This week felt like I was settling into a solid training schedule after some fluctuations over the past 3-4 weeks. I think I'm finding a good balance in my training schedule. Though, it's been an interesting transition coming back to running as the focus of my weekly activity. I'm still trying to incorporate a fair amount of strength and core training, as I find it beneficial to my longer efforts - particularly when it comes to trail running. That said, I'm having to re-prioritize my schedule now that my running time is increasing each week. I feel like I could stand to cut some strength/weight-training in order to maintain my core strength alongside the increased mileage. I'm still toying with the routine though, which is an interesting experiment. Likewise, I really need to get at least one or two yoga sessions in each week. I'm missing the overall strength and flexibility it provides, not to mention the hip-opening and the general stress relief.
Not much else to say about the week, aside from the fact that everyone seemed to be gearing up for the holidays. The next week will be busy, but I've got three days off and am pretty eager to get a lot of time on the trail. I'll say in advance that I have zero photos from this week. I'm sure I'll have a few next week though. Until then, here are this week's numbers:
12/16/2013 1:10, 1,400' - Mesa Trail
Nice, comfortably paced run south on Mesa. Took the big hill to the top of Mesa and ran to Fern Canyon. Mid afternoon, decent weather, felt solid.
12/17/2013 :58, 1,600' - Mt. Sanitas
Bombed over to Pearl Street on my bike and ran to Sanitas from there. I've been digging this run. It's a nice way to warm up before hitting the trail-head and the myriad rock steps that make up the Trail to the summit. Likewise, this gives me enough daylight to still see my footing on trail when I want to do Mt. Sanitas after work. I think doing this run once or twice a week for the past month has provided me with some good power in the legs while keeping my heart rate up for the entire run. As a side note, myself and a couple running buddies form Milwaukee would always see how late we could push the shirtless runs every year. December 17th is as late as I can remember being comfortable running in shorts and no shirt. Fun stuff...
12/18/2013 1:27, 1,500' - Mesa Trail (+ Road)
Ran the big hill to Mesa Trail and took it south to the Fern Canyon TH before heading back home. I had some extra energy when i got to the house, so I continued down to Broadway and hammered out a fast mile on the road followed by a cool down mile on the return. Turnover felt good, and my lungs felt solid. Still have a lot of speed to gain if I start incorporating some road workouts though...
12/20/2013 :45, 200' - Road Run
Ran out and back on Broadway. Pretty standard run. Nothing too speedy, but definitely quicker than the trails as a result of the flat terrain. Still convinced that I need at least one flat/road day each week. I think its a good way to workout the legs and lungs without taxing my quads and calves the way I do on trail or mountain runs with significant elevation.
12/21/2013 2:22, 3,000-ish' - Mesa Trail
Had the day off of work so I went a little longer on Mesa. My legs felt a bit fatigued at the outset, but I settled into a good rhythm after 20-30 minutes. On the end of the "out" leg I spent some time checking out a few off-shoot trails connected to Mesa. I would estimate the elevation gain to be roughly 3,000-3,500'. It was a nice way to cap a solid week of running.
Oh yeah, I can't forget about the tunes. This first track is one that conjures memories of high school and Summerfest in Milwaukee. I'm not sure what sparked it, but the Big Wu, Minnesota's finest jam-band, was blasting through my speakers while editing this post. I bought this album with Paul Mueller during our freshman year - always the gentleman, he took the burned copy and let me keep the hard copy and liner notes. Thanks, Paulie! (Good tune - crappy video - enjoy.)
Last but not least, I leave you with the sweet soul sounds of the one and only Al Green. This track needs no further introduction or explanation. Classic...
A dark summit - The highlight of the week and perhaps my gutsiest run in the past month.
After bruising my knee on the summit of Green last Saturday I decided to play it safe, taking Sunday and Monday off from running. By Tuesday morning I was itching to get my feet under me. I had spent most of the day on the computer, staring out my window at the sunshine I should have been enjoying. Come 6:30 PM I had resigned myself to a third day off, but it was "motivated" by laziness rather than necessity. Around 7:00 I read a message from a good friend saying, "Just watched In The High Country- I can't believe that's where you live now." Neither can I most days - I literally have mountains in my back yard. I read the message twice, threw on my running gear, and was out the door by 7:30. Daylight be damned, I was going to get on the trails and salvage this one.
