dose of Green Mountain.  I'd gotten out for an easy jog up the mountain in the morning and that evening had PRed on the first lap and headed up the second time at a more moderate intensity in order to just round out my planned two hours of running.  My feet had been slipping plenty in the fresh snow on the top half of Green Mt and on round two I felt something pull a bit in my calf on a particularly steep stretch of trail.  Of course, if I were to do it over again, I wouldn't have headed back up Green for a second lap that night--the PR effort on poor footing was probably more than enough strain on my body as it was.

When I woke up Monday morning my leg was definitely sore, but it loosened up after a mile or two of easy jogging and kept improving with each run the rest of the week, so I assumed I was in the clear.  However, on Thursday evening (after a pain-free run up Green in the morning) I set out on a typical flat, easy shakeout jog, and after waiting for a car to pass on a cross-street, I sprinted across the road and the next thing I knew I could barely run and ended up having to walk the mile or so back home.

Since then I've only done a very little easy jogging and lots of icing, ultrasound and acupuncture.  I can tell that it's coming around but certainly will in no way be ready for a hard 50 miles this coming weekend.  I'm sure I'll be back on the trails in the next 10 days or so, though, and ultimately, this couple weeks of rest/very easy running will probably benefit me for the exciting year of running I have planned in 2011.  I wish the best of luck to everyone on Saturday.

31 comments:

Bryon Powell said...

Anton, you'll be missed out in the Headlands this weekend. Heal quickly and rip it up in 2011!

Billy said...

Major bummer Tony. But you're doing the smart thing. See ya 100% in the new year!

Andrew said...

sorry to hear Anton... at your age you have many many years of great ultra running in store.

Dave Mackey said...

$^%^%!! Really sorry to hear it. Next year. Nice to train with you lately though.

Rob said...

Damn Tony! I think Karl cursed you today with his picks. Hope you can still make it to FoCo on the 18th. I'm sure we can scrounge up a couple of bucks prize money for the winner of the CC 50K.

Buzz said...

Major condolences. Injuries suck.

Collin said...

Wow that sucks. I had my money on you to edge out the competition for the win this time around. Guess that leaves Mr Mackey in my #1 spot. Can't argue with his fitness based on his Firetrails run, which would be POTY if Ultrarunning put as much as stock in 50s as they did 100s.

Collin said...

I do think it'll be close between him, Geoff, and Uli, but Mackey doesn't really tend to lose when he's fit.

Tatiana said...

Sorry to hear and heal soon... I have the similar issue with my calf but after the race, also was not bad during the race, but was really painful on the next run...

Would love to say hi to you if I get to UTMB, though I consider doing the fun size option: CCC
Best,
Tatiana

Speedgoat Karl said...

I didn't jinx you, I just know your the fastest when your fit!

Shit happens, you'll be back.

"with dissapointment comes future success" that scares me (and others I'm sure) to see what will happen next year. Hang tough!

Unknown said...

Noooooooo! Man, really sorry bout that. But we all know when you ride that line, it's dangerous. Guess we'll see you at El Chubbo Grande and Ponderous Posterior. Bring some beer cause you just cost me some money... (jk)

Pez said...

Anton I'm really sorry about your hurt.
I'm absolutelly sure that you're doing right, just think on the way you're just getting prepared to bring it on stronger!

Best luck on your recover!
Grettings from Spain

Steve said...

That really sucks. i am just getting over a calf strain myself, and I know they are definitely not fun. Good luck and hope it heals faster than mine did.

Dominic Grossman said...

You're a wise man to chose a solid 2011 rather than an injured race attempt in Marin and a bad start to 2011.

Brandon Thrower said...

What a bummer man! Definitely made the right choice though. Good luck in your recovery!

mtnrunner2 said...

Sorry to hear it, that must be frustrating indeed.

I don't know how you regular "Greenies" run up/down that mountain without spikes at all once there's snow. There are a couple of sections I know I'd wreck myself on if I didn't wear them. They are kind of a pain though.

Heal fast.

AJW said...

Hey Tony, that's a bummer about the injury but you're doing the smart thing and not running. You'll come back stronger which probably means there will be a 14 on the clock when you get to Placer HS in June:)

AJW

wiglebot said...

Feel the frustration, Lets train in Hawaii for the winter.

There is nothing harder on the back of the entire lower leg than spinning-out in the slush and snow on hills. I wear lightweight knee-high ski socks to keep the lower leg and ankle warm and loose. Its a tough issue because its those conditions where traction devices don't help and snowshoeing is a different thing.

brownie said...

Admit it, you're just afraid to race Brooks...

Collin said...

Compounding on what Karl said on the "with disappointment comes future success", I agree. I've been in that camp for a while and I am SOOO f-ing psyched to get fit for Leadville next year as a result...

Brick said...

That sucks Anton, was looking forward to seeing (onlne) how the race went between yourself and Geoff and the other good guy's.
Hope you recover quickly and 100%.

john reinhold said...

get better!

Hannah said...

At least you have the end of the semester to occupy you! Kind of good timing, despite missing the race, so you don't have to feel pulled in two directions by school and running.

Random question but where does the water in Bear Canyon come from? I noticed back in the late summer it was just a trickle and since September/October there has seemed to be more in it. Given you're studying hydrology I thought you might know the answer?

Unknown said...

I am sure you will be back on form before you know it. Best of luck with your recovery period and look forward immensely to your future success and reports. Best, Malcolm.

Sean said...

Hey Anton,
Ive been reading your blog for a while now and wanted to ask you a quick question. How do you know when water you find in the creeks and stuff is ok to drink. That sucks about your leg to man. Use the stick thing bro. It works alot for me.

Caratunk Girl said...

Bummer, I am sorry to hear about your injury. I hope you heal quickly.

Jayme Burtis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jayme Burtis said...

Time to heal...Make the time worth it. Plenty running to be done another day my friend.

Willowsteps said...

Injuries, injuries. No fun indeed. I've been out of running for nearly 9 months because of an injury. Sorry to hear the news. Will the race be available to following via webcast?

AlternativeRealm said...

Damn Anton, I hope you get better. Good luck with your lotteries.

cricri252002 said...

Anton, do you try to sleep more and do you take special care of your alimentation when you deal with injuries?