2-6-2012
On repeat this week:
Mon-AM: 1:28, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up First Saddle, down Amphi-Saddle Rock-Greenman. After a tired and lack-luster ascent I forced an up-tempo descent of 14:37 (summitpost to Gregory pavement) despite very unconsolidated and sub-par snow conditions and tired legs.
PM: 1:32, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Same route as this morning, but didn't push the descent. First double-run in a long time, and it might not have been a good idea with all the snow creating unstable footing. Gonna take a commenter's advice and just try to consolidate some gains this week, baby the shin a bit more.
2-7-2012
Tue-AM: 1:42, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up First Saddle, down ASG. 3-4" of fresh powder this morning made things even more difficult and put the totals well over three feet on top of the mountain. Climbed with a pair of trekking poles, nice to take some stress off the legs. Shin isn't entirely happy with the unstable surface that all this new snow provides. Gotta be careful. Acupuncture with Allison.
2-8-2012
Wed-AM: 1:30, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up and down ASG. Stuck to the standard path this morning and while it is starting to get well-packed, drifting snow on Greenman made for continued loose and unstable footing that put some very unwanted strain on the ol' shin. Felt much better on any solid surface, so I may venture up Flagstaff Rd tomorrow while I'm waiting for the trail conditions to set-up.
2-9-2012
Thu-AM: 1:47, 3000' ~ Green Mt.
Up Flagstaff Rd to Green West Ridge, down First Saddle. Shin felt really quite solid on the uphill road surface--the snow has obviously been some unwanted stress for it. Much of the 1.5mi or so between the top of Flagstaff Rd and the Green summit was hiking on poorly-packed trail. Acupuncture with Allison.
PM: 1:42, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up 3rd Access and down First Saddle. This was a wallow-session breaking trail up the mountain in snowshoes. Took longer than I'd expected (~1:05 ascent from Chautauqua), so I had to hurry on the downhill more than I wanted to so I wouldn't be late for the Unbreakable screening at the Dairy Center, which the shin didn't seem very happy about (the hurrying, that is).
Up Flagstaff Rd to Green West Ridge, down First Saddle. Shin felt really quite solid on the uphill road surface--the snow has obviously been some unwanted stress for it. Much of the 1.5mi or so between the top of Flagstaff Rd and the Green summit was hiking on poorly-packed trail. Acupuncture with Allison.
PM: 1:42, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up 3rd Access and down First Saddle. This was a wallow-session breaking trail up the mountain in snowshoes. Took longer than I'd expected (~1:05 ascent from Chautauqua), so I had to hurry on the downhill more than I wanted to so I wouldn't be late for the Unbreakable screening at the Dairy Center, which the shin didn't seem very happy about (the hurrying, that is).
2-10-2012
Fri-AM: 1:17, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up ASG and down First Saddle. Ended up running everything today despite being uncertain about the shin. Trail is finally setting up nicely into a mostly solid packed trench. Descended fairly quickly with Gavin (who was doing seven laps today to celebrate his birthday) in ~16min. Super jealous; really wish my shin could handle a whole day of doing laps on Green.
Up ASG and down First Saddle. Ended up running everything today despite being uncertain about the shin. Trail is finally setting up nicely into a mostly solid packed trench. Descended fairly quickly with Gavin (who was doing seven laps today to celebrate his birthday) in ~16min. Super jealous; really wish my shin could handle a whole day of doing laps on Green.
2-11-2012
Sat-AM: 1:25, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up and down First Saddle. Another few more inches of fresh snow this morning relegated me to a hike on the uphill, which was fine. Shin still feels frustratingly uncertain when running. Incredibly scenic morning on the mountain with inversion clouds, frost and fresh snow on all the trees, and a bluebird sky higher on the mountain. Really wish I'd brought the camera this morning.
Up and down First Saddle. Another few more inches of fresh snow this morning relegated me to a hike on the uphill, which was fine. Shin still feels frustratingly uncertain when running. Incredibly scenic morning on the mountain with inversion clouds, frost and fresh snow on all the trees, and a bluebird sky higher on the mountain. Really wish I'd brought the camera this morning.
