11-08-2010
Mon-AM: 14 miles (2:06) Green Mt., 3000'
Up Gregory-Greenman and down Bear Cyn.
PM: 8 miles (1:03) Skunk Creek Loop+Kitt
Ran easy with Joe. Got in 1.5mi barefoot.
11-09-2010
Tue-AM: 14 miles (2:09) Green Mt., 3000'
Up back and down Bear Cyn. First snow clouds of the season were rolling in towards the end.
PM: 8 miles (1:01) Skunk Creek Loop
Legs felt surprisingly good. Maybe because it was snowing the whole way; I was in full-on tights, gloves, hat, and jacket. Lovely run.
11-10-2010
Wed-AM: 14 miles (2:07) Green Mt., 3000'
Up Gregory-Greenman and down Bear Cyn. First real snow up there since April. Maybe an inch or so on upper Greenman that definitely affected footing a good bit.
PM: 14 miles (2:00) Green Mt., 3000'
Up the back and down Bear Cyn. Legs felt decently good--coming around after the long run on Saturday. Cruised up Gregory-Ranger in 36min and spent too long on top so that I was stumbling around a bit coming back on Mesa in the dark.
11-11-2010
Thu-AM: 18 miles (2:51) 1.5xGreen Mt., 4700'
Met Joel (RT photographer) on top of Green and then we went down Greenman doing a lot of running back and forth for filming. We started descending Gregory to meet the group and eventually turned around and ran back to the summit via Ranger with Geoff, Joe, Jeff, Brandon, Dave, and Nico. Descended Bear Cyn and came back on Mesa. There were a few inches of new snow and the peaks were all in the clouds today. First real day of winter running this season. Skipped the evening run to try and get back on top of my fatigue levels.
11-12-2010
Fri-AM: 13 miles (2:02) Green Mt., 3000'
Met Danny down at the St. Julien and then took him up Viewpoint/Flagstaff to Ranger and then descended Greenman-Gregory. The snow was pretty slippy this morning and my legs were a bit tired, but the mountains looked incredible with all the frosted trees. Gorgeous clear day, too.
11-13-2010
Sat-AM: 14 miles (2:06) Green Mt., 3000'
Up back and down Bear Cyn. Felt okay through the canyon but the slippery snow on the top half of the mountain sapped my energy a bit. It's going to take a week or two to adjust to the new rhythm of winter running.
11-14-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:12) Green Mt., 3000'
Up back and down Bear Cyn. Enjoyed how the chillier weather is thinning out the crowds on the trails. Also, a nice inversion layer covered the city in a sleepy blanket this morning.
PM: 20 miles (3:00) 2xGreen Mt., 5500'
#1: up back, down Bear Cyn. (34:46) 12:25, 15:25, 19:15, 23:40, 28:40
#2: up front, down back: (32:36) 6:30, 12:05, 14:35, 18:11, 22:10, 29:22
Great run. After an afternoon in the library I didn't get out the door until 5pm, so I took a headlamp with me and needed it by time I was half-way up Green the first time. I was feeling pretty good but was definitely shocked to see I was 15 seconds under PR pace at my rock-check (start of flat terrain before lodge) because I certainly wasn't putting in much focus. The snow started in earnest here, though, and although equal to PR pace at the cabin I was forced into a much more casual pace above the cabin because of the poor footing and ended up a little over a minute over PR. Coming back on the Mesa trail my legs still felt great so I decided to hit another lap on Green and headed up Amphi-SaddleRock. Despite stumbling around a bit in headlamp-light and not putting too much effort into it I was a surprising 7 seconds ahead of PR pace at the 1st Flatiron cut-off, the same at the 2nd overlook tree and despite the snow and poor footing still right on PR pace at the Greenman junction. Above there, however, the snow became too slick to keep pushing and I mostly just jogged it to the top with the snowy surface acting as a governor. On the descent down Gregory I am about 80% sure I saw a mountain lion staring at me from ~20yards off the trail. I saw its eyes in my headlamp and after a triple-take (and with the help of the moonlight) came to the conclusion that whatever it was its head was awful big for a fox (one of which I had seen earlier on the Mesa trail). All in all, pretty encouraging run as I think it was quite likely I would've PRed for both routes on Green in the same run if it weren't for the slick snow on the top half of the mountain right now (not to mention the dark/headlamp vision).
