Training Log Archive: tdgood

Rest day before the U.S. Champs so what do I do, I pour on the exercising. I got in too late yesterday to do the kayaking so I did it this morning. Went and rented a kayak on Grand lake, Colorado. The person told me I could paddle to far side of the connecting lake and get to the islands where wildlife is likely to occur.
There was a strong head wind paddling out so it was take awhile. every time I stopped paddling I was blown backwards. It also sprinkled on me while going out.
I did see a pelican, ducks, and several Osprey nests/Osprey. I opted not to go all the way to the islands but it was too much time/effort and I was getting sore. I did paddle three miles out and three miles back.
sadly, the wind shifted while I was out there and paddling back, I had a light breeze in my face again. I had the wind blowing against me the whole time. How annoying.
My shoulder muscles were pretty tired by time I got back.

On to my next exercise. I decided to go mountain biking on the Granby Ranch Ski area. Based on what they guy said, I didn't want to go down hill biking (too risky to getting hurt, plus there was an ambulance there when I got there). I decided on a single lift ticket and then bike the cross country trails.
The map wasn't very good and it was hard to find some of the trails. There were supposed to be trail markers but they weren't always there.
My first trail was marked as easy but it was solid rock. It was like biking on a boulder field. I was worried what the other trails would look like. Finally hit another "easy" trail and it was a dirt road so I figured the one was mismarked. I then went down an advanced trail and it was great. Very slow going but navigable. I did have to walk the bike up a steep up hlll part.
At this point I did several loops. Advanced trails going mostly down hill, and easy trails back up to the top. the advanced trails could be very steep and were very rocky in places.
By the time I finished, my shoulders and back were sore from leaning forward on the handle bars going down the steep hills. My hands were also sore. It was a very abusive biking (but fun).
I came back to the hotel and went for a soak in the hot tub to help loosen up.

Total Assent: 1254 ft, Total descent: 2055ft according to garmin.

One man relay: First 4 loops in different order, last loop all the same.
First loop I had in common with Nadim who was moving faster than I was. Other loops people came/went but I don't know who had my loops or how I was doing. Starting the last loop I could see at least 2 others also starting at the same time. They messed up the 1st control so I got ahead only to lose it right back by being confused leaving #1. People around me were moving faster. I made up some time every time they hesitated to find the controls. They made a large mistake and I caught back up but they still out ran me. I was last of the pack to finish. I still finished in the top 10 so got my crystal reward.

In rockymountain part at the top visitor Center. There had a short trail/steps up the hill to the 12,005 ft altitude. With the altitude I could really feel and was breathing really hard. Well above tree line with some really nice views.

another mass start, pelican bay east.
I wasn't paying enough attention early on which led me to losing time at #3. After that I was mostly ok.

Daze 5, Long - Splits

Browns Landing. Mass start. Another beautiful day out.
I decided to run today. I felt pretty good. inner thigh muscles were sore but not bothering me.

I was running with the leaders early on but made a big mistake at #8 and lost lots of time. Many people passed me at that point but I did catch back up to them all. Finished 4th of the long course but way behind the leaders.

Daze 4, Long - Splits

Since I was so sore yesterday, I decided to take it easy today. My tentative plan was to walk some of the course and then quit. I did come prepared to do the whole thing just in case (i.e. I had my gels and camelback).
The area was so flat and open that it was easy to just walk. I did the whole thing and only jogged a few down hill sections. I was with a fairly large group that included of Sam Listwak, Kathleen Lennon, Gavin, Sue K., Kris B. plus others.
It was a beautiful day out and nice to just get out.
There were awards for the finishers (groceries). I chose pop tarts.

Daze 3, RMGoat - Splits

Another earlier start. I was hoping for a late start so I could get caught up on sleep. oh well.

Another mass start. My legs are really tired and today had a lot of climb. I decided to do lots of walking today, especially all the uphills. I was seriously considering taking the short cut option today.

I started off slow and got slower. On the way to 4 I banged my knee and started to cramp up. Not a good sign. I walked slowly so I could recover.
When we hit the huge climb going to 6 I was lagging and falling farther behind the people I had been with. I wore a camel back today first time ever because I was worried about getting dehydrated. Unfortnately I couldn't get any water out of the tube. I finally had to open the fill section and slosh it into the mouth that way. Turns out there is a close valve and I didn't know it. let me tell you being very out of breadth and then trying to suck a closed tube is very hard.

I did a lot of walking but was still doing ok until on the way to 13 when I started to cramp up. I had to do a zig-zag to get up the huge hill. I also had to stop and just rest some of the time. I tried to stretch some. It got serious on the way to14 and was so I couldn't walk. After a rest, I was able to keep going. and walk very slowly the rest of the course.

I did get leg cramps later after the race. Most of the cramps were in the foot and ankle area.

I finished pretty far back today. I don't plan to do the whole goat tomorrow. I may just walk a few controls.

Event: Laramie Daze
 

First of the Laramie Daze event.
I got up at 3:30 AM to get out to the airport and catch the early flight. It was amazing how crowded the airport was at 5:00 am. It took over an hour to get through checking and security. I made the flight but missed my SW boarding number.

First event was an evening event. My goal was to jog and see how things felt. I am still getting over the strained calf/shin muscle but my bigger worry was my back. it has been sore the last couple of days.

I started off jogging easy down the road in the middle of the crowd. Most everyone stayed on the road but I decided to cut through the woods. I misjudged my cut but still moved up in the pack. By the first hill I was definitely feeling the altitude. I made sure I wasn't pushing it. I walked the uphills and jogged the flat/downhill. The one problem was I just shuffling along and not lifting my feet high enough. I tripped several times when I shouldn't have. By the finish I was pretty tired. Not good for a first event I was running easy on. I was happy with where I finished relative to everyone else.
My leg was fine but my back is still a little sore. I didn't bother me running but I am worried how it will hold up in later events.