Is running long distances scary? Well, I guess it's all relative. When I signed up for my first 10K I thought it was a long way...blah blah blah! Who gives a crap about that. On another note...The thought of covering a new distance brings about new fears and questions about whether my body is ready to do such a thing. 62 miles in one day. For some it doesn't even get real until after 80 miles. Tony Krupicka even said, "anyone can run 30, 50 or 60 miles, its when you get to one hundred...." Maybe he's right. I have run in quite a few places in my young trail running career and each person I manage to have a conversation with answers THE question the same way. What's THE question??? What does it take to make through a 50 miler or a one hundred mile foot race? The response boils the race down to an eating, hydrating and electrolyte balance contest. Really?!? Yes really. The human body can endure just about anything for any length of time providing it is properly nourished. Not entirely true. The body also needs to move at a comfortable speed (pace) or it will break down. So...pace, food, water, electrolytes. Got it! Now go out and figure out what you need at mile 50 when you have only run 40. Better yet, what is your stomach going to say to you if you try to feed it Gu for 15 hours. How do you figure a pace to cover 62 miles. I once ran a 5K in 19:21. So does that mean that I will be finishing the 62 in less than 7 hours? No! That'd be very cool, just isn't going to happen. Back to food. Luckily I have been trying some other things while running, like pb&j, animal crackers, apple pie, burritos, sun chips, pancakes, jolly ranchers and my favorite..chicken noodle soop! So now I have to get some palatable protien in the mix. I have been suggested Boost. We'll see about that one. I guess you can say I have a lot to think about.
Luck is when opportunity meets preparation. So when some one tells me good luck for my upcoming "race" I can either respond, 'Thanks' or 'yeah, I am going to need it.' Which translates to, 'I am not sure if I am prepared for this.' Thanks would mean that I have it figured out and come the morning of May 6th I will have a plan in place that I am ready to stick to...Any suggestions? Just don't say good luck.
Today is Tuesday, April 12th that leaves me 24 days until Miwok 100K. This also means that I have only this upcoming weekend and the next (Easter weekend) to get in sufficient long runs before I have to start tapering. I kinda like my chances for finishing. 50K races in March and April and several successive weekends with good long runs. Lots of good cross training. I am ready. Good thing too because time is runnig short...Ha! I made a pun.
Wed, 23 days...another good pool workout today after 10 hours of work. I still don't think I am ready to run yet. I'll find out on Friday. Maybe tomorrow. I don't know. I felt a lot better, my left calf is tight. Whatever. Time to go.
Thursday...another day of it. Work can get on yer nerves. Not today!!! I got to work met with football coaches, called a parent the went and had an awesome workout in the pool with my consistent acl rehab buddy Dave. We worked for an hour straight. He of course did more because I have to time during the sprints. I did find my legs were still a little sore and so todays run will be short. Shorter than I wanted it to be. Work for the rest of the day was just work...a four letter word. After, I set out for a shortie shortie. Four miles was it. At a recovery pace. Ready for more....except my left calf is STILL fucking buggin me. What do I have to do? REally, I will take any suggestions at this point. I have tried, stretching, 2-3 x/day at 2x20 to 30 seconds each, ice, massage, rest, exercise easy, TP therapy, rolling, hot rub, fish oil. If any one wants to throw a suggestion in the hat, I am game. no acupuncture.
I have two long run days before Miwok. I have to be right this weekend and next. Then I am on my own.
Confidence is a daily grind. One day I think myself into the tank and the next I am jumping over it. Can I finish Miwok? Yes! Will it be the time I want, probably not. Why? First time on course and first time at this distance. Having to observe a game plan and sticking to it for 13 hours or so is not an easy task. If I can pay attention for 13 hours.......I'm good!
photo: Luis Escobar
Friday, April 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Skyline to the Sea - April 10
I was excited for this race like I was excited for Way Too Cool. On one hand the prep hadn't been done and on the other it was similar to 2009. One thing that has changed this year compared to last is the long run. Since getting in with SLO Trail Runners my weekends now hold over 60% of my weekly miles. We would get 18 to 24 on Saturday and on Sunday I would go out and get another 10 to 15 at a go by feel pace. During the week I would cross train another three to five hours. Usually at a pretty good effort. So the work is getting done, just differently. Around 45 miles with "extras." Regardless, the confidence has been lacking when I get to the start line.
