Christmas full of family and running

Before meeting Michele, my holiday season usually consisted of myself and whatever family-less friends not heading home for the holidays hanging out at some local pub. Since, I've been slammed with family for 4 straight years now and so grateful for it.

The past 5 days offered up a nice long weekend to spend with lots of family in town. It also allowed me to get in some good running in these ideal weather conditions.

23rd - 8 Miles around Harvard Gulch & Wash Park at 5am.
24th - 12ish Miles around Mt. Falcon. Longest trail run in a month.
25th - 4 Miles around Wash Park at an easy pace.
26th - 7 Miles around Dakota Ridge/Red Rocks at tempo pace.
27th - 7 Miles around Green Mt, Boulder.

The 27th also marked my 10th straight day of running. Not a huge number but coming off an injured calf late last month, I was extremely excited about the progress I've made. Even more important to me was getting in some 6,500 feet of climbing on them trails and the calf running strong.

Yesterdays run up and down Green was amazing. Not for my time (a slow 44 plus minutes from Gregory on pretty tired legs) but for the amazing conditions. I started my run out of Chautauqua around 9am to some intense winds. Temps were reading in the low 40's and I just assumed it would get more windy and colder as I climbed. Couldn't be further from the truth. The second I hit Gregory Canyon the winds stopped. Temps only seemed to get warmer as I climbed. The trail conditions were dry, dusty and clear of snow except for a few spots just below the 4 way at the top. To my delight, I was the only person on the summit of Green. Soaking in the views on such a calm warm morning always feels good.

Knowing I would be taking today off, I decided to hammer down the descent for as long as my legs would allow me to. It was pretty obvious that I was a bit rusty on my technical downhill skills but still mustered 23 minutes down. By then my legs were cashed

With only a few days left in 2010, I'm starting to wonder how I want to end the year. With very cold temps expected, some possible snow accumulations and a day off on Friday, I'm thinking one last climb of Green Mt that morning is in order.



Plus I gotta put this foolish beard to use at least once before shaving it off and heading back to the office next week.

Recovering to race

9. The number of days I took off after running last months Turkey Trot in Loveland. Normally when I'm taking days off due to an injury, I go crazy. Crazy with anger and frustration.

This time around the injury occurred right before the dark cold days of winter set in. So there was no anger or frustration. I actually embraced the time off. Looked at it as a great reason to rest the body and mind from the almost daily grind of running.

Icing, stretching and the foam roller were my best friends during these days. Before I knew it, 9 days had gone by and I was getting ready for a run.

9 days off
2 days of running
1 day off
3 days of running
1 day off
5 days of running

The miles have been short and easy. Nothing to really write about other then the calf coming around very nicely and the warm days allowing me to run shirtless on a December evening. Continuing the conservative pace for another week with goals of upping the effort the last 10 days of the month are the immediate plans.

As the year comes to an end, I've been reflecting a lot on what has transpired over the past year and what to look forward to in 2011. Without getting in any detail, I have signed up for my first 2011 race. The 25 mile variety at the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run in Buena Vista, CO.

I've run this race (and distance) before. Back in 2007. I was in great shape at the time. More specifically, I was in great skiing shape at the time having a good 40 days at locations like Purg, Telluride and Wolf Creek while I learned the art of skiing without a locked in heel.

While my memories of the race are vague, I do recall the drive from Durango to Buena being long. The morning start early, cold, calm with overcast skies. Feeling good to the top of last big climb of the day only to peter out big time and getting passed by 5 or so folks to the finish. 13th place with a 3hr 41min time. Apparently some guy by the name of GZ won the race by a lot of minutes.

Lastly, I gotta thank the lovely wife for allowing me to run this race. Though I'm sure she's thanking me for not dragging her along. So can I consider this a win-win situation?

November Summary

Runs - 15
Work Outs - 7
Injured - 8

The Bad: The frustration of dealing with an injury. Specifically the right calf. Pulled, strained but thankfully nothing major. And it's all on me for not giving it enough time to heal when I first had issues with it. Then again patience has never been my strongest point.

The darkness has arrived. All of my runs Monday thru Friday happen during the hours of 5am and/or 6pm. Those hours this time of year, and for the next 3+ months, represent full on darkness. Now I'm not afraid of the dark but what I can't see does scare me on occasion. Random animals in bushes, old people driving down the street, hobo's hanging out in Wash Park. Thankfully I still have the weekends of daylight to assist me in my runs.

The Good: While the number of runs I had this month were my lowest since February, the quality of the runs were solid. Numerous strong efforts on the trails along with an increase in speed work around Wash Park. While I no doubt lost some long distance stamina, my leg turnover has noticeably improved. Just a shame I couldn't prove it during last weeks Turkey Trot.

I'm very proud of the weight I've been pushing at the gym. My work out sessions have increased in both reps and weight pushed. I'm much more sore the days following and even my wife has noticed a difference in my body. Or she's just saying that to shut me up which I believe to be more true.

Oh and I celebrated my one year anniversary with Michele. Now that's something I'm most excited about. And too think in a few months we'll have a little one dominating our life!

Looking Forward: With a few more rest days on tap, I'll be looking to start a pattern of increased weekly mileage till baby is born. Right now the mind and body (most of it anyways) are both extremely healthy and that alone is all the motivation I need to get back after. And before long, the days will start to get longer, the snow will melt and the high country will once again reveal it's true sassiness of vibrant colors and glorious single track.

(Still missing the San Juans)