31 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Summer Cross Country Runs, Race Reports, Trail Races, Trail Running, Ultra Running
30 July 2012
Richard, Ed and I met at 5AM and while Rich cut it short to add some lunch time miles as heat training later in the day, Ed and I continued at a fairly slow but steady pace. To be honest, we've been about 20 minutes slower before on this route, but we've also been 15 minutes faster before. It is amazing how different the times on this route shake out sometimes.
The weather was near perfect with temps no higher than low 70s and humidity fairly level. I'll be happy to continue running in those types of summer conditions:-)
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
28 July 2012
'Twas a doozie for sure! |
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Road Running, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
27 July 2012
We had to use our headlamps as the days are getting shorter again. We kept an easy pace and dropped Richard at the Land Trust hiker's parking lot, since he wanted to cut his run short in anticipation of tomorrow's adventurous long run, but more about that one in tomorrow's training log:-) I didn't have the luxury of cutting this run short, I desperately needed to increase my mileage after taking it easy last week. James and I continued at a perceived slow pace, but when we arrived at the top, we noticed that our pace was actually not that bad. It wasn't fast by any means, but it certainly wasn't as slow as we have done this one before. We turned around and continued at an easy pace and my body thanked me for it. The temps were already in the low 80s and the humidity levels continue to be ridiculous.
While I was dropping some significant "water" during the run, I have been rehydrating all day and I am actually feeling pretty good right about now (e.g. 9 hours later) which will hopefully stay that way until tomorrow at 6AM, when I will be meeting up with the crew again for a nice tough 22 miler.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
26 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Track Workout, Training Logs, Ultra Running
25 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Road Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
24 July 2012
I arrived at the running park a little early to run an additional 2 miles before the actual races. I ran into Cary Long, who joined me for 2 after having logged a bunch of miles already himself. There were a couple of the usual folks running, but quite a few were missing as well, which actually suited me fine. that way, I didn't have to actually race. Instead, I just kept a steady pace through all 3 races, picking up the pace only towards the end of each race.
The temperatures were extremely hot (what else is new!) and the humidity levels were near 100% (are you kidding?). Anyway, it was draining the life out of me and I knew I had to save some energy for the run the following morning. Either way, I managed 12.5 miles for the day, so speed didn't really matter.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Summer Cross Country Runs, Trail Running, Ultra Running
23 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
21 July 2012
One of my more memorable 5K t-shirts, since I just ran only my second sub 20. |
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 HTC Twilight 5K, Race Reports, Road Races, Ultra Running
20 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
19 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Speedwork, Track Workout, Training Logs, Ultra Running
18 July 2012
I met James and Ed for a 13 mile run at Richard's house at 4:30AM. James had come up with another adventurous route for today's run, slightly deviating from last week's route to give us that little extra distance (and elevation gain) to make this a full half marathon distance. We ended up running from Pratt Ave through some neighborhoods and along California and Whitesburg until we turned left onto Drake Ave. We following Drake with all its ups and downs (way way more ups than downs) until we reached a dead end. Well, its a dead end for normal folk. For trail runners, it's the entrance to the Powerline Cut "trail".
After climbing the powerline cut, which consists of a combination of rocky technical terrain with plenty of briers (to be fair, Huntsville Utilities recently cleared a lot of that stuff out) and a long gravel section, we turned left onto the "Spacewalk" trail before entering another neighborhood. After crossing Governor's Drive, we followed Monte Sano Blvd until turning left onto the Bluffline Trail. Later on, we continued onto High Trail and another newly cut short cut trail back up the mountain until we hit the Tollgate Trail again.
