Still not feeling well, but sore throat was a little better, so after work I headed to the gym in spite of better judgment. I planned to start off with a 1750 meter swim. Every lap lane was full when I arrived, so I sat around freezing after my pre-swim shower until a lane opened up. Once in the water I felt a little better, but noticed as my swim progressed, the chlorinated water was irritating my throat. It was raging again by the time I was done with the swim, which took me 45 minutes.
I decided to do my run anyway, so went up and hopped on a treadmill. I ran 4 miles, but took it easy and felt pretty good during and after. I know there are different schools of thought about exercise when you're sick, but I felt a little better afterward, especially mentally. Really don't like skipping workouts!
BTW, still waiting for Spring to actually arrive so I can train more outside. It actually snowed today! Ugh.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Week 8 - Monday
Had to take another unplanned day off. Still fighting the crud. I've narrowed it down to either Lupus or a severe case of Wuss-itits. Awaiting test results...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Week 7 - Sunday
Ryan, Paul, and I had plans for a 50 mile ride today, but the weather had other plans, including cold temps and high winds. This meant yet another day on the trainer or stationary, which for me is like getting a frontal lobotomy. There was no way I was going to do that distance indoors.
Holly and I went the gym together. While she got in an 8 mile run, I lifted weights. It was the first time I've lifted since starting the IM training, and I could tell. However, it was a great change of pace. Following that, I did some core work and then went reluctantly to a stationary bike. I rode while Holly finished her workout with some weight lifting, and by the time she was done I couldn't take anymore of the bike. I got in 17 miles, but that is a long way from the 50 I was scheduled for.
I could be in some trouble with the bike leg of the race. Between not digging road cycling in general, and the weather keeping most of my riding indoors, I have been falling well short of my needed cycling distance each week at this stage of training. I know I have time still, and will be cycling a lot more after the marathon, but it seems I'll be counting heavily on my running fitness to carry me on the bike come race day.
Holly and I went the gym together. While she got in an 8 mile run, I lifted weights. It was the first time I've lifted since starting the IM training, and I could tell. However, it was a great change of pace. Following that, I did some core work and then went reluctantly to a stationary bike. I rode while Holly finished her workout with some weight lifting, and by the time she was done I couldn't take anymore of the bike. I got in 17 miles, but that is a long way from the 50 I was scheduled for.
I could be in some trouble with the bike leg of the race. Between not digging road cycling in general, and the weather keeping most of my riding indoors, I have been falling well short of my needed cycling distance each week at this stage of training. I know I have time still, and will be cycling a lot more after the marathon, but it seems I'll be counting heavily on my running fitness to carry me on the bike come race day.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Week 7 - Saturday
It was great having yesterday off, but I was hoping my legs would spring back better than they did by this morning. They still felt a little dead when I met Trever, Loren, Brent, Paul, Ryan, Trina, Kerry, and Mark at Fort Boise at 7am. We planned to run a 12 miler on Rocky Canyon road for those getting ready for Robie in a couple weeks.
The light was already pretty good as we left the Fort Boise parking lot and started up Shaw Mountain road. Paul, looking for a weight advantage, jettisoned his water bottle within a hundred yards of the parking lot, but Ryan made him take it back.
I felt better than I expected as we made our way up the first hill. We haven't been doing a lot of hill work this winter, so those that we have done have been challenging. We crested Shaw and started downhill into the canyon on Rocky Canyon road. Once in the canyon, the road rolled with some modest inclines and declines until we reached the end of the pavement. I was in a small pack with Brent, Loren and Mark for most of this stretch, with Ryan out ahead. From there, we continued uphill along the all-too-familiar road and some of us commented about being glad not to be doing Robie this year. In exactly one hour, I reached our 6 mile turnaround point, which fortunately was about 2 miles shy of the summit and the worst of the climb, and started back downhill the way we came. Ryan was a good half mile ahead of us at this point.
