Jan 9 - 15
Jan 9: no run
Jan 10: 95 mins, 519 metre elev gain, 13.05 km; Long steady run at Myra Bellevue Park. Up Lost Lake Trail and down a whole bunch of other trails I didn't mean to take cuz I get lost in the snow so easily. But I haven't seen the view from Horse trail for quite some time, so that was a beautiful surprise.
Jan 11: 10 km tempo run in 43:47, 222 metre elev gain. Road loop including Summit Rd. Thirty seconds off my fastest 10 km race time, and my fastest non race 10 km time I've done. Not really sure how to use that as a benchmark for my current fitness though.
Jan 12: no run
Jan 13: 181 mins, 1340 metres elev gain, 28.9 km; long runfrom home to the greenway to angel springs up partway and back. I actually really didn't want to be running by the end of this run, the greenway is solid ice right now and I slipped and fell several times on the stairs.
Jan 14: 27 min, 5.11 km recovery run. Loop around the streets by home. I always get a kick out of how many weird looks I get when I'm out running with shorts on while its snowing.
Jan 15: 87 min, 520 metre elev gain, 10.69 km steady run from Bottom of angel springs trail at mcculloch rd to the springs and back. Beautiful day out, perfect conditions on this trail with no ice (other than the ice that lets me cross the creek), so many beautiful spots that make me wish I had taken my camera, even though a picture wouldn't do justice to the scenery.
Totals: 7 hrs 14 mins running time; 2,653 metres (8,704 feet) elev gain, 67.75 kms.
Spent more time running, but went less distance than last week, which is just fine.
"Geist" - been thinking about this idea ever since it was discussed in one of my classes earlier this week. It's an idea mentioned by a guy named G.W.F. Hegel commonly tranlsated to the words 'mind' and 'spirit' where Geist combines the idea of 'spirit' with human beings ablity for self determination. He discusses Geist within the idea that we represent our geist through the works of art that we create.
Sometimes I wonder if people lack 'geist' in todays society. Wandering through their days with little passion, doing nothing but what they are told to do by media conglomerates. But then when you talk to individuals they do seem to have much geist, challenging themselves to do amazing things. And sometimes I wonder if I'm better off not thinking about these sorts for things....
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Week ending Jan 8
Jan 2 - 8
Monday: off
Tuesday: 45 mins, 7.55 km, 500 metres elev gain, knox mtn trails.
Wednesday: 45 min, 9.51 km, 273 metre elev gain, hartman rd (2x) and back
Thursday: 31 min, 7 km, treadmill, then rowing and elyptical, and some weights and wind sprints at gym
Friday: 1 hr 22 min, 16.53 km, 370 metre elev gain, hilly loop on the roads around home
Saturday: 2 hrs 58 min, 32,62 km, 417 metre elev gain, loop around the city mid snow storm
Sunday: off
Totals: 6 hrs 23 min, 73.34 km, 1610 metre elev gain.
Last week of running with my own plans, starting tomorow I'm on a plan made by someone else. Stoked!
Monday: off
Tuesday: 45 mins, 7.55 km, 500 metres elev gain, knox mtn trails.
Wednesday: 45 min, 9.51 km, 273 metre elev gain, hartman rd (2x) and back
Thursday: 31 min, 7 km, treadmill, then rowing and elyptical, and some weights and wind sprints at gym
Friday: 1 hr 22 min, 16.53 km, 370 metre elev gain, hilly loop on the roads around home
Saturday: 2 hrs 58 min, 32,62 km, 417 metre elev gain, loop around the city mid snow storm
Sunday: off
Totals: 6 hrs 23 min, 73.34 km, 1610 metre elev gain.
Last week of running with my own plans, starting tomorow I'm on a plan made by someone else. Stoked!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Moments
I love that moment, 90 minutes into a run, with a snowstorm pounding down on you and inches of snow beneath your feet, with your face dripping wet from the snow melting as it drips from my eyebrows, when I feel like I can fly.
Those moments of apprehension when I look over the long hours of running laid out for me in my training plan; followed by the moments of inner conquering when I believe I can do it.
The moments spent stretching, after three hours of running, when I realise my mosh pit induced ankle injury is fully healed.
Those moments of apprehension when I look over the long hours of running laid out for me in my training plan; followed by the moments of inner conquering when I believe I can do it.
The moments spent stretching, after three hours of running, when I realise my mosh pit induced ankle injury is fully healed.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Why I run?....
