Cold Weather is Here

So we've had several days of single digit temperatures over the past week or so. As you can imagine training is exteremly difficult. I made it outside once or twice. On Monday Kempton and I went down the 24 Hour Fitness Supersport in Aurora. They have a 6 lap per mile indoor track with 90 degree turns. But it really is not that terrible. We did a 3 mile cutdown for a warmup - 6:47-5:43-5:17. Afterwards we did 10laps of sprinting the long straight and jogging the short ones.

On Wednesday we had a group of 7 meet at Wash Park for a workout. The temp wasn't too bad. We ran the long side of the park hard (just over a mile) and the short sides easy. The trail was covered with a thin layer of snow but it was not very slippery. I ran 5:31-5:42-5:22-5:37 (the odd reps were a bit longer and more challenging) afterwards we did 5x30 second surges. All in all the run was about 13 miles or so. I felt surprisingly good after a full day of skiing. I guess I use differnt muscles. When I ski my quads burn but I did not feel them at all during the workout.

Workout Wednesday

Workout: 4.4 mile Temp Run at Wash Park.

I left work a little late to get to the Runner's Roost run at 6pm. Traffic was unfavorable and the 8 mile drive took 30 minutes. Needless to say I was 10 minutes late and the group had already left. I took off after them but could not catch them. I was meeting Kevin and Zeb at are usual spot for the workout and fortunately the Roost group just happend to run by that spot as we were about to start. I was supposed to meet up with Kieno for the workout, he did not know who I was. Picking him out of the group was not very difficult as he happend to be the only tall Kenyan runner among the group. I told him the workout and he decided to jump in. It was a cold night and we started off in control and picked up the pace throughout. I hung with Keino until about 3 mile mark and but was hurting pretty bad. I think I ran like 24 something for the 4.4 miles so the pace was relatively slow.

Back From Ohio

I went to Ohio For 8 day around Thanks Giving. Had a good time visiting the old stomping grounds. I entered the local Turkey Trot which is 6.5 loops around Plum Creek Park. I knew quite a bit of people at the race and had an enjoyable experience despite the cold weather and a poor performance. The race went out quick 2:21 at the half and 4:48 at the mile. I was running with a former high school teammate's husband. A bit past the mile mark I made a surge to see how I was feeling. The sensory area of my brain sent a neurological signal to my body (I'm reading a book called surviving the extremes which deals with the physiological responses of your body to extreme situations) warning of extreme pain. My initial reaction was to override the signal, something endurance athletes become accustomed to doing on a daily basis. I did not provoke a strong fight and quickly slowed my pace. I hung on to 2nd with a fast approaching Aaron Emig closing in and ready to move in for the kill had the race only been an agonizing few hundred meters longer.

Training is still inconsistent as I battle to get out the door for a run. I found taking at least a day off a week helps tremendously but by far the best motivator is training with a group. Wednesday nights I started meeting with people at Wash Park for tempo and fartleck type workouts. Of course I have the Sunday long run group so I'm able to have two quality days a week. Soccer season is over for now but skiing should help keep my legs strong.

Till next time...

Too Much Pizza

Kind of a slow week

The weather in Denver has been unbelievable, usually in the mid 60's. You know its been a slow few days when someone opens with the weather.

I've been feeling a bit fatigued during my runs the last few days.

I went out for pizza on Saturday night. Afterward we headed to meet some friends at a bar. The kitchen made an extra pizza and we had the privilege to be the fortuitous table that scored the free pie. I have a problem, when there is food in front of me I eat it. Even though I wasn't hungry, slice after slice made its way into my mouth, down my esophagus to my cringing digestive system. I woke up for Sunday's long run pretty tired. After slugging through the first 70 minutes of the run with a healthy group of 15 guys, I only dropped off the last few miles. Ensuing the Fast Food Challenge I figured my unflappable stomach would welcome such a paltry task.

Next time I hope for a more compelling entry, but I'm a firm believer of not forcing things.

New England Patriots

Running: I wish Sunday group run was everyday so I can stay motivated. I met up with Matt and Sam today at wash park to run 2x2.7 loop around the park. The temperature was perfect but strong winds were brutal. We ran the first loop in 14:20 and after 4 minutes headed off again for a 14:01. Average was 2 seconds a loop slower than 9 days prior but I felt more comfortable at that pace until the last few minutes of the 2nd loop.

Skiing: Went up to ski Loveland for the first time on Wednesday for employee demo day. Skiing is a great time but my legs were sore the next day. As runners we only utilize certain muscles and as soon as lateral movement is involved, well forget about it. My legs were sore for today's workout.

