"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"
-Pre

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

RECAP : Nov 21 - Nov 27

Monday - 11/21/11

Lunch. Treadmill climb.
5 minutes warmup
30 minutes @ 10 min/mi pace @ 12% grade
5 minute cooldown

This one was tough. Legs were starting to feel the burn the last few minutes of this workout. I think 10 min pace at 12% grade, for any extended period of time, seems to be my current red-lining zone. Would have had a longer warmup and cooldown, but had to get back to the office. I hope to extend these uphill treadmill climbs to somewhere in the 60-90 minute range by the spring.

PM - easy 40 minutes jogging from work to home. Via spring creek trail and local backroads.


Tuesday - 11/22/11
PM - easy 45 minutes. Ran home from work. Took mason street path and a few backstreets.

Wednesday - 11/23/11

OFF

Thursday - 11/24/11
OFF

Friday - 11/25/11
Easy 1 hr 20 minutes in the afternoon. Local roads.

Saturday - 11/26/11
OFF

Sunday - 11/27/11

Easy 50 minutes in the afternoon. Ran to dogpark and then onto spring creek trail and back home.

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On the running front this past week was fairly easy and for the most part, uneventful. I didnt get to the track this week because I thought I might be running the Thanksgiving day 4-miler, as my speed day. However, it wasnt until the night before when I decided to skip it. Trying to run a race, prep food in the kitchen for Thanksgiving dinner later in the day, and get all of Eliana's stuff packed and ready to get down to Denver by noonish.....would have have been logistically near impossible. Especially with one car in the household. Thanksgiving is at our place next year, so next year I will be entered and racing on Thanksgiving morning! :-)

The treadmill climb workouts have been the highlight of my runs, surprisingly. As I am not a fan of running on a treadmill, cranking up the grade, lowering my shoulders and grunting out a decent "climb" is always a great feeling. I think 12% grade at 10 min/mi pace is near the top end of my fitness right now.....at least for anything lasting 30 minutes or longer. I have been feeling the improved strength and cardio benefits of my last couple of workouts on the track and on these treadmill climbs, in my legs lately. Legs have been feeling strong and quick.

Planning to get the new car battery this week (payday!) and so a trip or two to Horsetooth Mtn Park is in the works for this upcoming week. As is a track workout and perhaps a run or two at Pineridge or foothills trails. I have missed running on the dirt this past month.

Feels good to be getting back in shape and feeling strong on these climbs and track workouts. Looking forward to getting back on the trails this week.

Eliana'a birthday was on Tuesday, and we had a little gathering for her to celebrate her 1st birthday! :-)


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

RECAP : Nov 14 - Nov 20

Monday - 11/14/11

Lunch - Treadmill climb. 30 minute climb at 10% grade, with varying pace. 1,514 vert.

10 minute easy warmup
10 minutes @ 12 min/mi @ 10% grade
18 minutes @ 10 min/mi @ 10% grade
2 minutes @ 8:30 min/mi @ 10% grade
10 minute easy cooldown

First time on the treadmill for a workout and I actually enjoyed it. I felt good and it felt great to run uphill for an extended period of time. Could have gone longer, but had to get back to the office. Felt strong and comfortable. I plan to make this a weekly workout (maybe even twice a week) during the winter months (Dec - March). 30 minutes of climbing felt good for my first treadmill workout. Although 60-90 minutes of continuous uphill running is what I am aiming for later this winter. (once or twice a week).

PM - 21 minutes. easy. Ran home after work via the mason street path.


Tuesday - 11/15/11
AM - 22 minutes. Easy run into work. via mason street path.
PM - 55 minutes. easy. Ran home from work via the spring creek trail > dog park > horsetooth and back home. Last few miles were in the dark.


Wednesday - 11/16/11
PM - 53 minutes. Same as yesterday. Ran home from work . Campus > Spring creek path > dog park > horsetooth and back home. another easy run in the dark after work.