On the day of the race everything followed the path of 2009. Once again Dr. Tanaka shared the bus and once again he had to lay down on the curvy sections to avoid puking. The start line was pretty close to being the same too. 50+ person line at the porta potty, people meandering around for 45 minutes before the race and sunny yet chilly weather. When the time came, the march to the sart line was erily similar. OK not erie but similar. The same group of La Sportiva people at the front with some other fast looking people. Larissa Polischuk was there and so I said hi and talked to her for a minute or two. Then I backed up several rows of people and moved to the side. I new I wasn't going to finish with these guys so I figured I would let the fast go ahead without getting in their way.
A little past nine we were sent on our way. At 20 minutes in my right calf started hurting. I am a bitch sometimes but seriously, can't a brother catch a break? I kept at it, shifting my foot strike every once in a while to keep my leg somewhat comfortable. It worked well enough. I went out too fast and at the first hour mark I felt tired. Stooopid! So I swollowed my pride and kissed a sub 5 hour 50K good bye. The thought that stuck with me was what I wrote about last week, and that was, stay within myself. Easier said than done. Last week was an anomaly. Even Larissa agreed that it was the most fun she has in a while. For me the run was not only a confidence booster but just so much fun I can't wait to do it again! The next hour or so flew by and most of it is a blur. The running wasn't fast, I just can't really remember it.
Two and a half hours in and the Gazos Creek aid never looked so good. I felt tired and almost wanted to continue on and just do the marathon. What a sack! Filled up the pack and went. Some lady in spandex left right after me but decided to run up instead of hike. I chose the later and made the pace as hard as tolerable. There it is, the pace was as hard as tolerable again!!! I guess I just can't not go at it that way. Thomas' words kept ringing in my head, 'This isn't the race that matters, just go easy and have a nice long training run." There must be a switch absent from my noggin that allows me to do that. The loop from the aid station and back was 6 miles. In my head I had to do it in an hour to keep on track. On track for WAHT??!!!? Yeah, on track. I left at 2:30 and got back at 3:24. The loop included a nice single track climb up to a ridgeline fireroad. We were to follow the ridgeline up and down and up and up. Then it started heading down again and there was my gift. More downhill single track. What fun!!! Here I caught uphill run girl and never saw here again or the others that passed me on the way up. Back to the aid to fill it up one more time. There, now my legs are sufficiently beat up with another 11 or so to go. Swell. To get out of Big Basin you have to climb, not a lot but just enough to remind you that the course still had 3000' of elevation gain even though the loss was 5000'. Honestly the downhill claimed more people than the up hill.
At the top, or at the end of the last climb, the last gift that layed out infront of you was a pine covered single track wet dream heading down a mountain in switchbacks and through a natural drainage. It was fast and soon you were running creekside. An undulating trail sided by ferns and poison oak along with coastal pines and shrubs to the left and a swollen creek to the right. Here is where I found my groove. I fell into a solid pace and just went...within my self. I passed a few people along the way but also got passed, by one or two. This section went really fast. At the final creek crossing, there stood a guy saying, "three miles to the next aid, five to finish." Shit! I wanted to be done now. This next part stuck in my mind as being a little boring. It isn't, it is just a fire road back to the horse camp so comparitivly speaking to what was behind, the future just seemed a little boring. This was a long road back. I met up with a guy, who was passing me, and spoke with him for a few minutes before he continued on his way. This made the time pass. Every once in a while I would come around a turn and spot someone else a head of me. This passed the time pretty good too. Finally made it to the last aid station. Cute gal, old guy. She made me smile he filled my pack. What a life this is. They said less than two to go. Cool, the sign said 1.3 so they really weren't kidding. Solid, found my groove again and finished this one painfree but the price had been payed already...tomorrow will be a sore day!!
Finished in 5:17, a new PR for me. Larissa said hey to me at the finish, she is cool and that was a nice gesture. We talked for a couple minutes as she got her quads worked on by one of the ART people. Hmmm looks good. A little body work is in order for me too! I sat, I stood, I ate chili and soup and drank a coke and got some ART. Then left....
