Haven't been running much, just taking it easy. I'm taking a bit of an 'off-season' to let the body recover.
Here's a couple vids.
First one is running in Myra-Bellevue Park in Kelowna. Coming down the Lookout Trail. I had strapped my camera on my chest under the straps of my pack. It stayed there, but a bit shaky picture from my chest moving slightly side to side as I run. And I didn't get some footage that I thought I got.
This next one is just a short video of pictures, plus a short vid clip from on top of a peak. Took the video at Big White ski resort.
keep on running...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
2012 Race Plans
Races:
Sun Mountain 50 mile: Winthrop, WA. (May 22?, 2012)
Scorched Sole 50 mile: Kelowna, BC. (June 30?, 2012)
Fat Dog 120 mile: Manning Park, BC. (July 21?, 2012)
Pine to Palm 100 mile: Williams, OR. (Sept 17, 2012)
That's it. Next year, I plan on not running any smaller races. Just commit to kicking ass in those races. Maybe I'll volunteer at the local short distance races I would otherwise do.
Sun Mountain 50 mile: Winthrop, WA. (May 22?, 2012)
Scorched Sole 50 mile: Kelowna, BC. (June 30?, 2012)
Fat Dog 120 mile: Manning Park, BC. (July 21?, 2012)
Pine to Palm 100 mile: Williams, OR. (Sept 17, 2012)
That's it. Next year, I plan on not running any smaller races. Just commit to kicking ass in those races. Maybe I'll volunteer at the local short distance races I would otherwise do.
Uphill Mental Stamina
I've decided that one of my goals throughout the winter is to work on my "uphill mental stamina" By this I mean my ability to run up an inclined trail without needing to stop, or change to a power walk. Even though I am relatively fast at power walking, and I think this is helpful during the last half of trail races, I think I can do much better/faster in the long term if I find a way to force myself to just run non-stop up the hills. So for now, I am going to slow down, and force myself to run the whole way up.
Today, I did a fairly steady incline (1640 ft elev gain over 3.7 km) and ran the whole way except for 20 strides of walking in a section that is 19% incline.
Today, I did a fairly steady incline (1640 ft elev gain over 3.7 km) and ran the whole way except for 20 strides of walking in a section that is 19% incline.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Frosty Thoughts
3:16 am: Woke up with an incredible urge to go to the bathroom.
I didn't really get back to sleep after that, but I had gone to bed at 7 pm the night before and was planning on getting up at 5 am anyway for the 8 am race start. I had got at least 7 hours sleep for two nights in a row leading up to the race. I camped at Lightning Lake campground so I was relatively comfortable. I had made oatmeal, packed it into a cannister and ate cold lumpy oatmeal, a fruit smootie and an ensure shake for breakfast at 5:30 am, plenty of time for it to digest before the race start.
For no particular reason I had decided that my goal was to run the 50 km's in under 6 hours. The morning was fairly cold for my standards, probably got no more than 15 degrees at the base of the lake all day, so I wore my long sleave windbreaker. So glad I did, as it was windy, cold, and there was actually very minor snow at the top of Frosty Mountain.
The race took us to two mountain tops, the first was Frosty Mountain and the second was not really a mountain summit I guess, but it was the Skyline Trail and it was a pretty solid climb.
One of my goals in this race was to better manage my hydration and fuel intake. I think I did a good job at that, I only felt lacking in water for a couple kilometres before the last aid station at 43 km. I also wanted to try and minimize my time at aid stations; I kept my aid statioon down to 30 seconds or so at each station other than the last when where I was there for probably 2 minutes.
It felt really cool to be in a race with so many competitors, it felt so different than the smaller crowds of some other races I've done. In the beginning I was running somewhere around 6 - 12 place and there was a group of us running single file on the single track for a few kilometres, I couldn't really see the trails ahead of me because of the bodies in front of me, but I could see where the guy in front was going, matching his stride and avoiding roots and rocks that I would only get to see just before I got to them. This sort of running lasted for the first 5 km, and I found it exhilerating running with like minded people that were of similar running ability that I had to push to keep up with, and did so!
At around 5 km the up hill started. It was a steady climb, which I started out running but then it turned into my power walk alternating with bursts of running which ended up with me getting passed by some and passing others. During this stretch we passed the two volunteers carrying the supplies up to the first aid station. (Some runners took a wrong turn here) And we got to have some downhill fun, again I was bunched up with about 5 other runners running single file pounding out single track downhills in a group is pretty darn fun.
That didn't last long and we were greeted by an insane climb to the summit of Frosty Mtn. Imagine climbing up the side of a rock scree with a trail barely discernable set amongst the rocks. Looking down the mountain was a drop all the way down to the lake, 800 metres above the lake I stood clinging to rocks that I was hiking over desperately hoping the climb would be over so the queeziness in my stomach would go away. As per norm I caught up with and or passed people on the hike up the super steep incline of the mountain ascent. I still haven't quite figured out this style of mine, compared to other runners of similar finishing times I seem to be a much better hiker of really steep terrain. Conversely, I think this would also mean that I am running the downhill slower than these same folks and am running the slight inclines slower. So, I think those are two areas I want to work on if I want to cut times off my race times; my downhill speed and my ability to maintain running when doing long steady slight climbs.
