10.62 miles/622 vert./1:26:29/avg. HR 147 Garmin Data
Mid day run in the heat with Allison and the girls in the jogger (the girls, not Allison). Mostly a mellow run with a little bit of moderate effort in the middle.
Sierra
Sierra
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday, 07/20/11 Green Mountain
Up/Down Front 4.03 miles/2,326 vert./58:13 RT (35:53 up)/154 avg HR Garmin Data
Despite it being really hot this afternoon, I was minimally impacted by the heat, so perhaps my frequent suffering as of late has finally helped me to build some tolerance. Or, perhaps it was just a good day, aided by the fact that I took 2 days off (much needed day off on Monday and involuntarily on Tuesday with being a good dad obligations). For some reason, last weekend really kicked my ass, I think a perfect storm of heat and a few piss poor nights of sleep.
Today I went a pace that felt really easy on the up and down and the splits for both felt appropriate, or even generous for the relative lack of effort I put in, as I felt I was totally "soft pedaling" the entire time. I think I am back on track and hope to gain some good momentum as I have the next 10 days off and will be spending 5 of them at 11k and hope to get in a few quality high altitude runs in.
Despite it being really hot this afternoon, I was minimally impacted by the heat, so perhaps my frequent suffering as of late has finally helped me to build some tolerance. Or, perhaps it was just a good day, aided by the fact that I took 2 days off (much needed day off on Monday and involuntarily on Tuesday with being a good dad obligations). For some reason, last weekend really kicked my ass, I think a perfect storm of heat and a few piss poor nights of sleep.
Today I went a pace that felt really easy on the up and down and the splits for both felt appropriate, or even generous for the relative lack of effort I put in, as I felt I was totally "soft pedaling" the entire time. I think I am back on track and hope to gain some good momentum as I have the next 10 days off and will be spending 5 of them at 11k and hope to get in a few quality high altitude runs in.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday, 07/17/11 Green
Up back/down front 4.73 miles/2,438 vert./1:18:44 RT (46 up)/128 avg. HR
Woke up at 4am after a terrible night ofsleep tossing and turning (for no particular reason). I fought it for a while, but eventually got up and headed out the door in a fog. It took my full concentration just to drive to the TH, I hardly even remember doing so. Started from the Gregory lot at 5:10am and stumbled for a bit in the dark, trying not to trip on the rocks or stumble into the poison ivy. Cloud cover to the East kept things dim until after the ranger cabin and I was hoping that better light would help, but I felt full on crappy this morning and alternated between hiking and what I would call a poor example of jogging. Call it wogging.
I was relieved to make the summit and the relatively slow 46 minute split does nothing to indicate the struggle to get there. I have had MUCH easier days going up 10 or 11 minutes faster with the dog. Spent a moment on the summit watching the sunrise to the East, but in the interest of getting to work, I headed down the front at what I hoped would be an easy cruise. Unfortunately, I felt worse on the down, absolutely no coordination or skill or strength and even walked a few times (felt like walking the whole thing, but was in a hurry). My goal was just to get back to the car without taking a header into the rocks and this foggy and sluggish run had me questioning any vague thoughts of ever trying a 100 miler.
Amazing how one day I can cruise the descent of Green in 19 minutes like nothing, then a few days later, struggle to go down in 32. As GZ likes to say, some days you are the windshield, other days you are the bug. This weekend I was certainly the bug. I need to really get my shit together if I even hope to finish the Pikes Peak Marathon on August 21st, much less break 5 hours.
Edit: finally got around to downloading my garmin data. HR was 128 for the RT, 145 for the up and 104 for the down. Sounds crazy to me because this run was such a struggle, but totally makes sense and reflects the very sluggish times. Guess I just couldn't "get it up" so to speak ;).
