Last hard effort run before the Bear 100 in less than two weeks. I have taken it pretty easy all week, felt flat from last week and my knee was tweaky from running like a clutz early in the week, which clumsiness was probably the result of feeling flat from the week before, funny how its all related. I still managed some runs, though nothing approaching a harder effort.
Plan today was to get a solid run up Lewis Peak, then take it easy on the way down. Figured it would be some good vert and an hour or so tempo pace with a easy 45 minutes to finish. Felt great up the initial climb, fully recovered legs, but still have the congestion going on a little. PR pace to my first split at the end of the flattish section on top of the switchbacks, PR pace to the high point. Wasn't really planning a PR run, but as I rounded the last corner to the peak, my watch was just over 57:00 (PR is 58:15) I gave it all I had up the last hill and pretty much dove to the top hitting stop at 58:10. PR! barely! I was gasping for air though, gotta get past this slight cold in the next two weeks. ( I'm sure its a cold now as the pollen counts are way down). Took it very easy on the down, taking almost as long to get back down as the up.
This is the last hard effort before Bear. All running form here on out will be at a for fun pace. Proabably just cruising with no watch and not too many miles, maybe a few pick up's here and there to remind my legs that they aren't on perma-vacation.
Bear training is done!!!! Lots of highs and lows over the last 6 weeks. I really feel like I put in all I could given the amount of time I had available to train and the load my body would take. I am feeling strong, I have PR'd all of my usual test/training runs in the last week and a half. Everything feels healthy except my knee, but I know how to deal with that. Just gotta recover and enjoy a few easy runs over then next 13 days. Trick is going to be believing in the work I have put in and knowing it will be there race day, even with the let up for the next two weeks.
As for the Bear, dead last or a strong finish, doesn't matter to me. I'll take what my body has to give, and I'm going to ask it for 100%. | 