Coming down the mountain at the top was even more scary than going up. There was still loose boulders to run on, but this time I was forced to have the cliff in my vision the whole way.
Not sure if I have any other major coherant thoughts from the race.
I only had to take one "nature break" during the race, compared to the seven that I needed during the 54 km race two weeks ago. Not sure what to attribute this to, probably having a meal in my stomach properly before the race helped.
Chatting with someone after the race that was telling me a story about muscle cramping and being given an ibuprofen by another runner I learned something great.... carry ibuprofen when running for cramps! Why I didn't realise this before I dont know, because I know that is what that drug is used for.
Also, strictly adhering to a hydration plan isn`t a good idea. I should just fill up as much as possible wherever possible, because when there are aid stations that aren`t as stocked as you expected or aren`t there your plan can go to shits real quick. I only had about 3 km where I was feeling the effects of running out of water, which is better than past races, but still feel like I can improve.
All in all, a fantastic race! Super amazing trails!
Here is a youtube video from a fellow runner from the 2009 race for scenery`s sake.
And here is the map from my garmin. Technology`s strange, my garmin read 49.85 km when I finished, 49.3 on my training centre when I downloaded the data and 48.9 when I uploaded it to mapmyrun. Overall my garmin read 11,319 ft elevation gain over the course! Wowsers.
I finished in 6 hrs and 4 minutes for 50 km and felt relatively good when I was done. Scrapped the idea of doing the planned 18 k race the next day when I woke up and stretched feeling a little too tense for a second race in two days.
Keep on running.
I didn't really get back to sleep after that, but I had gone to bed at 7 pm the night before and was planning on getting up at 5 am anyway for the 8 am race start. I had got at least 7 hours sleep for two nights in a row leading up to the race. I camped at Lightning Lake campground so I was relatively comfortable. I had made oatmeal, packed it into a cannister and ate cold lumpy oatmeal, a fruit smootie and an ensure shake for breakfast at 5:30 am, plenty of time for it to digest before the race start.
For no particular reason I had decided that my goal was to run the 50 km's in under 6 hours. The morning was fairly cold for my standards, probably got no more than 15 degrees at the base of the lake all day, so I wore my long sleave windbreaker. So glad I did, as it was windy, cold, and there was actually very minor snow at the top of Frosty Mountain.
The race took us to two mountain tops, the first was Frosty Mountain and the second was not really a mountain summit I guess, but it was the Skyline Trail and it was a pretty solid climb.
One of my goals in this race was to better manage my hydration and fuel intake. I think I did a good job at that, I only felt lacking in water for a couple kilometres before the last aid station at 43 km. I also wanted to try and minimize my time at aid stations; I kept my aid statioon down to 30 seconds or so at each station other than the last when where I was there for probably 2 minutes.
It felt really cool to be in a race with so many competitors, it felt so different than the smaller crowds of some other races I've done. In the beginning I was running somewhere around 6 - 12 place and there was a group of us running single file on the single track for a few kilometres, I couldn't really see the trails ahead of me because of the bodies in front of me, but I could see where the guy in front was going, matching his stride and avoiding roots and rocks that I would only get to see just before I got to them. This sort of running lasted for the first 5 km, and I found it exhilerating running with like minded people that were of similar running ability that I had to push to keep up with, and did so!
At around 5 km the up hill started. It was a steady climb, which I started out running but then it turned into my power walk alternating with bursts of running which ended up with me getting passed by some and passing others. During this stretch we passed the two volunteers carrying the supplies up to the first aid station. (Some runners took a wrong turn here) And we got to have some downhill fun, again I was bunched up with about 5 other runners running single file pounding out single track downhills in a group is pretty darn fun.
That didn't last long and we were greeted by an insane climb to the summit of Frosty Mtn. Imagine climbing up the side of a rock scree with a trail barely discernable set amongst the rocks. Looking down the mountain was a drop all the way down to the lake, 800 metres above the lake I stood clinging to rocks that I was hiking over desperately hoping the climb would be over so the queeziness in my stomach would go away. As per norm I caught up with and or passed people on the hike up the super steep incline of the mountain ascent. I still haven't quite figured out this style of mine, compared to other runners of similar finishing times I seem to be a much better hiker of really steep terrain. Conversely, I think this would also mean that I am running the downhill slower than these same folks and am running the slight inclines slower. So, I think those are two areas I want to work on if I want to cut times off my race times; my downhill speed and my ability to maintain running when doing long steady slight climbs.
