So Saturday is the Black Mountain Monster 12hour (Race for Awesomeness). I have high hopes for running 52.6 miles, or 17 laps of the 3.1 mile course. Anything over 40 will be a distance record for me though. I am very excited...Lists have been made and began packing and prepping yesterday.
Psyche and Charles will be there - looking forward to some good times catching up with them - and hopefully getting some awesome advice!
Good luck to all those running Chattooga this weekend...site of my 1st ultra only two years ago. Wow, only 2 years?? It seems like I've been doing ultras for much longer...wishful thinking!
Weather for the weekend looks encouraging: High Temp at Black Mountain of 71°. Mostly sunny, but a little wind too. Of course - I consider anything over 60° "hot", but I'll manage the best I can. Will seem downright comfy over 90's at some other races...
It must be obvious I have not raced since January when you see that I have just signed up for a race in Feb of 2013! The 7th El Paso Marathon is Feb 24th. I often travel to El Paso/Juarez for work, so I figured I'd take in some sights! More on this later, but it is a net downhill and has a 1000' drop in the first 5 miles.
Have I said I am also doing the full marathon at Camp Croft in July??
So right now - my future schedule is:
June 2 - Black Mountain Monster 12hr
July 28 - Camp Croft Trail Marathon
Sept 16 - Buncombe 55k
Oct 13 - New River 50k
Nov - Camp Croft Half Marathon (tentative)
Jan 5, 2013 - Harbison 50k
Feb 24 - El Paso Marathon
Pretty ambitious for me...guess these last few months of 40+ mile weeks may be giving me a false sense of security!
Wish me luck Saturday!!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Run to Work Day
Monday - I ran to work. My car battery died Sunday afternoon before I was to go for a run. After taking my wife's car out to go run at Lake Conestee, it was too late to take the battery to get checked - priorities you know!
I only live 4-5 miles from work, depending on the route, so it was very manageable. What made it a little more interesting was the fact that I had to carry my laptop and my clothes/shoes for work. My camelbak was full!
I set off at 6am and headed up the road (and a blind hill with very little shoulder) with my headlamp, flashlight and blinking light on my bag. Throw in a bright yellow shirt - and I felt everyone could see me. The pack didn't feel too bad, a bit heavy, but not uncomfortable. I sure felt like I was plodding, but then again, my legs have felt like that since I was sick, 2+ weeks ago now. I'm expecting them to rebound just in time for the 12 hour Race for Awesomeness!
So, headed past Mauldin High School, still not alot of traffic out and eventually turn from Miller Rd into Forrester Woods to bypass part of Hamby that is on the narrow side and has lots of turns. I used to ride my bike thru here on the way home from work a few years ago. I should have consulted a map, because I got turned around and went .75mi thru the subdivision before coming back out on Miller 300 yards from where I had entered.
Oh well, let's see how bad Hamby really is....turned out - it wasn't so bad. It was much lighter out now (6:30ish), so that helped.
Not too eventful from there on...at least one co-worker passed me along Forrester (hello!).
51 minutes for what turned out to be ~5.15 miles. Not too shabby; I'll even consider doing this when I don't 'have' to!
I only live 4-5 miles from work, depending on the route, so it was very manageable. What made it a little more interesting was the fact that I had to carry my laptop and my clothes/shoes for work. My camelbak was full!
I set off at 6am and headed up the road (and a blind hill with very little shoulder) with my headlamp, flashlight and blinking light on my bag. Throw in a bright yellow shirt - and I felt everyone could see me. The pack didn't feel too bad, a bit heavy, but not uncomfortable. I sure felt like I was plodding, but then again, my legs have felt like that since I was sick, 2+ weeks ago now. I'm expecting them to rebound just in time for the 12 hour Race for Awesomeness!
So, headed past Mauldin High School, still not alot of traffic out and eventually turn from Miller Rd into Forrester Woods to bypass part of Hamby that is on the narrow side and has lots of turns. I used to ride my bike thru here on the way home from work a few years ago. I should have consulted a map, because I got turned around and went .75mi thru the subdivision before coming back out on Miller 300 yards from where I had entered.
Oh well, let's see how bad Hamby really is....turned out - it wasn't so bad. It was much lighter out now (6:30ish), so that helped.
