The Monkey is really alive ... and strong ... and ready to beat down all who dare to challenge the Monkey! But the Monkey is dead to me for 2011.
I am a DNS for my favorite race - Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon - Nashville, TN. The course is a little sadistic - 3,500 feet of ups - 3,500 feet of downs on pavement. I do not love this course because it is a PR course, but because it is a worthy adversary.
Year #1 - I went toe to toe with the Monkey and although the Monkey won (3:00:46), it was an epic satisfying battle.
Year #2 - The Monkey batted me around and stomped on me (3:17:16).
I was looking forward to getting revenge this year. I feel I am in sub 3 "Monkey" shape and to me that would be a win vs. the Monkey.
The best part of the Monkey experience is drinking beer and socializing afterward with all my Monkey friends. The party starts immediately after the race with the Peoples' Buffet - Basically it is a pot luck and all the runners (200 strong) bring something to share. Beer starts flowing at noon - I guess there is a silly Tennessee law forbidding taping a keg before noon. After a short reprieve, the festivities continue at a local bar and restaurant past midnight. I always take Monday off to partake in the festivities.
About a week ago, my Boss told me we have an important meeting with out President & VPs to present our locations strategy of growth for the next 3-5 years. This meeting is on Monday after Monkey. This meeting I want to be at, this meeting I have to be at.
A choice had to be made. Do I drive 11 hours to Nashville Saturday, run the race Sunday and immediately pile in my car to drive 11 hours home ... or DNS Monkey. To run the race and drive home would mean I would still be pretty worn out ... for sure not very sharp Monday morning, so the choice became easy.
Monkey DNS!
I work for a company that is very tolerant, actually really supportive of my running hobby. They allows me great flexibility to fit in my training. One little running sacrifice seems a pittance compared to what I get in return.
Good running to all -
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Tweaky Hamstring Continued
Not much new to report.
I took it easy last Saturday - Tuesday, only logging 31 miles in 4 days in hopes of putting my tweaky right hamstring issue behind me. I really do not notice a change, I still have to stop ever speed workout or hill workout when it starts to bark at me. The 4 day lull did manage to leave me refreshed and hungry to continue to train.
I completed week # 2 of re-starting leg weights, lunges and core work. I do think eventually this will put the hamstring issue to bed, will help avoid future injuries and improve my form (Core).
The hamstring issue does not stop me from getting decent workouts in, it just cuts them short.
MON - 8 miles with 4 @ T
WED - 18 miles with 5x5 minutes @ 30 min race pace
FRI - 15 miles of hill loops (10 hill loops)
SUN - 16 miles with 3x2 miles @ T
Wednesday - I did the whole workout, but was pushing my luck. Friday I had hoped for 21 miles, but cut it short. Sunday's workout was planned at 4x2 miles and it was going smooth and easy until the end of #3 then it was obviously time to stop.
I do think by the end of November the issue will be over. I continue to make steady progress on increasing speed with taking 3-4 seconds a week out of all paces.
Good running to all!
I took it easy last Saturday - Tuesday, only logging 31 miles in 4 days in hopes of putting my tweaky right hamstring issue behind me. I really do not notice a change, I still have to stop ever speed workout or hill workout when it starts to bark at me. The 4 day lull did manage to leave me refreshed and hungry to continue to train.
I completed week # 2 of re-starting leg weights, lunges and core work. I do think eventually this will put the hamstring issue to bed, will help avoid future injuries and improve my form (Core).
The hamstring issue does not stop me from getting decent workouts in, it just cuts them short.
MON - 8 miles with 4 @ T
WED - 18 miles with 5x5 minutes @ 30 min race pace
FRI - 15 miles of hill loops (10 hill loops)
SUN - 16 miles with 3x2 miles @ T
Wednesday - I did the whole workout, but was pushing my luck. Friday I had hoped for 21 miles, but cut it short. Sunday's workout was planned at 4x2 miles and it was going smooth and easy until the end of #3 then it was obviously time to stop.
I do think by the end of November the issue will be over. I continue to make steady progress on increasing speed with taking 3-4 seconds a week out of all paces.
Good running to all!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tweaky Hamstring
I feel great - My legs have a lot of pep and my mind is loving training again.
But ... Every workout for the last 4 weeks is being limited by a tweaky hamstring. It results in a few less miles in long runs, fewer hill loop repeats and a less rep or 2 for speed workouts.
