Back At It

Went on my 6 mile route at the JRP.  Things felt good, although I've definitely lost some speed since I last did this route a few months ago.  Frustrating, but it gives me some great motivation to get my fitness back to where it should be.

46:17

Took it easy today since my legs aren't exactly feeling spry.  Getting back to running more frequently will change that.  Rest tomorrow then figure out something for Saturday.  The weather's not looking great so a trail run may be out of the question.

33:56

Was all I could do to even get out the door this morning.  I was really hoping to hit something in the double digits, but considering my mental state I'll take the hour or so of running I was able to get in.  Didn't take a watch so I'm not sure on the time.  Pushing to run at least 5 days this next week and hopefully that will get me out of the current funk I'm in.

I wanted to get some good vert on the mountain today, but when I left work and couldn't see it because of the storm rolling in, I wussed out.  If it would've been snow I probably would've gone, but it looked like rain... and I hate rain.  So instead I went to the gym and hit the treadmill.  Ugghhh.  It actually ended up being a very rewarding workout, and something I may have to consider doing more in the future.

11 x 2-minute repeats @ 8:00 min pace.  10% grade.  2-minute recovery between sets.

50:00 minutes total
1,950' vert (if you can trust the reading on a treadmill)
Hit 192 max heart rate, twice

Nice easy run out on the JRP.  Wanted to go a bit longer today but just didn't have the time.  Felt pretty good and my legs are starting to feel more and more responsive.  Can't believe it's taking me so long to get my groove back.

On a side note, my Altra Instincts (in the sick new black color) arrived today and I'm excited to test them out tomorrow.  I know I need to work into them, so I'll probably only do 2 or 3 miles tomorrow, but I'm excited to see how my legs and feet like them.  Oh yeah, and I'm taking a Crossfit class tomorrow night so that should be fun as well.  Just looking for ways to motivate myself and keep things interesting.

50:19

Test run with the new Instincts.  Really love the shoe, now I just need to work into it and practice a more proficient midfoot strike.

After the run I headed over to the local CrossFit gym for a workout.  I'm interested in building some strength and thought this would be a good way to do it since I could take a free class or two.  I got worked!  I don't think I'll go back though because the time commitment and cost are just too much.

18:37

Awesome race put on by Jun and Dorsimus.  I was a little worried about the weather but it turned out to be perfect running weather.  Had fun meeting people from the blog there as well.

I fell in behind Dorsimus for the first few miles then he started slowing so I moved ahead.  I felt like I was working way too hard for the speed I was going, but that's probably a combination of lackluster training the last couple months and extremely sore, tired legs from my stupid CrossFit workout on Thursday.  That was a really dumb idea two days before the "race".

Going up the Canyon Hollow trail I had nothing in my legs and actually ended up walking for a minute while I ate a gel, which I would never normally do.  Never really felt bad, I just didn't have much in my legs.  I powered my way through the climb and then cruised down Clark's which was an absolute mudfest.  It was actually a lot of fun.

I ran hard the final 3 miles on the BST only because I was scared of getting caught.  I thought for sure Jun or Dorsimus would catch me and embarrass me so I pushed it hard to the finish.  Had I looked at my watch I could've easily broken 2 hours, but I didn't look down til I stopped the thing.  Oh well.  Overall it was a great time and the BBQ after was fantastic.

2:00:09
1,900' vert

So today marks the first day of really working into the new Instincts.  I went out and really focused on good form and a good midfoot strike.  I gotta say, it felt a little awkward without the built up heel and I felt like I was tiptoeing through the run, even though I wasn't.  Calves felt nice and stretched out at the end.  Didn't wear a watch so no idea on the time.

Hoping to put in 2 or 3 days a week in these shoes til I can get some mileage built up.  Hoping that my legs continue to cooperate through the process.

Ran at an easy pace today to make sure I don't overdo things while working into my Altras.  Happened to run into my friend Scott in the parking lot and we ran the whole way together, which made it easy for me to keep my pace down.  Legs a bit sore afterward since I was focusing on midfoot striking again, only this time with my regular road shoes so I had the benefit of a more built-up heel to assist me.

59:26

Went bowhunting with my dad this morning.  We headed up the canyon and got started around 6 am; just in time to turn our headlamps out when we made it to the ridge.  Unfortunately, when we got up there the wind was blowing hard, which always makes for a tough day of hunting.  Add that to the fact that the deer aren't rutting yet and it makes things extra hard. 

We hiked around for a bit and did some glassing, but only saw a few deer out there.  I always enjoy getting up in the mountains this time of year, and the weather (aside from the wind) was perfect.  Didn't do much running, but felt like I got a nice workout in all the snow that's up there.

Matt and Craig called me up the other day to talk about a run we were planning to do today.  We were all pretty unmotivated though, so we drove to Chinese Gourmet and did a few laps to the buffet table instead.  Runners need to practice eating as well as running.

Got up today and felt like getting out instead of sitting on the couch.  Went up near Little Dell Reservoir to do some scouting so I took the binoculars along with me.  I didn't even need them because there was nothing up there.  The deer aren't doing much of anything right now other than sleeping under trees where I can't see them.

It started raining right when I got off work so I wussed out and hit the treadmill.  Did an interval workout in the Altras.  I've decided that intervals are the only way I can stand running on the treadmill.

5 minute warmup
15 minutes @ 10:00 pace on 10% incline
2 minute recovery
5 x 2 minute intervals @ 8:30 pace on 10% incline; 2 minute recovery between sets
5 minute cooldown

Easy 4 miles at the JRP.  Just trying to stay motivated through the weekend.

Slept in a little then went up to the BST in Sandy.  Did the HPHM 10K route in the Altras.  Calves were feeling pretty worked after but didn't have any problems.

59:26

Went up by Little Dell Reservoir to do some scouting.  I knew there would be a ton of people out doing the same thing today, but most of them were just sitting in their cars, glassing.  I decided I'd get out and put myself on top a certain mountain that allows me to have a 360 degree view of the surrounding area.  So I grabbed a bottle and my binoculars, then headed out.

The trail I took is not maintained at all and I was getting worked by all the oak brush in the area.  There are also a few sections where I just decided to bushwack so I could get certain views.  Came out with some gnarly scrapes on my legs (since I was in shorts) and even tried to put my eye out once on a branch.  Just as I made it to the top of my mountain it started to snow.  Since I was in shorts and a light jacket, I thought it would be best to get outta there as quickly as possible.

I really enjoy runs where I have a goal in sight and just go for it.  I secretly love bushwacking and having my legs destroyed by mother nature.  Masochist?  Maybe :)

I'm officially in a funk.  Maybe it's because I'm not signed up for any races at the moment and don't have that goal to look forward to.  Or could it be because I'm getting divorced?  Whatever it is, I had no desire to get out for a long run over the weekend.  Really, the only reason I got out today was to do more scouting and I was forced to do some running.  The hunt ends tomorrow so who knows what I'll use to motivate myself after that's over.

Normally I don't rant about my personal life here, but it's taking it's toll on me at the moment.  Just gotta figure out a way to get through December then the new year should kick me in the pants and get me going again.