8/6 - Rest. Wanted to run but got shot down by the wife! Ha!
8/7 - 6.0 miles. 1:00:xx. 1300'v. Stagecoach Mountain - Stagecoach. Hard effort climbing up to The Beach with trekking poles and back to the house. Then, dropped them off at the house and ran another 3 miles down to the fire station and back on dirt trail. Pushed the effort the whole way.
8/8 - 7.3 miles. 1:12:xx. 500'v. Stagecoach. Easy paced evening run from dusk til dark on the road down to the lake and a couple miles of trail.
8/9 - 6.76 miles. :52:45. 500'v. Stagecoach. Quick run down to Elk Run Trail and a few 7 minute miles on dirt before climbing back to the house.
8/10 - Rest.
8/11 - 13.55 miles. 3:34:08. 2910'v. Black Mountain Trail to East Fork Trail just nouth of Round Lake. Woke up at 4 a.m. and got to the trail head at Sheriff Reservoir just before 6 a.m. Looked like it might rain so I waited a few minutes in my truck before deciding to just go for it. The run started out great and I felt great climbing up into the mountains at dawn. It was a little bit cloudy but I really didn't think the rain would come. I ran a couple hours up trail and found a nice spot next to a creek to eat some food (a clementine, some bread with Pocket Fuel peanut butter on it and a Salt Stick tablet). I sat on a rock, admiring my surroundings and suddenly realized that I should just turn around and spend a little time at home with Katy. I missed her very much. I packed up and started back when I felt a drop or two of rain. I looked northwest and saw rain and suddenly felt a little panicked to get back since I was now climbing back up to some exposed areas. It eventually began raining steadily on me as I hiked up the rocky trail but it wasn't a complete deluge. I got pretty wet but after a half hour or so it let up and I started back down towards Sheriff under clearing skies. I had fun and made it back home by 11 a.m. I walked around the neighborhood with Katy for about 45 minutes then spent a little while clearing some branches from a couple of trees we had cut down earlier in the week. That afternoon, I drove up to Clark to meet up with Jonny B, Christian, Paul and Brady and a couple of other people, at a favorite camping spot out on Greenville Mine Road to watch a meteor shower that evening. I ended up deciding to treat it all as a training day and stayed on my feet (and even did some late night hiking with the dogs) most of the night. The sky was clear and we saw some really amazing meteors! I fell asleep in my sleeping bag staring at the stars after a great 20-hour day.
8/12 - Rest.?
Uh-oh. DNF'ed another training run! I haven't quite mastered the long, wilderness training run but I'm still happy with the time I've been getting on my feet and the quality of my shorter runs. It's just logistically difficult to run in the mountains for several hours and I just don't like spending that much time away from my wife during her pregnancy. Anyway, it's almost taper time so my plan from here until September 14th is to run hard this week, finishing with the Continental Divide Trail Run next Sunday, August 19th (my sister Sommai's birthday!), where I'd like to got under 2 hours and 20 minutes. After that, I will just put in 3 weeks of easy running and get plenty of rest leading up to race day. Simple.
Showing posts with label Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Show all posts
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Weekly Summary: July 4 - July 8
7/4 - 9.06 miles. 2:04:15. 1800'v. Black Mountain Trail. Headed up to Sheriff Reservoir just outside of Phippsburg to check out a new trail and was blown away by the scenery. Once I located the trail (after a few minutes of bushwacking around the res) I found a nice, runnable track on a gradual ascent that traversed a hillside packed with skunk cabbage and wildflowers that went on for nearly a MILE. It was incredible. Once I hit the ridgeline, the trail continued to snake uphill along a massive cliff line with an expansive view of the Flat Tops to my right. The trail continued into the trees for a little while before cresting the mountain and offering panoramic views of more mountains, including Pyramid Peak, and a few big alpine meadows. I found an old trail marker for Baldy Trail (FS 1200, which doesn't appear on any of the maps I own) and ran from cairn to cairn for about a half mile through a meadow until I picked up the trail again and found a tiny pond. If I weren't tapering for my next race, I would've loved to continue exploring. The return trip offered up the same spectacular views and I had to pause for a while to take it all in. Although I only ventured a couple of miles on the trail, I can't wait to go back and explore it further.
