Friday 042514

Mebulous week continues.  I find Mario’s post to be spot on. 

SOS does a nice wrap up of the spring marathon season.  Earlier in the week SOS agreed that the pack made the “biggest mistake of their lives” letting Meb go.  They essentially gave him a 81 second lead for a 12k race. 

I have been kicking back at Jeff all year on his offers to hit up Green.  Part of it is I have not had the appetite to circle into Boulder, deal with the snow, and frankly, I have been more interested in just getting out and rolling a bit near home.  That strategy however ain’t going to cut it if I intend to manage Pikes at some level of self respectability.  Yeah, it is time to start getting some vertical in, if I want to have a shot at performing better than last year.  So I hit up Green this AM with Jeff and Brandon.  My legs were shot more than I care to admit from yesterday’s effort.  Brandon was a bit worked as well so we kept it really easy and slow all the way around.  We were probably driving Jeff a bit batty as he could have napped for a portion of it and still been faster than us on the trip.  Great to get out with these guys on a beautiful spring morning on the local hill.  10.2.  My first Green of the year …!

Hit the OSTAC meeting last night  - it was my first as a citizen versus a committee member.  The Broomfield Trail looks to route a section on the north side of the water treatment reservoir.  It might have been the biggest turn out by the citizenship that I have seen at an OSTAC, even bigger than when there were coyote bite issues.  The folks that own the dozen or so homes are none too stoked about the project and turned out in force to squash this routing, propose alternative routing.  They like to see the path routed around the southern side of the res (away from their homes), but that does not seem to jive with some apparent security concerns of it crossing between the res and the water treatment plant.  I am not really sure what those regulations are.  While some of these citizens had concerns with some merit, the overall tone of their concerns came across as ridiculous:  the routing of a trail behind their homes meant an increase in crime, illegal swimming in the reservoir, and a security risk to Broomfield’s water supply.  They tried to play the upside as well to the south side routing:  it is nicer over there, you won’t have to hear my dogs bark.  A lot of NIMBY.  I can’t say what the regs are for the trail being routed near public water sources and works, and I don’t have a good read on the cost of one route option over the other, but I was disappointed that the folks effectively stalled the completion of the trail in this area for probably a couple of years.

Well, the times have changed.  I have run Boston … twice.  Both times as a bandit.  No number.  In college so over 2 decades ago now.  I recall nearing the line without a number and looking to pull off to the side, but the volunteers told me to go through.  I have a different perspective on that now than I did then, and that race has certainly changed.  The latest bandit story at Boston has created quite a fervor.

Tuesday 030414

All the needles are broke so I drive by feel.
It keeps my wheels turning and reminds me that it's real

I used to care like you but now I don't give a damn... 

My term on the Broomfield OSTAC ended.  Just found out that local fellow runner Hawaiian Shirt Ray got appointed.  Good to see the empty seat filled by another guy who is a local runner!

200 guys go sub 66 in Japan.  And 529 sub 70.  In one race.   It is impressive, and it is a record.   I suspect however if the structure-culture-whatever was right-different-tweaked in the US, we could get twice that many to do that, as that talent and set of dudes are there now.  Keep in mind this is a college level race.  Think about if we did that in US.  It is either that or as is shown in the video,  that the secret to getting this done is clear in that video:  short racing shorts.

Bunch of pix up from the Bal Swan Ball up on the Enterprise.  Here are a couple.  This is a guitar signed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  It was a pretty crappy guitar though.

TZ and I are dancing in the background of this one.

One of those days where things just got half done. Went to get KZ’s letter jacket (which was late because of a delay in the coat shipment).  It was not ready because the letter is not on it (looks great otherwise).  Went to get my oil changed and a brake recall issue taken care of and they did not change the oil.  I was done with waiting and just let it slide.  During the car maintenance I went for a jog on a ridiculously gorgeous day.  I stripped off the shirt in the 60 degree plus temps.  But of course, I felt like crap.  My legs are letting me know how they feel about the sudden jump in load.  Sure, it is a load that used to be typical, but it has not been typical for a bit.  10 miles slogging on the “Greenbelt Trail.” (and taking work calls, emails).

