Thanksgiving Training

This week I pressed forward with training as usual, even on Thanksgiving Day. I did have to modify my cross-training activities to fit with the holiday, however. My usual spin and yoga classes were only held on Monday and Wednesday, not Friday, so I improvised my own yoga Friday morning, but basically had a rest day. Thursday I attended the Timp Tri Club spin and a movie for two hours before my regular run, which was in daylight (but still quite cold).

[Left: frozen stream crossing] This week was cold! Tuesday was around freezing, and Thursday was in the high 20's (although the sun did warm it up some). I was able to do a decent time Tuesday, but did my best post-recovery run on Thursday (33:39 for 4 miles, or a 8:25 min/mile average).

Saturday was a great run. It was in the 20's in the shade when I started up, and I began to question if I had sufficiently layered myself, but as soon as I was in the sun, it was perfect. I wore two pairs of socks (Injinjis covered by SmartWool) and that seemed to keep the blisters from coming on, however my toes felt a little cramped (socks too tight?). I ran up Grove Creek to Indian Springs and back, and then did it again. A single loop is 6 miles and 2400 feet elevation, so doubling it gave me a 12 mile and 4800 feet elevation workout. [Right: elevation vs. heart rate over time] It took me 1:30 to do the first loop, I spent 2 minutes in the parking lot refueling (mini-aid station in my car), and took 1:36 to do the second loop. Above the bridge (mile 2) there are several stream crossings, and they were mostly frozen over. When I got to the higher meadows, they were covered with a layer of frost. It was still pretty cold on the second loop, but was warming up. My conditioning tights are still holding up from last winter, so I'm still using those.

Week Two of Training

This is my second week back to full running. I have to say that it felt really good. I ran twice during the week, 4 miles each time, and did ok. I'm still a little slow on the first half, but have been getting better on the second half time-wise. Tuesday morning I overdressed and was really hot for the last mile. Thursday morning, as I was crossing a four-way stop, a truck towing a trailer decided not to stop and accelerate in front of me, making me stop inches away as he sped by. [right: looking south from near the turn around. Start was in the valley below]

Saturday I went back up Grove Creek doing a nine mile round trip, with 3000 foot elevation climb to the turn around. I power walked up in my best time reaching Indian Springs (3 miles) in 58 minutes. I was able to open up and run back, covering the 4.5 miles in about 40 minutes. Total time was 2:06:00. Near the end I was beginning to feel some fatigue, and a few sore muscles, so nine miles was probably the right distance that day. It was a beautiful day, some clouds and perfect temperature for running. I brought my gloves but didn't wear them, and wore a long sleeved technical shirt over a short sleeved shirt. I put moleskin on my left heel, but it worked down a little and I got a blister that broke (about quarter sized). The quick walking uphill has been causing blisters there, so I need to figure out a good solution.

Back To Running

After a prolonged recovery from the Bear (~six weeks), I am back again to running. It was difficult starting again, mentally and physically, but it feels good to be back on the road and trail.

Tuesday I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and Thursday I ran 4 miles on the road. Saturday, I went up Grove Creek for 3 miles and 2400 feet of elevation power walking to Indian Springs, and returned with a gentle run. I'm still feeling some muscle soreness Sunday evening, however my injury seems to be doing well. I took Sam with me and he paced me some, keeping me from pushing too hard. [Left: Sam on the trail at Indian Springs]

This week is more of the same, with 4 miles on Tuesday and Thursday each, and I'm looking to increase to 9 miles on Saturday. With a 50k looming on January 26, I need to build my base mileage up fairly quickly. As usually, I'll do spinning and yoga on Monday, Wednesday and Friday to cross train, as well as to build strength and fitness coming out of recovery.

First Week of Training

This past week was my first real week of training since the Bear. I went to spin class and yoga on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and walked/jogged on the treadmill for Tuesday and Thursday. I got 3.1 miles in on Tuesday and 4 miles in on Thursday in around 42 minutes. Saturday I did a 4.2 mile hike up Grove Creek with Sam at a leisurely pace (about 1500 feet elevation).

This next week I'm getting back into running outside. In order to be ready for the 50k on January 26, I need to get back into longer training runs pretty quick. I plan jog/run 4 miles on Tuesday and Thursday, then 6 miles on Saturday up Grove Creek again. We'll see how my injury holds out.