The downhill gave us a cardio break, but immediately started pounding my quads and knees. Loren, Brent, Mark, and I made good time on the way down to the east trail head for Shane's trail. That morning, I had suggested taking that route down rather than facing the pavement pounding and traffic on Shaw, so the four of us started up the hill, and Paul, who was flat hauling ass caught up to us as we then turned south onto Central Ridge trail. We followed this southwesterly and then turned downhill on Ridgecrest trail. We quickly descended Ridgecrest's switchbacks and then passed the Toll Road junction and continued to Eagle Crest trail. This meant ascending one last hill, which although short, was brutal at this stage of the run. After cresting the hill, we reached pavement again and quickly descended back to the Fort Boise parking lot. Upon reaching the lot, I was surprised to see some of the others there ahead of us. I knew Ryan was back well ahead of me, but thought we had a few behind the five us who had turned at Shane's trail together. Our alternate route added an extra .75 miles, and worse, an extra hill, so some of the crew opted to retrace our original route. In addition, "Shortcut" admitted to turning when Trina passed him on the way down, shaving .6 miles off his run (I'm keeping a log, like Ryan's "I'm never late" log). All of this gave me a chance to talk a little smack.
All in all, a good run of nearly 13 miles, but the downhill gave me a couple of blisters to deal with for the next couple of days.
The light was already pretty good as we left the Fort Boise parking lot and started up Shaw Mountain road. Paul, looking for a weight advantage, jettisoned his water bottle within a hundred yards of the parking lot, but Ryan made him take it back.
I felt better than I expected as we made our way up the first hill. We haven't been doing a lot of hill work this winter, so those that we have done have been challenging. We crested Shaw and started downhill into the canyon on Rocky Canyon road. Once in the canyon, the road rolled with some modest inclines and declines until we reached the end of the pavement. I was in a small pack with Brent, Loren and Mark for most of this stretch, with Ryan out ahead. From there, we continued uphill along the all-too-familiar road and some of us commented about being glad not to be doing Robie this year. In exactly one hour, I reached our 6 mile turnaround point, which fortunately was about 2 miles shy of the summit and the worst of the climb, and started back downhill the way we came. Ryan was a good half mile ahead of us at this point.
The downhill gave us a cardio break, but immediately started pounding my quads and knees. Loren, Brent, Mark, and I made good time on the way down to the east trail head for Shane's trail. That morning, I had suggested taking that route down rather than facing the pavement pounding and traffic on Shaw, so the four of us started up the hill, and Paul, who was flat hauling ass caught up to us as we then turned south onto Central Ridge trail. We followed this southwesterly and then turned downhill on Ridgecrest trail. We quickly descended Ridgecrest's switchbacks and then passed the Toll Road junction and continued to Eagle Crest trail. This meant ascending one last hill, which although short, was brutal at this stage of the run. After cresting the hill, we reached pavement again and quickly descended back to the Fort Boise parking lot. Upon reaching the lot, I was surprised to see some of the others there ahead of us. I knew Ryan was back well ahead of me, but thought we had a few behind the five us who had turned at Shane's trail together. Our alternate route added an extra .75 miles, and worse, an extra hill, so some of the crew opted to retrace our original route. In addition, "Shortcut" admitted to turning when Trina passed him on the way down, shaving .6 miles off his run (I'm keeping a log, like Ryan's "I'm never late" log). All of this gave me a chance to talk a little smack.
All in all, a good run of nearly 13 miles, but the downhill gave me a couple of blisters to deal with for the next couple of days.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Week 7 - Thursday
My legs felt very heavy all day. It's been kind of a rough week. Anyway, I went to the gym this afternoon for a 1600 meter swim. I hit prime time and the pool was rocking, literally. I always think though that this rough water is somewhat like what I'll experience in the race, so I didn't mind. It definitely can impact your breathing when you come up and catch a mouthful of water. I had a good swim though and completed it in 40 minutes.
I then went up for what I knew might be a rough run with my leg fatigue. I only did 3 miles at an 8 minute pace and it was a bit of a struggle. I'm definitely ready for an off day tomorrow!
