Training

Another day is in the books. It's beautiful and crisp outside, with a temperature of about 46 degrees.  Sometimes it just feels right and today was one of those days. 

My legs felt strong, my lungs were healthy and I actually enjoyed the 43 minutes out on the course. I had a nice finishing kick, lifting my knees and picking up the pace as I covered the last two or three hundred yards as I crossed the finish, with the Eagles playing "The Long Run" in my ears. Victory!

I took a look at the TRR course route and schedule yesterday after Willie tipped me off to a few changes to find that the race has been extended to 119.5 miles.  It's only another 4.5 miles over the original distance, but I'm thinking that every inch is going to matter.  The 6 stages are 20.9, 13.3, 24.2, 14.1, 23.6 and 23.4 miles respectively. Given a marathon is 26.2 miles, we basically get 4 marathons and 2 halves over the stages of the event.  That's a lot to comprehend, but the scariest aspect might be that we gain almost a mile in elevation on the final leg (5,100 feet elevation gain & 20,800 feet in total). It's OK though. We'll still be fresh, right?

The distance made me return again to thinking about maximizing efficiency of motion and getting the most out of each stride.  Form and mental toughness are going to be so important to our performance.  Nutrition and conditioning are also critical to our success.  This race won't be about speed.  It'll be about survival.

As I finished running today, I heard the lyrics "Well, we're scared, but we ain't shakin'.  Kinda bent, but we ain't breakin'." The Eagles had it right.  As long as we stay healthy, we've got this.

TransRockies Run Route and Stages

The latest from the TRR organizers:

http://transrockies.com/transrockiesrun/transrockies/race_route.htm

Route and Stages

With extensive experience in creating dynamic and challenging courses that run the gamut of mountain environments and conditions, the 2011 GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run organizers have once again designed a course that will, in every definition, leave you breathless.

The route and stages listed below are offered as inspiration, and a guide of what to expect. The actual route will remain secret until just before the event so that all competitors can maximize the adventure experience of entering something totally brand new.

Note: The route information provided is preliminary only, and is subject to change pending final route planning and U.S. Forest Service permit approval.

Stages

2011 Stages

Stage 1: Buena Vista to Railroad Bridge (15 min. shuttle to camp)
Stage 2: Vicksburg to Twin Lakes (30 min. shuttle to Leadville)
Stage 3: Leadville to Nova Guides at Camp Hale
Stage 4: Nova Guides at Camp Hale to Red Cliff (2 nights at Camp Hale)
Stage 5: Red Cliff to Vail

Stage 6: Vail to Beaver Creek

RUN 3 Stages

The RUN3 route covers the first three stages of the overall TransRockies Run, and runs concurrently with stages 1-3. The total RUN3 distance is 58.4 miles with 8,600 feet of elevation gain. See the profiles below for details.

Route Overview (Click for full size PDF)

Running Elevations and Surface Types

The route of the 2011 GORE-TEX® TransRockies Run will take place at elevations between 7,400 and 12,600 feet above sea level. Based on the preliminary route proposal (subject to change and approval by the U.S. Forest Service), the percent of distance at various elevations is as follows:

• 7,000' to 8,000' - 3%
• 8,000' to 9,000' - 31%
• 9,000' to 10,000' - 28%
• 10,000' to 11,000' - 27%
• 11,000' to 12,000' - 10%
• 12,000' to 13,000' - 1%

The following numbers are preliminary estimates and are also subject to final approval. In the event of extreme weather during the event and any subsequent re-routing, running surface types would also be subject to change.

• Dirt and Gravel Roads - 37%
• Non-Motorized Single and Double Trails - 33%
• 4-Wheel Drive and Motorized Trails - 18%
• Paved Roads and Pathways - 12%

The following Stage Elevation Profiles are based the proposed route plans presented to the U.S. Forest Service and are subject to change. They are provided here for illustration purposes only. All route plans are subject to U.S. Forest Service approval. We have updated these profiles as of November 17, 2010.

Stage 1 (TRR & RUN3): 20.9 miles, 2,550 feet elevation gain

Stage 2 (TRR & RUN3): 13.3 miles, 3,250 feet elevation gain

Stage 3 (TRR & RUN3): 24.2 miles, 2,800 feet elevation gain

Stage 4 (TRR): 14.1 miles, 2,900 feet elevation gain

Stage 5 (TRR): 23.6 miles, 4,200 feet elevation gain

Stage 6 (TRR): 23.4 miles, 5,100 feet elevation gain

Totals:
RUN3 - 58.4 miles, 8,600 feet elevation gain
TRR - 119.5 miles, 20,800 feet elevation gain

Camp Locations

All camp locations will be passenger vehicle and truck accessible, although most will have no services beyond those provided by the organization. Driving directions for support crews 
will be provided with camping passes.

