So...after quite a while with no posts, here I am again. I have been training fairly consistently since the first of the year, with a goal of running Rainier to Ruston, a fifty-miler that starts on Mount Rainier and ends at Ruston (bet you couldn't have guessed that from the name, huh?) which is in Tacoma, WA. It is mostly downhill, with a good mix of single track, paved rail-trail and roads. I have officially jumped in with both feet and paid my entry fee.
I have to admit that I have been really lax with my long runs, but since I have paid my 60 dollars and I don't want to DNF (last would be fine....) I am ramping them up. Tomorrow I will hit the treadmill one last time, do an 11 on the loop that starts out my front door on Saturday, then be exclusively an outdoor runner from that point on. This is kind of by default really - as a result of the "sequester" the hours at the base gym where I have been running on treadmills have been cut so my early morning workouts there are gone. No real problem - the main reason I like the treadmill is so I can work on pace awareness. I have some nice somewhat hilly routes mapped out around the base (I love MapMyRun!) so I will be hitting those starting Monday, and since next Friday is my regular day off (every other week I have a three day weekend) I will continue doing back-to-back long runs. I have done a few, not nearly enough.... I will probably adopt a run/walk schedule like the one I read about recently in "Run Right Now: by Joe Henderson: 30 minutes running, 3 minutes walking, plus really working on my long runs. It's only two and a half months away so I better get my caboose out on the road.
The other "advantage" I think I am giving myself is I am going more raw and vegan with my diet. I do seem to have more energy when I stick to it. It's kind of hard since I am the only one in the household doing it, and I do 99% of the cooking so I get tempted to try what I am cooking for Shirley and the boys, and I really struggle with being the cleanup detail - taking the leftovers to work for my lunch, or just cleaning the boy's plates when they don't finish. I am adjusting my recipes so there are fewer leftovers to help with that problem, and working to maintain my willpower!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
OUCH OUCH OUCH! OH %^$&#@% THAT HURTS!!!!!
I don't know if it was fatigue from the long run, or when I twisted while unloading groceries from the car several hours later or a combination of both, but my lower back started spasming very, very painfully in the evening of the Sunday I did my 11-miler. I couldn't stand, I couldn't sit. lying down was OK but getting up really hurt. I missed work on that Monday because I couldn't bend down to pull my pants up. I actually made it to work the next day, but only lasted two hours (I am so thankful I have a job with sick leave!!!). Ibuprofen wouldn't touch it, percocet helped but put me to sleep, Flexeril gave me no relief at all; ice was good as long as I was on it, but as soon as I tried to get up the pain was back full force. I tried walking at work, a total of about 3 miles between work sites and the shop, on Wednesday but was crippled up the next day. Eventually I wrapped my foam roller with my heating pad and laid on that, massaging and rolling for hours... That helped a lot - foam rollers really are your best friend! A few days of that, and I was able to touch my toes but even now it feels sore and heavy. I walked very little on Monday, about 3.5 miles Tuesday and maybe 2 today and can still touch my toes. so I am going to attempt a very easy run tomorrow morning and if that goes well (and I can build my front steps over the rest of the day) I will try another long run on Saturday.
I don't EVER want to hurt that bad again so I am going to build a LOT more core and back exercises into my crosstraining routine. I had been doing some planks and ab work on a kind-of haphazard basis, but obviously that didn't prevent my back problems, so I plan to make it a more central part of my cross training. I will report back after tomorrow's run...
I don't EVER want to hurt that bad again so I am going to build a LOT more core and back exercises into my crosstraining routine. I had been doing some planks and ab work on a kind-of haphazard basis, but obviously that didn't prevent my back problems, so I plan to make it a more central part of my cross training. I will report back after tomorrow's run...
Monday, July 9, 2012
Aiming for consistency
I am into my 16 week marathon buildup. My overall goal, of course, is to finish the Poulsbo marathon, and feel strong at the finish. My "secret" goal is to get close to 4 hours. Probably not too realistic since I haven't run that distance since 1995. Using my most recent half-marathon time as a predictor puts me at more like 5 (double your half time and add 20 minutes = 5:02). But....I am really trying to be more consistent and and build my fitness to better than what it was for the Heroes half last year. For that race I really only "trained" for the month before the race and my longest run was only around 8 miles. At least now I have been running more consistently and following more of a plan.