Thursday - 11/17/11
AM - 21 minutes, jog to work. Via mason street path.
PM - 19 minutes, jog back home after work on mason path. Easy day of jogging to and from work.


Friday - 11/18/11
OFF


Saturday - 11/19/11
Track Workout
Woke up at 6am and jogged the 3 miles to the track from our house via the spring creek path. To my surprise, we got about 2 inches of snow on the ground that night! And the temps were in the low 20's. So I jogged to the track and of course it was covered in about 1-2 inches of snow. I was hoping that the snow, for whatever reason, would not be sticking to the track.....but it was. After my 3 mile warmup jog I ran 2 x 800, 1 x 400 and 1 mile of striders. Ran the repeats hard, yet at a comfortable pace. Then an easy 3 mile jog back home as a cool down.
I would have thrown in a few more 800's but the track was fairly slippery and with each step I took, I could feel my feet slipping (which was frustratingly annoying). I was running in my road racing flats, not my track spikes. So the effort it took me to run my repeats was much more difficult than the actual times appear. I figure equivalent times on a dry morning would be at least 3-4 seconds per 400m faster than this wet and snowy morning at the track.

Anyways, I ran:
2x800m (2:37, 2:38), 1x400m (1:12)....and 4 laps of jogging the turns and striding out the straights.


Sunday - 11/20/11
OFF

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This past week it felt really good to get on the treadmill and get in some nice uphill running for a welcomed change. I am not a fan of the tredmill, but I suppose it does have its advantages during the winter months when getting to the mountains are not an option. continuous uphill climbs are great workouts to increase your overall strength and endurance. Running uphill for anymore than 30 minutes straight means heading to RMNP, but in the winter thats not an option, as snow covers the trails up in the high country during the winter months. Which makes the treadmill a handy tool in the winter if you are looking to get in some vertical.
Getting to the track more often has also been a perk in my running these past few weeks. Even if one of the workouts was altered because of the snow, it still was well worth it. Improving my leg turnover during these track workouts this winter is something I feel will help improve my downhill trail running come next summer.
My truck is still out of commission and have been running to and from work a few days a week. Not sure when it will get fixed, maybe in the next week or two...whenever payday gets here.

Saturday we celebrated Eliana's 1 year birthday! Her birthday is officially on the 22nd but we had Family and friends came over on Saturday. We had about 20 people in attendance to celebrate Eliana's big day. She ate cake and ice cream, played with her new toys, got lots of hugs and kisses and judging from the smile on her face throughout the day...I think she enjoyed every minute of it! :-)






Thursday, November 17, 2011

RECAP : Nov 7 - Nov 13

Monday - 11/07/11
40 minutes. easy. Ran in the evening around town. felt good.

Tuesday - 11/08/11
AM - 22 minutes. easy jog into work via mason street corridor pathway. Wore camelbak.

PM - 45 minutes. Ran home from work. Ran along spring creek trail to horsetooth dog park... back home.

Wednesday - 11/09/11
50 minutes. Ran at night after dinner. I havent been on the trails in awhile since my truck has been offline, and since some of the trails have been closed anyway. So I decided to run from my house down to Pineridge to check out the trail conditions, and run back. Trails Still closed. Legs had some good spring in them and the full moon, no breeze, cold and quiet evening out on Pineridge where you could here a pin drop.....was really cool.

Thursday - 11/10/11
Noon - I had some spare time at lunch and since the weather was nice and I had my track flats with me in my office, I decided to walk the 50 yards to the track from my office door, and get in a short workout. I havent done any speed on the track since May or June. So I had no idea what to expect. After a 1 mile warmup I ran 2 x 800 and then another mile cooldown. A very short workout, but a great way to kill some time during lunch break.
Ran 2:30 and 2:33. I wanted to run these repeats at a hard, yet comfortable pace. I didnt look or record any splits, just the start and the finish. Overall, I am pleased, as I thought I was running in the low to mid 2:40's for both of them. I plan to make it to the track for a workout once a week during the winter. ...rain, sleet, snow....etc! :-)

PM - 22 minutes. Easy jog home after work via the mason street corridor.

