Sunday, January 30, 2011

Weekly Summary: Jan 24-30

1/24/2011
Mon- AM: 17 miles (2:16) West Cliff-Wilder, 1643'
It was one of those mornings where lacing up the shoes proved to be more difficult than normal. Kept debating if I wanted to run longish, or if I could squeeze in my normal two-a-day. In the end I decided to do the same loop as Sunday. Legs are noticably tired, but the run went great! Averaged a little faster pace than yesterday, which surprised me since I thought I was kind of slogging along. The 101's are amazing, but I think the added shock from a lack of cushion is causing me gnarly quad pain. For breakfast- water, half a sweet potato w/ Udo's oil, banana, half cup of naked juice. Felt light, but energy levels started to wane in Pogonip.
PM: 4 miles (:33) West Cliff, 201'
Felt a bit stronger than I expected on the shake-out. My left quad is pretty sore though. I think it's from running in the 101's. Ankles feel great, surprisingly, but legs are shot.


1/25/2011
Tues- AM: 20 miles (2:36) Pogonip-Wilder-West Cliff, 1715'
Amazing run this morning! Decided to do my usual route in the reverse direction...pretty crazy how different everything looked. I really enjoy heading up Pogonip and making my way through the woods while the sun is still rising. Felt really strong on the climb to UCSC. Was only planning on ~16 miles, but I felt so good that I threw on a few extra miles on West Cliff. Also, today was my first sock-less day. Once the blisters heal I might give it another shot. I like how natural it feels, but for now it's back to the SmartWools. Breakfast was: half of a sweet potato w/ tsp. Udo's oil, banana and tea. It was really surprising how much energy I had considering I barely ate anything before and nothing during the run.


1/26/2011
Wed- AM: 13 miles (1:53) Pogonip-Twin Gates o&b, 1154'
Legs were not there this morning and HR was definitely higher than normal. Did an out and back to the Twin Gates through Pogonip. Yesterday's run caught up with me for sure, but it was absolutely beautiful out. Not sure if I'm just making this up, but I think a lack of caffeine this morning aided in my exhaustion. Woke up really hungry around 1am last night and noshed on some cereal. =] Breakfast was: green tea, half of sweet potato w/ Udo's & agave nectar, banana and apple.
PM: 5.5 miles (:43) West Cliff, 251'
Really good shake-out. Ate a piece of cracked wheat toast and apple before hand with some coffee. Definitely felt a pick-me-up from the brew, but the food was a bit too much fiber. Was a little dehydrated, but felt strong after about 3 miles. Had an apple when I got back since I was crunched for time. Didn't end up eating lunch until about 2 hours later, which sucked! (hummus wrap, granola bar, and tea)


1/27/2011
Thurs- AM: 22 miles (2:53) Pogonip-Wilder-West Cliff, 1670'
Wasn't really feeling the run early on because my legs were so dead. Started with the climb to Pogonip and just felt like I was getting nowhere, plus the blisters on my pinkie toes hurt. I always seem to doubt my training/running when I'm grinding through the miles, but I think in the long run (no pun intended) it'll be useful having trained on tired legs. Took it really easy to Wilder until finally the legs started to loosen up on the downhills. Finished up along the coast at a pretty good clip. A homeless man yelled to me that I was skinnier than him...so maybe it's time to eat more? haha Anyways, beautiful run as always. I'm still absolutely in love with the 101's, but they felt a little sloppy today on the downhills, probably because I was compensating for the painful blisters. Glad I brought water this time around...and a Gu. Breakfast was: two slices of cracked wheat toast w/ almond butter and agave nectar, tea. Had the rest of my vegan baked mac and cheese, steamed veggies, half of a vegan quesadilla w/ hummus, and an apple for lunch. Yum. =]
PM: 5 miles (:41) West Cliff, 198'
Pretty nice little shake-out run. Legs were feeling kind of rubbery, but to be expected. Just tried to keep the pace nice and easy and enjoy the awesome sunset over the ocean. Kind of curious how I'll be feeling tomorrow. Brewed up some decaf coffee when I got back w/ a piece of almond buttered toast, an apple, and ~Tbs. of some soy nuts. Burrito for dinner!