I was pretty conservative with my kit despite the fact that temps were well below freezing and winds were gusting between 45-60 mph. My key pieces of gear included my headlamp, a pair of YakTrax, some thick gloves, and a Patagonia windshield half-zip. Within five minutes of heading out I had shed the Patagonia and was feeling very comfortable. At this point, I was tucked into a small valley between Skunk Creek and Mesa Trail, shielding me from the winds whipping across the front range.
I set out to run until I felt satisfied, initially thinking that I would go for maybe 60 minutes. Fortunately, I was digging the solitude and mystique that comes with running alone in the mountains at night. I stopped several times along the trail in order to mute the crunch of snow under my strides and stare back at the groups of glowing eyes I could see just off trail. It's eerie not knowing what kind of wildlife is staring back at you from the darkness, but its exhilarating as well.
Once I reached the junction for Mesa Trail I was feeling warmed up and decided that I would continue south toward Fern Canyon. At that point, the idea of a night-time Bear Peak summit had crept into my mind, but I wasn't sure how icy the trails would be once I hit Fern and things got steeper. Likewise, I knew the intensity of the wind would rise dramatically as I climbed through the canyon and increased my exposure. I would make a game-time decision once I reached the trail junction for Fern Canyon...
In all fairness, it wasn't much of a decision. I reached Fern Canyon and continued making my way up without hesitation. Why? Why not? I was already moving, and the experience was there to be had. I wanted to see the Indian Peaks under the stars. I also wanted to look out over the rest of Boulder, knowing full well I was the only one up on top of the mountain at that moment.
My progress from Fern Canyon to Bear Peak was not particularly efficient, but I felt like I was making solid progress despite the snow and ice. The trail was definitely becoming less packed the higher I went, which required a greater effort. That said, the added heat from this output was welcome in the face of increasing winds and decreasing temperatures. As I scrambled carefully across the last few rocks and reached the USGS dial at the summit the winds were raging and I felt cold for the first time. I didn't linger terribly long, as the wind and lack of movement turned my hands into what felt like fingerless, icy stumps. I was on the peak less than five minutes and the 50 mph gusts cut through me with ease.
I pulled my jacket on for the return and began to feel my fingers again after 10 minutes of descending. I cruised down the majority of Fern Canyon save for a few icy spots, and was back to the long-sleeve by the time I hit Mesa. Entering Skunk Creek for the final stretch back to the house, I was feeling great and once again enjoying the glow of mysterious eyes. I had turned my sedentary Tuesday into a noteworthy day with the help of my legs, some hard work, and a good 3,500' of climbing. By 10:00 PM I was back in my room, stretching my legs and smiling silently. It was the Nightcall - mountains gently beckoning me, "Get off your ass."
Thanks for reminding me why I moved out here, Rev. I appreciate it...
The numbers game...
12/10/2013 2:27, 3,250' - Bear Peak
Night run described above. Great stuff. Frosty paws. Lots of critters.
12/11/2013 :47, 250' - Road Run
Ran north along Broadway. Decent turnover and some random loops here and there. I'm feeling good incorporating one faster/road run per week.
12/12/2013 :60, 1,600' - Mt. Sanitas
Biked to Pearl after work and ran a mile and change to warm-up en route to the Sanitas trail-head. Still icy on the mountain, as indicated by the slow descent. Had my feet come out a few times on the way down and nearly ate rocks for dinner. The trail conditions were in that 'grey area' where spikes and YakTrax would be great in some spots and complete overkill in others. Solid run either way. Mile and change to cool down on the way back to my bike.
12/13/2013 :45, 850' - Mesa Trail
A nice Friday afternoon run with Eric and Gordo. We went up 'the big hill' in back to reach the Mesa Trail. We took Mesa south for a bit before heading back on the relatively new sections of Skunk Canyon. Fun switch-backs on the way home, with all three of us opening up a fair amount. We were stopped by a sheriff about a half mile from the house for having Gordo off leash. Luckily, Mr. Rivera has no felonies on his record - so we were free to go...
After four in a row I was feeling a bit tired, but I can't remember if I got a run in on Saturday or Sunday. I definitely didn't write anything down, but the battery in my altimeter died resulting in me losing all data that was not recorded. To go along with the watch issues, I am very short on pictures this week. I just haven't wanted to bring my phone on the colder, snowy runs. Anyway, here are just a few worth posting.