Friday - 11/11/11
40 minutes. Another run home after work. easy.

Saturday- 11/12/11
OFF

Sunday- 11/13/11
OFF

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I am finally starting to get into more of a groove as far as getting in certain runs during the week. The track workout this past week was nice. Felt good to open it up a bit and still feel fresh. Next week I plan to do another speed day at the track, as well as a hill climb on the treadmill.
I still havent done anything long, for over an hour, in quiet some time. And this is something I definetly want to make more a priority at some point. I desperately need to get a new pair of shoes, as the shoes I am currently running in hurt my feet if I run in them for anything too long. I have even cycled in my racing flats for some runs, just to make what I got last longer. Thats part of the reason why I havent gone long in a while. Not having a truck to get to the mountains, and just not finding the time...are the other reasons.

I might run the 4 mile thanksgiving day run in town. Its a great race if you want to go out in 5 flat for the first mile and not be in the top 20! Competition is pretty studly to say the least. And the temperature will be around 15...maybe 20 degrees for the start! fun times!
I should have a few more speed days at the track (and hill climbs) prior to thanksgiving day. I have no idea what sorta time I will put up if I decide to run it...but I do know that I will give it everything I have.

Elianas 1st birthday is only a week or so away (the 22nd). Wow! I have been going through pictures of her these past few days of when she was really little, and its just something I do from time to time as it always puts a smile on my face and gets me in a good mood. :-)
Andrea is making a chocolate fudge and banana cream cake for her birthday party. Fresh bananas, whip cream, fudge....I cant wait! lol

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

RECAP : Oct 31 - Nov 6

Monday - 10/31/11
45 minutes. Easy.
Ran in the evening around town at an easy pace. Local trails (outside of blue sky/ Horsetooth) still closed for muddy conditions.
My truck broke this past weekend, so all running will be most likely on the road this week, as getting around with one vehicle will have to suffice for the time being.

Tuesday - 11/01/11
AM- 24 minutes. Easy. Jogged to work via the mason street pathway. Wore my lightweight camel pak carrying a change of clothes for the office.

PM- 1hr 10 minutes. Easy. Ran home after work. Took the long way home via the spring creek trail to horsetooth dog park and then hopped on Horsetooth Rd and east back home.

Wednesday - 11/02/11
AM- 22 minutes. Easy. cold 12 degrees, icy and foggy! Jogged to work via mason street pathway. I think my eyes froze on this morning jog to work...super cold in the AM! We got a few inches of snow last night, but the paths are clear. So made it great for an easy jog into work. Wore camelbak again.

PM- 55 minutes. Similar to yesterdays route except I got off the spring creek trail at Drake and took some back roads home. Slighter shorter route. chilly. 30 degrees.

Thursday - 11/03/11
AM- 19:30. Easy jog into work. Icy patches all over mason street path made it an interesting easy jog into work.

PM- 45 minutes. Basically ran through several backstreets and took a long out-of-the-way route. After several days of pounding on cement I was ready to run on some "softer" asphalt for a change.

Friday - 11/04/11
35 minutes. Easy running around the neighborhood.

Saturday- 11/05/11
OFF- Spent the day and evening down in Denver visiting family.

Sunday - 11/06/11
OFF- Busy day. Plus Eliana wasnt feeling that well so we made it a "stay inside" kinda afternoon. We did visit friends in the evening who was gracious enough to invite us over their place and made us a delicious spaghetti dinner! Yum!