Total
-Miles: 152
-Hours: 22h 37min
-Vertical: 31,200'
2010 Boulder Summits
-Green: 270
-Bear: 28
-SoBo: 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I knew this week would be affected a bit by residual fatigue from last weekend's exceptionally long run, so I was careful to not force any kind of above-average effort or distance most days. Life was especially busy in general this week, too (which will be the standard for the rest of the semester), so it wasn't hard to scale back the miles and intensity a bit.
This week also brought the true re-introduction of winter to the local trails, which means that there will be a frustrating couple of weeks traction-wise where it doesn't make sense to wear Microspikes but where standard running footwear isn't quite as satisfactory as it is on dry trail either. Even so, I'm enjoying the change in seasons and the new flavor it brings to the daily running.
Mon-AM: 14 miles (2:06) Green Mt., 3000'
Up Gregory-Greenman and down Bear Cyn.
PM: 8 miles (1:03) Skunk Creek Loop+Kitt
Ran easy with Joe. Got in 1.5mi barefoot.
11-09-2010
Tue-AM: 14 miles (2:09) Green Mt., 3000'
Up back and down Bear Cyn. First snow clouds of the season were rolling in towards the end.
PM: 8 miles (1:01) Skunk Creek Loop
Legs felt surprisingly good. Maybe because it was snowing the whole way; I was in full-on tights, gloves, hat, and jacket. Lovely run.
11-10-2010
Wed-AM: 14 miles (2:07) Green Mt., 3000'
Up Gregory-Greenman and down Bear Cyn. First real snow up there since April. Maybe an inch or so on upper Greenman that definitely affected footing a good bit.
PM: 14 miles (2:00) Green Mt., 3000'
Up the back and down Bear Cyn. Legs felt decently good--coming around after the long run on Saturday. Cruised up Gregory-Ranger in 36min and spent too long on top so that I was stumbling around a bit coming back on Mesa in the dark.
 |
| Starting to fill in the cracks on upper Greenman. |
 |
| Ocean of clouds from the summit of Green. |
11-11-2010
Thu-AM: 18 miles (2:51) 1.5xGreen Mt., 4700'
Met Joel (RT photographer) on top of Green and then we went down Greenman doing a lot of running back and forth for filming. We started descending Gregory to meet the group and eventually turned around and ran back to the summit via Ranger with Geoff, Joe, Jeff, Brandon, Dave, and Nico. Descended Bear Cyn and came back on Mesa. There were a few inches of new snow and the peaks were all in the clouds today. First real day of winter running this season. Skipped the evening run to try and get back on top of my fatigue levels.
 |
| Headed up Green in the snow. Photo: Joel Wolpert. |
 |
| Through the winter wonderland. Photo: Joel Wolpert. |
11-12-2010
Fri-AM: 13 miles (2:02) Green Mt., 3000'
Met Danny down at the St. Julien and then took him up Viewpoint/Flagstaff to Ranger and then descended Greenman-Gregory. The snow was pretty slippy this morning and my legs were a bit tired, but the mountains looked incredible with all the frosted trees. Gorgeous clear day, too.
11-13-2010
Sat-AM: 14 miles (2:06) Green Mt., 3000'
Up back and down Bear Cyn. Felt okay through the canyon but the slippery snow on the top half of the mountain sapped my energy a bit. It's going to take a week or two to adjust to the new rhythm of winter running.
11-14-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:12) Green Mt., 3000'
Up back and down Bear Cyn. Enjoyed how the chillier weather is thinning out the crowds on the trails. Also, a nice inversion layer covered the city in a sleepy blanket this morning.