Last but not least, its time for some ear-candy. I should apologize for getting this post up so late, but it has been a busy couple of weeks. I'll try to have this week's post and running-logs up within the next couple of days. In the meantime, the following tracks should make up for it. The former, a callback to the title of this post. The latter, a snippet from Red House Painters' Old Ramon - an awesome album from end to end...
Although I'm bruised and a bit tired as I sit here writing this, the last week was fantastic. I fully intended to post Sunday evening, but I got home from work pretty exhausted and did little more than eat and sleep. Nevertheless, the title of this post was already cemented into my mind...
"This is bliss."
Through 100 minutes of running and a very inefficient ascent of more than 2,500', our conversation had been spotty at times. But this rang clear, as it was my inner dialogue being verbalized by the gnarly Texan following closely in my tracks. My only response to the comment was a massive grin, which was no doubt impossible to see from his vantage point. In any case, he was spot on.
I hadn't been to the top of Green Mountain since early August - the unfortunate consequence of my post-TNF knee issues, as well as the "100-year-flood" that hit Boulder in mid-September. But the knee feels good and the trails have been reopened. Kurt, a friend and fellow ultra-enthusiast, escaped the warmer climate of Austin to visit Denver for the weekend. When he got in touch Thursday night about a possible run during the weekend, a trek up Green Mountain seemed like a no-brainer.
Arriving at the trail head on Saturday, we stepped out of the car into single-digit temperatures and snow flurries. Having both spent much our lives in Wisconsin winters, it was agreed that this was prime running weather. We clicked our watches and started for the top.
For access to the summit we took Ranger Trail via Gregory Canyon. The trip up was not a huge effort, but I felt very inefficient in my Pure Grit trail-runners. Although they are great for dry or muddy trails, the treads were almost useless in snow and powder. I felt like I was losing half of every step I took, as my foot slid back while trying to toe off. In any case, we made the summit in a shade over an hour, including a couple minutes of route finding after following some errant tracks. The only blemish on my day came while stepping off the summit boulder. I lost my footing on a careless step and slipped knee first into another boulder. Fortunately, things feel alright aside from some bruising/cuts. Never mind that - the subsequent descent of Green was the highlight of the day.
The first quarter mile coming back down Ranger trail required a good deal of caution due to slippery steps and exposed rocks. Once we got through that it was time to unleash the inner child. I knew we were speeding up as the time elapsed, but it was almost effortless. Romping through 6-10 inches of powder, we cruised switchbacks and single track at full speed. The only thing occasionally breaking my trance-like state was the need to clear frost from my eyes so I could see the trail in front of me. A smile, fresh powder, a frozen beard, and some quick miles - what more could I ask for on a Saturday afternoon? Those blissful runs are what this sport is all about. Whether you find it cheesy, inspiring, or hard to believe, blazing down the side of a snow-covered mountain on your own two feet is freeing. Its an experience that envelops you, completely consuming and clearing the mind at once. Its why I love running so much.
Post-run burgers and beers at Mountain Sun capped the afternoon, and Kurt was on his way back to Denver shortly after. That's how you visit Boulder, my friend. If only for a few hours...
As great as Saturday was, it was just half of an awesome two days. Having left work early on Friday, I had a lengthy afternoon to myself. After a quality training session at the gym, I went for my most satisfying outing on Mesa Trail since moving to Boulder. The run was highlighted by quick turnover, fresh snow-pack, zero-traffic, and some primal howling (I just couldn't help myself). A night of pizza, beer, and good company left me feeling like a million bucks.
Now, on to the numbers:
12/2/2013 :40, ?' - Road Run
Ran a pacey 40 minutes looping through South Boulder and parts of the CU campus. Felt a bit tight after, but the turnover was good.
12/3/2013 :60, 900' - Mesa Trail
Night run during snow fall. Trail was fairly packed in spots, but not completely buffed by the snow. Took a spill catching a toe on a snow-covered rock. Lots of fun and good to get some cold weather running in.
12/4/2013 :50, 500' - Boulder Valley Ranch
Drove out there with Eric to do a double-loop. Coldest day of the week, it was maybe 8 or 9 degrees at noon. I wore the MT110s and they were letting in tons of powder, which was then freezing into the toe-box of my shoe. A solid run overall, and Eric had a moment on trail. He's one with nature now...