I then went up for what I knew might be a rough run with my leg fatigue. I only did 3 miles at an 8 minute pace and it was a bit of a struggle. I'm definitely ready for an off day tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Week 7 - Wednesday
Woke up this morning still feeling a little worn down, but mad at myself for yesterday's unplanned rest day. Ashley was going to the mall with friends, so I decided to use the time to punish myself for my mental and physical weakness by making up both of yesterday's workouts in addition to today's.
I headed off to the gym and started with a 1600 meter swim. The pool wasn't crowded, yet an older gal insisted on hugging my lap lane and I nearly collided with her multiple times. No idea what she was doing. Regardless, it was another good swim from a technique standpoint, and I felt better getting out of the water than I felt going in. After the swim, I ran 4 miles at about an 8 minute pace.
In the evening, I met up with Paul for an interval run session and the Wednesday night cycle class. The gym was busy and every treadmill was taken. We warmed up on stationary bikes while we waited. By the time a couple opened up, we'd taken up enough of our time that we had to cut the interval run down to 3 miles instead of 4 in order to get to the cycling class on time.
The class was nearly full, perhaps because it was Rachel's last class before she moves away. She's a great instructor, so I'm sad to see her go. She worked us hard with a good mix of hills, sprints, and jumps. I left feeling utterly drained after a very heavy day of exercise, but pleased that I'd made up for the hole in my training plan from yesterday. We'll see if I pay a price for this tomorrow!
I headed off to the gym and started with a 1600 meter swim. The pool wasn't crowded, yet an older gal insisted on hugging my lap lane and I nearly collided with her multiple times. No idea what she was doing. Regardless, it was another good swim from a technique standpoint, and I felt better getting out of the water than I felt going in. After the swim, I ran 4 miles at about an 8 minute pace.
In the evening, I met up with Paul for an interval run session and the Wednesday night cycle class. The gym was busy and every treadmill was taken. We warmed up on stationary bikes while we waited. By the time a couple opened up, we'd taken up enough of our time that we had to cut the interval run down to 3 miles instead of 4 in order to get to the cycling class on time.
The class was nearly full, perhaps because it was Rachel's last class before she moves away. She's a great instructor, so I'm sad to see her go. She worked us hard with a good mix of hills, sprints, and jumps. I left feeling utterly drained after a very heavy day of exercise, but pleased that I'd made up for the hole in my training plan from yesterday. We'll see if I pay a price for this tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Week 7 - Monday
I got to sleep in a bit this morning with having the week off with Ashley. She had a busy day of her own plans today though, so I decided to take the morning cycling class at the gym. The instructor gave us a 35 minute climb, taking more than half of today's class. It was a real quad buster, but a good workout. Felt great when I headed back home.
Later that afternoon, I returned to the gym for a swim session. I swam 1600 meters, and it was my best swim in a few weeks. The additional sessions this week have really helped. I'll stick with this plan even though it can take me to around 11-12 workouts a week and I know it's going to be hard to juggle it all with work and family.
Later that afternoon, I returned to the gym for a swim session. I swam 1600 meters, and it was my best swim in a few weeks. The additional sessions this week have really helped. I'll stick with this plan even though it can take me to around 11-12 workouts a week and I know it's going to be hard to juggle it all with work and family.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Week 6 - Sunday
I woke up today feeling the effects of yesterday's 20 mile run, but less so than I expected. More than anything, my legs just felt a bit heavy, but without the soreness than can sometimes follow that sort of distance. I think all this cross training has benefitted me in this regard. I decided I could get in a swim and some time on the bike to loosen up, but wanted to take a bit of a rest day.
After a slow, relaxing morning, I got to the pool at about noon. I decided to make it an easy 1000 meter swim, but it ended up being harder than it should have been with my general fatigue. It was good from a technique standpoint though.
