Training Log Archive: Tundra/Desert

Muir Beach 50 km. Had no breakfast or water beforehand, but used all the aid stations—checked out this mode of operation. I also was late for the start just a tad, having been stuck in the potty line (many people still in line when the crowd left).

Steve Gregg ran the 17 km, and for the first 35 or so minutes, I had no trouble keeping up with him, as he did not run in O-shoes and had some problems with the downhills.

The trails were one big mudfest. It rained on and on, and then on some more. But the rain was sort of warm, and it was not very windy. I did not have any major problems. Maintained a very good pace for the first 33 km, running alongside 33-km runners. Slowed down on the last loop, but still was moving. The goal of 5:00 was not to be, again, as the last loop was quite a bit hillier than the course on average. Got quite dizzy on the last loop, but ample doses of salt at the last two aid stations alleviated that.

Cramped right before the last aid station, on a downhill, 4:56 into the run, for about 30 seconds; and once again, about 6 minutes out of that aid station, (predictably) on an uphill. The cramps were light and went away quickly, unlike my Stinson Beach experience. Felt not really tired afterwards; not a surprise for my slowest 50 km so far.

On the very last hill, I saw 2 people about 2–3 minutes ahead of me. I knew they were competitors, but afraid of the cramps, I had no intention to push the pace. They turned out to be the 2nd and 3rd-place finishers. But I did beat the first woman, who was moving right along between the first and second aid stations, and was not that far behind as I was going out after the 33 km and she was coming in. If she were to keep even pace, I reasoned, she would have no problem passing me on the last 17-km loop. But I never saw her behind (never saw anyone behind me on the last loop), and I later found out that she had dropped out.

Splits (elapseds) / km: 38:19 / 6.2; 1:33:21 / 16.2; 2:05:35 / 21.8; 2:49:52 / 28.4; 3:23:55 / 33.2; 4:13:22 / 39.5; 4:56:46 / 45.5. Aid station/late to the start/changing clothes time: 9:20.

Well, I did not hit 110 km as I had hoped; 9 km short. Still, a respectable mileage and hourage. Still no strides.

An NWR run, with Jim for about half of it. He had re-injured his achilles on Tuesday, doing some 1600s at 6 am. Part of the reason I don't run at 6 am. Eager head, stiff body: bad.

Warmed up at De Anza. Syd showed up.

5×1207 with 400 rest. Tapio showed up after #2. I did 4:17 4:16 4:16 4:17 4:17. Syd averaged 4:22 and Tapio, 4:52.

It felt almost effortless; the only part of me that was stressed by the workout were the airways. We had a spectator with some attitude, poking fun at my breathing and Tapio's pacing.

I did a Luchik 1000 to pace Tapio on his 4th 1200.

Very happy with how last week came out: did most of the planned quality stuff, and decent mileage. Only short on the strides.

This week: I'm sure to hit 110 km.

Ran with Jim from Los Gatos City Hall up to El Sereno. Jim is an animal. The uphill pace was much more than I had bargained for, and Jim said we were 3 minutes too slow.

The downhill back to Los Gatos. Now, the pace was a lot more than Jim had bargained for, and I was barely moving.