Coming down the mountain at the top was even more scary than going up. There was still loose boulders to run on, but this time I was forced to have the cliff in my vision the whole way.
Not sure if I have any other major coherant thoughts from the race.
I only had to take one "nature break" during the race, compared to the seven that I needed during the 54 km race two weeks ago. Not sure what to attribute this to, probably having a meal in my stomach properly before the race helped.
Chatting with someone after the race that was telling me a story about muscle cramping and being given an ibuprofen by another runner I learned something great.... carry ibuprofen when running for cramps! Why I didn't realise this before I dont know, because I know that is what that drug is used for.
Also, strictly adhering to a hydration plan isn`t a good idea. I should just fill up as much as possible wherever possible, because when there are aid stations that aren`t as stocked as you expected or aren`t there your plan can go to shits real quick. I only had about 3 km where I was feeling the effects of running out of water, which is better than past races, but still feel like I can improve.
All in all, a fantastic race! Super amazing trails!
Here is a youtube video from a fellow runner from the 2009 race for scenery`s sake.
And here is the map from my garmin. Technology`s strange, my garmin read 49.85 km when I finished, 49.3 on my training centre when I downloaded the data and 48.9 when I uploaded it to mapmyrun. Overall my garmin read 11,319 ft elevation gain over the course! Wowsers.
I finished in 6 hrs and 4 minutes for 50 km and felt relatively good when I was done. Scrapped the idea of doing the planned 18 k race the next day when I woke up and stretched feeling a little too tense for a second race in two days.
Keep on running.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Post Race thoughts
On Sunday I ran in the 54 km Walk in the Park race. I wasn't originally planning on doing the race, I was looking forward to doing the Frosty Mtn 50 k and then an 18 k race the next day. I had thought the race was on the monday of labour day weekend, so didn't think I would be able to get the day off work. On the Friday I ended up looking up the race online, saw that it was on Sunday got my shift covered for that day and tried to make plans. Found out there was no day of race entry for the race, so I got in touch with a friend that was going and asked them to sign me up at the package pickup the day before the race. On the friday I packed everything I needed. Saturday I worked until 10 pm, then drove to 2 hours to get to Kamloops (speeding the whole way) and then slept in the backseat of my car at the parking lot of the park where the race was. I tried to eat well the days leading up to the race, but I chose to sacrifice optimal nutrition for sleep. So I ended up eating sandwiches in the car during the drive and a shake for breakfast an hour and a half before the race.
On the Wednesday before the race I did a 66 km bike ride (longest bike of the year) and on the Thursday I did a 5 hour run up little white mtn, down the opposite to canyon lake and back. So, taper was not well done.
The race is 54 km on trails in a park. 3 laps of a 18 km loop up and down hills with total elevation gain of about 7800 ft. Last year during this race I had a major charlie horse during the third lap, and after the race had an ankle sprain. So even though I started out quite excited and was heading out fast I slowed down into a mid race decision to ensure that I did well, but didn't injure myself. I wanted to focus on nutrition, ensuring that I didn't get a cramp, which I think was from poor nutrition last time.
I made it through the race cramp and injury free, finishing in 6 hrs 13 min. 22 minutes faster than last year. During the second lap I think I stopped for a bit to chat with a runner I was lapping, and I would spend at least 2 minutes at each aid station. And I went to the bathroom 5 or 6 times during the race.
Lap times from this year: 1:48:03, 2:14:01, 2:11:47. Total: 6:13:51
Last years times: 1:50:04, 2:11:20, 2:33:58. Total: 6:35:22
I'm please with myself for coming out feeling so much better than last year, especially considering I'm doing a double race weekend on the 17th and 18th. After the second lap I said I wanted to finish strong, and ran a faster third lap than second lap so that felt good.
But there are some things I definitely feel I can improve on. One thing that I feel is easy to solve, how long I spend at aid stations. Right now all I carry is a camelback, I figure if I buy a pack with more pockets I can be more self reliant on the trails and not need to stop at aid stations as often. The deal with going to the bathroom so often, don't know at all. I think I can handle being over hydrated if it means I don't screw up my electrolytes and cramp up.
Sept 17th: 50 km trail race. Sept 18th: 18 km road race. Gonna be sweet.
On the Wednesday before the race I did a 66 km bike ride (longest bike of the year) and on the Thursday I did a 5 hour run up little white mtn, down the opposite to canyon lake and back. So, taper was not well done.
The race is 54 km on trails in a park. 3 laps of a 18 km loop up and down hills with total elevation gain of about 7800 ft. Last year during this race I had a major charlie horse during the third lap, and after the race had an ankle sprain. So even though I started out quite excited and was heading out fast I slowed down into a mid race decision to ensure that I did well, but didn't injure myself. I wanted to focus on nutrition, ensuring that I didn't get a cramp, which I think was from poor nutrition last time.
