A friend of ours who has run TransRockies several times said last year, "The training is the hardest part..." when Mark and I were considering this epic race. The training has been hard, but it's lead to some really epic runs and opportunities to hang out with some great people. This past weekend was epic with back to back to back long runs, starting off with our moonlight run in the Grand Canyon down to the river and back. Mark's post describing our adventure was spot on. It was an amazing run and one I'm not so sure I would have tackled had I not been training for TransRockies. Our third long run of the weekend was also quite memorable for me. It's difficult to describe the feeling you get when running on a great mountain trail early in the morning, but I have to say I was feeling pretty lucky to live where I live and have that opportunity. As the the completion of that third long run in a row was nearing, I remember thinking how amazed I was that Mark and I were able to complete the week and the three challenging runs with no more damage than just run-of-the-mill fatigue. Mike Smith has mentioned from time to time that we've got to throw out the conventional wisdom about training, and that we would be surprised at what our bodies could handle, I guess I needed to see it for myself to actually believe him.
This past week of training, ending with the three long runs, leaves Mark and I feeling pretty good about our preparation for the race. We have no false sense of being finish leaders, but we now know that we can finish, and that will be a big accomplishment. There are still 4 weeks left in training and I'm sure we have another weekend of long runs just ahead, but is the training the hardest part? I guess we'll know soon enough.
-jea
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What a weekend!
Joel and I are now in the final stages of training, which is also the most difficult.
This past weekend we spent running 3 consecutive long runs. In the Transrockies circle this is known as the back to back to back.
We started with a trip to the Grand Canyon for a midnight full moon run from the rim down the S. Kaibab trail to the Colorado River, and back. The moon could not have been any brighter. We started down the trail at 1230 without our headlamps on and with our packs full of water and GU. The descent was not as fast as we had planned due to the lack of shadows and having to be very careful of our footing. We stopped a few times to take in the view as you could see the entire canyon lit up by the moon. We reached the river at 215 am, refilled our water, and fueled up. Temps were good, probably in the high 40s on the rim and close to 70 at the river. Now the hard part begins. Up we go. I find it easiest to break the trail up into 4 sections. The river to the Tipoff, the Tipoff to Skeleton Pt, Skeleton Pt to Cedar Ridge, and Cedar Ridge to the rim. Each section has its fairly difficult ascents, especially from the river to the Tipoff and the brutal switchbacks, just before you get to Skeleton Pt. We ascended slowly but steadily, running everything that was runnable. As we neared the rim the first mule train was coming down so we took a refreshing break to let them pass before moving on. Just as we reached the last set of switchbacks before the rim, the first hikers bus had arrived and a steady stream of headlamps came at us like Christmas lights. At this point daylight was coming quickly. We arrived at the rim at 445 am, jumped into Joel's van, and slept for a couple of hours. Ahhh that sleeping bag felt good. What a great start to a difficult weekend.
Day 2 we decided to let off of the hills and just go for a long run on the forest roads. I knew this would be the toughest day for me as running 20 miles on a flat road would be more mentally taxing then physical. Starting from Joel's house we proceeded out to the forest, starting on forest road 518, this was a gradual uphill for the first 8 miles or so. Luckily there was cloud cover that kept it cool. We passed a few places in the forest that a tornado had ripped through last fall. It looked like someone had taken a huge lawn mower and cut the trees off about 15 feet from the ground. Crazy the destruction. We proceeded to forest road 171, then 222, and back to Joel's house. Coming in at 20 miles and just over 3 hours, it was a relief to get this run out of the way and have plenty of time to recover for the final day.
Day 3 we met at the bottom of Snowbowl Road, where we would shuttle to the starting point of the Weatherford trailhead. Another morning of cloud cover and everything was still wet from the rain the night before. Heading up the Weatherford the first 1.5 miles or so is just a continuous grind, climbing 700+ feet. My legs were on fire and the lungs were working overtime. We help on though and were able to make it to the Kachina trail junction on the run. Feeling good about this considering we had already run 35+ miles and climbed over 6500 feet the previous 2 days. About a mile up the Kachina trail I was feeling my first stomach issue of the long training. This would be something to work through considering we still had 14 miles to run and the possibility of this is great in the race. Focusing on an awesome run across the Kachina trail through wet ferns, and lush forest, I kept concentrating on the run and not what was going on with my stomach. We saw a herd of elk and a few deer along the way. We arrived at the Snowbowl ski area about 1.5 hours into the run. Knowing it was downhill back to the truck was a relief. We were now going to explore the new Arizona trail. Descending from Snowbowl, we ran through meadows, passing the protesters camped out, who are opposed to snowmaking. We proceeded on the Arizona trail south, the new trail is amazing, smooth, and a fairly gradual descent. We arrived at the small section of the trail that was not finished and proceeded to go cross country, following the marking flags of where the trail will be. After about .75 miles we arrived at the other end of the trail which was also in primo condition. Down we went through the forest. We opened up at about 7800 feet, where the sun was out and it was getting warm. We were making good time, and still running solid. We arrived back at the truck in just under 3 hours. No worse for the wear but still mentally and physically fatigued.
