Back to Backs Revisited

As the date for the 50 approaches, I've begun to ponder where to get another 30 miler into the schedule.  By some accounts I've passed the date to put forth the effort and still benefit.  Bu also there's the psychological edge I'd gain from another longer effort.  But one thing I hadn't considered is the time I'm spending on the trails and that value regardless of the miles I log in the book.

Before I started the build-up, a 10 mile day was a "long" run so if I did 10 two days in a row...was this a back to back?  Now 10 is more or less standard or even "just warming up" so is a 10/15 still a back to back or must I reach 20/30?  Interestingly enough, my body doesn't use the mileage I write down to decide if it's a back to back but rather it uses fatigue.  In that case, if I don't achieve adequate recovery overnight, I'm still piling on a more difficult workout on top of an already worked body.  Perhaps my evening "recovery" walks are at times setting me up for a more difficult effort the next morning rather than more rested.

Therefore, I concluded that based on the times I've been putting in on the trails, I've reached a fitness and confidence level for the 50 that should allow me to get through the entire distance regardless of whether I put in another 30 mile workout or not.  Due to a busy weekend, I'll not be running long until at least Monday.  I think I'll enjoy the next three days and see if my legs get fresher again.  If they do, then I may try for that 30 on Monday.  That still leaves plenty of time to sharpen before the trip to South Dakota.  If they still feel heavy after this weekend, I'll simply back off to another 20 and coast on in the next two weeks.

15 for the morning, hiking in the evening.  389.5 for the month of May...my highest monthly total ever.

Bandits...not race intruders but raccoons!

One of the bonuses of walking at dusk is you can sometimes get a bit closer or even surprise wildlife.  That's been the case the past couple nights as I was out for my hikes.   Busy little shapes ahead of me has turned out to be raccoon in more than one location.  They scurry off to the nearest tree then sit there waiting to see if I pay them any additional attention.  Interesting to see as long as they're running away rather than towards. I worked on a rabies project during college and would not want to unnecessarily risk being bitten by a raccoon.

I wanted an easier day again today and it was relaxed.  Turns out we may be travelling this weekend and that could interfere with my plans for another 30 miler on Friday.  Perhaps I'll try that tomorrow if my legs feel fresh enough, otherwise it'll be put off till Monday.  There's no way I'll attempt a 30 in Chicago!

10 miles this AM.

Don't Know Spit

There was a great change in the weather that allowed for cooler, dryer conditions...but it was still very windy.  Once I hit the trail, it felt really good and relaxed to run and I didn't feel the need to rest the knees very often.  I tacked on an extra 5 in the middle and clipped through in what seemed like no time at all.

When I was running past some of the plants along the path, I noticed the tell-tale sign of the spittlebug, also known as a "froghopper".  I've noticed the froth on the plants before but in today's sun I just had to stop briefly for a photo!

From Wikipedia:

The froth serves a number of purposes. It hides the nymph from the view of predators and parasites, it insulates against heat and cold, thus providing thermal control and also moisture control. Without the froth the bug would quickly dry up. The nymphs pierce plants and suck sap causing damage, and much of the excess filtered fluids go into the production of the froth, which has an acrid taste, deterring predators.

15 miles this AM and hiking yet this evening.

Slower than a Toad

Historically, I have found that I'll be more stiff and sore on the 2nd day following a race, but today I actually felt better than yesterday.  The hamstrings do still have some extra tightness but I felt very good and relaxed while running.  Wanting to be a bit conservative, I decided against adding an extra 5 mile loop and headed home for a standard 10!

I wasn't quite fast enough with getting the camera out to capture an image of an American Toad along the trail. When dog-sitting either of Cory's dogs, they have been adept at toad hunting when hiking these trails.

(borrowed image)

10 miles this AM.  Hike yet this evening.

Lucky Stiff

Due to the race, I was obviously stiff this morning, however, there was nothing to indicate any injury as a result of the faster pace on pavement. I was able to run at will on the trail and chose to take it easy.  It's my wedding anniversary so wanted to get home in good time plus it was warming up quite quickly and humid.

There were a surprising number of runners and hikers on the trail this morning plus a strange sighting of a remote controlled car with no owner in sight.  I later passed a set-up in a nearby field where radio transmitters and antennae were mounted with the operator sitting in his station wagon watching a TV screen.  He must have been controlling the car via the transmitter and the car must have had a camera for navigation!  Pretty cool to have observed.

6 miles in the AM. 3 miles at dusk. the week's total was 82.5 miles

Mind Games - --- the Stu Race Report

There's nothing like a race to help you experience the mind games that creep in when you push yourself physically. I wanted to see if the work I've been putting in has been helping me as much I hoped.  A four mile race gets you to an anaerobic state pretty quickly.

I saw Alan Mills, a successful age-grouper, at the start line and decided to use him to help gauge my effort.  The start went out quickly and I wasn't very far back from leaders, Chris Jensen and Cody Manchester.  I dropped in behind Alan and after the first half-mile thought the pace was manageable so took off on my own.  By the 1st mile, other runners (that I no business running ahead of) began to pass and I eventually fell into line where I belonged.

My goal today, based on the past and tweaked by recent training runs, was to hit somewhere between 28 and 30 minutes.  Mile one was 6:31 so I knew I was too fast or off on my pre-race assessment. Mile two was 7:10 so the adjustment was taking effect.  Mile 3 went by at 7:32 and this was where the mind was trying to convince me of backing down, saving myself for a longer run tomorrow, not hurting myself on pavement, etc.  But then I realized that I needed to suck it up and just finish this damn thing so went through the final mile in 7:02...ahead of Alan but I had forgotten that local friend, Rick Kammerer, is also in his 50's and he ran ahead me at 27:23 to my 28:16. So I was 2nd in the 50 -59 group but also the consolation of being the oldest 50-year-old as I turn 60 in a month and a half.

Race results are posted here with both individual and father/mother/son/daughter teams.

There was a good turn out and early morning thunderstorms cleared out in time to get the race in and have the Band Festival Parade.  Watching the parade, my wife and I were able to visit with the Ventura band festival queen from 1942 who was sitting next to us.  

I was pleased to reach my goal time and to get some needed race experience.  It's been a while since I've allowed myself to go into race mode.

Music in the park tonight...Rocket Club.

LoCash Cowboys ... blurred by alcohol?

6 miles around the race..2 more hiking to the parade...another recovery hike tonight.

Who's Counting

4 weeks until the Black Hills 50.

I've mentioned being driven to hit certain numbers of miles per day or per week and being a little less worried about those numbers in retirement.  Today while I was out for an easy run, with the race coming up tomorrow, and thought about how when I was logging miles a few years ago.  I would never count the miles that I hiked (or walked with purpose) but now I do.  There are a few reasons for my change in philosophy...one, I sometimes walk nearly as fast as some of my runs these days...two, I've come to learn the value of easy days...three, when competitors participate in ultras, they still count the distance covered in their race total even when walking is part of the race strategy.

So, therefore, I'm achieving some consistent and greater weekly mileage than in my past because of my inclusion of the hiking miles.

On the trail today, I saw the emergence of some Wild Parsley...once blooming, do not run through this pretty little yellow patch of flowers or you may find yourself broken out as if you'd hit some Poison Ivy!

7 miles this morning and likely 3 more tonight unless the rain continues to fall.