I made it through the race cramp and injury free, finishing in 6 hrs 13 min. 22 minutes faster than last year. During the second lap I think I stopped for a bit to chat with a runner I was lapping, and I would spend at least 2 minutes at each aid station. And I went to the bathroom 5 or 6 times during the race.
Lap times from this year: 1:48:03, 2:14:01, 2:11:47. Total: 6:13:51
Last years times: 1:50:04, 2:11:20, 2:33:58. Total: 6:35:22
I'm please with myself for coming out feeling so much better than last year, especially considering I'm doing a double race weekend on the 17th and 18th. After the second lap I said I wanted to finish strong, and ran a faster third lap than second lap so that felt good.
But there are some things I definitely feel I can improve on. One thing that I feel is easy to solve, how long I spend at aid stations. Right now all I carry is a camelback, I figure if I buy a pack with more pockets I can be more self reliant on the trails and not need to stop at aid stations as often. The deal with going to the bathroom so often, don't know at all. I think I can handle being over hydrated if it means I don't screw up my electrolytes and cramp up.
Sept 17th: 50 km trail race. Sept 18th: 18 km road race. Gonna be sweet.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Little White Mountain Run (videos)
I ran to the top of Little White Mountain today. Just for kicks I took some videos and put them together with music.
I had to split the video in two parts or youtube didn't like how long it is.
go running...
I had to split the video in two parts or youtube didn't like how long it is.
go running...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Holy Scorcher, What a race!
Sunday I ran this course (Scorched Sole is the best race ever)
50 miles (80 km's) with 14,000 ft elevation gain. The consensus opinion of the runners I spoke to after the race was that it was one of the hardest courses they've run on. And I agree.
It's been a strange year for running so far for me. I haven't done anywhere near as much long distance runs as I had last year leading up to this. But I find the short runs I do I am capable of faster speeds, and hills that I would be walking last year, I was running this year; so I wasn't sure what to expect of myself.
Leading up to the race I had thought about the idea of running shirtless, just because I find it so comfortable and carrying two bottles with a third in a waist pack. So glad I didn't do that, it wouldn't have been enough water. I decided to buy a 1.5 litre camelback the day before the race and carry a water bottle as well. I didn't want to be running with my massive 3 litre dakine pack.
I have run every section of this course before, but not all at once for 80 km, and some sections I had only run it in one direction. For the 50 mile race we were to run out from the park to commando bay, then continue along the wildhorse trail, and up the mountain goat trail to the top of okanagan mountain and back. I have only ever run the mountain goat trail coming back down, and that was in the spring.... it was so much different yesterday than when I ran it.
I only got 4 hours sleep the night before the race, my upstairs neighbour's 4 year old picked that night to be the only night ever to stay up all night throwing tantrums. So glad I slept well the night before that. I started the day by stabbing myself with the 'safety' pin while trying to get my race number on; it seemed like a fitting prelude to the pain I knew would follow.
My friend who had come down to run the race, and had never done a 50 miler before but has done quite well in 50 km races, had said to me that he thought my last years time was about what he was aiming for. So he was pacing off me for the first part of the race. We started out surprisingly close to the leaders. We ran the first 17 km to commando bay in just under two hours. At this point we were in third and fourth, and couldn't decide if we had run that section too fast, or if the leaders were going slower than we expected as they were just coming out of commando bay as we were heading in. I decided I would try and make it to the summit in 3 hours for the next quarter segment of the race. That turned out to be a very optimistic goal.
This section of the race (which I have only run once) was the most difficult. Going out was where most of the climbing would be happeneing. But the thing was, it was really tough terrain. The trail is a single track trail at best, and since I last ran it the bushes and weeds had grown a lot. The trees (?) that lined the trail had hard branches that you had to push aside to run through, they whipped at your shins, and you couldn't see what you were running on for many parts of this section of the course. My shins today are still a raw red colour with scratches all over them. When the conditions weren't like this, there were heavy rock sections to run on, or 5 feet tall weeds to run through. It was very challenging. Also, this section of the course ran 2 km longer than listed on the map (the race directors went off of provincal park listings to put together the distances; the course went from 80 to 86 km due to this). The weather that day: 26 degrees celsius, and not a cloud in sight. It was a scorcher, the name of the race was so appropriate that day. Between the 2nd and 3rd aid stations there was hardly any shade either, I was so t hankful for the 5 - 7 mountain creeks that were still there from runoff water to drink out of as well as to douse myself with water. At time I felt like I was overheating.
I had been running with my friend up until the 30 km point, stopped to take a bathroom break and he kept going. I know he was probably only walking ahead of me, but I just couldn't get back with him. So after that I was on my own for awhile.