I ran the Hansville loop (11 miles) for the first time yesterday. I'm not sure why I have felt so intimidated by that particular route: maybe it was the climbs - totalling all of 400 feet or so, or the traffic (some parts have no shoulder and fairly heavy traffic) but I finally just went for it. It really wasn't bad at all. My left calf started cramping at about 7 miles but I kept running - it was sore at the end and still very slightly sore today. Tried a Vega gel during the run - they are pretty good, and I definitely felt a boost after eating it.
I think next time I run it I will stash a bottle of water about halfway and maybe avoid the cramp...
I ran the Hansville loop (11 miles) for the first time yesterday. I'm not sure why I have felt so intimidated by that particular route: maybe it was the climbs - totalling all of 400 feet or so, or the traffic (some parts have no shoulder and fairly heavy traffic) but I finally just went for it. It really wasn't bad at all. My left calf started cramping at about 7 miles but I kept running - it was sore at the end and still very slightly sore today. Tried a Vega gel during the run - they are pretty good, and I definitely felt a boost after eating it.
I think next time I run it I will stash a bottle of water about halfway and maybe avoid the cramp...
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Snags and slowdowns
I finally got an MRI of my right knee, being concerned about the "lump" I've been feeling for the past year. My orthopedist was completely unconcerned about it, dismissing it as a cyst. It only occasionally causes me any discomfort and doesn't impact my running so I guess I am not too worried about it, either. He then pointed out the slightly frayed meniscus and very minor evidence of osteoarthritis. His next words: "you should stop running". Hmph.... I think that the frayed meniscus might just as easily be an artifact of hyperextending my knee a couple of years ago while out on a trail run rather than a result of running wear-and-tear. I am stronger, better balanced and more agile, now.
The only reason I'm not running at present is the cataract surgery I had on Monday, the second of April. I have enough trouble with my eyes (thanks for giving my brother and I BB guns, Dad... I have been enjoying that particular gift for 50 years) that I am not willing to risk jarring anything or causing other problems by going out for a run till I get an OK from my opthamologist. I went out for a short walk with a weight vest the day after the surgery, and have been walking consistently since then. Hopefully after my next doctor visit on Wednesday I will be able to put in some easy miles. That will give me a couple of weeks of running till the surgery on my right eye - walk a couple of weeks then back to running in mid-May.
That shouldn't impact my plans to run Poulsbo in October too badly - I might have to look at just finishing feeling strong, rather than setting any kind of PR, but that is OK. My goals are more long-term, anyway.
The only reason I'm not running at present is the cataract surgery I had on Monday, the second of April. I have enough trouble with my eyes (thanks for giving my brother and I BB guns, Dad... I have been enjoying that particular gift for 50 years) that I am not willing to risk jarring anything or causing other problems by going out for a run till I get an OK from my opthamologist. I went out for a short walk with a weight vest the day after the surgery, and have been walking consistently since then. Hopefully after my next doctor visit on Wednesday I will be able to put in some easy miles. That will give me a couple of weeks of running till the surgery on my right eye - walk a couple of weeks then back to running in mid-May.
That shouldn't impact my plans to run Poulsbo in October too badly - I might have to look at just finishing feeling strong, rather than setting any kind of PR, but that is OK. My goals are more long-term, anyway.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Starting again, again...
So I basically took the last 4 months months off. I was tired all the time; just feeling worn out. I finally got around to getting physical and complained to my doctor about it... my vitamin D levels were low and I have a sizeable cyst on the inside of my right knee (when I first noticed it all kinds of scary "tumor" thoughts ran through my head, but it still took me a couple of months to work up to talking to a doctor about it), testosterone levels low but in normal range...
