I don't contribute much here, but I really enjoy reading your stories, reports, etc. That's why I decided to start the June topic myself.
By now, if things are going more or less according to plan, each of us should be getting at the 1000km mark (or farther). I'm a bit short, due to an laziness crisis that stroke me in May. But I'm working hard to catch the bunny still in June. We'll see.
What about you guys and gals?
Thanks for starting us off. ? Laziness....what's that?? How did your 20K trail race go anyway?
I've decided to create a pattern of LR on my running log: 10-12-14-16 because I thought the first sequence looked so good on the bar chart. Yesterday was the 14 mi for the second rep. It was very motivating, knowing I would get to post it and continue the pattern. Good thing too because the second half felt harder than usual. Been having some restless nights, so lack of quality sleep is likely part of it.
In April, I started going to physical therapy again. "Third time's a charm" as the saying goes. This is the 3rd time I've tried, and the first PT who knew what was wrong with me. I injured my back in 2005 and my running has never been the same since then, with back pain flare-ups, episodes where it goes out of place, and left quad and right glute/leg pain with longer runs. Apparently the intervertebral spinal stabilizing muscles were shut down by the accident and they don't come back on by themselves. So the body develops all sorts of ways to compensate for the lack and to protect the back and keep it stable. In terms of running, this includes inhibiting glute muscle action, rear leg extension, upper back rotation, and the list goes on... If anyone is interested, here's a link to an official PT webpage that describes my sitch.
http://www.therapeuticassociates.com/events/low-back-pain-and-%E2%80%9Ccore-training%E2%80%9D-the-inside-scoop/
Retraining these muscles and getting them to function on auto-pilot like they are supposed to takes time; but I am already seeing improvement in my running comfort and in daily activities. So that's my update.
Don't make excuses for why you can't get it done.
Focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen.
Hi HappyFeat,
Thanks for asking. The race was lots of fun. It was 23km long, with 1360 m accumulated climb. I finished it in 2:54:00, ninth place general in 39 athletes. In the group of the eight guys faster then me, only one was around my age, and he was 5 years younger! So it was ok, I guess. But it'd be just as good (well..., almost as good) even if I had finished last.
About your long runs pattern, I must say that it would look even better in my own bar chart instead of yours . Just kidding. Not really. OK. But I totally see what you mean when you talk about the motivation one gets from the prospect of posting a good run.
So, you're saying that you've been running on a bad back for the last eight years? That mileage?! Mmmm... I doubt you know the first thing about laziness .
Seriously, I'm glad your condition was finally identified and that it can be cured with physiotherapy.
Ze
Hi Ze! You did quite well for yourself in that trail race! Excellent! Glad to hear you had fun with it.
Yeah, I have to agree, your log needs a better looking bar chart....nudge, nudge
About the last 8 years of running....IKR?!? Just think what I might be capable of now! I'm so excited at the prospect and it really motivates me to do my PT exercises religiously. Really though, my daily runs have typically been fine. It's the long runs that have given me trouble as my body loses any semblance of biomechanical integrity over the long haul. It used to be just the longest ones; but in the last year, anything over 7 miles was problematic and 16 miles was really painful. With that in mind, the last month has been mind-blowing for me - I ran 14 miles two days ago and it went perfectly fine in that regard and my legs weren't even sore afterward. My 6-miler tonight went perfectly fine too. Seriously, I'm astounded. I feel like a kid with a new toy. I want to play with it and see what it will do! This is a good thing because actually the PT is not easy peasy. There's exercises to do every day usually when you don't feel like it and multiple things to remember while running, so extra concentration is required at this point; but I'm already reaping the rewards so I'm not complaining.
Imminent Catastrophe
Up early tomorrow to head to Wyoming via Billings, Montana for Bighorn 50 miler. The snow has melted but lots of rain lately, so the good thing is, fire danger is low. The bad thing is, it will be muddy!
"Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"
"To obtain the air that angels breathe you must come to Tahoe"--Mark Twain
"The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.
√ Javelina Jundred Jalloween 2015
Cruel Jewel 50 mile May 2016
Western States 100 June 2016
Good luck, Russ! How do you prepare for 50 miles of muck? I'd probably be taking about 5 pairs of socks and change out every 10 miles! Not so sure that snow might have been the better surface with the right traction devices of course. Hope your slip-and-sliding is at a minimum and that the scenery makes it worthwhile.
Well, that was a really tough race. Up/down/up/down, starting at 9000 ft, lots of mud up high and rough, rocky footing on steep descents toward the end. The "mud shoes" worked well in the mud but not so well on those rocky trails, not much protection so my feet got pretty beaten up. Anyway I had dry socks but didn't use them. I felt queasy for the first 10 miles or so, probably nerves and maybe the altitude.
Anyway it was a spectacular course, with patches of snow and wildflowers in full bloom. My slowest 50-miler but it was also my toughest one so it figures. Next up, Tahoe.
Wow! That had to be character-building right there! Sounds like the beautiful scenery balanced out the hard effort. Do you feel your training prepared you adequately? (Are you still working with a coach?) Were you running alone pretty much or with others? How many do you think that entered finished the event? What kind of course was it (besides vertically challenging, that is) - one big loop, out and back, point to point? I shoulda looked it up I s'pose. Congratulations on finishing a FIFTY-MILER!!!!! You're Amazing!