7/5 - 3.51 miles. :34:22. Stagecoach. Easy effort from the house down the trail to the fire station and back.
7/6 - 7.51 miles. 1:24:49. Emerald Mountain. From JDs house downtown, I cruised over to Howelsen Hill and jumped on the Emerald Mountain Loop. From there, I climbed up to Lupine, then Larry's, MGM and Blair Witch before descending on Blackmere Drive to Lupine to Blackmere and down to Howelsen Lodge to refill my water bottle. Wicked single track!
7/7 - Rest.
7/8 - 10.61 miles. 3:07:25. 2650'v. Lower Bear Creek Trail. Hooked up with running buddy Richard for an easy effort 10 miler on this trail by the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. I had never been on this trail and rarely run with other people so I was stoked to get on the trail with Rich. We maintained a fairly even pace on the ascent, hiking most of the uphills. The trail started out nice and smooth and easy to run for the first 3 miles before it got rockier on the last 2 up to Summit Park. There were some nice views from the top so we scrambled around on the rocky high point for a few minutes before the return trip. The return trip went by quickly and I felt great when we wrapped it up.
Weekly mileage: 30.69 miles.
In tapering mode for the Silver Rush 50 (which is only 46 miles) so I'm easing up on how hard I run while still getting in some quality runs. Got to go out for over 2 hours on the Fourth and go in 3 hours today. I'll rest tomorrow and run very lightly the middle of the week before taking a couple days off before the race. Overall, I'm feeling really good and with a week of rest on my legs, I think I can finish the race in under 10 hours.
7/5 - 3.51 miles. :34:22. Stagecoach. Easy effort from the house down the trail to the fire station and back.
7/6 - 7.51 miles. 1:24:49. Emerald Mountain. From JDs house downtown, I cruised over to Howelsen Hill and jumped on the Emerald Mountain Loop. From there, I climbed up to Lupine, then Larry's, MGM and Blair Witch before descending on Blackmere Drive to Lupine to Blackmere and down to Howelsen Lodge to refill my water bottle. Wicked single track!
7/7 - Rest.
7/8 - 10.61 miles. 3:07:25. 2650'v. Lower Bear Creek Trail. Hooked up with running buddy Richard for an easy effort 10 miler on this trail by the Strawberry Park Hot Springs. I had never been on this trail and rarely run with other people so I was stoked to get on the trail with Rich. We maintained a fairly even pace on the ascent, hiking most of the uphills. The trail started out nice and smooth and easy to run for the first 3 miles before it got rockier on the last 2 up to Summit Park. There were some nice views from the top so we scrambled around on the rocky high point for a few minutes before the return trip. The return trip went by quickly and I felt great when we wrapped it up.
Weekly mileage: 30.69 miles.
In tapering mode for the Silver Rush 50 (which is only 46 miles) so I'm easing up on how hard I run while still getting in some quality runs. Got to go out for over 2 hours on the Fourth and go in 3 hours today. I'll rest tomorrow and run very lightly the middle of the week before taking a couple days off before the race. Overall, I'm feeling really good and with a week of rest on my legs, I think I can finish the race in under 10 hours.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
11 day Summary: June 23 - July 3
6/23 - ~12 miles. Alameda, Ca. Ran from Alameda over to Bay Farm Island and back to Sommai's house. Just a nice, slow, long run along the bay shorline. Felt incredible to run long at sea level and I would have been up to keep going and going if not for aggravating the sore spot on my right forefoot, again. I was wearing the La Sportiva Vertical Ks and decided to not wear them any more after that run. The lack of a rock plate in the sole just doesn't work for me. Sick run, anyway. The highlight was running by the rasta who asked, "How far is it?" I just replied, "I don't even know."
6/24 - Off. Flew back to Colorado
6/25 - Off.