1/28/2011
Fri- AM: 12 miles (1:32) West Cliff, 413'
Felt good to just hit some flat roads. Kept the pace mellow to loosen up the legs from yesterday. It was pretty windy coming back from the wharf, which was frustrating, but the ride along the ocean was awesome so I can't really complain. My legs were a little rubbery when I woke up this morning, but I feel a lot better than I expected. I think I'm adjusting quickly to my increased training! Broke out the old DS Trainers since I've gotten used to running in "less" shoe. The Trance's feel like boots now, and all I can hear is them slapping the pavement. Just ordered some of the Green Silence's, which I'm hoping to use as my main road shoe. Breakfast was: two pieces of cracked wheat toast w/ hummus and almond butter, an apple, and two golden oreos. Yumm. Had a bigger lunch than usual when I got back. Some sweet and sour tofu w/ white rice and another piece of toast plus a few more oreos. I guess that homeless guy's comment from yesterday is in the back of my mind. =]
PM: 5.5 miles (:45) West Cliff, 270' 
Decided to head out for a few more miles this afternoon. Got bored around the apartment, so I enjoyed the sunset on West Cliff instead! I always feel kind of light headed/weird when I run in the afternoon, but after a jacuzzi sesh the legs are feeling awesome! Excited to hit some trails tomorrow before work.

1/29/2011
Sat- AM: 17 miles (2:15) West Cliff-Wilder-Pogonip, 1622'
Felt really good this morning, but was a little slow on the hills. Legs are pretty shot...I'd imagine just from the week's load and the pounding on the pavement from yesterday. Wish I had time to put in a few more miles. Breakfast was: two pieces of whole wheat toast w/ almond butter, coconut water Naked juice

1/30/2011
Sun- AM: 14 miles (1:52) Nisene, 1394'
First run with the Fleet Feet training group, and it was awesome! I can tell that I'm really going to enjoy helping coach this program. I took it easy in Nisene Marks and looped back and forth a bunch to keep track of all the runners. Felt pretty queasy out on the run. bleh. But, I found some single-track that I haven't explored, so I'm going to head out there probably tomorrow and run til my heart's content! Legs feel awesome, especially having such a big week. I think it was definitely a good idea to take it slow today. Also,I ran sock-less again in the 101's with no new blisters! Breakfast was: hummus on whole wheat toast, mandarin orange, a little cereal.



Totals
-Miles: 135
-Hours: 18h 4min
-Vertical: 10,531'
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What a training week! I somehow managed to rack up 135 miles without really feeling like I was putting in work...they just seemed to fly by, which is ideally where I want to be in my training. There were a couple of days where heading out the door was a challenge, but I just have to remind myself that once I hit the trails it'll be worth it. Today's run in Nisene was the most fun I've had in a long time. I already know that working with the No Boundaries training groups is going to be a blast, and I can't wait to get to know everyone better! Also, stumbling upon that awesome single-track has rekindled my love for trails...as soon as I began running it I had a grin from ear to ear. =] I'll probably head back out there tomorrow morning to see where it takes me.


Two-a-days seem to be working out great for me as long as I keep the second run around 5-6 miles and slow enough so that they aid in recovery. I definitely don't want them to turn into junk miles. Overall, I can tell that I'm more tired from the increase in training, but on the same note I'm adjusting quicker than I expected to my 13-17 mile standard morning run. Hopefully I can keep up this level of running as I believe it'll definitely pay off at WTC and the AR 50. Looking forward to a fresh week of training and putting more miles on my 101's! I'm hoping to write up a mini-review of these amazing shoes soon.









Sunday, January 23, 2011

Weekly Summary: Jan 17-23

1/17/2011
Mon- AM: 5.5 miles (:45) West Cliff, 300'
Decided to shake out the legs this morning and post-pone the long run until later so me and the gf can hang a bit longer. Legs are tired, but to be expected after only my second 100+ mile week (121).
PM: 13 miles (1:46) Wilder-UCSC, 1714'
Decided to do the shake-out in the morning since my legs were feeling crappy. Ran into Jaime and Joy in Pogonip and had a nice chat! Took it nice and easy and just enjoyed the ride.


1/18/2011
Tues- AM: 13 miles (1:48) Wilder-UCSC, 1680'
No complaints here. Beautiful run, especially on Long Meadow loop!
PM: 5 miles (:39) West Cliff, 252'
Solid shake-out session. I think I need to wait a little longer after my first run though for this to be useful.


1/19/2011
Wed- AM: 15 miles (1:57) Wilder-Bluffs, 1052'
Was a little unmotivated getting up this morning...took it slow and got some work done before deciding to head out in my cascadia's (which I love!) Saw a mountain lion on the long meadow climb up to twin gates. Decided to turn around and run on the bluffs instead. Got in a solid 15, but legs felt heavy. Planning on doing my shake-out run after class tonight...my first night run!
PM: 4 miles (:33) West Cliff, 250'
First night run was awesome! The moon-lit ocean was too much to take in. I think I'll start adding these at the end of my day. Felt like I was going really fast, but apparently only an 8:04 pace. Oh well, it's a shake-out.