Not too eventful from there on...at least one co-worker passed me along Forrester (hello!).
51 minutes for what turned out to be ~5.15 miles. Not too shabby; I'll even consider doing this when I don't 'have' to!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sick week
What I don't like about traveling for work is that I often come home and get sick. After a wonderful run last weekend, I went out for my usual Monday morning 4 miles and it felt horrible. I stopped after 2.4 miles and wondered what was going on. That afternoon it started hitting me - a head cold. Luckily, I think I kicked it pretty quickly; worked from home 2 days and ran again Friday (6 miles - felt much more normal) after 3 days off.
Tomorrow I will do an easy 15 I think (have family in town) very early. That'll make 23 for the week, a true recovery week!
Two other notes today: How difficult running that Monday was and the first few miles of my Friday run makes me realize how much my body really was affected during the 2012 Harbison run from my cold that full week before. No wonder I was practically done after 12 miles.
Also - this week got to the end of my MS Excel worksheet. Columns in my version only go to IV. That covered from Dec 2007 until now. I moved 2012 to a new tab and in another 5 years or so, I'll have to open a new one!
One more thing - I am leaning towards the October running of the New River 50k for my "other" fall race instead of the Triple Lakes 40 miler. My friend Dan already registered for it, so that is a bonus. This will go along with the Buncombe 55k (Sept) and the Camp Croft Half (Nov). A little break before my return to Harbison!
Tomorrow I will do an easy 15 I think (have family in town) very early. That'll make 23 for the week, a true recovery week!
Two other notes today: How difficult running that Monday was and the first few miles of my Friday run makes me realize how much my body really was affected during the 2012 Harbison run from my cold that full week before. No wonder I was practically done after 12 miles.
Also - this week got to the end of my MS Excel worksheet. Columns in my version only go to IV. That covered from Dec 2007 until now. I moved 2012 to a new tab and in another 5 years or so, I'll have to open a new one!
One more thing - I am leaning towards the October running of the New River 50k for my "other" fall race instead of the Triple Lakes 40 miler. My friend Dan already registered for it, so that is a bonus. This will go along with the Buncombe 55k (Sept) and the Camp Croft Half (Nov). A little break before my return to Harbison!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Foothills Trail "Bench Marathon"
http://foothillstrailultras.com/hbmarathon.html
Let's start with that. It's just a set distance (who knows how long it actually is) that people go out and run for fun. Back in March I ran some of this, but had time to run the whole thing today. Viktor came out also and we ran together for all but the last 45 minutes or so - that was nice. Running with company is always nice and sure makes it seem easier.
So we started about 8:45 this morning and set off from the Laurel Valley parking lot heading towards Lake Jocassee. Climbs a good bit the first mile or two, then we actually started running as it headed (mostly) downhill for a good 6ish miles. The first stop was Virginia Hawkins Falls as we made it there in 1:00. (Actually exact to the second to what I ran this in March!)
The next section is a wonderful section - very runnable, near the creek with most of the 14 bridges we crossed (one-way!) thru here. On the way back - these crossings provided some much needed opportunities for cooling off. 36 minutes for this section and we took some more photos of Laurel Fork Falls emptying into the lake. Headed past the boat ramp side trail and onto new territory for me.
Still feeling good too after 8+ miles.
Different feel thru here. Some old logging roads (saw two 4-wheelers on a side road too) and of course more steps. I was walking all the down steps as my shoes have little traction on slippery surfaces and one section in particular was just too steep in my opinion. Ups and downs and eventually we made it to the Bench! 2:45 in for about 12.5 miles (according to a Foothills guide). 1:08 from the LF Falls.
Trip back was uneventful. Never had any pain, just some feet that got a little sore. Viktor and I talked about how much hiking we do, but at our level - that's normal and we are ok with that!
1:18 back to the LF Falls and continued back by the creek, over the bridges, and up the steps.
48 minutes to VH Falls - Definitely felt slower thru here.
Viktor started falling behind a little here and I kept going and felt stronger as I kept moving. I had no reference for where I was in relation to the end. A slight road/trail crossing at 55 minutes, then you start seeing the road thru the trees. It was getting closer and closer to the 6 hour mark and I started pushing - running some uphills too. At 5:58 I had basically given up, but then I saw the parking lot and I came down the steps and finished at 5:59:02!