It was cold and really windy outside, so after my swim, I changed clothes and went up to get on a bike at the gym rather than an outdoor ride. I warmed up slowly and my legs felt heavy. After a couple of miles, my legs felt better, so I increased the resistance and picked up my cadence to around 90 rpm. I put in just 10 miles, well short of the 25 I was scheduled for, but better than a goose egg, which is what I planned when I woke up this morning. Still, writing about it now, I'm a little irritated with myself for cutting it short.
I wrapped up the workout with core work. All in all, a decent workout for the day after a big run.
After a slow, relaxing morning, I got to the pool at about noon. I decided to make it an easy 1000 meter swim, but it ended up being harder than it should have been with my general fatigue. It was good from a technique standpoint though.
It was cold and really windy outside, so after my swim, I changed clothes and went up to get on a bike at the gym rather than an outdoor ride. I warmed up slowly and my legs felt heavy. After a couple of miles, my legs felt better, so I increased the resistance and picked up my cadence to around 90 rpm. I put in just 10 miles, well short of the 25 I was scheduled for, but better than a goose egg, which is what I planned when I woke up this morning. Still, writing about it now, I'm a little irritated with myself for cutting it short.
I wrapped up the workout with core work. All in all, a decent workout for the day after a big run.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Week 6 - Saturday
Met Paul, Ryan, Trina, Brent, and Kerry for a 20 mile run this morning. We met at Glenwood at 7am with plans to run east on the Greenbelt. I had roughed out a route that would take us off the Greenbelt for part of it to break the monotony. The rest of the gang went along with it, some reluctantly, since it meant a lot of navigation through downtown and the north end.
It was overcast, but in the mid-40s already and nice enough to be in shorts for the first time this year. It was still dark as we started off, which made it a little tricky watching for cracks and heaves in the asphalt. Within a mile or so, it was light enough to see well and by then I already fell into a comfortable pace with Ryan.
After about 4 miles, we stopped briefly at Shoreline for the others to rejoin us before we left the Greenbelt and started north toward downtown. We ran north on 13th, interrupted a couple of times for traffic as we crossed some of the busier streets. We turned west on Hayes then north onto Harrison Blvd. I really enjoyed the tree-lined sidewalk and the great old houses. Next we turned east on Hill Rd and followed that to Camelsback Park. From Camels, we turned south and navigated south and east to 6th St. We took 6th to Fort, then through the Fort Boise parking lot before taking Avenue E to wind our way onto Warm Springs Blvd.
By this point, we were about 11 miles in and Ryan and I were still clocking all of the miles below 8:15, with a couple at sub-8. I wasn't sure if I could hold that pace for the entire 20 miles, but intended to until I bonked, if I did. The only way to improve!
We continued east on Warm Springs until we reached the golf course. At that point, we rejoined the Greenbelt and turned west for the return trip to Glenwood. Ryan and I stayed together until mile 15, at which point he wanted to pick up his pace for the final miles. He pulled away and I maintained my pace. On my own now, I cranked up my music and focused on not letting my pace slip as I felt fatigue set in. Even though it seemed at times I was slowing, my splits were staying where I wanted them, all under 8:15.
As I neared Glenwood, I could tell my route planning was off a bit and I would be hitting the 20-mile mark before I reached the parking lot. I finished mile 20 in 8:01 and decided to continue the run until I reached the parking lot, which wound up being at 20.75 miles. I would take some grief for this accidental route extension by the others later!
It felt great to be finished and even better knowing I'd finished with average splits of 8:13! It has me thinking I can target 3:35 at Ogden, but we'll see how my final two 20 milers go before I commit to that publicly.
Ryan and I stretched as we waited for the others to arrive. Everyone came in in good shape. Collectively, our whole group is running well (and mainly injury free) right now. Long runs like today's have us all confident and looking forward to Ogden
It was overcast, but in the mid-40s already and nice enough to be in shorts for the first time this year. It was still dark as we started off, which made it a little tricky watching for cracks and heaves in the asphalt. Within a mile or so, it was light enough to see well and by then I already fell into a comfortable pace with Ryan.
