The numbers:
Miles: 435
Hours: 66h 35min
Vertical: 85,300'
And for 2010:
Miles: 4800
Hours: 731h 07min
Vertical: 825,900'
Mostly a book-keeping post, here. I've posted something a little more extensive over at Running Times regarding my thoughts on running lately. Although September has been a bit up and down in terms of mileage and energy, I'm really looking forward to really getting back to it in October. And, in a weird way, I'm even kind of excited for the ridiculousness of snowy trails, but I know there will be plenty (as in, five or six months worth) of that soon enough, so there's no need to look too far into the future.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Weekly Summary: Sept 20-26
09-20-2010
Mon-AM: 7.5 miles (1:07) Chautauqua loop with Jocelyn, 500'
Got up really early to run and felt exhausted so I just went back to bed and ran short with Jocelyn before driving down to Creede, CO.
09-21-2010
Tue-AM: 7 miles (1:04) East Willow Creek in Creede, 1000'
Gorgeous run between 9000' and 10,000'. The aspens were in full splendor, and the air was nippy enough to have me wearing a long-sleeve the whole way. Legs didn't feel great, though. Spent the rest of the day underground in a mine (six hours total) and driving the nearly 6hrs back to Boulder.
09-22-2010
Wed-AM: 4 miles (:32) Creek Path with Jocelyn
Bleary run before catching an early flight to Boston for the NB Elite Dealer's Meeting. Kind of a tough day of travel/socializing after getting home from Creede at midnight the night before.
09-23-2010
Thu-AM: 4.5 miles (:33) Charles River, Boston
Boston is a pretty neat city if you have to be in the East at sea level.
09-24-2010
Fri-AM: 4 miles (:35) Creek Path to EGF with Jocelyn
Just a nice easy run with Jocelyn before she races tomorrow. Seems like my cold is finally clearing out a bit.
09-25-2010
Sat-AM: 13 miles (1:56) Aspen Golden Leaf Half with Jocelyn, 2000'
I didn't realize there were multiple waves at the start, so after Jocelyn and I got separated waiting in different bathroom lines I missed the 1st wave start and ended up waiting the 4m30sec for the next wave. Spent the first 35min of the race running hard then to catch up with Jocelyn (I had planned to run with her the whole way). Ran a lot harder than I wanted to in order to do that, and then Jocelyn was running a pretty solid pace in the top-10 women at that point, so we weren't just jogging along really for the next bit. Pretty soon, though, she hit a bad patch involving a pit stop and a couple of ankle rolls and a ton of women passed us as Jocelyn regathered herself. After just cruising easy for about five miles, though, Jocelyn decided she wanted to race again and re-passed five or six ladies during the final three miles or so. Solid effort for her for not being in great shape. This race has an exceptional course: point-to-point, almost all singletrack, finish in a park in Aspen, gorgeous aspen groves. Afterwards I was surprised with how worked my legs were, though. Clearly feeling pretty burnt/out of shape right now.
09-26-2010
Sun-AM: 4 miles (:35) Kitt Field with Jocelyn
Ran down to the field, ran 2 miles barefoot, and ran back home.
Total
-Miles: 44
-Hours: 6h 22min
-Vertical: 3500'
I was really busy last week with a bunch of non-running activities, so I took it as an opportunity to take a real break from real running, especially since I was fighting a cold all week, too. I'll take a few more really easy days and then look to get into a nice gradual build-up to top fitness by the time December rolls around.
Mon-AM: 7.5 miles (1:07) Chautauqua loop with Jocelyn, 500'
Got up really early to run and felt exhausted so I just went back to bed and ran short with Jocelyn before driving down to Creede, CO.
09-21-2010
Tue-AM: 7 miles (1:04) East Willow Creek in Creede, 1000'
Gorgeous run between 9000' and 10,000'. The aspens were in full splendor, and the air was nippy enough to have me wearing a long-sleeve the whole way. Legs didn't feel great, though. Spent the rest of the day underground in a mine (six hours total) and driving the nearly 6hrs back to Boulder.
09-22-2010
Wed-AM: 4 miles (:32) Creek Path with Jocelyn
Bleary run before catching an early flight to Boston for the NB Elite Dealer's Meeting. Kind of a tough day of travel/socializing after getting home from Creede at midnight the night before.
09-23-2010
Thu-AM: 4.5 miles (:33) Charles River, Boston
Boston is a pretty neat city if you have to be in the East at sea level.
09-24-2010
Fri-AM: 4 miles (:35) Creek Path to EGF with Jocelyn
Just a nice easy run with Jocelyn before she races tomorrow. Seems like my cold is finally clearing out a bit.
09-25-2010
Sat-AM: 13 miles (1:56) Aspen Golden Leaf Half with Jocelyn, 2000'
I didn't realize there were multiple waves at the start, so after Jocelyn and I got separated waiting in different bathroom lines I missed the 1st wave start and ended up waiting the 4m30sec for the next wave. Spent the first 35min of the race running hard then to catch up with Jocelyn (I had planned to run with her the whole way). Ran a lot harder than I wanted to in order to do that, and then Jocelyn was running a pretty solid pace in the top-10 women at that point, so we weren't just jogging along really for the next bit. Pretty soon, though, she hit a bad patch involving a pit stop and a couple of ankle rolls and a ton of women passed us as Jocelyn regathered herself. After just cruising easy for about five miles, though, Jocelyn decided she wanted to race again and re-passed five or six ladies during the final three miles or so. Solid effort for her for not being in great shape. This race has an exceptional course: point-to-point, almost all singletrack, finish in a park in Aspen, gorgeous aspen groves. Afterwards I was surprised with how worked my legs were, though. Clearly feeling pretty burnt/out of shape right now.
09-26-2010
Sun-AM: 4 miles (:35) Kitt Field with Jocelyn
Ran down to the field, ran 2 miles barefoot, and ran back home.
Total
-Miles: 44
-Hours: 6h 22min
-Vertical: 3500'
I was really busy last week with a bunch of non-running activities, so I took it as an opportunity to take a real break from real running, especially since I was fighting a cold all week, too. I'll take a few more really easy days and then look to get into a nice gradual build-up to top fitness by the time December rolls around.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Week Summary: Sept 13-19
09-13-2010
Mon-AM: 8 miles (1:01) Venice Beach out and back
Easy shakeout run in CA. 2nd half was barefoot.
PM: 14 miles (2:07) Green and Bear, 4100'
Ran up the steep frontside of Green at what ended up being a solid tempo effort and eeked out a 31:59. I guess my fitness is still there to some extent, but lately I've been feeling like I'm just out there kind of jogging around not hitting the times on climbs that I usually would for a given effort. It's just that time of year where it would make sense to really be taking it easy but the weather is so perfect that it's tough to not want to be chasing some really nice runs still.
09-14-2010
Tue-AM: 8 miles (1:05) Skunk Canyon+2.5mi barefoot on Kitt
Easy morning run. Even on a shorter run like this I can get some great trails right from my doorstep.
PM: 14 miles (2:12) Green and Bear, 4100'
Pretty standard run but just tried to take it pretty easy on the climbing.
09-15-2010
Wed-AM: 8 miles (1:05) Flagstaff Mt., 1500'
Legs felt way better than expected and I wished I had more time this morning to run longer.
PM: 12.5 miles (2:00) Green Mt., 3000'
Felt really flat this run so I just took it easy. Ran up the back of Green and then down the NE ridge trails and then cut over to descend Flagstaff to Eben G. Fine.
09-16-2010
Thu-AM: 14 miles (2:09) Green and Bear, 4100'
Felt good on this run, running a bit quicker than usual. Really had the footwork dialed on the way down Fern, descending in a snappy 17:25.
PM: 10 miles (1:38) Green Mt., 3000'
Had only planned on an easy run up Flagstaff but the evening atmosphere was so nice that I was inspired to head over and up Green, too. I was treated to an incredible sunset from the summit, which meant that much of the run back down to my house was in the dark.
09-17-2010
Fri-AM: 10 miles (1:37) Green Mt., 2700'
Ran early before yet another busy day at school. Paused briefly to witness a bear rustling around in the pre-dawn light near the Gregory Canyon trailhead.
09-18-2010
Sat-AM: 27 miles (4:37) Pikes Peak, 8000'
Perfect run on a perfect fall day. Jocelyn was racing the CC home XC meet this morning so I took the opportunity to go run up my favorite mountain. I feel like my climbing has certainly lost a few steps since this summer--things have just felt a bit off since Leadville--but I still enjoyed this run a great deal. I was deliberately taking it pretty much as easy as I could while still maintaining a running cadence the whole way (except for a few steps on the 16 Golden Stairs), but it still felt like a little more effort than only a 2:45 ascent should be. Cruised the descent in 1:43 just enjoying the sun, the aspens, and the mountain. There is no training reason to be getting out to do a longer run like this right now, but I can't resist the opportunity to go run up a 14er--especially Pikes--if I have the chance.
09-19-2010
Sun-AM: 15.5 miles (2:10) Green Mt., 3000'
Up the back and then down the NE ridge trails to Flagstaff where I went down the fire road that connects into Boulder Canyon and the creek path. Another day of gorgeous weather. Can see patches of glittering aspen everywhere up in the high country.
Total
-Miles: 141
-Hours: 21h 41min
-Vertical: 33,500'
Boulder 8ers 2010 (Day 261)
-Green: 216
-Bear: 22
-SoBo: 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------
And I guess that's how I do it in the "off" season. Weeks like this show me just how important running is to me in and of itself. Right now I have no imminent competitive goals, but I still feel compelled to get out and run up the peaks and log the time on the trails even without that end-goal impetus of racing. Especially with the demands of graduate school picking up, my daily local summits are absolutely necessary to keep me sane and productive in other areas of my life.
Part of me knows that I should probably be taking it a bit easier--especially with a lot of my runs feeling like I've lost some of the pep from the summer--but until the snow really starts flying and making the trails a bit messier I probably won't cut back too much other than to continue to keep the intensity dialed back. In the meantime, I'm going to keep enjoying fall and its perfect running weather. Having said all that, I'm going to be traveling a lot in the coming week, so there's a very real possibility that I will actually scale back the running significantly for the next few days.
After any trip back down to Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak, I often come away with some rather grandiose future plans. Something about that mountain really draws me to it. Actually, it's pretty obvious, really. It's gigantic, its aesthetic as a summit is undeniable, and it's so close. Last summer, Matt Carpenter--the undisputed mayor of that mountain--ran from his doorstep to its summit seven days in a row to celebrate his 45th birthday. Running to the top at a casual pace yesterday, I could see--given the right circumstances, and enough time--committing to such an endeavor for, say, a full month. Although I often get annoyed by the crowds on the first three miles of Barr Trail below the Incline turn-off, after this past year's acquaintance with Green Mountain here in Boulder, the idea of getting to know the Barr Trail and Pikes Peak with a similar level of intimacy really appeals to me. Maybe next spring/summer I'll look at giving it a shot if I'm preparing for either Hardrock or the Pikes Peak Marathon.
Finally, I can't wait to see these guys next week here in Boulder, about four blocks from my house.
Mon-AM: 8 miles (1:01) Venice Beach out and back
Easy shakeout run in CA. 2nd half was barefoot.
PM: 14 miles (2:07) Green and Bear, 4100'
Ran up the steep frontside of Green at what ended up being a solid tempo effort and eeked out a 31:59. I guess my fitness is still there to some extent, but lately I've been feeling like I'm just out there kind of jogging around not hitting the times on climbs that I usually would for a given effort. It's just that time of year where it would make sense to really be taking it easy but the weather is so perfect that it's tough to not want to be chasing some really nice runs still.
09-14-2010
Tue-AM: 8 miles (1:05) Skunk Canyon+2.5mi barefoot on Kitt
Easy morning run. Even on a shorter run like this I can get some great trails right from my doorstep.
