Like the canyon

If last nights run run was the reason I love to run, tonight's run was a sharp contrast to that.  7 miles of the worst trail conditons I have run in all winter on the BST from 27th.  Decided to give the north side one more day to melt out, wrong choice.  Slushy, half melted out mashed potatoes nightmare.  Got it done, don't wanna do it again. 

On another note, just read an email that the Xterra Trail Run Nationals are coming to my local trails.  Suhweet! Half marathon starting and ending at Snowbasin.  Open to anyone, no qualifier, so tear it up withthe best of the best if you're up for it. I wont be running as it's the weekend of the Bear 100, but will be cool to have it here. 

Nice little run on the BST north.  Snow is mostly gone and the mud is minimal.  Felt great on the way out, ran into the go fastie Jon S at the turn around and we ran back togerther.  Nice to chat about up coming races.  Great run, legs and body feeling great.  Guessing 8 or 9 miles around an hour and a half or so.

BST North side again. More snow, more mud, more explatives dropped.  Ran into Phil and Kasey, lots of folk out these days, seems most runs end up in a good 10 minutes chat session at some point which is great.  Ran a new little loop, a high trail above the bridge around Jump Off canyon, short, but pretty cool, nice to mix it up.  A little more running in circles here and there netted me 10 miles, 1600 vert or so. 

AM: Another sweet day on the sticks.  2 laps on the front side of Snowbasin.  Pretty cool to step in your skis at the top of Mt Allen and clik out 4500 vertical feet later at the 27th street trailhead. 

PM: Nice and easy 5 miles or so on the trails.

Best day running of 2011 so far. Well, Red Hot was fun, but today just had a great vibe.  Big training run on Antelope Island that I think half the FRB'ers in the area and many other trail runners showed up to. At least 100 people out on the trails, runners everywhere it was awesome. 

I started with the 8:00 AM group and settled in with Ogden runners Aric, Jon and BJ, we cruised easy the first couple of miles cracking on each other and goofing off.  My goal for the day was to ru na moderate paced, even effort for the day.  After the first couple of miles I settled into that rythmn and cruised along.  Unfortunately it left me running a different pace than most everyone else so I spent most of the day solo. 

Finished the first campground loop just behind Crockett and a guy named Mike.  I hung out for a bit to re-group with the O-town runners.  As we were leaving for the 25K loop the FRB crew pulled in.  Perfect timing except that we left a little in front of them and never saw them until the end.  Though I thought for sure Jun, Dorsimus and Brian would come flying by at any moment. 

My legs felt tired and heavy, maybe from the skiing, but my pace was right where I wanted all day.  Felt good around 7:30 on the flats and ranged in the mid-8's on the more technical sections and moderate hills, wtih some 10-11 min paced stuff on someof the longer hills. Effort was moderate and steady.  I kept a run going through everything and didn't stop or walk once on the 25K loop, plus Elephant head loop, which I ran at the end. Last year it was optional in the 50 mile to do Elephant Head at the begining or end of the 25K loop, I think I will run it first again, felt hard after the long switchback climb.

Good to hang out for an hour or so after with some great guys. Ultrajim, Crocket, Aric, Jon and BJ are laugh a minute, freaking hilarious, through Jun in the mix and it's wet your pants funny.  Now I understand some of Scott W's incontinence issues (kidding Scott) HA! 

25.1 miles, 8:46 pace, 2300 vert.

Week: about 64 miles, vert 8000ish

Easy 6.5 miles on the mill.

Another good morning of Wasatch powder, followed by a few hours of work, followed by a nice 11 mile run on the BST north.  Trail was dry and mostly mud free all the way to the end.  A bit of snow on the last mile or so. 

11 miles, 1800 vert.