Between the 3rd aid station and the summit was a really steep climb... I walked the whole thing on the way up. I was feeling like complete garbage on my way up. All the while I was wondering why I hadn't seen any of the trhee leaders. Right before getting to the forestry road that leads to the summit I had a chat with a woman that was waiting to cheer on her husand that was in the race, it was a nice break. I finally ran into my friend when I was heading up to the summit while he was on his way down. We chatted, and apparently the first two runners had went down the other side of the mountain and only done the 50 km route; not sure why, they are fantastic runners and I'm sure they are capable of doing this 80 km distance. My friend was just leaving the aid station as I was arriving. Halfway there and I felt like garbage. I spent at least 10 minutes at the aid station. The guy that was behind me at the time came in while I was still there (he planned on being at work that day ten hours after the race started, he had to get one of the volunteers to call for him and say he would be really, really late. I couldn't help myself from laughing at that). I managed to get myself psyched back up, and continued back down the mountain. It was rough running, but I ran many parts of the race on the second half. Coming down the mountain was pretty fun, I ran past all the 50 mile runners that were behing me, as well as the 50 km runners that had started 2 hours after the 50 mile race. So I was giving out high fives to anyone that looked like they had enough energy to lift their arm up. There were many faces that I ran passed that just looked exhausted. And of course seeing familiar faces and stopping to chat with people along the way when I ran into them on the trail, it was pretty nice.
I ended up finishing the race in 13 hours 16 minutes. 3rd place in the 50 mile race. 1st was 11:58 I think, and second was 13:05 I think. My time this year would have got me second last on the course from last year, it was so much harder. This was such a hard course, so many lows to fight through, so much pain to push through, but it was a fantastic race. All the volunteers at this race are just wonderful. I was pretty much out of it at the top of the mountain when I put my hand down my shorts to apply vaseline to my crotch (I can't believe I did that) and the ladies didn't even flinch. the second time through the commando bay aid station the volunteers had some air bubble sticks and they gave me a parade like send off, it was rad.
I had so many wonderful moments during the race. Many times I found myself getting lost just standing at the top of a trail staring out at the lake. It's just so wonderful out there.
This morning I counted 36 mosquito bites (all from one section of the course where we ran by a pond), two blisters on my left foot (first blisters in two years), and my shins are ripped to shreds. So much pain! So much more Zen!
50 miles (80 km's) with 14,000 ft elevation gain. The consensus opinion of the runners I spoke to after the race was that it was one of the hardest courses they've run on. And I agree.
It's been a strange year for running so far for me. I haven't done anywhere near as much long distance runs as I had last year leading up to this. But I find the short runs I do I am capable of faster speeds, and hills that I would be walking last year, I was running this year; so I wasn't sure what to expect of myself.
Leading up to the race I had thought about the idea of running shirtless, just because I find it so comfortable and carrying two bottles with a third in a waist pack. So glad I didn't do that, it wouldn't have been enough water. I decided to buy a 1.5 litre camelback the day before the race and carry a water bottle as well. I didn't want to be running with my massive 3 litre dakine pack.
I have run every section of this course before, but not all at once for 80 km, and some sections I had only run it in one direction. For the 50 mile race we were to run out from the park to commando bay, then continue along the wildhorse trail, and up the mountain goat trail to the top of okanagan mountain and back. I have only ever run the mountain goat trail coming back down, and that was in the spring.... it was so much different yesterday than when I ran it.
I only got 4 hours sleep the night before the race, my upstairs neighbour's 4 year old picked that night to be the only night ever to stay up all night throwing tantrums. So glad I slept well the night before that. I started the day by stabbing myself with the 'safety' pin while trying to get my race number on; it seemed like a fitting prelude to the pain I knew would follow.
My friend who had come down to run the race, and had never done a 50 miler before but has done quite well in 50 km races, had said to me that he thought my last years time was about what he was aiming for. So he was pacing off me for the first part of the race. We started out surprisingly close to the leaders. We ran the first 17 km to commando bay in just under two hours. At this point we were in third and fourth, and couldn't decide if we had run that section too fast, or if the leaders were going slower than we expected as they were just coming out of commando bay as we were heading in. I decided I would try and make it to the summit in 3 hours for the next quarter segment of the race. That turned out to be a very optimistic goal.
This section of the race (which I have only run once) was the most difficult. Going out was where most of the climbing would be happeneing. But the thing was, it was really tough terrain. The trail is a single track trail at best, and since I last ran it the bushes and weeds had grown a lot. The trees (?) that lined the trail had hard branches that you had to push aside to run through, they whipped at your shins, and you couldn't see what you were running on for many parts of this section of the course. My shins today are still a raw red colour with scratches all over them. When the conditions weren't like this, there were heavy rock sections to run on, or 5 feet tall weeds to run through. It was very challenging. Also, this section of the course ran 2 km longer than listed on the map (the race directors went off of provincal park listings to put together the distances; the course went from 80 to 86 km due to this). The weather that day: 26 degrees celsius, and not a cloud in sight. It was a scorcher, the name of the race was so appropriate that day. Between the 2nd and 3rd aid stations there was hardly any shade either, I was so t hankful for the 5 - 7 mountain creeks that were still there from runoff water to drink out of as well as to douse myself with water. At time I felt like I was overheating.
