Training Log Archive: bbrooke

Event: BAOC: U.S. Nationals
 

OUSA Nationals Day 1 -- Middle course at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Wow, my performance today was god-awful -- so terrible that I would be embarrassed to share my QuickRoute tracks.

Like almost everyone else, I got stung by yellow jackets on my way to #1 (butt and hand).

And then I bumbled around and lost map contact a few times, and made some horrible route choices across scary-steep terrain -- crawling up on all fours and grabbing onto branches to keep from sliding back down, etc.

Ugh.

But I did have a super-delicious dinner in Santa Cruz.

Green Y Middle - Splits

I met up with the LoCO FIT group, but I went extra-slow the whole time rather than doing the hill workout (tapering!).

Community Park, Coal Creek Trail, up & over the Aquarius hill, and then back the same way.

It's 6:45 pm now and I still need to (a) finish a few things for work, (b) pack, and (c) hopefully get a few hours of sleep before heading to the airport for 7:50 am flight...

Runners Roost Group Run -- short & slow (tapering...).

LoCO FIT workout at Daughenbaugh / Warembourg Pond.

- Ran ~one mile to warm up.

- Mile repeats x 3 -- 8:40, 8:23, 8:46.

- Slow run back to the parking lot to cool down.

Still feeling kinda sore from Sunday's hike...

RMOC admin work -- email update w/ photos and one membership renewal.

My training plan assignment for today was to run 14 miles. But that was written when I was planning to do the Santa Fe half marathon with the LoCO FIT group, and I have since decided to go to the BAOC S-M-L Nationals instead.

So...given how steep Big Basin will apparently be, I decided I should do less distance and more elevation gain today. I settled on Bear Peak in Boulder via the Shanahan, Mesa & Shadow Canyon trails.

I had planned to do as much running as possible, but it got ridiculously steep when I turned up Shadow Canyon. (I had also intermittently walked some of the lower parts, too, when my calves were burning.)

It was a slog, but I made it to the top -- where a glider buzzed the peak and scared the sh*t out of me and the others who were up there (we didn't see or hear it coming until it was right over us). I wish I had had my camera out...

Against my better judgement (knowing how steep it would be), I decided to take Fern Canyon down, since that route was slightly shorter and I was starting to worry about getting home in time for my movie plans with some friends.

The steepest upper part of Fern Canyon did indeed suck -- it was incredibly dry, sandy & loose. I'm really tentative anyway on steep downhills, and feeling like my feet were going to fly out from under me with every step didn't help. I ran the lower part once the trail got wider, smoother & gentler.

Given the Denver area's 98-degree record breaking heat today...this loop had enough shade to be pleasant overall.

And -- I made it back in time for the movie (Lawrence of Arabia...four+ hours...luckily the theater had really comfy seats).

The lower & nicer part of Fern Canyon:

C • Lawrence 5

C • Bear Peak 1

LoCO FIT breakfast run at Teller Farm. My plan said four miles...so that's what I did (42:02). And then I walked a bit more with Betty.

We met up afterwards at Brewing Market. I had a delicious slice of broccoli-cheddar quiche (still good even though they heated it up in a microwave, which makes the crust soggy) and some cranberry-orange kombucha (served in a pint glass, which made it look like I was having a beer at 9:30 am...).

A bit of yard work and car-cleaning after I got home. I have lots more chores on my to-do list for this weekend...