PM: 14 miles (2:12) Green and Bear, 4100'
Pretty standard run but just tried to take it pretty easy on the climbing.
09-15-2010
Wed-AM: 8 miles (1:05) Flagstaff Mt., 1500'
Legs felt way better than expected and I wished I had more time this morning to run longer.
PM: 12.5 miles (2:00) Green Mt., 3000'
Felt really flat this run so I just took it easy. Ran up the back of Green and then down the NE ridge trails and then cut over to descend Flagstaff to Eben G. Fine.
09-16-2010
Thu-AM: 14 miles (2:09) Green and Bear, 4100'
Felt good on this run, running a bit quicker than usual. Really had the footwork dialed on the way down Fern, descending in a snappy 17:25.
PM: 10 miles (1:38) Green Mt., 3000'
Had only planned on an easy run up Flagstaff but the evening atmosphere was so nice that I was inspired to head over and up Green, too. I was treated to an incredible sunset from the summit, which meant that much of the run back down to my house was in the dark.
09-17-2010
Fri-AM: 10 miles (1:37) Green Mt., 2700'
Ran early before yet another busy day at school. Paused briefly to witness a bear rustling around in the pre-dawn light near the Gregory Canyon trailhead.
09-18-2010
Sat-AM: 27 miles (4:37) Pikes Peak, 8000'
Perfect run on a perfect fall day. Jocelyn was racing the CC home XC meet this morning so I took the opportunity to go run up my favorite mountain. I feel like my climbing has certainly lost a few steps since this summer--things have just felt a bit off since Leadville--but I still enjoyed this run a great deal. I was deliberately taking it pretty much as easy as I could while still maintaining a running cadence the whole way (except for a few steps on the 16 Golden Stairs), but it still felt like a little more effort than only a 2:45 ascent should be. Cruised the descent in 1:43 just enjoying the sun, the aspens, and the mountain. There is no training reason to be getting out to do a longer run like this right now, but I can't resist the opportunity to go run up a 14er--especially Pikes--if I have the chance.
09-19-2010
Sun-AM: 15.5 miles (2:10) Green Mt., 3000'
Up the back and then down the NE ridge trails to Flagstaff where I went down the fire road that connects into Boulder Canyon and the creek path. Another day of gorgeous weather. Can see patches of glittering aspen everywhere up in the high country.
Total
-Miles: 141
-Hours: 21h 41min
-Vertical: 33,500'
Boulder 8ers 2010 (Day 261)
-Green: 216
-Bear: 22
-SoBo: 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------
And I guess that's how I do it in the "off" season. Weeks like this show me just how important running is to me in and of itself. Right now I have no imminent competitive goals, but I still feel compelled to get out and run up the peaks and log the time on the trails even without that end-goal impetus of racing. Especially with the demands of graduate school picking up, my daily local summits are absolutely necessary to keep me sane and productive in other areas of my life.
Part of me knows that I should probably be taking it a bit easier--especially with a lot of my runs feeling like I've lost some of the pep from the summer--but until the snow really starts flying and making the trails a bit messier I probably won't cut back too much other than to continue to keep the intensity dialed back. In the meantime, I'm going to keep enjoying fall and its perfect running weather. Having said all that, I'm going to be traveling a lot in the coming week, so there's a very real possibility that I will actually scale back the running significantly for the next few days.
 |
| Wow. |
Finally, I can't wait to see these guys next week here in Boulder, about four blocks from my house.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Week Summary: Sept 6-12
Wow, it took me a while to get around to this one, but I've been busy.
09-06-10
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:18) Green & Bear, 4100'
Really windy day, and as I was finishing up I saw the startings of the Four-Mile Fire.
PM: 8 miles (1:24) Walker Ranch Loop, 1500'
Great run with Jocelyn and Jenn starting from the Flagstaff TH. Finished up in the dark.
09-07-2010
Tue-AM: 13 miles (2:00) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Started before the sun and ran embarrassingly slow up Green. The extremely thick smoke in the air probably didn't help and probably wasn't so great for the lungs.
09-08-2010
Wed-AM: 13 miles (2:01) Green Mt. up front down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Took it really easy again in very smoky air again. Just feeling kinda off this week, so keeping the effort on each run super-casual.
09-09-2010
Thu-AM: 14 miles (2:13) Green & Bear, 4100'
Idyllic fall morning--looking to make this double-peak run a very regular thing from here on out. The moisture last night made the trail surfaces perfectly tacky, making the Fern descent a lot of fun. They'd been getting frustratingly slick with dust and loose rock after a long stretch without rain.
PM: 8 miles (1:02) Skunk Creek+barefoot at Kitt
Nice run with good energy with Jocelyn. Feel like I'm coming out of my funk a bit.
09-10-2010
Fri-AM: 16 miles (2:26) Green & Bear, 4200'
Got out with Jeff and George. We took a circuitous route up Green (Greg-Long-West Ridge) and then I tacked on Bear Peak. Descent down Fern Canyon was dialed again this morning. This vintage clip of a speed record on the Matterhorn (that's been making the rounds on the interwebs) has me re-motivated to keep growing my proficiency on gnarly terrain like what Bear and SoBo Peaks offer (although they are hardly race-specific in any way, at least here in the United States). Efficient, quick, two-legged travel over alpine terrain is always my main interest and motivation.
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Flagstaff Mt., 1500'
Did this run with Jocelyn, but left her on the uphill and just met her on the top to run down together. We went up Gregory to Crown Rock to the top and then just came all the way down the Flagstaff trail on the way back. Definitely the best my legs have felt since Leadville--I finally feel mostly back to normal, now. I love running in the evening as the sun is going down, too. Great time of day.
09-11-2010
Sat-AM: 15 miles (2:18) Green & Bear, 4100'
Up early in the dark before catching a flight to California. Definitely getting out of my funk, because even at the early hour I had a reasonable amount of spring and bounce in my legs. Another perfect fall morning.
PM: 8 miles (1:00) Santa Monica/Venice Beach
Last 20 minutes barefoot. I'm not a huge fan of running on the beach. I know it should be idyllic and great, but I just rarely have a good run when I go running on the beach and a lot of the time I'm distracted and annoyed by all the other beach-goers, which was especially easy to have happen this afternoon as my run took me past the Santa Monica Pier, twice. Jumped in the ocean afterwards, though, which is definitely the best part of running on the beach.
09-12-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:14) Santa Monica Mts., 3000'
Great run with my college buddy, Martin, who lives in L.A. now. He picked me up and we drove the five miles or so to Temescal Canyon where we parked on Sunset Blvd and ran up into the mountains. After a 1000' climb and descent that traversed us over to Will Rogers State Park on fantastic singletrack we climbed back up another 2000' on singletrack, breaking out of the very thick marine layer at ~1000'. The views up there were sensational in every direction as we could see all the way down to 10,000' Mt. Baldy in southern L.A. Looped around on the popular Backbone trail and cruised it back down into the clouds on a mix of fire road and singletrack. Amazingly nice mountain run for being so close to the ocean and the masses of Santa Monica. Spent the rest of the day at the NB photoshoot where we were eventually regaled with a spectacular sunset from 3000' above the coast.
Total
-Miles: 132
-Hours: 19h 56min
-Vertical: 28,500'
Boulder 8ers 2010 (Day 254)
Green: 209
Bear: 19
SoBo: 4
--------------------------------------------------------------
I felt pretty terrible the first half of this week, which I suspect was at least partially caused by the smoky air. However, the second half of the week I started finding some of my normal energy and was able to hit the Green/Bear run on a pretty regular basis. I know that right now I should probably be taking some more extended/focused downtime but with the onset of fall weather it's really tough for me to not get out and run up a couple of peaks every day. I have been sure to keep the intensity very low, though, and I find that is usually the key to me staying recovered and on top of my running.
09-06-10
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:18) Green & Bear, 4100'
Really windy day, and as I was finishing up I saw the startings of the Four-Mile Fire.
PM: 8 miles (1:24) Walker Ranch Loop, 1500'
Great run with Jocelyn and Jenn starting from the Flagstaff TH. Finished up in the dark.
09-07-2010
Tue-AM: 13 miles (2:00) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Started before the sun and ran embarrassingly slow up Green. The extremely thick smoke in the air probably didn't help and probably wasn't so great for the lungs.
09-08-2010
Wed-AM: 13 miles (2:01) Green Mt. up front down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Took it really easy again in very smoky air again. Just feeling kinda off this week, so keeping the effort on each run super-casual.
09-09-2010
Thu-AM: 14 miles (2:13) Green & Bear, 4100'
Idyllic fall morning--looking to make this double-peak run a very regular thing from here on out. The moisture last night made the trail surfaces perfectly tacky, making the Fern descent a lot of fun. They'd been getting frustratingly slick with dust and loose rock after a long stretch without rain.
PM: 8 miles (1:02) Skunk Creek+barefoot at Kitt
Nice run with good energy with Jocelyn. Feel like I'm coming out of my funk a bit.
09-10-2010
Fri-AM: 16 miles (2:26) Green & Bear, 4200'
Got out with Jeff and George. We took a circuitous route up Green (Greg-Long-West Ridge) and then I tacked on Bear Peak. Descent down Fern Canyon was dialed again this morning. This vintage clip of a speed record on the Matterhorn (that's been making the rounds on the interwebs) has me re-motivated to keep growing my proficiency on gnarly terrain like what Bear and SoBo Peaks offer (although they are hardly race-specific in any way, at least here in the United States). Efficient, quick, two-legged travel over alpine terrain is always my main interest and motivation.
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Flagstaff Mt., 1500'
Did this run with Jocelyn, but left her on the uphill and just met her on the top to run down together. We went up Gregory to Crown Rock to the top and then just came all the way down the Flagstaff trail on the way back. Definitely the best my legs have felt since Leadville--I finally feel mostly back to normal, now. I love running in the evening as the sun is going down, too. Great time of day.
09-11-2010
Sat-AM: 15 miles (2:18) Green & Bear, 4100'
Up early in the dark before catching a flight to California. Definitely getting out of my funk, because even at the early hour I had a reasonable amount of spring and bounce in my legs. Another perfect fall morning.
PM: 8 miles (1:00) Santa Monica/Venice Beach
Last 20 minutes barefoot. I'm not a huge fan of running on the beach. I know it should be idyllic and great, but I just rarely have a good run when I go running on the beach and a lot of the time I'm distracted and annoyed by all the other beach-goers, which was especially easy to have happen this afternoon as my run took me past the Santa Monica Pier, twice. Jumped in the ocean afterwards, though, which is definitely the best part of running on the beach.
09-12-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:14) Santa Monica Mts., 3000'
Great run with my college buddy, Martin, who lives in L.A. now. He picked me up and we drove the five miles or so to Temescal Canyon where we parked on Sunset Blvd and ran up into the mountains. After a 1000' climb and descent that traversed us over to Will Rogers State Park on fantastic singletrack we climbed back up another 2000' on singletrack, breaking out of the very thick marine layer at ~1000'. The views up there were sensational in every direction as we could see all the way down to 10,000' Mt. Baldy in southern L.A. Looped around on the popular Backbone trail and cruised it back down into the clouds on a mix of fire road and singletrack. Amazingly nice mountain run for being so close to the ocean and the masses of Santa Monica. Spent the rest of the day at the NB photoshoot where we were eventually regaled with a spectacular sunset from 3000' above the coast.
