Back At It

Double summit of Timp on the Timpooneke trail.  I was hoping for back-to-back 3:45 round trip times for a total of 7:30.  Ended up going way too fast for the first summit but I still held things together for the second trip.  I may write something up on my personal blog in the next day or two when I have some time.  For now, here's the numbers...

Trip1
2:01:01 up
1:21:46 down
3:22:47 round trip

Trip2
2:19:12 up
1:32:14 down
3:51:26 round trip

7:14:13 total
9,200' vert

Went to the JRP and ran with my friend Scott.  It was a nice break running a bit slower.  Also nice wearing all black and getting a little heat training in as well.  I'm super busy this week and hoping I can get in at least one more day before my pacing duties Friday night.

1:06:15
little vert

Found some time to get out to the JRP again.  Legs are feeling good and my achilles is finally stretching back out.  Hasn't been bothering me badly, but it's been a bit of an annoyance the last week or two.  Nothing like some easy miles to get feeling good again.  Now it's time to rest up for pacing at Wasatch Friday night.  Really looking forward to it.

49:15
little vert

I paced Darrell Phippen from Brighton to the finish at the Wasatch 100.  You can read all about it HERE.

Went out to the JRP for a test run on the new kicks.  My current trail shoe is the La Sportiva Wildcat.  It's been a good shoe for me, but it's not quite wide enough and it's a bit on the heavy side so I'm looking for something wider and lighter to move into in the offseason.  I went to Wasatch Running to check out several shoes I'd had my eye on for awhile.  However, of all the shoes I'd researched, I didn't love a single one of them.  Actually, I take that back... I do love the Altra's, but they don't make half sizes and a 12 is too small, and I slide around too much in a 13.  Go figure. 

So what happened?  Well, I ended up getting a pair of Montrail Rogue Racers.  They shave 4 ounces off my current shoe, have 3mm less drop and they're wider.  Pretty good tradeoff if you ask me.  I'm definitely going to have to work into the shoe though.  After my 4 miler today, my calves were a little tight.  Of course that could be a product of my weekend pacing duties as well, but I'm glad I didn't go any further.

Averaged 6:53 pace on the way out, 8:32 on the way back.

22:18
little vert

Went up for a hike to Cecret Lake with a friend.  We started at the bottom parking lot that sits just above Snowbird, so the distance is a total guess based on the time it took to slow jog down.  I've never been on this trail before and I was impressed with how beautiful the area is.  Not really much of a hike though; it's more like a walk.

Didn't clock the time going up so not sure on total time.
Around 900' vert

Went on my 6 mile route at the JRP.  I'm really enjoying this transition to fall.  Seems like we might actually have a fall this year instead of jumping straight to winter.  Hoping to put in 10 to 12 on Saturday then run the first few days next week before resting up for the race.  Getting amped for The Bear!

49:17
little vert

Butler Fork loop with the Dog Lake add-on.  Kept the pace really easy today since I'm trying to stay rested for the race next week.  I also spent the day completely soaked from the waist down due to the heavy rainfall last night.  It didn't bother me too much, but I did get really cold a few times.

1:48:55
2,000' vert

Went to the JRP to stretch the legs out.  I was planning on doing around 6 or so, but my stomach was a mess so I cut it to 4.  Other than the stomach, I felt great the entire way.  I'm hoping rested legs will serve me well on Friday.

29:57
little vert

Tried to get out but time got the best of me.  A project I'm heading at work has to be finished by the time I leave Wednesday, so I've been slammed. 

Thursday - taking work off and heading to Logan for the check-in. 

Friday/Saturday - race

Sunday thru Wednesday - work conference in New Orleans

Should be a very interesting week!

Full report HERE

I fully intend on writing up a nice race report, but I'm out of town right now.  Hopefully I'll have some time in the next few days.  Here's a few things that happened to keep you interested til I put up a full report:

• The first 30 miles flew by.  I felt decent, but not great.   Kept a steady pace to stay about 15 minutes up on my splits for my goal of a 24 hour finish.
• Miles 30 - 45 were tough due to the heat, but I stuck it out and kept the 15 minutes I had on my splits.
• Miles 45 - 70 were when my first blisters started to appear.  They continually got worse throughout the day, but I can live with blisters.
• Between 70 & 75 I got lost.  I was tired and just missed the trail.  Had to shut out my light and wait 7 - 8 minutes til the next person came into the area, then I followed them to the aid station.  My quads were also dead and my left IT Band started hurting.
• From 75 - 85 I decided to take my sweet time at the aid stations.  I mentally gave up on my goal of 24 hours and just wanted a finish so I tried to enjoy the experience by taking a little more time at the stations.
• I asked my dad to come along from 85 to the finish and it was great having him. 
• At about mile 87 I smacked my shin on a rock and I'm now walking with a limp (still).  I really hope I don't have a hairline fracture in the bone, but I'm waiting til I get home to decide whether or not to see a doctor. 
• At about mile 90 we got lost for about 45 minutes due to someone sabotaging the markers.  We worked with several other runners to find the trail again and my dad made an arrow out of sticks so that other runners wouldn't make the same mistake we did.
• The descent from 93 to the finish was unbearable.  My shin was killing me, my IT Band would start stabbing me every time I slowed or stopped, but I eventually made it to the finish and I finished strong.

Obviously I'm disappointed with not reaching my goal (especially since I was on target thru 70), but I'm happy that I stuck it out and was able to finish.  Congrats to all finishers on a really tough day out there.