Training Log Archive: cmorse

TARC Don't Run Boston #13 - 50km at Blue Hills

Left the house at 5:00, forecast calling for showers and mid 40's through early afternoon. I packed the bag with all kinds of different clothing options. Got on up I84 a ways and noticed that it was bright to the east and by the time I got up to Worcester it was looking to be a really nice day.

Got up in plenty of time and assisted RD Howie Breinan organizing food for the aid station which was to be located at the road crossing near Blue Hills HQ building, about 500m up from the main Houghtons Pond parking. As I was backing into a space to go back to the start, I decided to just leave my car there and jog back, that way all my stuff would be readily at hand at a couple points during the run.

Off a bit after 8 and settled into a small group of 5 with Howie, who was nursing a bad knee (so he says - he ran 6:08, one of the fastest times of the day). The early pace felt comfortably brisk, but since this was 'training' for me, I was hoping to moderate my early pace, but it felt good and we went with it. A series of big loops through Blue Hills west, then across 28 and down by the big swamp before traversing up to the northern edge of the map and down to the first water stop just before the beginning of the Skyline trail. Feeling good, drinking plenty (with electrolytes) and some food.

Followed the skyline back to HQ and the first aid station at 21km - ran in about 2:25, spent a few minutes eating, switching out of long sleeve to a short sleeve shirt and then moving on, got up by the horse barn and realized I forgot my map in the car, so back I went and then tried to reel Howie and Chris? back in on a good climb up the blue trail on Hancock Hill. Tough work, harder than I wanted to be exerting, but it was nice running with a group, so I pushed. Got them in sight up past Hancock and tried to close the gap, but lost them, went on a bit further then realized I wasn't on the Blue Trail anymore. ??? No clue how I went off a very obvious trail, but had an O map, figured out where I was and backtracked back to the Skyline. (turns out Howie and Co. went off trail, so I probably just followed them off, then proceeded to lose them). Pretty much solo from here on out, so I just settled down to a slower pace, still feeling pretty good. Perhaps a mile or so further, I started feeling what felt like shin splints on my left leg, which got progressively worse as I reached the tower and returned to the aid station via the Skyline trail. Feeling pretty good overall, but worried about my left shin.

Next section was a convoluted 4.5 mile section out to the trail side museum during which my shin went downhill, waaayyy downhill. Sharp shooting pains up my leg anytime I put full weight on it downhill, shuffle on level ground ok, but for the next 8 miles or so it really, really hurt and I probably walked 80-85% of this section. Deb Pero and Bogie D. passed me as I limped down the ski slope and began the perimeter trail on the NW, not moving fast at all and wondering if I going to have to drop after this section and refrain from running for a few weeks - it sucked...

Wierd thing is, somewhere around mile 25 or so, still with plenty of convoluted up and downs and lots of rocks, the shin promptly stopped hurting and since I was feeling pretty good otherwise I started running again at a decent clip (not my first half clip, but far faster than shuffling/walking) At one point I was passed by someone on a Mtn Bike who called out 'Looking good, Clint!!' - I turned to catch a glimpse but with glasses and helmet I couldn't make it out. 10 minutes later I saw him again and recognized him this time but couldn't put a name to the face immediately, so I asked - Sam Levitin out doing some biking on a fine day. Glad he saw me during a good spell.

Strolled down into the aid station one more time at perhaps 6:30? (wasn't wearing a watch) and took a slightly longer break to fuel and get off my feet - probably 7-8 minutes, then took off for the final 3.9 mile loop finishing with a loop around Houghton's and finishing in the parking lot - including the same stupid shorthill that marks the finish of most Traverses. The last 2 miles I was pretty much out of gas and shuffling where I could - but the shin pain was gone, the cramps were just under the surface threatening but the end was in sight.

Rolled into the finish with a running time of 7:08 (gps), slower than I would have liked, but since this is a training run, time on my feet is what counts, and I managed to persist through some adversity.

A fine day with some fine folks...

High points
- plenty of hours on the feet
- weather was ideal - once I changed to short sleeves, I was cool the whole time, but never cold.
- odwalla smoothies worked well as food - ~300 calories per, no stomach issues, goes down quick and smooth.
- maple syrup worked well (not first time using it), but didn't force myself to take it often enough.
- tyson chicken nuggets (fat, protein and salt) really hit the spot and went down well, but I found it hard to eat them on the run - good if eaten in aid station, but eating them while exerting was tough.
- electrolyte replacement seemed to go well, though I did have upper thigh cramping from time to time during the second half, but may have been exacerbated by favoring the shin.
- bag balm worked on my chafing spots, though a couple other locations that were not lubed came to my attention - will add them to the lube list

Low points
- odd shin thing - lasted about 7-8 miles, severe pain, then just vanished?
- NB 790 a little tight late in the race, presumably feet swelling. Also bottoms of the feet feeling the rocky terrain a lot by the end - need a more cushioned trail shoe for these longer events.
- very tentative on downhills, lost ground on my group on longer rockier descents. But on the flipside, I did not fall, nay I didn't even stub a toe the entire day, which is no small feet at Blue Hills...

Some cramping on the drive home, but once home I actually feel pretty decent, no major soreness, just plain tired - time for bed... I'll amend this later if I think of other stuff...

C • TARC 2

Back from Philly late last night, up to forest for an easy run. No striders in attendance - haven't been many lately, myself included. Just about to head out at 8am and who comes wandering in on the Blue Trail but Scott and Mark - 4:30 into a double soapstone (they started at 3:30am). I ran easy with them for 45 minutes or so, then split off and came back in via the old half course beyond the third waterstop at a pretty good clip. Legs felt good, fine morning to be in the woods. We'll see how tomorrow goes...

random hills, crappy treadmill - shaking like a banshee over 8mph. But I got a run in.. includes 5 minute cooldown walk

A couple miles after dinner (too much). Didn't feel like running, but did it anyway

5 minute brisk walk to cooldown

10 minutes in the hotel pool with the kids after running.

Walking around various sights at Valley Forge. Although I've O'd here a couple times (Valley Goat and O Marathon), I've never actually done the tourist route. Pretty neat stuff...