This week I am attempting to taper for an attempt at my first 50 miler on Saturday. It was the worse week that I have had all year. I was so worried about my race that I was stress eating without even realizing what I was doing. By Monday 5/5 after the race I was up 3 lbs in one week!!! Below is my log for the week.
Monday: OFF, very tired and sluggish
Tuesday: Run 7 miles up and down Green Mountain 3 times. Fell on downhill and banged up right knee.
Wednesday: OFF, only 5 hours of sleep last night
Thursday: Run 5 miles on treadmill at very easy pace, right knee hurt a little
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Collegiate Peaks 25 miles in 4:10. Was supposed to do the 50 but quit and only did 25 due to pain in right hip and leg. Race Report to come soon.
Sunday: OFF, my right leg is sore!!!!
Total miles for the week: 37 miles
Total hours for the week: 6.5 hours
As I was looking back through my log for the week I have notes on almost everyday on how little sleep I was getting and how bad I ate every day. I let this 50 mile race get into my head. That is not like me, I was so stressed out about it that it was no longer fun. I think it is time to step back a little from my goals and reevaluate what I want them to be this year. I need to keep it fun or I will lose my mind.
On a side note I found out last night that someone died in the race on Saturday. Trying to find out more information.
Shad
Monday, May 5, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Log for the week of 4/21 - 4/27
So the goal of this whole week was to try and recover from Greenland 50K while at the same time keep my mileage up somewhat since my 1st 50 miler is a little over a week away on May 3rd. Here is how my week broke down.
Monday: OFF my hamstrings were screaming at me all day, I think that bike ride yesterday may not have been the best idea after the 50K
Tuesday: Run 7.5 miles at Apex trail. I did both side to the trail so about 2500 feet or so of climbing I think.
Wednesday: Run 7.5 miles at Lair 'O Bear trail. This had about 1500-1800 feet of climbing.
Thursday: Run 6.25 miles at Mount Falcon. Up to top of Walkers Dream and back, about 1800 of climbing
Friday: Run 6.25 miles on the treadmill at an easy pace and spent 30 mins lifting weights on the upper body and core only.
Saturday: Run 20.25 miles on the treadmill. This was more a mental challenge than physical one. Did this because they were calling for rain in the morning and needed to be done very early for other things going on.
Sunday: Cherry Creek Sneak 5K (3.1 miles) with Ashley and Braden. This was Braden's (7 years old) 1st 5K. It was pretty neat to see.
Total miles for the week: 50.75
Total hours for the week: 9 hours
Not a bad week overall. I feel like I recovered very well from Greenland 50K and at the same time gots lots of good hill work in this week. Next week will be a half week of tapering for the 50 miler.
Have a great week!
Shad
Monday: OFF my hamstrings were screaming at me all day, I think that bike ride yesterday may not have been the best idea after the 50K
Tuesday: Run 7.5 miles at Apex trail. I did both side to the trail so about 2500 feet or so of climbing I think.
Wednesday: Run 7.5 miles at Lair 'O Bear trail. This had about 1500-1800 feet of climbing.
Thursday: Run 6.25 miles at Mount Falcon. Up to top of Walkers Dream and back, about 1800 of climbing
Friday: Run 6.25 miles on the treadmill at an easy pace and spent 30 mins lifting weights on the upper body and core only.
Saturday: Run 20.25 miles on the treadmill. This was more a mental challenge than physical one. Did this because they were calling for rain in the morning and needed to be done very early for other things going on.
Sunday: Cherry Creek Sneak 5K (3.1 miles) with Ashley and Braden. This was Braden's (7 years old) 1st 5K. It was pretty neat to see.
Total miles for the week: 50.75
Total hours for the week: 9 hours
Not a bad week overall. I feel like I recovered very well from Greenland 50K and at the same time gots lots of good hill work in this week. Next week will be a half week of tapering for the 50 miler.
Have a great week!
Shad
Friday, April 25, 2008
Log for the week of 4/14 - 4/20 (week of Greenland 50K)
I already posted my race report for Greenland 50K and had some interesting thoughts and comments. Anyway I never posted my log for that week so here we go.
Monday: OFF
Tuesday: Run 8.25 miles up Apex to top of Lookout Mountain (1700-1800 feet of gain)
Wed: Run treadmill 6.5 miles with 4X800 at 6:30 pace. Lifted weights on total body for 1 hour.
Thursday: Run treadmill 6.25 miles with rolling incline.
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Greenland 50K (31 miles) in 5:06 and got a rub down after the race
Sunday: Bike (road) 18 miles for 1 hour 45 mins in Morrison.
Total miles ran this week: 52.25 miles
Overall it has been a good week. Did a lot of treadmill miles due to trying to do a soft surface taper and not risk rolling an ankle or something. Recovery this week has been very good, I will post this week's log on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
Shad
Monday: OFF
Tuesday: Run 8.25 miles up Apex to top of Lookout Mountain (1700-1800 feet of gain)
Wed: Run treadmill 6.5 miles with 4X800 at 6:30 pace. Lifted weights on total body for 1 hour.
Thursday: Run treadmill 6.25 miles with rolling incline.
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Greenland 50K (31 miles) in 5:06 and got a rub down after the race
Sunday: Bike (road) 18 miles for 1 hour 45 mins in Morrison.
Total miles ran this week: 52.25 miles
Overall it has been a good week. Did a lot of treadmill miles due to trying to do a soft surface taper and not risk rolling an ankle or something. Recovery this week has been very good, I will post this week's log on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
Shad
Friday, April 18, 2008
Greenlands Trail 50K Ultramarathon April 19th 2008
Well another 50K has bit the dust....... Ran the Greenland Trail 50K south of Denver in 5:06 for 27th overall. A big improvement over my experence in Moab in Feb. Here is the link to all of the results.
I am having trouble with keeping things down after 25-26 miles and I am concerned because of my first 50 is coming up on May 3rd at Collegiate Peaks in Buena Vista. If this happens at this point in the 50 I don't know I can finish, there is a big difference between forcing myself through another 6 miles or another 25 miles while puking. Here is a breakdown of what happened. It was pretty warm in the upper 70s to lower 80s and very windy with gust around 30mph on Saturday also. The course is basically 4 laps with about 500-600 feet of climbing and downhill in each lap.
Started the race with 2 bottles of Heed in my waist pack. The goal was to get used to waist pack (just bought it) and try to drink one bottle or more per hour.
Lap 1: Time 1:02- I just settled into a pace that felt comfortable and just cruised along with the people around me. Took in 4oz water at 3.5 miles at aid station. Took gel at 40 mins. At end of 1st loop took in 4oz of Heed at aid station and both bottles of Heed were 1/2 gone. Took 2 salt tabs at 1 hour.
Total input for lap: Heed- 1 bottle and 4oz
Salt tabs- 2
1 gel
Water- 4oz
Lap 2: Time 1:04- Refilled one bottle that was gone at 1st aid station and took 4oz of water. At 1:30 took 2 Cliff Blocks. At the end of 2nd lap refilled the other bottle and took 2 salt tabs and 4oz of Heed.
Total input for lap: Heed- 1 bottle and 4oz
Salt tabs- 2
2 Cliff Blocks
Water- 4oz
Lap 3: Time 1:17- Same as Lap 2 but picked up some M&Ms at halfway point of the lap because I was hungry but there really was nothing to eat at the aid stations, all they had was candy. I was hoping for bannas or bagels. Walked some of the uphills after the aid station at halfway mark and ran all the downhill/flat.
