Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

Event: Run Like the Dickens
 

C • Great pics! 1

Too short of a warmup, probably, with insufficient higher speed stuff, at least per some suggestions gleaned from AP logs. The Ghosts were too slippery on the snow covered roads, so I went to the car and swapped for my carbide dobbed IceBugs.

A learning experience!

I had grand visions for this race. Potential PR? I think I ran more than leading up to last year, and my Mackinac race went well.

I do not know how much of an effect the weather had - 1-3" of snow fell, rendering roads slick. Additionally, it was 14 deg F colder than last year, when I ran in sockless in shorts and a t-shirt. This year was tights, two layers, gloves, light balaclava and wool socks.

It was unusually easy to line up near the front. I was ~80th last year, so I targeted having around 50 people in front of me.

The start was sounded. I took off, and it felt easy and good. Until I looked at my watch: 5:55. Oh fudge. But it feels so easy. I'm not even working. Maybe I'm just supremely fit!

And that worked great for 1/4 of a mile until it caught up with me. ARGH. So I've gone out too fast. And I feel like I have no power and drive. :(

I tried to hang on, trying to push the pace back under 7 and failing miserably. Well, I'm not getting passed too much, and maybe others are suffering. I'll hang on, run more miles (and maybe tempos???) over the winter and try again in the spring. I saw the lead pack get released from the train that blocked them - no factor in my race.

I wanted to start a kick 400-800 m out, but I had nothing. I rounded the corner with few tall folks around, just one 6'er fading, so I passed him in case he was M35.

I caught my breath, wandered to the car to put my boots on, and caught Kimberly for her finish.

I went inside and checked the screens. I was 3rd! 32nd overall!

And even better, on the official results sheet, it has me in 2nd for M35. Not sure what caused the discrepancy, but I will take it!

And I mentioned 2 seconds per pound per mile? That would make me equally as fit as last year, just too fat, running 7:03 to 6:53.

Time to slim up and run more. The time was a little frustrating, but at least the results were good and I earned a glass.

Lest my prize swell my ego too much, I checked Attackpoint and saw JayXC banged out a 6:46 pace run for 75 minutes this morning. :)

C • Looks like a nice run in ba... 6

Not much of a cool down. Bit of a time crunch finishing slower than I wanted, changing, and trying to catch Kimberly if she were running PR pace.

Tomorrow's PR attempt thwarted?

Periods of snow. High 21F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.

C • Will be skiing on Sunday! 12

158 "boy, I should drink less soda"s later, I headed home. I got a tiny bit chilled. I think it was because I was overdressed for the return area so I got very warm after the ride up, sweated, and then that cooled off.

C • Returnables 4

'Tis the season to think about gear for 2014, but then I reflect on Ali's crushing Chill performance in a short boat and eventually broken bike, and I know that the best thing would be to train harder and practice my navigation, and the little things will not matter!

C • Rested? 9

I have been neglecting both my biking and my returnables. Two birds, one stone.

The screen doesn't work. It was awful. Will do again.

Took a break from the stairs. Stair climber needs a slight fix to stop squeaking.

I wanted to run home from our fast casual dining venue, but dear wife was eyeing an elliptical run until she noticed the time when we got home. Then a little struggle to get out. Temps were not as bad as feared.

Event: O-Cup #2 (The Chase)
 

Mulling pace options for Saturday. I am probably at least qualified to run a 21:21 again like last year, but last year that wasn't good enough to place. PR is 20:35, and doesn't seem impossible. Or I could just go out in 6:26 and hope like heck to hang on for a 19:59. Worst case I would blow up and run about 21:21 again.

C • I think my strategy last ti... 3

and registered for Cabin Fever. Planning to head down Friday night, and then drive home after the race. Who's in for a carpool and/or room share?

C • Carpool 2

Let the Cabin Fever prep begin. Originally thought about jogging, but I worked my legs over hustling around Highland yesterday, so a 12% hike w/ 10 lbs of kitty litter seemed like less pounding but still good enough.