Mon - 7.5 miles (1,800') easy. Horsetooth summit via hiking trail - then Wathan - Spring Creek - Soderberg - home.
Tues - 10 miles (2,000') easy with Mike E. 38e - Bluesky - Towers - Secret Trail - Westridge - Rock - Soderberg - home. Beautiful sunrise.
Weds - 4.5 miles (700') easy. Falls loop.
Thurs - 10.5 miles (1,200') progression. Bluesky out and back via Indian Summer. Early a.m. with Eric B. Out easy and then tempo over last four from Rim Rock back to the TH.
Fri - 4.5 miles (700') easy. Falls loop.
Sat - 10.5 miles (2,000') easy w/Slush, Sarah, Nicole and Alex. Sunrise from top of Arthurs. Valley - Arthurs TH - Arthurs Rock trail to summit - Howard - Mill Creek Link - Valley - Bluesky.
Sun - 12.5 miles (4,500') easy w/Dakota and Ryan to top of McHenrys from Glacier Gorge TH.
Total: 60 miles (12,900')
Nice easy week enjoying some miles with friends.
Got the Hardrock appo in the mail this week, so we'll see if that bears any fruit come December. Got a feeling that it will be a pretty crowded lottery for next year's race, so I'm definitely not banking on getting picked, but with (I think) four tickets in the lottery my chances are decent. If no Hardrock, then it's on to plan B.
Starting to think a bit about winter races, and the marathon once again seems somewhat appealing. Training to run on roads makes me feel like a 'real' runner, not just a long distance mountain jogger, and while I definitely prefer being the latter, I also enjoy feeling fast (all things of course being relative). I figure that if I can go under 2:30, then I'll finally have the marathon distance expunged from my system and can then go about jogging in peace. New Orleans again might be an option in February, but I guess it would be nice to run a race where I'm more likely to have company to work with. Running solo at New Orleans for 21 miles certainly didn't help my cause. That would probably mean having to run one of the bigger spring marathons, so I guess we'll see on that.
Also looking at the North Face 50 in December, but that would require some pretty focused training to get in shape and I'm just not sure I'm ready for all that yet. I figure I've got until October to make a decision about whether or not I want to commit to the training.
Awesome to see so many friends kicking tail in Albania and The Netherlands this last weekend. Andy Henshaw is a road running monster, and wow, Max King World Mountain Running Champion. Love it.
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Nick, I'm not sure if you've already entered TNF EC or not, but I learned today that the race is rapidly approaching filling. Just thought you'd want to know.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your fall plodding or road work, whichever you choose.
"then I'll finally have the marathon distance expunged from my system and can then go about jogging in peace"
ReplyDeleteHA! If it were down to a bet, I would guess that running a sub 2:30 would only further ignite your desire for speed. I mean heck...then you'll be tempted to pull a Max King and be an insanely fast mountain runner in addition to an Olympic Trials caliber road runner.
Since you'll have all that speed, I should get a 90 minute cushion at Salida this year.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you at TNF 50 in December. It will be my first ultra and seeing an ultra runner of your caliber pass by would be quite a cool experience!
ReplyDeleteMike @justalittlerun
nick - California international marathon (from Folsom to the state Capitol in downtown sac) pulls a strong, competitive field each year ( your time from new Orleans would've placed you 52nd last year just to give you a more accurate picture). Course is fast, temps anywhere from 30-50, usually no rain, and it is Dec. 4. would be great to lineup next to you at tnf 50 if it ends up being a go for you. I think I'm gonna take a chance and enter Hardrock, just too appealing to me. if CIM interests you, you know you've got a free place to crash.
ReplyDeleteBryon - thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll have to make that call sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteAaron - seriously, 2:30 is about my upper limit for the type of running I do. It would take serious dedication to go much below that, and as much as I appreciate a good road race, it just wouldn't happen.
Brownie - umm, I'll have to check the records, but even with a 90 minute cushion I think I still would have your number this year.
Mike - good luck at NF50 and hopefully I'll see you out there.
Jake - Yeah, I've looked at CIM for all the reasons you bring up, but early Dec is probably cutting it a bit fine. Hardrock would definitely be a good race for you - get your name in the hat!
I think I am going to be running NF50 as well (note running not 'racing'). You should consider it
ReplyDeleteBy the way, are you racing Steamboat this weekend?
Paris or London or ... both in the springtime...
ReplyDeleteRC
Nick - I'll be 'running' in Steamboat. You?
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that you can't just 'run' in a race...so you and Burch will be battling it out! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteNo steamboat for me - I am headed to the Bear next weekend, so should probably rest a bit.
That's awesome you're running Steamboat this weekend Nick! My parents and Chris H. will be helping out at Base Camp aid station (miles 18 and 32 I think). I'm sure I'll see you as you're on your way back in. Have a great run!
ReplyDeleteStephanie L.
You too, Steph!
ReplyDeleteGot you pegged for the 'W' :-)
name is in the hat. hopefully 2012 will be an even more epic summer for all of us.
ReplyDeleteNice one, Jacob! Maybe I'll get a chance to repay the crewing/pacing debt.
ReplyDeleteThe interwebs tell me you were 2nd - congrats on a great 'run' !
ReplyDeleteSolid race, Nick. Looking forward to hearing how it went down. Was Zeke dangling off the front (basically right in front of you) for most of the race? Interested to hear about the weather and course change and how you think that affected things.
ReplyDeleteThanks
tim
Nick- I'm proof that finally achieving a long sought-after marathon goal can indeed result in swearing off marathons forever. I always knew I had a sub-2:35 in me, and have not run a marathon since getting that 2 years ago. In fact, I think the first paragraph of my marathon race report nicely sums up the feeling: http://jon.fastrunningblog.com/blog-09-19-2009.html
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to RRR report...
If you're looking for a running partner and a place to stay, I'm doing the Little Rock Marathon.... It'd be nice to go toe to toe with the 2011 Ultrarunner of the Year (hope i didn't jinx you)
ReplyDelete