I started taking 5000 units a day of vitamin D3, but I think the biggest problem was unrecognized stress surrounding my work situation: the mill where I was working was up for sale, and even though there was a potential buyer in negotiations the future there was rather uncertain. In the end the sale fell thruough and the owners of the mill decided to close and lay everyone off. It worked out OK, though - I was able to move directly to a new job - severed/laid off on a Friday, Dec 30, started the new job on Tuesday, Jan 3 ($5 less an hour, though...).
The new job has a few benefits, though, the first of which is no more ferry commute! This gives me an 'extra' hour to hour-and-a-half a day, which I have been using to run and cross-train in the mornings. The second thing, which I really just started appreciating today, is being able to breathe. My last job was at a pulp and paper mill where there was nasty chemical vapors(sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, chlorine dioxide...) and an unendung supply of very fine paper dust. I would wake up in the morning very congested with my sinuses feeling like they were stuffed with steel wool. Without the nose full of dust I am able to wake up breathing freely, and go through the day without a continuously dripping nose. I work an alternate work schedule which gives me a three-day weekend every other week. I work for the federal government, so I have every federal holiday off as well.
I am back to base building, though I have been doing some short (3-4 mile) tempo and progression runs as well. My goal is to work toward a mid-to-late summer marathon, another fall marathon and all the while building my mileage in order to complete the necessary 100 milers in 2013 and early 2014 (H.U.R.T. comes to mind...)
Less stress, more time to run (I am hoping to add a second run a couple days a week starting in April), actually being able to breathe.... It feels good to be able to run again and feel like I have the energy to move forward.
I started taking 5000 units a day of vitamin D3, but I think the biggest problem was unrecognized stress surrounding my work situation: the mill where I was working was up for sale, and even though there was a potential buyer in negotiations the future there was rather uncertain. In the end the sale fell thruough and the owners of the mill decided to close and lay everyone off. It worked out OK, though - I was able to move directly to a new job - severed/laid off on a Friday, Dec 30, started the new job on Tuesday, Jan 3 ($5 less an hour, though...).
The new job has a few benefits, though, the first of which is no more ferry commute! This gives me an 'extra' hour to hour-and-a-half a day, which I have been using to run and cross-train in the mornings. The second thing, which I really just started appreciating today, is being able to breathe. My last job was at a pulp and paper mill where there was nasty chemical vapors(sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide, chlorine dioxide...) and an unendung supply of very fine paper dust. I would wake up in the morning very congested with my sinuses feeling like they were stuffed with steel wool. Without the nose full of dust I am able to wake up breathing freely, and go through the day without a continuously dripping nose. I work an alternate work schedule which gives me a three-day weekend every other week. I work for the federal government, so I have every federal holiday off as well.
I am back to base building, though I have been doing some short (3-4 mile) tempo and progression runs as well. My goal is to work toward a mid-to-late summer marathon, another fall marathon and all the while building my mileage in order to complete the necessary 100 milers in 2013 and early 2014 (H.U.R.T. comes to mind...)
Less stress, more time to run (I am hoping to add a second run a couple days a week starting in April), actually being able to breathe.... It feels good to be able to run again and feel like I have the energy to move forward.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Changing...directions or something
I have decided to change my focus a little. Instead of trying for a specific distance on a run, I am trying to just think about 'running'...just getting out on the road or trail on a consistent basis. So for now at least my goal will be to just get out at least 3 days a week. I went out yesterday on my usual short evening loop...it was kind of fun - not worrying about anything other than the act of running. I plan to get out on the trail - the Hansville Greenway trail - on Sunday. The rainy season will be upon us soon and it might be the last opportunity to run it without slogging through the mud. I am struggling against thinking about/planning/training for any specific event and just working toward consistency.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
OMG that was hard!!!!
Way back in April I made plans to do the Roots/Rocks 50K on September 4th. Since my training has been so spotty and my recovery from long or hard runs so poor I decided to give it a pass and try for the Poulsbo marathon instead. When I was looking at doing the 50K I took a vacation day for the 6th, knowing I would need some rest afterward. Because I wasn't doing the race I decided to get a long trail run in instead.