After about 4 miles, we stopped briefly at Shoreline for the others to rejoin us before we left the Greenbelt and started north toward downtown. We ran north on 13th, interrupted a couple of times for traffic as we crossed some of the busier streets. We turned west on Hayes then north onto Harrison Blvd. I really enjoyed the tree-lined sidewalk and the great old houses. Next we turned east on Hill Rd and followed that to Camelsback Park. From Camels, we turned south and navigated south and east to 6th St. We took 6th to Fort, then through the Fort Boise parking lot before taking Avenue E to wind our way onto Warm Springs Blvd.
By this point, we were about 11 miles in and Ryan and I were still clocking all of the miles below 8:15, with a couple at sub-8. I wasn't sure if I could hold that pace for the entire 20 miles, but intended to until I bonked, if I did. The only way to improve!
We continued east on Warm Springs until we reached the golf course. At that point, we rejoined the Greenbelt and turned west for the return trip to Glenwood. Ryan and I stayed together until mile 15, at which point he wanted to pick up his pace for the final miles. He pulled away and I maintained my pace. On my own now, I cranked up my music and focused on not letting my pace slip as I felt fatigue set in. Even though it seemed at times I was slowing, my splits were staying where I wanted them, all under 8:15.
As I neared Glenwood, I could tell my route planning was off a bit and I would be hitting the 20-mile mark before I reached the parking lot. I finished mile 20 in 8:01 and decided to continue the run until I reached the parking lot, which wound up being at 20.75 miles. I would take some grief for this accidental route extension by the others later!
It felt great to be finished and even better knowing I'd finished with average splits of 8:13! It has me thinking I can target 3:35 at Ogden, but we'll see how my final two 20 milers go before I commit to that publicly.
Ryan and I stretched as we waited for the others to arrive. Everyone came in in good shape. Collectively, our whole group is running well (and mainly injury free) right now. Long runs like today's have us all confident and looking forward to Ogden
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Week 6 - Thursday
Started off with a 1600 meter swim this evening. After Tuesday's awful swim, I decided to focus less on my lap times and go back to focusing on good balance, switch-timing, and lengthening. It was good to get back to basics and I immediately felt more confident in my technique. The laps passed easily and although I didn't care about my overall time, I finished a minute faster than Tuesday's swim, and with no struggle or frustration. Going to stick with this approach for a while and add that extra swim workout per week.
After the swim, I ran an easy 3 miles to round out the week's training. I have on off day tomorrow and will be resting up for a big 20 mile run on Saturday morning.
After the swim, I ran an easy 3 miles to round out the week's training. I have on off day tomorrow and will be resting up for a big 20 mile run on Saturday morning.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Week 6 - Wednesday
Met Paul at the gym for a 4 mile interval run. After a half mile warm up, we alternated quarter mile intervals at a 6:18 pace. About 2 miles in, the treadmill I was on fried. What a great feeling to know I burned out a treadmill! Although I guess I feel a bit bad for the gym...
After switching to another pair of treadmills, we resumed our workout and finished with no further technical difficulties.
After a quick drink, we followed up the run with the 6:30pm Wednesday night cycling class. We had a good turnout, which always makes the class more fun. Holly (not my Holly) was our instructor and she worked us pretty hard. My quads felt dead at first, but felt better as the class progressed. My only complaint was that I was staaaarving! But it was a good combo workout and I definitely felt like I'd earned dinner.
After switching to another pair of treadmills, we resumed our workout and finished with no further technical difficulties.
After a quick drink, we followed up the run with the 6:30pm Wednesday night cycling class. We had a good turnout, which always makes the class more fun. Holly (not my Holly) was our instructor and she worked us pretty hard. My quads felt dead at first, but felt better as the class progressed. My only complaint was that I was staaaarving! But it was a good combo workout and I definitely felt like I'd earned dinner.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Week 6 - Tuesday
I hit the pool after work for a 1600 meter swim. For the first 500 meters or so it felt like I'd never been in the water before in my life. Balance was wrong, breathing was wrong, everything felt off. I finally settled in and got a good rhythm going, but the swim took 44 minutes, which is awful. I've recently been swimming only two days a week and I can tell I need some renewed focus on it. I was planning to emphasize my swim training while recovering from the marathon in May, but I may need to re-think that and squeeze in one more session per week now.