Where will Kara Goucher sign?  (pretty fun).

The boy might camp this weekend.  Or not.  If not, I am hoping to go check this out with TZ.

Came across this good nugget today … Summer Of Malmo.

Thursday 012314

3.1 miles with the Lucy dog.  Thought I would turn around right out the door and tack on but ended up chatting with TZ on a variety of matters.  Got out an hour later for another easy 7.2. 

My last BOSTAC meeting (I think) tonight.  My term is technically up at the end of March.  I did not reapply for another term.  I enjoyed being a part of the committee and I learned a lot about the town and the process.  I was pretty sure I would go around on this just once.   I have had the thought that it is good to have some turn over in these committees -- and it is probably time for me to focus on something different.  I will stay apprised of the OSTAC events as I can as it is completely open to the public, and perhaps through the private local open space foundation.

Prize money announced for the XC Nats.  Related, a nice little write up on the race’s 07 director, Pete Julian.

Way more of my life than I care to admit.

Friday Various

I think if I could play guitar like anyone it would be Stevie Ray Vaughn.  But if I could write songs like anyone it would be Shawn Mullins.

Had an OSTAC meeting last night.  We landed on some open space areas that could potentially be considered as art sites.  For the most part, these are spaces that are already combo spaces with parks/ball fields, and/or open spaces that are bordering highways (entry ways) and are not trailed for use.

Summer’s winding down.  The kids started school today and that is clearly a sign (most painfully in their eyes, summer is dead).  I see some leaves turning and the days are suddenly shorter.  Loving the t-storms of the season.  A little lightning in the distance last night.  Not the best vid as it was with the phone but I love when you can see it just illuminating the clouds in the sky a ways off.

Scooter is a machine.

What athletes in CO were drug tested?  Outside of CO, it looks like Rupp has been tested 19 times.  David Epstein mentioned on his interview with Competitor Radio the other day that this is essentially a fool’s errand … as your genes can make it so that the tests for EPO don’t work for you.  Awesome.

Easing back in to more regular running routine.  PM – 6 miles, easy. 

Debating if I spend the dollars I have earned via my company’s wellness program point system to get an Itunes card for “Game of Thrones.”  Judgment says not to.

Got to find a belt that I can slap my Boom Days buckle onto.  Its the only buckle I have earned really.  Thinking a trip over to Shepler’s might be in order, but that may make it hard to get out of there without a pair of boots too

Thursday 072413

Competitive entries are up.

Wow.  Cool vid.

Bib number 37.  I had 38 last year. 
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People legitimately use these?
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Boom Days, the Leadville event in two weeks, got some press.  Burro racing however is a harsh sport.  If you don’t win all the races, you suck.  From page 12 …

Not sure if I will do the Leadville race.  It sort of depends on how Fairplay plays out.  If I win there, I will feel obliged to go to Leadville.  If not, I am free of any sort of obligation, but arguably the Leadville race is a fun time.  Plus they have cool buckles this year.

New GPS today.  The old Forerunner is “partially” dead, meaning that it won’t hold a charge for longer than 2 hours and often won’t even power up.  I have offered it to KZ if she is interested in tracking her runs with it.  She is non committal (no worries).  Today was the first run with the Forerunner 310 XT.  Already playing with it, I can see that it has several more screen options than the 305 (including what appears to be total ascent and descent screens – a nice feature).

It took a touch to get the drivers for the USB ANT connection tweaked right, but once I got that it seemed to work okay.  The descent / ascent screens put the climbing around 1100 feet.   Sportstracks and GarminConnect had about 500 more than that and Strava had 650 more.
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Headed up to see Lucho.  I need to check on him occasionally to make sure he is not getting too busy with his typewriter up there.  Caught up with him for a bit – which was great to talk training and just shoot the breeze.  Easy 8.8 miles.  It is hilly where that guy lives.