Total input for lap: Heed- 1 bottle and 4oz
Salt tabs- 2
2 Cliff Blocks
Water- 4oz
Handful of M&Ms
Lap 4: Time 1:43- Started having stomach issues at mile 25, threw up halfway between start of lap and aid station. Forced some Heed into me while walk/jog to aid station. At the aid station I took 8oz of Coke, filled one bottle with water and walked most of the uphill while drinking the Coke. After going over the top I started running the downhill but stopped and puked again just on the other side of the highpoint of the course. This sounds gross but the Cliff blocks from the last lap were still in my stomach and came up. From this point on I walked/jogged sipping on water because my throat was raw from puking. Every time I started feeling sick while jogging I would stop to a walk. When walking I was watching my GPS watch to make sure I was staying around 4mph. The last 0.25 miles I ran in because my buddy Clyde was cheering for me to run it in and I did not want to finish on a walk and puked a 3rd time 30 seconds after crossing the finish line.
Total input for lap: Heed- 4oz and 1/4 bottle
Water- 1/4 bottle sipping
Coke- 8oz
Note-- All of this and some more came back up.
Total time: 5:06
My girlfriend who is a paramedic was concerned because I basically had no fluids for almost 2 hours and was more covered in salt than she as ever seen me so she pumped an IV bag into me, great to have easy access and not have to bug the race EMTs. A few mins later my stomach calmed down and I was drinking/sipping again.
I just can not seem to get this figured out. Was I not taking in enough electrolytes? To many electrolytes? Fluids? Food (I was hungry on lap 3 but aid stations had no real food)?
Was I running to fast for me? I felt great in the legs, lungs, head even after puking. I was able to keep going without any problems, it was all not being able to keep fluids down. Every time I started running, especially downhill I started getting sick to my stomach and would puke shortly after that.
If I would not have had the issues that I did on the 4th lap I would have had an awesome time, maybe around 4:30-4:45.
Anyway any ideas/advise from people out there would be great.
Here are some pictures that were taken at the race. Enjoy.
I am having trouble with keeping things down after 25-26 miles and I am concerned because of my first 50 is coming up on May 3rd at Collegiate Peaks in Buena Vista. If this happens at this point in the 50 I don't know I can finish, there is a big difference between forcing myself through another 6 miles or another 25 miles while puking. Here is a breakdown of what happened. It was pretty warm in the upper 70s to lower 80s and very windy with gust around 30mph on Saturday also. The course is basically 4 laps with about 500-600 feet of climbing and downhill in each lap.
Started the race with 2 bottles of Heed in my waist pack. The goal was to get used to waist pack (just bought it) and try to drink one bottle or more per hour.
Lap 1: Time 1:02- I just settled into a pace that felt comfortable and just cruised along with the people around me. Took in 4oz water at 3.5 miles at aid station. Took gel at 40 mins. At end of 1st loop took in 4oz of Heed at aid station and both bottles of Heed were 1/2 gone. Took 2 salt tabs at 1 hour.
Total input for lap: Heed- 1 bottle and 4oz
Salt tabs- 2
1 gel
Water- 4oz
Lap 2: Time 1:04- Refilled one bottle that was gone at 1st aid station and took 4oz of water. At 1:30 took 2 Cliff Blocks. At the end of 2nd lap refilled the other bottle and took 2 salt tabs and 4oz of Heed.
Total input for lap: Heed- 1 bottle and 4oz
Salt tabs- 2
2 Cliff Blocks
Water- 4oz
Lap 3: Time 1:17- Same as Lap 2 but picked up some M&Ms at halfway point of the lap because I was hungry but there really was nothing to eat at the aid stations, all they had was candy. I was hoping for bannas or bagels. Walked some of the uphills after the aid station at halfway mark and ran all the downhill/flat.
Total input for lap: Heed- 1 bottle and 4oz
Salt tabs- 2
2 Cliff Blocks
Water- 4oz
Handful of M&Ms
Lap 4: Time 1:43- Started having stomach issues at mile 25, threw up halfway between start of lap and aid station. Forced some Heed into me while walk/jog to aid station. At the aid station I took 8oz of Coke, filled one bottle with water and walked most of the uphill while drinking the Coke. After going over the top I started running the downhill but stopped and puked again just on the other side of the highpoint of the course. This sounds gross but the Cliff blocks from the last lap were still in my stomach and came up. From this point on I walked/jogged sipping on water because my throat was raw from puking. Every time I started feeling sick while jogging I would stop to a walk. When walking I was watching my GPS watch to make sure I was staying around 4mph. The last 0.25 miles I ran in because my buddy Clyde was cheering for me to run it in and I did not want to finish on a walk and puked a 3rd time 30 seconds after crossing the finish line.
Total input for lap: Heed- 4oz and 1/4 bottle
Water- 1/4 bottle sipping
Coke- 8oz
Note-- All of this and some more came back up.
Total time: 5:06
My girlfriend who is a paramedic was concerned because I basically had no fluids for almost 2 hours and was more covered in salt than she as ever seen me so she pumped an IV bag into me, great to have easy access and not have to bug the race EMTs. A few mins later my stomach calmed down and I was drinking/sipping again.
I just can not seem to get this figured out. Was I not taking in enough electrolytes? To many electrolytes? Fluids? Food (I was hungry on lap 3 but aid stations had no real food)?
Was I running to fast for me? I felt great in the legs, lungs, head even after puking. I was able to keep going without any problems, it was all not being able to keep fluids down. Every time I started running, especially downhill I started getting sick to my stomach and would puke shortly after that.
If I would not have had the issues that I did on the 4th lap I would have had an awesome time, maybe around 4:30-4:45.
Anyway any ideas/advise from people out there would be great.
Here are some pictures that were taken at the race. Enjoy.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Log for the week of 4/7-4/13 (One week to Greenland)
Last week turned into one of the best weeks I have had running since last fall. I finally got in over 60 miles which I have not done in awhile. Now I just need to keep building on that and get in some more crosstraining to get the total hours up. A lot of my time was on a treadmill due to the weather but at least I got the miles in. Here is how my week broke down.
Monday: Run treadmill 6.25 miles; 15-20 min of upper body weight lifting.
Tuesday: Road Run to Morrison and back 14 miles
Wednesday: Run treadmill 7.50 miles. Did 4X45 sec at 15% incline and at 6 mph.
Thursday: Run treadmill 6.25 miles; 30 mins of total body weight lifting
Friday: off
Saturday: Long trail run of 18.25 miles including Green Mountain, Hogback, Matthew Winters, and Mount Falcon. It was a great run! I averaged 6 mph even though there was a crap full of climbing. I will be doing this loop more often and adding on to it.
Sunday: Run/hike with Braden and Ashley at Elk Meadows in Evergreen. 9 miles.
Total miles for the week 61.25.
Next Saturday is the Greenland trail 50K. I am not sure what my approach to this race will be yet. I am thinking that I am going to treat it like a long run and just run it nice and easy. On the other hand that can be against my nature. This course is 4 loops around the Greenland trail system just off of I-25 south of Denver. I went and ran this 2 weeks ago and did 2 laps in 2:05. This pace would suggest a 4:30 or so finish. I think that would be to quick and would hurt my recovery for my 1st 50 miler on May 3rd which is only 2 weeks later. I think I will back off a little and shoot for a 5 hour finishing time so that recovery would be better and I can get in some more high mileage weeks before tapering for a week for the 50 miler in Buena Vista.