Woke up at 4am after a terrible night of
I was relieved to make the summit and the relatively slow 46 minute split does nothing to indicate the struggle to get there. I have had MUCH easier days going up 10 or 11 minutes faster with the dog. Spent a moment on the summit watching the sunrise to the East, but in the interest of getting to work, I headed down the front at what I hoped would be an easy cruise. Unfortunately, I felt worse on the down, absolutely no coordination or skill or strength and even walked a few times (felt like walking the whole thing, but was in a hurry). My goal was just to get back to the car without taking a header into the rocks and this foggy and sluggish run had me questioning any vague thoughts of ever trying a 100 miler.
Amazing how one day I can cruise the descent of Green in 19 minutes like nothing, then a few days later, struggle to go down in 32. As GZ likes to say, some days you are the windshield, other days you are the bug. This weekend I was certainly the bug. I need to really get my shit together if I even hope to finish the Pikes Peak Marathon on August 21st, much less break 5 hours.
Edit: finally got around to downloading my garmin data. HR was 128 for the RT, 145 for the up and 104 for the down. Sounds crazy to me because this run was such a struggle, but totally makes sense and reflects the very sluggish times. Guess I just couldn't "get it up" so to speak ;).
Saturday, 07/16/11 Bear/SoBo
9 miles/3,418 vert./1:56:55/159 avg. HR Garmin Data
Started from the Bear Mountain Drive TH a bit after 4pm. For the first 5 minutes or so, I thought I was going to have a great run, but before long, I was dogging it a bit and once I hit Fern Canyon, I knew I was in for it. The original plan was to get all 3 peaks, but as therun hike progressed, I knew I would be lucky to tag 2 summits.
From Bear, I headed over to SoBo, then back to Bear and down W. Ridge, looking for some easier cruising and would give myself the option to summit Green if I felt better. I was tired, hot and uncoordinated on the down (and the previous ups too) and it became a bit of a death march back to the car. Though the meager stats do not indicate as such, this one really hurt and felt like a lot of hard work.
Started from the Bear Mountain Drive TH a bit after 4pm. For the first 5 minutes or so, I thought I was going to have a great run, but before long, I was dogging it a bit and once I hit Fern Canyon, I knew I was in for it. The original plan was to get all 3 peaks, but as the
From Bear, I headed over to SoBo, then back to Bear and down W. Ridge, looking for some easier cruising and would give myself the option to summit Green if I felt better. I was tired, hot and uncoordinated on the down (and the previous ups too) and it became a bit of a death march back to the car. Though the meager stats do not indicate as such, this one really hurt and felt like a lot of hard work.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, 07/14/11
Morning/Afternoon: Lost Lake in Indian Peaks. 4.5 miles/815 vert.
Hike with the family, but with the late start (11:30am), we were limited by the quickly building storms.
Afternoon/Evening: Green Attempt
2.16 miles/1,454 vert./31:54/avg HR 159 Garmin Data
Was just about 15 minutes too late on this run. Started around 4:45pm up the front side and within minutes started to hear thunder. Unfortunately, the lightning was getting closer and closer, but I kept going with high hopes of it tapering off. Just past the Saddle/Greenman jct., it was getting to be a bit too close for comfort and continueing up was just a dumb idea, so I turned around with my tail between my legs and boogied down.
Of course the storm cleared as I sat in one of the better traffic jams of the last few months and ended up with 35 minutes of driving for 31 minutes of running. Sweet.
A few pictures from the hike:
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Hike with the family, but with the late start (11:30am), we were limited by the quickly building storms.
Afternoon/Evening: Green Attempt
2.16 miles/1,454 vert./31:54/avg HR 159 Garmin Data
Was just about 15 minutes too late on this run. Started around 4:45pm up the front side and within minutes started to hear thunder. Unfortunately, the lightning was getting closer and closer, but I kept going with high hopes of it tapering off. Just past the Saddle/Greenman jct., it was getting to be a bit too close for comfort and continueing up was just a dumb idea, so I turned around with my tail between my legs and boogied down.