Same run as yesterday.  BST north is a great trail, but getting a little monotonous.  Started faster than I wanted as I noticed what must have been one of the local highschool x-country teams about a minute back.  Really didn't want to get passed by a herd of kids running in singlets.  Ran into Jon and Ultrajim hanging out at a corner I call "Scott Rock".  Good to chat for a bit.  Ran in my new Hoka Bondi B's.  Jurry is still out on these ugly dogs.  Very light, not as cushioned as the original Hubble, not as wide which seemed to make them much less stable.  When I wear the Hoka it's for the cushy ride, these seem to be like a slightly overbuilt regular shoe.  I wasn't crazy about my first pair for a bit so we'll see, only my second run in them and first time on the trails.  Funny thing is I spent the entire run splashing through as much mud and water as I could find to get'em dirty, 'cause they're pretty....well.... bright.

Trail is perfect all the way north past the spring/waterfall after that it gets a little snow covered  for the last mile or so before the dead end, but melting out fast and no mud. Get it before the word spreads on the Mtn bike message boards.

11 miles, 1800 vert.

Started at 27th, did my short loop to check out the trails on the south side.  Most of the stuff north of Taylor canyon is pretty dry, south ouf that, not so much.  Mud's thick dropping down to Rainbow though.  After the short loop headed north past Rainbow on the BST.  Passed the go-fasties on their way back.  Turned around just above the service road and took the high trail through Jump Off canyon.  Passed the go fasties again pulled over talking to Jim and Aric, but had no time to stop as I had to get home.  Nice thing about having one dry trail in the areas is that you get to see just about everyone on most runs.  I was thinking about that on the way back and am really suprised at the number of ultra runners in the area.  Counted roughly 19 people who regularly run ultras (most regularly run 100 milers) and trail races that live in the area.  That's a pretty good community of runners for such a niche sport and a relatively small town.  Pretty cool. 

Feeling the miles the last couple of days. Starting ot get kinda spacey and hungry all the time. My body os holding up well. which is good.  My calf Achelles thing is flaring up a bit, but going to ART tomorrow which will take care of that for a few more weeks. Glad it's the last hard week, then a couple of easier weeks before Buffalo 50 mile.  

13 miles, 1750 vert tonight. 1:50 minutes, harder effort than I wanted, but was on a schedual.

Easy paced 6 on the loops north of Taylor Canyon.  Super happy that my "home" trails are dry. I can cruise 6-7 miles of sweet trail and never be more than a couple miles from my front door.  Tired and hungry when I started more tired and hungry when I got home.

Little over 6 miles 500 vert.

Great week of running but glad its over and time to rest for a solid 30 hours or so.  Getting out of bed this morning I knew I wanted a 20 miler, they way I felt I thought, it aint happening.  Got in the car and figured I'd get through it.  Drove the 45 seconds to the 27th street trailhead (I know, but I'm not that much of an eviromentalist and I HATE running on roads) Grabbed  my spikes, kinda groaned and started running.  Funny how it works, within 30 seconds I felt great and was enjoying an easy cruise up Taylor Canyon.  Pulled over to chain up my shoes and savored the easy trot to the summit. As nice as it was I can't belive I didn't see another person unitl I ran into Dennis back down Taylor. (This guy is incrediable!! a couple of years ago he went on a real Malan's bender, get this,  A 1000 CONSECUTIVE SUMMITS!!!, rough math says that's almost 3 years, everyday! 4.5  miles 2220 vert, heat, snow, rain, wind, everyday, and he's in his late 60's, early 70's) 

Cruised back to the car, dropped my spikes and jacket and took off North.  Funny mtn bike encounter, came through the tunnel at 12th a pack of 6 mtn bikes pulled up behind me.  I stepped aside to let them go by, not a thanks or even a head nod, serious bunch.  Sizing them up as they went by, I thought this ins't going to last long.  Sure enough within 5 minutes on the climb everone of them was head hanging and wobbling.  I picked off the first two pretty quick, got the rest by the top.

Ran the BST north out to the dead end. Felt like hell off and on. Legs were heavy and wouldn't come around.  After the turnaround I felt progressively better to the point I had a good pep in the step four the last 4 miles or so heading back to 12th.  I don't know what turned it around, but it was a signifigant change.  I think it's a mental thing.  Ran into BJ on the way back, chatted for a bit, then ran into Oreo and Mtn Goat just above 12th street, chatted for a while, BJ came by and I tried to keep up going back to Rainbow.  Felt great climbing out of Rainbow, took a little shortcut getting back to the BST as I had to get home to go skiing with my 11 year old. 

