A tad sore, but I felt surprisingly good for the jog today. I made my way over to the school for practice. GW's son, an 8th grader, had a XC meet over at the middle school. Once we got the kids going for practice we made our way over to watch that race. It was fun and his kid had a solid race. Jogged back afterwards and got in a few more miles. I cut the run at six - just to not over do it, but I expect to slowly increase the miles over the week as long as I feel good.
I got pix from the PPM, but as they are pretty much all of me in a death march at 13k feet, and I like to still think this is about running, I'm passing on posting those.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Tuesday 28AUG2019
Sore as would be expected but I decided to get a bit of movement in to do some active recovery. 5.3 miles, super easy and slow.
The view from the bike
The afternoon therapy group, or most of the coaching staff at Broomfield High. Love this guys, and the support, banter and common spirit we have.
Today, I was on the bike and was given the name Georts for my clothing choices.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Monday 27AUG2019
No running today. I am sore in the typical places - the legs, the arse, my feet are bit beat up, and the always interesting odd soreness in the arms and neck that one can get from a long race like Pikes. I'll probably start jogging in the next day or two. Not because I am training for anything but just because it is that space I seek. I'll justify it as some sort of movement to help recovery, but really, I just like to do it. It gives me a space. Sometimes to think about things, and other times to think about nothing.
In past years I have been particularly contemplative post this race. As there was little mental fanfare leading up to this one for me, I am not overly thoughtful about this one either. Of course, there is some consideration of "hmm, so if next year ... " sort of stuff. But plenty of time for that later.
I have been giving some thought to how my head floated around on this trip. Early on I had lots of feelings of doubt, considering how many tacos I had ate in Tijuana the week before, the lack of specific training, how I was older now, blah, blah, blah. In other words, a lot of excuses, a lot of negative crap. The Q word even floated in there. Of course, you just grind on. You push those thoughts aside and try to focus on getting to that next aide station, that next course marker or sometimes even that next tree or rock.
For significant periods of time in the race, I found myself in a bit of a dark space - face to face with a lot of me that I am not happy with, and struggle with ... not even in running races like this but as a person and choices I have made. I mean, I do contemplate this sort of stuff in regular life anyway, but this came at me in more clear and undeniable sort of fashion.'
And oddly, I found this is exactly where I wanted to be. The race had set up a mirror for me for a short period to consider these and how I want to deal with them. I recognized that it was not what I expected to happen while climbing this mountain, but it was exactly what I wanted at that time. I got what I signed up for. As silly and cheesy as it sounds, I wanted to grip it a bit, because it felt true and transparent with myself, perhaps adult more than child.
I have had a few inquiries in the last couple of days as to why I do this -- specifically, why do you feel compelled to beat yourself up that way? Couldn't you just run this thing and just keep it fun? How many more years before you stop doing this?
In some ways I struggle with these questions as much now as I did when I was asked by fellow students in high school, "why do you run?" I can still give those same answers of how it makes me feel strong and healthy and the runners high and how I get to enjoy the outdoors. And they are true of course, but there are answers I still can't describe even after doing this for 40 years.
I don't know. No answers on that really. Sometimes I feel the answer is just that I do it because I can. And to not do it would be a waste.
I'm glad I have it.
In past years I have been particularly contemplative post this race. As there was little mental fanfare leading up to this one for me, I am not overly thoughtful about this one either. Of course, there is some consideration of "hmm, so if next year ... " sort of stuff. But plenty of time for that later.
I have been giving some thought to how my head floated around on this trip. Early on I had lots of feelings of doubt, considering how many tacos I had ate in Tijuana the week before, the lack of specific training, how I was older now, blah, blah, blah. In other words, a lot of excuses, a lot of negative crap. The Q word even floated in there. Of course, you just grind on. You push those thoughts aside and try to focus on getting to that next aide station, that next course marker or sometimes even that next tree or rock.
For significant periods of time in the race, I found myself in a bit of a dark space - face to face with a lot of me that I am not happy with, and struggle with ... not even in running races like this but as a person and choices I have made. I mean, I do contemplate this sort of stuff in regular life anyway, but this came at me in more clear and undeniable sort of fashion.'
And oddly, I found this is exactly where I wanted to be. The race had set up a mirror for me for a short period to consider these and how I want to deal with them. I recognized that it was not what I expected to happen while climbing this mountain, but it was exactly what I wanted at that time. I got what I signed up for. As silly and cheesy as it sounds, I wanted to grip it a bit, because it felt true and transparent with myself, perhaps adult more than child.
I have had a few inquiries in the last couple of days as to why I do this -- specifically, why do you feel compelled to beat yourself up that way? Couldn't you just run this thing and just keep it fun? How many more years before you stop doing this?
In some ways I struggle with these questions as much now as I did when I was asked by fellow students in high school, "why do you run?" I can still give those same answers of how it makes me feel strong and healthy and the runners high and how I get to enjoy the outdoors. And they are true of course, but there are answers I still can't describe even after doing this for 40 years.
I don't know. No answers on that really. Sometimes I feel the answer is just that I do it because I can. And to not do it would be a waste.
I'm glad I have it.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Pikes Peak Marathon 2019
Bullet list race report for now.
