The problem with the trail races is the cutoff time. Add in the vertical gain and possibly altitude and I'm looking at an almost guaranteed DNF. I figure it would take me 16-18 hours for a 100K, hence the 24-hour races.

WC as my 2 100k finishes are 16 hr and 17hr(neither very pretty) , I say dont write off a 100k, there are some nice midwest courses w/o vert or alritude for us who ate getting our moneys worth out of the race.

Well i went and registered for Hennepin 50 mile race (part of Hennepin 100 here in IL (was sober...more or less).  Its this coming weekend.   It just looks too fun to pass up.  I have 5 weeks until Tunnel Hill, so plenty of recovery.  Ultrasignup claims another victim...   I have to decide whether to get a tent and camp or stay at a crummy hotel.  After acouple of races I will break even then it will be $$ in the bank.  My only hesitation is I would like a good shower after.  Also would want a stove to make coffee.

42 miles for me this week, and another 9 miles of walking at lunch etc. I did a 15km trail race on Saturday, not an ultra, first non-ultra trail race for me. I wanted to check out the trails around Buntzen Lake, the Diez Vista 100k/50k is on the same trail, I don't think I'll be doing the 100k with 4000m of vert. and a 15.5hr cutoff after seeing the trail. I think it's one of the steeper trails I've been up, 27% for 2km, and some of that was runable, so steeper in some sections, I was using my hands a bit on one short section. Finished the race around 2h30, slower than I thought, lost a bit on a wrong turn that connected back to the trail, but was longer. Sprained my ankle, so walked that off for a bit, and was taking it easier on the downhills. Pretty slow at the end on the easier trails, I'm not used to pacing these shorter runs, I think I could have run 2x the distance at the pace I was going, felt like I was going hard, but had a lot left at the finish. I'm going to try to get into the 50k Diez Vista race, it sells out really quickly.

Weekly Summary
Monday, Sep 25, 2017 thru Sunday, Oct 01, 2017

RunningDenver - I have done the double crossing twice.  South Kaibab, North Kaibab, Bright Angel (highly recommended route) and North Kaibab, Bright Angel, North Kaibab (the climb at the end of this route is a doozy).  Mileage and elevation change questions were answered.  I would say go for it, not as hard as one would think, if you prepare and don't try to race the canyon for speed.

Skim - Another nice week!  Sounds like the steak is a special treat for you.  I would save it for a post race reward.  I don't think I would eat anything excessive (although a 12 oz. steak is not excessive for us big guys) before a race.  Lucky I don't race because one of the best things I had was a huge chicken fried steak meal 3 hours before one of those Grand Canyon hikes and felt great.

FNKYHD - I am seeing the old man on the computer, but no pics on the phone.  Nice job on the 5k.  Too bad about about the sore leg and timing errors.  Chalk it up to "technology sucks sometimes".  The stopwatch on my cheap watch works flawlessly.

Drock - Nice week.

Me - Not much running last week.  One medical issue has resolved.  Foot is still achy but I am running on it at this point.  Started a run streak as of yesterday.  Trans Zion, aka: Zion Traverse, aka Zion Trek, (49 miles) is scheduled in 3 weeks.

Skim, i think it depends on if you are used to eating beef. personally i would not change anything or eat anything you are not used to prior to the race. for me i have had problems after eating beef. it's hard on your gut if you are not used to it.

Skim - I think it's better to spread out protein intake, if you take in too much at once, it not really used. Maybe half a steak for dinner, and steak and eggs for breakfast and a steak sandwich. I'm like FunkyHd, I hardly eat steak, so it's hard on my stomach. As well protein is good after a hard effort to rebuild muscle, so after the race would be good too

 

Questions questions:

Is anyone here posting in Trailer Trash as someone suggested?

Do I know these people? (trying to get used to new names for some of you - I fear change.)

 

I post in Trailer Trash. I think Gatsbybird aka Danibird does too.

Seamax/Drock where (or kinda how) do you get that nice training week template you post your week in?

Skim:  re steak, no great advice here, I wouldn't because I don't eat it too much so not used to it, and I feel heaviness after

eating.  The protein question is interesting, never heard of loading so much as rebuilding.  I do try to take some protein after

I run, sometimes whey protein, within 30 min to 1 hr, usually about 20g  with some carbs.

I have heard people advocate this for training before bed as well, but I haven't

gone there unless its after a workout.  I haven't ever heard any pre race protein loading and in fact very little

about protein or fat requirements during an ultra race.

my week:

Mon  rest

Tues 6.75E

Wed  6.72E

Thu  15.3E  10:24mi/min @75 degrees flat asphalt trail

Fri    Rest  (not planned just tired of running)

Sat  16.65 @ 9:46 hillier trail, 50 degrees out!

Sun 12.5 miles with 3.5Tempo

total 58 miles, no significant elevation as usual

total September miles: 251

This turned into mini-cutback week (initial plan was 70).  I was tired of running by Fri and so didn't

run Friday like I usually do, then on the weekend not enough time (or desire)

to make it up.  I just put the temperatures above because you can see how great it

is when that cool fall temp rolls in things get much easier.  (it just went back to 80 today but was high

40s-50 for the weekend am runs.

Since I went and signed up for Hennepin 50 mile this Sat on a whim, I am just going to poke

around this week which is oddly a relief because finding time to run can be stressful during the week.

I am going to try a quasi-minimalist approach-no over planning, no over packing (but I will bring shoes

and rain gear because there's good chance of rain).