I chose a loop around the Gray Wolf River canyon, a few miles upriver from where I did my birthday run last year. 16.8 miles on the map. The map showed part of the loop as "primitive trail" so I decided to make that my start, since I would be tired at the end and it might be more difficult to follow a less developed trail. I needn't have worried about that, since it was just as well defined and maintained as all the rest.
I started out from the Slab Camp trailhead on the Deer Ridge trail, westbound toward Deer Park. Looking at trail information at the trailhead: almost 2300 feet of elevation gain, steep (35% grade in places), no water available... Perfect (I thought)! I started climbing almost from the start and yes it was very steep in some places; no switchbacks, just continuous climbing up to the ridge; the 2300' comes in the first 3 miles or so. Along the way I picked up a squadron of very annoying big black flies circling around me - not biting but just buzzing circles around me. I tried outrunning them but with the climbing and the fact that a nine minute mile seems "fast" to me nowadays - no luck there. As I got up onto the ridge and the trail leveled out a breeze picked up which helped get rid of them - either that or they just got tired of laughing at this slow old guy on their trail.
Cruising along the ridge I realized how far below me the river was, meaning the next section would be all down hill. At the 4.5 mile point I turned onto the trail to Three Forks and discovered just how steep - it was even steeper the the first part of the Deer Ridge, with lots of switchbacks. I figured I could make up some time after the slow up-climb of the previous section so I tried to use gravity to my advantage. After a couple of miles though my quads demanded I slow down so it became a slow jog. Near the bottom I met an older woman with a full pack headed up...I felt sorry for her, knowing what she was going to be carrying that pack up.
All the way down the 4.3 miles from the Deer Ridge Trail to Three Forks and during the 10 minutes or so I spent there eating a PBJ I had this fantasy that once I got to the Gray Wolf River trail that it would be like the section I know down around Two Mile and Cliff camps; just gently rolling as it follows the river and that I could make up some time... HAH!! Almost as soon I crossed the Graywolf the trail started climbing again, topping out at least a thousand feet or more above the river (so much I couldn't even hear the river after a while), and then back down to the river at Camp Tony, total of 4.9 miles for that leg.
That just left 3.1 miles from Camp Tony back to the trail head, and more climbing... This section, along Slide Creek, is more like the Gray Wolf Trail lower down - rolling through the woods. But it is also 940 feet of more climbing back to the trailhead. Luckily not as steep but still pretty much continuously uphill.
What I liked about this "run": first that I actually completed it! It was very tough - I certainly didn't set any speed records but I managed to go the whole distance; Second - it is really beautiful! The views of the mountains and valleys, with some snow still up on the peaks, from the Deer Ridge trail alone are worth it (you can get the views the easy way by driving to Deer Park and taking the trail in the opposite direction and skip the climbing). I like that after I while I noticed that I wasn't talking to myself, thinking about what I was going to write in this blog, blah, blah, blah...and just experiencing the trail and the run. I loved how rejuvenating just a small handful of ripe red huckleberries can be, and the icy cold of the stream I soaked my feet in at the trailhead before I changed into riding clothes to head home on my motorcycle.
I'm glad I took the counterclockwise direction - that steep downhill on the Deer Ridge trail would have been really, really tough after climbing on the Graywolf trail only to climb again from Three Forks toward Deer Park.... Maybe that should be a goal - work toward being in good enough condition that I could feel comfortable attempting it in a clockwise rotation.... Hmmm...maybe next year!
I chose a loop around the Gray Wolf River canyon, a few miles upriver from where I did my birthday run last year. 16.8 miles on the map. The map showed part of the loop as "primitive trail" so I decided to make that my start, since I would be tired at the end and it might be more difficult to follow a less developed trail. I needn't have worried about that, since it was just as well defined and maintained as all the rest.
I started out from the Slab Camp trailhead on the Deer Ridge trail, westbound toward Deer Park. Looking at trail information at the trailhead: almost 2300 feet of elevation gain, steep (35% grade in places), no water available... Perfect (I thought)! I started climbing almost from the start and yes it was very steep in some places; no switchbacks, just continuous climbing up to the ridge; the 2300' comes in the first 3 miles or so. Along the way I picked up a squadron of very annoying big black flies circling around me - not biting but just buzzing circles around me. I tried outrunning them but with the climbing and the fact that a nine minute mile seems "fast" to me nowadays - no luck there. As I got up onto the ridge and the trail leveled out a breeze picked up which helped get rid of them - either that or they just got tired of laughing at this slow old guy on their trail.