An overall tiredness, but no muscle weakness/soreness whatsoever. I'm sure enjoying this...
More photos are here (of last two Foothills runs): http://pix.kg/p/2414893741105%3A1797639695/scl
Let's start with that. It's just a set distance (who knows how long it actually is) that people go out and run for fun. Back in March I ran some of this, but had time to run the whole thing today. Viktor came out also and we ran together for all but the last 45 minutes or so - that was nice. Running with company is always nice and sure makes it seem easier.
So we started about 8:45 this morning and set off from the Laurel Valley parking lot heading towards Lake Jocassee. Climbs a good bit the first mile or two, then we actually started running as it headed (mostly) downhill for a good 6ish miles. The first stop was Virginia Hawkins Falls as we made it there in 1:00. (Actually exact to the second to what I ran this in March!)
The next section is a wonderful section - very runnable, near the creek with most of the 14 bridges we crossed (one-way!) thru here. On the way back - these crossings provided some much needed opportunities for cooling off. 36 minutes for this section and we took some more photos of Laurel Fork Falls emptying into the lake. Headed past the boat ramp side trail and onto new territory for me.
Still feeling good too after 8+ miles.
Different feel thru here. Some old logging roads (saw two 4-wheelers on a side road too) and of course more steps. I was walking all the down steps as my shoes have little traction on slippery surfaces and one section in particular was just too steep in my opinion. Ups and downs and eventually we made it to the Bench! 2:45 in for about 12.5 miles (according to a Foothills guide). 1:08 from the LF Falls.
Trip back was uneventful. Never had any pain, just some feet that got a little sore. Viktor and I talked about how much hiking we do, but at our level - that's normal and we are ok with that!
1:18 back to the LF Falls and continued back by the creek, over the bridges, and up the steps.
48 minutes to VH Falls - Definitely felt slower thru here.
Viktor started falling behind a little here and I kept going and felt stronger as I kept moving. I had no reference for where I was in relation to the end. A slight road/trail crossing at 55 minutes, then you start seeing the road thru the trees. It was getting closer and closer to the 6 hour mark and I started pushing - running some uphills too. At 5:58 I had basically given up, but then I saw the parking lot and I came down the steps and finished at 5:59:02!
An overall tiredness, but no muscle weakness/soreness whatsoever. I'm sure enjoying this...
More photos are here (of last two Foothills runs): http://pix.kg/p/2414893741105%3A1797639695/scl
 |
| Start |
 |
| Viktor running |
 |
| Long climb (with no steps) |
 |
| at the Bench |
 |
| Lake Jocassee (water somewhere over there on the left) |
 |
| Laurel Fork Creek |
 |
| creekside trail - the best |
 |
| Finish |
Friday, April 20, 2012
Table Rock/Sassafras run & Black Mountain Monster 12hr
I have finally signed up for this race: http://www.raceforawesomeness.com/?p=60
The 12hour individual. Not ready to try for more (yet). My training is still going well. Last weekend I went out to Table Rock State Park. Starting at the parking lot, goal was to get to Sassafras and return. Never been up there before - and about 8+ years since I'd been to Table Rock at all. Hiked most of the uphills - and there was alot! Trails in TRSP were just ok. I took a quick detour to see Mill Creek Falls and once I made it onto the Foothills Trails (outside TRSP), the trails became very nice, mostly runnable. Surprisingly easy to follow - but I went thru a campsite not paying attention and ended up going a mile or so down (and it was downhill...) a logging road. I knew it didn't seem right, and checked my FHT section outline and it said "logging road", so I kept on going down, not seeing blazes, before heading back. What's some extra mileage when you have nowhere to be...
Back on trail kept moving decently, but really had my mileage/time muddled. Certain landmarks at associated mileages I just could not find and after just over 3 hours - really had no clue how close I was to Sassafras (Highest point in SC at over 3500 feet). Finally saw the road thru the trees and I was there. Spent some time at the overlook for some photos, went up the road a bit closer to the actual "top" before heading back after 3:30.
