Solid week of running. I logged in a bit over 48 miles. I started off with the PR at the Georgia Marathon. I also had a fun run at Falcon Mountain Park where I was rewarded with an amazing sunset at the summit. There were only a handful of people on the trail. I wonder how many people knew what they were missing.
This weekend was pretty weak. I ran 7 miles on Saturday at Waterton Canyon. There are several side canyon “trails” that I have always wondered about. I felt like exploring and tried a couple of them out. Unfortunately they were nothing more than game trails and they faded into thick shrub brush pretty quickly. At least I won’t be wondering where they go anymore.
Sunday I took a day off to hit the links and enjoyed a few drinks. I shot a suprising 84! It's all downhill from here.
I’m starting to plan my 50k training route. I’m trying to work out the upcoming weekends with family commitments. I may be running this 50k route on Saturday. I’m thinking of running a combination of Deer Creek Canyon and Ken Caryl trails. This will offer many refueling points but also many points to abort mission.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Georgia Marathon
I stepped off the plane on Saturday around noon and was greeted with a slap of humidity. I knew it was coming but it was still a bit of a shock. Temps on Saturday were in the low 80’s. I prepared for a hot race the following day.
My friend Dan drove me to the start line with about 10 minutes to spare. I did some light stretching while I waited in the corral. I planned on starting off fast and once the heat hit I would pull it back. The race starts at the CNN Center and rolls through the downtown. I felt good as I clipped off sub 8 minute miles. The first landmark of the race is the Martin Luther King Historical Site. I got chills as I ran through that stretch. This is a huge part of our history and I was taking it in. From there the course rolls through Little 5 Points. This is an eclectic neighborhood which was interesting to run through.
At mile 7 I saw the big red sun rise up in the East as I topped out on a hill where the half marathon course turns off. I was feeling strong and was prepared for the ensuing sauna. I kept pushing my pace knowing that the heat would soon slow me down. At the half way point I had recorded my fastest half marathon ever. 1:43:54! Damn, I was running below a 3:30 pace. This was great. I had time in the bag for my goal of 3:45.
As I ran through Decatur I fell in line with another runner. He was really attacking the climbs. He would pass me on the climbs but I would take him on the down hills. We played this game for several miles where we would swing 20 yards from each other. The Georgia Marathon is a pretty hill course with 1,534 feet of climb. I tapped into my trail experience and managed the hills. By mile 16 the other runner fell back and I didn’t see him again.
I had recalled that miles 17-20 were downhill and I was planning my race accordingly. I misremembered. 17-20 saw several climbs. I hit some miles in the high 8 minutes and low 9’s but I kept running strong. I was passing a lot of people. The sun was up but the course was shaded. This was great. I started thinking that maybe 3:30 could happen! This was nuts to me. I never ran this fast for this long. Oxygen is a beautiful thing.
By mile 20 I had too many miles in the high 8’s and I knew that 3:30 was going to be a stretch but I wasn’t going to let it take me down. I started the mantra “How bad do you want it?”. It kept me motivated. By the time I hit Piedmont Park I got a second wind. I was feeling great and had a ridiculous smile on my face. This was the best race of my life. I still had 4.5 miles to go so I was trying to keep myself in check a bit. I kept passing people at a good rate.
The sun was hot these last 4.5 miles. I doused myself with water at all the aid stations and kept pushing on. The finish was approaching. I was going to destroy my PR. I crossed the line in 3:34:29! Boom! I was fired up. Maybe I could have pushed more but I was happy with the race I ran. I fueled properly, I managed the race better than I ever have, the heat never did get to me and I finished with an amazing time.
A sub 3:30 marathon is possible for me! I thought I would always be a 4 hr marathoner. It was so much fun. I love the trails and most my races will be trail runs but it was fun to let it rip on the pavement. I’ll run a road race again and I’ll shoot for sub 3:30.
How will this translate into the summer? I don’t know. Collegiate Peaks is around the corner. Is another PR in my future?
My friend Dan drove me to the start line with about 10 minutes to spare. I did some light stretching while I waited in the corral. I planned on starting off fast and once the heat hit I would pull it back. The race starts at the CNN Center and rolls through the downtown. I felt good as I clipped off sub 8 minute miles. The first landmark of the race is the Martin Luther King Historical Site. I got chills as I ran through that stretch. This is a huge part of our history and I was taking it in. From there the course rolls through Little 5 Points. This is an eclectic neighborhood which was interesting to run through.
At mile 7 I saw the big red sun rise up in the East as I topped out on a hill where the half marathon course turns off. I was feeling strong and was prepared for the ensuing sauna. I kept pushing my pace knowing that the heat would soon slow me down. At the half way point I had recorded my fastest half marathon ever. 1:43:54! Damn, I was running below a 3:30 pace. This was great. I had time in the bag for my goal of 3:45.