Total
-Miles: 132
-Hours: 19h 56min
-Vertical: 28,500'
Boulder 8ers 2010 (Day 254)
Green: 209
Bear: 19
SoBo: 4
--------------------------------------------------------------
I felt pretty terrible the first half of this week, which I suspect was at least partially caused by the smoky air. However, the second half of the week I started finding some of my normal energy and was able to hit the Green/Bear run on a pretty regular basis. I know that right now I should probably be taking some more extended/focused downtime but with the onset of fall weather it's really tough for me to not get out and run up a couple of peaks every day. I have been sure to keep the intensity very low, though, and I find that is usually the key to me staying recovered and on top of my running.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Week Summary: Aug 30-Sept 5
08-30-2010
Mon-AM: 4 miles (:31) Kitt fields barefoot with Jocelyn
08-31-2010
Tue-AM: 10 miles (1:40) Green Mt. up and down back, 2700'
So great to be back on the mountain after a near three-week hiatus.
09-01-2010
Wed-AM: 13 miles (2:02) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
09-02-2010
Thu-AM: 14 miles (2:13) Green Mt. & Bear Peak, 4100'
The trees leaves are just starting to change up high and bear sign is visible everywhere...getting ready for winter...
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Creek Path+1.5mi barefoot at Kitt
09-03-2010
Fri-AM: 13 miles (2:00) Green Mt. up back down ridges/Flag, 3000'
Tired after yesterday's double-peak route.
PM: 9 miles (1:07) Creek Path+2mi barefoot
Felt surprisingly peppy.
09-04-2010
Sat-AM: 30 miles (5:00) Buchanan-Pawnee Pass Loop, 6700'
Completed this 28ish mile Indian Peaks circuit in a flat-feeling, uninspired 4:50:40 (Long Lake TH to Long Lake TH). But, man, even a bad day in these mountains is still a great day.
09-05-2010
Sun-AM: 14 miles (2:10) Green Mt. up Greg-Gman down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Late start meant it was really hot. Finished up super-dehydrated.
PM:
Total
-Miles: 115
-Hours: 18h 28min
-Vertical: 22,500'
Boulder 8ers 2010
Green: 203
Bear: 15
SoBo: 4
----------------------------------------------------------
This was a good "get-my-legs-back-under-me" week, but I'm still fairly undecided about my immediate running/racing plans. Right now I'm leaning towards a couple of exciting adventure runs in the next couple of weeks instead of racing. A circumnavigation of Pikes Peak on the Ring The Peak route holds the most interest for me right now, mostly because of my relationship with that region and the geographic significance of running around a big mountain like Pikes.
Mon-AM: 4 miles (:31) Kitt fields barefoot with Jocelyn
08-31-2010
Tue-AM: 10 miles (1:40) Green Mt. up and down back, 2700'
So great to be back on the mountain after a near three-week hiatus.
09-01-2010
Wed-AM: 13 miles (2:02) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
09-02-2010
Thu-AM: 14 miles (2:13) Green Mt. & Bear Peak, 4100'
The trees leaves are just starting to change up high and bear sign is visible everywhere...getting ready for winter...
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Creek Path+1.5mi barefoot at Kitt
09-03-2010
Fri-AM: 13 miles (2:00) Green Mt. up back down ridges/Flag, 3000'
Tired after yesterday's double-peak route.
PM: 9 miles (1:07) Creek Path+2mi barefoot
Felt surprisingly peppy.
09-04-2010
Sat-AM: 30 miles (5:00) Buchanan-Pawnee Pass Loop, 6700'
Completed this 28ish mile Indian Peaks circuit in a flat-feeling, uninspired 4:50:40 (Long Lake TH to Long Lake TH). But, man, even a bad day in these mountains is still a great day.
09-05-2010
Sun-AM: 14 miles (2:10) Green Mt. up Greg-Gman down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Late start meant it was really hot. Finished up super-dehydrated.
PM:
Total
-Miles: 115
-Hours: 18h 28min
-Vertical: 22,500'
Boulder 8ers 2010
Green: 203
Bear: 15
SoBo: 4
----------------------------------------------------------
This was a good "get-my-legs-back-under-me" week, but I'm still fairly undecided about my immediate running/racing plans. Right now I'm leaning towards a couple of exciting adventure runs in the next couple of weeks instead of racing. A circumnavigation of Pikes Peak on the Ring The Peak route holds the most interest for me right now, mostly because of my relationship with that region and the geographic significance of running around a big mountain like Pikes.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
August is gone
First, the numbers.
Miles: 459
Hours: 88h 06min
Vertical: 66,400'
2010 Totals
Miles: 4365
Hours: 664h 32min
Vertical: 740,600'
A quick scan of these figures makes me think that nice, round year-end goals would be something like 6500 miles (a convenient average of 125 MPW), 1000 hours, and a million vertical feet of running. Or at least would be if I maintained roughly the same pace (in all three areas) that I have averaged for the first two-thirds of the year.
This past week I eclipsed the mileage figure that I achieved for the entire year of 2009, and I still have four months to go. Jocelyn has commented to me that it seems I finally figured it out this year. "It" being how to balance my running volume with my body's breaking point so as to maximize day-to-day happiness and race performance. This is not easy. Running is a tricky game because as runners we must repeatedly condition ourselves to ignore the little internal voices that implore us to stop, sleep in, walk, skip a run, so that when it comes time to actually listen very acutely to what our body and those little voices are saying ("you know, this tendon is a little bit sore...better back off here" etc., etc.) we're not very good at heeding their advice any more. But, I think I'm starting to get it.
For the past 10 days since Leadville, I've been resting. I've had a couple acupuncture sessions, my longest run has been 31min/4mi and I've done a run as short as 10 minutes. After a long spring/summer of training and racing, my head tells my body that I need it even though my body doesn't seem to think so. My legs have felt the best they ever have after a 100 mile event. Duh, you say, you didn't run 100 miles! You only made it 81! Yes, but last August when I only made it 78 miles I was absurdly sore the first 3-4 days afterwards and tired for about two weeks. I don't feel any of that this year, and, of course, that has me thinking quite animatedly about what my running plans might be for the remaining months of the year.
Right now, it's tough to say. With the end of August comes the end of summer, in my mind. Fall is likely my favorite season of the entire year. The weather is perfect and the trails are still largely snow-free. For these reasons it is tough to convince me that it is an appropriate time of year to take some serious down-time. Now that I'm back in school, I do know that my running will mostly remain quite close to home, as in, from my front doorstep. Chautauqua and all of its spiderwebbing trails are now a mere seven minute jog from my porch, so I imagine that Green Mt and very likely Bear Peak will once again figure quite prominently in my daily running scenarios. (Over the summer, Green had fallen a bit out of favor--only making it to the top 3-4 times per week instead of my usual 7-8--because there was so much high-country to be explored.)
As for racing, I only know for sure that I am interested in heading out to Marin in early December for what has become the yearly end-of-the-season showdown at the North Face 50 mile Championships. The prize money always attracts healthy competition and typically assembles a field whose depth can really only be rivaled by the Western States 100 in June. Considering how much fun I had there this year, there's no way I want to miss out on the action in the Headlands this December.
Before that, I'm keeping my schedule flexible, but am thinking of taking a crack at a couple of the more classic 50 mile races on the circuit: Firetrails and Mt. Masochist come to mind. Denver hosts a Rock 'n Roll Marathon in October as well, and seeing as I haven't run a proper road marathon in four years, it could be fun to pound the pavement for a couple hours. And, before the snow really starts flying, there are a couple of high-country loops that I've been eyeing all summer but haven't had the chance to get around to just yet this year: the Four Passes Loop in the Elk Mountains near Aspen, CO and the Buchanan-Pawnee Pass Loop closer to home here in our very own Indian Peaks Wilderness. No matter what, the change in seasons will certainly bring a change (even if only subtle) to my running.
Miles: 459
Hours: 88h 06min
Vertical: 66,400'
2010 Totals
Miles: 4365
Hours: 664h 32min
Vertical: 740,600'
A quick scan of these figures makes me think that nice, round year-end goals would be something like 6500 miles (a convenient average of 125 MPW), 1000 hours, and a million vertical feet of running. Or at least would be if I maintained roughly the same pace (in all three areas) that I have averaged for the first two-thirds of the year.
This past week I eclipsed the mileage figure that I achieved for the entire year of 2009, and I still have four months to go. Jocelyn has commented to me that it seems I finally figured it out this year. "It" being how to balance my running volume with my body's breaking point so as to maximize day-to-day happiness and race performance. This is not easy. Running is a tricky game because as runners we must repeatedly condition ourselves to ignore the little internal voices that implore us to stop, sleep in, walk, skip a run, so that when it comes time to actually listen very acutely to what our body and those little voices are saying ("you know, this tendon is a little bit sore...better back off here" etc., etc.) we're not very good at heeding their advice any more. But, I think I'm starting to get it.
For the past 10 days since Leadville, I've been resting. I've had a couple acupuncture sessions, my longest run has been 31min/4mi and I've done a run as short as 10 minutes. After a long spring/summer of training and racing, my head tells my body that I need it even though my body doesn't seem to think so. My legs have felt the best they ever have after a 100 mile event. Duh, you say, you didn't run 100 miles! You only made it 81! Yes, but last August when I only made it 78 miles I was absurdly sore the first 3-4 days afterwards and tired for about two weeks. I don't feel any of that this year, and, of course, that has me thinking quite animatedly about what my running plans might be for the remaining months of the year.
Right now, it's tough to say. With the end of August comes the end of summer, in my mind. Fall is likely my favorite season of the entire year. The weather is perfect and the trails are still largely snow-free. For these reasons it is tough to convince me that it is an appropriate time of year to take some serious down-time. Now that I'm back in school, I do know that my running will mostly remain quite close to home, as in, from my front doorstep. Chautauqua and all of its spiderwebbing trails are now a mere seven minute jog from my porch, so I imagine that Green Mt and very likely Bear Peak will once again figure quite prominently in my daily running scenarios. (Over the summer, Green had fallen a bit out of favor--only making it to the top 3-4 times per week instead of my usual 7-8--because there was so much high-country to be explored.)
As for racing, I only know for sure that I am interested in heading out to Marin in early December for what has become the yearly end-of-the-season showdown at the North Face 50 mile Championships. The prize money always attracts healthy competition and typically assembles a field whose depth can really only be rivaled by the Western States 100 in June. Considering how much fun I had there this year, there's no way I want to miss out on the action in the Headlands this December.
Before that, I'm keeping my schedule flexible, but am thinking of taking a crack at a couple of the more classic 50 mile races on the circuit: Firetrails and Mt. Masochist come to mind. Denver hosts a Rock 'n Roll Marathon in October as well, and seeing as I haven't run a proper road marathon in four years, it could be fun to pound the pavement for a couple hours. And, before the snow really starts flying, there are a couple of high-country loops that I've been eyeing all summer but haven't had the chance to get around to just yet this year: the Four Passes Loop in the Elk Mountains near Aspen, CO and the Buchanan-Pawnee Pass Loop closer to home here in our very own Indian Peaks Wilderness. No matter what, the change in seasons will certainly bring a change (even if only subtle) to my running.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Lessons Learned at Leadville, 2010
Here is an article I wrote for Running Times.com this week that offers a little more reflection on my race at the Leadville 100 this year.
 |
| Not even to the top, yet: A pretty accurate depiction of the suffering that was occurring on Powerlines this year for me at Leadville. With pacer, Alex Nichols. Rob O'Dea photo. |
Monday, August 23, 2010
Leadville 100 2010 Race Report
I've got my report from this weekend's Leadville Trail 100 up over on Running Times. Hopefully it helps clear up some of the apparent confusion about what happened on Saturday.
Also, congratulations to 2010 champion Duncan Callahan who ran a patient, steady race and earned his victory through admirable, dogged perserverance, and to the 362 other successful finishers. Leadville is a special one and you should all be proud.
Also, congratulations to 2010 champion Duncan Callahan who ran a patient, steady race and earned his victory through admirable, dogged perserverance, and to the 362 other successful finishers. Leadville is a special one and you should all be proud.