Take Home:
When you have a race plan...stick to it. 5:17 is cool but I am sore. 31 miles is going to make you sore, but less sore if you run smart.
Do this race again at sub 5 in 2012 or 2013
no photos for this one, i forgot my camera and there wasn't a photographer on course...bummer
On the day of the race everything followed the path of 2009. Once again Dr. Tanaka shared the bus and once again he had to lay down on the curvy sections to avoid puking. The start line was pretty close to being the same too. 50+ person line at the porta potty, people meandering around for 45 minutes before the race and sunny yet chilly weather. When the time came, the march to the sart line was erily similar. OK not erie but similar. The same group of La Sportiva people at the front with some other fast looking people. Larissa Polischuk was there and so I said hi and talked to her for a minute or two. Then I backed up several rows of people and moved to the side. I new I wasn't going to finish with these guys so I figured I would let the fast go ahead without getting in their way.
A little past nine we were sent on our way. At 20 minutes in my right calf started hurting. I am a bitch sometimes but seriously, can't a brother catch a break? I kept at it, shifting my foot strike every once in a while to keep my leg somewhat comfortable. It worked well enough. I went out too fast and at the first hour mark I felt tired. Stooopid! So I swollowed my pride and kissed a sub 5 hour 50K good bye. The thought that stuck with me was what I wrote about last week, and that was, stay within myself. Easier said than done. Last week was an anomaly. Even Larissa agreed that it was the most fun she has in a while. For me the run was not only a confidence booster but just so much fun I can't wait to do it again! The next hour or so flew by and most of it is a blur. The running wasn't fast, I just can't really remember it.
Two and a half hours in and the Gazos Creek aid never looked so good. I felt tired and almost wanted to continue on and just do the marathon. What a sack! Filled up the pack and went. Some lady in spandex left right after me but decided to run up instead of hike. I chose the later and made the pace as hard as tolerable. There it is, the pace was as hard as tolerable again!!! I guess I just can't not go at it that way. Thomas' words kept ringing in my head, 'This isn't the race that matters, just go easy and have a nice long training run." There must be a switch absent from my noggin that allows me to do that. The loop from the aid station and back was 6 miles. In my head I had to do it in an hour to keep on track. On track for WAHT??!!!? Yeah, on track. I left at 2:30 and got back at 3:24. The loop included a nice single track climb up to a ridgeline fireroad. We were to follow the ridgeline up and down and up and up. Then it started heading down again and there was my gift. More downhill single track. What fun!!! Here I caught uphill run girl and never saw here again or the others that passed me on the way up. Back to the aid to fill it up one more time. There, now my legs are sufficiently beat up with another 11 or so to go. Swell. To get out of Big Basin you have to climb, not a lot but just enough to remind you that the course still had 3000' of elevation gain even though the loss was 5000'. Honestly the downhill claimed more people than the up hill.
At the top, or at the end of the last climb, the last gift that layed out infront of you was a pine covered single track wet dream heading down a mountain in switchbacks and through a natural drainage. It was fast and soon you were running creekside. An undulating trail sided by ferns and poison oak along with coastal pines and shrubs to the left and a swollen creek to the right. Here is where I found my groove. I fell into a solid pace and just went...within my self. I passed a few people along the way but also got passed, by one or two. This section went really fast. At the final creek crossing, there stood a guy saying, "three miles to the next aid, five to finish." Shit! I wanted to be done now. This next part stuck in my mind as being a little boring. It isn't, it is just a fire road back to the horse camp so comparitivly speaking to what was behind, the future just seemed a little boring. This was a long road back. I met up with a guy, who was passing me, and spoke with him for a few minutes before he continued on his way. This made the time pass. Every once in a while I would come around a turn and spot someone else a head of me. This passed the time pretty good too. Finally made it to the last aid station. Cute gal, old guy. She made me smile he filled my pack. What a life this is. They said less than two to go. Cool, the sign said 1.3 so they really weren't kidding. Solid, found my groove again and finished this one painfree but the price had been payed already...tomorrow will be a sore day!!
