Training Log Archive: ebuckley

Had Baby-O with me, so I didn't get much chance for a warmup. Was pleasantly surprised that my legs weren't too stiff.

SLOC Christmas Party Score-O. 1-hour score. Seemed dumb to come in so early, but the remaining 4 controls were waaaay out there. I might have had time to get one of them, but didn't realize I was coming in quite so early (kept waiting for yesterday's effort to catch up to me). David set a stern early pace and then we split. We came back together around half way and he had a lot less spring in his step. When I started pulling away, he switched his control order and not for the better. Ended up beating him by around 4 minutes. Rudy put in a very strong effort to finish 3rd with 17 controls.

C • The difference between 17 and ... 4

If I was really off form and looking for some self-validation, I might note that I beat a certain 17-year-old girl today. In a true moment of weakness, I might even post that I've beat her the last three times we've raced. I don't know of any middle aged men who would stoop to such a level, but if I did, they would probably have a cool knickname like Spike.

Meanwhile, the death match has become something of a joke. Frei has just gone in the tank this fall! I hope he gets back on form soon - I need the push.

Score - Splits

Staying at the lodge was a good idea. Nice to just roll out of bed and be right at the race venue. In past years it's always been an early start to get up there.

Easy jog for about 20 minutes in road shoes, then changed to my O-shoes and ran up one of the trails a ways and back down hard to test the footing. Dicey in spots, but generally OK.

Close, but no cigar, once again at Pere Marquette. My fourth time between 60 and 61. Maybe next year for breaking the hour. On the up side, 13th overall is my best placing to date and I won my age group.

First few splits were right on target, then lost some time on the relatively flat section following the second climb. Got to the road crossing at 26:33 which was only 20 seconds slower than hoped, but from there the trail was much deeper in snow and it wasn't the hard crusty stuff either. That set me back another 15 seconds by the base of the third climb. Held the pace over the last two climbs, but wasn't able to pull any time back.

Despite missing the hour yet again, I'm pretty happy with this one.

Trail Run - Splits

Went up to Pere Marquette a day early and ran some of the trails to get an idea of appropriate footwear for tomorrow. Pretty consistent crusty snow everywhere, a lot like the Trot last week. O shoes seem like the obvious choice.

After running we had dinner with Rob & Deb Wagnon at the lodge. Deb's carrying herself pretty well for being due in four weeks. Baby-O wasn't on particularly good behavior.

Went over to the pool for a swim, but the pool was closed due to "plumbing problems" which probably means they had some pipes freeze when they were without power. So, I had to settle for another easy jog round the hood. Anticipating just 5 minutes of running each way, I wore my lightweight gloves. My hands were pretty well frozen the F up by the end of the run.

C • now that's proper usage 1

Returned to St. Louis this evening to find everything still covered with ice, including the track. That killed the dial-in workout, but it's probably just as well since the legs are a little sore from the Sunday-Monday distance combo. Settled for an easy jog round the hood.

Easy jog round Sikeston including running the cart path for the front nine at the Bootheel Golf Club. Run turned out to be a couple miles longer than I thought, but the pace was easy so no harm done.

Well, well, well. I've made it to Silver in the AP overall rankings. Now, if I could only do that on the USOF Blue rankings.

In Sikeston, MO where I started a new contract today. Not quite as bleak as it may seem - it's only 3 days a week and the drive from St. Louis is only 2.5 hours. Plus, it's only six weeks.

Anyway, last long run of the base period. Now I'm moving into the buildup for Pensacola. Flat, straight roads, but somewhat pretty with the full moon turning the unpicked cotton a pale shade of blue. Legs felt pretty good until the end when I decided to push the pace a bit.

C • Well, heck... 6