Category Archives: run
Race Report: 2013 Rock Cut Coyote Howl 10k
I very much like to run ultras. If I ever had to give that experience a one word description, the word ‘fun’ would not necessarily be my first pick. Something more like satisfying, or accomplishment.
When I reflect back on this 10k out in the middle of Illinois, the word ‘fun’ immediately jumps to the top of the list.
Take 180 people, cram them onto a singletrack trail in the deep woods, and then set them loose to see who can make it back first. Oh, and make sure it is after dark.
See? That’s fun!
The race was one lap around a state park on equal parts rough/twisty/hilly/rocky/rooty trail, and fast straightaways.
I actually did this same event two years ago, when I was on another business trip. I’m glad it lined up with another trip this year!
This Google Earth shot shows the path into the trees from a road crossing. It was like a tunnel at times, and I was having to duck branches a lot in the first couple of miles.
Trying to run at full speed on that terrain and in those conditions was stressful, but amazing all at once. Your senses were being pushed to the absolute max the whole time, while the rest of your body tried to keep the speed up.
I surprised myself with a decent race. A little slower than the last time I was here, but a lot better than I was expecting. Last time it was pretty much a time trial for me as I ran solo for the last 2/3 of the race.
This time I was fighting for positions every step of the way. I was in around 20th place after the first mile. That start was intense! It was all-out effort staring at the heels of the person in front of you illuminated by the spot of light from your headlamp.
I struggled to hold pace with those around me on the flat straight sections, but once we hit the technical stuff in the woods with the climbs I started moving up through the field. I would gradually reel someone in, and then sit on their shoulder for a second until finding my chance to make a clean break.
About a mile from the finish, there were four of us running shoulder-to-shoulder up this steep climb on a trail that was more suited for two people. I was the first one to back off slightly, but held on over the top and then accellerated past them all. Shake and bake, baby!
I hit the line in 8th place overall and 3rd in my age group. Very happy with the night, and as a bonus got to do it all with my buddy Stu – who had a great race as well.
We proceeded to consume vast amounts of Chicago-style pizza and more than a few Cokes. Good times!
2013 Training Log – Week 44
This week was killer, I’m glad it’s over. Work was crazy and it was all I could do to hold things together. Everything felt a little off for the most part, like I was fighting off a cold the whole time. I cut 4 of the 5 runs shorter than planned. Thankfully, no serious symptoms developed.
It took me two months, but I finally got my Leadville report written. Glad to get that one out of the way – it is such a hot topic that I could never really nail down what I wanted to say, so I just ignored it for a long time. Now I’m working on reports for a great night-time 10k trail race in IL, a do-it-yourself 50 mile trail race, and my very first gravel grinder. Fun mix of events!
Monday – 7.6 run
Attempting to get 1,000′ of climbing on a lunch run in the Tech Center. No easy task. Did laps on ~100′ hill and ended up with about 730′. Cut the run a little short due to some strange but intense quad pain.
Tuesday – 0
Slammed with work all day/night.
Wednesday – 11.6 run, 3 run
Sort of a decent run. Heart rate was jacked (from being a little sick, I think). Maxed out at 181, usually have a hard time seeing low 170 range. Super nice fall day, though. Love the blue sky and yellow leaves.
Got out in the evening for a small lap around the neighborhood.
Thursday – 33.1 bike
Steady ride around Cherry Creek. I like riding the knobby-tires/MTB on the roads for this kind of stuff, makes for a good workout.
Friday – 7.1 run
Another hill run in the Tech Center. 700′.
Saturday – 12.2 run
Up early, out the door in the cold and dark. I usually feel pretty rough for the first few miles of an early run like this, but didn’t have much of a problem today. I was mostly happy just to get up and get out at all after such a tough week. Planned to do some climbing up Goat Peak and did a small loop through Chatfield while I was waiting for the sky to lighten up a little.
This is just a scrubby, often nasty ridge above Waterton Canyon. Most of the time it is ugly, but capture it in the right light and it becomes postcard material.
Got about 1/3 of the way up the climb and (even though I was going for a Strava segment CR) stopped for a quick photo of the alpenglow lighting up the peak. As I did, I noticed a hunter dressed in blaze orange up on the ridge – directly in my path.
I didn’t want to cause any grief, so I just turned around. I did another half-hearted attempt at a repeat climb to my high point, but didn’t even make it that far before bagging the run and heading home. Wanting more, but happy with what I was able to do.
.
Meanwhile, 50 yards from the parking lot…
Sunday – 0
Worked the AM then made RT to Leadville.
Total – 42 run, 33 bike, 8:36
2013 Training Log – Week 43
The week started off well, then fell apart. Stress levels were at an 11 for most of the week, but I kept up with training despite that. Until Friday when my body just had enough. I decided to take the weekend off from training as I have been working fairly hard for the past month, especially with the added load of mixing the bike in.
Should have a few things cleared off my plate after this week is over so I can get back to a better schedule, and I finally started working on my Leadville 100 report.
Monday – 13.3 run
Great run. Unexpectedly good. Started off with an 8:30 then very gradually chipped the average down to 7:55. Wouldn’t say it was easy, but felt very controlled. The lack of tension in my legs was big time noticeable. The big ride on Saturday loosened them up nicely. My stride felt really smooth, I wasn’t bracing for impact – just spinning along and creating forward motion. Breathing was good, too.
Tuesday – 24.3 bike
Steady effort.
Wednesday – 7.5 run
Good cruiser. Starting to notice these types of runs are ending up in the 7-range more and more.
Thursday – 21.3 bike
Got my first Strava KOM on the bike.
Friday – 5 run
Body said ‘nope’. Turned back early.
Saturday – 0
Kids went to a neighborhood Halloween party. Lumpy the Heffalump, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and little Eeyore.
Sunday – 0
Rest day.
Total – 26 run, 46 bike, 6:37
The Scene Begins 