Racing in 2013

During a race, I think of things that are "post worthy".  I even start drafting a post in my mind. Then, I never follow through. So here is a recap of races in photos.

Black Canyon Ascent

Colorado May 2013

3rd Woman overall, 1st Master

 

Jemez Mountain Trail 1/2 Marathon

New Mexico May 2013

5th Woman, 3rd Master

 

William O'Brien 10 Miler

Minnesota June 2013

4th Woman, 1st Master

 

Barr Trail

Colorado July 2013

6th Woman, 3rd Master

 

La Sportiva Tablerock 27k

California July 2013

4th Woman, 1st Master

 

Jupiter Peak Steeplechase

Utah 2013

4th Woman, 1st Master

 

La Sportiva Mountain Cup Series

3rd Place overall, 1st Master

 

 

I loved my summer of racing! I was blessed to be able to race in 5 different states on amazing trails. Each race wasn't perfect; a few were down right ugly. As a whole, it was an incredible spring and summer of running!

 

Unfortunately, I was unable to compete in my two fall races due to a funky ankle injury, but 2014 looks promising with a new challenges and races in mind.

 

 

 

 

Back to the Basics

Sometimes, I need to get back to the basics. Training above 8,000 feet can be taxing on the mind and body. Although, I have benchmarks on different trails around my home. I needed to go to the track to evaluate my fitness--both mental and physical!

Hello old friend!



So, I woke up, drove 25 minutes (1000 feet lower in elevation), and got to work. After I warmed up on a trail near the track, I ran a 400 to shake out the cobwebs. I jogged a 200 then ran 2 x 1600 with a 400 recovery run in between the intervals. After the miles, I added another 400 then 4 x 200. My Brooks Racers ST felt great--light and fast! I was tempted to add another mile, but decided not to since I race on Sunday.

 

Workout--3 miles of intervals

Warm up run

1x400 (200m active recovery)

2x1600 (400m active recovery)

1x400 (200m active recovery)

4x200 (100m active recovery)

Cool down

 

I love the track and don't have the chance to train on it as often as I would like. This workout could have been done on the roads, but I needed the consistency of the track. Besides turnover, I really worked the mental component of this workout especially on the 3rd lap of each mile. I was happy with my splits and the overall times for each interval. Now, I have a benchmark for the different distances when I return to the track.

 

This workout gave me a boost of confidence as I tow the line on Sunday at the Barr Trail Mountain Race.

 

How do you boost your confidence before a race?

 

 

 

 

Lupine and Sunshine!

Amazing what a little sunshine and wildflowers can do to change your life! I have been logging consistent mileage through March, April, and May. I mean super consistent.

Monday = 6 miles.

Tuesday = 8 miles

Wednesday = 6 miles

Thursday = 4 miles

Friday = off

Weekend runs = 8-12

Week after week after week.

The time it took to run each run was within a minute of the week before. Pace was the same. Routes were the same (except weekends, I could mix it up). 

With that said, I was in a rut.  I would think about writing in my blog, but I there was nothing to say.

Then earlier this month, I ran 12 miles on the Deer Creek trail.

 

 

The Deer Creek run filled my soul. The trail was in prime condition, the flowers were blooming, and it was crazy green due to all the rain and snow we had in May.  Running became an adventure again not a duty. The miles clicked by. I have run the trail as an out and back the last few summers, but it was the first time in years that I had run it point to point. Challenging hills and views the entire way!

 

I am revitalized! Last year, I set the goal of running new trails mixed in with my old favorites. I am making the list and excited to start crossing out the different trails that I will run this year!

How do you revitalize your routine?

Inspiration

Where do you find you inspiration--externally or internally?

My motivation and inspiration comes from both places. Lately, I have had to rely on external influences to get me out the door or run longer than usual.

• blogs
• articles
• race reports
• race websites
• other runners

All of these things have motivated me to run a bit longer or harder or to get out the door. I am back on track with my training. As I look ahead to my week of family and work commitments, I plan my run. Will it be in the early morning or can I run in the daylight after school?

Looking ahead to my season of races gets me fired up. It also holds me accountable to my training. Despite my competitive intentions, I love my daily run. It balances me. Keeps everything in perspective and brings me joy.

Batter Up!!

If runners had stats like baseball players, my batting average would be horrific due to the “slump” I have been in the past few weeks. 

Runs have been slow.

Uninspired.

Low weekly mileage.

After this week, I am working my way up the rankings. I had a great tempo run on Friday and consistent mileage throughout the week even though it was parent/teacher conferences.

Most important, I am zeroing in on my racing season. A few favorites were taken off my list due to conflicts. So I couldn’t commit to what I wanted my season to look like.  I wanted to choose a brand new race and I think I may have found it in California!

I read somewhere that many authors can’t write their story until they know the ending. I decided to start with my ending(s).

August—Pike’s Peak Ascent

I have some unfinished business on that mountain. My last 2 miles were hard last year. So I want another crack at it.

 September—Lead King Loop 25k

Love, love, love it. The scenery & atmosphere of the race. Low key, challenging, and overall incredible!

November—Project Athena Moab Trail ½

Last year, I did the marathon which was challenging coming off of High School CC season.  It was another incredible event for an amazing cause. I am excited to take a right at 10 miles towards the finish instead of left to head out for another 16 miles!

The beginning of my story will consist of a lot of great training races scattered through May, June and July!

 

I can't wait to sketch out my training. I just finished planning my friend Stevie's training. She will competing in the International Skyrunning series plus many incredible trail races around the world. It was challenging and inspiring to create a plan for a World Champion.

 

Here's to longer days and melting trails!

Tearing Down Roadblocks

During my run today, I came to terms with roadblocks that I have been allowing to stop me in my tracks or diverting my energy elsewhere.

Identifying the roadblocks is the first step.

Tearing them down will be the next step.

The roadblocks are present in my running, professional life, and personal. They are tricky. They are disguised as potholes, large barriers, and small detours.

I am creating a list of my immediate roadblocks and creating a plan to take them down (or make them smaller so maybe I could hurdle over them).

Dr. Seuss's birthday is in a week. So in honor of the good doctor...I have chosen a mantra for the week!

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 1/4 percent guaranteed.)
     KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
                                           --Oh, The Places You'll Go


Maybe not mountains, but at least I'll move a roadblock or two.

Turn that Frown Upside Down

I decided not to run my winter goal race due to family conflicts. I could have juggled and juggled and juggled to make it happen, but it felt to contrived. So I am not racing.

This is one of my first DNS in recent history. I allowed myself a pity party for a day, because my training was pretty much on track with last year's training. I felt confident that my race would go well.

Now I have been surfing race website after race website to find a trail race...this is not easy as it seems during winter in the mountains. I have a few options, but now I need to commit.

As my "race" is about to start, I look at the positives to my training this past winter.

• My January mileage was consistent even though the temperatures dipped below zero (a lot)!
• My 18 miler was a mental challenge. 3 times up and down a steep dirt road. I ended up loving it because I would climb the road in an average 11 minute mile and zoom down in close to a 7:30 mile! The variety of pace was fun.
• Each week, I ran 1-2 quality workouts.

Once I made my decision not to race, I took 3 days off! It helped me shake the lingering cough. I am ready to ramp up the mileage as I look at a March race.

As the Moab race is going on, I will be mapping out my 2013 races trying not to think of the amazing red rocks of the Utah desert.