12/6/2013 1:20, 1500' - Mesa Trail
One of my best runs in a long while, as I said above. The snow was pretty packed and I was getting good traction on the climbs. Likewise, I really cut loose coming home and got some speed in my legs. Saw only two people on trail during the entire run. It was amazing to get a good run in with the snow-dusted flatirons and front-range as my backdrop...
12/7/2013 1:40, 2600' - Green Mountain
Ran Green with Kurt. About 65 up and 35 coming down. Awesome stuff...
Views from Lunch
Cooling down a bit...
Keep those toes warm.
Ice Beard #1
#2
#3
Post Green Mountain shot. (Courtesy of Kurt)
Breakfast of Champions.
Gordo looking for attention.
Tea time...
I've had a lot of different music bouncing around my headphones and my brain over the past few weeks. I'm having trouble deciding what to include, so here are a couple tracks. No real explanation needed except to say that these two artists share a common theme - Soul and Groove.
Herman Astro - Tell Me (What I Gotta Do)
Raphael Saadiq - Staying In Love
Bonus Video - This is just a great ad and it inspires me.
Considering the 'DNF post' was actually written two months ago, this is my first legitimately new entry in quite a while. I've missed the weekly writing and creative output that this blog encouraged when I started it. Hopefully this post will reinvigorate my routine and keep me consistent.
To start, I have to say that Boulder is really feeling like home. Of course I miss my family and friends in Milwaukee (not to mention those scattered about the country), but I think Colorado is an excellent fit given my interests and personality. The bonds with my roommates and coworkers have really strengthened, particularly since returning from my trip to Milwaukee in September. Likewise, I've met some great people since moving out here, without it seeming like a major effort. I really think there's merit to the idea that many people move here based on similar interests and aspirations. As a result, I tend to have quite a bit in common with the the people I meet in and around Boulder. At the very least, there is an open-mindedness and willingness to accept others that seems widespread. Simply put, I am happy here and I feel great about my decision to move just five short months ago. Having said that, its time for some updates on my adventures and running, because that's really what this blog is about...
While I'm ecstatic to have resumed my running after nearly eight weeks off, there are several noteworthy events that took place during the interim. Despite being short on climbing experience compared to my roommates, this wasn't enough to stop me from joining a weekend trek to Utah in late October. We packed up a couple of cars and drove seven hours to North Wash for a taste of some late-season canyoneering. Warm days, brisk evenings, tight spaces, and sand-seasoned meals. What more do you need to know? Perhaps that the crux of the weekend involved stripping down and wading naked through two sandstone pits filled with 34-degree water in order to negotiate the final section of our second canyon. While that may sound like a miserable experience to some, its moments like these that foster an appreciation for life unobtainable from the confines of a couch cushion. I can't forget the guttural (and involuntary) howl I let out as I went from knee to chest-deep in frigid muddy water. Likewise, I'm already looking back fondly upon my first lengthy rappel into the picturesque sandstone canyons. The whole weekend went seamlessly, including our campfire surf-n-turf dinner, which we happily washed down with a case of PBR. It's hard to see in the picture below, but I paid homage to my badass grandpa by shredding the steak with my seemingly filthy camp-knife, as I remember him often doing at the dinner table when I was a kid. You know, man-stuff...
North Wash was certainly the adventuring highlight of the fall, but I also got my first taste of real outdoor climbing during the following month. A trip to Clear Creek Canyon with three others gave me some experience scaling cold rock and dangling from the end of a rope and harness. I have some catching up to do in order to 'hang' with the roommates, but I can definitely see myself getting into this sport. Just as I discovered after the canyoneering trip, the feeling of outdoor climbing can only be described so far in words. The reality is that one must experience it first hand to get the whole picture. I should probably be more hesitant to pick up another hobby that involves extensive gear acquisition, but I think Bill Murray said it best - Baby Steps...
Last but not least - on to the Running. It's only been about two weeks or so since I've started getting some quality runs in, but I feel decent so far. While there is occasional tightness in my knee, it has not been feeling painful or terribly uncomfortable. I've been doing some strength and flexibility exercises for the hips and glutes in hopes of preempting any muscle imbalances or IT band issues. Likewise, I was doing yoga every day for the first week and a half that I began running again. Yoga seemed to help immensely in terms of overall muscle balance, strength, and flexibility. While I won't be able to continue on a daily schedule at this point, I'd really like to make it a regular part of my routine. Even without the running-related benefits, I'm amazed by how mentally balanced I felt and how well I was sleeping as a result of my daily yoga sessions. I'm thinking this next week may require a couple classes, as I'm getting 'the itch' after a week away.