I run from myself,
I run because I need to control something.
Chaotic environs lead to overwhelming desires for order,
This is Bad.
So I run, I channel all my desire for order into running, and leave the rest of my life as good as I can.
Nothing in the world should be controlled, so I try to exert control on the external worl I fail,
I must only attempt to control my physical limits.
---------------------------------
I wrote that sometime betweem 2009 and 2011, not sure when, I found it in an old notebook from school.
I run because I need to control something.
Chaotic environs lead to overwhelming desires for order,
This is Bad.
So I run, I channel all my desire for order into running, and leave the rest of my life as good as I can.
Nothing in the world should be controlled, so I try to exert control on the external worl I fail,
I must only attempt to control my physical limits.
---------------------------------
I wrote that sometime betweem 2009 and 2011, not sure when, I found it in an old notebook from school.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Weeks ending Jan 1, 2012
Dec 19 - 25:
Wed Dec 21: 20.41 km; 689 metre elev gain, home to end of greenway, lots of nice fresh powder to run in.
Dec 25 - Jan 1:
Mon Dec 26: walking on the KVR in Penticton
Tue Dec 27: hiking in the hobo trails in Penticton
Wed Dec 28: 44 mins, 9.1 km, 205 metre elev gain, hartman rd and gibson rd to home
Sat Dec 31: 2 hrs 38 min, 18.18 km, 1131 metre elev gain, trepanier park and pin cushion trails in Peachland.
Sun Jan 1: 4 hrs 25 min, 37.42 km, 1575 metre elev gain, greenway to mcculloch road, up june springs rd, up Little White Forest Service Road, down angel springs trail, and back via the end section of the greenway.
I saw this picture on the net on a running site the other day, got quite a laugh out of it as I had just seen a runner doing the whole bounce thing, and me, I just stare at the lights until the opposite one turns yellow and get amped because I know that means its almost time to go.
Christmas week didn't get much running in, I even took all my running stuff with me, but late nights and sleeping in took the win.
Planned on doing some longer runs on the new years weekend, it worked well to keep me out of trouble this year.
I got so lost running in Peachland.
I had seen this map a couple days before I went, but didn't have internet the morning of, so didn't really look at the map well. Actually, I started at the elementary school, took the only path that seemed like a trail and ended up doing some nice climbs. Got lost, like really lost. There were pink flags attached to random trees on each side of the creek, didn't feel right. So I turned around and I ended up on some crazy trail skirting the side face of a mountain face with horrible footing looking straight down into the creek (from the wrong side of the creek according to the map) my fear of heights was not doing well. So I cross the creek at some random spot, climbing the rock on all fours and am shimmying up the side of the mountain, probably a bad idea. So I end up running up some nice trails on the other peak, see some more random flagging and end up scaling the side of that mountain, but that flagging I guess was marking for where to cut down trees or something for some new subdivision, cut through there and made it to the pin cushion trail and proceeded to climb to the top of that mountain scared as shit as I'm 'running' up a trail covered in ice as I'm staring down more cliffs.
yearly totals
Running:
2011: 2096 km
2010: 2020 km
Biking
2011: 488 km
2010: 1243 km
Didn't run or bike as much as I had wanted to this year. Looking back at 2010 its amazing how your body adapts to the damage you do to it, I exercised a good amount and did some solid races, while at the same ruining my body. In the first quarter of 2011 I decided to stopped treating my body that way, and doing this I lost so much time for running, and my body did not adjust well in the beginning.
I went the whole year without a running injury, probably my first ever, but I did get a mosh pit ankle injury that is still nagging me a bit, and ended the last couple months finally rebuilding my base again. I bought a nicer road bike at the end of the summer so next year I should get in more biking. I'm already signed up for two big races in the summer, Fat Dog and Sinister, and a 50 km in March. Wanted the early one to keep me focused in the beginning of the year. Idle hands are the devils playground after all. Joined a running clinic for the new year, just to push my comfort zone and to learn more. Should be good.
And I've already planned the next four months of my life....
eat, sleep, go to school, run, study, run, study, eat .... and repeat.
Wed Dec 21: 20.41 km; 689 metre elev gain, home to end of greenway, lots of nice fresh powder to run in.
Dec 25 - Jan 1:
Mon Dec 26: walking on the KVR in Penticton
Tue Dec 27: hiking in the hobo trails in Penticton
Wed Dec 28: 44 mins, 9.1 km, 205 metre elev gain, hartman rd and gibson rd to home
Sat Dec 31: 2 hrs 38 min, 18.18 km, 1131 metre elev gain, trepanier park and pin cushion trails in Peachland.