2-12-2012
Sun-AM: 1:18, 2800' ~ Green Mt.
Up ASG down First Saddle. Shin seemed OK on the run to the trails and the Kahtoola Crampons really seemed to help a lot with a stable foot push-off when running the packed trails uphill. The crampons' super-aggressive grip took some getting used to on the downhill, though; definitely no sliding or "floating". Another inversion day that had me in a t-shirt and gloveless on the mountain but freezing in a jacket down in town.
Up ASG down First Saddle. Shin seemed OK on the run to the trails and the Kahtoola Crampons really seemed to help a lot with a stable foot push-off when running the packed trails uphill. The crampons' super-aggressive grip took some getting used to on the downhill, though; definitely no sliding or "floating". Another inversion day that had me in a t-shirt and gloveless on the mountain but freezing in a jacket down in town.
Hours: 11h59min
Vert: 25,200'
A weird week in that 12 hours, ~74mi and 25k' of vert hardly even felt like training. I guess an extra 8hrs and 10-15k' of vert makes a difference. Hopefully not inflicting those extras on my shin this past week saved me from overdoing things and I'll be able to start adding back in more consistent evening sessions on the mountain again this coming week. This week was almost all running, though. About two hours or so of it weren't running. I'd still like to regain the confidence I had in the shin last weekend in L.A., and that will be my primary objective this week. It was amazing to be able to run without worry or concern (it's something you sense almost innately in your stride), even if just for a few days. Continued acupuncture, strengthening exercises, more stable running surfaces, and reasonable training loads will hopefully get me there.
A weird week in that 12 hours, ~74mi and 25k' of vert hardly even felt like training. I guess an extra 8hrs and 10-15k' of vert makes a difference. Hopefully not inflicting those extras on my shin this past week saved me from overdoing things and I'll be able to start adding back in more consistent evening sessions on the mountain again this coming week. This week was almost all running, though. About two hours or so of it weren't running. I'd still like to regain the confidence I had in the shin last weekend in L.A., and that will be my primary objective this week. It was amazing to be able to run without worry or concern (it's something you sense almost innately in your stride), even if just for a few days. Continued acupuncture, strengthening exercises, more stable running surfaces, and reasonable training loads will hopefully get me there.
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| Upper Greenman trail early in the week. |
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| Hazy and cold down low Sunday morning. |
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| Sunny and warm on the summit. |
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| #52 |
21 comments:
I would assume that after so many failed attempts at rehabilitation on your shin that every day, every decision is getting you closer to that day that you will experience a pain free run. Isn't that how it works? Atleast to this point you know what doesn't work! That is progress to an extent. Good luck with the coming week Tony.
Hmmm, am I the only one thinking that if Tony knows his shin is feeling bad/weird/strained one day that maybe he should, you know, take the next day off? Sorry, maybe that's just crazy talk ;)
I know you did try and dial it back this week, so that seems positive. Hopefully it will pay off this coming week. Hang in there man.
Is that an Affliction t-shirt with the skull on it? haha. You must have raided b.fuller's closet!
I looked at those crampons before the winter season and I felt that the strap would irritate the tendons on top of the foot going up the shin, especially on the uphill. Were you able to keep a shoe or sock buffer in between that strap somehow? How did the flex feel while you were running?
I'm interested in finding an alternative to the microspikes, I'm right in between sizes on them so they're either quite tight or quite loose and the elastic pull irritates my Achilles tendons.
Hello Anton!
I've been keeping right up with you through your injury and beyond,
and it's great to see that you're in the beyond now! It's also nice to
finally see some real snow where you are! I live right up the road
from Mount Washington in New Hampshire, and wanted to extend an
invitation to host you when you're up this summer. I have been
planning on hosting a runner, and running the hill climb myself. If
you're interested, you can grab my email address from my blog:
chrislalmond.wordpress.com.
Peace!