Hey Happy,
Thanks!
It's a point-to-point. The 100-miler is out-and-back, the 50 (which I did) is the "back" part, it was 5000 feet net downhill and was still extremely hard with plenty of tough climbs and steep, rocky downhills. It's ranked 5 on a 1-to-5 scale on the Ultrarunning difficulty scale, I can't even imaging doing that after climbing up that nasty 50 miles. My strategy for the mud is just, run on through it. It takes so much energy to pick my way around it that it's just more efficient to just plug through. Wet feet aren't all that bad. I'm still working with a coach but didn't do all the long runs he assigned me, I did what I could and felt OK going into it. Not really good, but just OK, and I did all right. Leading up to Tahoe I can't slack off, I need to do all the work.
Since you asked, I did run with a guy for awhile and it was really valuable. He's 69 years old, has run many 100's, including Tahoe. Tahoe is a 50-mile course (I did the 50 last year) that you do twice for the 100. His advice was, you must have a pacer and his job is to not let you quit after the first loop. It's so tempting because you're right there by your car, you're so exhausted after doing 50 miles, the sun is going down, and the prospect of doing the same thing that you just did AGAIN, but in the dark, is just overwhelming. He told me that he had 6 friends there and they all quit after the first loop, and he would have dropped except that his sadistic pacer kicked his ass and made him start the second loop. He finished.
I think there were about 200 registered at Bighorn and about 120 finished.
Thanks for all the gory details I love reading about it. You are one tough dude! (said with the utmost respect). I don't imagine this race is one you'd want to repeat and try for a better time. Seems once would be enough. Besides IMO the finish time is not as important as actually completing the event. To endure in the face of challenge and hardship......is an admirable thing. Of the ultras you've run, do you have a favorite course you would or do like to repeat?
What a stroke of luck to meet that guy with specific insight into the Tahoe Rim Trail! So - you'll have a pacer for that, right?
I really enjoy reading about your amazing exploits, Perfesser.
Happy Wednesday, A
Recalculating...
Sounds like fun Russ.
Thought you might like this for both the scenery and the message. Best when set to 1080 HD.
Darkness
Any way, still been in recovery mode and mostly biking with the odd run thrown in. Keep on telling myself I must start building up again, but it is the middle of winter, and as long as i stay in front of the bunny...............
“Attitude is the Difference Between an Ordeal and an Adventure”
Goals 2016
Do stuff
Loved watching that video, Puke - Thanks!!!
By your sig line, you have an ultra in just a couple months. Can understand finding it hard to ramp up in the winter though when it's dark pretty much all the time except lunchtime. What kind of weather are you having?
Loved watching that video, Puke - Thanks!!! By your sig line, you have an ultra in just a couple months. Can understand finding it hard to ramp up in the winter though when it's dark pretty much all the time except lunchtime. What kind of weather are you having?
Yep, some of the scenery is spectacular in the video,
Middle of winter here, which is actually quite mild compared to what others get. Some big snow in the South Island. This morning I headed out with the daughter in the buggy for a 20 km run and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it wasn't warm but it wasn't that cold either. By the time I got to 12 km it started to rain and got very cold. still only about 5 deg C but I wasn't really dressed for that temperature with no thermals. The daughter was well rugged up, the DW insisted she was. Smart woman.
I hadn't noticed how close the next ultra was. Bugger. No wait, just realized I got it wrong, actually in September. Whew. Started training for the 24 hour in October, which the 66 km is going to be a warm up for. Basically my rest time is over and I had better start getting back into it again. Haven't got long to build up and taper.
Sounds positive about your rehab Happy. The fact that you can still do your long runs...and head the leader board must be a good sign :-)
So how did everyone's weekend go.?
Yesterday was sunny and 70F for a lovely scenic 10-miler on bike trail. DH had the day off yesterday, so he rode his bike for a 2 hours while I ran.
Not sure I mentioned it before, but after 6 months being unemployed, DH finally landed a job - HURRAY! He hired on as a temp about a month ago and they asked him last week if he wants permanent status - read "with medical insurance benefits." Yesssss!!!
Other good news: my younger brother (early 40's) who had the stroke just had his 3-month follow-up scan and it showed the tear in his artery has healed and the blood is flowing freely; so he's definitely out of the woods on that. He finally got in with a university specialist a couple weeks ago who is confident she can help him with his residual symptoms and he is feeling hopeful about his future for the first time.
I feel like a dark cloud has moved away from overhead.
Puke - the fact that I run is simply a sign of how stubborn I am. I love running and I really look forward to my long runs with pleasure.....maybe it's the great scenery and wonderful bike trails here...I just love the outing. I think probably endurance is my strong suit; that and persevering in the face of discomfort....although I have to say, "it's (usually) not that bad" and I fall back on the "if it's not getting any worse, focus on something else and keep going" approach. Still and all, it feels really good to have found a physical therapist who can help me improve my biomechanics and my running.
I started my third round of 10-12-14-16 LRs with a 10 miler yesterday. For some reason, the "visual" on my log is very motivating to me to keep the pattern going. I was just looking at my LR distances over the last 12 months and I really don't have many 14'ers. I somehow thought I'd run a lot more of them. I think this new game will dramatically increase the frequency of these longer distances.
Yeah, what IS everyone else up to this weekend??