Of course the storm cleared as I sat in one of the better traffic jams of the last few months and ended up with 35 minutes of driving for 31 minutes of running. Sweet.
A few pictures from the hike:
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday, 07/12/11 Green Mountain
Up/Down front 4.12 miles/2,279 vert./52:19 RT (33:08 up/19:11 down)/169 avg. HR Garmin Data
Decent day on the mountain with the light rain at the start, overcast sky, cooler temps, damp trail, good legs and good breathing (no phlegm choking today). Started reasonably conservative, but with a ~6:20 ish split at the first check, I knew it would be a good climb. I upped the effort a bit, but never felt like I was digging too deep. Was pretty close to PR pace most of the way and I think I got a bit complacent with the effort and just rolled a comfortable pace, pushing, but not at the same time. Felt way easier today than the labored 34:++ 2 weeks ago and even though it was not a PR or in the 32 range as I was hoping to sneak in at, it was my best time this year.
Ran well on the descent, feet felt very accurate and precise today (despite tripping up the stairs today at work and almost spilling my lunch), so I rolled pretty well, but never really taking any chances either, just let it flow. Was happy too with the RT time, perhaps one of my top 3 ever.
Decent day on the mountain with the light rain at the start, overcast sky, cooler temps, damp trail, good legs and good breathing (no phlegm choking today). Started reasonably conservative, but with a ~6:20 ish split at the first check, I knew it would be a good climb. I upped the effort a bit, but never felt like I was digging too deep. Was pretty close to PR pace most of the way and I think I got a bit complacent with the effort and just rolled a comfortable pace, pushing, but not at the same time. Felt way easier today than the labored 34:++ 2 weeks ago and even though it was not a PR or in the 32 range as I was hoping to sneak in at, it was my best time this year.
Ran well on the descent, feet felt very accurate and precise today (despite tripping up the stairs today at work and almost spilling my lunch), so I rolled pretty well, but never really taking any chances either, just let it flow. Was happy too with the RT time, perhaps one of my top 3 ever.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sunday, 07/10/11 Green Mountain
Up back/Down front 4.72 miles/2,316 vert./1:00:07/155 avg. HR Garmin Data
Reasonably moderate run, pace was governed a bit by the heat on the up. Funny, after living in Florida for 5 years, I thought I did well with heat, but over the past few years, it really has come to wear on me, perhaps it is just me getting old or something.
Some distant thunder at the summit, not so distant on the descent and started to rain just as I finished. By the time I was driving home, the storm was in full swing and I felt bad (kind of) for the poor saps still heading up the mountain as I descended.
Reasonably moderate run, pace was governed a bit by the heat on the up. Funny, after living in Florida for 5 years, I thought I did well with heat, but over the past few years, it really has come to wear on me, perhaps it is just me getting old or something.
Some distant thunder at the summit, not so distant on the descent and started to rain just as I finished. By the time I was driving home, the storm was in full swing and I felt bad (kind of) for the poor saps still heading up the mountain as I descended.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Saturday, 07/09/11 Boulder Creek Path
5.56 miles/169 vert./45:41/135 avg HR/8:12 pace Garmin Data
Easy run with the girls, just getting out of the house for some fresh air after a few errands.
Easy run with the girls, just getting out of the house for some fresh air after a few errands.
Friday, 07/08/11 Green/Bear
9.38 miles/3,825 vert./2:11:29/150 avg. HR Garmin Data
Afternoon run, fairly warm, but not blazing hot at least. Moderate to casual effort, as my legs were still feeling my Mt. Princeton run (mostly on the downhill though). I took the descent off of Bear very easy, as my Saucony Kinvara 2's were a little light on rock and toe protection.
Afternoon run, fairly warm, but not blazing hot at least. Moderate to casual effort, as my legs were still feeling my Mt. Princeton run (mostly on the downhill though). I took the descent off of Bear very easy, as my Saucony Kinvara 2's were a little light on rock and toe protection.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, 07/06/11 Mt. Princeton
Mt. Princeton, 14,197 ft.