This is where we finally turned left to make our descent down from the mountain. When we arrived back at "the base", we had logged almost exactly 13 miles with 1600 feet of climb. Not bad for an early morning run before work. Not the fastest run, but plenty of "time on feet". Here are some numbers from today's run: 70 ounces of Gatorade consumed and 5 lbs of water lost during run. 3 deer, 1 Armadillo, 1 rabbit, 1 squirrel and 1 cat spotted during run.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Road Running, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
17 July 2012
One of my old friends and former running buddies recently decided to pick up running again, so we met up at my house just before 6PM to ride to the Summer Cross Country Runs at the Huntsville Running Park together. He still needed to sign up and we lined up for the 1 mile distance shortly after. I had decided that I wasn't going to "race". Instead, I just hung with Timo and some other runners, chatting along and having a good time. I decided to do the same thing for the 3 miler. Timo was already showing concern for his ability to run the 3 mile distance, so I figured I'd stick with him and hopefully help/push him along to a finish. He ended up with a very respectable time. Next , it was time for the 32 mile race, but since that was still a few minutes away and since neither Timo, nor I, nor David Bier were going to "race", we took off on our own to get another 2 miles in. I also got to meet Andy Brown, another fellow Masters runner, who is probably going to smoke me in the HTC Grand Prix ("Nice to meet you, Andy!").
Timo took a slight shortcut ("Very well done for a first timer on this course, Timo!") while David, Andy and I completed our little 2 mile cool down. I was glad I decided to take it easy tonight, since it will be a short night. I'll have a 3:45AM wake up call to meet up with another running crew to do a 13 mile run with some serious climbing on both roads and trails. Fun times!
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Summer Cross Country Runs, Race Reports, Trail Races, Trail Running, Ultra Running
16 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
14 July 2012
This was also my first semi solo run in quite a while since everyone else ditched me;-) Just kidding, boys! I left my car at Richard's house at 6AM with the goal to run up Tollgate and Cold Springs Trail to the Ranger Station and the Monte Sano hiker's parking lot where I would meet the Saturday morning 7AM trail running group from WRH. Jason also planned to be there, so I waited for him to show. Since he was running about 10 minutes late, the others had already taken off. Jason and I decided to run the white loop at an easy pace before I would head back down the mountain and back to my car. Since Jason wanted a few more miles as well, he actually joined me down the mountain before running back up again. If there is anything more challenging that running up and down the mountain it is running down and then up the mountain to finish out the run. Well done Jason, I didn't envy you when you turned around to climb back up.
I completed about 13 miles at a slow and steady pace, incorporating lots of technical trails and a reasonable amount of elevation gain to lose out this first week of high mileage. I still need to do better in my long runs....e.g. run loooonger.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Land Trust Trails, Monte Sano Trails, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
13 July 2012
The trails were slick and muddy...and dark. I guess that's to be expected at 4:30 AM. The overcast sky didn't help. Once we reached the top of Monte Sano, the sky finally showed some daylight. I was running with my pack again and James could tell I was laboring more than usual. Can you say "heavy footfalls"? Anyway, once the trails leveled out I felt ok and the way back down the mountain wasn't bad either. Overall, it had been a great week so far. Hopefully, tomorrow's long run will be the perfect conclusion to my first "higher than usual" mileage week. James and I ended up running just under 10 miles at a slower than usual pace, but that's ok. Today was just about getting the miles done and it's always great to do that with lots of climbing and a picturesque setting involved. We've been seeing plenty of deer and foxes on the mountain lately:-)
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Land Trust Trails, Monte Sano Trails, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
12 July 2012
While 5K pace was the target, I planned to drop the pace to below 6 minute per mile. I had hoped to keep sub 6 min pace with the goal to drop the pace closer to 5:30-5:45 min pace for the last couple of repeats. I finished the final lap in 5:13 minute per mile pace, not too shabby. Jason was kind enough to run with me, making the recovery jogs much more entertaining than usual. Of course, chatting the entire minute of recovery also made it feel a lot shorter. Great peeps, great workout, thanks everyone and especially Shannon for continuing to keep it challenging.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Speedwork, Track Workout, Training Logs, Ultra Running
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Road Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
11 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Bluffline Trail, Powerline Cuts, Road Running, Trail Running, Training Logs
10 July 2012
I arrived about 15 minutes before 6, catching RD Carter and his crew of volunteers during set up. I set off at an easy pace, getting my legs loosened up without exerting to much energy. After all, Jason, David and Mike would most likely all be there for the races and I knew using the warm up miles as an excuse for any of them beating me in the race would not fly. I completed the loop with about 5 minutes to spare before the start of the 1 mile warm up race. I took it very easy, chatting away with Cary before pushing the pace a little on the final quarter mile, just to stretch the legs. When I arrived near the finish, all the usual suspects had already assembled. This would be fun. It is just so much easier to push yourself when there is a few guys there that are faster than you on most days...not so fast that there isn't a chance that you'll beat them, just fast enough to hopefully make you get faster week after week of running with (against) them. Of course, it's all in good fun and I do believe we all benefit from these "little" competitive strains that we all have within ourselves.
