As planned, I headed down to Waterton Canyon for a meet up run. Between the Denver and CoS contingents, there were easily 30 folks including some familiar faces with Ryan K, Wes T, Brownie, Sean, Jim P, and Wyatt.
A few pix …
The early going. Apparently the first 6.5 miles of the Colorado Trail is a road! I did not know this as I had never been on this section.
A break just below the Waterton Dam where wait for Brownie
The trail start, Wyatt in the background.
Typical views … single track, sometimes nice and clear, sometimes socked in with snow and predetermined foot placings
Brownie
I felt pretty good, even in light of yesterday’s effort. Once we hit the snow, I could feel the ankle that I rolled yesterday protesting a bit. I decided I’d make a go for 11.5 miles out or 2 hours, whichever came first. The miles came and I turned around. Several folks were doing a the full section – and so measured at 34 miles.
I was not moving fast on the snow or the steeper downs on the trail, but I was fine with that – enjoying the trail. Once I got back to the dam and hence the road, I was less than stoked to stare at road for six more miles, and I thought I was starting to feel a little less than great. So I did what you are supposed to do when that happens: I pushed it a bit to keep things interesting and to mix things up a bit. I was able to progress each of the six miles to be faster than the prior. A bit of work, but good.
The 23 miles (+) was my longest run of the year, both in terms of miles, time. This week ends up the same with 80 on the week, and over 8.4k feet of vertical – largest yet this year – coming from the effort over this week (37 miles with 7.1k of vert). I can feel it in the legs a bit, but that is good training right now.
I am pretty happy with how things have been progressing on whole. I have been doing pretty well this year with getting in 2 long runs a month (I have logged six now, 5 20 milers or longer, 1 18 miler but in the hills). I am beginning to get a bit more vertical so that is good. On the downside, the Achilles still is not 100 percent (but obviously not completely debilitating), and I still think I am losing a speed step or two.
Good to see the broader MUT/CRUD croo today and to check out some new places.
Hmmmm,that picture of all you coming down the road reminds me of that movie"The Dirty Dozen".
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good crew turned out for the run...sorry I had to miss it!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, have you messed around with anything other than sporttracks for your garmin data? I am getting a bit fed up with it since it isn't supported on Mac and as a result does some funny things.
Good croo out there today Randy!
ReplyDeleteNick - I do have the elevation correction plug in for Sportracks. Seems to keep things a bit tighter and less exaggerated. Someone else who ran a bit shorter than me came up with 3000 feet of gain. I guess this errs a bit more conservatively.
Next time you do that run you need to start above Sedalia on 67 place called Indian Creek Equastrian trail. It connects up with the CT at Lennys Rest and you skip all the crap road miles plus it adds on a good 2000ft elevation, looked like great run.
ReplyDeleteSitting in UT right now and those pics make me homesick (live 1 mi from the trailhead). Nice job on the run, you are really building up a strong foundation with the mix of longs, some vert, and intensity. Shaping up to be a great year!
ReplyDeleteWe discussed at the bench how that was the "unofficial" CT for during the closure. I will need to check that out.
ReplyDeleteI've run Waterton Canyon many times - the last time being with Kathleen and Steve from Happy Trails in 2010 before they closed it. But I have never gone as far as you have on the CT - that is some good hill work. Maybe I will need to head up there this summer for some PP training!?! Love the pic of the group, reminds me of a western movie with the gang walking down the dirt road. :)
ReplyDeleteJill - I guess I got real lucky! It might be a bit before it is opened again given the fire situation. In fact, I think that is why they closed it this last time: to dredge the res from run off from the Hayman fire.
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