Mon - 5 miles (1,000'). Horsetooth/Falls.
Tues - 6 miles (1,200'). Reservoir Ridge with FCTR.
Weds - 8.5 miles (2,200'). Horsetooth/Audra.
Thurs - 5 miles (1,000'). Horsetooth/Falls.
Fri/Sat - 30 miles (10,000'). Pace Hardrock.
Sun - Off.
Total: 54.5 (15,400').
Hardrock seemed to take a little more out of me than planned, or I should probably say that I was a little less recovered from Western States than I thought, especially on the downs, and now the hip flexors seem a little tight.
Anyway, onwards to Pikes from here. First test comes this Sunday at the Barr Trail race which goes half way up the mountain to Barr Camp and then straight back down for close to 12.5 miles and 3,600' of climbing. I'm not expecting anything too earth shattering, but I am of course hoping to get a good workout in. This is probably the most competitive short-course mountain race in Colorado, which makes it one of the most competitive short-course races in the country, so a top 10 finish will definitely be a result. According to Justin's RunColo preview, I will not be a factor, but I'm imagining that at least a couple of the guys he's picked for top 10 spots won't get to the start line, and even if they all do I still think I'll be in the mix for the 10 spot. We'll see.
I pushed a few of the climbs this week in training, and generally felt pretty decent. I'll definitely need time to warm up at Barr Trail, so plan to go out easy and work up to race pace and then chew up the down.
Towers Road Handicap TT this Thursday at 6:00pm from the Horsetooth lower lot (Soderberg) if any out-of-towners (or in-towners for that matter) feel like putting in an appearance. Details here.
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Post race pitcher of Icehouse on me if you can crack the top 10!
ReplyDeleteHell, for a top 10 finish, I'll chip in so JT can buy you some good beer!
ReplyDeleteHi Nick, I enjoyed watching your race on the WS webcast as well as reading your blog. Barr will be my first mountain run and I'm really excited for it. I hope to shake your hand while I'm there if you are still around when I finish the race (which will probably be close to the cut off time) :-).
ReplyDeleteBrownie - thanks for the thought, but wow, Icehouse! Presuming I crack the top 10, I'll definitely be hunting Jim down for the save. Thanks, man!
ReplyDeleteCharlie - good luck Sunday. It's a great race and I'm sure you'll do great. Hope to see you afterward.
Nick, I'd appreciate if you can take a video camera and stay right with Rickey and Matt...I'd like to see how that plays out. Oh, and good luck to you as well! Kyle
ReplyDeleteLet's discuss the next TT when we see each other this weekend.
ReplyDeleteOK, if you get top 10, I'll let you pick out a pint from Kinfolk's on me. 11 or worse and you owe me a PBR.
ReplyDeleteGZ - sounds good, man. See you Sunday.
ReplyDeleteBrownie - sounds like a deal.
Should be a good workout, good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Sounds like it should be a good race up front - I'm sure you will be in the mix.
ReplyDeleteYou thinking about times? What do you think will get you into the top 10? I mean it's less than 13 miles so like 1:15 right???
ReplyDeleteFast times are sub 1:40 on this course.
ReplyDeleteYeah, hard to say when you don't know a course very well, but if I subtract the 8 minutes it took me to get to the cog last year at Pikes Peak A from the 76 it took me to get to Barr Camp, I come up with 68 for the up. I figure the shorter course and better fitness is worth at least 4-5 minutes (63-64), but then probably have to add something on for Western States 3 weeks back, which leaves me thinking I'll be content with anything under 65 going up.
ReplyDeleteReally, I'd like to see something closer to 62, but I think that is probably unrealistic. Coming down, based on comp times from previous years, I'd like to say I can descend in 35/36.
Add that all up, throw in a few herbs and spices, and I come up with 1:40 as the goal. Looking at previous years, that should be good for top 10. This year may be faster than most, I don't know, and there is of course zero guarantee that I'll even get close to 1:40. And that's why we run the race.
Tear it up!
ReplyDeleteGZ- Just a joke ;) If get anywhere near 2, you should check me for the PED's I lifted off Floyd Landis...
ReplyDeleteNick, no sandbagging, like that "oh i'm tired" post followed by the "oh, i just ran an FKT up towers post" :)
See y'all Sunday.
Patrick - no FKT on Towers, a good two minutes off, but then I wasn't looking to run my race there. Got to save something for Sunday.
ReplyDeleteGood luck at Barr. Hope to see you racing GZ to the finish for that sub-2:00.
BTW, I still vote for next TT on a school night (Mon-Thurs) -- weekends for getting high(er)...
ReplyDelete