07/06/11
13.29 miles
5,182 vertical
2:58:49 RT (1:53:24 ascent)
165 avg. HR (169 avg. HR for the ascent split)
13:27 min/mile pace
Partners: Brandon Fuller, Sean O'Day
3rd ascent of Princeton
242nd 14er ascent
Garmin Data
Having worked several holidays, including the 4th of July, I have some PTO to burn and decided to take Wednesday off to go run a 14er for some long overdue Pikes “training”. It had been nearly 11 months since I have been to 14k (or above 8,500 ft.) and have only had 2 casual trips above 13k in June, so I was eager to get up there and see how I felt pushing myself a bit. I knew Brandon was in Leadville for the week, so I asked him to join and he was game. I also sent Sean an invite and he quickly signed on as well.
I left Louisville at 6:51pm and it took me exactly 2 hours to get to Brandon’s house in Leadville. It was raining and storming most of the way, but I did not care as I was so excited to be heading to the mountains and was enjoying listening and laughing to Adam Carolla podcasts. I always get a kick out of leaving the house when it is 80 degrees or more and in less than an hour drive, it is 46 degrees and raining. As much as I enjoy camping, it was comforting to know that I did not have to find a campsite and set up my tent in the dark. Brandon provided excellent accommodations and I slept like a rock on the brand new bed they got the day before.
I was up a little after 5am and we were out the door a bit before 6 for the ~45 minute drive to the TH. We started at 7:01 from the lower trailhead at 8,900 ft., running up the relatively gradual dirt road. Although a conservative start was my intent, my HR felt high and I was slow to find a good groove. After about a half mile, I met Sean as he was descending from his bivy at ~11,000 feet near the radio towers and he jogged with me for a bit, as we exchanged pleasantries, but I was sucking wind a bit and not much into conversation at the time, so he soon opted to wait up for Brandon and warm up for a bit.
After about a mile and a half, I felt as though I was settling into a good rhythm and was completely enjoying the perfect morning and the solitude. I passed Sean’s Jeep a little ways above the radio towers and tossed one of my hand bottles to grab on the return trip. I was amazed at how quickly the valley dropped away below me and what seemed like a significant challenge on the drive in, was becoming absolute nirvana.
Treeline and the immediate turn onto the trail came quickly and I passed two groups of 4 (maybe 6 in the first group?) in quick succession, heading for the summit and got the usual reactions one normally gets from others when running a 14er (awe, disgust, bewilderment, envy, pity). From the junction to the summit, it was just me and I settled in for the long ascending traverse below Tigger Peak and up to the Tigger/Princeton saddle. I made good progress across the talus, always scanning ahead for the most efficient line (but perhaps not always finding it).
The final 800 feet or so was a bit of a slog. I felt decent, but the cumulative effort and altitude were definitely taking it out of me, so I just took it somewhat mellow, saving some in the tank for the long descent. Once on the summit, I was surprised to see a group of 6 or so women huddled in the rock shelter and two other guys who had been on the summit since before sunrise to take pictures. I swallowed a gel as I took a few pictures and was soon on my way.
I descended at a quick, but cautious pace on the uppermost section of mountain, as it is steep and the trail is ill defined with a good bit of loose rock and scree. I passed Sean a few minutes into my descent, then Brandon closer to the saddle. Once below the saddle, the trail improved a bit and I upped the pace accordingly.