6/26 - Off.
6/27 - Off.
6/28 - 3.59 miles. :41:25.
6/29 - 6 miles.
6/30 - Rest.
7/1 - 12 miles. 2,540'v. 2:47:12. Mandall Pass Trail. An awesome high-altitude ascent/descent on somewhat techy single track up to Mandall Pass in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. 1:27:04 on the run up to the pass and :59:45 for the descent (2:26:49 round trip). The trail was dry but there were numerous water crossings and lingering snow near the pass summit at just over 11,000'. At the top of the pass, I hiked higher up onto the Flat Tops and checked out the vistas for a few minutes before beginning the return trip. I carried two 21 oz. water bottles and several gels, a couple clementines, a banana and a cashews/dried blueberries, anticipating a longer run (it was my first time on this trail and I didn't know the exact mileage.) but did the run on 3 gels and both water bottles. I also carried a SteriPen to treat my water if I was going to drink from streams. Overall, a fantastic run and, as far as I know, a Fastest Known Time for ascending and descending the trail.
7/2 - 4 miles. Stagecoach. Relaxed run down to the fire house and up to the dirt road to South Shore before turning around and running some trail back to the house. Broke in the new Montrail Rogue Racers and they are crazy comfortable.
7/3 - 6 or 7 miles. Spring Creek Trail. Nice after work run from JDs house to the trail and out a couple miles on a lollipop loop. Added the "Elevator Shaft" ascent into the run for a steep hike. Legs felt great on this run and so did the Rogue Racers. I'm looking forward to seeing how the shoes perform in Leadville in a couple weeks.
Last 11 days mileage: ~44 miles.
It took a few days after returning from California to get back into the swing of things. I gained quite a few extra pounds while I was in vacation/wedding mode but I've already forgiven myself for all the delicious food I ate while we there. Now that I've gotten a few miles in my legs, I'm starting to feel my form returning and I'm getting a little hungrier to race again. Which is good considering I haven't really been thinking about this race much in the last month and fell off my running schedule for several weeks. The idea for the next week is to just keep the running light and taper a bit leading up to the Leadville Silver Rush 50 on July 15th.
6/24 - Off. Flew back to Colorado
6/25 - Off.
6/26 - Off.
6/27 - Off.
6/28 - 3.59 miles. :41:25.
6/29 - 6 miles.
6/30 - Rest.
7/1 - 12 miles. 2,540'v. 2:47:12. Mandall Pass Trail. An awesome high-altitude ascent/descent on somewhat techy single track up to Mandall Pass in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. 1:27:04 on the run up to the pass and :59:45 for the descent (2:26:49 round trip). The trail was dry but there were numerous water crossings and lingering snow near the pass summit at just over 11,000'. At the top of the pass, I hiked higher up onto the Flat Tops and checked out the vistas for a few minutes before beginning the return trip. I carried two 21 oz. water bottles and several gels, a couple clementines, a banana and a cashews/dried blueberries, anticipating a longer run (it was my first time on this trail and I didn't know the exact mileage.) but did the run on 3 gels and both water bottles. I also carried a SteriPen to treat my water if I was going to drink from streams. Overall, a fantastic run and, as far as I know, a Fastest Known Time for ascending and descending the trail.
7/2 - 4 miles. Stagecoach. Relaxed run down to the fire house and up to the dirt road to South Shore before turning around and running some trail back to the house. Broke in the new Montrail Rogue Racers and they are crazy comfortable.
7/3 - 6 or 7 miles. Spring Creek Trail. Nice after work run from JDs house to the trail and out a couple miles on a lollipop loop. Added the "Elevator Shaft" ascent into the run for a steep hike. Legs felt great on this run and so did the Rogue Racers. I'm looking forward to seeing how the shoes perform in Leadville in a couple weeks.
Last 11 days mileage: ~44 miles.