I think Ashley on the other hand thinks I should just hammer it to push my fitness up even higher. She thinks that I will recover without any issues. I am not so sure.
Any thoughts from anyone out there?
Monday: Run treadmill 6.25 miles; 15-20 min of upper body weight lifting.
Tuesday: Road Run to Morrison and back 14 miles
Wednesday: Run treadmill 7.50 miles. Did 4X45 sec at 15% incline and at 6 mph.
Thursday: Run treadmill 6.25 miles; 30 mins of total body weight lifting
Friday: off
Saturday: Long trail run of 18.25 miles including Green Mountain, Hogback, Matthew Winters, and Mount Falcon. It was a great run! I averaged 6 mph even though there was a crap full of climbing. I will be doing this loop more often and adding on to it.
Sunday: Run/hike with Braden and Ashley at Elk Meadows in Evergreen. 9 miles.
Total miles for the week 61.25.
Next Saturday is the Greenland trail 50K. I am not sure what my approach to this race will be yet. I am thinking that I am going to treat it like a long run and just run it nice and easy. On the other hand that can be against my nature. This course is 4 loops around the Greenland trail system just off of I-25 south of Denver. I went and ran this 2 weeks ago and did 2 laps in 2:05. This pace would suggest a 4:30 or so finish. I think that would be to quick and would hurt my recovery for my 1st 50 miler on May 3rd which is only 2 weeks later. I think I will back off a little and shoot for a 5 hour finishing time so that recovery would be better and I can get in some more high mileage weeks before tapering for a week for the 50 miler in Buena Vista.
I think Ashley on the other hand thinks I should just hammer it to push my fitness up even higher. She thinks that I will recover without any issues. I am not so sure.
Any thoughts from anyone out there?
Monday, April 7, 2008
Log for the week of 3/31-4/6
This week as been the best week so far in a long time. With the weather starting to be nice on a regular bases it makes it easy to start upping the mileage. I plan to keep building from this week into my first 50 miler in Buena Vista in 4 weeks. I also have the Greenland 50K in 2 weeks. From here on out it is all about completing Leadville 100. Because of that some of my race times will be slower as I try different drinks, food, and equipment combos to see what will work for me for Leadville.
Here is my log for this week:
Monday: Run 6 miles on the treadmill at an easy pace
Tuesday: Run 7 miles on the road with some small climbing (1 hour)
Wednesday: Run 7 miles on the road with some small climbing (1 hour)
Thursday: Run total 7.75 miles ( 2 mile warmup; 5X800 at 9mph with 400 recovery; 1.5 mile cooldown) Weights for 45 mins
Friday: Run 4.5 miles at Mattew Winters (45 mins)
Saturday: Run 15 miles on the Greenland Trail (2 loops) in 2:10.
Sunday: Hiking for 3-3.5 hours on Mount Yale in Buena Vista (Xtraining)
Total running miles for the week: 47.25
Not a bad week at all. Hopefully next week I will hit over 55 miles for the week and be somewhat ready for the Greenland 50K on April 19th.
Have a great week.
Shad
Here is my log for this week:
Monday: Run 6 miles on the treadmill at an easy pace
Tuesday: Run 7 miles on the road with some small climbing (1 hour)
Wednesday: Run 7 miles on the road with some small climbing (1 hour)
Thursday: Run total 7.75 miles ( 2 mile warmup; 5X800 at 9mph with 400 recovery; 1.5 mile cooldown) Weights for 45 mins
Friday: Run 4.5 miles at Mattew Winters (45 mins)
Saturday: Run 15 miles on the Greenland Trail (2 loops) in 2:10.
Sunday: Hiking for 3-3.5 hours on Mount Yale in Buena Vista (Xtraining)
Total running miles for the week: 47.25
Not a bad week at all. Hopefully next week I will hit over 55 miles for the week and be somewhat ready for the Greenland 50K on April 19th.
Have a great week.
Shad
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Weekly Log 3/17-3/23
This week did not quit go as planned. Holidays always seem to make me lazy and eat a lot of food. We went to Nebraska for Easter and all I did was eat junk food and did not run. I was planning on doing 2 hours or so on Easter Sunday but with all the family around and all the junk food in the belly that did not happen. Anyway here is a log for last week.
Monday- Run treadmill 4 miles
Swim for 30 mins
Weights 45 mins
Tuesday- Run 7 miles at Bear Creek State Park
Wednesday- Run 6.5 miles at Green Mountain
Thursday- Run 7 miles at the track (2 mile warmup; 3X800 with 400 recovery; 2 mile cooldown)
Friday-Snowshoeing attempt on Mount Columbia (9.75 hours; 15 miles; 4200 feet of gain) did not summit
Saturday- Run treadmill 6 miles
Sunday- off
Total running miles this week: 30.5 (does not include the 15 snowshoeing miles)
Here is the trip report and pictures from Friday's attempt on Mt. Columbia.
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=4122&cpgm=tripmain
This week has started out badly with me being lazy and eating like crap. It is time to turn that around. We are heading out to Moab on Friday to do some camping and running. Hopefully I can get some miles in. I will have an update on that next week.
Monday- Run treadmill 4 miles
Swim for 30 mins
Weights 45 mins
Tuesday- Run 7 miles at Bear Creek State Park
Wednesday- Run 6.5 miles at Green Mountain
Thursday- Run 7 miles at the track (2 mile warmup; 3X800 with 400 recovery; 2 mile cooldown)
Friday-Snowshoeing attempt on Mount Columbia (9.75 hours; 15 miles; 4200 feet of gain) did not summit
Saturday- Run treadmill 6 miles
Sunday- off
Total running miles this week: 30.5 (does not include the 15 snowshoeing miles)
Here is the trip report and pictures from Friday's attempt on Mt. Columbia.
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=4122&cpgm=tripmain
This week has started out badly with me being lazy and eating like crap. It is time to turn that around. We are heading out to Moab on Friday to do some camping and running. Hopefully I can get some miles in. I will have an update on that next week.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Log for the week of 3/10-3/16
I finally started feeling better last week and was able to resume my running and training. I did not do much in the way of cross training like I usually do but did get some runs in. All of my runs were outside on trails, no treadmill time at all! The weather was just Awesome last week and I hope it holds this week so I can start rebuilding my mileage and base.
Anyway here you go:
Monday: Off (still feeling a little sick)
Tues: Run @ Green Mountain lower 5 miles
Wed: Run @ Apex (hills) 5.25 miles
Thurs: Run @ Mattew Winters 4.75 miles
Elliptical machine for 30 mins
Friday: Off
Saturday: Run @ Green Mountain to summit and back 5 miles
Sunday: Run to Morrison and back 13.25 miles
Total miles ran: 33.25
Need to get this over 40 next week and get back to 2-3 hours of cross training.
Have a great week!
Shad
Anyway here you go:
Monday: Off (still feeling a little sick)
Tues: Run @ Green Mountain lower 5 miles
Wed: Run @ Apex (hills) 5.25 miles
Thurs: Run @ Mattew Winters 4.75 miles
Elliptical machine for 30 mins
Friday: Off
Saturday: Run @ Green Mountain to summit and back 5 miles
Sunday: Run to Morrison and back 13.25 miles
Total miles ran: 33.25
Need to get this over 40 next week and get back to 2-3 hours of cross training.