- 5:25:53 off a 3:22:16 ascent and a 2:03:33 descent. Got 67th overall, and 3rd in men's 44-49 AG.
- I forgot how tough this race was. I mean, it is hard, and I knew that but I sort of forgot how stupid hard it is to run a marathon up a 14er.
- I had come in thinking that if I broke 5:30, that would be a good day. So with that, I had a good day. My descent was pretty rough ... I was struggling to run any significant pace, often getting the hamstring "shooters" up the inside back of each leg. I had to stop and gingerly walk twice to manage this on the down.
- This is my slowest finish at Pikes by a handful of minutes (2013, every other time has been a sub 5 - and this was my 9th marathon. I have to be okay with it though when I consider how I prepared, other priorities in life ...
- It was hot today. Some folks said 97 down low. I dunno if it was that hot, but it was a pretty hot day below Barr Camp, and especially below No Name Creek.
- Got to chat with some cool folks (Wendy, Dagmar, and Gene - all from out of state) before the race. Also chatted it up a bit with Max K and JV and Corey D. And also got to chat with Don S and Don B post. The community of this race (and ones like it) just can't be beat.
- I was probably out too fast, but I still find it nearly impossible not to be. I jogged to Ruxton in 3:20. Given road training and lack of hill, it is just going to be that way. But I was probably in over my head even by the Top of the Ws. I just have not prepared for that sort climbing and I was feeling it. There was a LOT of walking today - up and down. I made it to Barr Camp in 93, but the lack of specific training then hit me. It was another 1:53 to the top ... and I was really tenuous on the down all day. Altitude was a factor for me too ... I got to the summit and actually sat on a rock for 15 second to take a drink and eat a few grapes ... I was getting dizzy and tunnel visioned and realized I needed to get the hell out of there.
- Saw Bill Lee below Barr Camp and gave him a hug.
- A lot has changed at this race. Of course, it is the same race, but there is a shift in the things around it - the shutdown of Manitou Avenue, the big screen as you come in, hard to find race day parking, the post race party, the wave start, etc. You can really feel the impact of the Golden Trail series.
- Matt's record lives another year. I am not surprised. There was some post race chatter that the record won't be broken because the course has degraded too much for someone to make a good run at it. I am not sure I can buy that ... 8 minutes of course degradation for the Ascent? I really don't think folks can appreciate how good a sub 2:10 is ... and each minute below that is another crazy layer of stratosphere ... 2:01?
- on the women's side, there is a new CR of 4:02. That is ridiculous and is likely to stand as long if not longer than Matt's record. By the way ... that sort of blows up the course has degraded thing since the women's CR has fallen twice in the last two years.
- had to hang out in medical for about a half an hour, maybe more with my typical set up - on my back, ice on the chest and legs up on a chair ... just to flip the BP.
- slipped ahead of JT, but I feel fortunate I caught him on a Double.
- this was my first time back to the race since 2014. I won't absolutely commit to saying I am back to doing this every year now, but I am still in love with this race (and its grueling cruelty).
More later this week.
- 5:25:53 off a 3:22:16 ascent and a 2:03:33 descent. Got 67th overall, and 3rd in men's 44-49 AG.
- I forgot how tough this race was. I mean, it is hard, and I knew that but I sort of forgot how stupid hard it is to run a marathon up a 14er.
- I had come in thinking that if I broke 5:30, that would be a good day. So with that, I had a good day. My descent was pretty rough ... I was struggling to run any significant pace, often getting the hamstring "shooters" up the inside back of each leg. I had to stop and gingerly walk twice to manage this on the down.
- This is my slowest finish at Pikes by a handful of minutes (2013, every other time has been a sub 5 - and this was my 9th marathon. I have to be okay with it though when I consider how I prepared, other priorities in life ...
- It was hot today. Some folks said 97 down low. I dunno if it was that hot, but it was a pretty hot day below Barr Camp, and especially below No Name Creek.
- Got to chat with some cool folks (Wendy, Dagmar, and Gene - all from out of state) before the race. Also chatted it up a bit with Max K and JV and Corey D. And also got to chat with Don S and Don B post. The community of this race (and ones like it) just can't be beat.
- I was probably out too fast, but I still find it nearly impossible not to be. I jogged to Ruxton in 3:20. Given road training and lack of hill, it is just going to be that way. But I was probably in over my head even by the Top of the Ws. I just have not prepared for that sort climbing and I was feeling it. There was a LOT of walking today - up and down. I made it to Barr Camp in 93, but the lack of specific training then hit me. It was another 1:53 to the top ... and I was really tenuous on the down all day. Altitude was a factor for me too ... I got to the summit and actually sat on a rock for 15 second to take a drink and eat a few grapes ... I was getting dizzy and tunnel visioned and realized I needed to get the hell out of there.
- Saw Bill Lee below Barr Camp and gave him a hug.
- A lot has changed at this race. Of course, it is the same race, but there is a shift in the things around it - the shutdown of Manitou Avenue, the big screen as you come in, hard to find race day parking, the post race party, the wave start, etc. You can really feel the impact of the Golden Trail series.
