Thursday, 02/28/13

All is going well here and preparation for my intended Grand Canyon RRR on April 20th is going great.  My daughters are in pre-pre-pre-school on Tues/Thurs from 9-1, so on Thursdays I have been getting some quality runs consisting of an assortment of OSMP peaks, typically 10-12.5 miles, and 5,000 vert. or more in 2:20-2:50.  Since we got a few good (and much needed) dumpings of snow, I have happily resigned to doing laps on Green Mountain since the trails are better packed and I feel like I can get a little more out of it.  I also bring the dog with me for the second lap when I am moving a little slower which is working out great.  She appreciates the exercise and I love her company.

These runs are getting easier and easier and I plan to start upping the time a bit where I can fit it in.  Overall, intensity has been deliberately low to moderate and have been careful to not be "killing it" too early in the season, yet trying to find balance with my April plans.

Have also been getting in usual laps on Green and have been making a bit of an effort (being creative with my scheduling) to get over there a bit more so I can get some decent vertical in my legs.  For my 2010 RRR, I got in 80+k vert. in the preceding March, but that was also pre-kids and there is no way I will get that this time, so I have been trying to compensate a bit in Jan/Feb the best I can.  Either way, I think I will be ready and am confident that I can improve upon my 8:15 PR, provided conditions, weather etc. go in my favor.  Of course there are a lot of variables with a run like this, so all I can do is be well prepared and not worry about the rest.

February Stats:

52,520 vert.
145 miles
21 Green summits
3 Bear summits
2 "other" 8,500+ ft. summits
2 Flagstaff
32 hrs 57 min

Yearly Total after Feb.:

98,905 vert.
266 miles
36 Green summits
5 Bear summits
3 "other" 8,500+ ft. summits
2 Flagstaff
6 Sanitas
60 hrs 43 min

Friday, 02/01/13 Flagstaff via Chapman Drive Trail

6.29 miles/1,083 vert./1:14 up/22 down

Have not yet tried out the new Chapman Drive Trail (at least since it became a legal OSMP trail last month), so I headed over there today with the girls in tow to check out the new changes.  Took it really easy going up, walking almost the entire way to Flagstaff Road, letting the girls walk and play in the snow for a long time which they really loved.  Once we topped out at the paved road, we headed up the seasonally closed road up toward the amphitheater for a little extra.  

The "trail" (dirt road) is reasonably smooth for the most part and the gradient is pretty reasonable for running, even when pushing 100lbs of baby jogger in the snow, so I look to head back there again soon.

The girls were becoming a little impatient at the summit, so I was in a hurry to get them back down, not knowing what kind of speed would be reasonable going down the snowy trail.  The first paved section was quick back down to Flagstaff Road and was fun chasing the jogger at 5:50 pace (though a bit scratchy wearing Ice Bug shoes), then we were moving at 6:?? pace for much of the Chapman descent, aside from a few rough spots where we had to slow waaay down.  So pretty much a 5k descent in 22:39 which ended up being 7:19 pace.

All official (though I still felt as though I was getting away with something)

Glad to not be having to scuttle under this gate anymore

Isabelle having a blast

Amelie hiking along

Top(ish) of Flagstaff

Thankful for the plastic canopy, as the often times free spinning front wheel really kicked up a severe rooster tail of snow.