Started pouring on me while I was out there and that was pretty awesome.  His podcast with Tawnee today was one of their better ones.  Solid ‘cast from ET as well today.
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The discussion as to what art should be in Broomfield Open Space continues.  I serve on the City and County’s Open Space and Trail Advisory Committee (BOSTAC).  We have been engaged with the Public Art Committee (PAC) in a discussion as to what art, if any, should go into Broomfield Open Space.  Neither committee has a binding decision, as ultimately it is the decision of the City Council.  We simply advise on these matters.  Typically OSTAC is discussion open space acquisition, or trail connection and we don’t intersect with the PAC.  In this case, as the matter is impact to both committees, and because there is not clear agreement – we are having a fairly lengthy public conversation.

Initially the conversation started last year when a proposed piece of art was pitched for the Ridgeview Open Space.  This is a fairly large space east of 287 on the north boundary of the county.  The piece was a fairly large rock like arch and was to be put towards the middle of the space.  Several of the OSTAC members, including myself, were concerned with the proposed spot, and the proposed selected art.  That broke the ice open for the cross conversation.

As a matter of definition:  the terms open space and open lands have different meanings in Broomfield.  Open land include open space, but also include other lands like parks, ball fields, playgrounds, golf courses, trails, and the like.  Broomfield has a goal of 40% open lands (I think the current total sits around 37% ish). 

Open space in Broomfield are the areas like the RidgeView open space, the south part of the Commons, and portions of “The Field.”  While these spaces are clearly very different than say the space in Boulder’s Mountain Parks, they represent a commitment by the community to keep some of its space as open and serene.

I think all the above are facts.  Here are the related OSTAC meeting minutes if interested.   I will now delve more into opinion. 

I was opposed to the proposed art in the Ridgeview space because I feel it is a space that should not have art.  There are clearly those on the PAC that feel otherwise.  I see some open spaces as pristine and that the addition of art would only be a detriment to that.  There are clearly those on the PAC that feel otherwise.  When I asked “are there any open space in Broomfield, or even anywhere in the US that you think should not have art in them because it would detract from them?” – a member replied they could not think of any because they thought art always enhanced the experience.  I clearly don’t share this view.

Now, that probably means I come across as anti-art.  That is not the case, but as you may imagine, the conversation can become a bit tenuous at this point.  Admittedly, some of that comes from me – particularly  when told “you are not an art expert, these folks are” and that “it is not my place to dictate to the artist what art they should put in a spot because that limits their creativity.”  There is some truth in both of those statements, but I have caught myself reacting to the emotion in those statements more than the logic.

In any case, I am not against all art in all open space all of the time.  Which is to say in a different way, I am in favor of some art in some open space some of the time.  What gets challenging then is the where, what and when.  That comes down to a set of criteria that may or may not be applicable at the end of the game. 

I know in Broomfield, I see the Ridgeview Space as a bit of a crown jewel of open space. My wife thinks this is hilarious as parts of it were a landfill 30 years ago.  But now I don’t want any art in it. 

The OSTAC is being asked to provide a list of open space areas that we would think art would be acceptable.  I am generally inclined towards those open spaces that already border parks or other open lands, although I have mixed feelings on this compromise.  I’d be interest in your take, particularly if you are a Broomfield resident.
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Not every one’s cup of Joe, but another KZ music shove on me as of late and was listening for the hills yesterday.

Thursday 042513

I guess the NASA boys will still be boys.

Most of this week’s busy work phase wrapped up this afternoon.  Went from this…

  …
to this …

…

Happy to get out, I found myself moving steady (for me this is just under 7 minute pace on the flats, a bit quicker on the downs, a bit slower on the ups).  But over the run, as it got warmer I was just grinding down, slower and slower.  I hit the Dillon Street hill,and it all caught up to me and I was cooked. I got about a mile from the house and saw TZ out walking the dogs.  I stopped to chat with her for a bit – thankful for the reprieve.   Even after standing there for 5 minutes, my HR was 130.  Oops.  Cooked.  Not from the effort alone, but the combination of the work stress, food, hydration, etc.  Two ways of looking at this …

 

I think I like the second one better.  Much like talked about in the recent ATU cast … started underhydrated and that showed in HR and it drifted pretty badly from there.

14 miles.