As for the running itself, I feel that my outings have been fairly balanced. I've done some significant elevation, some road running, and some flatter trail miles. While I absolutely love incorporating big climbs into my daily runs, I'm starting to think it would be more beneficial for me to maintain a varied schedule. When I first moved to Boulder I was doing regular trips up Bear, Green, and Sanitas without much regard for flatter miles and increased turnover. However, I think I could be a stronger and more efficient runner if I incorporate greater variety into my training. I also need to make ample time for yoga, as well as strength and core workouts. During the past few weeks I've felt very fit in an overall sense and I believe this is the result of mixing up running, yoga, climbing, and strength training. Not only does this add balance to my overall fitness; I think the variety keeps me feeling fresh and more excited about my running.
I unfortunately didn't have my altimeter with me for much of the last few weeks. As a result, the following run-log is largely an approximation from memory. My goal was to get out and run whenever I felt good doing so. As such, I didn't bother to write down when or where I went. In any case, this will give a general idea of my recent outings:
11/9/2013 4:30ish, 3,250' - Bear Peak
This was a nice day-hike with some of the roommates. While we weren't running any of the trail, we kept a solid pace for most of the day. Being a Saturday, the trails and peak were fairly crowded. Gordo came along and kept up with me for the whole thing. I let him drink half my water on the way up - plus he needed a little extra to wash down the avocado sandwich Eric fed him on the summit. My legs felt really good the next day, and this outing kicked off my running for the next couple of weeks.
11/?/2013 :50, 1,000' - Mesa Trail
Pretty standard stuff. Took Skunk Creek up to Mesa and ran it south until I felt like turning back. The elevation varies depending upon how far I run out, but an hour or so on the trail usually result in somewhere between 1,000' and 1,500' of gain. Again the legs felt solid, and I repeated similar runs several times throughout the next two weeks.
11/?/2013 1:10, 1,300' - Mesa Trail
Pretty standard run at a comfortable pace.
11/?/2013 :45ish, 1,400' - Mt. Sanitas
I biked to the trailhead for my first Sanitas loop in months. Felt pretty taxed by the summit, but I think I made it up in about 22:30 or 23 minutes. Felt solid on the way down and finished the whole loop in about 45 minutes before biking home.
11/?/2013 :40, 700' - Mesa > Chautauqua > Broadway
Went out for a quick 40 minutes or so with Eric. We took the trail out our back door up to Mesa where it flattens out and then bombs down through Chautauqua Park. From there we jumped onto the road and took Baseline east before cruising south on Broadway to get home. Good to feel that turnover, even though I don't care for road running.
11/?/2013 1:15, 1,300' - Mesa Trail
Took a slightly different route and wound up on what appeared to be a game trail, perhaps occasionally used by climbers. I was feeling good whichever day this was, so I scrambled an extra 50-75 feet up a nearby slab and enjoyed the solitude and beautiful views of the front range before making my way back home. I'm always refreshed after running, but I felt really connected to my surroundings during this outing. I wasn't running for time or distance or elevation - I was running to feel my feet on the ground and to lose myself for an hour. One of the many reasons I love it out here...
11/?/2013 2:20?, 3,250' - Bear Peak
Took my standard route to the summit via Skunk > Mesa > Fern. The trails are slightly altered since the floods that tore through Boulder in September. We had some snow a few days prior, which resulted in sloppy and slow conditions on the lower trails. Up high there was a fair bit of ice and snow remaining, but nothing that required much more than quality shoes and careful steps. I was pretty tired by the end, as I carried little in the way of gels and water. However, I did get the chance to test my Patagonia Houdini jacket on the peak. I was drenched in sweat by the time I topped out, but winds on the summit chilled me pretty quickly. I threw on my jacket, snapped some pictures, and made my way back down. The Houdini kept me toasty warm and insulated from the wind for the entire last hour of my run. It also packs down smaller than a pair of socks, which is handy. Overall, a good day on the trails and my longest outing since I started back.
11/?/2013 :50, 400'? - Left Hand Trail
Eric and I capped a day of indoor climbing with a glorious early winter run. The scenery was pretty serene. The trails we ran were relatively flat and very reminiscent of rural Midwest farmland. That is until I cocked my head to the west and saw front range dusted with fresh snow. Forty degree temps and hazy-grey skies made it feel like we were running inside of an old watercolor painting. This trail is definitely worth revisiting, as it is flatter than the trails next to our house without being boring. Likewise, it's a great place to go while trying to avoid the weekend crowds around Chautauqua.