Sun Jan 1: 4 hrs 25 min, 37.42 km, 1575 metre elev gain, greenway to mcculloch road, up june springs rd, up Little White Forest Service Road, down angel springs trail, and back via the end section of the greenway.
I saw this picture on the net on a running site the other day, got quite a laugh out of it as I had just seen a runner doing the whole bounce thing, and me, I just stare at the lights until the opposite one turns yellow and get amped because I know that means its almost time to go.
Christmas week didn't get much running in, I even took all my running stuff with me, but late nights and sleeping in took the win.
Planned on doing some longer runs on the new years weekend, it worked well to keep me out of trouble this year.
I got so lost running in Peachland.
I had seen this map a couple days before I went, but didn't have internet the morning of, so didn't really look at the map well. Actually, I started at the elementary school, took the only path that seemed like a trail and ended up doing some nice climbs. Got lost, like really lost. There were pink flags attached to random trees on each side of the creek, didn't feel right. So I turned around and I ended up on some crazy trail skirting the side face of a mountain face with horrible footing looking straight down into the creek (from the wrong side of the creek according to the map) my fear of heights was not doing well. So I cross the creek at some random spot, climbing the rock on all fours and am shimmying up the side of the mountain, probably a bad idea. So I end up running up some nice trails on the other peak, see some more random flagging and end up scaling the side of that mountain, but that flagging I guess was marking for where to cut down trees or something for some new subdivision, cut through there and made it to the pin cushion trail and proceeded to climb to the top of that mountain scared as shit as I'm 'running' up a trail covered in ice as I'm staring down more cliffs.
yearly totals
Running:
2011: 2096 km
2010: 2020 km
Biking
2011: 488 km
2010: 1243 km
Didn't run or bike as much as I had wanted to this year. Looking back at 2010 its amazing how your body adapts to the damage you do to it, I exercised a good amount and did some solid races, while at the same ruining my body. In the first quarter of 2011 I decided to stopped treating my body that way, and doing this I lost so much time for running, and my body did not adjust well in the beginning.
I went the whole year without a running injury, probably my first ever, but I did get a mosh pit ankle injury that is still nagging me a bit, and ended the last couple months finally rebuilding my base again. I bought a nicer road bike at the end of the summer so next year I should get in more biking. I'm already signed up for two big races in the summer, Fat Dog and Sinister, and a 50 km in March. Wanted the early one to keep me focused in the beginning of the year. Idle hands are the devils playground after all. Joined a running clinic for the new year, just to push my comfort zone and to learn more. Should be good.
And I've already planned the next four months of my life....
eat, sleep, go to school, run, study, run, study, eat .... and repeat.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Improvements
Almost 5 years ago, in my second half marathon road race ever I ran the race in 1 hr 54 min on a course that had a little bit of hills.
Today, I ran just under a half marathon in 1 hr 51 min on snow and ice covered trails with 2,260 metres elev gain feeling like I didn't really push myself past 75% race pace.
super duper
Today, I ran just under a half marathon in 1 hr 51 min on snow and ice covered trails with 2,260 metres elev gain feeling like I didn't really push myself past 75% race pace.
super duper
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Weeks ending Sunday Dec 18
Week ending Dec 11:
Monday: 2 hrs 8 min, 24.19 km (15.03 mi), 5:18 min/km (8:33 min/mi), hills. Home to the greenway, then to the end of scenic canyon park, back down the roads on McCulloch and back on the greenway. North end of greenway was quite icy. (No work)
Tuesday: 51 min, 12 km (7.46 mi), 4:18 min/km (6:56 min/mi), flat roads around the house, icy. (5 hours at work)
Wednesday: 55 min, 12 km (7.46 mi), 4:35 min/km (7:23 min/mi), hill repeats on Hartman rd, and then up Gibson and down to home. ( 6 hrs at work)
Thursday: Off. (5 hrs work)
Friday: Off. (5 hrs work)
Saturday: am, 2 hrs 50 min, 17.79 km (10.93 mi), 9:40 min/km (15:33 min/mi), run/hiking up divide lake trail with the sunrise, most of the trail was at least ankle deep in powder snow. 15 minutes of free weights at home after.