I had been running with my friend up until the 30 km point, stopped to take a bathroom break and he kept going. I know he was probably only walking ahead of me, but I just couldn't get back with him. So after that I was on my own for awhile.
Between the 3rd aid station and the summit was a really steep climb... I walked the whole thing on the way up. I was feeling like complete garbage on my way up. All the while I was wondering why I hadn't seen any of the trhee leaders. Right before getting to the forestry road that leads to the summit I had a chat with a woman that was waiting to cheer on her husand that was in the race, it was a nice break. I finally ran into my friend when I was heading up to the summit while he was on his way down. We chatted, and apparently the first two runners had went down the other side of the mountain and only done the 50 km route; not sure why, they are fantastic runners and I'm sure they are capable of doing this 80 km distance. My friend was just leaving the aid station as I was arriving. Halfway there and I felt like garbage. I spent at least 10 minutes at the aid station. The guy that was behind me at the time came in while I was still there (he planned on being at work that day ten hours after the race started, he had to get one of the volunteers to call for him and say he would be really, really late. I couldn't help myself from laughing at that). I managed to get myself psyched back up, and continued back down the mountain. It was rough running, but I ran many parts of the race on the second half. Coming down the mountain was pretty fun, I ran past all the 50 mile runners that were behing me, as well as the 50 km runners that had started 2 hours after the 50 mile race. So I was giving out high fives to anyone that looked like they had enough energy to lift their arm up. There were many faces that I ran passed that just looked exhausted. And of course seeing familiar faces and stopping to chat with people along the way when I ran into them on the trail, it was pretty nice.
I ended up finishing the race in 13 hours 16 minutes. 3rd place in the 50 mile race. 1st was 11:58 I think, and second was 13:05 I think. My time this year would have got me second last on the course from last year, it was so much harder. This was such a hard course, so many lows to fight through, so much pain to push through, but it was a fantastic race. All the volunteers at this race are just wonderful. I was pretty much out of it at the top of the mountain when I put my hand down my shorts to apply vaseline to my crotch (I can't believe I did that) and the ladies didn't even flinch. the second time through the commando bay aid station the volunteers had some air bubble sticks and they gave me a parade like send off, it was rad.
I had so many wonderful moments during the race. Many times I found myself getting lost just standing at the top of a trail staring out at the lake. It's just so wonderful out there.
This morning I counted 36 mosquito bites (all from one section of the course where we ran by a pond), two blisters on my left foot (first blisters in two years), and my shins are ripped to shreds. So much pain! So much more Zen!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Runners Low
I was watching this video on Geoff Roes
http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/performancepodcasts/2011/06/video-geoff-roes-slogging-to-the-top/
(copy and past that cuz I don't know how to link to a site)
He talked about how a successful race isn't about managing your high performance parts of the race where you are on your 'runners high', but rather to train in such a manner where you are mindful about the few hours in a race where you may be experiencing your 'runners low'. Doing this he says will have a greater impact on the overall success on your race.
Even though I totally understand what he means by the runners low, I hadn't ever put much thought about the low. Interesting thought to ponder.
http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/performancepodcasts/2011/06/video-geoff-roes-slogging-to-the-top/
(copy and past that cuz I don't know how to link to a site)
He talked about how a successful race isn't about managing your high performance parts of the race where you are on your 'runners high', but rather to train in such a manner where you are mindful about the few hours in a race where you may be experiencing your 'runners low'. Doing this he says will have a greater impact on the overall success on your race.
Even though I totally understand what he means by the runners low, I hadn't ever put much thought about the low. Interesting thought to ponder.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Why I run.
I train, running on a regular basis, pushing myself as hard as I can whenever I can. I keep myself mindful of my body as much as I can. Why do I do this? I do this all so that I may keep myself in good enough shape so that on a few occasions throughout the year when time and planning permits I am capable of pushing myself so hard that my body will instictually keep going, and I will mentally transcend to a place that I think is beyond physical where I may attain a higher level of Zen.
Not sure if that makes sense. But it works for me.
It's why I run, for today at least.
Not sure if that makes sense. But it works for me.
It's why I run, for today at least.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
June 11
Um, forgot to update this for a couple weeks after intending to write once a week. The week that ended two weeks ago, I biked one day and that was it. Between work, and doing other stuff I just didn't have time.
The last week I didn't run at all. But biked three times. I was getting quite the kick out of doing the hardest hill routes I could on my road bike.
This week I've already run 11 hours, for 85 kms. Would have been more, but the friend I went with on Friday was more into hiking than running, which is just fine. Probably for the best anyway as it made for an easy day. Well, easy for me, it;s interesting how sometimes non runners don't quite see how much long term training it takes to be comfortable running distances without getting tired, so they think they could do it like its nothing, and then they get exhausted so quickly.
