Saturday 111712

JZ was working on some merit badges for Scouts today down south.  I recalled that Woody was hosting a run.  Ding, ding – win  win.  I knew I would miss the start, but as Woody had posted the route, with the mile markers I could figure out where I could potentially catch up to the croo.

In the mix was Becca H, Todd G, Troy H (for some reason because he was a Leadman contender I thought he’d be a lot bigger), Ryan K, Jim P, Patrick G, Jaime Y, Stephen Y, Leila D and at least a half dozen others I don’t know as well.  Lots of good chatter about the summer past, and the seeds being set for the season ahead.  Some pretty trails down there in H-park.
        

Weather was insanely good for mid November!  Lot of crack up quotes in there … “he was the dumbest in his group.  He only had a 3.9 GPA.”  “I'm a lawyer, I don’t know ****.”  I think Todd G had a slew of them that I probably ought to not post here.  14 miles.

Later in the day, got out on some trail in Denver.   I ran on this trail once with Timmy G many years ago, but a different section.  So two new trails, 20 miles total, JZ happy with some merit badge work done and we celebrated with his favorite take out dinner:  Chinese (he is preferential to sesame chicken).

Sunday 032512 Waterton Canyon, Week in Review

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.