Cruising along the ridge I realized how far below me the river was, meaning the next section would be all down hill. At the 4.5 mile point I turned onto the trail to Three Forks and discovered just how steep - it was even steeper the the first part of the Deer Ridge, with lots of switchbacks. I figured I could make up some time after the slow up-climb of the previous section so I tried to use gravity to my advantage. After a couple of miles though my quads demanded I slow down so it became a slow jog. Near the bottom I met an older woman with a full pack headed up...I felt sorry for her, knowing what she was going to be carrying that pack up.
All the way down the 4.3 miles from the Deer Ridge Trail to Three Forks and during the 10 minutes or so I spent there eating a PBJ I had this fantasy that once I got to the Gray Wolf River trail that it would be like the section I know down around Two Mile and Cliff camps; just gently rolling as it follows the river and that I could make up some time... HAH!! Almost as soon I crossed the Graywolf the trail started climbing again, topping out at least a thousand feet or more above the river (so much I couldn't even hear the river after a while), and then back down to the river at Camp Tony, total of 4.9 miles for that leg.
That just left 3.1 miles from Camp Tony back to the trail head, and more climbing... This section, along Slide Creek, is more like the Gray Wolf Trail lower down - rolling through the woods. But it is also 940 feet of more climbing back to the trailhead. Luckily not as steep but still pretty much continuously uphill.
What I liked about this "run": first that I actually completed it! It was very tough - I certainly didn't set any speed records but I managed to go the whole distance; Second - it is really beautiful! The views of the mountains and valleys, with some snow still up on the peaks, from the Deer Ridge trail alone are worth it (you can get the views the easy way by driving to Deer Park and taking the trail in the opposite direction and skip the climbing). I like that after I while I noticed that I wasn't talking to myself, thinking about what I was going to write in this blog, blah, blah, blah...and just experiencing the trail and the run. I loved how rejuvenating just a small handful of ripe red huckleberries can be, and the icy cold of the stream I soaked my feet in at the trailhead before I changed into riding clothes to head home on my motorcycle.
I'm glad I took the counterclockwise direction - that steep downhill on the Deer Ridge trail would have been really, really tough after climbing on the Graywolf trail only to climb again from Three Forks toward Deer Park.... Maybe that should be a goal - work toward being in good enough condition that I could feel comfortable attempting it in a clockwise rotation.... Hmmm...maybe next year!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Ankles....
I waited until Wednesday (well...actually 4am Thursday morning) to try running on my ankle. I had done some walking and my usual Wednesday cross training routine, and had it lasered (I love low powered laser therapy and highly recommend it!) I worked late Wednesday night (7pm to 3:30am) and rather than try to snooze for an hour or two to be back to work at 6, I went for a run in the streets of Everett; 5.39 miles according to mapmyrun. Started out slow and picked up as I warmed up. Even did some 1 block hill repeats on some fairly steep sections in the Port Gardner area. Other than my right lower leg feeling heavy I had no real problems. My leg has felt like that off and on since I mangled it (just a little...) in a motorcycle accident in 1972 so I don't attribute that to what happened last Saturday. I plan on going out for 11 tomorrow morning so hopefully all is well. I REALLY need to get 3 or 4 good long runs in before the Poulsbo marathon October 16!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Well Hell.....
Just when I was thinking I was getting a handle on my recovery - sleeping more, eating better... I sprained my right ankle. I was riding my motorcycle into my garage and caught the toe of my boot on a concrete lip on the entrance to the garage. As I rolled forward it pulled my foot down (heel on the footpeg) and hyperextended my ankle. It didn't hurt much then, but it sure hurts now. I iced it almost immediately to prevent swelling so hopefully I will be running again later in the week. I am hoping to get 4 good long runs in over the next 6 weeks to be ready for the Poulsbo marathon October 16 so I was planning to do 11 today. Oh well - pleny of R.I.C.E and ibuprofen and I should be running by Wednesday or Thursday and doing my 11+ on Sunday...