- Matt's record lives another year. I am not surprised. There was some post race chatter that the record won't be broken because the course has degraded too much for someone to make a good run at it. I am not sure I can buy that ... 8 minutes of course degradation for the Ascent? I really don't think folks can appreciate how good a sub 2:10 is ... and each minute below that is another crazy layer of stratosphere ... 2:01?
- on the women's side, there is a new CR of 4:02. That is ridiculous and is likely to stand as long if not longer than Matt's record. By the way ... that sort of blows up the course has degraded thing since the women's CR has fallen twice in the last two years.
- had to hang out in medical for about a half an hour, maybe more with my typical set up - on my back, ice on the chest and legs up on a chair ... just to flip the BP.
- slipped ahead of JT, but I feel fortunate I caught him on a Double.
- this was my first time back to the race since 2014. I won't absolutely commit to saying I am back to doing this every year now, but I am still in love with this race (and its grueling cruelty).
More later this week.
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Saturday night before Pikes
I knew that having Tijuana work the week before Pikes would be a challenge but had hoped it would force some unloading, and maybe bring me into the race a bit fresh. It accomplished that, but it feels like it a bit too much. And actually, I slept like garbage down there so maybe it wasn't so great.
It is the classic thing - I feel a bit fitter when I am sitting on top of some fatigue. That is 100 percent stupid of course. Instead now I feel like a plate of tacos.
Anyway, I am back to Pikes - arguably my favorite all time race - after a five year hiatus. I last did this in 2014. I had intended to run it again in 2015, and then come back the next week for the Leadville 100. With the success that Jack and I had that summer (winning the Triple Crown), I felt I had too much racing in my legs to do both of those effectively back to back weekends - and pulled from Pikes.
I am not sure how tomorrow is going to go. I could mumble here about a lack of specific training this, or not enough time at altitude that. Those things of course are true. It could be a rough go, and a four hour climb. Or maybe I can get up in 3:20 ish. I really don't know. In some ways, it will be a nice test - almost a re-start to see where I am at as I get ready to enter my sixth decade on this rock.
Joe Gray won the Ascent this AM with a 2:09. Anytime under 2:10 is sort of other worldly to me. Each minute under that has always been a next level of "holy crap." With that, I am a homer and will say that I don't see KJ running 2:01 up but do acknowledge if there is a guy to do it - it is him. I almost feel though he could be pretty dang close and then have a better shot at a RT record because of some ridiculous down.
But that is what they run the races for.
Kim D got another win for the women. Truly a legend on this hill.
Galen - a former winner and a helluva an athlete - got third in 2:25. I think it is sort of easy to look the race and say it was not a super deep year, but I think it is sort about average compared to the past decade. It might be a bit lighter compared to some years (10th was 2:38 - a lot of years it takes 2:30 to crack the top ten), but I think in part that is because the marathon looks to be stacked. We'll see how that shakes out tomorrow.
It is the classic thing - I feel a bit fitter when I am sitting on top of some fatigue. That is 100 percent stupid of course. Instead now I feel like a plate of tacos.
Anyway, I am back to Pikes - arguably my favorite all time race - after a five year hiatus. I last did this in 2014. I had intended to run it again in 2015, and then come back the next week for the Leadville 100. With the success that Jack and I had that summer (winning the Triple Crown), I felt I had too much racing in my legs to do both of those effectively back to back weekends - and pulled from Pikes.
I am not sure how tomorrow is going to go. I could mumble here about a lack of specific training this, or not enough time at altitude that. Those things of course are true. It could be a rough go, and a four hour climb. Or maybe I can get up in 3:20 ish. I really don't know. In some ways, it will be a nice test - almost a re-start to see where I am at as I get ready to enter my sixth decade on this rock.
Joe Gray won the Ascent this AM with a 2:09. Anytime under 2:10 is sort of other worldly to me. Each minute under that has always been a next level of "holy crap." With that, I am a homer and will say that I don't see KJ running 2:01 up but do acknowledge if there is a guy to do it - it is him. I almost feel though he could be pretty dang close and then have a better shot at a RT record because of some ridiculous down.
But that is what they run the races for.
Kim D got another win for the women. Truly a legend on this hill.
Galen - a former winner and a helluva an athlete - got third in 2:25. I think it is sort of easy to look the race and say it was not a super deep year, but I think it is sort about average compared to the past decade. It might be a bit lighter compared to some years (10th was 2:38 - a lot of years it takes 2:30 to crack the top ten), but I think in part that is because the marathon looks to be stacked. We'll see how that shakes out tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
South of the Border report 21AUG2019
In Tijuana for work for a few days. Got out for a run Monday, missed Tuesday because it was a long ass day, and then got out again today. No biggie on the running as I am unloading a bit in prep for Pikes this week.
There are certainly some rough places here.
Tom and I got out Monday and decided to run on the access road along the Tijuana River. Seriously stench up there, along with trash, and just some rough poverty.
Decided to keep the runs a bit closer to the hotel after that.
There are certainly some rough places here.
Tom and I got out Monday and decided to run on the access road along the Tijuana River. Seriously stench up there, along with trash, and just some rough poverty.
Decided to keep the runs a bit closer to the hotel after that.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Weekend 16-18AUG2019
First weekend in a bit where I did not have a race!
Friday AM - four and change with Greg along the ditch. Fairly up beat in pace but easy.