Maybe I've had more energy the last week, or maybe its something else, but I'm finding that on roads and trails that I've run for the last few years here in town that I'm able to run them faster, and further without stopping. And they feel so much less difficult.
Two weeks and 1 day until I do a 50 mile trail race in kelowna, getting stoked for it. I think I'll do a 50 km run on monday or tuesday then go easy until the race. I really don't enjoy carrying a heavy bag during races, and I especially don't enjoy the feeling of having a sweaty shirt clinging to me from my bag while running, especially in the heat that will probably be happening during the race (will prob be around 30 degrees celsius) so I was thinking of not carrying a pack, just carrying a water bottle on a belt, one in each hand, and a fanny pack for gels, no shirt, and getting down with the sunscreen. Running withoutr a shirt is just so much more comfortable.
Yep.
The last week I didn't run at all. But biked three times. I was getting quite the kick out of doing the hardest hill routes I could on my road bike.
This week I've already run 11 hours, for 85 kms. Would have been more, but the friend I went with on Friday was more into hiking than running, which is just fine. Probably for the best anyway as it made for an easy day. Well, easy for me, it;s interesting how sometimes non runners don't quite see how much long term training it takes to be comfortable running distances without getting tired, so they think they could do it like its nothing, and then they get exhausted so quickly.
Maybe I've had more energy the last week, or maybe its something else, but I'm finding that on roads and trails that I've run for the last few years here in town that I'm able to run them faster, and further without stopping. And they feel so much less difficult.
Two weeks and 1 day until I do a 50 mile trail race in kelowna, getting stoked for it. I think I'll do a 50 km run on monday or tuesday then go easy until the race. I really don't enjoy carrying a heavy bag during races, and I especially don't enjoy the feeling of having a sweaty shirt clinging to me from my bag while running, especially in the heat that will probably be happening during the race (will prob be around 30 degrees celsius) so I was thinking of not carrying a pack, just carrying a water bottle on a belt, one in each hand, and a fanny pack for gels, no shirt, and getting down with the sunscreen. Running withoutr a shirt is just so much more comfortable.
Yep.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Week ending may 22
Runs:
Monday May 16: 35 km Trail run in Ok Mtn Park; Wildhorse Canyon Trail to Commando Bay and Back.
Tues: Rest day
Wednesday: 15 km on the hilly section of the greenway.
Thursday, Friday: no running... silly life crap got in the way.
Saturday: 13 km on the Greenway hills.
Sunday: 10 km on the trails across from the EECO at Mission Creek.
I finally got my road bike ready to go for the summer. So now I have something I can do for exercise on days that I need to rest my running muscles. Too sweet.
84 days.
Super duper!
Monday May 16: 35 km Trail run in Ok Mtn Park; Wildhorse Canyon Trail to Commando Bay and Back.
Tues: Rest day
Wednesday: 15 km on the hilly section of the greenway.
Thursday, Friday: no running... silly life crap got in the way.
Saturday: 13 km on the Greenway hills.
Sunday: 10 km on the trails across from the EECO at Mission Creek.
I finally got my road bike ready to go for the summer. So now I have something I can do for exercise on days that I need to rest my running muscles. Too sweet.
84 days.
Super duper!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Week ending May 15
I didn't do as much running this past week as I had planned. I ended up working my second job on both my days off from my first job. Mondays I didn't run because I go from working late to working early. Then I didn't run on Wednesday as I was anticipating to run hard and long on my days off. But never ended up doing so.
Runs:
Tuesday May 10: 12 km on the hilly section of the greenway.
Friday May 13: 9 km on the hilly section of the greenway, was dark and didn't have it in me to do night running this day.
Saturday May 14: 16.5 km up and down Lost Lake Trail. Was very nice, lots of run-off water to drink and cool down in.
Today I bought a new pair of running shoes.
They aren't exactly the same as my previous pair, the store I go to didn't have them. So I ended up with these. I finally found some new (to me) running shorts that were within my price range. I'm fully willing to pay 150 dollars for shoes, but 45 dollars for one article of clothing is beyond me. So I got some old school umbro shorts. No more running with board shorts that hang too low. I gotta go back to the store tomorrow to donate some of my old shoes . . . I knew there was a reason I was keeping them around.
77 days.
A couple months ago I heard someone say "Will the words you are about to speak improve upon the current silence?" And because of this I find myself being so much more mindful of what I say, and the results are definitely positive. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason, we should be listening more than we speak.
I`m pretty sure I will actually be able to get the time off work for the 50 mile race on June 26. So stoked!
Keep running.
Nazzer
Runs:
Tuesday May 10: 12 km on the hilly section of the greenway.
Friday May 13: 9 km on the hilly section of the greenway, was dark and didn't have it in me to do night running this day.