Have a great week!
Shad
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Trying to get IT back
Seems like since the Red Hot 50K I have been on a downward spiral with no end in sight. The first 2 weeks I cut back on my running because of knee pain caused by the super hard slick rock in Moab. Last week I was sick for 5-6 days with a combo of the super cold and flu I think. All I know is that I missed 3 days of work and did not get out of bed all weekend.
Last night was the first time that I have been running in 8 days and boy did it hurt. All I did was a 6 mile run, 3 out and back, on the trails at the base of Green Mountain in Lakewood. This is the trail that I usually use for easy runs but yesterday was not easy. Not to be gross but I was blowing snot all over myself and feeling like I have not ran in months, light headed, ect.... Hopefully that will improve as the week goes on and I can get that IT back.
I am suppose to do the 24 Hours of Utah in 2 weeks but I am unsure if I will or not. We are going to go out there and camp but I may not run the race. I think what we might do is go out there to watch and I can jump in and do some pacing at night. That might be a better way to get some training in besides pushing my body for 24 hours straight. I could get 4-5 hours in that way I think. During the day while waiting to run after 8pm I could get some rides in on the mountain bike. Not a bad thought.
Anyway I will get back to posting my weekly log once I have one to post again next week.
Have a great week everyone!
Shad
Last night was the first time that I have been running in 8 days and boy did it hurt. All I did was a 6 mile run, 3 out and back, on the trails at the base of Green Mountain in Lakewood. This is the trail that I usually use for easy runs but yesterday was not easy. Not to be gross but I was blowing snot all over myself and feeling like I have not ran in months, light headed, ect.... Hopefully that will improve as the week goes on and I can get that IT back.
I am suppose to do the 24 Hours of Utah in 2 weeks but I am unsure if I will or not. We are going to go out there and camp but I may not run the race. I think what we might do is go out there to watch and I can jump in and do some pacing at night. That might be a better way to get some training in besides pushing my body for 24 hours straight. I could get 4-5 hours in that way I think. During the day while waiting to run after 8pm I could get some rides in on the mountain bike. Not a bad thought.
Anyway I will get back to posting my weekly log once I have one to post again next week.
Have a great week everyone!
Shad
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Running of the Red Hot 50K
This past weekend we went out to Moab to run the Red Hot 50K+. Before getting into a race report I thought I would do a quick weekly breakdown of my training last week.
Mon: OFF
Tues: Run 6.25 miles
Wed: Run 6.25miles/ Swim 1hour/ Lift weights 30mins
Thurs: Run 4.5 miles
Fri: OFF
Sat: RACE- Run 34 miles
Sun: OFF
Total ran for the week: 51 miles
Now lets get down to the quick race report, at least what I can remember.
There was 3 of us going out to run this race; Andrew, Tim, and myself. Andrew rode out with us on Friday while Tim and his wife meet us in Moab. Friday night we all meet up at Pasta Jays on Main St for a little carb loading. This is a great resturant with great service. It was the only place that we ate at the whole weekend where we were happy with both the food and the service.
We got up the next morning around 6am leaving the hotel at 6:30. We had to have our drop bags for the 5 aid stations there at the start line by 7:15am. I decided that I would only have 3 out of the 5 allowed drop bags (which I never used). All for the second half of the race. I did not put much in each bag, just a couple of gels and some extra sports drink. I figured between the backpack I was running with and the aid stations that I should be fine.
Right at 8am the race started up a dirt road. The first mile was a climb up and over the mesa (I guess that is what they are called). The plan was for Tim, Andrew, and I to stick togetter and just have a good time. After about 10-15 mins I looked behind me where they were and they were gone, crap I was not paying attendation and took off on them. I felt bad for doing that to them and debated if I should wait at the first aid station at mile 6 for them or just run my race. After about a 5 minute conversation with myself I decided just to run my race. My original plan was to run 20-30 mins then walk for 5 mins, keeping this up until the end. At this point I decided just to run based on how I felt. If I felt good I ran, if not I walked.
The first half of the race was a mixture of rolling hills, some moderate climbing, jeep 4X4 roads, and sandy trails. It was not bad at all, there was some slickrock that would beat you up a little when running on it. I crossed aid station 3 at mile 17 in 2:31. Right were I wanted to be for a sub 6 hour finish. At aid station 3 I was finially able to see Ashley and the kids, it was the only place on the course that they had access to until the finish line which lifted my spirts. Also at that aid station my friend Rebecca was there with one of her friends. They had driven out from Denver to cheer the 3 of us on. They ran with me for about a mile to see how I was doing.
From aid station 3 to aid station 4 was about 6-6.5 miles and a huge climb. The fourth aid station was on top of the mesa some 1500 or more feet above us. I did some walking in this section on the big uphills due to the miles starting to add up on the old legs but for the most part I was able to hold my own. About half or a little more than half was ran on slickrock, the rest was on normal trails. I came into the 4th aid station around 3:45-4 hours into the race. I am not sure the times from this point on because my batteries in my GPS watch went dead during this section, I forgot to replace them before the start of the race. This aid station was at mile 23.
From aid station 4 to aid station 5 was the hardest part of the whole race. The entire section was ran on slickrock which is harder than concrete. There was no real trail to follow on this section. We just went from pink flag to pink flag hanging from the brushes. Sometimes there were no pink flags and you had to find the painted symbol on the rocks to figure out where to go. I got off track a few times and added about 1/2 mile or so to this section with backtracking I did. I have never felt so remote before, there was times where I would not see another person for an hour or so. I also spent most of this section walking. I was having stomach problems and did throw up along with some leg pain due to all the slickrock. At times we where going sideways across a 40 degree slope on slickrock. This was very hard on the body with all the up and down hill. It seemed like this section would never end then we dropped into a canyon that had a sandy trail which to run on. This made me think that the 5th aid station had to be close, but I was wrong. After about an half an hour running down the canyon we had another big climb up the slickrock to the 5th aid station at mile 29. I came into this aid station around 5 1/2 hours after starting.
From the 5th aid station to the finish line was only 5 miles. The first 1/2 mile or so was up a small hill of slickrock from there you jump on a 4X4 jeep road that you follow to the finish line all downhill. Where the trail and the road meet you can look down into the valley and see the finish line, this got me going and I started running again. As I headed to the finish line I came across Ashley, Rebecca, and Lora about 3/4 of a mile from the end. I was walking when I came across them, they told me to get going so I did and finished in 6 hours and 24 mins.
This time of 6:24 gave me 77th out of 154 overall and 38th out of 57 in my age group of 39 and under. Not quite the results that I have been used to this past year but this race kicked my ass and I was under trained for it. Of course this time last year there is no way I would even think of running a marathon yet alone an ultra.
Here is the link to the website and results.
Red Hot 50K
On Sunday we drove through Arches National Park and headed home. If you ever get this chance this is an awesome place to go. I plan on returning there next month after the 24 hours of Utah.
Here is the link to the pictures that I took in Arches National Park
Pictures
Mon: OFF
Tues: Run 6.25 miles
Wed: Run 6.25miles/ Swim 1hour/ Lift weights 30mins
Thurs: Run 4.5 miles
Fri: OFF
Sat: RACE- Run 34 miles
Sun: OFF
Total ran for the week: 51 miles
Now lets get down to the quick race report, at least what I can remember.