Finished in 5:17, a new PR for me. Larissa said hey to me at the finish, she is cool and that was a nice gesture. We talked for a couple minutes as she got her quads worked on by one of the ART people. Hmmm looks good. A little body work is in order for me too! I sat, I stood, I ate chili and soup and drank a coke and got some ART. Then left....
Take Home:
When you have a race plan...stick to it. 5:17 is cool but I am sore. 31 miles is going to make you sore, but less sore if you run smart.
Do this race again at sub 5 in 2012 or 2013
no photos for this one, i forgot my camera and there wasn't a photographer on course...bummer
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Skyline 2da Sea prep
Monday I did nothing and liked it. Work had me in at 5am and didn't leave until 4pm or so. I did go see my favorite chiropractor and that made me feel better. Other than that my body was tired.
Tuesday I was in the pool again. It was a gorgeous day and some pool cross training was in order. Luckily four others, my usual rehab suspects, joined me and we went at it hard. I almost made Dave puke again. He really gets into the sprints. Alex worked her ass off and ended up with 65 minutes of plyo's, sprints and core work. I love my job. This pool thing came at the right time and I think it is all from Daves suggestion or as a result of multiple conversations with his rehabilitation as the subject heading. I ended up with about 80 minutes of good movement. My body was alittle tired but moved well enough to get a good workout.
Wednesday my mother-in-law was picking up the girls so I went for a 10 mile spin up poly canyon towards shooters. I didn't feel like running any of it. I am glad it was a really nice day because it made staying out there easy. If you have never seen rattle snakes mate it is a trip. Intertwined like a pretzle bangin into eachother, falling on the ground. I was on my way back to Poly and two snakes were in the middle of the road 'doing it!' I had to watch for a second because at first I thought they were fighting. After a couple minutes of amazment and disbelief I carefully went around them. The rest of the run went easy and as I finished I noticed I had spent almost two hours out there. I knew I spent some time watching the snakes, retracing my steps because of cows and contemplating what route to take after nearly five miles in, but I didn't think I was running that slow. It really doesn't matter and my body felt good, so I guess it's a good thing. Heading down poly canyhon is fun and this is where I finished my run and then left for home.
Thursday: Pool work for an hour 15 minutes. Varying intensity levels. Good work, got a good sweat.
Friday: see Thursday. Wanted to run, just didn't get the chance.
Saturday:
After football practice I started thinking about the race. Mostly because I have to leave and get up to Santa Cruz sometime today. For some reason my legs feel heavy and I am not into this at all. Could be that I ate like shit this week. I absolutely couldn't help myself. Chips, candy, doughnuts you name I was eating it. What an idiot. My thoughts for tomorrow now are just to finish and get home. This kinda feeling is so defeating. less than a month out of Miwok and I feel like crap and don't want to deal with training. I am not burned out, maybe it's work or home...fuck me! my routine is off...next week better be better.
Tuesday I was in the pool again. It was a gorgeous day and some pool cross training was in order. Luckily four others, my usual rehab suspects, joined me and we went at it hard. I almost made Dave puke again. He really gets into the sprints. Alex worked her ass off and ended up with 65 minutes of plyo's, sprints and core work. I love my job. This pool thing came at the right time and I think it is all from Daves suggestion or as a result of multiple conversations with his rehabilitation as the subject heading. I ended up with about 80 minutes of good movement. My body was alittle tired but moved well enough to get a good workout.
Wednesday my mother-in-law was picking up the girls so I went for a 10 mile spin up poly canyon towards shooters. I didn't feel like running any of it. I am glad it was a really nice day because it made staying out there easy. If you have never seen rattle snakes mate it is a trip. Intertwined like a pretzle bangin into eachother, falling on the ground. I was on my way back to Poly and two snakes were in the middle of the road 'doing it!' I had to watch for a second because at first I thought they were fighting. After a couple minutes of amazment and disbelief I carefully went around them. The rest of the run went easy and as I finished I noticed I had spent almost two hours out there. I knew I spent some time watching the snakes, retracing my steps because of cows and contemplating what route to take after nearly five miles in, but I didn't think I was running that slow. It really doesn't matter and my body felt good, so I guess it's a good thing. Heading down poly canyhon is fun and this is where I finished my run and then left for home.