The 3 mile race was next and I knew no one would take it easy on this one. The 3 miler is always the most competitive event. You've got the "young bucks", the highschoolers that are in the process of joining their cross country teams, eager to impress their coaches and each other with their running prowess. They come out of the gates like it's a 100m dash on the track.
Then there's the "seasoned veterans", both in age and skill, leading the field of runners along the course, unfazed by the horde of teenagers running by, some recognizing youthful versions of themselves among the young runners, others knowing that they will pass them in just a mile when that first burst of energy and adrenaline is wearing off and the slightest grade in the trail feels like a massive hill.
Then there are the "in-betweeners", not quite elites or veterans in regards to their speed, but just a little too fast to be called midpackers. This is the category I fall in...and by default all of those guys that I usually run with. Most of us are quite capable of placing in our age groups (as we often do), but we're not quite good enough to take any overall accolades, (yet). We're only veterans by age not skill, but we have not given up hope that we can and will get faster, if we just keep working at it. And if that doesn't work, there's always age grading;-)
Today was no different. We pushed each other from the start. Promises of "taking it easy today" made to each other just seconds before at the starting line were quickly brushed off and replaced with "I can't let him beat me again today". Not out loud of course, but clearly evident in each runners actions. Ahhh, when the competitive juices get flowing, everyone just works a little harder....who am I kidding, a lot harder! So it was no surprise to me that when Jason turned his head about 200 yards from the finish, he spotted me just seconds behind him with a grimace on my face doing everything I can to appear to be relaxed and smiling. I tried to reel him in, but at the end of the day, I finished behind him...but not by much. I think my training is starting to pay off. While I was worried that my legs would be tired due to the additional miles I had run already, today's time actually tied my previous course best from 2 weeks ago to the second. Very strange, since I've been running multiple races with identical finishing times a lot these past few weeks. By the way, there were two detours included on today's course as well due to the blow downs and with the slippery terrain, these conditions were much more difficult than usual. But the temps were definitely milder than usual.
After a short break and a raffle by Nike we lined up for the last XC race of the day. This would usually be a 2 miler, but the weather and much darker than usual conditions resulted in the distance to be shortened to one mile. Once again, there were promised made of running slow and taking the time to chat. These promises were broken about 5 seconds into the race. Yeah, I admit it, I was the first to do so as I saw Mike charging ahead, leaving all of us momentarily in the dust...or mud to be more accurate. I decided to stay with him so we could have ourselves a little sprint to the finish. As we approached the final 200 yards of the race, I decided to try to pass him and we ended up running shoulder to shoulder for what felt like eternity. I finally managed to pass him just before the finish. Once again, pushing each other helped both of us to a faster than usual finish. In fact, I ran my fastest recorded mile in any trail race today.