It took a few days after returning from California to get back into the swing of things. I gained quite a few extra pounds while I was in vacation/wedding mode but I've already forgiven myself for all the delicious food I ate while we there. Now that I've gotten a few miles in my legs, I'm starting to feel my form returning and I'm getting a little hungrier to race again. Which is good considering I haven't really been thinking about this race much in the last month and fell off my running schedule for several weeks. The idea for the next week is to just keep the running light and taper a bit leading up to the Leadville Silver Rush 50 on July 15th.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Weekly Summary: July 26 - Aug 1
7/26 - Off.
7/27 - Off.
7/28 - 4.74 miles. :38.34. ~400'. Stagecoach. Easy run.
7/29 - Off.
7/30 - 10.63 miles. 2:15.08. ~2000'. Devil's Causeway Short Loop. East Fork Trail (1119) - Devil's Causeway Trail - Chinese Wall Trail (1803) - Bear River Trail (1120). Incredible morning run up to the tundra. Without pushing very hard and stopping for photos, I made it to the Causeway in :44, a solid 8 minutes faster than my first attempt two weeks ago. The next 3 miles were absolutely sublime. I felt like I was on top of the world as I ran 8 minute miles at over 11,000' taking in the endless views, surrounded by an ocean of wildflowers and still finding the occasional snow patch. The descent on Bear River Trail started out with a half mile of crossing snow patches, water crossings and rocky steps. Eventually, the trail entered the woods again, smoothed out in a few places and was very runnable. A couple of log bridges helped me cross some fast moving streams. It would've been nice to run for another hour or so but I wanted to get back home and take care of some things. Just a fantastic trail run with a little bit of everything. A ton of marmot sightings! Even with many stops to take photos (more posted on my Facebook page) and a short refueling stop, I was still able to run the entire loop in 2:02.54 and then did a short cool down. I will almost certainly try and run this loop for a fast time (1:30 - 1:45) at some point in the future.
7/27 - Off.
7/28 - 4.74 miles. :38.34. ~400'. Stagecoach. Easy run.
7/29 - Off.
7/30 - 10.63 miles. 2:15.08. ~2000'. Devil's Causeway Short Loop. East Fork Trail (1119) - Devil's Causeway Trail - Chinese Wall Trail (1803) - Bear River Trail (1120). Incredible morning run up to the tundra. Without pushing very hard and stopping for photos, I made it to the Causeway in :44, a solid 8 minutes faster than my first attempt two weeks ago. The next 3 miles were absolutely sublime. I felt like I was on top of the world as I ran 8 minute miles at over 11,000' taking in the endless views, surrounded by an ocean of wildflowers and still finding the occasional snow patch. The descent on Bear River Trail started out with a half mile of crossing snow patches, water crossings and rocky steps. Eventually, the trail entered the woods again, smoothed out in a few places and was very runnable. A couple of log bridges helped me cross some fast moving streams. It would've been nice to run for another hour or so but I wanted to get back home and take care of some things. Just a fantastic trail run with a little bit of everything. A ton of marmot sightings! Even with many stops to take photos (more posted on my Facebook page) and a short refueling stop, I was still able to run the entire loop in 2:02.54 and then did a short cool down. I will almost certainly try and run this loop for a fast time (1:30 - 1:45) at some point in the future.
Topo of the Causeway Short Loop.
Looking NW from the Devil's Causeway
The Devil's Causeway
7/31 - Off.
8/1 - 7.12 miles. :58.00. ~400'v. Stagecoach. Good uptempo run down to the south shore of the lake and back up to the house. Encountered a little skunk on the trail so I let him do his thing until he disappeared into the tall grass. Right after that, saw a gorgeous bald eagle perched atop a pole, checking out the critters around the lake. I think it was the same one Katy and I saw yesterday morning when we walked the dogs down to the dam. Very cool!
Weekly totals: 21+ miles. ~2800'v. Good week with low miles but what a fantastic run on Saturday. Probably my favorite run since the Lake of the Crags run I did last summer. Looking forward to running the Mt. Werner Classic this coming Saturday and hoping to run at least as fast as last year (2:06) if not a touch faster.
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