Stats: (06/08 – 06/14): Elliptical 65 min; Stepper 45 min; Running total 28.6 mi (12.5 street, 10.1 trails, 6 tmill);
(06/15 – 06/21): Elliptical 60 min; Stepper 60 min; Running total 55.3 mi (52.1 trail, 3.2 tmill);
(06/22 – 06/28): Elliptical 65, Stepper 35; Running total: 43.1 mi (24 trail, street 10, tmill 9.1)
In review of previous posts I was surprised to see that I hadn’t included recent stats. So, today’s post includes info up through last Saturday to get me back on track. Not much real news to post about otherwise. I’m doing my best to adhere to the “official” training schedule, with a couple minor tweaks and adds. For example, I usually go to the gym in the morning to do the elliptical and a few weights and abs routines, especially on the days when I will run after work. I was doing some extraneous running on the treadmill (on days when I just couldn’t face the elliptical machine) which was over and above the scheduled runs.
However, now that the scheduled runs are getting longer and harder, I will probably not do much “extra” running, but will still do elliptical, stepper and maybe bicycle. I still feel I need more aerobic workouts as well as to try to strengthen muscles that I’m not using as much when actually running. And, speaking of aerobic matters, we are up to about 10,000 feet on the Higher Peak machine. I really can’t tell if I’m improving, since the runs are longer than what I have been used to, so I’m tending to go slower in order to preserve energy enough to finish (and thank god for GU!). I think we will plan to try to plateau about 11,000 feet on the machine, depending on how we feel. There is still plenty of time to assess this between now and 8/22. Have pretty much gotten used to sleeping with the mask on, but will definitely take a vacation from it when we get back from Colorado!
The weather has returned to more normal temperatures as of yesterday, although I hear there are more hot days coming -- bummer. We have been also suffering an unusual number of wildfires (some caused by lightning others, unfortunately set by people who will be under lock and key if/when caught) one of which was only a few miles “as the crow flies” from our part of the forest. This is already a very bad fire season, with a state of emergency being declared for several counties in the state. I hope this is not a portent of things to come through the fall!
Unfortunately, I have to travel out of town next week which will play complete havoc with both training and the acclimatization process using the Higher Peak machine. I hope this will not represent a major set back! There’s no way to do any long runs while on a business trip.
I had to really gut out my 18 mile run on Sunday. I have a hatred of courses which repeat (i.e., running 2 ea 5 mile loops to get a 10 miler in). However, I’m having trouble constructing out/back or single loops that work for my longer runs. So, for this 18 miler, I hooked together a 6 mile loop that I’ve done several times with my out and back 12 mile run. It took me forever to do the first 6 miles—and I don’t know why, as it was not particularly hot, I was sufficiently hydrated and rested. When I got to the trail intersection w/ the out and back trail it was all I could do to head out, instead of returning to the car and calling it a day. I finished it, but it took like 4 hours which does not bode well for the daily runs on the race course. While this run was on trails, and did incorporate a good amount of hills, it is still nothing like the altitude gain/loss that will be included in the daily stages in Colorado.
This post has gotten slightly out of control, so I’ll call it quits for now!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Off The Sofa
DAVID:
Sunday, June 29, 2008. The Basin Complex and Indians fires continue to rage in the Ventana Wilderness, south ofMonterey San Francisco Big Sur for a week. Each night the summer fog absorbs the smoke and ash - each morning the sky is dirty and lowering. Yesterday as I read the fire coverage in the S.F. Chronicle I could smell the very flames pictured in the paper. Call it scratch and sniff news. The inlanders have been urged to stay indoors and avoid exercising. We are not so lucky – our training will proceed as scheduled.
Judy has hewn closely to the pre-race regimen. I have been severely hobbled by a months old hamstring injury that just now starting to allow me to run a little. I have aLOT of catching up to do, and the prospect is daunting, to say the least. It is hard to know yet whether the Higher Peak
Sunday, June 29, 2008. The Basin Complex and Indians fires continue to rage in the Ventana Wilderness, south of
Judy has hewn closely to the pre-race regimen. I have been severely hobbled by a months old hamstring injury that just now starting to allow me to run a little. I have a
Friday, June 20, 2008
Inspiration
This is a "nano" post. I will post later my weekly stats update, etc.
Last night, in 90+ heat, I was driving to the park to knock off the scheduled 12 mile run and feeling distinctly sorry for myself. It was hot, I was tired and cranky. I could have been easily dissuaded from running by any diversion, no matter how mundane. However, while in the car, I heard this inspirational story on "All Things Considered" on NPR. (follow link)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91692169&sc=emaf
I am ashamed that I whine and complain about the weather, and minor muscle pain when there are people like Hillary, the Hoyts, etc. are out there doing so much. I did the run. Not fast, or well, but I did it. I didn't feel heroic or particularly happy, but I did feel as if I had done a tiny bit in support of those who would like to but who do not have the chance.