Friday, August 20, 2010
New Balance Interview
Here is a short interview I did with Newbalance.com earlier this week regarding tomorrow's racing of the Leadville 100.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Weekly Summary: Aug 9-15
08-09-2010
Mon-AM: 35 miles (5:41) Indian Peaks/Continental Divide, 6500'
Parked at Hessie with Scott and headed up to Devils Thumb in a pretty steady rain at 7am. What can you do? Just hunkered down in our lightweight shells and went for it. Above treeline the precip stopped and the sun came out intermittently for perfect weather at 12,000' on the CD. Ran 9 miles south essentially free-form cross-country right on the CD at 12k' the whole time--hummocky grass and some talus--to Rogers Pass and then descended the SoBo Creek drainage to the Forest Lakes Trail at 9600'. Ran that up to Rollins Pass Road where it started raining again and then hailing very hard (pea-sized) but only a little thunder and no visible lightning. Popped over the tunnel ridge and then tempoed it to Corona Pass through intensifying rain, hail, and thunder. Ran the King Lake Trail back down to Hessie to complete the loop. Another inspiring day in the mountains, for sure.
08-10-2010
Tue-AM: 15 miles (2:16) Green Mt up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Easy and slow after yesterday.
PM: 7 miles (1:01) Creek Path+2.5mi barefoot
Slow, easy run with Jocelyn.
08-11-2010
Wed-AM: 17 miles (2:38) Green Mt. and Bear Pk, 4200'
Good run on my favorite loop in the hills here. Looking forward to making this a daily run after I move into a new apartment much closer to Chautauqua next week and it turns into a duration of something closer to 2hr.
PM: 5 miles (:42) City Park in Denver
Quick spin with Jocelyn before hitting up the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros show at the Ogden. Which was incredible.
08-12-2010
Thu-AM: 15 miles (2:13) Green Mt up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Easy run and late morning after a late night. Ran into a plethora of folks all out enjoying the trails: Jeff, Brandon, George, Tim, and Tim. Finished up with a swim in Boulder Creek.
PM: 10 miles (1:53) Green Mt up and down Bear Cyn, 2500'
Started from Bear Mt Drive trailhead with Jocelyn...mellow pace with her, but on the last 1000' of climb up Green-Bear I went ahead on my own and then waited for her at the summit. Most of the descent ended up being slowed by darkness. Incredible sunset--even though it was a bit more than I'd planned, it was totally worth it to get out in the evening and share the run with Jocelyn.
08-13-2010
Fri-AM: 15 miles (2:11) Green Mt up back down Ridges/Flag, 3000'
Last run up Green for a couple weeks, I'm sure. After Leadville I'll probably be hitting this very consistently again as I become more busy with school and the snow starts closing up the high country.
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Red Rocks Canyon, 500'
Great evening run in the Springs with Jocelyn. We love it down there--so many great trails all over the place.
08-14-2010
Sat-AM: 16 miles (2:13) Almagre Mt., 2800'
Parked at Rosemont Reservoir and ran up to Frosty's Park then over on 701 to the North Cheyenne Creek trail, up to Stratton Reservoir (which had zero water in it) at 12k' and finally over to Almagre's extremely scenic summit at 12,350'-ish (it sits southeast of Pikes Peak, across the drainage). Descended the FS road. This is a great run in COS where the only people I saw were a few rednecks camping near the reservoir drinking beer and shooting off really really loud guns. The climb up Cheyenne Creek to the reservoir is fairly ridiculous: ~1600' in not much more than a mile on a very very little-known awesome reach of tiny half-track. I was following Alex Nichols' Inov-8 X-Talon footprints the whole way as he had run it only two days earlier...plus he's one of I'm sure very few people who actually use this trail. I love it.
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Palmer Park with Jocelyn, 500'
Another example of the endless options for fantastic trail running in Colorado Springs.
08-15-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:13) 7 Bridges-701-Buckhorn Mt., 3000'
Jocelyn and I slept in the Roost on Gold Camp Rd just below the upper parking lot (10min from downtown COS), so that's where I started the run. Went up 7 Bridges (one of my favorite trails in the Springs, it climbs 1600' in ~2mi to 9100') and then continued up the N. Cheyenne Creek drainage on the secret trail to 701 which I then traversed (at 10,000-10,300') over to the Bear Creek drainage and ran the classic 667 trail down to the ridge and Buckhorn Mt and back to the Roost. It looks like the dirt-bike club has done a ton of much needed work on the trail between 666 and the beaver meadows: rock water-bars, re-vegetation, bridges...good stuff. I don't mind the dirt-bikes since they do this kind of significant trail work. Didn't see a single person this entire run. Awesome.
Total
-Miles: 164
-Hours: 25h 01min
-Vertical: 26,000'
2010 Summits (Day 227)
Green: 198
Bear: 14
SoBo: 4
---------------------------------------------
Summer is nearing an end. When I was down in the Springs over the weekend, the clearing of the clouds in the afternoon revealed a lightly snow-dusted eastern face of Pikes Peak. As such, it must be time to race the Leadville 100!
If I had more time, I might give some more thoughts on the end of summer, running and racing, etc, but as it is I haven't done a thing to pack for Leadville yet, so I should probably get on it. Nevertheless, the plan will be to stay relaxed, not worry about splits or time, and just enjoy the experience and spectacle of competing hard in what will be--in terms of participation--nearly double the biggest trail 100 ever held in North America. I'm looking forward to it.
Mon-AM: 35 miles (5:41) Indian Peaks/Continental Divide, 6500'
Parked at Hessie with Scott and headed up to Devils Thumb in a pretty steady rain at 7am. What can you do? Just hunkered down in our lightweight shells and went for it. Above treeline the precip stopped and the sun came out intermittently for perfect weather at 12,000' on the CD. Ran 9 miles south essentially free-form cross-country right on the CD at 12k' the whole time--hummocky grass and some talus--to Rogers Pass and then descended the SoBo Creek drainage to the Forest Lakes Trail at 9600'. Ran that up to Rollins Pass Road where it started raining again and then hailing very hard (pea-sized) but only a little thunder and no visible lightning. Popped over the tunnel ridge and then tempoed it to Corona Pass through intensifying rain, hail, and thunder. Ran the King Lake Trail back down to Hessie to complete the loop. Another inspiring day in the mountains, for sure.
08-10-2010
Tue-AM: 15 miles (2:16) Green Mt up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Easy and slow after yesterday.
PM: 7 miles (1:01) Creek Path+2.5mi barefoot
Slow, easy run with Jocelyn.
08-11-2010
Wed-AM: 17 miles (2:38) Green Mt. and Bear Pk, 4200'
Good run on my favorite loop in the hills here. Looking forward to making this a daily run after I move into a new apartment much closer to Chautauqua next week and it turns into a duration of something closer to 2hr.
PM: 5 miles (:42) City Park in Denver
Quick spin with Jocelyn before hitting up the Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros show at the Ogden. Which was incredible.
08-12-2010
Thu-AM: 15 miles (2:13) Green Mt up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Easy run and late morning after a late night. Ran into a plethora of folks all out enjoying the trails: Jeff, Brandon, George, Tim, and Tim. Finished up with a swim in Boulder Creek.
PM: 10 miles (1:53) Green Mt up and down Bear Cyn, 2500'
Started from Bear Mt Drive trailhead with Jocelyn...mellow pace with her, but on the last 1000' of climb up Green-Bear I went ahead on my own and then waited for her at the summit. Most of the descent ended up being slowed by darkness. Incredible sunset--even though it was a bit more than I'd planned, it was totally worth it to get out in the evening and share the run with Jocelyn.
08-13-2010
Fri-AM: 15 miles (2:11) Green Mt up back down Ridges/Flag, 3000'
Last run up Green for a couple weeks, I'm sure. After Leadville I'll probably be hitting this very consistently again as I become more busy with school and the snow starts closing up the high country.
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Red Rocks Canyon, 500'
Great evening run in the Springs with Jocelyn. We love it down there--so many great trails all over the place.
08-14-2010
Sat-AM: 16 miles (2:13) Almagre Mt., 2800'
Parked at Rosemont Reservoir and ran up to Frosty's Park then over on 701 to the North Cheyenne Creek trail, up to Stratton Reservoir (which had zero water in it) at 12k' and finally over to Almagre's extremely scenic summit at 12,350'-ish (it sits southeast of Pikes Peak, across the drainage). Descended the FS road. This is a great run in COS where the only people I saw were a few rednecks camping near the reservoir drinking beer and shooting off really really loud guns. The climb up Cheyenne Creek to the reservoir is fairly ridiculous: ~1600' in not much more than a mile on a very very little-known awesome reach of tiny half-track. I was following Alex Nichols' Inov-8 X-Talon footprints the whole way as he had run it only two days earlier...plus he's one of I'm sure very few people who actually use this trail. I love it.
PM: 7 miles (1:00) Palmer Park with Jocelyn, 500'
Another example of the endless options for fantastic trail running in Colorado Springs.
08-15-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:13) 7 Bridges-701-Buckhorn Mt., 3000'
Jocelyn and I slept in the Roost on Gold Camp Rd just below the upper parking lot (10min from downtown COS), so that's where I started the run. Went up 7 Bridges (one of my favorite trails in the Springs, it climbs 1600' in ~2mi to 9100') and then continued up the N. Cheyenne Creek drainage on the secret trail to 701 which I then traversed (at 10,000-10,300') over to the Bear Creek drainage and ran the classic 667 trail down to the ridge and Buckhorn Mt and back to the Roost. It looks like the dirt-bike club has done a ton of much needed work on the trail between 666 and the beaver meadows: rock water-bars, re-vegetation, bridges...good stuff. I don't mind the dirt-bikes since they do this kind of significant trail work. Didn't see a single person this entire run. Awesome.
Total
-Miles: 164
-Hours: 25h 01min
-Vertical: 26,000'
2010 Summits (Day 227)
Green: 198
Bear: 14
SoBo: 4
---------------------------------------------
Summer is nearing an end. When I was down in the Springs over the weekend, the clearing of the clouds in the afternoon revealed a lightly snow-dusted eastern face of Pikes Peak. As such, it must be time to race the Leadville 100!
If I had more time, I might give some more thoughts on the end of summer, running and racing, etc, but as it is I haven't done a thing to pack for Leadville yet, so I should probably get on it. Nevertheless, the plan will be to stay relaxed, not worry about splits or time, and just enjoy the experience and spectacle of competing hard in what will be--in terms of participation--nearly double the biggest trail 100 ever held in North America. I'm looking forward to it.
(Me and the savvy Leadville crew chief. jLu photo.)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Weekly Summary: Aug 2-8
08-02-2010
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:23) Green Mt up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Everything was less sore by the end of this very slow recovery run.
08-03-2010
Tue-AM: 13.5 miles (2:07) Green Mt up/down backside, 3000'
Sleepy run in the dark at 4:50am before catching a flight to SLC. Ran into George and Jeff on the way down and felt bad because I was basically falling asleep while talking to them without having the stimulation of running to keep me awake. Somehow made it to the airport intact and then passed out for essentially the entire flight.
PM: 3.5 miles (:28) Salt Lake Running Company group run
NB was hosting a fun gathering of folks at the store so I had the pleasure of meeting very many SLC-ians and talking shoes/running with a lot of people.
08-04-2010
Wed-AM: 13 miles (2:04) City Creek Canyon to Radio Towers, 2000'
Hit the singletrack (Bonneville Shoreline Trail) and headed UP to the closest, highest point I could find. It was a nice little summit and the trails were excellent with the last pitches being extremely steep.
PM: 4 miles (:33) Treadmill Uphill Challenge, 1000'
Notched 1.92 miles on the death machine and got smoked by Timmy Parr. Ended up finishing 4th overall behind Max, Timmy, and Rickey. Which was fine with me; I'll never be able to beat those guys in a 2mi race and was mostly just happy to have not gotten "lapped" (beaten by more than .25mi) by Max. Definitely tweaked the right hammy when I finally cranked the pace up to 9-10mph the last 90sec or so. Accomplished my one goal of not vomiting on any spectators, but I did finish feeling as if I was drowning in my own perspiration. Part of me sometimes wants to modify my training just a little so as to be more competitive/versatile at the shorter hillclimb/mountain races...but another (very big) part of me doesn't really care. Plus, a treadmill race isn't a mountain race...