Brought my 20oz handheld and only my 2 liter bladder in my Camelbak. Down about half of it and because it was much lighter - moved around a bit more. Didn't like running with it like that - so did something I expect many non-runners will laugh about - but put two good sized rocks in my pack to weigh it down. Worked great for a few miles, until it dug into my back a bit, then took them out. Really enjoyed this section and my legs felt really good. There was a point or two that my legs felt it and didn't like going up so much, but I worked thru it and kept moving.
Once I got back to Table Rock (without backtracking the two "detours") - the running got slower with the steep, technical descents. Finished up in 5:49. Legs still felt good...wonder how long I could have gone??
Just spent the week away for work in El Paso and Juarez - so only 3 short runs on the dreaded treadmill. Blah. Calling that a recovery week that I didn't seem to need, but likely good for me in the long term.
So today - I signed up for that 12 hour race and after what has been 8 weeks (tomorrow) of averaging right under 40 mi/wk - a 50 mile goal in 12 hours seems reasonable. 6 weeks away - just need to keep it up!
The 12hour individual. Not ready to try for more (yet). My training is still going well. Last weekend I went out to Table Rock State Park. Starting at the parking lot, goal was to get to Sassafras and return. Never been up there before - and about 8+ years since I'd been to Table Rock at all. Hiked most of the uphills - and there was alot! Trails in TRSP were just ok. I took a quick detour to see Mill Creek Falls and once I made it onto the Foothills Trails (outside TRSP), the trails became very nice, mostly runnable. Surprisingly easy to follow - but I went thru a campsite not paying attention and ended up going a mile or so down (and it was downhill...) a logging road. I knew it didn't seem right, and checked my FHT section outline and it said "logging road", so I kept on going down, not seeing blazes, before heading back. What's some extra mileage when you have nowhere to be...
Back on trail kept moving decently, but really had my mileage/time muddled. Certain landmarks at associated mileages I just could not find and after just over 3 hours - really had no clue how close I was to Sassafras (Highest point in SC at over 3500 feet). Finally saw the road thru the trees and I was there. Spent some time at the overlook for some photos, went up the road a bit closer to the actual "top" before heading back after 3:30.
Brought my 20oz handheld and only my 2 liter bladder in my Camelbak. Down about half of it and because it was much lighter - moved around a bit more. Didn't like running with it like that - so did something I expect many non-runners will laugh about - but put two good sized rocks in my pack to weigh it down. Worked great for a few miles, until it dug into my back a bit, then took them out. Really enjoyed this section and my legs felt really good. There was a point or two that my legs felt it and didn't like going up so much, but I worked thru it and kept moving.
Once I got back to Table Rock (without backtracking the two "detours") - the running got slower with the steep, technical descents. Finished up in 5:49. Legs still felt good...wonder how long I could have gone??
Just spent the week away for work in El Paso and Juarez - so only 3 short runs on the dreaded treadmill. Blah. Calling that a recovery week that I didn't seem to need, but likely good for me in the long term.
So today - I signed up for that 12 hour race and after what has been 8 weeks (tomorrow) of averaging right under 40 mi/wk - a 50 mile goal in 12 hours seems reasonable. 6 weeks away - just need to keep it up!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Gotta be the shoes! (or is it the training?!)
So it looks like I'll only be posting every 2 weeks or so these days...blogging takes a back seat to most things. Hope my few readers don't mind! Sadly - Not much is being missed other than just running. Still no races. Getting a bit antsy and halfway wish I was running SweetH2O on the 21st.
Training is going well. (Is it "training" if I am not scheduled for a race?). How well?
In my 6th week of between 36-43 miles/wk - averaging just over 39 mi/wk. My typical is more towards 33mi/wk going into this.. I have done 39 a week before, for 3 weeks, as I was training for Chicago Marathon and my running was going particularly well. I was running a bit faster then, but I'm getting that back too.
Speedwork, temp runs and 2 hill sessions seem to be working. Last 4 long runs have been 17,18,13&18. If I do 20 this weekend (may do more, we'll see), that'll make 46 for the week - before playing golf Sunday.
Today after work - went out to Paris Mountain. Only been there once this year, back in January. I recently bought some Brooks Cascadias and have worn them once for a 6 miles at Lake Conestee before today. Man they feel light compared to my Asics 2160 trails shoes!!
I ran the upper loop and then came down and ran the 7k course (trails only, leaving out the road portion). Legs felt very strong for most of the 1st part and my time really showed that. I've run that loop in just under 57 minutes just a few times. Today's loop: 51:43. Whew! Wasn't even spent as I went down and ran the lower loop in my fastest time too: ~37.