Evening – had an OSTAC meeting.  Headed over to the Metzger open space.  There is going to be a significant project on Lowell that opens up the lanes over there (to four from two).  We discussed that impact as well as how they are managing some changes in the road grade to better allow the drainage underneath.  Being a guy that does software work, I love talking to PMs that do work on actual engineering. 

Separately it looks like the Egg Farm Anthem trail will be put in this fall.  I have heard the Flagg trail up north is in so I need to check that out.  Also the Ruth Roberts connector between the Ridgeview trail (that is the trail just outside my house) and the Rock Creek Trail should go in next year.

Sunday 111112

So yesterday I thought I had recovered pretty well from the Friday workout.  Today however I got reminded of the work I did.  My calves were none too happy with me.  I guess that is good – as that shows I worked something fairly well.  13.5 miles, super easy, just massaging out the legs.  Coldest I think it has been all season thus far, it was a bit of a wake up call for me.  70 on the week.  Decent week as I am happy with the 800s I did on Tuesday, and while I seemed ready to crash on Friday I came through with a solid workout.  Contemplated today as a longer run but with the pace slowing significantly after the first hour … I bagged it a bit. 

I might get to racing on T-day, or I might not:  depends on what the family wants to do.  In any case, with the days getting shorter, and seeing that I have a good amount of work to do on the turnover or faster stuff front, I will continue with this approach.  I know there are many that say you can only build on this sort of stuff for 8 weeks, but I don’t completely buy that.  I think I am still unraveling a bit of “remembering” of what it is to do these sort of workouts, recover from them.  And for what it is worth, while I think I am making progress in the tempo runs, I don’t think I am over the top in those (I’d like to think I’d be racing a 5k 15-25 seconds faster per mile but I might be foolin’ myself).  I’d certainly benefit by simply racing more, but lining up for a 5k or 10k every weekend is just not my top priority right now.

Today’s run brought me over to the Metzger Farm space.  With it opening yesterday, I was eager to get over and check it out.  The outer loop looks to be more than 2k, so there could be some repeat action coming there.

Fermentation is rolling now:

I have been telling TZ that I need a new visor for racing.  She found me one …
 
Just interesting that I saw …

Saturday 111012

11 miles, super easy – with the dogs.  No soreness in the legs, but after 5 miles I could certainly sense the fatigue in them from yesterday’s effort.  Weather got progressively cooler through the run, as winter decided to show up.  Even was spittin’ some snow as I finished.  Just under 9 minute pace … if I want to be assured of having an easy run, the dogs are the ticket.  AHR 140.

Couple of shots from last week’s TDO.  JZ working in the kitchen “green monster” tent.
Me getting ready to toss a caber.  I could not get this bugger to flip on the toss.  Neither could some other guys who were a lot bigger than me.  I also tried it backwards, which was a mistake as it came back and clocked me.   Rung my bell pretty well, but was one of those things you laugh off so you don’t show the tears.

Got home last night and TZ said she had invited some friends over for a beer, some home made chili, corn bread – and I needed to start brewing a batch of beer because it had been too long.  Perfect Friday night.  I decided not to go with an IPA but a darker Movemberfest ale (don’t ask the seeecret ingredient).  Fermentation has started. 

 

Got an IPA on deck to go right after this.
We headed down to the opening of the Metzger Farm open space.  This space is bordering Broomfield and Westminster, and will be a great connection to the Big Dry Creek Open Space.  It was a bit chilly out there, but it was great to hear the dedication, a bit of the history of this spot, and see this long term project (10+ years) reach this milestone.

 

I got this note recently:

George- It's great to see you put a tough 2013 goal out there.  No one can call you a sandbagger anymore.  And I think it's a good choice of
venue.  I Is 2:49 up, 1:40 down the plan?  So, I am curious.  How 'serious' do you have to be to get there?  You have a bigger base, but you are three years older. ie can you
A) Do more or better designed quantity/quality in 2013 vs.2010 for April-August?
B) Weigh less than you did on race day 2010?
C) Do anything tactically better in the race vs. 2010?
And can you fit this into your life?