Feeling rock solid and as if my feet could do no wrong, I kept the tempo high along the rocky and very technical descending traverse, completely in the zone and could not have felt happier or more alive. Once beyond the technical challenges, I continued to up the pace until I was seeing pretty consistent mid 6 minute mile pace on the watch. My goal was to run the round trip in under 3 hours, but frequent checks of the watch were telling me it was going to be quite close, but my pace or mindset never wavered. Below the towers, my watch said I had 20 minutes to cover 3 miles to achieve my goal and was sure I could do it. I never felt like I was pushing, but was just comfortably flowing, almost as though I were on wheels and sprinted into the lot at 2:58:49. I felt really pumped, but then soon reminded myself that Pikes is twice the distance and I still have a good bit of training to put in if I hope to do well.
I hung out at the car for a bit, eating, drinking and lounging in the shade as I waited for Brandon and Sean to finish. Once they arrived, we chatted for a while and then went out to lunch in Buena Vista.
This was an all time great day in the mountains, a solid run on a perfect day with good friends and no crowds.
Splits:
Radio Towers at 11k: 38:11
Turn off of road to single track at treeline: 59:40
Summit: 1:53:24
Back to road: 2:27
Back to towers: 2:37(38?)
Finish: 2:58:49
About to get into the talus traverse.
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Antero from the saddle.
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Looks like just minutes to go from the saddle, but was more like 15 or so (I think)
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Antero from the summit
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Looking West at point 13,971 (debated going to get it)
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We were way up there...
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Tigger on the left, Princeton way back there to right of center
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Zoom shot of summit.
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Brandon finishing up
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07/06/11
13.29 miles
5,182 vertical
2:58:49 RT (1:53:24 ascent)
165 avg. HR (169 avg. HR for the ascent split)
13:27 min/mile pace
Partners: Brandon Fuller, Sean O'Day
3rd ascent of Princeton
242nd 14er ascent
Garmin Data
Having worked several holidays, including the 4th of July, I have some PTO to burn and decided to take Wednesday off to go run a 14er for some long overdue Pikes “training”. It had been nearly 11 months since I have been to 14k (or above 8,500 ft.) and have only had 2 casual trips above 13k in June, so I was eager to get up there and see how I felt pushing myself a bit. I knew Brandon was in Leadville for the week, so I asked him to join and he was game. I also sent Sean an invite and he quickly signed on as well.
I left Louisville at 6:51pm and it took me exactly 2 hours to get to Brandon’s house in Leadville. It was raining and storming most of the way, but I did not care as I was so excited to be heading to the mountains and was enjoying listening and laughing to Adam Carolla podcasts. I always get a kick out of leaving the house when it is 80 degrees or more and in less than an hour drive, it is 46 degrees and raining. As much as I enjoy camping, it was comforting to know that I did not have to find a campsite and set up my tent in the dark. Brandon provided excellent accommodations and I slept like a rock on the brand new bed they got the day before.
I was up a little after 5am and we were out the door a bit before 6 for the ~45 minute drive to the TH. We started at 7:01 from the lower trailhead at 8,900 ft., running up the relatively gradual dirt road. Although a conservative start was my intent, my HR felt high and I was slow to find a good groove. After about a half mile, I met Sean as he was descending from his bivy at ~11,000 feet near the radio towers and he jogged with me for a bit, as we exchanged pleasantries, but I was sucking wind a bit and not much into conversation at the time, so he soon opted to wait up for Brandon and warm up for a bit.
After about a mile and a half, I felt as though I was settling into a good rhythm and was completely enjoying the perfect morning and the solitude. I passed Sean’s Jeep a little ways above the radio towers and tossed one of my hand bottles to grab on the return trip. I was amazed at how quickly the valley dropped away below me and what seemed like a significant challenge on the drive in, was becoming absolute nirvana.
Treeline and the immediate turn onto the trail came quickly and I passed two groups of 4 (maybe 6 in the first group?) in quick succession, heading for the summit and got the usual reactions one normally gets from others when running a 14er (awe, disgust, bewilderment, envy, pity). From the junction to the summit, it was just me and I settled in for the long ascending traverse below Tigger Peak and up to the Tigger/Princeton saddle. I made good progress across the talus, always scanning ahead for the most efficient line (but perhaps not always finding it).
