Category Archives: run
2011 Training Log – Week 42
Roller coaster week, highs and lows. A lot less running than I had planned, but that’s just fine. I’m still somewhat in recovery mode from Slickrock and there’s no need to push anything. I’m not sore or anything, but I can tell from the pattern of having really good runs followed by really bad ones that I am not truly recovered yet. Bighorn and Leadville were both around 3-4 days, but it looks like Slickrock will take 3-4 weeks. Definitely took more out of me.
Monday
Bike – 28 miles
Did a steady 20 mile effort. Working, but not killing it. Averaged 21.9mph which wasn’t bad for only my second road ride since June. Couldn’t quite push hard enough through the wind to get 22.
Tuesday
Run – 7.3 miles
Two laps at Hildebrand. Amazing run. Felt strong. It was raining, and starting to get muddy. My hands were frozen, but my legs could do no wrong. I had the feeling like when I travel on business and leave my trusty (but gutless) Honda Fit behind and happen into something like a Dodge Charger at the rental counter. Just a little press of the gas pedal and the power is there.
Wednesday
Run – 5.4 miles
Running with a heavy heart is tough. Got the sad news last night of little Emma’s passing. Today was cold and snowy, first snow run of the year. Just wasn’t into it. Turned back early, did a bit of walking, tried not to let my eyeballs freeze when they would get a little damp with the thoughts. A special little girl that will be missed. We are better for having had her in our lives.
Thursday
No run. Cold day, a lot on my plate at work, and was in a dark place mentally. Got a late-evening call from Emma’s mom, asking if she could use some of what I wrote for the obituary. Of course there was no need for her to ask, but I was incredibly humbled that she took the time to do so and it was so nice to talk with her for a few minutes.
Friday
Run – 7 miles
Nice cleansing run on a beautiful day. Steady from start to finish.
Saturday
Run – 5.5 miles
Easy 5.5 at dusk with Malcolm. His first run in a week after being slammed with strep throat. Beautiful sunset running through Chatfield, good to get out with him again.
Sunday
Buried with homework of all things (taking a Java programming class). Hard to teach this old man new tricks. I am really good at shell scripting, but this Object Oriented stuff hurts my brain. No run.
Total: 5:26 – bike 28 miles / 1:29, run 25 miles / 3:57
Pic of the week – I wonder what these guys did for Halloween?
2011 Training Log – Week 41
Spent the week in Utah for fall break, visiting with family and eating like a pig. The weather was spectacular and we had a great time.
Very little in the way of running, but that was just fine as I haven’t taken a good recovery period all year. The two weeks after running the Slickrock 100 have been very mellow. For some reason, my climbing legs really felt ‘on’ this week. Not in a sense of being fast, but more like a gear down and just keep on going kind of thing. I like it!
Next race is two weeks away, in Moab. I’m pacing my son through his first marathon and am super happy to get to go out there again and do that with him.
Monday
Run – 4.3 miles
Felt like 8.
Tuesday
Run – 6 miles
Cool run on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. The run was short but we worked the climbs. Legs felt good. Also ran up the short but very steep Round Peak. The trail was like a ditch filled with rocks.
Wednesday
Run – 4.3 miles
Easy cruise around the park.
Thursday
Zero
Spent my birthday hanging out and having fun with family.
Friday
Run – 11.3 miles
Really good run across the BST with Malcolm. We ran all the climbs and kept a good steady pace. The trail itself isn’t anything to write home about, but the views of the valley are super and the many shorter climbs are a great workout.
Saturday
Nada.
Sunday
No run, but signed us up to run the Moab Trail Marathon in two weeks. It’ll be Malcolm’s first marathon and I’m excited for the chance to run it with him. He hasn’t been doing any real long runs, but is very fit after XC season. We’ll keep it nice and steady and enjoy the day in the canyons.
Total
25 miles / 4:47
Pic of the week – go to the light!
2011 WUROY
There has been a lot of chatter about the Ultra Runner of the Year award lately. Who is eligible, who is most deserving; roads?, trails?, 100 milers?, shorter distances?.
Fortunately, the WUROY has no such controversy or strings attached.
I am honored to be the 2011 recipient of Woody’s Ultra Runner of the Year! Woody is someone I have a great deal of respect for, both as a runner and even more as a great dad and person. His positive outlook and demeanor are a pleasure to be around. Plus he is a darn good runner, rocking a sub-24 at Leadville in his first try at 100 miles!
Of course this award is completely tounge-in-cheek, and we had fun with the idea. It is still a great way to cap the season and I very much appreciated the sentiment.
In Woodys words:
Alright, I have an announcement to make. After winning at 12 hours of Moab, witnessing your performance finishing Collegiate Peaks with a busted leg, running 100 miles at Bighorn with waterlogged feet, finishing Leadville with a 30 mile walk when you could have dropped, and NOW tacking on an additional 11 miles after getting your buckle…..I hereby select you for Woody’s 2011 Ultrarunner of the Year award. Certificate to follow via email. Haha! Seriously Chris, what a race and what a year!
This thing is definitely getting framed and put on the wall. Thanks, Woody!!!
The Scene Begins 