11/27/2013 :45, ???'
Hiked up to the second Flat Iron in hopes of soloing it with Eric and Jesse. I went up the first 30' or so of the climb and decided it was outside of my comfort zone given my very limited outdoor climbing experience. After taking my time down-climbing, I laced up my trail-runners and followed a long route home with Gordo in tow. It took me a half mile or so to figure out how to command him to stay with me, but it wasn't long before we were cruising sections of Mesa Trail, both in full, galloping strides. I was grinning ear-to-ear when I finally got him to cut loose with me. I'll definitely be taking him along on more runs, as he seemed to enjoy the partnership as much as I did. Likewise, I'll be back to the Second Flat Iron for another solo attempt. Regardless of the difficulty of a climb, I just need a bit more time roped in before I'm comfortable scaling hundreds of feet without any protection. Smart I think...
:40, ???'
About an hour after running home with Gordo, Eric and Jesse returned. Eric and I hopped on our bikes and rode over to BRC for their wednesday night fun-run. After 5 or 6 miles of road, we were back at the store enjoying free beer and pizza. Not a bad way to cap the day and gear up for thanksgiving.
11/28/2013 1:25ish, 2,800' - Mt. Sanitas x 2
After a long morning of work, I decided to let my mind unwind before heading home to enjoy the turkey-day festivities. I biked over to Sanitas and decided to see how my legs would hold up. My first summit took a shade over 21 minutes, with the descent clocking in around 19 or so. As I made my way back to the start, I decided I had another round in me so I forked right at the trail head and went for the top again. Lap two was surprisingly consistent and I lost only a a minute or so, reaching the summit in 23 minutes. Again the descent was about 19 minutes, bringing the total time to 85 minutes for two laps.
11/29/2013 :55ish, 1,600' - Mt. Sanitas
In an attempt to get the thanksgiving gluttony out of my system, I went for another Sanitas run. This time I biked to Pearl Street and ran from there in order to warm up for a mile or so before hitting the Sanitas trail head. The approach took about 9 minutes, and my split from trail head to summit was 21 flat. I felt fast on the way down, and clocked in around 16:30. The last leg of the run back to Pearl Street took another 8 minutes. I felt strong on this run, but I unfortunately tweaked my leg a bit on the descent. I'm hoping a couple days is all I need to heal. In any case, a day or two off is probably justified after three in a row. Especially considering I am still easing back into a regular routine...
Defy the laws of gravity. (And don't neglect your core.)
Into the abyss...
Shadow warriors conquering canyons.
Making Grandpa Proud...
Guess who's going to start getting some runs in with me?
A bunch from Bear Peak...
That beard got a much-needed trim when I returned to the house.
The trail leads West.
Patagonia and New Belgium unite. Not bad...
My main man, Gordo. Runnin' trails and eatin' turkey scraps...
I wouldn't dare end a post without some music, so I've included a couple links. The M83 track has been a staple for the past few months, and the video is fantastic. The Bon Iver track is a tribute to the start of winter. I remember first getting into 'For Emma' and it always reminds me of serene snowfall and being pinned down in the Midwestern cold. Enjoy!
That dreaded three letter acronym - DNF - Did Not Finish.
As an athlete, ultra runner, and all-around competitive person, those were three letters from the alphabet that I hoped to never see accompanying my name on a list of race results. But this is life, and things don't always go according to plans. As I limped into the aid station at mile 28 of the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler my plans had completely unraveled, grinding my race and mental state to a halt.
"I'm dropping," I said to a race coordinator at the 28.4 mile aid station, trying to maintain as much politeness as possible in spite of my frustrations.
"You need your drop-bag? What number is it?" she asked.
"No, I'm done. I need to drop from the race," I said, shaking my head in disappointment. "Fuck."
I'm a firm believer in learning from one's mistakes and trying to use failure as the springboard for future success. To accomplish the first step in this process, I've got to move beyond a disappointing race effort and evaluate both the failures and successes of my training in the months leading up to the race. At this point in my relatively short running career, I am very much a student. Luckily for me, the sport of ultra running is one that allows its participants to become masters late into life. As I sit here three days from my 28th birthday, I would be in my twilight for most major sports. For ultra distance running, though, this is not necessarily the case. Competitive ultra-runners range from early twenties well into their forties. Likewise, this sport is as much about personal successes as it is about podium finishes. In short, I've got plenty of time to hone my training and racing strategies so that I can consistently perform at a level that I consider satisfactory.