After my swim I did a quick change and jumped on a bike upstairs for a 20 miler. I kept the cadence high, between 95-100, and finished in just over an hour. Will be glad when the weather is nice enough to get in some of these weekday bike workouts outside.
After my swim I did a quick change and jumped on a bike upstairs for a 20 miler. I kept the cadence high, between 95-100, and finished in just over an hour. Will be glad when the weather is nice enough to get in some of these weekday bike workouts outside.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Week 6 - Monday
After yesterday's long ride, I needed a lighter day and my lower back was really tight after so much time in the aerobars. I went to the gym for a 4-mile recovery run.
The first mile reminded me how spent my legs were, but they bounced back and I settled into a comfortable groove and ran each mile progressively faster. Following the run, I did about 20 minutes of core work and stretching. I left the gym feeling great and looking forward to the rest of the week's training.
The first mile reminded me how spent my legs were, but they bounced back and I settled into a comfortable groove and ran each mile progressively faster. Following the run, I did about 20 minutes of core work and stretching. I left the gym feeling great and looking forward to the rest of the week's training.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Week 5 - Sunday
Scheduled for a 40-mile ride today. My longest road ride ever. Rode with Ryan and Rick. Ryan met me at my place at 8:45am. It was overcast, around 40 degrees, and fairly windy out of the southeast. We rode about 3.5 miles to meet Rick at Heroes Park in Meridian near Blackcat and Chinden. Rick was riding one-way to meet a friend for some fishing, and Ryan and I planned on riding with him to the 20-mile mark before flipping around and heading home.
We headed out going west on Chinden with the wind at our backs, hitting 25mph, yet I still struggled to keep up with Rick and Ryan. Decided not to worry about that and focus instead on getting comfortable with my cadence and using aerobars. Not being an experienced road cyclist, these things, along with sharing the road with cars and trucks, are still new to me.
As we turned off north off Chinden onto Pollard and then to Joplin, they slowed up a bit and we rode alongside each other at a more comfortable 20mph or so. We rode west to Middleton Rd and turned north into Middleton itself. We then turned west again on Hwy 44 and road toward the intechange with I-84. This should have been the turnaround point for me and Ryan if basing it on the ride from my house. However, at that point I was feeling froggy enough to continue on to make it 20 miles from Heroes Park. This was going to make our ride nearly 48 miles, but with the wind at our backs that didn't seem like a big deal at the time. Turned out not to be a smart decision!
We rode with Rick to the intersection of Mink and Stafford roads, in the middle of beautiful farm country with little traffic. After a quick water break, we said goodbye to Rick and turned back east into the teeth of the wind that had been our buddy on the way out. It was miserable and slow, with our pace dropping at times to 12.5mph. We struggled along reversing our route and when we could, rode side by side to talk and take our minds off the fatigue and wind. It seemed like twice the distance we'd ridden on the way out.
As we finally arrived back in Meridian around noon, the rain that was forecast for the afternoon arrived right on time. It rained hard for the last mile or so to my house, but I felt fortunate it hadn't arrived sooner given the struggle the return trip already was.
I arrived home exhausted and hungry. After going through the kitchen like a tornado, I crashed hard for an hour or so nap.
All in all, I was pleased with knowing I'd done a 48 mile ride in unfavorable conditions. Even with the slow return trip, we averaged 16.5mph overall. Not too bad at this stage of my training and I'm certainly feeling more confident on the road bike.
We headed out going west on Chinden with the wind at our backs, hitting 25mph, yet I still struggled to keep up with Rick and Ryan. Decided not to worry about that and focus instead on getting comfortable with my cadence and using aerobars. Not being an experienced road cyclist, these things, along with sharing the road with cars and trucks, are still new to me.