Training

OK, so I'm not yet the machine I had hoped to be, but today I felt like a champion. 

I ran the Bogata loop twice in a little over 40 minutes at a fairly consistent pace.  I slowed a bit on the second lap, but noticing my elapsed time, I picked it up and with a good finishing kick. I clocked in at about the same split time as I had on the first lap.  The run felt really good.  This was probably the best I've felt yet.

It was 34 degrees out, but the sun was bright, the sky was blue and there was little wind.  With long sleeves on and my cap, I was perfectly warm.  I've let the snow, rain and temperatures in the teens keep me away for several days, but I've relearned not to let weather dominate me.

The tunes consisted of a mix of Frampton, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Boston and Zepplin.  I knew I was in for a good time when "Eye of Tiger" worked it's way in early.  Cheesy, yes, but still motivational.  Also, "Fly Like an Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band came on half way in.  That was one of our pre-race songs in high school (we were the Eagles) and it seems I'm still conditioned to get slightly nervous when that song plays.  A little extra adrenaline is always good in my book.  And what randomly came up for my kick?  Clapton's "Running on Faith".  Very timely.

I'm very pleased with today's effort and I'm looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.  Willie, glad the calf is getting better.  I can't wait to get a run or to in with you and do the Super Bowl in a few weekends!  It can't come quickly enough.

Training Log - Day 22

Ran 5 of the 5.5 route today...slow pace. My left calf got a little tight towards the end so I walked the last .5 miles. Months ago I would have just tried to run through the tightness but no longer. I can't afford to sit out another 8 weeks. I'm probably a little over cautious but with only 6 months to train better safe than sorry.

Now it's time for some playoff football!

Run, Willie, Run!

Training Log - Day 21

Finally...I'm back! It has been an extremely frustrating 8 weeks. My calf injury was much more severe than I thought as I was literally unable to run any sustained distance. I feel like I'm starting over and have lost the mental edge from starting early. With that said...time to move forward.

Today I ran 5.5 miles in approximately 55 minutes. I kept waiting for my calf to tighten up but it didn't...whew! I certainly didn't feel strong throughout the run but that will come back soon. This week I plan to get some help with a formalized training plan and then get started. As Brian stated...Game On! Brian, I'm glad to see you back!

Run, Willie, Run!

Training

Another day back in the saddle (although I'm not on my bike).  It's a bit gusty out as we have a front heading our way in the next day or so, but the weather was fine.  Low to mid 50's I'd say.  I had a desire to cut the run short early on as my hip was hurting and my head is aching for about the 20th consecutive hour, but I fought through it.  Small victories.

Keeping me company today were some choice selections from Sneaker Pimps, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins and some pre-Dark Side Pink Floyd.  It was a nice mix.  I ran for a solid 35 minutes and did a little cross training before, so I feel good about the effort.  I haven't checked into the marathon program yet, but that schedule will come soon enough.

Overall the body is feeling pretty well.  I haven't gotten much of an endorphin rush yet, that sometimes elusive and much sought after 'runner's high', but I guess that only means I'm not working hard enough.  It will come.  In the meantime, I work, build and clear my head.  It's good to have an outlet.

Willie, I hope your leg is getting better.  Do they make snowshoes in your size?

Training - Game on

After a lengthy and painful absence, I'M BACK! A number of issues arose over the last month plus that have had me at less than full speed, but now is the time to get back up and drive hard for the goal. I've endured a somewhat problematic bit of eye surgery, some freakin' cold weather and various and sundry other issues that I won't go into here that have taken their toll on everything from availability, to strength, to desire. So much for that.

I've had some good runs since my last blog entry, but it's high time to get serious about this again. My plan is simple - run my butt off and get ready for this thing. I need to reassess the training time left to determine when to use a really nice marathon training program I found. I'll just keep putting down a base in the meantime.  My enemy now is time. I've got to return to consistency and start upping the time and miles.  The mountains loom ahead and I won't let them beat me without a fight.

Today's run was simple - 35 minutes in the cool drizzle. My right hip flexor started to feel just a tad tight again, but nothing unmanageable. My feet still feel great and I can thank my shoes and socks for that. I've never been one for socks, but they have become a necessity. My lungs are feeling pretty good and I can feel a second wind coming on at about the 30 minute mark.

Excuses are for the weak and I've never wanted to fall in that camp, physically or mentally.  Game on.