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Overall, another blah week of running.
Truck is still out of commission and until I can get my hands on an extra $75 for a new battery it will most likely stay that way for a bit. Running to and from work isnt my favorite workout in the world, but it gets me up and moving early, so I guess thats good.
With only one car right now, I havent had any time to check out any of the local trail conditions. But hopefully I can hit the trails again soon, this pavement stuff isnt my favorite.
Also, and probably the biggest disappoinment this past week, is that I will most likely not be running in Leadville 100. A race I have looked forward to running for about 2 years now, is gonna have to wait...(sigh)

Right now, with one car out of commission, and another badly needing a new pair of winter tires (they are slicks!), the list of priorities on spending $290 (tax included) for a race is unfortunetly near the bottom (err...at the bottom).
The race will fill up quickly, so even if I win the lotto in the next few weeks, most likely it will be too late.

One alternative I am thinking of running, is the Pikes Peak Marathon. I have never ran it. And it is around, if not the same, weekend as Leadville. I have run the Ascent in 2009 and the Barr trail race several times. But the marathon might be an option for me, and is another race I have been wanting to do. And it is less than half the cost of Leadville, I believe.

Until we get both cars working again, running will be more of a "whenever I can" sorta thing. So planning specific workouts right now might be a challenge.

This I do know, I plan to run: 1 long run (3-4+ hours), 1 hill day (repeats or long climbs via Towers or treadmill), and 1 speed day (track), per week as a minimum, as my staple for winter training. Just not sure which days of the week they will be until I can get around again with my truck.

Pretty bummed about Leadville, kinda stinks that races are soo dang expensive...the entry fee alone weeds out those who have a fat stash of cash lying around and those who, well, dont. Makes me wonder how many other runners opt out of a race, who could be a contender, just because of the entry fee. its a shame, really.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

RECAP : Oct 24 - Oct 30

10-24-2011
Mon - 45 mins
Pineridge. Easy

10-25-2011
Tues - 50 mins
Foothills Trail. Easy

10-25-2011
Wed - 40 mins
Pineridge. First snow of the year. About 8 inches in town. Felt great to run on the soft powdery trails. TONS of tree limbs broken off everywhere. Cold, 30 degrees.

10-26-2011
Thurs - 30 mins
Pineridge. Another easy snowy day. Temps got down to about 12 degrees at night. Snow wont last long as the temps will get back up into the 50's this weekend. Making it a muddy slop fest on the dirt.

10-27-2011
Fri - OFF
All the trails in town were closed off due to muddy trail conditions. I am sure blue sky and HT is open but didnt have the time for the drive over there after work. bummer.

10-28-2011
Sat - OFF
Same as yesterday. Another busy day and had no time at all to get out for a run. Andrea had a girls evening and so Eliana and Daddy had a fun time eating dinner and watching some cartoons together :-)

10-29-2011
Sun - 53 mins
With the trails still being closed and muddied up, I hit the road for an out an back run. Starting from the dog park on HT I ran Overland to the drive in theater, turned west and ran up the long grinding hill at the end, turned left at the stop sign (onto centennial) and ran to the top of the hill. Turned around and ran back down the same way. Definetely felt the pounding of the hard road on my shins and ankle. Actually as I am writing this, my right ankle is actually pretty tender/painful at times. Not sure what is up with that.

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Another easy week. Im not a fan of taking consecutive days off, but thats just how some weeks go I guess.

Some pictures from my run on Wednesday :










The weather has cleared up but the forecast is calling for another 6-9 inches of white powder starting this Tuesday night through Wednesday. Should be (hopefully) a fun time out on the trails! Hopefully I can find time to make a trip or two to HT Mtn later this week.

Still working on my winter base training schedule. Hopefully I will have it completed later this week.

Just found out Leadville 100 costs $275. Ouch! there goes my lunch/eating out/dinner/entertainment... money for the month. Simply ridiculous fees!
Guess I will get by with eating Ramen and cheerios the next 4 weeks. I think I seriously need to think about getting a second job or something. These race entry fees are just killing the wallet.

Also on a side note: my truck broke. (maybe the battery...not quite sure) Havent had time to get it looked at yet. But looks like I will be making the 20 minute jog to and from work this week. Just Super!

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