08-05-2010
Thu-AM: 10 miles (1:16) City Creek Canyon
Nice early morning singletrack where I had lots of energy. Really excited about the shoe developments we're working on at NB. I think we're gonna have the perfect shoe nearly dialed with this next iteration, and I'm also really excited to start hearing some more widespread feedback on the Trail Minimus.
PM: 14 miles (2:00) Green Mt up front down ridges, 3000'
Up in 2nd-best time of 31:39 (6:30, 12:30, 15:00, 18:40, 22:15, 29:05), which was 10sec off PR. I'd really like to get this under 31min before the snow starts mucking things up. I was experiencing a little bit of an evening-run energy boost so I decided to go for it, but I ended up forcing it too much the whole way as opposed to just letting the trail/mountain come to me (which is what happens on the best/fastest runs). OSMP has done a lot of appreciated trail work on this frontside route removing big rocks, rehabbing washed-out sections, and closing off various areas of mild route-cutting.
08-06-2010
Fri-AM: 18 miles (2:39) Green Mt. up Flatirons down Red Lion, 3000'
Nice alternative route this morning with Scott, both up and down. Pretty dehydrated by the end, though.
PM: 5 miles (:40) Creek Path
08-07-2010
SAT-AM: 18 miles (2:37) Green Mt. & Bear Peak, 4200'
Up front of Green in 31:41 (6:45, 12:45, 15:10, 18:52, 22:18, 29:10) then West Ridge of Bear in 23:40 (15:50, 4:05, 3:45). Felt pretty good on the climb up Green--not as high of an effort as on Thu. Caught Darcy on the steep last 500' of Bear and then we chatted for a long time on the summit just enjoying the about-to-get-very-hot, beautiful summer morning. Footwork was dialed on the technical Fern descent (18:50) and I felt good all the way back home.
PM: 8 miles (1:01) Creek Path+2mi barefoot at Kitt
Results from Sierre-Zinal today. Kilian barely took an EXTREMELY close race in a time a couple minutes slower than last year (16sec margin of victory) with Joe Gray 7th and Megan Lund won (!!!) the women's race with Brandy coming in 4th. Megan's winning time of 3:09 was the slowest in a few years, but that was mostly a function of Anna not running for the first time in many years, who basically always breaks three hours. Definitely a must-do race on my list, even though it's only 31K. Sweet to see some Americans starting to represent over there (but don't forget Rickey's stellar 4th place run there last year).
08-08-2010
SUN-AM: 16 miles (2:15) Green Mt. up front down Bear Cyn, 3000'
A very mellow 34min ascent so as to rest the legs a little bit.
PM: 8 miles (1:03) Creek Path+1.5mi barefoot at Kitt
Total
-Miles: 144
-Hours: 21h 06m
-Vertical: 22,200'
2010 Summits (Day 220)
-Green: 193
-Bear: 13
-SoBo: 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a really busy week with the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show out in Salt Lake City. Which is a weird phenomenon that always leaves me with mixed feelings. Part of me is excited about certain aspects of product development and support for the sport, and another part of me is extremely turned off by the blatant commercialization and commodification of nature. I can't help but feel at least somewhat complicit in this--with being a sponsored outdoor athlete--but I like to think that hopefully some of this is balanced out by my being more focused on inspiring people to value certain things (i.e., the land) and do healthy things with their lives.
In any event, sometimes all you can do is put some worthy art out there and let people decide for themselves how they'll be affected by it:
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:23) Green Mt up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Everything was less sore by the end of this very slow recovery run.
08-03-2010
Tue-AM: 13.5 miles (2:07) Green Mt up/down backside, 3000'
Sleepy run in the dark at 4:50am before catching a flight to SLC. Ran into George and Jeff on the way down and felt bad because I was basically falling asleep while talking to them without having the stimulation of running to keep me awake. Somehow made it to the airport intact and then passed out for essentially the entire flight.
PM: 3.5 miles (:28) Salt Lake Running Company group run
NB was hosting a fun gathering of folks at the store so I had the pleasure of meeting very many SLC-ians and talking shoes/running with a lot of people.
08-04-2010
Wed-AM: 13 miles (2:04) City Creek Canyon to Radio Towers, 2000'
Hit the singletrack (Bonneville Shoreline Trail) and headed UP to the closest, highest point I could find. It was a nice little summit and the trails were excellent with the last pitches being extremely steep.
PM: 4 miles (:33) Treadmill Uphill Challenge, 1000'
Notched 1.92 miles on the death machine and got smoked by Timmy Parr. Ended up finishing 4th overall behind Max, Timmy, and Rickey. Which was fine with me; I'll never be able to beat those guys in a 2mi race and was mostly just happy to have not gotten "lapped" (beaten by more than .25mi) by Max. Definitely tweaked the right hammy when I finally cranked the pace up to 9-10mph the last 90sec or so. Accomplished my one goal of not vomiting on any spectators, but I did finish feeling as if I was drowning in my own perspiration. Part of me sometimes wants to modify my training just a little so as to be more competitive/versatile at the shorter hillclimb/mountain races...but another (very big) part of me doesn't really care. Plus, a treadmill race isn't a mountain race...
 |
| This must've been early because Timmy still has his singlet on and I'm not yet staring directly into the monitor with my head down in full-on suffer-mode. Rickey Gates photo. |
 |
| Later in the evening at the Brooks party with Jenny, Dean, Rickey, and Scott. Rickey Gates photo. |
Thu-AM: 10 miles (1:16) City Creek Canyon
Nice early morning singletrack where I had lots of energy. Really excited about the shoe developments we're working on at NB. I think we're gonna have the perfect shoe nearly dialed with this next iteration, and I'm also really excited to start hearing some more widespread feedback on the Trail Minimus.
PM: 14 miles (2:00) Green Mt up front down ridges, 3000'
Up in 2nd-best time of 31:39 (6:30, 12:30, 15:00, 18:40, 22:15, 29:05), which was 10sec off PR. I'd really like to get this under 31min before the snow starts mucking things up. I was experiencing a little bit of an evening-run energy boost so I decided to go for it, but I ended up forcing it too much the whole way as opposed to just letting the trail/mountain come to me (which is what happens on the best/fastest runs). OSMP has done a lot of appreciated trail work on this frontside route removing big rocks, rehabbing washed-out sections, and closing off various areas of mild route-cutting.
08-06-2010
Fri-AM: 18 miles (2:39) Green Mt. up Flatirons down Red Lion, 3000'
Nice alternative route this morning with Scott, both up and down. Pretty dehydrated by the end, though.
PM: 5 miles (:40) Creek Path
08-07-2010
SAT-AM: 18 miles (2:37) Green Mt. & Bear Peak, 4200'
Up front of Green in 31:41 (6:45, 12:45, 15:10, 18:52, 22:18, 29:10) then West Ridge of Bear in 23:40 (15:50, 4:05, 3:45). Felt pretty good on the climb up Green--not as high of an effort as on Thu. Caught Darcy on the steep last 500' of Bear and then we chatted for a long time on the summit just enjoying the about-to-get-very-hot, beautiful summer morning. Footwork was dialed on the technical Fern descent (18:50) and I felt good all the way back home.
PM: 8 miles (1:01) Creek Path+2mi barefoot at Kitt
Results from Sierre-Zinal today. Kilian barely took an EXTREMELY close race in a time a couple minutes slower than last year (16sec margin of victory) with Joe Gray 7th and Megan Lund won (!!!) the women's race with Brandy coming in 4th. Megan's winning time of 3:09 was the slowest in a few years, but that was mostly a function of Anna not running for the first time in many years, who basically always breaks three hours. Definitely a must-do race on my list, even though it's only 31K. Sweet to see some Americans starting to represent over there (but don't forget Rickey's stellar 4th place run there last year).
08-08-2010
SUN-AM: 16 miles (2:15) Green Mt. up front down Bear Cyn, 3000'
A very mellow 34min ascent so as to rest the legs a little bit.
PM: 8 miles (1:03) Creek Path+1.5mi barefoot at Kitt
Total
-Miles: 144
-Hours: 21h 06m
-Vertical: 22,200'
2010 Summits (Day 220)
-Green: 193
-Bear: 13
-SoBo: 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a really busy week with the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show out in Salt Lake City. Which is a weird phenomenon that always leaves me with mixed feelings. Part of me is excited about certain aspects of product development and support for the sport, and another part of me is extremely turned off by the blatant commercialization and commodification of nature. I can't help but feel at least somewhat complicit in this--with being a sponsored outdoor athlete--but I like to think that hopefully some of this is balanced out by my being more focused on inspiring people to value certain things (i.e., the land) and do healthy things with their lives.
In any event, sometimes all you can do is put some worthy art out there and let people decide for themselves how they'll be affected by it:
Monday, August 2, 2010
Alpine Binge
Last week I was presented with the opportunity to get out and spend some significant time in the high mountains. This is my favorite type of running to do, hands down. The powers of precipitation only allow running travel above treeline for a few short months out of the year, so I always make a concerted effort to cram in as many miles as possible up there while I can.
The highlight of all this was a 50ish mile long run on Saturday (that we had intended to be 40ish miles). Scott and I planned a "Super-Loop" of sorts up in the Indian Peaks Wilderness just west of Boulder. Neither of us had much, if any, experience with these trails, so we were both eager to see as much as we could in a single day. With that in mind, I devised the following admittedly ambitious route:
The highlight of all this was a 50ish mile long run on Saturday (that we had intended to be 40ish miles). Scott and I planned a "Super-Loop" of sorts up in the Indian Peaks Wilderness just west of Boulder. Neither of us had much, if any, experience with these trails, so we were both eager to see as much as we could in a single day. With that in mind, I devised the following admittedly ambitious route:
(Starting and finishing at Long Lake in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area.)
The start would be at the Brainard Lake Recreation Area at ~10,400'. From there we would head up and over 12,550' Pawnee Pass down to Monarch Lake at 8400'. Next would be a hump up to the Strawberry Bench and the High Lonesome Trail/CDT, which would take us to Junco Lake. From there we would continue climbing up to Caribou and Arapahoe Passes back at 12,000', drop briefly to 11,200' and then climb again to the day's high point of 12,800' at the Arapahoe Glacier Overlook. An enormously long descent would deposit us down at the University of Colorado's Mountain Research Station before we made our final 2000' climb of the day up and over 11,500' Niwot Ridge to drop back down to our starting point near Long Lake. On the map it looked bold, but doable. Of course, none of this was even remotely appropriate as a "taper" before this past weekend's White River 50 mile USATF National Trail Championships, which we both ended up running.
(A fairly intimidating profile.)
Scott was gracious enough to carry a camera all day, and it was completely worth it. The breathtaking scenery and fantastic singletrack were the defining characteristics of this day's run. Also, the stark difference between what a plan looks like on a map and the nature of the actual felt experience.
There were at least two moments worth noting during the course of our eight hours and ten minutes of running. After about four and a half hours of running time I topped out on our third 2000' climb of the day at Caribou Pass. As I sat on the edge of the thin piece of singletrack carved directly into the rock mountainside, sucking on a gel and gazing out into the spectacular basin that spread out before me, I finally "got it". This is why Boulder is a special place. For the past year I've had a hard time accepting why Boulder garners so much more praise and hype as an outdoor mecca when someplace like, say, Colorado Springs had the nearly incomparable charms of Pikes Peak going for it. Well, these mountains had to be it. The Indian Peaks are as rugged, steep, remote, and scenic as anything I've seen in the San Juans or Tetons, two of my upper-echelon contiguous 48 states mountain standards. Eventually Scott joined me and we trotted over to Dorothy Lake at 12,000' for a quick alpine dip before continuing with our run.
