2012 Training Log – Week 40
Coming off of the 40 miler last Saturday, I was surprised to feel as good as I did this week. I know my log entries mention being tired quite a bit, but I really should have been more crippled after all that pavement.
It was a super busy week in all aspects of life, and I didn’t quite make my mileage goal.
I am backing away a little bit from the idea of running the 24 Hours of Boulder in two weeks. Every time I think about pulling the trigger on registration, I have an overwhelming feeling of – meh. My birthday is the following Saturday, and the idea of coming up with some sort of cool/crazy/stupid run for that instead is becoming a more attractive alternative. Maybe a DIY 100 miler is in order? The wheels are turning…
Lots of fun with the camera as I took over 1,000 photos this week including my first serious attempt at portraits, and first time spending the day shooting a trail race/ultra. I spent both Friday and Saturday evenings chasing the moonrise, which would have been spectacular if not for a thick layer of haze/smoke on the horizon which killed the best views.
Monday
6 miles
Boneyard with Stu. Felt really good considering the 40 miler on the weekend. Almost unsettling…
Tuesday
10 miles
Highline Canal. First 4 were rough, then felt better. Thinking I will target 70 again this week and try to keep it at that level up through Boulder.
Wednesday
11 miles
Strange day. 1st attempt to run was thwarted by a work call that led to being slammed most of the day. Thought I would stop off at Chatfield on the way home and get in an easy 5 or so. Felt very slow and tired, ran out onto the dam. Turned around at 2.5 and there was a very nasty storm that sneaked up behind me with lots of lightning that basically cut off my retreat. To my immediate south, the skies were clear and sunny. I decided to keep going and run around the south end of the lake before turning back north to get to my car. I was dragging pretty bad, but finally made it.
This was looking away from the storm, much worse behind me. In any case, not a good place to be with lightning around.
Went out later that night to try and get some night shots of the lightning over the city.
Thursday
11 miles
Included 10 miles in the high 7’s. As tired as my legs were, it forced me to work a bit to hold that pace.
Found a GREAT spot for shooting portraits and my daughter was a good sport and let me practice taking some shots. It’s not an area of photography that I’ve done much with, pretty much favoring the landscapes, but I liked the new challenge. Most of all, I was happy that she was happy with how they turned out – teenage girls being somewhat hard to please in that way…
Friday
12 miles
Very tired again (theme for the week), but put in some good work at the Boneyard.
Made a pretty big effort to get a moonrise shot from Chatfield State Park. Didn’t quite get what I was after, but had a fun evening running back and forth alternating between moonrise and sunset.
Saturday
12 miles
Really felt broken-down today. I think that is my cue to start letting up. I’ll abandon the goal of 70 for this week and be content with what I’ve gotten so far.
Spent the evening chasing another Harvest Moon shot. Mostly thrwarted by a super thick layer of haze/smoke on the horizon that spoiled the moonrise, but did get a couple shots I liked.
Sunday
OFF
Spent a fun day at the Bear Chase Trail Race cheering for the runners and taking a bunch of photos.
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See the rest here.
Total: 62.6 miles / 10:06
2012 Bear Chase Trail Race
I had the rare chance to spend most of the day at an ultramarathon trail race without running a step. My first priority was to be there in support of my good friend and Leadville pacer, Stu. He was running his 3rd 50 miler and looked to be all set for his best race yet. Unfortunately, a series of unforeseen foot problems that got pretty bad during the 3rd lap resulted in a missed cutoff. Very proud of his effort, though!
I brought the camera along and rode my bike so I could hit different parts of the course and practice taking some shots. You would think that being a trail runner/racer, and wanna-be photographer, I would have shot dozens of races by now. This was the first, and I really enjoyed it! With the slower nature of trail and ultra running, there was time for a lot of banter back and forth with the runners which was a lot of fun. Most of them would make some sort of wisecrack, and I’d shoot one right back at them.
I tried to give the shots a different look and perspective from the typical race photos. Instead of just firing the shutter, I’d wait to see the eyes, or the flash of a smile. Even a grimace or a look of determination was fair game. I think it worked out pretty well.
My brain didn’t know what to make of being at a race all day and not having sore legs to show for it. When I stopped at the gas station on the way home, I totally braced myself as I was getting out of the car – then I realized I hadn’t been running!
Here are a few samples from my first round of editing. A link to the flickr set is at the end of the post. I will be adding more to that set in the next few days.
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See the rest here.
The Agile Fox Friday Foto – 09.28.2012
After a year and a half of including a ‘pic of the week’ at the end of my weekly training summary, I’ve decided to let it stand as a post of its own. I’m also implementing a rule that the Friday Foto needs to have been taken sometime in the last week. No recycling. I am doing this to keep me engaged in building my photography skills, and to make me work harder to get fresh shots. Click here to see my previous Friday Foto posts.
After running the Denver Rock and Roll Marathon last Saturday (report here), I hung around for about an hour taking pictures of the event and of the other finishers. This one is my favorite of the bunch.
I like when a photo displays a nice scene, but I really like when an image captures a moment. It freezes time, but still manages to tell a story.
There is a lot going on here. It’s nearly 5 hours into the race with less than a minute more of running to do until you can finally stop. That is a fantastic feeling! The outstretched hands and a smile make you think a goal is being reached. I love how the kid is poking his head through the fence for a better look.
My expression at the finish was a lot more like the guy in the blue shirt.
Almost There
1/1000, f/8.0, 65mm @ ISO 320
The Scene Begins 