To be blunt, I went into this race on what most would consider an insufficient base of mileage. Since my move to Boulder at the beginning of July, I put together roughly 4 weeks of good, consistent training. I certainly felt fit, and my ability to climb over a distance was not in doubt. That said, I've been plagued with injuries, niggles, and hiccups in training since mid-December of 2012. I dealt with IT Band Friction Syndrome (ITBS) leading up to the Bandera 100K in January. I then took time off from running after that race due to knee issues. I put in some moderate mileage in late spring and very early summer, but my move to Boulder resulted in a major lack of training during the month or so leading to July 1st. Moreover, I didn't resume consistent training until the middle of July, as I focused on settling into my new home as quickly as possible. From mid-July to mid-August I felt my fitness increase with consistent running and power-hiking around Boulder's front range. That said, I had a few niggles and muscle strains to deal with along the way. My knee issues following the Longs Peak ascent should have been enough to rule out this weekend's TNF 50-mile in Kettle Moraine, but I put in a few decent 1-2 hour runs over the last few weeks without major problems. I felt confident about my ability to endure the race, but this hinged upon my knee issues staying dormant for 50 miles of racing. The bottom line is that I was (at least somewhat) under-trained, over-stressed, and far from 100% healthy coming into a distance that cannot be taken lightly.
In a text exchange following the conclusion of my race effort, a friend and fellow ultra-enthusiast mentioned an anecdote about distance racing that rings true. The idea is that you should never start an ultra (or any race for that matter) if you are in doubt of finishing, because you've already given up at that point. While I do not question my ability to cover 50 miles given a decent base of fitness, I certainly toed the line with doubts about the health of my knee. In hindsight, I spent the early miles of the race in a state of hyper-consciousness, waiting for something to go awry with my knee. When things did start to go south, I simply tried to ignore the knee for another 10 miles. The shooting pain with every stride eventually sobered me up enough to know that it was foolish to 'tough-out' an additional 25 miles in this state. Moreover, I had clearly been compensating for the knee pain by altering my stride, as is evident from the strain in my right calf muscle. The lesson seems simple enough - don't start a race with lingering injuries that have not been resolved. Unfortunately, stubborn and wise cannot always live together in harmony. Apparently, this was a lesson I had to learn the hard way - through experience.
My early effort in the race was encouraging. I was sitting comfortably within the top 15-20, putting forth a very calculated strategy. The climbs were hardly taxing me; my heart-rate was under control; and I felt like I was conserving plenty of gas to stay strong and move up through the last 10 miles - assuming my knee would get me there. As such, I cannot be completely disappointed in the segments of the race I did complete. The first third of the race made me realize that I am starting to see the benefits of several years of solid base training. Moreover, there is a mental confidence in my fitness that is becoming more apparent the longer I run. On the other hand, I need to be smarter. If I could feel this way on a shoddy knee and scattered training, I can only imagine the potential with a healthy body and consistent, focused training. This analysis segues nicely into my future training plans.
At this point I plan on taking at least a week or so to simply rest and recover. Twenty eight miles itself was not enough to require significant rest. Unfortunately, the knee problem and resulting calf-strain demand some TLC in order for the swelling and tension to subside. Once those symptoms are significantly reduced, I intend to discontinue my running indefinitely. As I have learned over the last 9 months, trying to resume training too early will only result in more setbacks. Instead, I'm going to put together a very specific and multifaceted rehabilitation plan. I realize that I have certain muscle imbalances and bio-mechanical issues that can be very easily addressed with the right plan and execution. It is my hope that I can address these issues over the next couple of months. Once I feel that I have sufficiently addressed and improved these issues, I am going to start a very conservative and methodical training plan. The ultimate goal is to be healthy and balanced with a modest base of running miles going into late winter and early spring. I expect to have a serious fire in my belly, at which point I can hopefully begin more specific and targeted training plans for the late spring and summer racing seasons. I believe most people call this approach "patience." I have not traditionally been accustomed to such an approach to running, but maybe my body has been trying to tell me something over the last year. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to listen...