I find it interesting that I am limited to workouts that feel solid (good) but not great and yet overall I feel great and I am making nice weekly progress. I am starting to wonder if "Great" workouts are counter productive. Do they leave us older runners too beaten down to recover quickly enough for the next one?
My tweaky hamstring has brought me to this revelation ... but now that I see the light, it can go away. I have never suffered from any issues of the hamstring. This is just a mild case of either tight or a slightly pulled right hamstring. I will take my usual injury treatment route - Continue to train through it.
Good running to all!
But ... Every workout for the last 4 weeks is being limited by a tweaky hamstring. It results in a few less miles in long runs, fewer hill loop repeats and a less rep or 2 for speed workouts.
I find it interesting that I am limited to workouts that feel solid (good) but not great and yet overall I feel great and I am making nice weekly progress. I am starting to wonder if "Great" workouts are counter productive. Do they leave us older runners too beaten down to recover quickly enough for the next one?
My tweaky hamstring has brought me to this revelation ... but now that I see the light, it can go away. I have never suffered from any issues of the hamstring. This is just a mild case of either tight or a slightly pulled right hamstring. I will take my usual injury treatment route - Continue to train through it.
Good running to all!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Not training for a race
I continue to enjoy the training goodness ... But I have found something that I had previously lost.
When I started running, I just wanted to improve. Sure I raced, but no one race was important to me. Sometime between 2006-2008 I lost my way, I stopped training to become a better runner and started training to do the best I could in a particular race.
What's the difference?
If you only care about performance in a particular race you can make decisions that appear to help you achieve your goals for that race, but might be detrimental to you as a runner. One example of this is Leadville - I would do 3 hill focused workouts per week - but no speed work. 24 hour racing - I still did speed, but too many times to count I would make decisions of distance or total mileage over speed and hills ... what are hills.
When you train for a race, race day come and goes. There is always a mental let down and I will try and find another race to train for. In the past few years this has led me to yo-yo into extremes of fitness levels.
So, once again I am not training for any particular races. I am training to just improve as a runner. This may lead me to be a jack of all trades, but a master of none, or may lead to new PRs ... We will see. But I am looking forward to the variety.
Good running to all -
When I started running, I just wanted to improve. Sure I raced, but no one race was important to me. Sometime between 2006-2008 I lost my way, I stopped training to become a better runner and started training to do the best I could in a particular race.
What's the difference?
If you only care about performance in a particular race you can make decisions that appear to help you achieve your goals for that race, but might be detrimental to you as a runner. One example of this is Leadville - I would do 3 hill focused workouts per week - but no speed work. 24 hour racing - I still did speed, but too many times to count I would make decisions of distance or total mileage over speed and hills ... what are hills.
When you train for a race, race day come and goes. There is always a mental let down and I will try and find another race to train for. In the past few years this has led me to yo-yo into extremes of fitness levels.
So, once again I am not training for any particular races. I am training to just improve as a runner. This may lead me to be a jack of all trades, but a master of none, or may lead to new PRs ... We will see. But I am looking forward to the variety.
Good running to all -
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Glacial 50k race report
Glacial 50M / 50k never disappoints. A beautiful day running in the fall colors, followed by hanging out in the afternoon sun and drinking a few beers with friends (old and new). I managed to keep the effort below race pace - But a strong paced training run.
A huge shout out for Cassie Scallon - Another amazing race. She won the 50k race outright setting a new course record. I did not see her time, but maybe 4:15 She already set the 50 mile course record in 2010 (7:45). Although this is not a huge race, it is 25 years old and some great women have toed the line though the years ... I would expect to see more of her at the top end of race results in the near future!
Also a big congrats to my friend Craig Redfearn, who slowed down to run with me for the 1st 8ish miles. He went on to a solid 4th OA finish in 4:33. I ran my 1st ultra ever with Craig at the 50 mile version of this race back in 2006.
My time = 4:52 - 2:27 out and a 2:25 back in. I was very happy that I signed up for the 50k, as the cool, sunny morning gave way to afternoon heat.
If you love really well run, smaller races with a home town feel - This race is a must do.
Good running to all -
A huge shout out for Cassie Scallon - Another amazing race. She won the 50k race outright setting a new course record. I did not see her time, but maybe 4:15 She already set the 50 mile course record in 2010 (7:45). Although this is not a huge race, it is 25 years old and some great women have toed the line though the years ... I would expect to see more of her at the top end of race results in the near future!