Friday PM - practice - six and change and then measured out the TT course for the XC team for the fun on Saturday morning over at the Commons.
Saturday - we have a time trial early in the season to get a read as to where the kids are at. We generally know, and while the TT doesn't tell us everything, it can provide a bit of insight - sometimes confirming somethings, other times revealing new things. Sometimes.
Afternoon - a lack of sleep caught up with me. I groggily grunted through 8.7 miles, and actually moved fairly well but I could feel the fire burning a bit.
Sunday - 4 miles and change before heading to the airport. Flew off to San Diego to head south of the border for some work.
I love the flight out of DEN to SAN because I usually get to get on eyes on some cool views. Today was Mount Evans, the Dillon Reservoir, Breckenridge and the Grand Canyon.
Well, one week until the big dance in Manitou and the hill above it. I'll have sort of a forced non altitude taper this week in Mexico, but I don't see that as all bad. Gonna just try to focus on solid habits this week to best not unravel anything on Sunday.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Thursday 15AUG2019
AM - A couple of miles with TZ and then a handful more on my own. 7.1 miles.
PM - jogging with Greg at practice, checking out what we want to do for the course for our Saturday XC time trial. 5.2 miles.
PM - jogging with Greg at practice, checking out what we want to do for the course for our Saturday XC time trial. 5.2 miles.
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Wednesday 14AUG2019
Afternoon - first afternoon practice for the kids. Freshman started school with orientation today. The rest of the crew rolls into tomorrow. We of course had a full squad for practice. And we did hills. Only 93 degrees kids. Welcome to XC.
7.1 miles.
7.1 miles.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Tuesday 13AUG2019
AM - 10.1 miles. Got to practice early with Greg and did a few miles and we did some turn over work on the track (MS track as soccer was down at the HS one).
Nice pic of Hal and me with Full Tilt Boogie and Jack respectively at about mile 11 or 12.
So with KJ breaking Jono's SZ record, there is scuttlebutt among the 100 (okay, maybe a 1000) or so folks who care about this that Carpenter's round trip Pike's record is in jeopardy. Could be I guess, but I'll take the over on it for now. Of course with Dakota Jones running the fastest descent last year, folks made a note that Carpenter no longer held all the records on the hill. While that is true, it is of course important to note that DJ ran his 73:53 down after a 2:18:26 where as Matt his 75:33 after a climb record of 2:01:06.
Nice pic of Hal and me with Full Tilt Boogie and Jack respectively at about mile 11 or 12.
So with KJ breaking Jono's SZ record, there is scuttlebutt among the 100 (okay, maybe a 1000) or so folks who care about this that Carpenter's round trip Pike's record is in jeopardy. Could be I guess, but I'll take the over on it for now. Of course with Dakota Jones running the fastest descent last year, folks made a note that Carpenter no longer held all the records on the hill. While that is true, it is of course important to note that DJ ran his 73:53 down after a 2:18:26 where as Matt his 75:33 after a climb record of 2:01:06.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Monday 12AUG2019
First official day of practice for XC 2019. I gimped around a bit for 5.6 easy miles ... trying to work out the knot in my hip from yesterday's race and crashes.
Pikes has posted their bib numbers. I think I was given some grace with my bib number at 128 for the marathon. I don't think my qualifying time from a 29 mile burro race in 2018 is really that great of a qualifier, but hey - I ain't gonna argue with. I'll just say "thank you."
I'll admit here that while I feel a fair bit of fitness compared to where I have been in the last few years, I recognize that I am a bit off. Greg has said this is probably fine and I haven't completely wrecked myself as I am a "classic overt rainer." Still - a few runs up 2500 feet to a 8100 foot peak is significantly different than a climb of 7800 to 14k. It is gonna be a grind.
I have come to terms that this is what it is. I have work ... and frankly running my own work is a heck of a lot more consuming and gratifying than when I was working in the corporate world. I don't have the time to get out and do the same training - but arguably I also don't have that same itch either. That might be because I have already burned that match in this life ... or it might be that I am a few weeks out of becoming 50. It doesn't matter - it is going to be a grind.
I also don't pour over the race rosters the same way any more. I am also not sure if that is because I am too busy to care or if because I have "been there and done that" ... or because I just have lost track of the names.
Look - don't get me wrong ... I intend to fight the whole damn way ... and have that "if I am still standing when I am done hit me with a board because I didn't run hard enough" sort of mentality when I am racing - but I also recognize that my very mental and physical ability to do that does not quite seem to be the same. But I am going to try. It is going to be a grind.
Here is to the grind. Two weeks to go!
This guy was cracking me up at the Buena Vista race yesterday ... he was checking out the burro staging.
Pikes has posted their bib numbers. I think I was given some grace with my bib number at 128 for the marathon. I don't think my qualifying time from a 29 mile burro race in 2018 is really that great of a qualifier, but hey - I ain't gonna argue with. I'll just say "thank you."
I'll admit here that while I feel a fair bit of fitness compared to where I have been in the last few years, I recognize that I am a bit off. Greg has said this is probably fine and I haven't completely wrecked myself as I am a "classic overt rainer." Still - a few runs up 2500 feet to a 8100 foot peak is significantly different than a climb of 7800 to 14k. It is gonna be a grind.