The final 800 feet or so was a bit of a slog. I felt decent, but the cumulative effort and altitude were definitely taking it out of me, so I just took it somewhat mellow, saving some in the tank for the long descent. Once on the summit, I was surprised to see a group of 6 or so women huddled in the rock shelter and two other guys who had been on the summit since before sunrise to take pictures. I swallowed a gel as I took a few pictures and was soon on my way.
I descended at a quick, but cautious pace on the uppermost section of mountain, as it is steep and the trail is ill defined with a good bit of loose rock and scree. I passed Sean a few minutes into my descent, then Brandon closer to the saddle. Once below the saddle, the trail improved a bit and I upped the pace accordingly.
Feeling rock solid and as if my feet could do no wrong, I kept the tempo high along the rocky and very technical descending traverse, completely in the zone and could not have felt happier or more alive. Once beyond the technical challenges, I continued to up the pace until I was seeing pretty consistent mid 6 minute mile pace on the watch. My goal was to run the round trip in under 3 hours, but frequent checks of the watch were telling me it was going to be quite close, but my pace or mindset never wavered. Below the towers, my watch said I had 20 minutes to cover 3 miles to achieve my goal and was sure I could do it. I never felt like I was pushing, but was just comfortably flowing, almost as though I were on wheels and sprinted into the lot at 2:58:49. I felt really pumped, but then soon reminded myself that Pikes is twice the distance and I still have a good bit of training to put in if I hope to do well.
I hung out at the car for a bit, eating, drinking and lounging in the shade as I waited for Brandon and Sean to finish. Once they arrived, we chatted for a while and then went out to lunch in Buena Vista.
This was an all time great day in the mountains, a solid run on a perfect day with good friends and no crowds.
Splits:
Radio Towers at 11k: 38:11
Turn off of road to single track at treeline: 59:40
Summit: 1:53:24
Back to road: 2:27
Back to towers: 2:37(38?)
Finish: 2:58:49
About to get into the talus traverse.
Antero from the saddle.
Looks like just minutes to go from the saddle, but was more like 15 or so (I think)
Antero from the summit
Looking West at point 13,971 (debated going to get it)
Looking N. toward Yale, Harvard, Columbia etc...
Tigger on the left, Princeton way back there to right of center
Zoom shot of summit.
Brandon finishing up
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, 07/04/11 Green Mountain
Up middle route, down front 5.2 miles/2,351 vert./1:14:08 (47:42up)/135 avg. HR Garmin Data
Same route as yesterday, but in reverse and I started 30 minutes earlier. Was debating how hard to push, but decided it would be best to go easy and save it for Wednesday. The morning was perfect and I was the only one out there, I even went shirtless with split shorts.
Same route as yesterday, but in reverse and I started 30 minutes earlier. Was debating how hard to push, but decided it would be best to go easy and save it for Wednesday. The morning was perfect and I was the only one out there, I even went shirtless with split shorts.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sunday, 07/03/11 The Rest of the Week
On Monday I ran Green with soon to be 8th place at the Leadville Heavy Half Marathon Brandon and felt pretty crappy, I tried to pass it off on the heat or smoke or something, but I was getting sick and was in denial.
Tues: Nothing, felt lousy, but was still somewhat in denial.
Weds: Even less, felt a lot worse. Went home from work early, slept a few hours, ate dinner, then slept 12 hours.
Thurs: Better in the morning, but felt worse as the day went on.
Fri: Local 7.51 miles/266 vert./57:13/155 avg. HR/7:37 pace
Low on energy throughout the day, but by 5:00pm or so, cabin fever got the best of me. Loaded the girls into the Chariot and we headed out despite it being quite warm (fortunately it clouded up soon after we left though which made it tolerable). We headed out to Harper Lake/Davidson Mesa and even though the first 2 miles were painful, I gradually eased into it and felt OK aside from the froggy throat.