Sunday, August 14, 2011
I am still having trouble recovering...
I did a relatively light circuit (cut my weights down by 10 pounds or so in each exercise) on Wednesday morning then went for an easy five miles that afternoon. The workout and the run both felt good and went well, but I didn't get off work til 10:30 that night, and got to bed after midnight. When I got up at 3:40am my legs cramped so bad I thought I was going to miss my ferry - I had to almost crawl down the stairs and spent 10 minutes massaging my quads to get the cramps to ease up enough that I could get ready for work. I'm sure the lack of quality sleep is the biggect culprit but I can't help but cut back on my training. I was planning to do a 50K on Labor day weekend (Roots Rocks 50K in Port Gamble) but that is iffy at best now. After Wednesday's run I went for a 2.5 mile run/walk on a trail with my 9 year old son (he is a great training partner!!) on Thursday and a 9 miler with him on Saturday , legs still tired and heavy today. I'm thinking I will skip the 50K and put my energy into getting ready for the Poulsbo marathon (Oct 16) and Doppler 50K (Nov 20). Instead of the 50K on Sept 4 I think I will head up to the Buckhorn wilderness and do a 17 mile trail run - I love adventure runs on trails I have never been on before!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Long time away...
So I haven't been training much...not nearly as much as I think I should be able to. Between work (50+ hour work weeks) my commute (3 hours or so a day - 65 miles and and a ferry ride) and having a family and a life, training time can be rather limited. The biggest problem is, IMO, limited sleep time and its impact on my recovery. I get up at 3:35 am and usually don't get to bed before 10. Combine that with my age and recovering from even a moderate workout is slow and difficult. I did a circuit workout on Friday and on Sunday I am still achy and sore. My calves ache and twitch....
I am going to try a few things:
restarting a low-dose asprin regimen
increasing my protein intake
experimenting with vitamins, supplements and such
using a little more will power to get to bed earlier
ice baths after long or hard workouts
I like to drink a whey protein shake before bed - I find I feel a bit more rested in the mornings when I do, compared to when I don't have it. I used to drink "Hot Stuff" in the mornings to sort jump start my metabolism...I think I will go back to that, even though it makes me think about sex more (maybe that isn't a bad thing....)
My overall goal is to get more long runs in..as of now it is difficult for me to get a quality long run in more than once every 2 - 3 weeks, and I have a rather ambitious (for me anyway) goal and training plan:
Roots Rocks 50K Sept 4 2011
Poulsbo Marathon Oct 16 2011
Doppler 50K November 10 2011
Lumberjack Endurance run 100mi april 14 2012
Cascade Crest 100mi August 25 2012
H.U.R.T. January 2013
There are a couple of 50 milers I would like to squeeze in there, plus I would prefer to find a 100 in January 2013 that is a little closer to home so I can save my $$$ for a trip to Death Valley (I am always optomistic...) that July.
I am going to try a few things:
restarting a low-dose asprin regimen
increasing my protein intake
experimenting with vitamins, supplements and such
using a little more will power to get to bed earlier
ice baths after long or hard workouts
I like to drink a whey protein shake before bed - I find I feel a bit more rested in the mornings when I do, compared to when I don't have it. I used to drink "Hot Stuff" in the mornings to sort jump start my metabolism...I think I will go back to that, even though it makes me think about sex more (maybe that isn't a bad thing....)
My overall goal is to get more long runs in..as of now it is difficult for me to get a quality long run in more than once every 2 - 3 weeks, and I have a rather ambitious (for me anyway) goal and training plan:
Roots Rocks 50K Sept 4 2011
Poulsbo Marathon Oct 16 2011
Doppler 50K November 10 2011
Lumberjack Endurance run 100mi april 14 2012
Cascade Crest 100mi August 25 2012
H.U.R.T. January 2013
There are a couple of 50 milers I would like to squeeze in there, plus I would prefer to find a 100 in January 2013 that is a little closer to home so I can save my $$$ for a trip to Death Valley (I am always optomistic...) that July.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Trail runs...