As we turned off north off Chinden onto Pollard and then to Joplin, they slowed up a bit and we rode alongside each other at a more comfortable 20mph or so. We rode west to Middleton Rd and turned north into Middleton itself. We then turned west again on Hwy 44 and road toward the intechange with I-84. This should have been the turnaround point for me and Ryan if basing it on the ride from my house. However, at that point I was feeling froggy enough to continue on to make it 20 miles from Heroes Park. This was going to make our ride nearly 48 miles, but with the wind at our backs that didn't seem like a big deal at the time. Turned out not to be a smart decision!
We rode with Rick to the intersection of Mink and Stafford roads, in the middle of beautiful farm country with little traffic. After a quick water break, we said goodbye to Rick and turned back east into the teeth of the wind that had been our buddy on the way out. It was miserable and slow, with our pace dropping at times to 12.5mph. We struggled along reversing our route and when we could, rode side by side to talk and take our minds off the fatigue and wind. It seemed like twice the distance we'd ridden on the way out.
As we finally arrived back in Meridian around noon, the rain that was forecast for the afternoon arrived right on time. It rained hard for the last mile or so to my house, but I felt fortunate it hadn't arrived sooner given the struggle the return trip already was.
I arrived home exhausted and hungry. After going through the kitchen like a tornado, I crashed hard for an hour or so nap.
All in all, I was pleased with knowing I'd done a 48 mile ride in unfavorable conditions. Even with the slow return trip, we averaged 16.5mph overall. Not too bad at this stage of my training and I'm certainly feeling more confident on the road bike.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Week 5 - Saturday
Holly and I met up with Paul, Brent, Ryan, Trina, Trever, and Mark at the end of the pavement in Rocky Canyon. Our plan was to run up to Five Mile Gulch, on to Watchman trail, then to Three Bears and back down to Rocky Canyon. About 11 miles and 2100 feet of elevation gain.
We started off in the dark, which made the ruts and washboard road interesting until the light got better. Everything was going according to plan until we got a half mile or so up Five Mile Gulch and started running into snow on the trail in patches. At first I thought this was no big deal, as the gulch doesn't get a lot of sun, and I was certain when we started uphill on Watchman the snow would be gone. However, it got progressively worse, including when we made the turn onto Watchman. By this point, we were no longer running, but rather, we were post-holing our way along the trail. With each turn that opened up southern exposure I expected the snow to disappear, but still no luck. We struggled along like this for a good two more miles until we went up and over Curlew Connector and reached Three Bears. At last, we got back below the snow line and were running again!
We ran south on Three Bears to the Shane's trail junction. From there, we turned east and headed toward Rocky Canyon. After a quick downhill on Brent's "Nutcracker Hill", we were back on the road and shortly back to our vehicles.
I felt terrible about my route choice, but it certainly made for an adventure, and the only complaints were half-hearted. I guess we'll need to wait a couple more weeks at least before venturing back onto the upper RTR trails!
We started off in the dark, which made the ruts and washboard road interesting until the light got better. Everything was going according to plan until we got a half mile or so up Five Mile Gulch and started running into snow on the trail in patches. At first I thought this was no big deal, as the gulch doesn't get a lot of sun, and I was certain when we started uphill on Watchman the snow would be gone. However, it got progressively worse, including when we made the turn onto Watchman. By this point, we were no longer running, but rather, we were post-holing our way along the trail. With each turn that opened up southern exposure I expected the snow to disappear, but still no luck. We struggled along like this for a good two more miles until we went up and over Curlew Connector and reached Three Bears. At last, we got back below the snow line and were running again!
We ran south on Three Bears to the Shane's trail junction. From there, we turned east and headed toward Rocky Canyon. After a quick downhill on Brent's "Nutcracker Hill", we were back on the road and shortly back to our vehicles.
I felt terrible about my route choice, but it certainly made for an adventure, and the only complaints were half-hearted. I guess we'll need to wait a couple more weeks at least before venturing back onto the upper RTR trails!
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