My reply …

Great questions and ones I have been pondering quite a bit, and so you will see some form of this response coming up in a post.

First, at the risk of sandbagging, I am putting it that goal out there, and I realize I might come short even if I do everything right between now and then.  Heck, it could be like 2008 all over.  Or crazy hot or something.  I don't know, but those are choices I will deal with race day, and there are a lot choices between now and then that I can make to position me to PR'ing at Pikes.

First, I am pretty certain I need to get back some element of speed.  When I went 2:37 there in 06, I had just come off a 4:45 mile on the track.  I did not break 5 minutes in  the mile this year, and well, I did not break 3 for the Ascent portion.  Yeah, I know they are different races, but I can see how there is a clear correlation between speed and performance on that course. 

I love that race because of what it is.  It is not some ho-hum 5k where you know you will finish.  It is something that you might not finish.  But it is not so long that just finishing it is some sort of accomplishment (for me) - like a 100.  There is room to execute and execute well between climbing, descending, basic speed, altitude, and being tough after 3 hours of work. 

So - between now and the early spring, I will see me working on trying to get some speed back.  I think I have had some short stints of this in the past, but nothing in recent years that is particularly focused for a length of time.  You could argue it has taken me 5 years to lose 20 seconds on my mile, and 25 minutes on my Ascent.  I will try to get some of those seconds back on the mile because I think it will have benefit in future phases of training AND it gives me an alternative focus between now and more focused training.

I'd love to say that I PR'd at Pikes, got a sub 5 mile, a sub 17 5k for the season.

Of course I will start to sprinkle longer stuff in there as the calendar turns.  I am pretty sure I will go back to the Grand Canyon this year and see if I can break 9 there, and  jump in the burro racing circuit.

My base is large - it is not my weakness.  My weakness is declining VO2, and hence vV02, and the ability to execute well past 3 hours.  I will work on this first part as I said for a bit, and then look to include the longer challenging runs in the spring (as in 4, 5 hours).  I hope that those longer runs will help me address some of the cramping issues I have faced below Barr Camp that really keep me from closing well.

Okay - so in regards to A, it is not more volume (but that will come in to some extent in March, April - again like 2010), but the speed now and longer long runs.

B - yes.  We hate to discuss this but my weight is currently 145, but it has even recently been 155!  I am not looking to drop that too much now but I'd like to get to the Pikes line under 140.  I came to Pikes in 2010 at 141.  The biggest issue with my weight is that I lack a certain discipline at the business travel dinner table.  I think if I can get a handle on that, the training will bring me to the desired race weight.  All that said - I am not going to pound on that topic too much now ... getting to that weight now and holding it is not something I think I can and should do.

But yes, I think weight ... to some appropriate and intelligent end has a good deal of bearing on this race.  Pulling up 5 extra lbs on a climb up a 14er when you are trying to fly makes a difference ... as long as it is an unnecessary 5lbs and not strength.

C - I executed pretty well in 2010, and so to assume that I can do better than that is a pretty large assumption.  In fact, if I am more fit, I tend to be poorer in my execution.  If I can get up in under 2:50, and I have executed smartly, and I have trained well for the long run (see above) with the speed (see above), then my execution will be on getting that finish under 1:40.  I think I could have done that this year, but I screwed around on top for a bit. 

I am confident on the life part unless there is a life changing event.  It means not getting out and just running as I have on many occasions but having a focus to my training.  FWIW, I am happy with how I have been getting to that point more and more over the last 5 weeks.  And I am just getting started.

Was reminded of this great rerelease recently …

Thursday 101812

I have found so much of the news lately too be a bit too close to home and …disappointing? (probably not the right word, maybe depressing?)  The Jessica Ridgeway case being 10, multiple recent cases of athletes in endurance sport ‘fessing up to lying, the BSA release of “perversion files,” just to name a few (there are a good number of others lately it seems).

I think to balance these, my brain seeks the positives in life in some way.  Lately that has been considering the relationships with people I have in my “IC” or “inner circle.”  The inner most part of the IC is my family.  While obvious, it cannot be understated.  There is the relationship with my wife Tracy.  And my children.  I gain so much from so little from these people.  Our relationship comes with bumps, twists and turns, but I gain much from it emotionally.  We are each other’s “croo” in the biggest ultra of all.