Saturday May 14: 16.5 km up and down Lost Lake Trail. Was very nice, lots of run-off water to drink and cool down in.
Today I bought a new pair of running shoes.
They aren't exactly the same as my previous pair, the store I go to didn't have them. So I ended up with these. I finally found some new (to me) running shorts that were within my price range. I'm fully willing to pay 150 dollars for shoes, but 45 dollars for one article of clothing is beyond me. So I got some old school umbro shorts. No more running with board shorts that hang too low. I gotta go back to the store tomorrow to donate some of my old shoes . . . I knew there was a reason I was keeping them around.
77 days.
A couple months ago I heard someone say "Will the words you are about to speak improve upon the current silence?" And because of this I find myself being so much more mindful of what I say, and the results are definitely positive. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason, we should be listening more than we speak.
I`m pretty sure I will actually be able to get the time off work for the 50 mile race on June 26. So stoked!
Keep running.
Nazzer
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Week Ending May 8
Runs:
Monday, Tuesday: No running, tired from work. Sunday pulles a 13 hours shift so needed to rest.
Wednesday: Had time, and energy to run, but rested for the next day.
Thursday: 47 km of trails in Okanagan Mountain Park. I ran the 2011 Scorched Sole 50 km course backwards. It took me 8 hours. I left with a weather report of rain all day. The first but was rain, fantastic weather. I hit snow at 1250 m elevation, which lasted to the summit, and then down to 1300 m on the other side. It took 3 hours to trudge through 8 km of snow that was knee deep to waist deep. Very tough stuff for a while. Great run though, challenging downhills. I did a 20 km section of the trail that Ì`ve never been on before. So other than two trails that go down to the lake I`ve been on every trail in that park now. Sun came out for the last half, no hat... sunburn. Ouch.
Friday: 9 km easy paced run on flat roads and trails. Legs were a bit stiff.
Saturday: 8 km on the end of teh greenway, to the top of the second stairs and back. Could have gone longer, but I wasn`t sure I would make it back before they locked the parking lot.
Sunday: 9 km on the Lost lake Trail in Myra Bellevue Park. Beautiful suntanning weather for the second time this week.
In total I ran 72 km this week. which is the most I`ve run in one week since february. Next week I`ll probably run at least 5 days, and will prob do at least 80 km. It`s amazing how easy it is to run further when I don`t pull 13 hour days at two different jobs, it`s fantastic.
Monday, Tuesday: No running, tired from work. Sunday pulles a 13 hours shift so needed to rest.
Wednesday: Had time, and energy to run, but rested for the next day.
Thursday: 47 km of trails in Okanagan Mountain Park. I ran the 2011 Scorched Sole 50 km course backwards. It took me 8 hours. I left with a weather report of rain all day. The first but was rain, fantastic weather. I hit snow at 1250 m elevation, which lasted to the summit, and then down to 1300 m on the other side. It took 3 hours to trudge through 8 km of snow that was knee deep to waist deep. Very tough stuff for a while. Great run though, challenging downhills. I did a 20 km section of the trail that Ì`ve never been on before. So other than two trails that go down to the lake I`ve been on every trail in that park now. Sun came out for the last half, no hat... sunburn. Ouch.
Friday: 9 km easy paced run on flat roads and trails. Legs were a bit stiff.
Saturday: 8 km on the end of teh greenway, to the top of the second stairs and back. Could have gone longer, but I wasn`t sure I would make it back before they locked the parking lot.
Sunday: 9 km on the Lost lake Trail in Myra Bellevue Park. Beautiful suntanning weather for the second time this week.
In total I ran 72 km this week. which is the most I`ve run in one week since february. Next week I`ll probably run at least 5 days, and will prob do at least 80 km. It`s amazing how easy it is to run further when I don`t pull 13 hour days at two different jobs, it`s fantastic.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Week Ending May 1
I only ran once this last week. It was 12 km on some hilly and stairy trails for just over an hour. Had other things occupying me during midweek, meetings and such. Then the weekend was spent visiting people, and Sunday was a super not fun 13 hour work day.
This week coming up I only work 5 days, which is sweet. So I will have time to do some running on my days off, and hopefully will be energetic to do some more on my other days as well. Going from running during the school year to running while working again is rough somtimes, those of you who have the energy are amazing.
Overheard at work during some awards get together for some organization: "In this business, if you're not going hard and fast you're going to get passed" Haha, I found it so funny, there were many other cliche phrases I overheard from that group but forgot.
This week coming up I only work 5 days, which is sweet. So I will have time to do some running on my days off, and hopefully will be energetic to do some more on my other days as well. Going from running during the school year to running while working again is rough somtimes, those of you who have the energy are amazing.
Overheard at work during some awards get together for some organization: "In this business, if you're not going hard and fast you're going to get passed" Haha, I found it so funny, there were many other cliche phrases I overheard from that group but forgot.
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