We accomplished a weekend where we would become better team mates and friends, working together to push forward, and overcome adversity when things got tough. Our communication is great, and out team work is getting even better. I feel that we are very close in our understanding of our abilities and where we will be in this race. Our totals for the week were 51+ miles, 10.5 hours on feet, and over 8500+ feet of elevation gain. This week focuses on turnover, and then one more very difficult week of training before tapering. We are ready now but will be even more ready when race time comes.
mw
This past weekend we spent running 3 consecutive long runs. In the Transrockies circle this is known as the back to back to back.
We started with a trip to the Grand Canyon for a midnight full moon run from the rim down the S. Kaibab trail to the Colorado River, and back. The moon could not have been any brighter. We started down the trail at 1230 without our headlamps on and with our packs full of water and GU. The descent was not as fast as we had planned due to the lack of shadows and having to be very careful of our footing. We stopped a few times to take in the view as you could see the entire canyon lit up by the moon. We reached the river at 215 am, refilled our water, and fueled up. Temps were good, probably in the high 40s on the rim and close to 70 at the river. Now the hard part begins. Up we go. I find it easiest to break the trail up into 4 sections. The river to the Tipoff, the Tipoff to Skeleton Pt, Skeleton Pt to Cedar Ridge, and Cedar Ridge to the rim. Each section has its fairly difficult ascents, especially from the river to the Tipoff and the brutal switchbacks, just before you get to Skeleton Pt. We ascended slowly but steadily, running everything that was runnable. As we neared the rim the first mule train was coming down so we took a refreshing break to let them pass before moving on. Just as we reached the last set of switchbacks before the rim, the first hikers bus had arrived and a steady stream of headlamps came at us like Christmas lights. At this point daylight was coming quickly. We arrived at the rim at 445 am, jumped into Joel's van, and slept for a couple of hours. Ahhh that sleeping bag felt good. What a great start to a difficult weekend.
Day 2 we decided to let off of the hills and just go for a long run on the forest roads. I knew this would be the toughest day for me as running 20 miles on a flat road would be more mentally taxing then physical. Starting from Joel's house we proceeded out to the forest, starting on forest road 518, this was a gradual uphill for the first 8 miles or so. Luckily there was cloud cover that kept it cool. We passed a few places in the forest that a tornado had ripped through last fall. It looked like someone had taken a huge lawn mower and cut the trees off about 15 feet from the ground. Crazy the destruction. We proceeded to forest road 171, then 222, and back to Joel's house. Coming in at 20 miles and just over 3 hours, it was a relief to get this run out of the way and have plenty of time to recover for the final day.
Day 3 we met at the bottom of Snowbowl Road, where we would shuttle to the starting point of the Weatherford trailhead. Another morning of cloud cover and everything was still wet from the rain the night before. Heading up the Weatherford the first 1.5 miles or so is just a continuous grind, climbing 700+ feet. My legs were on fire and the lungs were working overtime. We help on though and were able to make it to the Kachina trail junction on the run. Feeling good about this considering we had already run 35+ miles and climbed over 6500 feet the previous 2 days. About a mile up the Kachina trail I was feeling my first stomach issue of the long training. This would be something to work through considering we still had 14 miles to run and the possibility of this is great in the race. Focusing on an awesome run across the Kachina trail through wet ferns, and lush forest, I kept concentrating on the run and not what was going on with my stomach. We saw a herd of elk and a few deer along the way. We arrived at the Snowbowl ski area about 1.5 hours into the run. Knowing it was downhill back to the truck was a relief. We were now going to explore the new Arizona trail. Descending from Snowbowl, we ran through meadows, passing the protesters camped out, who are opposed to snowmaking. We proceeded on the Arizona trail south, the new trail is amazing, smooth, and a fairly gradual descent. We arrived at the small section of the trail that was not finished and proceeded to go cross country, following the marking flags of where the trail will be. After about .75 miles we arrived at the other end of the trail which was also in primo condition. Down we went through the forest. We opened up at about 7800 feet, where the sun was out and it was getting warm. We were making good time, and still running solid. We arrived back at the truck in just under 3 hours. No worse for the wear but still mentally and physically fatigued.