Soccer: We are officially the New England Patriots of the Denver University indoor rec league. After finishing the season undefeated an being up 3-1 at halftime of the championship game we had a colossal meltdown and were shut out in the second half on the way to a 5-3 defeat. We had plenty of chances but could not capitalize and thus ended our undefeated streak. I had a great time anyway.

Fast Food Challenge: We got some press on Letsrun front page. Here is the link to the message board thread. Also a few pictures: Matt and Zeb. More photos and video to come shortly...

This Week

Training: Good week of training. Tuesday I met up with Sam at Wash Park for 2 x 2.7 mile tempo run with 4 minutes rest. We ran 14:17 and 14 flat, an exerting run but solid effort. We both felt as though we pushed fairly hard. On Thursday I met Matt at Wash Park to do a 8x800m on the cinders track. I made it through 6 averaging about 2:35 with 2 minutes rest. The pace was similar to my tempo run effort but my legs were dead. Not my day.

Soccer: We won our first playoff game quite handily and were supposed to play the finals a few hours later. Some confusion between the teams and league officials led to a communication break down and the game was rescheduled for this week. We've played our opponent twice already resulting in 1 tie and one come from behind 6-5 victory.

Lakewood Fast Food Challenge: McGuirk ,an ex-Cornell runner put this even together as a tribute to an old ritual from his college days. The unofficial race consisted of running around a lake to station one. At the first station each competitor had to eat a sloppy joe and drink a small coke and run to station two. Station 2 was a 7 11 where we had to eat a foot long and drink a slurpy. On to station 3 for a slice of pizza, garlic knot and a can of coke. From there we continued to Chipolte for 3 meat tacos with 2 toppings. And finally to Carl's Jr. for the ominous task of engulfing a chili burger and 600m dash to the finish. 10 guys showed up for the race and each station had several judges. The total running was about 2.8miles. I was feeling pretty good and Matt K and I were battling back and forth through the first 5 stations. On the way to Carl's Jr. Matt was moaning and groaning and I was feeling feathery light. We began to indulge our burgers and before I knew it I was finished and Matt was only half way done and in pain. I had an easy dash to the finish clocking in at 24:20 officially. Matt got lost and ended up 6th, Dusto was 2nd at about 28 minutes. 9 competitors finished (Jura dropped out), 8 competitors puked?, and we all had a good time? It was quite the experience to say the least. Official results, pictures, and possibly race footage to come....

Run Club: Wow, what a turnout. I didn't officially count but easily over 20 people (probably 23 or 24). I don't know if I ever ran in a group that big and that talented. I mean everyone there was good and with a a bit of serendipity from mother nature we also had great weather. Everyone's ego were clandestinely tucked away as the group managed to stay as a pack for the majority of the run. I imagine we were quite intimidating to a passerby, a group of stallions powering down the trail. The pace was honest but hardly challenging, perhaps 6:45 to 6:55 average. All and all a great success. Hopefully the turnout continues as the weather will turn inclement in the upcoming weeks.


Till next time...

Post

What's New:

1. I joined the Runner's Roost racing team

2. I started a coed soccer team called Two Left Feet. We just finished the regular season undefeated. Our last game was a squeaker as a late goal put us ahead 6-5 after being down 4-1 at half. Games are once a week on Wednesday. I must say my soccer skills have deteriorated quite noticeably ever since I started running seriously but my regression since high school is quite significant. In running unlike many team sports there is very little body contact with your competitors. Not entirely sure if running is the culprit or I'm just a complete wuss but aggressive body contact is not my strength. My strength used to be foot skills in tight areas but that aspect of my game is non existent as well.

3. Started a run club named after the fabled Calorie Burning Club founded by James and Jake.
We meet Sunday mornings for long run. This will be week 3. Last week we had 10 runners and pace was very honest.

4. Kalen started a run club for the CU med students and asked me to help out. Med students are busy people, yesterday we had our biggest turnout, 5 people.

5. Training has been all over the map. I'm in decent shape but not consistent with my daily runs and workouts. I raced a few times. The Metro Fit Beat mile where I finished 4th in like 4:42 I think. I also ran a 5k in 17:3? but wasn't pushing that hard. Ran the Denver Marathon Relay 4.1 mile leg and ran 22:02 (15:58 through 3), the last mile was a treacherous uphill battle and I only managed 5:47 for that mile. My team won the relay in like 2:32.