And now, on to the 14 miler on Saturday followed by the 16 miler on Sunday :-)
Last night, in 90+ heat, I was driving to the park to knock off the scheduled 12 mile run and feeling distinctly sorry for myself. It was hot, I was tired and cranky. I could have been easily dissuaded from running by any diversion, no matter how mundane. However, while in the car, I heard this inspirational story on "All Things Considered" on NPR. (follow link)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91692169&sc=emaf
I am ashamed that I whine and complain about the weather, and minor muscle pain when there are people like Hillary, the Hoyts, etc. are out there doing so much. I did the run. Not fast, or well, but I did it. I didn't feel heroic or particularly happy, but I did feel as if I had done a tiny bit in support of those who would like to but who do not have the chance.
And now, on to the 14 miler on Saturday followed by the 16 miler on Sunday :-)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Reno – Tahoe Odyssey, or, how I lost another weekend!
http://www.renotahoeodyssey.com/
06/06 – 06/07/2008
It was a relay, like any other relay—except with altitude.
The run was Friday - Saturday, so naturally I heard nothing much until Tuesday – typical hasher way of operating :-) I wasn’t too worried, given that I know how to “relay”, but I did want to know where and when to show up. However, the most important behind the scenes work had been done (van rentals, hotel rooms reserved, shirts printed).
I was in Van 2, running leg 11. Most of the van 1 folks went up to Reno on Thursday, so as to be ready for the 0930 start. Van 2 met up at Rebecca’s in Sunnyvale (no, not at Sunnybrook Farm!). We departed at about 10:30 and arrived at the exchange point outside Truckee in plenty of time.
The main difference for me was that the territory was completely unfamiliar. I’ve run pretty much all over the greater bay area in nor cal, but not so much in the Tahoe – Reno area.
The results are not out yet, which is okay – I don’t really need to see my official times.
My first leg was 5.3 miles (“moderate”) at about 7 pm on a paved bike path paralleling both the highway and the Truckee River. It was actually quite a nice run, and the elevation was just under 6500 feet. I didn’t notice the effects of the altitude as much as I expected to, but I did adopt a relatively sedate pace. I felt pretty good at the end, and was pretty satisfied.
As soon as Leah, leg 12, finished we determined we had only about 3.5 hours till it was time for Van 2 to take over again (Van 1 had shorter legs and also some faster runners). We went out to dinner where I had pasta but avoided the wine and beer the others indulged in. This was mostly b/c I had agreed to switch legs on the next segment w/ Joanne. As she was the lead off runner in our van, I knew I would be running again in only a couple of hours, so I had best watch what I had to digest! We headed over to the motel, which was close by. This really turned out to be a waste of time (and money) since we were only there for about 2 hours. Next time we’ll probably just go on to the van exchange and nap in the van—which is what we usually do in The Relay. Anyway, all too soon we were back on the road.
Jo had not had much chance to train, as she’s a consultant and has been spending several weeks commuting from San Jose to Pittsburg, PA. Her legs all were short, but they all involved significant hills and altitude. So we agreed I’d do her leg 19: 4.2 miles (“most difficult”)—climbing out of the Tahoe basin starting at ~6250 feet and ended just shy of 7500. It was pitch black (after I ran by the casinos) and pretty cold—but actually not as cold as my 2nd leg on The Relay. My main complaint was that the cool breeze, altitude and lack of humidity parched my mouth and throat. I had to stop and walk – mostly to drink water! (or maybe that was just an excuse). Before Colorado I must find an industrial strength lip balm. In any case, after a seemingly endless uphill, I sighted the bright lights of the exchange point. Yay! 2 down, 1 to go.
During our next break we actually had enough time to shower and sleep for 2 hours. Of course the nap felt like it only lasted 15 minutes!! Jo and I switched back, so she’d be running a 3.1 mile long steep hill and I’d be left with (what turned out to be) a BORING 7.5 mile (“moderate”) trek thru the outskirts of Sparks. What made it worse was that Dean’s leg, right b/4 mine, was also a boring 7.5 miler—and he was really struggling, so we just kept on driving a mile or so ahead of him and waiting for him to offer water and assistance, if he needed it. I felt like I was waiting forever, and I really just wanted to get it over with. It ended up taking him 20 minutes longer to do his leg than it did me (this is per Dean—I wasn’t timing either of us). The elevation was basically flat at 4500 feet.
