Didn’t post last week’s training – pretty routine stuff.  40’ish running, and a good bike ride.  I did start working out on the rowing machine and I am surprisingly loving that.  It seems to be a great compliment to running and kicks your butt without breaking you down too much.  Working my way down to a sub-20 5,000 meter before too long.

This week = holyfreakinghotdamnwheredidthatcomefrom?!?!?

Busted out my biggest ever non-race week with 18.5 hours of running and two rowing sessions.  I felt primed to go big and everything worked out as I had a few days off (had to use or loose some vacation), no travel plans, good weather, and good legs.  I felt stronger at the end of the week than I did at the beginning.

Monday – 24.4 run

Dropped the kids off at school and ran a couple of loops in the Highlands Ranch backcountry.  Cold and miserable day, but the forecast was looking much better later in the week so I got though it.

Had about 90 seconds of sunshine just after dawn, then it went dark for the rest of the day.

Face too frozen to smile.

Tuesday – 5k row, 20.3 run

Rowed early, then got out for a nice long one to Chatfield and back.  I was happy with my consistent pace after a creaky first mile.

Wednesday – 22.1

Feeling it now.  Calves are thrashed.  Ran up Sharptail into a 1,000mph headwind.  Had some goober on the lens, but caught this crow bothering a raptor.

Thursday – 12.6 run

Up and out early before dawn to jog an easy 4 and loosen up a little.  Then out with the dog for 1.5.  After that, we headed to Castle Rock to run in our 7th consecutive Turkey Trot together as a family.  I looped back after I finished and walked the last half with my girls.  My legs felt ok to run hard, they just wouldn’t go as fast as I wanted.  Averaged 6:58.

Friday – 5k row, 11.3 run

Back to work.  Steady lunch run.

Saturday – 21.2 run

Met up with Woody, Joe, Jim, and Pat for a long one in the Roxborough area.  I jogged over to Sharptail from my house and then ran with the guys up and over Carpenter Peak.  I dropped down into Waterton while they continued up to Indian Creek.  Fantastic morning for a run and it was great to get out with the guys for a bit.  I suffered up the Carpenter climb like I knew I would, but I was super happy with how good I felt otherwise.  Wish I had the time to go longer, but had to be home by 11:00 to do lunch and then shoot our family pics.

My daughter teases that I ran out of leg paint.

Gotta take a running mirror shot coming down Waterton.

Nice buck in the canyon.

Decided to take some family pics while our mountain-child was in town with us. Shot this with an 85mm so the camera was a fair distance away. Hitting the timer and then sprinting into position was no easy task for my worked legs.

Sunday – 2.3

Out with the dog, then drove Malcolm back up to Leadville.  Felt like I could have done another 20.

Nice sunset over Halo Ridge and Mount of the Holy Cross.  Malcolm and I hiked that route back in July.  I think most people would like the second shot more than the first, but I really like the light on the ridge in that first one.  They were taken 12 minutes apart.

Total – 114.1 run (10,344′ climbing), 0 bike, 10,000 meters rowing, 19:21

Flying high last week, straight into a nose dive.  This week was tough, mostly due to work.  I was tired coming into it, and then got pushed over the edge.

I sort of have a training philosophy that you should really crank when the opportunity is there, because something will inevitably derail the plans at some point.  I flipped this around and made this more of a true rest week instead of unnecessarily fighting to pull off a mediocre one.  Now I’m ready to get back at it.

Monday – 55 bike

Had the day off and took off for a big ride after getting some chores done.  It was slightly cold and very windy, so by the time I got back 3.5 hours later I was pretty worked.

Tuesday – 5.1 run

Got called for work yesterday afternoon and ended up going until 2:00 AM.  Then up at 5:00.  Super tired for this one.  Ended up turning back early.

Wednesday – 0

Went through the motions of starting to get ready for a run.  Wasted time checking my phone, then just sat there for like 20 minutes.  Totally tired and no desire to run at all.  It was a beautiful warm day, but I didn’t have it in me.

Thursday – 9.4 run

A little better today.  Struggled at times through this one, but got it done and was better for it.  Ended up working until midnight.

I stopped for a little break in the sunshine.

Friday – 7.7 run

Slightly uncomfortable tempo.

Saturday – 0

Had a window I could have used to run in the afternoon.  I took a 3.5 hour nap instead!  And I hate taking naps.

Sunday – 0

Figured I might as well skip today, too.  Make the most out of the rest week rather than watering it down by trying to get some sort of run in.

Total – 22 run, 55 bike, 6:52