There was 3 of us going out to run this race; Andrew, Tim, and myself. Andrew rode out with us on Friday while Tim and his wife meet us in Moab. Friday night we all meet up at Pasta Jays on Main St for a little carb loading. This is a great resturant with great service. It was the only place that we ate at the whole weekend where we were happy with both the food and the service.
We got up the next morning around 6am leaving the hotel at 6:30. We had to have our drop bags for the 5 aid stations there at the start line by 7:15am. I decided that I would only have 3 out of the 5 allowed drop bags (which I never used). All for the second half of the race. I did not put much in each bag, just a couple of gels and some extra sports drink. I figured between the backpack I was running with and the aid stations that I should be fine.
Right at 8am the race started up a dirt road. The first mile was a climb up and over the mesa (I guess that is what they are called). The plan was for Tim, Andrew, and I to stick togetter and just have a good time. After about 10-15 mins I looked behind me where they were and they were gone, crap I was not paying attendation and took off on them. I felt bad for doing that to them and debated if I should wait at the first aid station at mile 6 for them or just run my race. After about a 5 minute conversation with myself I decided just to run my race. My original plan was to run 20-30 mins then walk for 5 mins, keeping this up until the end. At this point I decided just to run based on how I felt. If I felt good I ran, if not I walked.
The first half of the race was a mixture of rolling hills, some moderate climbing, jeep 4X4 roads, and sandy trails. It was not bad at all, there was some slickrock that would beat you up a little when running on it. I crossed aid station 3 at mile 17 in 2:31. Right were I wanted to be for a sub 6 hour finish. At aid station 3 I was finially able to see Ashley and the kids, it was the only place on the course that they had access to until the finish line which lifted my spirts. Also at that aid station my friend Rebecca was there with one of her friends. They had driven out from Denver to cheer the 3 of us on. They ran with me for about a mile to see how I was doing.
From aid station 3 to aid station 4 was about 6-6.5 miles and a huge climb. The fourth aid station was on top of the mesa some 1500 or more feet above us. I did some walking in this section on the big uphills due to the miles starting to add up on the old legs but for the most part I was able to hold my own. About half or a little more than half was ran on slickrock, the rest was on normal trails. I came into the 4th aid station around 3:45-4 hours into the race. I am not sure the times from this point on because my batteries in my GPS watch went dead during this section, I forgot to replace them before the start of the race. This aid station was at mile 23.
From aid station 4 to aid station 5 was the hardest part of the whole race. The entire section was ran on slickrock which is harder than concrete. There was no real trail to follow on this section. We just went from pink flag to pink flag hanging from the brushes. Sometimes there were no pink flags and you had to find the painted symbol on the rocks to figure out where to go. I got off track a few times and added about 1/2 mile or so to this section with backtracking I did. I have never felt so remote before, there was times where I would not see another person for an hour or so. I also spent most of this section walking. I was having stomach problems and did throw up along with some leg pain due to all the slickrock. At times we where going sideways across a 40 degree slope on slickrock. This was very hard on the body with all the up and down hill. It seemed like this section would never end then we dropped into a canyon that had a sandy trail which to run on. This made me think that the 5th aid station had to be close, but I was wrong. After about an half an hour running down the canyon we had another big climb up the slickrock to the 5th aid station at mile 29. I came into this aid station around 5 1/2 hours after starting.
From the 5th aid station to the finish line was only 5 miles. The first 1/2 mile or so was up a small hill of slickrock from there you jump on a 4X4 jeep road that you follow to the finish line all downhill. Where the trail and the road meet you can look down into the valley and see the finish line, this got me going and I started running again. As I headed to the finish line I came across Ashley, Rebecca, and Lora about 3/4 of a mile from the end. I was walking when I came across them, they told me to get going so I did and finished in 6 hours and 24 mins.
This time of 6:24 gave me 77th out of 154 overall and 38th out of 57 in my age group of 39 and under. Not quite the results that I have been used to this past year but this race kicked my ass and I was under trained for it. Of course this time last year there is no way I would even think of running a marathon yet alone an ultra.
Here is the link to the website and results.
Red Hot 50K
On Sunday we drove through Arches National Park and headed home. If you ever get this chance this is an awesome place to go. I plan on returning there next month after the 24 hours of Utah.
Here is the link to the pictures that I took in Arches National Park
Pictures
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Another Example of the Boulder Craziness!!!
This is an article that I found at the local paper here in Boulder Colorado. Enjoy.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandrock: Turner training for U.S. trek
By Michael Sandrock (Contact)Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Glen Turner is planning on running with "Zzzoomer," his self-made running cart, from Oceanside, Calif., to Savannah, Ga.
For the past several months, drivers on Baseline Road in east Boulder County have sometimes been startled by the sight of Glen Turner running along the road pulling a trailer loaded with rocks, looking like some variation of Fred Flintstone. There is, however, a rhyme and a reason to Turner's strange training regime.
Sunday, the Louisville stonemason embarks on a 55-day run across the United States. It is an effort that, if successful, will be the fastest unsupported, transcontinental run ever.
Turner's 2,493-mile trip will start in Oceanside, Calif., and end in Savannah, Ga. He hopes to average at least 46 miles a day, for 55 consecutive days -- or less. Making it all possible is the "seventh-generation" cart he designed and built.
The cart -- nicknamed "Zzzoomer" -- has a single wheel in the back and two wheels for turning in the front, brakes and can hold a lot of weight. During the day, Turner will run inside the middle of the cart, pulling it and all his gear -- roughly 70 pounds. At night, Turner will sleep inside "Zzzoomer."
What is perhaps most remarkable about Turner's planned run is that it's a training run for a proposed run around the world. Turner, 48, would start that journey in July and finish 2½ years later. That run is part of the World Run Project.
"I need to know I really can do it (the world run)," Turner said , "and I need to know I really want to do it. Two-and-a-half years is a long time to be away from family, friends and work."
Turner knows he wants to run across the United States. He has been meticulous in his planning for this running adventure. He will have local kids following along online in community running teams at http://www.grtrunning.com/. One goal is to inspire children to run.
Turner is a pleasant, outgoing fellow, as seen by the many friends he visited with while drinking a beer at a Boulder Trail Runner's symposium last week at Sherpa's restaurant. That gathering was one of Turner's few nights out recently. He has been living an ascetic lifestyle, renting out his house and living in a renovated garage.
Turner sold most of his masonry tools to raise money, although last week he was still working. He was building stone pillars at Folsom Field, generating some last-minute funds. Turner has spent much of his savings building the latest incarnation of "Zzzoomer," and is looking for sponsors for his run.
"I totally scaled down," he said. "I am ready to go. I am in incredible shape right now."
Turner, who excels in six- and 10-day races, is coming off a third-place finish in the three-day Race Across the Years in Phoenix, Ariz. As is the case in many of his runs, Turner got stronger as the race went on, clocking 83 miles on the third day. Only the world and U.S. 48-hour record holders beat him.
Turner is comfortable running incredibly long distances for days on end. Last summer, he spent three weeks in Denmark running 35 miles a day. That, too, was a test to see if he has the "right stuff" for a world run. Turner has shown many times he does indeed have the "right stuff" for a transcontinental and even a world run.
The key, Turner said, is "emptying" his mind.
"I listen to music and get into the feeling of what I need to do now. I don't think about the rest of the world," he said. "I am into my own form, my own breathing."