Thursday: Pool work for an hour 15 minutes. Varying intensity levels. Good work, got a good sweat.
Friday: see Thursday. Wanted to run, just didn't get the chance.
Saturday:
After football practice I started thinking about the race. Mostly because I have to leave and get up to Santa Cruz sometime today. For some reason my legs feel heavy and I am not into this at all. Could be that I ate like shit this week. I absolutely couldn't help myself. Chips, candy, doughnuts you name I was eating it. What an idiot. My thoughts for tomorrow now are just to finish and get home. This kinda feeling is so defeating. less than a month out of Miwok and I feel like crap and don't want to deal with training. I am not burned out, maybe it's work or home...fuck me! my routine is off...next week better be better.
Monday, April 4, 2011
42/3
I finished the week with a mellow paced run. i wanted to get at least 8 and just go from there. I started at Mott Gym and went out to second farm. At second farm I decided to atleast go up to the intersection of Shooters and Morning Glory. At the intersection I decided to give myself 15 minutes of climbing and then I would turn around regardless as to where I was. I made it to the broken glass turn. Literally less than 50 yards from the top. I had to get back. The down hill was actually harder than the going up. Whatever. I made it down in 10 minutes and headed along the single track toward Poly Canyon. four and half miles to go to get back to Mott. Easy. At two and a half to go I started bonking. I forgot enough food. One gel for a two hour run is not smart for me. I just haven't trained that way and this two hour is following a four and a half hour fun run. I made it back even though it took a little longer than it should have. I didn't feel too bad, except my legs were crying foul! Too much I guess. Ha! screw them, they do what I want.
Two days 36 miles ~7800' elevation, 6 hours 45 minutes of running. Cool Beans!!!!
42/3 means 42 miles over three days.
The week ended up with four good cross train days and 3 good run days.
Running by myself gave me plenty to think about.
My aside note: The more people I meet through ultrarunning the more faith I have that people generally are good. I honestly think that if people stripped themselves down to some essentials and just ran, they would be better because of it. Part of what brings people down is inactivity which in turn breeds laziness which turns to negativity which turns to pessimism which leads to cynicism and so on. Not a social theory, just a thought. People generally are good and would rather be altruistic than self serving, it is just harder now to take a step forward because of fear of rejection, litigation or someother negative outcome.
Take Home:
1- Run
2- Run Happy
3- Be good tothe next person you see
Two days 36 miles ~7800' elevation, 6 hours 45 minutes of running. Cool Beans!!!!
42/3 means 42 miles over three days.
The week ended up with four good cross train days and 3 good run days.
Running by myself gave me plenty to think about.
My aside note: The more people I meet through ultrarunning the more faith I have that people generally are good. I honestly think that if people stripped themselves down to some essentials and just ran, they would be better because of it. Part of what brings people down is inactivity which in turn breeds laziness which turns to negativity which turns to pessimism which leads to cynicism and so on. Not a social theory, just a thought. People generally are good and would rather be altruistic than self serving, it is just harder now to take a step forward because of fear of rejection, litigation or someother negative outcome.
Take Home:
1- Run
2- Run Happy
3- Be good tothe next person you see
Rinconada and Big/Little Falls Trails
Big group this time. Thomas had a couple of friend visiting from the Bay Area this weekend which added two more onto a growing Saturday run group. I think twelve of us started up the trail at 6:40am. Well Scott and Kristen arrived at 5am or so and put in an extra 4 before the rest of the group showed. The sun was coming up and lit up the trail enough to make it easy to see. The first mile or so of the trail is up. Like last week I was huffin and puffin and wondering if today was going to be another bad day. F that! I got over it quick and spent the time with Thomas talking about Miwok strategies and getting my mind set right for that. It turned out to be a great distractor. We joined the rest of the group at the top of the Little Falls Trail and stashed our water and food for the day. Off we went.