PM: 20 miles (3:00) 2xGreen Mt., 5500'
#1: up back, down Bear Cyn. (34:46) 12:25, 15:25, 19:15, 23:40, 28:40
#2: up front, down back: (32:36) 6:30, 12:05, 14:35, 18:11, 22:10, 29:22
Great run. After an afternoon in the library I didn't get out the door until 5pm, so I took a headlamp with me and needed it by time I was half-way up Green the first time. I was feeling pretty good but was definitely shocked to see I was 15 seconds under PR pace at my rock-check (start of flat terrain before lodge) because I certainly wasn't putting in much focus. The snow started in earnest here, though, and although equal to PR pace at the cabin I was forced into a much more casual pace above the cabin because of the poor footing and ended up a little over a minute over PR. Coming back on the Mesa trail my legs still felt great so I decided to hit another lap on Green and headed up Amphi-SaddleRock. Despite stumbling around a bit in headlamp-light and not putting too much effort into it I was a surprising 7 seconds ahead of PR pace at the 1st Flatiron cut-off, the same at the 2nd overlook tree and despite the snow and poor footing still right on PR pace at the Greenman junction. Above there, however, the snow became too slick to keep pushing and I mostly just jogged it to the top with the snowy surface acting as a governor. On the descent down Gregory I am about 80% sure I saw a mountain lion staring at me from ~20yards off the trail. I saw its eyes in my headlamp and after a triple-take (and with the help of the moonlight) came to the conclusion that whatever it was its head was awful big for a fox (one of which I had seen earlier on the Mesa trail). All in all, pretty encouraging run as I think it was quite likely I would've PRed for both routes on Green in the same run if it weren't for the slick snow on the top half of the mountain right now (not to mention the dark/headlamp vision).
Total
-Miles: 152
-Hours: 22h 37min
-Vertical: 31,200'
2010 Boulder Summits
-Green: 270
-Bear: 28
-SoBo: 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I knew this week would be affected a bit by residual fatigue from last weekend's exceptionally long run, so I was careful to not force any kind of above-average effort or distance most days. Life was especially busy in general this week, too (which will be the standard for the rest of the semester), so it wasn't hard to scale back the miles and intensity a bit.
This week also brought the true re-introduction of winter to the local trails, which means that there will be a frustrating couple of weeks traction-wise where it doesn't make sense to wear Microspikes but where standard running footwear isn't quite as satisfactory as it is on dry trail either. Even so, I'm enjoying the change in seasons and the new flavor it brings to the daily running.
22 comments:
Thanks again for another glimpse into your training. I especially enjoyed the "Ocean of Clouds" image. Winter is closing in on us here in the Carolinas also, but not with near the veracity you all experience out west.
Do you ever race closer to the east coast?
Hi Tony,
I'd be curious to know if your feet ever get cold during your long outings in the snow, and if so, what is the "critical temperature"? Somehow I doubt I'll be able to wear my Kinvaras in the -20˚C temperatures that we regularly get during the Winter here in Montreal, Canada. Never got "cold feet" while wearing the Asics GT-21XX during past Winters, but of course with their bulky upper they provide better thermal insulation than the Kinvaras.
Alain
P.S. Great pictures again, especially "Ocean of clouds", which is absolutely breathtaking.
Just curious about how you get your barefoot fix in the winter? Do you keep that up or nix it until spring? I've gotten used to barefooting a bit this summer/fall and would like to keep it up. Thanks.
Hey Anton, I live in Flagstaff AZ and am helping Kahtoola with online marketing. I noticed we received several hits from your blog. WOuld you be interested in a blog for Kahtoola? You can reach me at lisa@visualadventures.com. I assume your in boulder? WE lived there for 6 years.
Are those the minimus roads you are wearing in the last picture?
Ryan--Nope, those are a 110 prototype (update to the 101). It is built on the Minimus last, though, meaning a broad forefoot and a 4mm drop with 7mm/11mm forefoot/rearfoot heights. Best trail shoe I've ever worn, period.
i was out on green yesterday(sun p.m.) around the same time, mostly same route and thought i wouldn't need a headlamp cause of the snow and moon. AND i swore that something was following/hunting me(but of course i couldn't see it)....i could have used more light though on the lower part because i totally ate shit coming down saddlerock when trying to escape my predator.
