Training Log - Day 84

Due to my calf injury I haven't run since the Greenland Trail 8M. I have also been living in my basement as I'm in the middle of remodeling. With that said, I was back at it today!

Time of Day - 5:30pm
Weather - cloudy, low 60's, slight wind
Route - St Vrain Greenway
Distance - no idea
Pace - tempo
Duration - 30:33
Average HR - 167
Cross training - none
iPod - Classic Rock Ballads
Comments - I wanted to ease back into training with a short run. My calf was very tight during stretching but seemed loose and comfortable during the run. I will push it a little further on my next run.

Run, Willie, Run!

Greenland Trail 8M

Completed the Greenland Trail 8M with the following results:
1:07:33 (8:28 pace)
25th overall
7th in my age group

It was an absolutely beautiful Colorado day and the event was very well run. The trail was mainly dirt packed with a few loose spots of gravel. It went slightly uphill for the first 3.5 miles and then turned east with an approximate 1.5 mile winding climb (much steeper). The last 3 miles was back north with a few up and downs but mostly down.

The bad news is that I further injured my calf. It hadn't gotten any better throughout the week but I was determined to run and finish this race.

Overall, it was a great event and I felt good. It was extra special to have my daughter, Kaitlyn, there to cheer me on!

Run, Willie, Run!

Training Log - Day 83

This is an easy week of training as I prepare for the Greenland 8M in Larkspur, CO this weekend.

Time of Day - 5:30pm
Weather - partly cloudy, low 60's
Route - St Vrain Greenway
Distance - no idea
Pace - slow
Duration - 25 minutes
Average HR - 154
Cross training - none
iPod - Kool 105.1
Comments - easy run but I, of course, managed to injure my right calf. Have no idea what happened...just pulled up before I finished the run. Sore on the inside of my calf. I stretched well and wore compression sleeves. Another nagging injury...probably nothing.

Run, Willie, Run!

2011 TRR - RIP

Brian and I had to make a very difficult decision this week. Due to the severity of his hip injury and inability to train we decided that Team 320 had to drop from the 2011 TRR. It was tough because of all the training and time we have dedicated to this point, as well as, it never feels good to fall short of a goal. We will reevaluate in the fall for entering the 2012 TRR.

My decision has been what to do now. I'm feeling good and my training is progressing on track. I certainly don't want to spend 6 days running and camping with someone I don't know and, frankly, would prefer to experience that adventure with Brian. So, I have decided to continue my training with a focus on the Leadville Trail Marathon in July with a possibility of the Steamboat50 (50 mile ultra) in September. I'm unsure of my confidence and desire to run 50 miles in 1 day...the reason I picked the TRR was because it was over 6 days. I plan to make my decision in the next couple of weeks.

From a running perspective, I was not very motivated this past week. I was down on the fact we weren't able to make this happen in 2011. However, from a personal perspective, it was a great week as my beautiful daughter Kaitlyn turned 16. Wow...she is growing up quickly! She also placed 3rd in the JV tennis tourney over the weekend.

Training Log - Day 82

Tough to get out and run a long distance today...not very motivated but did it anyway. It was a grind!

Time of Day - 12pm
Weather - partly cloudy; low 50's
Route - Tiller Farm Trailhead N to E Boulder Trail
Distance - no idea
Pace - slow
Duration - 2hrs 15min
Cross training - none
iPod - Hillsong
Comments - legs felt weak from the beginning and around the 1:40 mark my legs became extremey sore. The downhills were brutal on my quads! The last 30 minutes was all determination and grit. I couldn't have run another step. Glad it is over!

Run, Willie, Run

Training Log - Day 81

Time of Day - 6pm
Weather - sunny, cool, steady wind out of west
Route - St Vrain Greenway to Quicksilver road
Distance - no idea
Pace - slow
duration - 59:54
Average HR - 154
Cross training - none
iPod - 105.1
Comments - tough to get started...just not motivated.

Run, Willie, Run!

Training Log - Day 80

Pushed the pace a little today. The hour runs now seem like a walk in the park after the long weekend runs.

Time of Day - 5:30pm
Weather - partly cloudy; mid 50's, slight breeze
Route - St Vrain Greenway across Rt 1
Distance - no idea
Pace - tempo
Duration - 1:15
Average HR - 163
Cross training - none
iPod - Sugarland
Comments - quads tight throughout most of run; very good rhythm and pace

Run, Willie, Run!