December F11 Summary

Runs - 24
Workouts - 9
Injured - 0

The Bad:

Mother Nature - December started out with winter in full force and never really let up. While the snow and cold temps never bothered me, the icy road conditions limited my miles on more then one occasion.

The Good:

The Run - While the daily mile average wasn't high, the consistency of getting after it 5 days a week was there. I also got in a few 2 a days due to a rather relaxed work schedule but the mileage was still held in check. Legs and body mentally and physically were great and I was extremely happy with easily averaging over 50 miles a week with never once feeling like I was chasing miles.

The Workout - I couldn't be more happy with my weight lifting sessions. I'm easily the strongest I've been in over a year. The once broken arm still raises a small red flag on certain exercises but overall it's holding up strong. So much so that my mind set during these sessions is to kill it. I'm usually left sore and tight for a few days after each workout. And this applies to upper, core and lower body. I'm still a far distance away from benching 225 like a did a few years back, but the overall balance I'm currently experiencing is so much more beneficial.

The Crazy - On the last day of the year, an invite to run 27 miles was thrown out there from PG. Along with LD and RK, we embarked on a run along the Highline Canal and Platte Trail. Temps were comfortable but huge portions of the trails were a fine mixture of ice, snow, bullet proof ice and heaps of gail force winds. Had I been alone, I would have bagged it after 10. But with the company of some solid folks, we some how persevered through a rather tough day of running. And that 27 miles was more like 30.

Looking Forward:

2012 Baby! A new year with so many new goals on the plate!

Chuncky Cheeks 22 Miler

I have to start out by thanking NClark for opening up his house and hosting such a fun get together.

This past Saturday morning, I got the opportunity to run the Fort Collins FA for the first time. My first ever FA and it was an absolute blast.

Staying at the in-laws the night before up in Loveland saved me an hour on my drive up to Fort Collins for the 7am start. Saturday morning started out brisk, 20 or so degrees, and thankfully calm. At the start, I quickly grouped with PatrickG, RyanK and Jeremiah (whom I hadn't met before) and we all made slow work as we approached the Horsetooth Park some 3/4's of a mile away from Nick's driveway.

The trails quickly revealed what was in store for the day. Lots of snow. So much that when we briefly ran on actual dry single track trail, it felt odd and out of place. There was also nothing flat about the day's journey with heaps of vert to be had regardless of distance being covered. Lastly, sun. A beautiful clear calm blue bird day that so often greets a Colorado winter day. Everything set up perfectly for a day of trail running.

(Approaching Horsetooth during the early miles)

(On top of Horsetooth looking south towards the rising sun)

(Our exit chute off of Horsetooth with Towers, aka climb #3 of the day, in the background)

Overall the running pace was good. Making quick work of the downhills, working the uphills and enjoying downtime at all the major intersections. Thankfully none of us were in a rush to get anywhere and we were all just enjoying the day of trailrunning and the great conversation.

(Our footing for most of the day)

The third and last real climb was the longest, snowiest and possibly the steepest and we all we're moving at a respectful clip. And this is where we got lost.

Apparently near the top of Tower Road, before the real steep section, we were to turn left. We would have known had we read the directions. Instead we muttered a "fucker!" or two at the steeps and proceeded to run it and before long we were at the top of one of the dead end towers. A quick turnaround and up another fork of the road and we were at dead end tower #2. Looking at the map revealed that some bush whacking would get us back on course and before long we were finishing off the last long stretch home.

In hindsight, I should have left my yak traks, extra set of socks & gloves in the car in exchange for an extra 15 ounces of water. I was overdressed for most of the run but still had my Tuesday morning run in -15 degree temps fresh on my mind. So I was fine with being extra warm. Other then that, I felt great the whole time and could have ran more had time allowed.

22 Miles - 5,000 feet of vert - Official Time of 5 hours, 29 minutes, 26 seconds. Somewhere between 45 to 60 minutes of that spent at intersection or at high points doing nothing other then enjoying a Colorado day on the trails.

(Jeremiah and Patrick refueling while Ryan wonders if Western States drew his name - which they did!)

November F12 Summary

Runs - 24
Workouts - 5
Injured - 0

The Bad:

Getting Sick - Whatever I caught I caught good and it did a number on me for a good week. The same week in which I had taken time off to spend with the family over a long Thanksgiving weekend. So while I got to spend a lot of time laying low around the house, I can't say it was the most productive use of my time. Guess I'd rather get sick now then say later this winter...I guess.

The Good:

Consistency - I missed 2 days this past month from some type of activity but overall I was very happy with the day to day runs or workouts I've been getting in. I do find it odd that Monday thru Friday I have no issues being awake at 5am to get in my training. But when it comes to the weekend, I can't for the life of me wake up before 6:30/7:00.

Strength Training - I missed 1 day of lifting weights due to being sick. Missed 2 other sessions on purpose as to give my body a little break from 7 straight weeks of hitting it hard. Now I'm starting a 8 week streak of focused lifting to get me thru some dark days of winter. I can't be happier with my trips to the gym as of late. Most please with how quickly my body responds from pushing weights now. Specifically the legs in which I continue to push hard twice.

Runs - Being sick wrecked my shot at throwing up a good mileage run for the month. In hindsight, a few days off during this span would have been more beneficial then a painful 4 mile run around Wash Park. However I can't be disappointed with my nearly 10 mile per run average. Highlighted by long runs of 20.5 (Woody's awesome Pancake Social), 22 and 25 miles.

Mustache - Mild temps this month allowed for exposed skin during the early morning runs. Which is perfect when sporting the 'stache. I got a late start to a work sponsored and supported Movember as I wanted to be clean cut for my 2 year anniversary with the wife. 25 days was thankfully enough time to create this sexy look!


However the wife hated, I mean really, really HATED the look. Thankfully bringing home a few of her favorite seasonal brew helped smooth things over.



Leadville Lodging - I'm always one to plan way in advance for stuff and I'm thankful to have my lodging booked for race weekend. A house just 2 plus blocks from the start/finish line. Now all I have to worry about is training my ass off.

Looking Forward:

Crazy to think that it's almost the end of the year. With no races in the immediate future, I'm sticking with what's worked great the past few months. Consistency, focusing on building a strong base of running and staying lean with the weight lifting.

I'm also hoping to make it up to Fort Collins for a little chubster action. Wow, that just sounds wrong.

Lastly, growing my beard back. My face is way to handsome to let the cold dry air ruin it's fine texture.