We were on a fireroad for the first little 15 or twenty minutes. Then we dropped into some of the funnest single track. Honestly, at the time I didn't know it, but this part of the trail going to big falls actually made my day. It was fast with a lot of turns working your way down an open meadow and slowly moving toward an oak canopy that kept the trail shaded. Since we received so much rain this year the grass was tall and covered much of the 'less traveled' trail. The rain also kept the tributary cricks flowing which to made the trail running wet but fun. Soon we came up to Big Falls. Just like I remembered it. Big with a nice little beach type area. We stopped for about five minutes and picked up one more person, took some pictures and then vamanos!
The trail from the falls to the trail head was fast. It was also littered with newts. A bunch, like every two or three steps you would have to miss step to avoid mushing one. I regret not getting a photo of one. Some newts were not so fortunate! Lots of people moving fast with lots of newts crossing the trail...mush! Poor little guy...This was the begining of the serious creek crossings. Deep, long and the trail moved up and down along the path of the creek. I actually caught myself laughing outloud on this part it was so much fun. The trail eventually dumped us out on a part of Hi Mountain Road or something like that. I don't know maybe I should ask Scott. We regrouped at the road and made our way through the canyon we just dropped into. I knew I was one of the slowest peoples there so I started out just before everyone else. Luckily they kept it somewhat moderate along this section. More creek crossings! I got into a conversation with Dusty about cross training and mileage and stuff like that. We go started by Dusty telling me he gained 7 pounds in a couple weeks when his training dropped off. Turns out Dusty is like me. We eat what ever the heck we want and just run the calories off. He must eat like a friken pig because he logs 70-80 mile weeks. Too Much Running...for me...right now. One of us got distracted and soon Scott and I were side by side. Left Turn!
There she was...all covered in grass...deceptively laying there all calm and mellow...Little Falls Trail head. Boy Oh Boy is this great! So this is the much anticipated and talked about climb back up to where we started??? JOY! Scott is a frequent flyer in this neighborhood. In anticipation of getting caught by everyone we left ealier. We hiked, we ran, we hiked we ran. Gentle climbs leading to steeper ones leading to...more creek crossings! Awesome, and at this point the amount of water was really irrelevant. What mattered was how many pebbles got into your shoes. That didn't really matter either. What we were doing is following a creek up the hill. So we were moving into another canyon and so the trail was very similar to the last. Well for the first part. The creek crossings eventually stopped about half way up. The oaks gave way to mansenita and other shrubs and we were exposed. Well, it was mostly overcast at this point so the day was still cool. I do remember at the begining of the run looking down on the marine layer. What that means is, we have to climb thorugh it and when we're through it, we still have moe to climb. It is what it is. The trail started to get steeper and I thought it best not to stay with Scott. He's a beast with climbing. Just too fast for me. So I told him I found my pace and I would see him at the top. No one passed us up to this point. I kept him in my sights for the most part but he slowly moved away. Then I could hear voices. Had to be Thomas...he's a freek. He makes running uphill look so easy you're tempted to stay with him...HA! HAHAHA, that's a good one. I kept going. Tada, the top, turned around and stopped to take a picture of Thomas and Brett running up. Yea! they ran it.
We regrouped at the top. Filled bottles, packs, got some food. Had Erik make fun of me, twice, in a minute. It was actually funny and true so I had to laugh. No I don't remember what he said, just that it was true. Scott and I started out and we were about 100 yards down the little hill when I noticed I forgot my hat. Back I went. Turned around and instead of first I batted clean up. Who cares I ended up getting some better photos of the meadow I loved so much.
Totally brain dead. I couldn't really put a complete sentence together. We gathered up and left. Like the way out, the way back was spent with Thomas talking about the SLO Trail Runners Race next year. Planning on a 50K and 100K. In this area it would be friken gnarlly. Can't wait!
Take Home:
1- Stay within yourself. It is tempting to mash it early, just realize long runs or races 50K + leave a lot of room for melt downs.
2- I got my food right this time. Find what is right for you and stick with it.