Sat: Local 10.29 miles/418 vert./1:18:06/159 avg. HR/7:35 pace
Felt motivated to get going early before the heat of the day despite the fact that it meant the girls would have to skip their morning nap, or nap in the jogger. Took a variety of paths to visit Allison at work and zig zagged all over town. Went moderate most of the time and hard on occasion, sub 7 whenever it was flattish or downhill, slower if there was even a bit of uphill. Pushing 70lbs of baby jogger around really adds to the workout and the fun. The thought of doing similar runs without the jogger is unappealing to me, but having Amelie and Isabelle along make it way more fun.
Sun: Green Mountain (up front, down middle)
5.15 miles/2,351 vert./1:11:44 (38:55up)/146 avg. HR Garmin Data
It was great to get out early while it was cool and quiet, felt like I had the mountain to myself. I felt pretty sluggish though from a poor night of sleep and I think my legs were feeling the 2 previous days of pushing the jogger and some residual sickness fatigue. Walked at least half of the ascent taking it relatively casual (if you can call running up the front side of Green casual).
Met up with GZ on the descent (he was supposed to meet me, but overslept). Just as well, as I would have been sucking wind and unable to talk on the ascent anyways. Headed down the mid route at an easy pace and yapped the whole way. Good to catch up.
Tues: Nothing, felt lousy, but was still somewhat in denial.
Weds: Even less, felt a lot worse. Went home from work early, slept a few hours, ate dinner, then slept 12 hours.
Thurs: Better in the morning, but felt worse as the day went on.
Fri: Local 7.51 miles/266 vert./57:13/155 avg. HR/7:37 pace
Low on energy throughout the day, but by 5:00pm or so, cabin fever got the best of me. Loaded the girls into the Chariot and we headed out despite it being quite warm (fortunately it clouded up soon after we left though which made it tolerable). We headed out to Harper Lake/Davidson Mesa and even though the first 2 miles were painful, I gradually eased into it and felt OK aside from the froggy throat.
Sat: Local 10.29 miles/418 vert./1:18:06/159 avg. HR/7:35 pace
Felt motivated to get going early before the heat of the day despite the fact that it meant the girls would have to skip their morning nap, or nap in the jogger. Took a variety of paths to visit Allison at work and zig zagged all over town. Went moderate most of the time and hard on occasion, sub 7 whenever it was flattish or downhill, slower if there was even a bit of uphill. Pushing 70lbs of baby jogger around really adds to the workout and the fun. The thought of doing similar runs without the jogger is unappealing to me, but having Amelie and Isabelle along make it way more fun.
Sun: Green Mountain (up front, down middle)
5.15 miles/2,351 vert./1:11:44 (38:55up)/146 avg. HR Garmin Data
It was great to get out early while it was cool and quiet, felt like I had the mountain to myself. I felt pretty sluggish though from a poor night of sleep and I think my legs were feeling the 2 previous days of pushing the jogger and some residual sickness fatigue. Walked at least half of the ascent taking it relatively casual (if you can call running up the front side of Green casual).
Met up with GZ on the descent (he was supposed to meet me, but overslept). Just as well, as I would have been sucking wind and unable to talk on the ascent anyways. Headed down the mid route at an easy pace and yapped the whole way. Good to catch up.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, 06/27/11 Green Mountain
Up/Down Front 4.01 miles/2,272 vert./1:01:19 RT (34:21 up) Garmin Data
Met Brandon for a lap on Green today. The plan was for me to give him a head start, maybe 5 minutes or so, as to be close by the top, but we got our wires crossed (my fault) and he ended up with a bit of a larger jump on me than anticipated. Going up seemed like abit lot more work than last week and the stats confirm that I worked 2 bpm harder to go 47 seconds slower. I am sure the fact that it was in the mid 80's (vs. low 60's and rainy last week) played a huge role. My throat got pretty clogged today too and I am beginning to re-think that I might have exercised induced asthma, as I get this maybe 2/3 of the time on harder runs. Or maybe I am just more susceptible to poor air quality (there seemed to be smoke in the air from that Lefthand fire and I did wake up this morning with a very sore throat).