Got home, changed clothes, hit the slopes for a few hours with my 11 yr old, got home from that, hit the park with the 2 year old for a bit, then hit the trail with the dog for a couple of miles right at dark (walking, but I'm counting it). Now sitting on the couch eating!

Running miles today: 19, or so, no watch, so basing on past runs, 4100 vert,.  Add 2 late, 21 miles total.

Week: 68 miles, 10,000 vert.

Easy and very enjoyable 6 on the trails late.  Funny what a day off does, ran easy but felt good to have a bit of pep on the hills and good turnover in the legs.  500 vert.

Nice easy paced 9 miles on the Boulder field loops with some BST loopage as well.  Nice weather has brought out the strange folks and the miscellaneous trail runners.  For months the only runners out were the local ultra guys and the dedicated trail runners, most of whom I know.  Now all sorts of folks out jogging around, kinda miss having my trails all to myself.  Tis the season I suppose, kinda like first part of January at the gym.

9 miles or so, guessing 8-900 vert.

Easy, very low energy 5 on the trails in the rain. Several new runners out again despite the down pour. Felt pretty worked for some reason.    

What a disaster this run was! Last night's run was low energy and generally crappy, felt winded and legs felt trashed. In fact my legs have felt trashed all week even though my miles have been down.  Felt alright for the first 3 miles or so, then progressively worse, to the point I almost wanted to call for ride home at Rainbow on the way back through.  I 've had a little nagging soreness in my hip/upper quad and it went nuts tonight, super painful for the last 5 miles.  Got home, tired, limping and shivering.  All in all pretty miserable run. Luckily I had an ART appointment schedualed for Friday afternoon that helped hugely witth sore hip thing.  Attributing the fatigue to a low level cold that's trying to become front and center.  Not a full lung buster yet, hoping it stays away as I have a race in a week!!

12 miles, 1800 vert, slow

Feeling the slight cold, substitute 1 hour run for an hour and a half nap and 10 hours of sleep! Gotta kill this bug before it gets a foothold.  ART helped with the hip/quad soreness, though it's still a bit tender. 

No running.  First day off during the week since mid December, well except the Friday befrore Red Hot 50K.

Slept in hard this morning, then took it easy all morning feeling out this lurking sickness.  By 11 or so things felt o.k. so I slowly got dressed and headed out for a tentative run on the BST North.  Ran very easy the whole way out, passing Joel, Aric, and the go fastie on their way back.  Felt o.k., hip wasn't too much of an issue, got a little sore coming back. Kept my heart rate low and just cruised.  Actually felt good to just run that easy, really enjoyed it.  Met a new trail runner at the turn-around, a gu from California that moved here a few months ago, he's gonna love this place for the trails! There is still some life in this bug, so tomorrow will be a deep rest day. Hip/quad tight tonight, stretch, roll, rest.  C'mon body, I know I ask alot of you, but pull through this one quick, please!

11 miles, 1600 vert, very easy pace

Easy 40 minutes. Boulderfield loops.  Getting an upper hand on the cold, hip is still a little sore.  Weather looks perfect Saturday, which the way they forecast lately, means it'll be awful.

Ran today. Probably shouldn't have.  Energy is low, but that's not a big suprise, but this damn bug is getting the best of me!! Felt a little crappy when I left, full fever shakes and body aches when I got back.  Damnit!! Triple up on the Vit C, Lots of fluids, 10 hours of sleep, hot showers, anything esle that anyone suggests.  Really hoping I can start Saturday!!

Updated music on the Ipod, checked out the course map, thinking positive, feeling negetive, but maybe a glimmer of improvement today, slight fever is gone, chest congestion and cough still hanging on.  No running today, 10 hours of sleep, double dosing on the Airborne and fluids, really want to make this race.  