3- Water and electrolytes are so crucial. I noticed Brett and Thomas carried a (that's one) bottle. I carried 70 ounces (pack and bottle) for the same distance. I didn't drink it all but I would rather have it than not
4- Most important...Have fun. This is fun.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
March 28
Monday:
Back to school day. Back to established routine. Back to trying to find time to run. This is typically not easy. I think I need to dig in to self motivation and really come to terms with choosing to run 62 miles in one day. I haven't really thought about it too much. Mostly when I mention it to people they look at me with some kinda wonder and a look that says, "what's wrong with you?" Is it a big deal? Yes. Am I taking it lightly? No, I am not really thinking too much about it until now. Last Saturday we went out for a pretty easy 20 to 24 miles. I cramped at 16 on a run not too dissimilar to the Miwok course. So my confidence is a little battered right now. I need to have a good month and it needs to start this week. Miwok starts at 5:30am and I intend to get at least two runs in a week starting at that time...or close to it.
Today needed to be a recovery day. It was. A nice hard workout for an hour in the kiddie pool. It was awesome.
Tuesday:
Another good day. Woke up early with the profile of Miwok staring me in the face. Rolled out of bed and got coffee. Gotta have it! Ate a little and then out for some hill work. 4 x .5mile with 2 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down. Great way to start the day, sunrise was beautiful. I struggled but it was well worth it. Saw an owl, ducks, cat and heard a bunch-o-chickens. All this done by 6:30am. At 10:00am I was in the pool again with four others who were waiting for a good workout. My rehab kiddies. Sun is out slight breeze and into a three to four foot, 90 degree therapy pool. 50 minutes of hard work later and my second workout of the day was done. 11:00am and I had almost two hours of good times under my belt. Awsome!
Wednesday:
Plan = 8 to 10 in morning...reality = third pool workout. My legs were tired though so good thing.
Thursday:
I intended to run in the morning again. I need my sleep and when my CPA (wife), stays up clicking her computer until 10:45 the propects of getting up early shoot out the window. This was another pool day mixed with some abs. I guess you can say I am sticking to a low mileage diet whether I like it or not. I feel good and my body doesn't ache or feel 'tight' so I think this is a good thing for now. So far this week I have spent three and a half hours or so in the pool. I think it's enough.
Friday:
Planning on a giant run for me tomorrow and Sunday. Off today.
Back to school day. Back to established routine. Back to trying to find time to run. This is typically not easy. I think I need to dig in to self motivation and really come to terms with choosing to run 62 miles in one day. I haven't really thought about it too much. Mostly when I mention it to people they look at me with some kinda wonder and a look that says, "what's wrong with you?" Is it a big deal? Yes. Am I taking it lightly? No, I am not really thinking too much about it until now. Last Saturday we went out for a pretty easy 20 to 24 miles. I cramped at 16 on a run not too dissimilar to the Miwok course. So my confidence is a little battered right now. I need to have a good month and it needs to start this week. Miwok starts at 5:30am and I intend to get at least two runs in a week starting at that time...or close to it.
Today needed to be a recovery day. It was. A nice hard workout for an hour in the kiddie pool. It was awesome.
Tuesday:
Another good day. Woke up early with the profile of Miwok staring me in the face. Rolled out of bed and got coffee. Gotta have it! Ate a little and then out for some hill work. 4 x .5mile with 2 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down. Great way to start the day, sunrise was beautiful. I struggled but it was well worth it. Saw an owl, ducks, cat and heard a bunch-o-chickens. All this done by 6:30am. At 10:00am I was in the pool again with four others who were waiting for a good workout. My rehab kiddies. Sun is out slight breeze and into a three to four foot, 90 degree therapy pool. 50 minutes of hard work later and my second workout of the day was done. 11:00am and I had almost two hours of good times under my belt. Awsome!
Wednesday:
Plan = 8 to 10 in morning...reality = third pool workout. My legs were tired though so good thing.
Thursday:
I intended to run in the morning again. I need my sleep and when my CPA (wife), stays up clicking her computer until 10:45 the propects of getting up early shoot out the window. This was another pool day mixed with some abs. I guess you can say I am sticking to a low mileage diet whether I like it or not. I feel good and my body doesn't ache or feel 'tight' so I think this is a good thing for now. So far this week I have spent three and a half hours or so in the pool. I think it's enough.
Friday:
Planning on a giant run for me tomorrow and Sunday. Off today.
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