I ended up with a 12th place and 3rd place overall finish in the 3 and 1 mile races, respectively and I got to spend some time with a bunch of like minded folks who help me grow week after week. Thanks everyone.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Summer Cross Country Runs, Race Reports, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
09 July 2012
I carried my new CamelBak Octane XCT pack filled half way up for the first time to prepare for the extra weight at the self-supported Laurel Valley 35 Mile Whitewater Run. I didn't tout the water in the pack and only drank at the fountain to make sure I kept carrying the extra weight. After having run a little less than me the last couple of weeks, Richard was moving slower, attracting sweat bees and other bite and sting happy insects, so that I decided to push ahead and move just a little faster. I had my allergic reaction from last Monday still fresh in my mind. After all, I was not only carrying water, but also a couple of Zyrtec and an Epipen (just in case the next allergic reaction turns out slightly more serious than the last one, which would be very bad news in the middle of a trail run on the mountain).
Rich and I ended up with a little over 13 miles, which was just what I had hoped. I hope to get 50+ miles this week and closer to 75 next week. 100 mile race training is in full effect.
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Running, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
07 July 2012
This race logo just looks better than the crappy picture I took of my shirt and race bib;-) |
When I arrived at the race start, Ed had already arrived. He had also run there from home. The race start was scheduled for 7AM and I got there just in time to put on a dry shirt I had packed in my new CamelBak Octane XCT that I was testing for an upcoming race. When Ed and I lined up at the start, I noticed a coworker and a couple of other familiar faces in the very small field of runners.
After a few comments by the RD, we were off. I kept the lead runner in sight from the start, but I had no intention of blowing up early. Instead, I followed in third place just behind a female runner who was off to a great start. I figured I would fade sooner or later, since I already had a few miles in the bag. Ed and another runner stayed just behind me and the rest of the field was a little farther back. The five of us were pretty much on our own, with the lead uncontested, but the four of us fighting for second place pretty much for the entire race.
I avoided focussing on the mile splits and instead focussed on running alone. I wanted to make sure I stayed close to the runner ahead of me and 1.5 miles into the race, I moved past her. She continued to run strong just behind me and when I started to fade with about a quarter mile to go, she made her move. I was too tired to try to pass her again and instead, I focussed on staying with her. She finished in 19:59, which left me with a finish time of...you guessed it....20:00 flat...for the second time in 4 days...ugh!!! Oh well, I finished 3rd overall and 1st age group, not bad for a training race. However, I am so ready to run sub 20 for a second, third, fourth time...
I believe the race had a total of 41 finishers, but I really think it should grow to a bigger event. The race course was reasonably flat with lots of turns and very few long stretches of road. Lots of shade as well which is a good thing when temps rise above 90 degrees by 8AM. Thanks to all the volunteers and the RD for putting on a fun event. I will be back next year, determined to break 20 minutes;-)
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Run Through The Park 5K, 2012 Sherwood 5K, Race Reports, Road Races, Ultra Running
06 July 2012
Ed and I took off from Richard's house at 5:00AM to run up the mountain. Everyone else was otherwise obligated. We backed off the pace to take it easy and ran up Toll gate Trail and Cold Springs Trail before hitting the North Loop to the Ranger Station. The entire time, I kept checking my surroundings for anything buzzing around. I kept telling myself how highly unlikely it was that I would be stung by a wasp or yellow jacket twice in one week, but I definitely didn't think it out loud...I didn't want to jinx it. After my allergic reaction on Monday, I made sure to make an appointment with an allergy specialist, but that isn't until later this month so in the meantime, I try to be extra careful, but it's not gonna keep me off the trails;-)
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running
05 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Speedwork, Track Workout, Training Logs, Ultra Running
04 July 2012
The race temps were definitely "as hot as a firecracker". |
While the field was probably not as deep as other recent road races (how else would you explain my 3rd place overall in the Male Masters Division?), it was certainly a large field.
While I had hoped for a 7AM race start to avoid the heat, an 8AM start still made it much more bearable than any other time of day (hey, always look for the positives, right?). I had run the Summer Cross Country races the night before, but I had made sure to go much slower than the previous weeks as I was set to attempt a new 5K PR at the Firecracker. At least I wanted to break 20 minutes. I didn't, but that's ok. I walked away with a 3rd place finish in the male master division (oh, did I mention that already?) and 16th overall and a small stack of Fleet Feet gift cards...score!