Today being my birthday, I took a day off from work and went for a run on one of my Favorite trails - the Gray Wolf trail into the Buckhorn wilderness area of Olympic Peninsula. Back in the '80s I would take my family camping there, usually at a campsite called Cliff Camp. Map here: http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/upload/WildernessMap.pdf. The trail ends at 4.2 miles - it used to go much further but there is a bridge washed out at that point and it is very risky to try to cross the river... I hadn't been there since 1986, but it was as beautiful as I remember - I could almost see my daughter's little blond head disappearing around a bend as she led the way.
I followed the plan I read somewhere in someone's account of Badwater: run the easy parts and walk the hard parts, and made the round trip (8.4 miles) in just under 3 hours. Might seem kind of slow, but remember there are some steep climbs and a lot of scrambling over/around/under windfall trees and such.
I learned a couple of things:
1) Bring more water!!! From now on, whatever I guestimate as the amount of water I need I will just double, then add a few pints
2) I am not in the shape I want to be in. By the end I was getting pretty fatigued, and had some cramping on the way home and after I got there (not fun since I was on a motorcycle!)
3) I am not in as bad shape as I thought I was. I ran most, or at least a significany portion, of the trail, even the hard parts.
4) trail running is a BLAST!
I followed the plan I read somewhere in someone's account of Badwater: run the easy parts and walk the hard parts, and made the round trip (8.4 miles) in just under 3 hours. Might seem kind of slow, but remember there are some steep climbs and a lot of scrambling over/around/under windfall trees and such.
I learned a couple of things:
1) Bring more water!!! From now on, whatever I guestimate as the amount of water I need I will just double, then add a few pints
2) I am not in the shape I want to be in. By the end I was getting pretty fatigued, and had some cramping on the way home and after I got there (not fun since I was on a motorcycle!)
3) I am not in as bad shape as I thought I was. I ran most, or at least a significany portion, of the trail, even the hard parts.
4) trail running is a BLAST!
Beginnings...
I have been fascinated by Badwater since the 1980s when I read about it in Runner's World magazine. Back then it was the Badwater 146, put on by Hi-Tec, and I was 30 years old, seriously out of shape and struggling to finish the Navy PRT run in time (PRT = physical readiness testing).
Since then I have run in at least 10 countries and completed 3 marathons, lots of shorter races and many sprint-distance triathlons, but since retiring from the Navy (with it's two-hours a day for fitness...) I have gotten more than a little out of shape. I ran a 1/2 marathon in 2006, but that is the extent of my running over the past 10 years or so.
Last summer (2009) I decided to get back into shape and start running again, with an eye toward eventually participating in ultramarathons and ultimately Badwater. I say participating rather than "competing" because I have never been anywhere near fast, no matter how much I love to run, and probably never will be. As is typical of beginners I got overzealous and violated the rule of too's (too much, too fast, too long too soon...) and ended up with knee pain, plantar fasciitis and ITB problems.
With all of that sorted out -hopefully- I am beginning again, again. I plan to use this blog as a record of my efforts, as a log and hopefully as a way to connect with some running partners. Like the old t-shirt said: "The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running!"
Since then I have run in at least 10 countries and completed 3 marathons, lots of shorter races and many sprint-distance triathlons, but since retiring from the Navy (with it's two-hours a day for fitness...) I have gotten more than a little out of shape. I ran a 1/2 marathon in 2006, but that is the extent of my running over the past 10 years or so.
Last summer (2009) I decided to get back into shape and start running again, with an eye toward eventually participating in ultramarathons and ultimately Badwater. I say participating rather than "competing" because I have never been anywhere near fast, no matter how much I love to run, and probably never will be. As is typical of beginners I got overzealous and violated the rule of too's (too much, too fast, too long too soon...) and ended up with knee pain, plantar fasciitis and ITB problems.
With all of that sorted out -hopefully- I am beginning again, again. I plan to use this blog as a record of my efforts, as a log and hopefully as a way to connect with some running partners. Like the old t-shirt said: "The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running!"
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