So, met Brandon on the summit and took it super casual on the down. Hung out at the lot for a few, met up with the family, where I took over possesion of the girls so Allison and Sierra could take their turn.
Oh, a few shots I took on my drive into work this morning:
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Met Brandon for a lap on Green today. The plan was for me to give him a head start, maybe 5 minutes or so, as to be close by the top, but we got our wires crossed (my fault) and he ended up with a bit of a larger jump on me than anticipated. Going up seemed like a
So, met Brandon on the summit and took it super casual on the down. Hung out at the lot for a few, met up with the family, where I took over possesion of the girls so Allison and Sierra could take their turn.
Oh, a few shots I took on my drive into work this morning:
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, 06/25/11 Gross Res. Baby Jogger Run
9.4 miles/1,464 vert./1:25:38/Avg. HR 141 Garmin Data
I had been floating the idea around for a while to get up to Gross Reservoir with the baby jogger and today I talked Allison and the girls into it.
We headed up SuperFlag and parked on the E. side of the Res. and headed S. on Gross Dam Rd.. Aside from the initial uphill, it was a steep downhill for 2 miles (with plenty of loose dirt and washboard) until we crossed the creek. Then it was a longer than expected uphill to get to the reservoir, where Allison soon became a bit impatient, thinking it was a bit too hot for the girls and too long for them to be out. It was pretty warm and it took us ~50 minutes to go about 5 miles, so in the interest of time and efficiency, I left Allison and the girls to wait while I hurried back for the van. I was moving well on the downhill (low 6 pace), but then the final 2 mile climb back to the car was a scorching grind with no shade and ended up taking me 35 minutes total.
Once we all reunited, we had a nice picnic near the canoe/kayak ramp, while we watched the ranger harass all the riff raff who came through (PFDs?, ID?, fishing licenses?, etc....).
About to start
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Plenty of riff raff to harass (I actually applied for the job in the Spring 2009, glad it did not workout, I guess I am not quite "tough guy" enough). You can see the very tough and athletic looking water cop just to the right of the pickup truck. I'm being a bit harsh for whatever reason, but he was actually a pretty nice guy.
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I was pretty darn tempted to take a quick swim while the water cop was out of sight, but the fine is pretty stiff from what I understand.
![]()
I had been floating the idea around for a while to get up to Gross Reservoir with the baby jogger and today I talked Allison and the girls into it.
We headed up SuperFlag and parked on the E. side of the Res. and headed S. on Gross Dam Rd.. Aside from the initial uphill, it was a steep downhill for 2 miles (with plenty of loose dirt and washboard) until we crossed the creek. Then it was a longer than expected uphill to get to the reservoir, where Allison soon became a bit impatient, thinking it was a bit too hot for the girls and too long for them to be out. It was pretty warm and it took us ~50 minutes to go about 5 miles, so in the interest of time and efficiency, I left Allison and the girls to wait while I hurried back for the van. I was moving well on the downhill (low 6 pace), but then the final 2 mile climb back to the car was a scorching grind with no shade and ended up taking me 35 minutes total.
Once we all reunited, we had a nice picnic near the canoe/kayak ramp, while we watched the ranger harass all the riff raff who came through (PFDs?, ID?, fishing licenses?, etc....).
About to start
Plenty of riff raff to harass (I actually applied for the job in the Spring 2009, glad it did not workout, I guess I am not quite "tough guy" enough). You can see the very tough and athletic looking water cop just to the right of the pickup truck. I'm being a bit harsh for whatever reason, but he was actually a pretty nice guy.
I was pretty darn tempted to take a quick swim while the water cop was out of sight, but the fine is pretty stiff from what I understand.
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