Also a big congrats to my friend Craig Redfearn, who slowed down to run with me for the 1st 8ish miles. He went on to a solid 4th OA finish in 4:33. I ran my 1st ultra ever with Craig at the 50 mile version of this race back in 2006.
My time = 4:52 - 2:27 out and a 2:25 back in. I was very happy that I signed up for the 50k, as the cool, sunny morning gave way to afternoon heat.
If you love really well run, smaller races with a home town feel - This race is a must do.
Good running to all -
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Glacial 50 Mile / 50k Preview
Great classic trail race - You should run it!
The glacial 50M / 50K is a "Runners Race". Not a lot of hype or frills. There are 7 aide stations for the 50 mile race - You need either 2 handhelds or a camelback for water. The course has a nice mix of terrain: Relentless ups and downs, grassy meadows, rocks and roots, Smooth through the pines. Over all the most common terrain is lots of small hills with rocks and roots. If you have ADD and lose your focus often, you will fall often.
Aide stations volunteers are very helpful. The aide stations are stocked with everything you need, but not a lot more. The finish line food is typically soup, chili, sandwiches with soda and water. Last year there was a couple coolers of really good beer. People tend to hang out after the race - either out in the sun or inside and chat. Very relaxed atmosphere and laid back race.
One nice feature is they hand out awards as you cross the finish line.
Although an hour from my house, I consider this my home course. I have ran different parts of this course 15-18 times this year. So I signed up for the 50k this Saturday, not to race, but to support this great race and to enjoy a beautiful fall day on the trail. Weather forecast is for 50 at start and around 70 at the finish.
The 50k is stacked this year. I see at least 2 women that would "chick" me even if I was running all out: Christine Crawford (Hope she is strong after struggling with injury for a long time) and Cassie Scallon (The 50 mile course record holder). A nice field of men also ... but my goal is not to race. I hope to be around 5 hours, but if I am slower it is ok. I consider this a training run for my next marathon - The infamous Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon.
Good running to all -
The glacial 50M / 50K is a "Runners Race". Not a lot of hype or frills. There are 7 aide stations for the 50 mile race - You need either 2 handhelds or a camelback for water. The course has a nice mix of terrain: Relentless ups and downs, grassy meadows, rocks and roots, Smooth through the pines. Over all the most common terrain is lots of small hills with rocks and roots. If you have ADD and lose your focus often, you will fall often.
Aide stations volunteers are very helpful. The aide stations are stocked with everything you need, but not a lot more. The finish line food is typically soup, chili, sandwiches with soda and water. Last year there was a couple coolers of really good beer. People tend to hang out after the race - either out in the sun or inside and chat. Very relaxed atmosphere and laid back race.
One nice feature is they hand out awards as you cross the finish line.
Although an hour from my house, I consider this my home course. I have ran different parts of this course 15-18 times this year. So I signed up for the 50k this Saturday, not to race, but to support this great race and to enjoy a beautiful fall day on the trail. Weather forecast is for 50 at start and around 70 at the finish.
The 50k is stacked this year. I see at least 2 women that would "chick" me even if I was running all out: Christine Crawford (Hope she is strong after struggling with injury for a long time) and Cassie Scallon (The 50 mile course record holder). A nice field of men also ... but my goal is not to race. I hope to be around 5 hours, but if I am slower it is ok. I consider this a training run for my next marathon - The infamous Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon.
Good running to all -
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
My favorite time of year - Fall running
Fall is my favorite time of year to run. The temps are 30s-60s, the winds are usually light and the trees are beautiful. The running part of me wishes it could be fall all of the time. I appreciate living in Wisconsin and the different experience of each season. Would fall really be as wonderful if it not for the exit of the heat and humidity of summer or the inevitable approach of the wind, ice and bitter cold of winter?
I am enjoying running through the goodness of fall. No impending doom of goal races I am not trained to run or silly expectations of huge improvements from training. Just the crunch of the leaves under foot, the morning frost on vehicles windows, the noisy geese heading south and me running ... running because it makes me happy.
Good running to all -
I am enjoying running through the goodness of fall. No impending doom of goal races I am not trained to run or silly expectations of huge improvements from training. Just the crunch of the leaves under foot, the morning frost on vehicles windows, the noisy geese heading south and me running ... running because it makes me happy.
Good running to all -
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