Then beyond that there are the people I hear in my head.  Some of these folks are people I see regularly as well.  Some are people I have not seen in a long time.  Some are dead and so I will never see them again.  But all of them make a chorus of voices in my head that guide me and provide me feedback.  Sometimes one’s voice will rise above the din specifically.  Other times they mutter in a collective.  It is people I have met running or gone to college with or served in the service with or worked with some place years ago. 

When I started this thinking, my mind was going through who those people were and naming them.  Some of those people are reading this.  Some have no idea how to get onto the internet (or as alluded to before, never saw it in their lives). 

The circle might be more a funnel.  There are the folks who I’d trust without question.   The folks who I have said that “if it was necessary, I’d hope I’d be brave enough to take a bullet for.”  They are pretty tight in the circle.  Certainly, it is a much tighter circle than those who are “Facebook Friends.”  These people are ones whose star dust or whatever frequency they are on seems to be more closely aligned to mine. 

There are those I look to for parenting advice.  Or counsel about work.  Or how to be a better father, husband, friend, community member, co worker … human. 

In all the cases, I feel I gain more from the relationship than I get.   Logically, part me knows that they probably feel the same, but I get a positive thought (and hence balance to the conundrum above) that I have an opportunity to provide back to these wonderful people in my life.

There is a lot more to it than that … but that is a start.

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Excellent post by the Sock Doc called “are you on drugs?”
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There is a discussion to place a piece of art, similar to what is pictured above, in the the Ridgeview Open Space (just east of 287) to serve as a “gateway” piece as folks drive into Broomfield.   At this point, it is just a discussion between certain committees (Open Space Committee, Public Art Committee) – and neither of those are a deciding body (that is ultimately the City Council).  My current opinion is that I am opposed to this idea.  I just don’t see open space as a place where we ought to put art.  There is a distinction in our language in Broomfield between open space and open lands.  Open lands include items like parks, greenway belts (so the concrete trails between neighborhoods is how I interpret that), public playgrounds and golf courses (the open lands distinction is important as Broomfield has a goal of having 40% of the city/county property as open lands – versus open space).  I am fine with art in open lands … just not in open space.  I realize that the art folks, and probably some other folks think art in such locations is okay … I just don’t think we need to be putting this sort of stuff in a place that was specifically acquired to preserve to some degree.  I am not anti public art.  I am just not up for art like this in these sort of locations.
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Mmm … catching some video that Rob T posted of Jimmy P in Zep had me thinking about Gibson Les Pauls … love what local axe shop Wildwood does …

Wednesday 101712

13 miles steady in the mid day.  Wind was pushing pretty good on the way out (heading west on rte 128). Pace was all over the place because of the wind.  Had a 8:37 on the way out (out by the hill heading up to the windmills) and a 6:13 on the back.  Ended up averaging 7:36, with a HR anywhere from 145 to 170.  Like I said, Steady. 

Was listening to a podcast from IMTalk so I turned the Strava thing on.  I can see the data geek draw.  Anyway, the IMTalk podcast from the day at Kona is excellent.   The interview with Jacobs is money - “when I was feeling bad, I would just tell myself, I love this.”  His positivity … and hearing the athletes that struggled out there and their reactions … really really solid stuff.

Burch posts on his recent BMT.  The Drill Sergeants shook their heads. Who was this old man who didn't eat meat that was leading the pack against teenagers nearly half his age?

This is a trail connector I have been itching for the last five years.  It requires some intergovernmental work between Boulder County and Broomfield.  It is getting close.

Metzger Farm

At the Open Space meeting tonight, we visited the Metzger Farm property.  This piece is expecting to open up and will connect to the Big Dry Creek Trail.  It is a real pretty piece.  It is co owned by Westminster and Broomfield, is expected to open up to public towards the end of the summer.  Here are some shots of the work there thus far, including some of the heron nests I saw, the new bridge going over Big Dry Creek going in, and the plan map.