See... Those 110's sound like exactly the right thing. There's wisdom in balance. It's something between the minimus (too litle for most on most surfaces on most days) and the 101's (good effort but still surprisingly high drop).
I want some 110's.
By the way, that 60-something mile run you did last week unsupported was just heroic, man. It's crazy. I think it pushes the boundaries of what we all think is reasonable to accomplish.
What is the drop in the 101s? I thought it was in the 4mm range, but Irunfar.com says it's 10mm, which surprised me. NB.com doesn't say anything from what I can tell.
Thanks for the summary Anton. I am a tester for NB & should receive my MT10's in the mail this week.
David--The barefooting definitely suffers a bit in the winter time, but I still get in as much as I can on an artificial turf field here in Boulder. It's usually plowed for practices, and since it's not real grass it absorbs heat really well and stays much warmer than normal ground. Also, I continue to do my easy runs in the Minimus, which is very thin and flexible, offering a reasonable facsimile of the strengthening that comes from running barefoot.
Jay--The 101 has a drop of 10mm, but I've always thought it felt like less than that, too. A 4mm drop, though, does feel noticeably flatter/more natural.
Great pictures. I like running in snow, though it depends on how the traction is too.
Tony - question on sizing w/101s. I'm a 12 but usually go up a 1/2size on trail shoes. I've heard 101s run a 1/2 size small. Available sizes go from 12 to 13. Your suggestion on whether I go with a 13 or a 12? Thanks!!
Andy
Hi Anton,
I am an Italian trail runner and love to read your blog, it is absolutely great and your articles always provide real inspiration.
Your minimalist approach is generating a lot of interesting discussions here in Italy on sites, blogs and forum related to Trail and ultra-marathon.
We are used to run a bit more equipped, I am sure you will already noticed this difference between European and American races, I would be interested in knowing your view on this topic. It would be really appreciated.
just another curious question...looking your pictures seem you do not use socks, am I right? If so, wow... how you are able to run such a huge amount of miles with no socks? do not you suffer of blisters?
Thank in advance Anton
Simone
Sick running Tony! That's an impressive level of recovery ability.
Tony - question. I am a michigan runner thinking about doing some winter running this year (i usually xc ski) and in need of WINTER shoes than can survive slush, rain, snow, salt and -20 to +30 degree temps. MT101's handle that? I am thinking gore tex, but wonder if that'll get too warm.
Hey Tony-
What's your typical rain gear? I'm planning on running the 50k in SF but I've never run that far in the rain. The up and down should keep me warm, but the wet?
Thanks
Jeff
You're just teasing us with those new 110s, aren't you? ZOOM, ENHANCE. Really wishing those photos were higher resolution now!
Because people are asking all kinds of silly questions, I'll answer some given that the answers are really easy.
@Andy - just use runningwarehouse's "shoefitr" and it will tell you all you need to know about sizing.
@32 Degrees - You'll be fine in the 101s. Sure you'll get a bit slushy, but the same thing happens in goretex shoes due to snow falling in around the top of the shoe. They dry really, really fast.
@Jeff - Just get a lightweight jacket from any of the major companies. There are tons of options out there. Or, better yet, just get soaked. It's more fun that way, IMHO.
@Joel-
Thanks for your obvious reply. It's not my first rodeo chief. Let me rephrase the question.
Tony-
I am actually interested in how elite runners deal with the rain at this distance. In my experience(XC and roads), it's a fine line between too much and not enough gear. And unlike the marathon which is a pretty continuous pace and exertion, the trail distances have more lulls. Just wondering if you have a "system"?
Thanks,
jeff
Does the 110 have the rock stop?
I've never actually seen a lion on the trails around town... I've seen them roaming around downtown Boulder and downtown Louisville(!!). They're always in the back of mind though... and I'm sure they've seen me. :-)
Nice running, sick miles... as always!
- Chris
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