1/20/2011
Thur- PM: 20 miles (2:46) Wilder (out/back)-Bluffs, 2002'
Reallllllly was not feeling the run this afternoon. Legs were super heavy (probably from hot tub) and I think I headed out dehydrated which just led to a world of hurt. Decided to throw in the Cowboy Loop...pretty cool stuff, but the crappy footing in the beginning was frustrating. I contemplated heading home early, but figured I should suck it up since I'm going to be feeling even worse come the 100 miler. Anyways, threw on a few extra miles on the bluffs. Ended up being a great day. No mountain lions, but I did cross paths with a bobcat!


1/21/2011
Fri- AM: 13 miles (1:46) Wilder-UCSC, 1543'
Solid Wilder loop this morning. Legs are pretty tired, but I guess I should be expecting that. The climbs hurt, but I hit the downhill in Pogonip hard and tried to put in a solid effort coming out of Pogo. Beautiful run overall...nice dip in the pool after. Also, no more double fiber toast before I run...too bloated. Gotta stick to the sweet potato/black beans!
PM: 7 miles (:55) West Cliff, 312'
Super east shake-out. Almost turned around to cut it short a few times, but I stuck with it and saw an awesome sunset. Legs felt great by the end of the run.


1/22/2011
Sat- AM: 14 miles (1:57) Wilder-UCSC, 1631'
Legs are so tired. Took it really east this morning on the loop...almost decided to just to West Cliff, but didn't want to be on the pavement. The hills hurt, but it was a beautiful morning. Took it super easy down Pogonip. Not sure why I keep doing it, but I need to stop eating toast before I run! Decided to not do an easy run tonight after work...felt like they'd just be junk miles.


1/23/2011
Sun- AM: 16 miles (2:10) Wilder-UCSC, 1626'
Solid Wilder loop with a few extra miles thrown in with the team. Felt A LOT better that I anticipated, especially since my original plan was to just hit West Cliff. I think it had to do with an easyish day yesterday/ no shake-out last night. The hills weren't that bad...focused on a nice steady pace with the guys. Cruised through UCSC and down Pogonip at a good clip. Ran in the NB 101's. AWESOME SHOE! I wanted to get out for a few miles after work, but I've been drained all day. Felt this was a solid week and another 5 miles wouldn't add anything.


Totals
-Miles: 125.5
-Hours: 17h 25min
-Vertical: 12,362'
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Overall, I'm extremely happy with this week of training! In only ~7 months of running I've gone from racing a few 10k's, to ultras, and just recently to 110+ miles/week! It feels awesome, and I can't wait to challenge myself in the next few months leading up to Way Too Cool 50k and the American River 50 miler. I think I'm definitely going to shift my focus to the latter of the races and see how much I've improved since my first in October.





Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Training for 2011

Well, for whatever it's worth I've decided that I'm going to start a blog about my training for the 2011 season! I've been following a few other bloggers, and they've given me some pretty awesome insight into all aspects of running; whether it's training, racing, or simply getting out there to enjoy the ride. This is something I've wanted to do for a few months now (as you can probably guess by my first post), so I figure what better time to start than the new year...even if I have missed a few weeks.

First off, here's a little history about me. I'm 20 years old and a Literature student at UC Santa Cruz. I've always enjoyed sports, but just kind of dabbled in them here and there in my earlier years. I began playing rugby in high school and loved that, until I found out about cyclocross and road cycling. Well, in typical me-fashion, I became completely obsessed and threw everything I had at it, competing in as many races as I could, which often was 5 or more a month. As can be expected, this eventually lead to burnout about 3 years after I started, so I decided it was time for a break from the bike. I laced up some running shoes in April/ May of 2010 just to keep in shape. And again, me being me, I became, and still am, completely obsessed with anything and everything running related.

I raced a few 10k's here and there, winning a local 10k trail series, before deciding that I wanted needed a new challenge. Logically, to me, the marathon seemed to fit the bill, so I began training religiously for the Morgan Hill Marathon in November, but after running two marathons in one training week, I looked for something longer. Having never raced anything over a 10k, I registered for the Dick Collins 50 miler in October, and a local 50k (Redwood Park) in September that I deemed my "training run" for the DC. I finished 8th overall and 2nd in my age at the 50k (my first ultra), and 30th overall at the 50 miler in a time of 8:29:23. Not too shabby. In November I raced another 50k, which I won, and since then I've just been hitting the training hard!

So far, the biggies of the 2011 season are:

Way Too Cool 50k
American River 50 mile
Vermont 100
Rio Del Lago 100

Well there it is. My long-winded history and short-term future of running. While I'm not exactly sure how useful this blog is going to be to a lot you readers out there, I hope it helps you on your journey with running, and maybe even along the way provides some insight on what works in training/racing...and what doesn't.