Shoes or training?
Either way - I'll take it!
I need to sign up for something...Black Mountain 12hr is about to be mine!
Training is going well. (Is it "training" if I am not scheduled for a race?). How well?
In my 6th week of between 36-43 miles/wk - averaging just over 39 mi/wk. My typical is more towards 33mi/wk going into this.. I have done 39 a week before, for 3 weeks, as I was training for Chicago Marathon and my running was going particularly well. I was running a bit faster then, but I'm getting that back too.
Speedwork, temp runs and 2 hill sessions seem to be working. Last 4 long runs have been 17,18,13&18. If I do 20 this weekend (may do more, we'll see), that'll make 46 for the week - before playing golf Sunday.
Today after work - went out to Paris Mountain. Only been there once this year, back in January. I recently bought some Brooks Cascadias and have worn them once for a 6 miles at Lake Conestee before today. Man they feel light compared to my Asics 2160 trails shoes!!
I ran the upper loop and then came down and ran the 7k course (trails only, leaving out the road portion). Legs felt very strong for most of the 1st part and my time really showed that. I've run that loop in just under 57 minutes just a few times. Today's loop: 51:43. Whew! Wasn't even spent as I went down and ran the lower loop in my fastest time too: ~37.
Shoes or training?
Either way - I'll take it!
I need to sign up for something...Black Mountain 12hr is about to be mine!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Just running
Still have not signed up for another race, but my running has gone remarkably well and I have 2 races planned right now. Let's catch up on my training first.
I started something new the week after my Laurel Fork Falls run - I started running 5 days a week. I've purposefully never ran 5 days a week before, but thought I'd see how it goes. So each week I am doing 4mi hills (ICAR), speedwork (6-7mi), a tempo run (6-10mi), another 6mi hills (ICAR) and I am back to doing a longer run. After my run tomorrow morning, this will be 4 weeks in a row with 37+ miles. That is a first for me. I am surprised how well it's gone (and with yoga twice a week). Last weekend's long run was 17 and it was so easy. 2nd half faster than the first, and my last mile was my fastest. I also just restarted my speedwork/FIRST program to just a bit faster than I had been doing 3:40 training from a 3:45 marathon training plan.
I was contemplating an April race, either Sweet H2O 50k, Southern Blue 1 day relay, or Xterra Hickory Knob (3.7mi + 7.2mi double event), each one the weekend of April 21st. In the end, I think I just decided none of those, as that weekend may not work for me (maybe a work-travel thing). I'd love to do any of them though...tough calls.
What I am signing up for soon is the Race For Awesomeness (12hr, Individual, Day - not the 24 hr, or the relay, or the Night run) on June 2nd. I really want 50 miles. 53 would be even better - a double marathon. Heat will be a factor, but I will prep as well as I can. And isn't that the best name for a race??
I started something new the week after my Laurel Fork Falls run - I started running 5 days a week. I've purposefully never ran 5 days a week before, but thought I'd see how it goes. So each week I am doing 4mi hills (ICAR), speedwork (6-7mi), a tempo run (6-10mi), another 6mi hills (ICAR) and I am back to doing a longer run. After my run tomorrow morning, this will be 4 weeks in a row with 37+ miles. That is a first for me. I am surprised how well it's gone (and with yoga twice a week). Last weekend's long run was 17 and it was so easy. 2nd half faster than the first, and my last mile was my fastest. I also just restarted my speedwork/FIRST program to just a bit faster than I had been doing 3:40 training from a 3:45 marathon training plan.
I was contemplating an April race, either Sweet H2O 50k, Southern Blue 1 day relay, or Xterra Hickory Knob (3.7mi + 7.2mi double event), each one the weekend of April 21st. In the end, I think I just decided none of those, as that weekend may not work for me (maybe a work-travel thing). I'd love to do any of them though...tough calls.
What I am signing up for soon is the Race For Awesomeness (12hr, Individual, Day - not the 24 hr, or the relay, or the Night run) on June 2nd. I really want 50 miles. 53 would be even better - a double marathon. Heat will be a factor, but I will prep as well as I can. And isn't that the best name for a race??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