There will be a bit of fun on his run across the country. Turner said the best part of running with the cart comes when he reaches the crest of a hill. Then, he sometimes hops on for a fast ride down.
"It's a blast," he said. "A real fun thing. I have been debating whether to do it on the (transcontinental) run. It is just too much fun not to."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandrock: Turner training for U.S. trek
By Michael Sandrock (Contact)Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Glen Turner is planning on running with "Zzzoomer," his self-made running cart, from Oceanside, Calif., to Savannah, Ga.
For the past several months, drivers on Baseline Road in east Boulder County have sometimes been startled by the sight of Glen Turner running along the road pulling a trailer loaded with rocks, looking like some variation of Fred Flintstone. There is, however, a rhyme and a reason to Turner's strange training regime.
Sunday, the Louisville stonemason embarks on a 55-day run across the United States. It is an effort that, if successful, will be the fastest unsupported, transcontinental run ever.
Turner's 2,493-mile trip will start in Oceanside, Calif., and end in Savannah, Ga. He hopes to average at least 46 miles a day, for 55 consecutive days -- or less. Making it all possible is the "seventh-generation" cart he designed and built.
The cart -- nicknamed "Zzzoomer" -- has a single wheel in the back and two wheels for turning in the front, brakes and can hold a lot of weight. During the day, Turner will run inside the middle of the cart, pulling it and all his gear -- roughly 70 pounds. At night, Turner will sleep inside "Zzzoomer."
What is perhaps most remarkable about Turner's planned run is that it's a training run for a proposed run around the world. Turner, 48, would start that journey in July and finish 2½ years later. That run is part of the World Run Project.
"I need to know I really can do it (the world run)," Turner said , "and I need to know I really want to do it. Two-and-a-half years is a long time to be away from family, friends and work."
Turner knows he wants to run across the United States. He has been meticulous in his planning for this running adventure. He will have local kids following along online in community running teams at http://www.grtrunning.com/. One goal is to inspire children to run.
Turner is a pleasant, outgoing fellow, as seen by the many friends he visited with while drinking a beer at a Boulder Trail Runner's symposium last week at Sherpa's restaurant. That gathering was one of Turner's few nights out recently. He has been living an ascetic lifestyle, renting out his house and living in a renovated garage.
Turner sold most of his masonry tools to raise money, although last week he was still working. He was building stone pillars at Folsom Field, generating some last-minute funds. Turner has spent much of his savings building the latest incarnation of "Zzzoomer," and is looking for sponsors for his run.
"I totally scaled down," he said. "I am ready to go. I am in incredible shape right now."
Turner, who excels in six- and 10-day races, is coming off a third-place finish in the three-day Race Across the Years in Phoenix, Ariz. As is the case in many of his runs, Turner got stronger as the race went on, clocking 83 miles on the third day. Only the world and U.S. 48-hour record holders beat him.
Turner is comfortable running incredibly long distances for days on end. Last summer, he spent three weeks in Denmark running 35 miles a day. That, too, was a test to see if he has the "right stuff" for a world run. Turner has shown many times he does indeed have the "right stuff" for a transcontinental and even a world run.
The key, Turner said, is "emptying" his mind.
"I listen to music and get into the feeling of what I need to do now. I don't think about the rest of the world," he said. "I am into my own form, my own breathing."
There will be a bit of fun on his run across the country. Turner said the best part of running with the cart comes when he reaches the crest of a hill. Then, he sometimes hops on for a fast ride down.
"It's a blast," he said. "A real fun thing. I have been debating whether to do it on the (transcontinental) run. It is just too much fun not to."
Monday, February 11, 2008
RED HOT RACE WEEK
Ok, it is now race week. We leave on Friday morning for Moab for the Red Hot 50K. I don't know if I am excited or if I am dreading it. I have mixed feelings right now. Since this is my first real year playing in the world of ultra marathons every race is going to scare me I think. I will get more into my thoughts about this race in a second, first lets look below at what I did last week for training.
Monday: Off, I was wiped from the weekend
Tuesday: Run 6.5 miles; Stairmaster 20mins
Wednesday: Run 7 miles; Swim 45 mins; Weights 30 mins
Thursday: Run 8 miles
Friday: Run 2 miles; Stairmaster 30 mins
Saturday: Run 9 miles in the am; Snowshoe 3 hours in the afternoon at Mount Evans
Sunday: Run 6 miles at 8am; Run 6 miles at noon; Run 6 miles at 5pm. Run 18 total.
Total miles ran this week 50.75
Now how am I going to run this race, the Red Hot 50K this coming weekend? I have mauled this over and over in my head. I think because of the fact that I need to keep training after the race, the next day, and that I will not be tapering that this will be like a super long run. I will run/walk it at an easy pace until I cross the finish line. I really do not care what my time is like I did at my first 50K (4:31) last Sept. I just want to keep moving forward and have a good time, I may even carry a camera with me and take pictures along the way. I think my goal should be to finish between 6 and 7 hours. Based on last years results that should put me right in the middle of the pack which is fine by me. I would like to get up the next morning and do another trail run while we are out there in Moab, even if it is only 3 miles long.
In case anyone out there is running this race but has not gotten the e-mail from the race director I have copied it below. Have a great week and I will post a race report next week.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Red Hot Runners,
First, I would like to thank you for participating in this year’s event. I also would like to go over on what to expect at this year’s race. First, due to the numbers, we will be having a pre race day packet pick-up on Friday the 15Th starting at 5:00 pm continuing to 7:00 pm. You can pick your packet up at the Moab Music Festival Office located at 58 East 300 South, located in the same building as the Advertiser.
Parking is limited at the start line and the finish line, we highly recommend carpooling. Some overflow parking is available in the campground right before the poison spider trailhead at the finish.
There will still be packet pick up on Saturday starting at 6:30 am at the start line. Drop bags (50K only) will be collected on Saturday morning at the start line. Write your bib#, aid station number, and name on each of your drop bags. We recommend you get to the start line by 6:45. My aid station crews will be leaving at 7:15 to their locations. Other than that, I still recommend 7:15 at the latest. The 50k will start at 8:00 am SHARP and the 33k will be off at 8:30 sharp! There also will be no day of the race switching, from the 50k to 33k or visa versa. If you do switch during the race, you will not be officially recorded.
This year’s flagging will be bright pink indicating where to follow and red indicating the wrong way. The course will be well flagged just like last year. This year it has been very cold and wet, so there may be ice and light snow in some sections, so please be careful.
Our aid station vehicles are limited on space, so try to limit on what you put in your drop bags. Aid stations will be stocked with CytoMax, water, salt, candy bars, PB and J, limited HammerGel, potato chips, peanuts, Heed, etc... There is a 10 hour time limit for both races but there is not an official cut off time at any of the stations. But if one of our aid stations does not think you will make it, to the Poison Spider trail head, by 6:00 pm, they can pull you from the course. If you insist to go on, you will need to remove your bib and give it to the aid station attendant. From that point you will be responsible for yourself. I do not recommend going on in the dark on Golden Spike! Please check the website for mileage and the correct station number to put on your drop bag. Aid station 1 will be used as station 3 just to make that clear too.
The finish line will be at Poison Spider trail head which is mile 34 for the 50k and mile 21 for the 33k. There will be an official timing company recording your finishes and they will be posted throughout the day. Awards will be given to the top three in each category: overall male, overall female, master male, master female.