The second moment was more of an existential, despair-inducing episode. Scott and I had just climbed to ~12,800' to a perch on the ridge overlooking Arapahoe Glacier when I pointed out to him the Niwot Ridge trail snaking over an alpine meadow waaaay over there. We'd been running for over five hours at this point and I was trying to convince him--and myself--that we were only ~12 miles and two hours away from the crest of that final climb. Of course, we were way off on the mileage and it would actually be another full three hours of running before the day's work was complete. But that's a big reason why we were out there: to see a lot of country and in the process callous our minds and bodies to the demands of running all day.
The rest of the story is better told in pictures:
(Looking down the magnificent drop on the west side of Pawnee Pass. Monarch Lake can be seen way off in the distance. The only other place I've seen trail constructed on such precipitous terrain is in the Grand Canyon.)
(Scott, utterly dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape on the Pawnee Pass drop.)
(Who would've thought this was back there?)
(The High Lonesome Trail: where it seems only elk dare roam.)
(Wow. Sitting on Caribou Pass with Arapahoe Pass and South Arapahoe Peak in the background.)
(Scott cruising over to Arapahoe Pass.)
(A late-in-the-day desperate descent off of Niwot Ridge after not being able to find the trail back down to Long Lake.)
(We came straight down that.)
(Finally, back at the Roost, killing mosquitoes.)
(Scott expressing his love for Forest Service mileages after a longer-than-expected day.)
Weekly Summary: July 26-Aug 1 and July Stats
07-26-2010
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:28) Mt. Elbert, 4500'
Great run back on what still feels like one of my home mountains/trails. Despite limited acclimation (compared to the perfect acclimation I had living in Leadville last summer) I ran to the top a full minute faster than before the White River 50 last summer. Bruised quad was decently improved.
PM: 9 miles (1:11) Area 57 in Leadville, 1000'
This is an exceptional area (between 5th and 7th St on the east side of town) of somewhat secret singletrack that eventually climbs up to 11,000'. It was designed by mountain bikers, so it's a bit sinuous but still really nice stuff for running. Legs felt great and kept a clipping pace. Love the running in Leadville.
07-27-2010
Tue-AM: 15 miles (2:16) Wason Park from Creede, CO, 3000'
Perfect singletrack right from main street Creede that climbs to a huge tundra meadow at 11,700' just below the Continental Divide and in the La Garita Wilderness. Love this trail, but after Inspiration Point at 11,000' it looked like hardly anyone else had been on the trail since I ran it last summer.
AM2: 8 miles (1:10) San Luis Pass, 1500' vertical
After running at 4:50am I was ready for the second run by 10am, especially since I knew I'd be driving back to Boulder all afternoon/evening. Parked near the Equity Mine (where I was placing a precipitation collector) at 11,000' and ran up to the 12,000' pass on the Continental Divide and then continued on the CDT/CT to the "north" to a high point of 12,500'. Legs felt great.
07-28-2010
Wed-AM: 15 miles (2:09) Green Mt. up back down NE ridge, 3000'
Cruised easy but the legs had lots and lots of pep.
PM: 8 miles (1:02) Creek Path
Got in about a mile of barefootin' while Jocelyn was hanging out in the law school.
07-29-2010
Thu-AM: 8 miles (1:07) Creek Path with Jocelyn
Random running of errands. Trying to get in a (very) small taper here before White River on the weekend.
07-30-2010
Fri-AM: 8 miles (1:03) Creek Path
Cruised around the Goose Creek loop with Jocelyn on her bike before hopping a plane to WA. Legs felt great and ready to race.
07-31-2010
Sat-AM: 51 miles (6:33); White River 50 in 6:25:29
New course record against a surprisingly deep field. One mile cooldown. 9000' vertical.
08-01-2010
Sun-PM: 5 miles (:42) Creek Path
Just an easy shakeout after a long nap. Legs actually felt really good--last year I could barely walk the day after WR and tonight my upper hamstrings were just a bit tight and my quads a little sore. Total recovery should be quick.
Total
-Miles: 142
-Hours: 19h 41min
-Vertical: 22,000'
2010 Summits (Day 213)
Green: 187
Bear: 12
SoBo: 4
July Totals
-Miles: 501
-Hours: 74h 23min
-Vertical: 77,700'
2010 Totals
-Miles: 3906
-Hours: 576h 26min
-Vertical: 674,200'
------------------------------------------------------------------
I came into this week half-contemplating the thought of racing White River this weekend and by Wednesday night--after seeing that Jocelyn and I were, indeed, going to be capable of moving out of apartment by the end of the month--Scott and Jenny had talked me into it so I bought a plane ticket, instituted a super-quick, two-day "taper" and went for it.
I'm obviously pleased with the way this week turned out after not deciding to race White River until Thursday and going into the race with a 50 mile run and nearly 200 mile week in my legs on top of a pretty volume/vertical-heavy first half of this week. It was a bit of a gamble to go to a championship event with a top-notch field not fully rested, but I felt this was an important week of training headed into the August 21st weekend of racing, so I didn't want to rest too much. Thankfully, it all worked out.
This coming week I'll look to fully recover from White River in the next day or two, hopefully get in a couple nice mountain runs in the Wasatch while in SLC for the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, and then hit a solid seven-day or so stretch of training before one final taper this summer.
In the meantime, may this induce some foot-tapping:
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:28) Mt. Elbert, 4500'
Great run back on what still feels like one of my home mountains/trails. Despite limited acclimation (compared to the perfect acclimation I had living in Leadville last summer) I ran to the top a full minute faster than before the White River 50 last summer. Bruised quad was decently improved.
PM: 9 miles (1:11) Area 57 in Leadville, 1000'
This is an exceptional area (between 5th and 7th St on the east side of town) of somewhat secret singletrack that eventually climbs up to 11,000'. It was designed by mountain bikers, so it's a bit sinuous but still really nice stuff for running. Legs felt great and kept a clipping pace. Love the running in Leadville.
07-27-2010
Tue-AM: 15 miles (2:16) Wason Park from Creede, CO, 3000'
Perfect singletrack right from main street Creede that climbs to a huge tundra meadow at 11,700' just below the Continental Divide and in the La Garita Wilderness. Love this trail, but after Inspiration Point at 11,000' it looked like hardly anyone else had been on the trail since I ran it last summer.
AM2: 8 miles (1:10) San Luis Pass, 1500' vertical
After running at 4:50am I was ready for the second run by 10am, especially since I knew I'd be driving back to Boulder all afternoon/evening. Parked near the Equity Mine (where I was placing a precipitation collector) at 11,000' and ran up to the 12,000' pass on the Continental Divide and then continued on the CDT/CT to the "north" to a high point of 12,500'. Legs felt great.
07-28-2010
Wed-AM: 15 miles (2:09) Green Mt. up back down NE ridge, 3000'
Cruised easy but the legs had lots and lots of pep.
PM: 8 miles (1:02) Creek Path
Got in about a mile of barefootin' while Jocelyn was hanging out in the law school.
07-29-2010
Thu-AM: 8 miles (1:07) Creek Path with Jocelyn
Random running of errands. Trying to get in a (very) small taper here before White River on the weekend.
07-30-2010
Fri-AM: 8 miles (1:03) Creek Path
Cruised around the Goose Creek loop with Jocelyn on her bike before hopping a plane to WA. Legs felt great and ready to race.
07-31-2010
Sat-AM: 51 miles (6:33); White River 50 in 6:25:29
New course record against a surprisingly deep field. One mile cooldown. 9000' vertical.
08-01-2010
Sun-PM: 5 miles (:42) Creek Path
Just an easy shakeout after a long nap. Legs actually felt really good--last year I could barely walk the day after WR and tonight my upper hamstrings were just a bit tight and my quads a little sore. Total recovery should be quick.
Total
-Miles: 142
-Hours: 19h 41min
-Vertical: 22,000'
2010 Summits (Day 213)
Green: 187
Bear: 12
SoBo: 4
July Totals
-Miles: 501
-Hours: 74h 23min
-Vertical: 77,700'
2010 Totals
-Miles: 3906
-Hours: 576h 26min
-Vertical: 674,200'
------------------------------------------------------------------
I came into this week half-contemplating the thought of racing White River this weekend and by Wednesday night--after seeing that Jocelyn and I were, indeed, going to be capable of moving out of apartment by the end of the month--Scott and Jenny had talked me into it so I bought a plane ticket, instituted a super-quick, two-day "taper" and went for it.
I'm obviously pleased with the way this week turned out after not deciding to race White River until Thursday and going into the race with a 50 mile run and nearly 200 mile week in my legs on top of a pretty volume/vertical-heavy first half of this week. It was a bit of a gamble to go to a championship event with a top-notch field not fully rested, but I felt this was an important week of training headed into the August 21st weekend of racing, so I didn't want to rest too much. Thankfully, it all worked out.
This coming week I'll look to fully recover from White River in the next day or two, hopefully get in a couple nice mountain runs in the Wasatch while in SLC for the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, and then hit a solid seven-day or so stretch of training before one final taper this summer.
In the meantime, may this induce some foot-tapping:
Monday, July 26, 2010
Weekly Summary: July 19-25
07-19-2010
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:29) Devil's Thumb, 3000'
PM: 7 miles (:55) Creek Path+2mi barefoot at Kitt
Acupuncture with Allison Suddard immediately afterwards.
07-20-2010
Tue-AM: 17 miles (2:36) Green Mt. & Bear Peak, 4200'
Fog layer at 8200' made for incredible views from Bear this morning. A very snappy 31:46 (6:45, 18:50, 29:20) up the front side of Green left me a bit wobbly-legged on the descents, but it was an awesome run overall. Hamstring felt the best it has since WS...very little trouble with it.
PM: 5 miles (:41) Creek Path
07-21-2010
Wed-AM: 35 miles (5:35) Granite Pass-Flattop Mt &back, 8500'
Great first long run back after WS. Scott and I started at the East Longs Peak TH at 9400' in RMNP, ran up to Granite Pass (12k'), all the way down to Glacier Gorge (9200') and Bear Lake, up to the summit of Flattop Mt (12,324') and then exactly back the way we came. I did the full 34mi out and back in 5:28 after charging over the final pass and down the last descent with more than a little fear of lightning strike. I felt good on the first climb, but the rest of the day had a hard time finding a good rhythm, except for the last descent. Jogged around at the end to shake out the legs after running fast downhill.
07-22-2010
Thu-AM: 16 miles (2:20) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Easy effort after yesterday's long run. Running in Boulder in the summer is pretty great, if hot. Jumped in the creek afterwards.
PM: 8 miles (1:04) Creek Path with Jocelyn
Got completely soaked in a raging downpour.
07-23-2010
Fri-AM: 16 miles (2:22) Green Mt. up SR-GM down Bear Cyn, 3000'
I've never run the full Saddle Rock trail from the bottom, so Scott and I checked that out. It's nice. Legs felt good. Legs are definitely finally fully back post-WS.
07-24-2010
Sat-AM: 50-ish miles (8:10) Epic Indian Peaks Loop, 10,000'
Started from Brainard Lake/Long Lake with Scott and went up Pawnee Pass, down to Monarch Lake, High Lonesome Trail to Junco TH, Caribou Pass, Arapahoe Pass, Arapahoe Glacier Trail down to Rainbow Lakes Campground/Rd to CU Mountain Research Station, up and over Niwot Ridge and back down to the Long Lake lot. One of the best days I've ever had in the mountains. I was blown away by the magnificent beauty right from the start--I had no idea the stuff that was back there in that wilderness. Those mountains are on par with anything else I've seen in North America, stuff like the Tetons, San Juans, Elks, North Cascades, and high Sierras. After making the fifth and final 2000' climb of the day up to the Niwot Ridge Tundra Lab, we lost the trail (we'd gone too far west) and couldn't find the final three mile descent back down to Long Lake so Scott and I ended up dropping straight down an absurdly steep tundra and talus slope (at least 60 degrees) to intersect the well-traveled trail around the lake.