I have come to terms that this is what it is. I have work ... and frankly running my own work is a heck of a lot more consuming and gratifying than when I was working in the corporate world. I don't have the time to get out and do the same training - but arguably I also don't have that same itch either. That might be because I have already burned that match in this life ... or it might be that I am a few weeks out of becoming 50. It doesn't matter - it is going to be a grind.
I also don't pour over the race rosters the same way any more. I am also not sure if that is because I am too busy to care or if because I have "been there and done that" ... or because I just have lost track of the names.
Look - don't get me wrong ... I intend to fight the whole damn way ... and have that "if I am still standing when I am done hit me with a board because I didn't run hard enough" sort of mentality when I am racing - but I also recognize that my very mental and physical ability to do that does not quite seem to be the same. But I am going to try. It is going to be a grind.
Here is to the grind. Two weeks to go!
This guy was cracking me up at the Buena Vista race yesterday ... he was checking out the burro staging.
Afternoon - a little bit of ditchin’
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Weekend 10-11AUG2019 and Gold Rush Days Pack Burro Race
Saturday - 5.6 easy miles with the team in the AM.
Saturday night I went to Railsend to play an open mic. Sign up was supposed to happen at 6:30. I got there at 6:15 and got a 10PM slot - as the earlier slots were already filled (!) I was not overly stoked about the late start ... it would mean my sleep for the Buena Vista Pack Burro Race would be short and I was already looking at 5AM start of drive to get there.
When 10:20 hit and the guy who was supposed to play at 9 had not yet played - I bagged it. I was looking at a midnight gig. I was getting tired, cranky and not really in the moody to play. Yeah, as a rock and roller, I'd have a tough go of it I guess, but I had to make that call if I was going to go to BV.
Rolled into BV around 8 after dropping TZ off in Fairplay. I did the typical setup and was ready all set to go under a lightly rainy set of skies by 9 and change. We wandered up for the 10AM start ...
Jack and I rolled out of town with the leaders and as we turned north to head to the hair pin before the bridge, he eased into the lead. I was stoked. A lead position before hitting the single track and the bridge would be perfect - to assure at least we were in the mix for all of it ... just before making the hairpin back, a donkey came up behind me, clipped my legs and I went down. I was able to manage to keep the rope, but I was banged up pretty good - although thankfully not trampled on. I am sure I will be able to post pix of this soon.
We bounced up, ignoring the sting of the road rash and trying to assert some surge of adrenaline in the mix. We had slipped quickly to fourth but it was not overly concerning if we could stay in the lead group. Anytime third began to slip the pace from 1, 2 (Marvin, Louise teams) I'd yell a bit to get going or to let us by. As we came into the open space around the bridge entrance, I made a go to get around two of the teams and move into second. As I came by Pandora/Louise on the bridge, I got caught squeezed between Jack, Pandora and a barricade post crotch high. I had made this error forgetting the post and turned sharply to not do real serious organ damage. I went down again - and this time I lost the rope for 10 yards. I retrieved Jack and now had to bring him back against teams trying to go upstream. We slipped to ninth. The lead group pulled away.
And that was pretty much it. Hal and I worked together to move to sixth and seventh. We made ground on the lead pack of five, maybe even getting within 100 yards of them on the climb to the highest point on the course, but then we ended up moving slowly behind Hal and FTB and lost four minutes ... We ended up seventh in 1:59 on the nose.
It was a fun day to run with Jack, we just had some bad luck and a few errors that added up. It happens.
I was reminded burro racing is a contact sport. The cuts and road rash I have today are less troubling than the throbbing left hip I am currently managing. Hope that clears in the next day or two ...
That is pretty much a wrap on the burro racing season. We didn't win any Triple Crown races but we did manage a win in Georgetown and in Creede - two races we had never won before. Not bad but not the big games that we used to take.
13.6 miles
Saturday night I went to Railsend to play an open mic. Sign up was supposed to happen at 6:30. I got there at 6:15 and got a 10PM slot - as the earlier slots were already filled (!) I was not overly stoked about the late start ... it would mean my sleep for the Buena Vista Pack Burro Race would be short and I was already looking at 5AM start of drive to get there.
When 10:20 hit and the guy who was supposed to play at 9 had not yet played - I bagged it. I was looking at a midnight gig. I was getting tired, cranky and not really in the moody to play. Yeah, as a rock and roller, I'd have a tough go of it I guess, but I had to make that call if I was going to go to BV.
Rolled into BV around 8 after dropping TZ off in Fairplay. I did the typical setup and was ready all set to go under a lightly rainy set of skies by 9 and change. We wandered up for the 10AM start ...
Jack and I rolled out of town with the leaders and as we turned north to head to the hair pin before the bridge, he eased into the lead. I was stoked. A lead position before hitting the single track and the bridge would be perfect - to assure at least we were in the mix for all of it ... just before making the hairpin back, a donkey came up behind me, clipped my legs and I went down. I was able to manage to keep the rope, but I was banged up pretty good - although thankfully not trampled on. I am sure I will be able to post pix of this soon.