Well, still got the gunk.  Really wanted to think it was just taper nastiness, you know the typical feeling like getting a cold, tired, aches, but this one’s the real deal.  All in all, I’d say there has been a bit of improvement in energy level and not quite as congested, but as of 4:30, still only feel about 80% at best.  Haven’t run for 3 days, which is the longest no running streak since November.  Sleeping a solid 9-10 hours and downing vit C and fluids, but still not quite there. 

Been through all my prerace stuff, diet, hydration, rest, taper is out of whack with no running, but that’s o.k.  Legs feel good, lungs and head feel pretty bad.  Going to make a final decision at the start line tomorrow, but for now, I am planning to start and see how it feels after the loop back to the start/finish.  I have never DNS’ed or DNF’ed so this will be interesting on the psyche, but like my buddy Corey said, better to drop if needed that get worse a screw up a whole bunch of future running.   

Who knows, I tend to run through most things, so this might just kill the damn bug!! I will give it 100% of what I’ve got to give and see where it gets me.  I really enjoyed this race last year, and thought it was one of my better races as I did o.k. and the course is not suited to me (lots of flat running) so I was really excited about it again.  Really frustrating , but is what it is, and there are certainly worse things in the world!  Looking forward to a fun day on the island running and hanging out with friends, hopefully more running than hanging out!!

Finally put in some details

I gave it what I had, but what I had was 33 miles. Dropped there, tough to do, but it was the right thing to do. More details to follow. (below)

Really wanted to give a HUGE congrats to all the FRB'ers that had incrediable runs today!

Kelli - Unbeliveable!! Nice job.

Jun - I was there for one of the low points, it wasn't pretty for either of us, says alot that you were able to pull out of it nail solid race and a great time! courageous effort buddy!

Matt and Scott - Didn't see the finish, but sounded like you were both happy with the result and the times were impressive!!

Oreo and G! Nice family effort, gotta keep the competition hot! Didn't get to talk with you much about your race, but good to see you out there!

Crockett! Crazy!! nice job on 3rd.  You are rolling this year.

Ultrajim You pulled it off again! lots of happy runners and good weather...Go figure on that timing!

 I'm sue there were more FRB folks out there, just don't know you, but great job anyway!!

 Quick report for the 33 miles I ran.  (mostly for my future reference so read if you must)

Had serious doubts going in about actually pulling this off.  Which was my first mistake, more on that later.  I knew what ever I had it was the real deal and not just taper pre-race weirdness, but was hoping that maybe it would fade or could be ignored for 8-9 hours of hard running (yeah right, second mistake)

As had been the nature of this cold, I have good energy early in the day and fade fast in the afternoon.  Such was the nature of this race, except the running part accelerated the fade. 

Legs felt good off the line and I quickly moved into about 6th place going up the first hill.  I held on there following closely behind another runner using his light. My plan was to push a little up the Lone Tree hill and get my heart rate up a bit and see how the lungs handled it, well I ran it, they felt fine, so I thought, guess it's a race and kept the gas peddle down. 

The 5 guys on front of me went down the hill and I went out Elephant Head, super fun and beautiful out there all alone and being the first one.  Coming back it was fun to pass those still heading out, first one's were Corey and Chad, and they were just at the top of the little hill in the middle. 

Things felt good down the big hill, but coming back up the switchbacks is where the wheels started to wobble.  My breathing got really rapid and my heart rate was surging, despite moving pretty slowly. I slowed a bit more and passed a couple of back of the packers and wasn't moving much faster than they were at that point.

Picked up a couple of runners coming out of Elephant Head and we started the long roll back to White Rock.  There was a guy in front of me who I was keeping pace with and a guy a little bit back that turned out to be Jun.  I felt like total hell, but was keeping pace with those around me, so figured i was alright, other than I felt like hell. 

Got back into Whiterock, said hi to Lily, checked the time and was 20 minutes up on my planned split and still in 5th or 6th place. All right, but I felt like hell, ached everywhenre, head spining, chest burning. I had serious thoughts about calling a day there, but I knew I had more in me and I couldn't quit with gas in the tank.