07-25-2010
Sun-AM: 16 miles (2:25) Green Mt. up G-G down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Hot, but legs felt surprisingly good after yesterday.
PM: 8 miles (1:12) Golf Course Loop w/ Jocelyn
Very slow easy jog because Joc was dragging a bit.
Total
-Miles: 193
-Hours: 29h 49min
-Vertical: 34,700'
2010 Summits (Day 206)
-Green: 186
-Bear: 12
-SoBo: 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a great first real week back to training post-WS. The two long runs were definitely highlights and sort of showcase why I tend toward ultras when it comes to racing: in the summertime (or anytime) it's just really hard for me to not want to get out there and enjoy all-day runs in the mountains and this obviously better prepares me for all-day races in the mountains. The Saturday run was an epic almost paradigm-shifting event for me (at least in terms of my sense-of-place), so it definitely deserves a forthcoming blog post all its own.
I was also pleasantly surprised by my uphilling legs on the frontside of Green Mt. on Tuesday. That time is only 17 seconds off of my PR and came after not pressing until the top half of the mountain. I think I've held onto my fitness well since Western States.
With regards to racing plans in August, I'm still fairly squarely on the fence betwixt Pikes Peak and Leadville, but right now my attitude is resonating slightly more with the acronym title of the stellar Yeasayer tune O.N.E: One's Not Enough.
Mon-AM: 15 miles (2:29) Devil's Thumb, 3000'
PM: 7 miles (:55) Creek Path+2mi barefoot at Kitt
Acupuncture with Allison Suddard immediately afterwards.
07-20-2010
Tue-AM: 17 miles (2:36) Green Mt. & Bear Peak, 4200'
Fog layer at 8200' made for incredible views from Bear this morning. A very snappy 31:46 (6:45, 18:50, 29:20) up the front side of Green left me a bit wobbly-legged on the descents, but it was an awesome run overall. Hamstring felt the best it has since WS...very little trouble with it.
PM: 5 miles (:41) Creek Path
07-21-2010
Wed-AM: 35 miles (5:35) Granite Pass-Flattop Mt &back, 8500'
Great first long run back after WS. Scott and I started at the East Longs Peak TH at 9400' in RMNP, ran up to Granite Pass (12k'), all the way down to Glacier Gorge (9200') and Bear Lake, up to the summit of Flattop Mt (12,324') and then exactly back the way we came. I did the full 34mi out and back in 5:28 after charging over the final pass and down the last descent with more than a little fear of lightning strike. I felt good on the first climb, but the rest of the day had a hard time finding a good rhythm, except for the last descent. Jogged around at the end to shake out the legs after running fast downhill.
07-22-2010
Thu-AM: 16 miles (2:20) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Easy effort after yesterday's long run. Running in Boulder in the summer is pretty great, if hot. Jumped in the creek afterwards.
PM: 8 miles (1:04) Creek Path with Jocelyn
Got completely soaked in a raging downpour.
07-23-2010
Fri-AM: 16 miles (2:22) Green Mt. up SR-GM down Bear Cyn, 3000'
I've never run the full Saddle Rock trail from the bottom, so Scott and I checked that out. It's nice. Legs felt good. Legs are definitely finally fully back post-WS.
07-24-2010
Sat-AM: 50-ish miles (8:10) Epic Indian Peaks Loop, 10,000'
Started from Brainard Lake/Long Lake with Scott and went up Pawnee Pass, down to Monarch Lake, High Lonesome Trail to Junco TH, Caribou Pass, Arapahoe Pass, Arapahoe Glacier Trail down to Rainbow Lakes Campground/Rd to CU Mountain Research Station, up and over Niwot Ridge and back down to the Long Lake lot. One of the best days I've ever had in the mountains. I was blown away by the magnificent beauty right from the start--I had no idea the stuff that was back there in that wilderness. Those mountains are on par with anything else I've seen in North America, stuff like the Tetons, San Juans, Elks, North Cascades, and high Sierras. After making the fifth and final 2000' climb of the day up to the Niwot Ridge Tundra Lab, we lost the trail (we'd gone too far west) and couldn't find the final three mile descent back down to Long Lake so Scott and I ended up dropping straight down an absurdly steep tundra and talus slope (at least 60 degrees) to intersect the well-traveled trail around the lake.
07-25-2010
Sun-AM: 16 miles (2:25) Green Mt. up G-G down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Hot, but legs felt surprisingly good after yesterday.
PM: 8 miles (1:12) Golf Course Loop w/ Jocelyn
Very slow easy jog because Joc was dragging a bit.
Total
-Miles: 193
-Hours: 29h 49min
-Vertical: 34,700'
2010 Summits (Day 206)
-Green: 186
-Bear: 12
-SoBo: 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was a great first real week back to training post-WS. The two long runs were definitely highlights and sort of showcase why I tend toward ultras when it comes to racing: in the summertime (or anytime) it's just really hard for me to not want to get out there and enjoy all-day runs in the mountains and this obviously better prepares me for all-day races in the mountains. The Saturday run was an epic almost paradigm-shifting event for me (at least in terms of my sense-of-place), so it definitely deserves a forthcoming blog post all its own.
I was also pleasantly surprised by my uphilling legs on the frontside of Green Mt. on Tuesday. That time is only 17 seconds off of my PR and came after not pressing until the top half of the mountain. I think I've held onto my fitness well since Western States.
With regards to racing plans in August, I'm still fairly squarely on the fence betwixt Pikes Peak and Leadville, but right now my attitude is resonating slightly more with the acronym title of the stellar Yeasayer tune O.N.E: One's Not Enough.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Rocky Mountain National Park
Ever since I moved to Boulder last year, I vowed to make the short trip northwest to Rocky Mountain National Park for an epic run or two. I had visited RMNP well over a dozen years ago on a family camping vacation, and it was trips like those that laid the foundation for my present-day obsession with cruising as many miles of high country trail as available time and my two legs will allow.
Alas, last fall my two legs (my right knee, specifically) weren't allowing too many miles of any sort at all, so it wasn't until this past Wednesday that I finally made it up to RMNP to explore this iconic portion of Colorado's mountains. Starting from the East Longs Peak Trailhead, Scott and I completed a fairly arduous route that would include three nearly 3000' climbs and 34+ miles of singletrack all above an altitude of 9000'. (All pictures courtesy of Jenny Uehisa. Likewise the wheels, patience, and irrepressible good humor on the day.)
Alas, last fall my two legs (my right knee, specifically) weren't allowing too many miles of any sort at all, so it wasn't until this past Wednesday that I finally made it up to RMNP to explore this iconic portion of Colorado's mountains. Starting from the East Longs Peak Trailhead, Scott and I completed a fairly arduous route that would include three nearly 3000' climbs and 34+ miles of singletrack all above an altitude of 9000'. (All pictures courtesy of Jenny Uehisa. Likewise the wheels, patience, and irrepressible good humor on the day.)
(Our route: a scenic out and back to the Continental Divide in RMNP, starting at the base of Longs Peak.)
(12,000' Granite Pass, 12,324' Flattop Mt, and Granite Pass again: three big climbs.)
(Advising Scott on the emergency options for Longs Peak.)
(First strides of a long day in the mountains: East Longs Peak Trailhead at 8am.)
(Typical trail above treeline on the outbound leg of our run, headed towards Granite Pass on the horizon to the right.)
(Some stunning gneiss and the Diamond on the east face of Longs Peak, above Chasm Lake.)
(Trail signage on Granite Pass: Bear Lake = 7.3 miles away.)
(Our destination as seen from Granite Pass. Clouds brewing. Bear Lake is in the center of the photo at 9400', and the climb up 12,324' Flattop Mountain is on the ridge headed out the left side of the frame.)
(Scott, back at the trailhead, happy to get out alive. A fairly lively little storm cell chased us all the way back from Flattop Mt to Granite Pass and our starting point at the trailhead. Although we probably appear extremely minimally prepared for above-treeline weather, the fact that we are running puts us in a much more advantageous position--in my opinion--than hikers stuck above treeline with gigantic packs weighing them down and drastically increasing their exposure time to the elements.)
(Enjoying the pleasant exhaustion that five and a half hours of mountain running can bring. Scott and I are likely debating the relative merits of employing road flats on 34 miles of largely technical and rocky trails.)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Weekly Summary: July 12-18
07-12-2010
Mon-AM: 7 miles (1:00) Creek Path+2mi barefoot at Kitt
Miserably sluggish and slow. I went to bed at 5pm after bagging the evening run.
07-13-2010
Tue-AM: zippo
Woke at 1am last night and proceeded to experience endless hours of projectile unpleasantness of all sorts. Really really sick.
07-14-2010
Wed-AM: nada
Still bed-ridden.
07-15-2010
Thu-AM: 4 miles (:37) Creek Path
Very very slow and hazy return to physical activity post-illness.
07-16-2010
Fri-AM: 15 miles (2:12) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Finally made it up Green again. Hamstring tightened significantly on the final descent down Skunk Canyon. Really really hot, too, as it's been all week. Had a remarkably painful acupuncture session with Allison Suddard in the afternoon.
07-17-2010
Sat-AM: 15 miles (2:22) Devil's Thumb, 3000'
Very nice run up to the Continental Divide in the Indian Peaks Wilderness with Scott, Jocelyn, Jenny, and Bill, all between 9k' and 12k'. Scott and I took it pretty easy all morning, especially on the downhill where my hamstring had me fairly gimpy. Great to finally make it back above treeline. Lots of exploring to be done up there in the next few weeks.
07-18-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:16) Green Mt. up back down ridges, 3000'
Getting my mojo back with good energy the whole way and a relatively cooperative hamstring. It's been so hot this week that ending my runs with a short swim in Boulder Creek has become mandatory, especially since there's a perfect swimming hole right outside our apartment.
PM: 5 miles (:44) Creek Path+1.5mi barefoot at Kitt
Ran super easy with Jocelyn.
Total
-Miles: 61
-Hours: 9h 11min
-Vertical: 9000'
2010 Summits (Day 199)
-Green: 182
-Bear: 11
-SoBo: 4
The first half of this week was destroyed by coming down with some sort of flu-like sickness, but the second half I finally started establishing a little more consistency to my running again. My post-WS hamstring tweak continues to be a bit of a limiting factor on downhills, but through a combination of acupuncture and strengthening exercises it seems to be gradually improving enough that I can still run on my preferred terrain.
On Friday, Jocelyn and I made a stop in at Albums On The Hill, the only independent record store left here in Boulder. The demise of this part of the music business is certainly a sad one, but not particularly puzzling. A new CD there is generally $12.99 compared to the $9.99 that iTunes charges. However, Jocelyn and I both agree that there is absolutely some sort of almost intangible satisfaction and glee that comes from purchasing the material disc instead of simply performing a download of a digital file. We still have a CD player, but it syncs up with our iPod just as easily as popping a disc in its slot, so its tough to put a finger on what exactly makes buying a CD from the local shop more enjoyable than downloading. Interacting with another knowledgeable, informed, enthusiastic human being is definitely part of it.
However, it makes little sense to me why specialty record stores are disappearing while other specialty businesses--say, running shops--can still make a go of it. I suspect it's because A) they're a bit more diversified, and B) people still like getting fit for shoes and getting advice on other gear. Music stores definitely used to be a way of learning about new music, though, too--music that wasn't necessarily force-fed to you on the top-40 radio stations. So, I don't know. It's all a bit baffling to me. In the meantime, though, I guess I'll continue paying an extra $3 every now and then to get a new album in order to support the local shop. I know it's almost certainly a futile effort at supporting the business in maintaining its relevance, but I'll keep doing it as long as the store is there.