We bounced up, ignoring the sting of the road rash and trying to assert some surge of adrenaline in the mix. We had slipped quickly to fourth but it was not overly concerning if we could stay in the lead group. Anytime third began to slip the pace from 1, 2 (Marvin, Louise teams) I'd yell a bit to get going or to let us by. As we came into the open space around the bridge entrance, I made a go to get around two of the teams and move into second. As I came by Pandora/Louise on the bridge, I got caught squeezed between Jack, Pandora and a barricade post crotch high. I had made this error forgetting the post and turned sharply to not do real serious organ damage. I went down again - and this time I lost the rope for 10 yards. I retrieved Jack and now had to bring him back against teams trying to go upstream. We slipped to ninth. The lead group pulled away.
And that was pretty much it. Hal and I worked together to move to sixth and seventh. We made ground on the lead pack of five, maybe even getting within 100 yards of them on the climb to the highest point on the course, but then we ended up moving slowly behind Hal and FTB and lost four minutes ... We ended up seventh in 1:59 on the nose.
It was a fun day to run with Jack, we just had some bad luck and a few errors that added up. It happens.
I was reminded burro racing is a contact sport. The cuts and road rash I have today are less troubling than the throbbing left hip I am currently managing. Hope that clears in the next day or two ...
That is pretty much a wrap on the burro racing season. We didn't win any Triple Crown races but we did manage a win in Georgetown and in Creede - two races we had never won before. Not bad but not the big games that we used to take.
13.6 miles
Friday, August 9, 2019
Friday 09AUG2019
Got together with Greg and Syd to help her for a workout. The warm up, the workout, and then a handful plus of miles post for practice gave me 10.5 on the day.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Thursday 08AUG2019
Long work day ... didn't get out in the AM and then was dragging in the afternoon. Went over to the Fun Run at InMotion, which was also Mark P's talk night to commemorate the 26th anniversary of his World Championship Marathon victory in Stuggart. His story of becoming an American, his running, his impact to Boulder running - incredible.
6 miles
6 miles
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Wednesday 07AUG2019
AM - out with the Eagles, and did hills. It might actually represent the first somewhat structured workout the kids have done this summer. Actual "real" practice starts next week, but this gave us a glimpse of some of the progress the kids have made this summer. 7 miles.
PM - typical ditch out and back. Hot. 3.7 miles
PM - typical ditch out and back. Hot. 3.7 miles
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Tuesday 06AUG2019 Remembering McDuff
I found out yesterday that Curt Kreiger died.
Curt was a guy who connected up with on the blogosphere about a decade ago, when blogs were sort of the hot social media ticket at the time. There was this interesting CB radio like connection between guys like Curt, me, Wyatt, Anton, Lucho, Chuckie V, Beth, JW, and handfuls of others. On the interwebs, I knew him as McDuff.
He called me up on a good old fashioned telephone. He was about decade my senior but we shared many of the same passions: running, coaching, Pikes Peak, the outdoors ...
We'd chat and exchange emails periodically. He was just a genuinely good guy. I mean one of those guys who I don't think anyone could ever say anything bad about. I mean, I know a lot of good people, but most of us are some sort of case of broken somewhere. But then there are folks like McDuff. Not a slight of shade in my book.
I talked to him just a few weeks ago on the phone. I was in DC and gave him a call. He had been through cancer the year before, but had come through it. He had also undergone a knee replacement but was fighting to getting back to running in his favorite outdoor spot - Lime Creek.
He had been in for a routine checkup, and they found another tumor on one of his adrenal glands. We talked about it, and while concerning, he was level and even - talking about how there would be some specific tests at the end of the month (July) to decide what they would do.
He died on Saturday before Burro Days.
I'll be thinking you in a few weeks on the hill sir and I will try to call on you to make it a good one.
Curt was a guy who connected up with on the blogosphere about a decade ago, when blogs were sort of the hot social media ticket at the time. There was this interesting CB radio like connection between guys like Curt, me, Wyatt, Anton, Lucho, Chuckie V, Beth, JW, and handfuls of others. On the interwebs, I knew him as McDuff.
He called me up on a good old fashioned telephone. He was about decade my senior but we shared many of the same passions: running, coaching, Pikes Peak, the outdoors ...
We'd chat and exchange emails periodically. He was just a genuinely good guy. I mean one of those guys who I don't think anyone could ever say anything bad about. I mean, I know a lot of good people, but most of us are some sort of case of broken somewhere. But then there are folks like McDuff. Not a slight of shade in my book.
I talked to him just a few weeks ago on the phone. I was in DC and gave him a call. He had been through cancer the year before, but had come through it. He had also undergone a knee replacement but was fighting to getting back to running in his favorite outdoor spot - Lime Creek.
He had been in for a routine checkup, and they found another tumor on one of his adrenal glands. We talked about it, and while concerning, he was level and even - talking about how there would be some specific tests at the end of the month (July) to decide what they would do.
He died on Saturday before Burro Days.
I'll be thinking you in a few weeks on the hill sir and I will try to call on you to make it a good one.
Monday, August 5, 2019
Monday 05AUG2019
More on Boom Days in an upcoming post - short of it is 5th in a close run for 3-5, about 10 minutes out of first. We just didn't climb well, lost contact with the leaders early.