As I ran through Decatur I fell in line with another runner. He was really attacking the climbs. He would pass me on the climbs but I would take him on the down hills. We played this game for several miles where we would swing 20 yards from each other. The Georgia Marathon is a pretty hill course with 1,534 feet of climb. I tapped into my trail experience and managed the hills. By mile 16 the other runner fell back and I didn’t see him again.
I had recalled that miles 17-20 were downhill and I was planning my race accordingly. I misremembered. 17-20 saw several climbs. I hit some miles in the high 8 minutes and low 9’s but I kept running strong. I was passing a lot of people. The sun was up but the course was shaded. This was great. I started thinking that maybe 3:30 could happen! This was nuts to me. I never ran this fast for this long. Oxygen is a beautiful thing.
By mile 20 I had too many miles in the high 8’s and I knew that 3:30 was going to be a stretch but I wasn’t going to let it take me down. I started the mantra “How bad do you want it?”. It kept me motivated. By the time I hit Piedmont Park I got a second wind. I was feeling great and had a ridiculous smile on my face. This was the best race of my life. I still had 4.5 miles to go so I was trying to keep myself in check a bit. I kept passing people at a good rate.
The sun was hot these last 4.5 miles. I doused myself with water at all the aid stations and kept pushing on. The finish was approaching. I was going to destroy my PR. I crossed the line in 3:34:29! Boom! I was fired up. Maybe I could have pushed more but I was happy with the race I ran. I fueled properly, I managed the race better than I ever have, the heat never did get to me and I finished with an amazing time.
A sub 3:30 marathon is possible for me! I thought I would always be a 4 hr marathoner. It was so much fun. I love the trails and most my races will be trail runs but it was fun to let it rip on the pavement. I’ll run a road race again and I’ll shoot for sub 3:30.
How will this translate into the summer? I don’t know. Collegiate Peaks is around the corner. Is another PR in my future?
Friday, March 16, 2012
In a Knot
Not too much to speak of in terms of mileage this week. I got in 2 runs for a bit over 11 miles. I did have 2 basketball games as well. I fly out to Atlanta tomorrow at the crack of dawn.
I've been having some issues lately with my left leg and this week it really flared up. I mentioned some numbness on a run a couple of weeks ago. I really didn't think much about it but then it began happening every day at any time. I started sitting on a softball at work to rub out the knot in my butt. I got several strange looks at work. I had to get someone to rub this thing out or I risk being the weirdo in the office.
I had a massage tonight. Somewhere in between muscle spasms I started to feel better. One hour of pushing on nerves did wonders. I think I'm going to try to make it back there once every 3 weeks. It was pretty awesome and I left knowing there was still work to do.
Temps for the race will start at 57 degrees and top out in the low 80's. When you throw in the pollen and humidity it becomes interesting. Last year Colorado had a cold spring and I trained in temps similar to what I've been training in up until this past week. My first race was the warmest weather I ran in up to that point. I started out strong but bonked. I think I can draw from that experience in ATL.
My plan is to start fast and reevaluate around mile 8. Realistically I would just like to break 4 hours but I still have 3:45 in my head. I'm going to shoot out for that and see where it takes me. I'm also looking forward to visiting with Dan and his family. I'm ready. Let's go!
I've been having some issues lately with my left leg and this week it really flared up. I mentioned some numbness on a run a couple of weeks ago. I really didn't think much about it but then it began happening every day at any time. I started sitting on a softball at work to rub out the knot in my butt. I got several strange looks at work. I had to get someone to rub this thing out or I risk being the weirdo in the office.
I had a massage tonight. Somewhere in between muscle spasms I started to feel better. One hour of pushing on nerves did wonders. I think I'm going to try to make it back there once every 3 weeks. It was pretty awesome and I left knowing there was still work to do.
Temps for the race will start at 57 degrees and top out in the low 80's. When you throw in the pollen and humidity it becomes interesting. Last year Colorado had a cold spring and I trained in temps similar to what I've been training in up until this past week. My first race was the warmest weather I ran in up to that point. I started out strong but bonked. I think I can draw from that experience in ATL.
My plan is to start fast and reevaluate around mile 8. Realistically I would just like to break 4 hours but I still have 3:45 in my head. I'm going to shoot out for that and see where it takes me. I'm also looking forward to visiting with Dan and his family. I'm ready. Let's go!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Back to the Hills
I had a very fun weekend of running. I racked up more vertical the past 2 days than I did in all of February. The trails were an adventure with a mixed bag of mud, ice, snow pack and deep snow. Running was a bit slower but it was a heck of lot of fun.