Off on a slow jog toward the Mtn View trail and the long out-n-back.  Got passed right away, said hey to Jun on the ohter side of the fence and tried not ot look too terriable to all the 25kers walking down the road to their start. 

Up the hill down the hill and settled into a painful wheezy jog on the mtn view trail.  My pace felt terriable and labored but I was keeping pretty close to the couple of guys in front, so I thought, well I feel like hell, can't imagine running any slower, but I'm hanging so keep going.  The further I went the faster my body went down hill.   To the point where absolutely everything ached.  I concluded I would drop at the Frarey aid, mile 27.  I staggerd in, stopped, wobbeld a bit as my head was spinning, sat down, stood up, sat back down, Jun came in a moment later, asked how I was I said I'm done, but as I said it I was looking for my drop bag and switching out my empty gels for full one's and filling my bottle.  Just couldn't bring myself to drop.  Jun left, I sat back down for a few seconds, and thought, there's a little left, I'll head to the turn around, you never know maybe I'll feel better if I get going. 

200 yards out of the aid I knew I should have quit, but I couldn't turn around, I couldn't do the walk of shame back to the aid.  So I kept plodding along.  Chad Carson passed a few minutes later and soon his crew was in site as they had walked up to the trail from the road. It was Gary, who I know, it was all I had not to jump in his car right there.  I told him I would see him at the turn around a kept on.  With in a bit I caught up to Jun, who was in a low spot, we both walked along and kind of comiserated about the how we felt.  My lungs, head and body knew they were done.  I didn't want any of that getting onto Jun's head.  I knew he was on a great pace and could finish in his goal time, so I trried to give him some props.  We pulled into the turn around right around 5 hours.  Still 15 minutes ahead of my splits.  I told the guy with the clipboard that I was out, he counted my place and said are you sure you are in 7th place! I said no, I'm not sure, but going on would be a mistake.  And that was that, took off the number, got in the car, coughed and shivered all the way back to the start/fininsh.

Getting to my car, my head was really geting to me. asking myself questions like should I have finished, I could have, I know I could have, it would have been ugly and at a huge cost, as I already feel much worse today than yesterday cold wise. I had to put it out of my head and realize it was the best decsion. 

I put on two coats and my long pants, sat in the car for a while to calm the shivers, then headed over to the finish to watch everyone come in.  I really wanted to see Jun come in as well as several other friends.  It was hard knowing if all had been right health wise I most likely would have had a great race.  Wasn't to be, and I'm ok with that.  I know I learn more from the one's that don't go as would have liked, and I will get alot out of the experience. 

The lessons:

1 Dont start if I have serious doubts about finishing due to injury or illness. Got in my head today and would have been a battle even if I had come around to feeling better.  Starting sick or injured and not finishing or even finishing sub what I think I could have leaves too many questions that don't have answers about what went right or wrong and if I could have done better.  For me every race is a learing experience and I need a baseline of basic health to make descions about what I could improve on.

2. Dont ever DNF under any circumstances short of a sickness that will get worse by continuing or an injury that will do the same.  Gut it out, even if its not the race I wanted.  Today met the DNF qualifier, but still hurt bad enough that I would never want to do it again under lesser circumstances.  Of course there are greater circumstances which might require a DNF and that's ok too.

Things are coming around slowly, but improvement for sure.  Energy is back on track, breathing still tight and congested but not as bad.  Walked the dog on the trails every night this week for a few miles, had a great morning skiing Tuesday, even headed out for a little jog on the boulderfield loops tonight, weather was just too nice to not go and I just can't sit still! I think it's a problem sometimes, 'cuase if there was a week I should have, this was it.  Legs feel good, breathing was still a bit labored toninght, but felt good to turn'em over a little and feel the grove for a bit. Most of the aches and niggels I was feeling over the past couple of weeks that I thought were a blooming injury have faded, figure they were tied to the damn cold/flu/bug thing I've had going on. Dog is happy, body happy, weather's good, starting to get excited about the high trails again!