pm, 37 min, 7.99 km (4.96 mi), 4:43 min/km (7:35 min/mi), 97 metres (318 ft), elev gain, home to the greenway to scenic canyon park entrance and back. (no work)
Sunday: 42 min, 9 km (5.59 mi), 4:43 min/km (7:35 min/mi), 122 metres (400 ft) elev gain, home to rutland rd, to scenic park canyonj entrance and back via greenway. (6 hrs work)
Week totals: 8 hrs 23 min running, 82.75 km (51.43 miles)... (27 hrs work)
Week ending Dec 18:
Monday: 4 hrs 19 min, 43.34 km (26.93 mi), 5:59 min/km (9:38 min/mi), 1127 metres (3,698 ft) elev gain, rutland rd to the two t's hills, then hell hill trails after summit rd to knox mtn and then back via lakeshore and the greenway, end of the run sucked as I had planned to refill my pack with water at public washrooms at parks... but they were closed. (no work)
Tuesday: 23 min, 4.67 km (2.9 mi), 5:03 min/km (8:08 min/mi), 47 metres (154 ft) elev gain, loop on the roads around home. (11 hrs work).
Wednesday: off. (10 hours work)
Thursday: off. (13 hours work)
Friday: 1 hr 54 min, 19.44 km (12.08 mi), 5:52 min/km (9:28 min/mi), 684 metres (2,244 ft) elev gain, greenway to end of scenic canyon and back in solid pack snow and ankle deep powder. (5 hrs work)
Saturday: off. (7 hrs work)
Sunday: 57 min, 12.11 km (7.5 mi), 4:46 min/km (7:41 min/mi), 286 metres (938 ft) elev gain, greenway to the last bridge and back through rutland rd, icy conditions on the trails. (6 hrs work)
Week totals: 6 hrs 15 min running, 79.5 km (49.41 mi). 2,144 metres (7,034 ft) elev gain. (52 hrs work).
Monday: 2 hrs 8 min, 24.19 km (15.03 mi), 5:18 min/km (8:33 min/mi), hills. Home to the greenway, then to the end of scenic canyon park, back down the roads on McCulloch and back on the greenway. North end of greenway was quite icy. (No work)
Tuesday: 51 min, 12 km (7.46 mi), 4:18 min/km (6:56 min/mi), flat roads around the house, icy. (5 hours at work)
Wednesday: 55 min, 12 km (7.46 mi), 4:35 min/km (7:23 min/mi), hill repeats on Hartman rd, and then up Gibson and down to home. ( 6 hrs at work)
Thursday: Off. (5 hrs work)
Friday: Off. (5 hrs work)
Saturday: am, 2 hrs 50 min, 17.79 km (10.93 mi), 9:40 min/km (15:33 min/mi), run/hiking up divide lake trail with the sunrise, most of the trail was at least ankle deep in powder snow. 15 minutes of free weights at home after.
pm, 37 min, 7.99 km (4.96 mi), 4:43 min/km (7:35 min/mi), 97 metres (318 ft), elev gain, home to the greenway to scenic canyon park entrance and back. (no work)
Sunday: 42 min, 9 km (5.59 mi), 4:43 min/km (7:35 min/mi), 122 metres (400 ft) elev gain, home to rutland rd, to scenic park canyonj entrance and back via greenway. (6 hrs work)
Week totals: 8 hrs 23 min running, 82.75 km (51.43 miles)... (27 hrs work)
Week ending Dec 18:
Monday: 4 hrs 19 min, 43.34 km (26.93 mi), 5:59 min/km (9:38 min/mi), 1127 metres (3,698 ft) elev gain, rutland rd to the two t's hills, then hell hill trails after summit rd to knox mtn and then back via lakeshore and the greenway, end of the run sucked as I had planned to refill my pack with water at public washrooms at parks... but they were closed. (no work)
Tuesday: 23 min, 4.67 km (2.9 mi), 5:03 min/km (8:08 min/mi), 47 metres (154 ft) elev gain, loop on the roads around home. (11 hrs work).
Wednesday: off. (10 hours work)
Thursday: off. (13 hours work)
Friday: 1 hr 54 min, 19.44 km (12.08 mi), 5:52 min/km (9:28 min/mi), 684 metres (2,244 ft) elev gain, greenway to end of scenic canyon and back in solid pack snow and ankle deep powder. (5 hrs work)
Saturday: off. (7 hrs work)
Sunday: 57 min, 12.11 km (7.5 mi), 4:46 min/km (7:41 min/mi), 286 metres (938 ft) elev gain, greenway to the last bridge and back through rutland rd, icy conditions on the trails. (6 hrs work)
Week totals: 6 hrs 15 min running, 79.5 km (49.41 mi). 2,144 metres (7,034 ft) elev gain. (52 hrs work).