It's an interesting time of year. Occassionally you can feel the reflected heat off of the dry trail. The snow can be a bit slushy or sheer ice. Every step is different from the last. Sweat was dripping from the rim of my hat for the first time this year. A quick flop in the snow cooled me off a couple of times. The trails were uncrowded. It was good to reintroduce myself to a couple of my favorite trails.
Mileage ramped up as well. I logged a bit over 42 miles last week. This week I will run less as I tone it down for Georgia. After that it is full speed towards Collegiate Peaks.
I spent the morning watching Geoff Roes' Youtube videos from the Iditarod. 350 miles in just under 7 days while hauling a sled behind in frigid Alaskan temperatures. The isolation is thing that really intrigued me about this race. It's hard to wrap your mind around. He finished 4th overall but was the first runner to cross the finish line. 3 bikers finished ahead of Geoff. I would have thought biking would be more challenging. His race report drops tomorrow on irunfar.com.
It's an interesting time of year. Occassionally you can feel the reflected heat off of the dry trail. The snow can be a bit slushy or sheer ice. Every step is different from the last. Sweat was dripping from the rim of my hat for the first time this year. A quick flop in the snow cooled me off a couple of times. The trails were uncrowded. It was good to reintroduce myself to a couple of my favorite trails.
Mileage ramped up as well. I logged a bit over 42 miles last week. This week I will run less as I tone it down for Georgia. After that it is full speed towards Collegiate Peaks.
I spent the morning watching Geoff Roes' Youtube videos from the Iditarod. 350 miles in just under 7 days while hauling a sled behind in frigid Alaskan temperatures. The isolation is thing that really intrigued me about this race. It's hard to wrap your mind around. He finished 4th overall but was the first runner to cross the finish line. 3 bikers finished ahead of Geoff. I would have thought biking would be more challenging. His race report drops tomorrow on irunfar.com.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
February Recap
Despite logging fewer miles in February than January it was a much better month of training for me. I spent the month on the roads which is not something I typically enjoy. With the snow and weather I felt running pavement was better suited to training for the GA marathon. I logged in my fastest 13 miler ever and put in a 21 mile run. Basketball and some downhill skiing took up another 10 days. Basketball will be wrapping up in March and I will focus on running for the next 6 months.
I started off March with my fastest single mile in over 2 years. I am very happy where I am at with my strength and health right now. Ideally I would have liked to have had 1-2 more long runs behind me but I'm not overly conerned with that. I am looking forward to trail running and pushing up mountains again. GA is less than 3 weeks away and Collegiate Peaks 50 is 2 months out.
Waterton Canyon reopened this week. It is a local favorite for fishing, running and biking. It is popular for its mild elevation gain, river and canyon scenery and social wildlife. The dirt road offers a nice 13 mile in and out option. There are single track opportunities that stretch beyond the road that offer endless opportunities to add miles and elevation. There appear to be some side canyon options as well. I'll look into those this summer.
Daylight Savings is a weeks away. The days will get longer which means no more headlamp. Mother Nature is doing her part. This weekend temps rise into the 60's and it looks like sun and warmer temps continue through the first full week of March. Hopefully this means that the trails melt off and dry out quickly. It will be nice to shed some clothing and gear.
Overall, things are looking good. I am experiencing some soreness and stiffness in my right ankle. I was hoping that the ankle would heal durning the winter but it appears that it will continue to nag me. If I avoid rolling it badly I will be able to manage it through the summer.
20+ miles on the agenda tomorrow. Today I am resting and going to the Nature and Science Musuem with Bre.
I started off March with my fastest single mile in over 2 years. I am very happy where I am at with my strength and health right now. Ideally I would have liked to have had 1-2 more long runs behind me but I'm not overly conerned with that. I am looking forward to trail running and pushing up mountains again. GA is less than 3 weeks away and Collegiate Peaks 50 is 2 months out.
Waterton Canyon reopened this week. It is a local favorite for fishing, running and biking. It is popular for its mild elevation gain, river and canyon scenery and social wildlife. The dirt road offers a nice 13 mile in and out option. There are single track opportunities that stretch beyond the road that offer endless opportunities to add miles and elevation. There appear to be some side canyon options as well. I'll look into those this summer.
Daylight Savings is a weeks away. The days will get longer which means no more headlamp. Mother Nature is doing her part. This weekend temps rise into the 60's and it looks like sun and warmer temps continue through the first full week of March. Hopefully this means that the trails melt off and dry out quickly. It will be nice to shed some clothing and gear.
Overall, things are looking good. I am experiencing some soreness and stiffness in my right ankle. I was hoping that the ankle would heal durning the winter but it appears that it will continue to nag me. If I avoid rolling it badly I will be able to manage it through the summer.
20+ miles on the agenda tomorrow. Today I am resting and going to the Nature and Science Musuem with Bre.
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