All in all, I’d do this one again. I had wanted to do this to see how I’d do trying to run at altitude, and it turned out to be pretty much what I had expected. I’m just glad I’ll have lots more time with the Higher Peak machine before heading off to Colorado!
06/06 – 06/07/2008
It was a relay, like any other relay—except with altitude.
The run was Friday - Saturday, so naturally I heard nothing much until Tuesday – typical hasher way of operating :-) I wasn’t too worried, given that I know how to “relay”, but I did want to know where and when to show up. However, the most important behind the scenes work had been done (van rentals, hotel rooms reserved, shirts printed).
I was in Van 2, running leg 11. Most of the van 1 folks went up to Reno on Thursday, so as to be ready for the 0930 start. Van 2 met up at Rebecca’s in Sunnyvale (no, not at Sunnybrook Farm!). We departed at about 10:30 and arrived at the exchange point outside Truckee in plenty of time.
The main difference for me was that the territory was completely unfamiliar. I’ve run pretty much all over the greater bay area in nor cal, but not so much in the Tahoe – Reno area.
The results are not out yet, which is okay – I don’t really need to see my official times.
My first leg was 5.3 miles (“moderate”) at about 7 pm on a paved bike path paralleling both the highway and the Truckee River. It was actually quite a nice run, and the elevation was just under 6500 feet. I didn’t notice the effects of the altitude as much as I expected to, but I did adopt a relatively sedate pace. I felt pretty good at the end, and was pretty satisfied.
As soon as Leah, leg 12, finished we determined we had only about 3.5 hours till it was time for Van 2 to take over again (Van 1 had shorter legs and also some faster runners). We went out to dinner where I had pasta but avoided the wine and beer the others indulged in. This was mostly b/c I had agreed to switch legs on the next segment w/ Joanne. As she was the lead off runner in our van, I knew I would be running again in only a couple of hours, so I had best watch what I had to digest! We headed over to the motel, which was close by. This really turned out to be a waste of time (and money) since we were only there for about 2 hours. Next time we’ll probably just go on to the van exchange and nap in the van—which is what we usually do in The Relay. Anyway, all too soon we were back on the road.
Jo had not had much chance to train, as she’s a consultant and has been spending several weeks commuting from San Jose to Pittsburg, PA. Her legs all were short, but they all involved significant hills and altitude. So we agreed I’d do her leg 19: 4.2 miles (“most difficult”)—climbing out of the Tahoe basin starting at ~6250 feet and ended just shy of 7500. It was pitch black (after I ran by the casinos) and pretty cold—but actually not as cold as my 2nd leg on The Relay. My main complaint was that the cool breeze, altitude and lack of humidity parched my mouth and throat. I had to stop and walk – mostly to drink water! (or maybe that was just an excuse). Before Colorado I must find an industrial strength lip balm. In any case, after a seemingly endless uphill, I sighted the bright lights of the exchange point. Yay! 2 down, 1 to go.
During our next break we actually had enough time to shower and sleep for 2 hours. Of course the nap felt like it only lasted 15 minutes!! Jo and I switched back, so she’d be running a 3.1 mile long steep hill and I’d be left with (what turned out to be) a BORING 7.5 mile (“moderate”) trek thru the outskirts of Sparks. What made it worse was that Dean’s leg, right b/4 mine, was also a boring 7.5 miler—and he was really struggling, so we just kept on driving a mile or so ahead of him and waiting for him to offer water and assistance, if he needed it. I felt like I was waiting forever, and I really just wanted to get it over with. It ended up taking him 20 minutes longer to do his leg than it did me (this is per Dean—I wasn’t timing either of us). The elevation was basically flat at 4500 feet.
All in all, I’d do this one again. I had wanted to do this to see how I’d do trying to run at altitude, and it turned out to be pretty much what I had expected. I’m just glad I’ll have lots more time with the Higher Peak machine before heading off to Colorado!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Way Behind Now!
Updated Stats:
(05/09 – 05/16) Elliptical: 140 minutes; stair stepper: 55 min; Run (total) 35.7 mi. (4 street, 8.6 tmill, 23.1 trail);
(05/17 – 05/23) Elliptical: 75 min; stepper 45; Run (total) 36.3 (street 6, tmill 8.3, Trail 22);
(05/24 – 05/30) Elliptical: 115 min; stepper 45; Run (total) 32.9 mi. (street 13, trail 19.9);
(05/31 – 06/07) Elliptical: 65, Run 30 (projected – includes 19 miles total at the Reno-Tahoe Relay (Friday and Saturday) (tmill 4, trail 17.2, road 19.5)
Where HAS the time gone?? I blinked and now it’s like 3 weeks later.