The race started at 8AM sharp and i had lined up in the second row to ensure a good start. As soon as the race start was signaled, I pressed the start button on my Garmin FR310XT and took off. I planned to stay with the lead group as long as possible before fading away as usual but still maintaining pace for a PR. Well...there was only a small problem with my approach...I had forgotten, for the first time, I might add, to double knot my @!$#%&^ shoes. Sure enough, less than a quarter mile into the race, my right shoelace came undone. After exclaiming my dismay with an unfortunate word choice (note to self: In the future, exclaim dismay in your native German language rather than in the locally recognized tongue), I stepped aside and retied my right shoe. I took off sprinting as soon as I was done, but the lead group was way ahead of me now. Rather than take my time to even try to catch up (which would have been the smart way to go about it), I decided to try to catch them right away, with little success. While I did manage to catch up to a couple of runners that I expected to run at my pace, I spent all of my energy just playing catch up. I had nothing left for any final mile push or finish line sprint. I was physically done and the sun did the rest.
As we approached the final mile of an out and back race course that utilizes much of the Aldridge Creek Greenway, we became fully exposed to the sun again. Thankfully, the mid section of the course had nice shade cover. Not so the first and final mile of the course. I just had nothing left to push and it took all I had to just stick with David Bier, who was chugging along ahead of me (unbeknownst to me, he was pushing for and on track for a new PR himself). I decided I wouldn't even bother to attempt to pass him. Who was I kidding, I had nothing left to even try. Instead, I tried to just hang on and not let him drop me. Of course, he heard me huffing and puffing behind him and like any decent road racer, he wasn't going to be passed on the final stretch, so he picked up the pace. Crap! I wanted to tell him "slow down, buddy...I'm not gonna pas you, I can't, I'm tired, just slow down so I can follow you to the finish", but I didn't even have the energy to do that. I was too busy taking in all the oxygen I could to keep moving.
When I saw the finish clock I tried to sprint, I really did. There was a slight chance that I could still break 10 minutes, but life can be cruel indeed....my final clock time was 20:00 exactly, not 19:59 which is what I had hoped for, even if that wasn't going to be a PR. Oh well, I was glad to hear that David not only broke 20 minutes, but that he blew his previous PR out of the water. Awesome job, buddy, well deserved. The weather conditions certainly weren't perfect for a PR attempt and you did it anyway.
Thanks to the friendly volunteers at the church and to the RD for putting on this event. I will be back for more next year, which double knots in my shoelaces, determined to break 20 minutes!
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Firecracker 5K, Race Reports, Road Races, Road Running, Ultra Running
03 July 2012
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, 2012 Summer Cross Country Runs, Race Reports, Trail Races, Trail Running, Ultra Running
02 July 2012
After about 2 minutes of this dance and triple checking my shirt for any remaining predators, I decided to man up, put my shirt back on and continue to the top of the mountain before returning back down. It hurt, but I figured it would go away after a while. All was good until we were about 1 mile out from Richard's house. Suddenly, my hands were feeling swollen. They started to itch like crazy. And my lips, they started to swell up, too. What the @!$%^! I had never had an allergic reaction...to anything...and now this. Surely, it couldn't get worse, right? Right....until I got in my car, that is. I looked in the mirror and what I saw wasn't pretty. My face was swollen and blotchy. And now I started to itch all over my body. Ugh!!! I could barely keep my hands on my steering wheel, I was itching so bad.
When I arrived home, I chewed up a couple of Zyrtec and a Benedryl and took a warm bath. I needed the itching to stop! I had hives all over my body. I tried to relax and an hour later, I was feeling much better. I guess the antihistamines had finally kicked in. At least I got my run in, right;-)
Posted by Ultra Kraut in 100 Mile Training, Endurance Training, Land Trust Trails, Monte Sano Trails, Trail Running, Training Logs, Ultra Running