[/caption]I've always been sensitive and observant of stark contrasts in my life, cold/hot, bright/dark, quiet/loud. This week was almost a complete contrast with last week, in terms of running anyway. Last week was a series of group and friend runs, in which I ran once alone. This week I ran solo for all but today.
Today, I met my favorite running couple at Buffalo Creek (Pine CO). After a little snafu of where we were supposed to meet, we finally got together and started at 11am. This run served a couple of purposes: I wanted to run with Steve and Kathleen (happytrails) and I wanted to do the first of several reconnaissance runs on the North Fork 50 mile race course. I succeeded on both fronts.
The weather was perfect, warm, sunny, no wind. We rolled out and maintained a comfortable pace for 11 miles at which point I ran a bit off the front at an aggressive pace, mostly to shake the aches in my hips and to get a feel for the course at race pace. I picked a good spot because it was an almost constant rolling, winding single track that dropped about 1,300 feet in around 6 miles. Other than having been out of water for quite a while, I was in a groove and enjoying the run tremendously.
[caption id="attachment_86" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mile 10.53. I look like a blind, autistic child."]
[/caption]A leg soak in a cold mountain stream put pain into perspective, but it was so worthwhile. We finished the run with a nice little tailgate picnic of black forest ham, salami, two kinds of cheese, sub rolls, chips, pretzels, and fruit (thanks so much, Steve and Kathleen!!!). What a great day!
So, with today, the week was solid:
81 miles in 5 runs in a bit over 11 hours
Mon: 7 miles
Tues: off
Wed: 27 miles, steady and easy
Thurs: off
Fri: 17 miles with a few 3-5 min fartleks
Sat: 11 miles, steady and easy recovery
Sun: 19 miles, 2:55, good rollers and steady, longer climbs, between 6,500 ft and 8,100 ft
Feeling solid and looking forward to a good season of racing and running.
Thanks for a great run TL. I think that last photo says, "Hi - I'm Tim, wouldn't you like to sponsor me?" Looking pretty strong for Miwok, that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteWow, nice week. Big days. Big climbs. It doesn't take looking at a program like yours to know that I have no business/desire to do a 50 miler. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWhat part of the course did you run? Doesn't sound like you started at Pine Valley Ranch, since there's a big climb at the beginning. The trails of Buffalo Creek are a nice change from Boulder...everything is completely runnable and there's nary a step-up or series of stairs. And, it looks like from the pics that everything's melted out there? Might have to hit those trails next weekend. Damn solid week.
ReplyDeleteJRP
Yes ... big week. Will miss seeing you this week for the Grand Canyon love in, but hope to get together soon for some skyline traversing.
ReplyDeleteJP, that was the "snafu" I mentioned in us meeting. I went to the Pine Valley Ranch and they went to Buffalo Creek (little dirt lot) about 10 mins down the road. Trails are in great shape with just a couple of small spots of an ice patch. It is very runnable. I'm looking forward to the race.
ReplyDeleteGZ, I'm pretty torn about the Canyon but as soon as you're able to walk again we can get in a good run together (as long as you slow up a bit for me).
JP - What Tim is too kind to tell you is that the Schlubbs he was running with didn't want to start the run by hacking up a lung right out of the gate! :-) Trails were outstanding for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteSteve
aw man! I was hoping you opted for Mt Falcon. I wanted to get your take. One of these days right? Anyhow, good week again - you're crankin'. Now a little taper for the Miwok.
ReplyDeleteI might head over there this week. I've run it several times and can say for certain it's closer to 4k climb than 2500.
ReplyDelete