We do have two shuttle vans that will be taking people back to the finish line to pick up your vehicles. The shuttles will start about 11:30 am and will run until not needed. We will be providing water and other drinks at the finish. We also will provide a small lunch to each of the runners. That will be a potato soup served in a fresh bread bowl. Please be considerate because there is just enough for all runners to have one meal.
At 7:30 pm Eddie McStiffs has donated a space in his restaurant for a private Red Hot party. We will provide the keg of beer but to show our appreciation to Eddie, lets have dinner in the Mcstiffs restaurant. Also, If you go in the night before to eat dinner and show your bib to your server, you will receive a 15% discount on your meal.
Thank you again and I hope you enjoy this course as much as we do.
Chris Martinez, Greg Poettgen-Race Directors
Monday: Off, I was wiped from the weekend
Tuesday: Run 6.5 miles; Stairmaster 20mins
Wednesday: Run 7 miles; Swim 45 mins; Weights 30 mins
Thursday: Run 8 miles
Friday: Run 2 miles; Stairmaster 30 mins
Saturday: Run 9 miles in the am; Snowshoe 3 hours in the afternoon at Mount Evans
Sunday: Run 6 miles at 8am; Run 6 miles at noon; Run 6 miles at 5pm. Run 18 total.
Total miles ran this week 50.75
Now how am I going to run this race, the Red Hot 50K this coming weekend? I have mauled this over and over in my head. I think because of the fact that I need to keep training after the race, the next day, and that I will not be tapering that this will be like a super long run. I will run/walk it at an easy pace until I cross the finish line. I really do not care what my time is like I did at my first 50K (4:31) last Sept. I just want to keep moving forward and have a good time, I may even carry a camera with me and take pictures along the way. I think my goal should be to finish between 6 and 7 hours. Based on last years results that should put me right in the middle of the pack which is fine by me. I would like to get up the next morning and do another trail run while we are out there in Moab, even if it is only 3 miles long.
In case anyone out there is running this race but has not gotten the e-mail from the race director I have copied it below. Have a great week and I will post a race report next week.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Red Hot Runners,
First, I would like to thank you for participating in this year’s event. I also would like to go over on what to expect at this year’s race. First, due to the numbers, we will be having a pre race day packet pick-up on Friday the 15Th starting at 5:00 pm continuing to 7:00 pm. You can pick your packet up at the Moab Music Festival Office located at 58 East 300 South, located in the same building as the Advertiser.
Parking is limited at the start line and the finish line, we highly recommend carpooling. Some overflow parking is available in the campground right before the poison spider trailhead at the finish.
There will still be packet pick up on Saturday starting at 6:30 am at the start line. Drop bags (50K only) will be collected on Saturday morning at the start line. Write your bib#, aid station number, and name on each of your drop bags. We recommend you get to the start line by 6:45. My aid station crews will be leaving at 7:15 to their locations. Other than that, I still recommend 7:15 at the latest. The 50k will start at 8:00 am SHARP and the 33k will be off at 8:30 sharp! There also will be no day of the race switching, from the 50k to 33k or visa versa. If you do switch during the race, you will not be officially recorded.
This year’s flagging will be bright pink indicating where to follow and red indicating the wrong way. The course will be well flagged just like last year. This year it has been very cold and wet, so there may be ice and light snow in some sections, so please be careful.
Our aid station vehicles are limited on space, so try to limit on what you put in your drop bags. Aid stations will be stocked with CytoMax, water, salt, candy bars, PB and J, limited HammerGel, potato chips, peanuts, Heed, etc... There is a 10 hour time limit for both races but there is not an official cut off time at any of the stations. But if one of our aid stations does not think you will make it, to the Poison Spider trail head, by 6:00 pm, they can pull you from the course. If you insist to go on, you will need to remove your bib and give it to the aid station attendant. From that point you will be responsible for yourself. I do not recommend going on in the dark on Golden Spike! Please check the website for mileage and the correct station number to put on your drop bag. Aid station 1 will be used as station 3 just to make that clear too.
The finish line will be at Poison Spider trail head which is mile 34 for the 50k and mile 21 for the 33k. There will be an official timing company recording your finishes and they will be posted throughout the day. Awards will be given to the top three in each category: overall male, overall female, master male, master female.
We do have two shuttle vans that will be taking people back to the finish line to pick up your vehicles. The shuttles will start about 11:30 am and will run until not needed. We will be providing water and other drinks at the finish. We also will provide a small lunch to each of the runners. That will be a potato soup served in a fresh bread bowl. Please be considerate because there is just enough for all runners to have one meal.
At 7:30 pm Eddie McStiffs has donated a space in his restaurant for a private Red Hot party. We will provide the keg of beer but to show our appreciation to Eddie, lets have dinner in the Mcstiffs restaurant. Also, If you go in the night before to eat dinner and show your bib to your server, you will receive a 15% discount on your meal.
Thank you again and I hope you enjoy this course as much as we do.
Chris Martinez, Greg Poettgen-Race Directors
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
This Week's Training
I thought with the Red Hot 50K coming up in two weeks or so on Feb 16th that I would start posting my weekly workout logs. Maybe that will hold me more accountable to my training. Last week was a good week of training. It is the first time that I have broken 50 miles in a week since last summer. I just need to keep building on that. Anyway here is last weeks log.
Monday1/28: Run 6 miles; Weights 30 mins
Tuesday 1/29: Run 6.25 miles
Weds 1/30: Run 7.25 miles (30mins at 7:30 pace); Swim 30 mins; Weights 30 mins
Thurs 1/31: Run 8 miles; Yoga 1 hour
Fri 2/1: OFF
Sat 2/2: Trailrun 8.5 miles
Sun 2/3: Trailrun 19 miles; Swim 30 mins.
TOTAL MILES FOR THE WEEK: 55
This was a very hard week both mentaliy and physically for me. I even took yesterday (Monday) off to recover. I am really under trained for the 50K that is coming up. I guess I will just go out there and run/walk it if I have to and just have a good time in Moab.
Train hard and have a great week.
Shad
Monday1/28: Run 6 miles; Weights 30 mins
Tuesday 1/29: Run 6.25 miles
Weds 1/30: Run 7.25 miles (30mins at 7:30 pace); Swim 30 mins; Weights 30 mins
Thurs 1/31: Run 8 miles; Yoga 1 hour
Fri 2/1: OFF
Sat 2/2: Trailrun 8.5 miles
Sun 2/3: Trailrun 19 miles; Swim 30 mins.
TOTAL MILES FOR THE WEEK: 55
This was a very hard week both mentaliy and physically for me. I even took yesterday (Monday) off to recover. I am really under trained for the 50K that is coming up. I guess I will just go out there and run/walk it if I have to and just have a good time in Moab.
Train hard and have a great week.
Shad
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Inspiring Words from a US champ
I hope that everyone is doing well. I have been trying to get back into a normal training mode but keep getting side tracked by colds. Oh well the 50K in Moab in 4 weeks is going to kill me but it will be worth it.
Anyway my buddy Neal sent me this which was copied from a Blog written by Ryan Hall. In case you don't know who Ryan Hall is, he will be running the Marathon for the US in the 2008 Olympics. He was good friends with Ryan Shay who died at the US Olympic Trails last Nov.