Chris Lalmond
David--Your logic may seem obvious, and believe me, I've been there, thinking simple rest was the answer. And then I took 3 months completely off this summer and it did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the shin. Within days I was back to the same frustrating condition that I had the day I broke my leg. This injury has responded very poorly to rest. Instead, moderate levels of activity have seemed to keep it happiest, and that's what I tried to do this past week. Enough to stay active but not so much as to make the shin feel worse.
Rob - Nah, not Affliction. Disturbed. You know I'm down with the sickness. In all seriousness, it's an InknBurn t-shirt that I got for free out in California.
Ken - Not sure what to suggest. I've never had any Achilles issues associated with Microspikes. The KTS Crampons are waaay more aggressive and are overkill in most conditions. This past week is only the second time this winter that I've felt they were appropriate. Also, being made of aluminum, you don't want to take them on any rock (unlike Microspikes)--they'll be dull in no time. Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised by the strapping system and didn't have any discomfort with it.
Chris -- Unfortunately, I don't feel like I'm "beyond" the injury just yet. Getting there, but definitely still having to be vigilant. Many thanks for your lodging offer, I'll keep it in mind.
Hello Anton
Just two questions (excuse me if it has already been answered by the past):
What camera do you use ? (your photos are always beautiful)
Do you plan to do "la diagonale des fous" ?(http://www.grandraid-reunion.com/) as it seems to be the perfect race for you (steep, hard and even more steep :-))
Regards,
Benoit.
the photos, the music and the Story make me come back to this blog eagerly every week. Thanks for sharing and the honesty in your writing.
Any plans for New Zealand except for the Tarawera race in the North Island? Have visited twice and Southern Alps in the South Island are quite something. Less spoiled and more rugged version of their European namesake.
I feel awkward to offer yet another commenter's suggestion for your injury but in my experience the only thing putting out fire in a chronic inflammation except for moderate and precisely timed exercise is cold. cold water or ice applied after each workout. what numbs the thing makes it slowly go away.
still, 74 miles with significant vertical in a week? The complete recovery must be just behind the corner.
good luck!
Benoit - My camera is lightweight and low-profile, but old: Sony Cybershot. GRR is definitely on my mind but I'm not sure it will happen this year. Hopefully soon, though.
MP - All kinds of plans for NZ. Hopefully a Tongariro Crossing before the race and then a trip to the south island afterwards to get around the Kepler track among many other sites in the southern alps. I'll have a good tour guide. It's been over a year since I've not iced my shin after a run or hike. I ice it multiple times literally every single day.
Anton, I'd love to get your thoughts on the NB 730's. I'm thinking it may be a great minimal road shoe, but haven't seen any promotional efforts behind it at all (a contrast with Minimus Road). Am I missing something?
Thanks in advance.
When you are in the South Island make sure to drop off a pair of MT110s as we cannot get them here :)
Not sure if you already know but your blog got mentioned in the February issue of Outside Magazine (page 37). It was great meeting you last year at New Balance in Farmington Michigan. Good luck with your training and racing this year.
Michael
Looks like you and Killian will be racing each other at least 3 times in 2012!
http://www.mudsweatandtears.co.uk/2012/02/17/kilian-announces-2012-calendar/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+mudsweatandtears+%2528Mud%252C+Sweat+%2526+Tears%2529
http://fuegoyagua.org/2011/08/what-is-fuego-y-agua/
check out this 100k in Nicaragua. I spend christmas in Nica every year. beautiful place. you should really check this out.
You comment that it hardly felt like training this week. Maybe this is your zone? Why force miles, time, vertical if maybe this is where you should be. Hell - maybe even plan a day off once a week.
Maybe it proves to leave you a little less fit (or not) but at least you would be able to race this year. We would all like to see that.
Tough trainings and very amazing photos. It's always a pleasure reading at your blog!!
Stefano
http://runninglovers.wordpress.com/
thanks for the runescape gold,My own problem may be resolved.
Many of the pieces have an oriental touch, including the many bridal outfits with pants and shirt.
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