Incidentally, on Friday Jocelyn and I picked up both of the albums by the White Rabbits, Fort Nightly and It's Frightening. Both are inventive, high-energy, and highly listenable. A token track from each, respectively:
In fact, this entire concert--available streaming for free at http://www.tenthrow.com/--was so good that it's what inspired the purchases.
Mon-AM: 7 miles (1:00) Creek Path+2mi barefoot at Kitt
Miserably sluggish and slow. I went to bed at 5pm after bagging the evening run.
07-13-2010
Tue-AM: zippo
Woke at 1am last night and proceeded to experience endless hours of projectile unpleasantness of all sorts. Really really sick.
07-14-2010
Wed-AM: nada
Still bed-ridden.
07-15-2010
Thu-AM: 4 miles (:37) Creek Path
Very very slow and hazy return to physical activity post-illness.
07-16-2010
Fri-AM: 15 miles (2:12) Green Mt. up back down Bear Cyn, 3000'
Finally made it up Green again. Hamstring tightened significantly on the final descent down Skunk Canyon. Really really hot, too, as it's been all week. Had a remarkably painful acupuncture session with Allison Suddard in the afternoon.
07-17-2010
Sat-AM: 15 miles (2:22) Devil's Thumb, 3000'
Very nice run up to the Continental Divide in the Indian Peaks Wilderness with Scott, Jocelyn, Jenny, and Bill, all between 9k' and 12k'. Scott and I took it pretty easy all morning, especially on the downhill where my hamstring had me fairly gimpy. Great to finally make it back above treeline. Lots of exploring to be done up there in the next few weeks.
07-18-2010
Sun-AM: 15 miles (2:16) Green Mt. up back down ridges, 3000'
Getting my mojo back with good energy the whole way and a relatively cooperative hamstring. It's been so hot this week that ending my runs with a short swim in Boulder Creek has become mandatory, especially since there's a perfect swimming hole right outside our apartment.
PM: 5 miles (:44) Creek Path+1.5mi barefoot at Kitt
Ran super easy with Jocelyn.
Total
-Miles: 61
-Hours: 9h 11min
-Vertical: 9000'
2010 Summits (Day 199)
-Green: 182
-Bear: 11
-SoBo: 4
The first half of this week was destroyed by coming down with some sort of flu-like sickness, but the second half I finally started establishing a little more consistency to my running again. My post-WS hamstring tweak continues to be a bit of a limiting factor on downhills, but through a combination of acupuncture and strengthening exercises it seems to be gradually improving enough that I can still run on my preferred terrain.
On Friday, Jocelyn and I made a stop in at Albums On The Hill, the only independent record store left here in Boulder. The demise of this part of the music business is certainly a sad one, but not particularly puzzling. A new CD there is generally $12.99 compared to the $9.99 that iTunes charges. However, Jocelyn and I both agree that there is absolutely some sort of almost intangible satisfaction and glee that comes from purchasing the material disc instead of simply performing a download of a digital file. We still have a CD player, but it syncs up with our iPod just as easily as popping a disc in its slot, so its tough to put a finger on what exactly makes buying a CD from the local shop more enjoyable than downloading. Interacting with another knowledgeable, informed, enthusiastic human being is definitely part of it.
However, it makes little sense to me why specialty record stores are disappearing while other specialty businesses--say, running shops--can still make a go of it. I suspect it's because A) they're a bit more diversified, and B) people still like getting fit for shoes and getting advice on other gear. Music stores definitely used to be a way of learning about new music, though, too--music that wasn't necessarily force-fed to you on the top-40 radio stations. So, I don't know. It's all a bit baffling to me. In the meantime, though, I guess I'll continue paying an extra $3 every now and then to get a new album in order to support the local shop. I know it's almost certainly a futile effort at supporting the business in maintaining its relevance, but I'll keep doing it as long as the store is there.
Incidentally, on Friday Jocelyn and I picked up both of the albums by the White Rabbits, Fort Nightly and It's Frightening. Both are inventive, high-energy, and highly listenable. A token track from each, respectively:
In fact, this entire concert--available streaming for free at http://www.tenthrow.com/--was so good that it's what inspired the purchases.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Searching For The Routine
The last three weeks have been pretty hectic for me. In the lead-up to a big race like this year's Western States 100, my life tends to take on a borderline ascetic existence. Each day is extremely predictable in its activities and very little is allowed to disrupt the necessities of running and recovering from running. This might sound like a somewhat miserable way to go through life, but I definitely find a measure of comfort in the familiarity and rhythm of a daily routine, and really, I think it's the only way that one can sustain--both mentally and physically--a truly high level of training.
How high? In the first six months of 2010--a relevant training block punctuated with the coda of Western States--I ran:
3405 miles,
in 502h 03min,
with 596,500' of vertical climbing.
And some other dude still beat me by six minutes. That's how it goes some times.
The last three weeks have been far different. The two days after Western States, I didn't run a step (the first days I took off all year), mostly because I really couldn't. I drove back to Boulder, CO, got in a couple extremely short and laughably slow runs, and then drove home to Nebraska for a 4th of July family reunion in South Dakota. Other than offering a very good excuse for taking it very easy getting back into running, it provided an in-my-face reminder of how miserable wind, heat/humidity, and mosquitos can be. There are some things I don't miss about my Great Plains roots.
After that it was another big road trip back to Boulder where life became complicated yet again (but, in a fantastic way) with Jocelyn's return to Colorado, a tight hamstring, and a three-day video shoot in Boulder's Mountain Parks for the forthcoming New Balance Minimus line. During this time I also had the pleasure of spending some time hanging out with fellow WS-competitor Kilian Jornet and other friends here in Boulder (his English has significantly improved even since race day) as he took a whirlwind tour of the western US before heading back home to Europe.
So, after two weeks of 34 miles and 79 miles and a couple of key visits to Allison Suddard for acupuncture, I've been spending this week just trying to transition back into a more routine and familiar lifestyle that will hopefully involve a lot more running and frequent trips to the high country both to appreciate its rare snow-free state and to prepare for end-of-the-summer races. I'm confident it will all come together again soon.
How high? In the first six months of 2010--a relevant training block punctuated with the coda of Western States--I ran:
3405 miles,
in 502h 03min,
with 596,500' of vertical climbing.
And some other dude still beat me by six minutes. That's how it goes some times.
(This dude, actually.)
The last three weeks have been far different. The two days after Western States, I didn't run a step (the first days I took off all year), mostly because I really couldn't. I drove back to Boulder, CO, got in a couple extremely short and laughably slow runs, and then drove home to Nebraska for a 4th of July family reunion in South Dakota. Other than offering a very good excuse for taking it very easy getting back into running, it provided an in-my-face reminder of how miserable wind, heat/humidity, and mosquitos can be. There are some things I don't miss about my Great Plains roots.
After that it was another big road trip back to Boulder where life became complicated yet again (but, in a fantastic way) with Jocelyn's return to Colorado, a tight hamstring, and a three-day video shoot in Boulder's Mountain Parks for the forthcoming New Balance Minimus line. During this time I also had the pleasure of spending some time hanging out with fellow WS-competitor Kilian Jornet and other friends here in Boulder (his English has significantly improved even since race day) as he took a whirlwind tour of the western US before heading back home to Europe.
(jLu tests out her Polaroid camera b-day gift.)
So, after two weeks of 34 miles and 79 miles and a couple of key visits to Allison Suddard for acupuncture, I've been spending this week just trying to transition back into a more routine and familiar lifestyle that will hopefully involve a lot more running and frequent trips to the high country both to appreciate its rare snow-free state and to prepare for end-of-the-summer races. I'm confident it will all come together again soon.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Western States 100 Race Report-2010
My full report is posted over at Running Times, now.
My apologies if it's a little too long and self-indulgent.
My apologies if it's a little too long and self-indulgent.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Western States Images
There was a lot going on out on the course on Saturday, and a lot of folks got some neat shots that really help sum up the day. Below are a few of my favorites. Also, my race report is in the hands of the good folks at Running Times and should be posted in less than 24 hours. I'll provide a link when it's up.
(Running up to Emigrant Pass out of Squaw Valley with Geoff, first thing in the morning. There was an incredible layer of fog hanging out in Squaw Valley and then the spectacular view of Lake Tahoe directly behind us. Photo: Luis Escobar)
(Geoff, Kilian and I as we were from miles 23-45--never more than a few feet apart. Photo: Salomon)
(Dusty Corners (38mi) pit-stop: it looks hectic, but my crew was perfect all day. Photo: Doug White)
(And away I go--leaving Dusty Corners. Photo: Doug White)
(Getting weighed at Devil's Thumb, mile 48.)
(Running into Michigan Bluff at mile 56. I'm obviously excited here because the major canyons are over and I still feel really good. Both of my empty bottles are stuck in the back of my shorts--I was definitely carrying water all day! Rickey Gates sneaks in there with a little video coverage, too. Photo: Glenn Tachiyama)
(Joe escorts me out of Michigan Bluff; still running calm and relaxed even though it's starting to get hot. Photo: Brett Rivers)
(Coming into Foresthill at mile 62 with Jenn. Still feeling really good but pretty curious as to how I'm ever going to manage to break Kilian. Photo: Megan Zaranek)
(A short video clip at ~70mi on Cal St. I'd just gotten a ton of rocks in my right shoe and needed to stop briefly to get 'em out. This was the only time--other than the raft ride--that I got off my feet the whole race. We caught back up to Kilian and Rickey right after this.)
(Riding across the river at mile 78 with Joe, Rickey, and Kilian. I'm kind of losing it here a bit--just tired and hot. Photo: jLu)
(Emerging from a dunk in the river and preparing to run the hill up to Green Gate at mile 80. Photo: Glenn Tachiyama)
(From left to right: Rickey, me, Jenn, Jorge, and Kilian running up the climb from the River Crossing to Green Gate, ~79mi. I think this picture shows pretty well why Geoff was able to catch and pass both Kilian and I--we'd been working each other pretty hard for the last 35mi and were hardly ever seperated by more than what is shown in this photograph. At the top of the hill, Kilian would lie down in the shade and I wouldn't see him again until the finish line. Photo: Luis Escobar)
(Just before the mile 93.5 Highway 49 Crossing. I'm sure I'm looking for Geoff in this shot as I'd been within 50 yards of him just a few minutes earlier. Photo: Carl Costas)
(Running across No Hands Bridge at mile 96.8 with Jenn trailing me. Photo: Megan Zaranek)
(Wow. Pretty intense moment here at ~97mi. Jenn and I had just crossed No Hands Bridge where we were erroneously told that Geoff was only 3-4min up (it was actually 5 or 6min). I'm doing everything I possibly can to rally any kind of charge to make one final bid at the win. On the almost three mile descent to No Hands I knew I wasn't going fast enough to catch Geoff, but it's all my quads would allow, so I was just hoping that he would blow up a little on the Robie Point climb and maybe I'd be able to catch sight of him again like I had a half an hour earlier on the climb up to Highway 49. Geoff closed extremely well and timed his final surge perfectly. Photo: Luis Escobar)
(Finishing 2nd, six minutes behind Geoff and 23min under Scott's old CR. I guess this picture shows why you run the WS100--the competition is top-notch and people get excited about it. In North America, probably only the Leadville 100 approaches the same level of interest at the finish line and along the course throughout the day, and it's not even nearly this high. Photo: Luis Escobar)
(Five-time winner, 25-time finisher, and WSER Board President Tim Twietmeyer interviewing me moments after finishing. I'm mostly just psyched to be off my feet! Photo: jLu)
(Rickey provided the contraband. Photo: jLu)
(Congratulating the man I ran with all day. Photo: jLu)
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