I was feeling pretty beat up post the run yesterday. I actually took a 30 minute snooze within half an hour after the race. My feet felt the work of all those rocks and little "baby headed" boulders. But I felt significantly mended this AM after a good night of sleep. I kept it super easy at practice - 9.3 slow miles but opening up nicely over it.
I was feeling pretty beat up post the run yesterday. I actually took a 30 minute snooze within half an hour after the race. My feet felt the work of all those rocks and little "baby headed" boulders. But I felt significantly mended this AM after a good night of sleep. I kept it super easy at practice - 9.3 slow miles but opening up nicely over it.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Leadville Boom Days Race 2019
Pic taken by Peak Focus Photography.
Jack has won the Leadville race six times, with five of those times coming with me at the end of the tether. We didn't compete in it last year as I only did the Fairplay race with him. Neither of us are the runners we were even a few years ago when we secured the Triple Crown in Leadville in 2015, but we had managed a fair number of good days in Leadville by taking advantage of the smooth road finish coming down the last few miles of California Gulch. There was some question as to if we could improve on our fourth place finish from Fairplay the week before, and maybe play the spoil sport to Leadville hometown favorites, Marvin and Buttercup in their bid for the Triple Crown.
I got up to Leadville with TZ early - like 7AM - coming up from Fairplay. We did the typical donkey prep, race day reg, fiddling with the saddle, but I was feeling the early rise. As the race approached, I tried to get my mind right, or dial in the power of magical thinking. Meaning, imagining stuff that might occur if I think about it like it is really going to happen. There is nothing really to this approach, but it beats the alternative - thinking you can't. Because if you believe that you are truly screwed.
We got out well, with the leaders and started the long climb up. Jack was in no mood to lead this group but we settled into a pack of about 8 teams. It would stretch, collapse, repeat. I had no real concerns here because as long as we were in contact, we were not losing anything. You are unlikely to win the race here, but you can lose it.
As we started the first descent, it was still the same crew. No big moves, and nothing fast. But as the climb out of checkpoint three started, the race really set. Hal / FTB and Marvin / Buttercup put a clinic on of getting away a little by little. Jack and I fell way way back - even far back from the 3-7 positions as if we were getting dropped. It took most of the climb to fight our way back into the pack and then all the way back up to nose to nose with Louise in third place. Hal and Marvin had probably a four or five minute lead on us coming off the pass, and they would slowly extend on that over the day.
As has been the case in past years, Jack carefully picked his way down through the rocky mining road, and now we don't run those ups much. We were able to get away from some Tracy and Kirt, but we established a pack of Bob/Yukon, Joel/Jake, Louise/Pandora and me and Jack. It stayed this way - sometimes stretching out as much as 200 yards between us. As we hit the road, Bob and Joel had separated significantly but I knew Jack and I would roll that up. Louise caught up to the crew and we got a good little set of movement going - still not 2012 speed, but fair enough. We shook Joel but we didn't have the wheels to break Bob or Louise. I knew what the outcome was going to be coming into town even as we turned onto a traffic busy, rainy Harrison with its cones and loud people but tried to make a fight of it anyway. We ended up fifth behind Louise (3rd) and Bob (4th) in about 3:55. Marvin had won in a time of about 3:45, about the typical time it takes to win. Hal had come in a few minutes later in second.
It was a good day and a good run for a couple of guys who still think they got it.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
What a week ...
Let's see ... no update in a while but it ain't for lack of activity.
Friday 26JUL2019 - Teller Farm easy with the Eagles. 7 miles.
Saturday 27JUL2019 - up to Fairplay on Friday night. Did my usual easy run down through the mine and the reeds to dial that in. Headed over to the Fairgrounds afterwards to get a bit of check in with the donks. 3.7 miles.
Sunday - 28JUL2019 - yeah the big one, or the World Championships of Pack Burro Racing. It was a different year in that we would not go across American Flats or even to Mosquito Pass because of high snow and the run off, but instead stay on the north side of the London Mine in an out and back fashion. It was thought the course was going to be 25 miles rather than the typical 29 and change. And it also was going to be a split start with long course runners starting about 10 minutes before short coursers.
JZ and KZ did the short course, and so getting them on and going was fun (images by John B)
As far as a race report - there is not much to really report other than this: a group of eight teams got out and ran together, switching positions for the first 8 or so miles. The running was not particularly fast and there was no one team really driving the lead any more than any other.
Then it was seven teams up past the fork (going to the right this time). I had predicted that we'd probably go faster through the course given we were not covering the typically slow American Flats. But it seemed that the donkeys were not going to have any of that and they slowed even on the road - almost in a collective union unspoken sort of fashion. No one was really breaking away.
The climb on the rocky part to the London Mine was really slow - a walk, with Bob and Kirt getting slightly ahead of the remainder of us. Jack and I were in close proximity but not enough to get the substitute First Ass to the Pass (a post at the London Mine in which Bob and Kirt "tied"). It was only nominally better on the down rocky part.
Joel and Hal fell off and so it was down to five teams - Bob/Yukon, Marvin/Buttercup, Louise/Pandora, Kirt/Ricky Bobby and Jack and me. It would stay this way all the way down the Mosquito Pass Road. The donks were running but not quick enough to take away the legs from anyone. The pack would taffy but then pack back up. I knew any chance we had for a win would diminish the longer this played out and tried to get Jack to up the pace even slightly, but we are not the runners we were nearly a decade ago.