We accomplished a weekend where we would become better team mates and friends, working together to push forward, and overcome adversity when things got tough. Our communication is great, and out team work is getting even better. I feel that we are very close in our understanding of our abilities and where we will be in this race. Our totals for the week were 51+ miles, 10.5 hours on feet, and over 8500+ feet of elevation gain. This week focuses on turnover, and then one more very difficult week of training before tapering. We are ready now but will be even more ready when race time comes.
mw
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
In The Thick Of It
Mark and I are in the middle of the toughest part of our training at this point. All the miles we've put in over the last several months are really paying off now, so we can focus on the key workouts. I ran nearly 70 miles last week and this week looks to be a bit more. A typical week consists of one interval workout, usually with hills, and two or three days of long runs. In between those are easy miles, just to keep the legs going. Today Mike tortured us on the dreadmill with hill repeats at 13 and 15 percent grade. I hate the treadmill, but I think it allows for consistency in elevation gain and in pace, which offers a quick measure of where we're at physically.
Overall, things are going very well. I ran the Kona Marathon a couple of weeks ago as a training run and was able to keep extremely even splits over the 26 miles. It's a very hot and humid race and my goal was mainly to feel good at the end. I really hadn't trained to race it. I finished in 3:45 and was happy with my performance. Even better, I was able to start running two days later and even finished a 23 mile long run with significant elevation gain just a week after the race. It really has amazed me what I can get my body to do. I never thought I was capable of running this much over such challenging terrain, but I think the fact that I started months ago and just kept slowly increasing the effort has allowed me to get where I'm at.
Not surprisingly, my body has been more tired recently and I'm becoming more aware of the importance of rest and nutrition. I've been able to squeeze in a few naps occasionally, but I'm probably not getting enough sleep overall. I'm not a big eater either, but I'm burning a shitload of calories. So I have to also get better at refueling properly. Randi, my wife, has been so supportive through all of this, but this month the burden on her has really increased now that I'm on the trail many more hours or having to spend time resting. I couldn't do this without her.
jea
Overall, things are going very well. I ran the Kona Marathon a couple of weeks ago as a training run and was able to keep extremely even splits over the 26 miles. It's a very hot and humid race and my goal was mainly to feel good at the end. I really hadn't trained to race it. I finished in 3:45 and was happy with my performance. Even better, I was able to start running two days later and even finished a 23 mile long run with significant elevation gain just a week after the race. It really has amazed me what I can get my body to do. I never thought I was capable of running this much over such challenging terrain, but I think the fact that I started months ago and just kept slowly increasing the effort has allowed me to get where I'm at.
Not surprisingly, my body has been more tired recently and I'm becoming more aware of the importance of rest and nutrition. I've been able to squeeze in a few naps occasionally, but I'm probably not getting enough sleep overall. I'm not a big eater either, but I'm burning a shitload of calories. So I have to also get better at refueling properly. Randi, my wife, has been so supportive through all of this, but this month the burden on her has really increased now that I'm on the trail many more hours or having to spend time resting. I couldn't do this without her.
jea
Monday, July 4, 2011
And that's a stage
Joel and I embarked on a long run yesterday that will resemble one of the 3 longer stages of TR. It began with a few sprinkles in the morning, we were hoping to avoid any severe storms while exposed as they were forecast. We started a loop that would in the end be 23 miles and close to 5 hours of running. Starting at the Schultz Tank trailhead at 8000 feet, then up the Weatherford trail to Doyle Saddle at 10800. We continued up to the top near Humphreys Peak, topping out at 12012 feet and just under 10 miles before descending the next 13 miles back to start.
We encountered a lot of traffic on the Humphreys trail with the holiday weekend in full force. We ended up making a pit stop at Snowbowl's Agassiz lodge to refill our water. Once we were hydrated we motored down the Kachina trail which was a long homestretch back to start. Refueling at the car with a recovery drink and thinking about the day, we realized we are ready for this 6 day adventure and just need to fine tune a few things.
Things stay on the crazy side this week with long back to back runs this weekend and a hill workout on Wednesday. Only 6 more weeks and the race is on.
mw
We encountered a lot of traffic on the Humphreys trail with the holiday weekend in full force. We ended up making a pit stop at Snowbowl's Agassiz lodge to refill our water. Once we were hydrated we motored down the Kachina trail which was a long homestretch back to start. Refueling at the car with a recovery drink and thinking about the day, we realized we are ready for this 6 day adventure and just need to fine tune a few things.
Things stay on the crazy side this week with long back to back runs this weekend and a hill workout on Wednesday. Only 6 more weeks and the race is on.
mw
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