Thoughts on the year.
On a whim I registered for the 148 km Sinister 7 trail race in July next year. I've already been registered for the Fat Dog 120 mile race in August (was cancelled last year and my registration carried over to 2012) and I just registered for the Dirty Duo 50 km trail race. Also, in the new year I've registered for a running clinic, which will be the first time I've ever paid to learn about running, should be fun.
Not quite what I had in mind for the year, but it seems like some good goals to keep me busy for the year.
Here's an interesting quote.
"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. Their whims, fancies, and ambitions are thwarted at every step, but their inmost thoughts and desires are fed with their own food, be it foul or clean. The "divinity that shapes our ends" is in ourselves; it is our very self."
It's from this. http://wealthreader.com/book/as_a_man_thinketh
Last year I made some goals for 2011.
1. Finish my degree.
2. Don't do any drugs.
3. Finish the Schorched Sole 50 mile race in under 9:30
4. Finish the Fat Dog 100 mile race in under 32 hours.
5. Run every day.
Looks like I only managed one of those, and yet I still consider this year a great year.
5. Running every day lasted a whole 9 days, I push myself too hard sometimes to not include rest days in my exercise regime.
4. Race was cancelled due to snow.
3. Race was a much different course than the year before, finished in 13 hours, but a still very happy with that.
1. Still made a few too many life mistakes, didn't happen, but I'm ok with that.
2. YES! Not once. And this has been a wonderful achievement.
Goals are fun, but they always get made knowing that anything can happen and not acheiving your goals is ok, because sometimes other just as wonderful things come along, and as well sometimes shit happens and you deal with it and move on.
So onwards with the goals for next year which are totally ok if they don't get acheived and/or get changed within a short period of time anyway.
1. Finish degree.
2. Kick as much ass as possible in the running races I have planned, and the ones I register in.
3. Never drink so much that I get drunk. (This one may or may not get changed to something along the lines of 'only drink to the point of drunkeness on nights before days off work, that are also rest days from runs and limited to once a month) we shall see.
4. Volunteer at some races.
5. Have another year that is drug free.
6. Buy a piano.
7. Be more diligant in my 'daily practise'
8. Do some other stuff.
9. ________________________
10. ________________________
Not quite what I had in mind for the year, but it seems like some good goals to keep me busy for the year.
Here's an interesting quote.
"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. Their whims, fancies, and ambitions are thwarted at every step, but their inmost thoughts and desires are fed with their own food, be it foul or clean. The "divinity that shapes our ends" is in ourselves; it is our very self."
It's from this. http://wealthreader.com/book/as_a_man_thinketh
Last year I made some goals for 2011.
1. Finish my degree.
2. Don't do any drugs.
3. Finish the Schorched Sole 50 mile race in under 9:30
4. Finish the Fat Dog 100 mile race in under 32 hours.
5. Run every day.
Looks like I only managed one of those, and yet I still consider this year a great year.
5. Running every day lasted a whole 9 days, I push myself too hard sometimes to not include rest days in my exercise regime.
4. Race was cancelled due to snow.
3. Race was a much different course than the year before, finished in 13 hours, but a still very happy with that.
1. Still made a few too many life mistakes, didn't happen, but I'm ok with that.
2. YES! Not once. And this has been a wonderful achievement.
Goals are fun, but they always get made knowing that anything can happen and not acheiving your goals is ok, because sometimes other just as wonderful things come along, and as well sometimes shit happens and you deal with it and move on.
So onwards with the goals for next year which are totally ok if they don't get acheived and/or get changed within a short period of time anyway.
1. Finish degree.
2. Kick as much ass as possible in the running races I have planned, and the ones I register in.
3. Never drink so much that I get drunk. (This one may or may not get changed to something along the lines of 'only drink to the point of drunkeness on nights before days off work, that are also rest days from runs and limited to once a month) we shall see.
4. Volunteer at some races.
5. Have another year that is drug free.
6. Buy a piano.
7. Be more diligant in my 'daily practise'
8. Do some other stuff.
9. ________________________
10. ________________________
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Youtube
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
A couple vids
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...
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...
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.
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