While I started with this title b/c it has been so long since I posted, I also noticed, upon review of the stats, that I’m a bit behind on the training—which came as a surprise. I thought I was doing better, but the numbers don’t lie. Still more room for improvement.
Again (as predicted), cool weather did return to Nor Cal. I can’t tell you how many cold outings I’ve been to on Memorial Day weekend. This year was no exception, which is actually beneficial to my running regime. I just wilt/melt in the heat. (No Marathon Des Sables for me, Sat!)
Work has picked up dramatically in the past 2 weeks, so the struggle is on to maintain success at the job as well as sticking to the training schedule. Between now and 6/30 it will just get more challenging.
My best run lately was last Sunday, the 12 miler, on a great fire road in Big Basin State Park (Redwood trees). We live relatively close to the park and have been there quite a bit, but had never gone all the way up this road. Shady, good footing, hills (but not too steep) and MARKED*. The weather was perfect, and I didn’t bonk (like I did the day before on my 8 miler). GU can be a life saver!
*editorial comment. I’m a trail runner but I never learned to use a compass, etc. So, I rely on maps and trail signage. Our state parks have been really poorly funded these past few years and so many of the trail signs have fallen apart or been rendered illegible and not repaired/replaced. On the other hand, the various “Open Space Preserves” seem to have $$. Not sure how the funding works. We’ve gotten “lost” in Big Basin on more than one occasion. Comparatively, when I did my 10 miler alone, I used the map of the preserve and didn’t have to back track once.
Tomorrow and Saturday is/are the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (read: relay). 178 miles, 12 sweaty runners, 2 large (gas eating!) vans. This is a new one on me, but even tho I don’t know the course I feel okay based on my 13 years of doing “The Relay” (plus one Hood to Coast trip). I’m worried it will be too cold, instead of too hot for this. I doubt I’ll ever see perfect weather, given that my temperature range is so narrow. So much for ever moving out of Nor Cal!
(05/09 – 05/16) Elliptical: 140 minutes; stair stepper: 55 min; Run (total) 35.7 mi. (4 street, 8.6 tmill, 23.1 trail);
(05/17 – 05/23) Elliptical: 75 min; stepper 45; Run (total) 36.3 (street 6, tmill 8.3, Trail 22);
(05/24 – 05/30) Elliptical: 115 min; stepper 45; Run (total) 32.9 mi. (street 13, trail 19.9);
(05/31 – 06/07) Elliptical: 65, Run 30 (projected – includes 19 miles total at the Reno-Tahoe Relay (Friday and Saturday) (tmill 4, trail 17.2, road 19.5)
Where HAS the time gone?? I blinked and now it’s like 3 weeks later.
While I started with this title b/c it has been so long since I posted, I also noticed, upon review of the stats, that I’m a bit behind on the training—which came as a surprise. I thought I was doing better, but the numbers don’t lie. Still more room for improvement.
Again (as predicted), cool weather did return to Nor Cal. I can’t tell you how many cold outings I’ve been to on Memorial Day weekend. This year was no exception, which is actually beneficial to my running regime. I just wilt/melt in the heat. (No Marathon Des Sables for me, Sat!)
Work has picked up dramatically in the past 2 weeks, so the struggle is on to maintain success at the job as well as sticking to the training schedule. Between now and 6/30 it will just get more challenging.
My best run lately was last Sunday, the 12 miler, on a great fire road in Big Basin State Park (Redwood trees). We live relatively close to the park and have been there quite a bit, but had never gone all the way up this road. Shady, good footing, hills (but not too steep) and MARKED*. The weather was perfect, and I didn’t bonk (like I did the day before on my 8 miler). GU can be a life saver!
*editorial comment. I’m a trail runner but I never learned to use a compass, etc. So, I rely on maps and trail signage. Our state parks have been really poorly funded these past few years and so many of the trail signs have fallen apart or been rendered illegible and not repaired/replaced. On the other hand, the various “Open Space Preserves” seem to have $$. Not sure how the funding works. We’ve gotten “lost” in Big Basin on more than one occasion. Comparatively, when I did my 10 miler alone, I used the map of the preserve and didn’t have to back track once.
Tomorrow and Saturday is/are the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey (read: relay). 178 miles, 12 sweaty runners, 2 large (gas eating!) vans. This is a new one on me, but even tho I don’t know the course I feel okay based on my 13 years of doing “The Relay” (plus one Hood to Coast trip). I’m worried it will be too cold, instead of too hot for this. I doubt I’ll ever see perfect weather, given that my temperature range is so narrow. So much for ever moving out of Nor Cal!
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