We came into the last five mile stretch with Bob, Marvin and I holding a slight lead over Kirt and Louise. I thought this might be a place where Jack and I could get a bit of a lead but we couldn't manage it. I even took a face plant spill (nice rope burn holding that rope!).
I took the lead into the mine, and even on the last climb and down through the South Park City Museum, but soon as we crossed the gate into town, Jack wanted to avoid the noise and crowds and turned to the left. Marvin edged Bob for the win, and a late charging Louise came by Jack and I for third. We were fourth on the 26.4 mile course just a few clicks under five hours.
No time to really celebrate a fair run in which we were in the mix all day or to mourn coming so close again for the fourth year in a row - turned around and headed back down to Broomfield to get ready for XC camp up at Tahosa with the HS team.
Guest speaker this year was a former marathon world record holder.
Awesome running with the kids for a few days at altitude. It always sets the tone for the season in terms of goal setting, commitment, and what fun is for us.
I kept most the efforts light in light of recovering from the marathon effort on Sunday, but still jumped in the relay on Wednesday morning. That left my lungs with the post workout hack. All good.
Again, a quick turn around from that - and I was off to DC Wednesday afternoon for a couple of days of work. I got tied up on Thursday and missed a day, but got out to the Mall on Friday before heading back. I hit a new memorial: FDR. (8.6 miles in the humidity!)
Back home Friday night. Colorado put on its typical night time light show for the evening dog walk.
And for Saturday ... a little run on the trails near Eldo before heading up to Leadville for Boom Days race tomorrow (6.6 miles).
So a busy week. More to come.
Friday 26JUL2019 - Teller Farm easy with the Eagles. 7 miles.
Saturday 27JUL2019 - up to Fairplay on Friday night. Did my usual easy run down through the mine and the reeds to dial that in. Headed over to the Fairgrounds afterwards to get a bit of check in with the donks. 3.7 miles.
Sunday - 28JUL2019 - yeah the big one, or the World Championships of Pack Burro Racing. It was a different year in that we would not go across American Flats or even to Mosquito Pass because of high snow and the run off, but instead stay on the north side of the London Mine in an out and back fashion. It was thought the course was going to be 25 miles rather than the typical 29 and change. And it also was going to be a split start with long course runners starting about 10 minutes before short coursers.
JZ and KZ did the short course, and so getting them on and going was fun (images by John B)
As far as a race report - there is not much to really report other than this: a group of eight teams got out and ran together, switching positions for the first 8 or so miles. The running was not particularly fast and there was no one team really driving the lead any more than any other.
Then it was seven teams up past the fork (going to the right this time). I had predicted that we'd probably go faster through the course given we were not covering the typically slow American Flats. But it seemed that the donkeys were not going to have any of that and they slowed even on the road - almost in a collective union unspoken sort of fashion. No one was really breaking away.
The climb on the rocky part to the London Mine was really slow - a walk, with Bob and Kirt getting slightly ahead of the remainder of us. Jack and I were in close proximity but not enough to get the substitute First Ass to the Pass (a post at the London Mine in which Bob and Kirt "tied"). It was only nominally better on the down rocky part.
Joel and Hal fell off and so it was down to five teams - Bob/Yukon, Marvin/Buttercup, Louise/Pandora, Kirt/Ricky Bobby and Jack and me. It would stay this way all the way down the Mosquito Pass Road. The donks were running but not quick enough to take away the legs from anyone. The pack would taffy but then pack back up. I knew any chance we had for a win would diminish the longer this played out and tried to get Jack to up the pace even slightly, but we are not the runners we were nearly a decade ago.
We came into the last five mile stretch with Bob, Marvin and I holding a slight lead over Kirt and Louise. I thought this might be a place where Jack and I could get a bit of a lead but we couldn't manage it. I even took a face plant spill (nice rope burn holding that rope!).
I took the lead into the mine, and even on the last climb and down through the South Park City Museum, but soon as we crossed the gate into town, Jack wanted to avoid the noise and crowds and turned to the left. Marvin edged Bob for the win, and a late charging Louise came by Jack and I for third. We were fourth on the 26.4 mile course just a few clicks under five hours.
No time to really celebrate a fair run in which we were in the mix all day or to mourn coming so close again for the fourth year in a row - turned around and headed back down to Broomfield to get ready for XC camp up at Tahosa with the HS team.
Guest speaker this year was a former marathon world record holder.
Awesome running with the kids for a few days at altitude. It always sets the tone for the season in terms of goal setting, commitment, and what fun is for us.
I kept most the efforts light in light of recovering from the marathon effort on Sunday, but still jumped in the relay on Wednesday morning. That left my lungs with the post workout hack. All good.
Again, a quick turn around from that - and I was off to DC Wednesday afternoon for a couple of days of work. I got tied up on Thursday and missed a day, but got out to the Mall on Friday before heading back. I hit a new memorial: FDR. (8.6 miles in the humidity!)
Back home Friday night. Colorado put on its typical night time light show for the evening dog walk.
And for Saturday ... a little run on the trails near Eldo before heading up to Leadville for Boom Days race tomorrow (6.6 miles).
So a busy week. More to come.
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