--------------------------------
Welcome to the official blog of top U.S. distance runner Ryan Hall as he begins his quest for Olympic gold! Check back every other Friday for Ryan’s latest entry.
These past three weeks I have been shown what it means to persevere in the face of hard times. Sara and I arrived in Flagstaff on December 30th to stay with our friend, Alicia Shay, with the goal of helping her in whatever way we could through the recent loss of her husband. However, as is the case so often when we try and help others, we are the ones who get blessed from the experience. I guess this is why Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Alicia showed me what it means to get up every day and face her troubles with courage and strength. I am sure a lot of people are proud of how Alicia has endured this hard time. I am certainly very proud and inspired by her ability to just plain get up everyday and choose to live a life of joy, even though she certainly has the right to be bitter, angry and frustrated.
Perseverance is a trait that I have had to learn a lot about during my running career.
The other day I was reflecting on how, when I was little, I always built up Olympians as these super-strong people who were just good all the time. Now that I am going to be one, it feels ironic that I thought of Olympians in this way. When I look at my strengths I realize that one of the most important characteristics I have is simply the ability to get back up. One of my favorite verses in the bible comes from Proverbs and says, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again…” (24.16). This verse resonates with my soul because I had so many hard times in college.
I can’t tell you how many 800’s I jogged in over 2 minutes, even though I was going all out, or how many races I was doing everything I could do to just cover the distance. I remember racing in the London Super Grand Prix 5,000M two years ago getting the applause from the crowd for the last place runner who is struggling in far behind the rest of the field. After all these hard times, I, like Alicia, had a choice to make: was I going to get up or give in? I think some of the most celebrated moments in human achievement should be those times when everything is going against a person and they are down in the dumps but they simply choose to get up. That’s real greatness!
Currently, I am beginning to get ready for my next big event, the London Marathon. I know that the next three months are going to be full of challenging workouts. I know that I will hit some of them and feel great, but I also know that there will be days when I might be a little tired and may not run as well as I would like, but I know that no matter what the training and racing holds I will be thankful for the good days and I will get back up on the days when I falter.
When I was getting ready for the Olympic trials I had to put my perseverance to the test. About three months out I got a cold and started really struggling for a couple of weeks. I was pretty down about it all and even told Sara that I didn’t think I would make the team. I was blessed to have her encouragement through those rough weeks. I stayed down for a couple of days, but then I gradually lifted myself out of the dirt and got back to work. I am amazed by how much that one decision to get back up changed my life. I want to encourage you that if you are going through a tough time, get up; you have no idea what is waiting for you on the other side. Even if things don’t turn out how you hope, you still will have developed the characteristic of perseverance, which will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Anyway my buddy Neal sent me this which was copied from a Blog written by Ryan Hall. In case you don't know who Ryan Hall is, he will be running the Marathon for the US in the 2008 Olympics. He was good friends with Ryan Shay who died at the US Olympic Trails last Nov.
--------------------------------
Welcome to the official blog of top U.S. distance runner Ryan Hall as he begins his quest for Olympic gold! Check back every other Friday for Ryan’s latest entry.
These past three weeks I have been shown what it means to persevere in the face of hard times. Sara and I arrived in Flagstaff on December 30th to stay with our friend, Alicia Shay, with the goal of helping her in whatever way we could through the recent loss of her husband. However, as is the case so often when we try and help others, we are the ones who get blessed from the experience. I guess this is why Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Alicia showed me what it means to get up every day and face her troubles with courage and strength. I am sure a lot of people are proud of how Alicia has endured this hard time. I am certainly very proud and inspired by her ability to just plain get up everyday and choose to live a life of joy, even though she certainly has the right to be bitter, angry and frustrated.
Perseverance is a trait that I have had to learn a lot about during my running career.
The other day I was reflecting on how, when I was little, I always built up Olympians as these super-strong people who were just good all the time. Now that I am going to be one, it feels ironic that I thought of Olympians in this way. When I look at my strengths I realize that one of the most important characteristics I have is simply the ability to get back up. One of my favorite verses in the bible comes from Proverbs and says, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again…” (24.16). This verse resonates with my soul because I had so many hard times in college.
I can’t tell you how many 800’s I jogged in over 2 minutes, even though I was going all out, or how many races I was doing everything I could do to just cover the distance. I remember racing in the London Super Grand Prix 5,000M two years ago getting the applause from the crowd for the last place runner who is struggling in far behind the rest of the field. After all these hard times, I, like Alicia, had a choice to make: was I going to get up or give in? I think some of the most celebrated moments in human achievement should be those times when everything is going against a person and they are down in the dumps but they simply choose to get up. That’s real greatness!
Currently, I am beginning to get ready for my next big event, the London Marathon. I know that the next three months are going to be full of challenging workouts. I know that I will hit some of them and feel great, but I also know that there will be days when I might be a little tired and may not run as well as I would like, but I know that no matter what the training and racing holds I will be thankful for the good days and I will get back up on the days when I falter.
When I was getting ready for the Olympic trials I had to put my perseverance to the test. About three months out I got a cold and started really struggling for a couple of weeks. I was pretty down about it all and even told Sara that I didn’t think I would make the team. I was blessed to have her encouragement through those rough weeks. I stayed down for a couple of days, but then I gradually lifted myself out of the dirt and got back to work. I am amazed by how much that one decision to get back up changed my life. I want to encourage you that if you are going through a tough time, get up; you have no idea what is waiting for you on the other side. Even if things don’t turn out how you hope, you still will have developed the characteristic of perseverance, which will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Goals for 2008
Hope every one is having a great New Year. I thought I would put out there my goals and races to share with everyone. There is a link for each one if you click on it. Have a great January and the next time I check it will most likely be next month with a race report from the Red Hot 50K, unless I get up into the mountains climbing before then.
2008 RACES
Moab Red Hot 50K 2/16
Moab 24 hour 3/29
Greenland 50K 4/19
Collegiate Peaks 50miler 5/3
Squaw Peak 50miler 6/7
Estes Park Marathon 6/15
Mount Evan Ascent 6/21
Leadville Marathon 7/5
Leadville 50miler 7/20
Leadville 10K 8/10
Leadville 100miler 8/16
Other Goals for 2008
1) Finish Sawatch\Front\ Elk Ranges 14ers
2) Start on the San Juan Range 14ers
3) Do the Maroon Bells 4 pass loop again in 1 day
4) John Muir Trail (211 miles) in 7 days or less
5) Start working on doing the Colorado Trail in sections (got the book for Christmas)
All and all it is going to be a very busy and exciting year!! Hopefully my body and mind will hold up to the challenge!
2008 RACES
Moab Red Hot 50K 2/16
Moab 24 hour 3/29
Greenland 50K 4/19
Collegiate Peaks 50miler 5/3
Squaw Peak 50miler 6/7
Estes Park Marathon 6/15
Mount Evan Ascent 6/21
Leadville Marathon 7/5
Leadville 50miler 7/20
Leadville 10K 8/10
Leadville 100miler 8/16
Other Goals for 2008
1) Finish Sawatch\Front\ Elk Ranges 14ers
2) Start on the San Juan Range 14ers
3) Do the Maroon Bells 4 pass loop again in 1 day
4) John Muir Trail (211 miles) in 7 days or less
5) Start working on doing the Colorado Trail in sections (got the book for Christmas)
All and all it is going to be a very busy and exciting year!! Hopefully my body and mind will hold up to the challenge!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)