Category: Ultrarunning

Posted on

Leadville Week 24 Recap:

Ran on the treadmill for the week day runs and no weights. Saturday and Sunday were outside runs.

I had some weird adductor discomfort and decided to take a recovery week, so no weight workouts.

Saturday’s run was awesome on the trails. On Sunday I woke to a feeling that the snow was going to start earlier than the forecast suggested, with dark skies and clouds. I decided on go out on a three mile hike with Winnie to start the day, and that is when the snow started dumping. After the hike I got home and in 30 minutes was out on the run. The roads were slick and I ran slow to stay safe. I was going to do a road loop but decided with the slick roads it would be safer to run on the trails. After about two miles on the trail I started to feel some calf pain. I must’ve tweaked something on the downhill stretch. I thought I’d try running on pavement again so I changed course to run on Pleasant for a bit then jump back on the trail. Road running didn’t help.

Running up Fisk Road to get back on the Winant Trails. The roads were very slick.

I decided to head back home and see if I could somehow manage to finish my eight mile run. At 6.3 miles I slipped on the sidewalk and fell on my right side and slid a couple feet. I got up and my first thought “that’s going to make the pain in my left calf feel not so bad”. I then decided to call it a day and head home.

I got home after running only 6.6 and my calf was pretty sore. I stretched and iced the calf. I know I’m going to wake up tomorrow and my whole body is going to ache.

I hit all my miles except for Sunday and I’m going to need to heal my calf. I probably should’ve stuck to the treadmill today but thought I was tough running in the snow and wind. I need to play the long-game.

Average Weight: 158

Average Resting Heart Rate: 50

Training Time: 7:54 (includes hiking)

Total Vert: 3,231

Miles: 38.6 (includes hiking)

Posted on

Recovery week, making changes

Saturday.  Training Week 24 of 25. This week has been a challenge. It should’ve been planned it as a recovery week but I wanted to keep the momentum going. Mid-week I decided to take the week off weights so I could still run the plan, and then updated the weekend running schedule with recovery distance miles.

My hip adductors have been sore and last week I thought I needed to make them stronger; I overdid it and made it worse. I’ll start weight training again next week now that the soreness is gone.

But otherwise, I did okay running this week. It was all on a treadmill, again. I incorporated the stairs this week and added a few more core exercises. Nutrition wasn’t great this week but I feel like I can get back on track this weekend.

I booked my flight and registered for the Leadville Marathon in June. June is going to be busy. The week before the marathon I’ll be in Maryland cheering on Mark at Eagleman and it will be good to recover and travel south for a bit in June.

Today is a 3-4 mile hike followed by a 10 mile run which I will try to run on trails. Later this afternoon I have a massage scheduled. Recovery TV this week is Chicago PD Season 4.

Despite everything (muscle pain, poor eating, doubt, anxiety, fear) I’m in it; I’m in this training mode for Leadville 100%.


Posted on

Week 25 Recap

Week 25 went much like Week 26. All three weekday runs were on the treadmill with all the snow and ice. The treadmill sessions were tough but I got it done. Two weight room workouts where I added a few more things: hip abductor exercises specifically.

I reversed last week’s 16 mile course. It was just as hard with the hills. As I got to the top of the hill I took a photo of the alpacas. So cute. How appropriate that I will see them during the Leadville race.

When I was at mile 12 a small dog got loose and wanted to run out to greet me on a busy Route 12. I had to stop and try to get him to his owner. So scary! One interesting nutrition note: I had a big breakfast with eggs, potato, peppers and onions (no toast) and it was the perfect amount of food. I only ate one gel for the 16 miles – the Muir Energy Cashew Vanilla gel. It was pretty good; a different consistency that I’m not used to.

My knee isn’t causing problems and no more neuroma pain in my left foot. YEAH!

Sunday Plan – 10 miles. I wasn’t as worried about the 10 miles leading up to the weekend since last week went so well. While I was tired, I still ran well. This Sunday started with a gorgeous hike with Winnie at Marjorie Swope trails. We encountered a few people and their dogs who were so happy to be out on such a glorious day.

Hiking in Marjory Swope Trail Park on March 3, 2019

Then, got home and headed to Winant Park to run 10.1 miles on the trails with 1,393 elevation gain. The first five miles went well, I felt great. After 5 miles I still felt strong but my legs were fatigued. I got home stretched and foam rolled. I so glad to see my heart rate normalize as I get stronger.


Average Weight: 157

Average Resting Heart Rate: 50

Training Time: 11:37 (includes hiking and weight training)

Total Vert: 4,169

Miles: 50.0 (includes hiking)

Getting ready for Week 24:

A glorious, glorious day! Penacook Lake.
Posted on

Week 26 – Training for Leadville

Training for Leadville

This is the last week of training before the real training starts for the 25 week training plan for Leadville. Not to say that I haven’t been pushing it; I have. Saturday’s 16 mile course was hilly with 1,123 elevation gain and a post-run recovery hike with the dog. I was sore before bed and woke up Sunday morning groggy; but not sore.

Sunday morning I couldn’t imagine running 10 miles. But after a lot of coffee and a breakfast of eggs and toast, I headed out. I completed the 10 miles and actually felt pretty good during most of it. I hiked and ran in a wintery mix, snow and rain. My heart rate has normalized on tough hills and I don’t feel like the hills are killing me anymore.

I’ve been reading so many website and blogs about gear, training and nutrition. Saturday night I ordered an Osprey hydration pack for long, mountain runs.

I’ve been watching Ryan Clayton videos: I like that he doesn’t post videos that have him explaining something while he runs. Okay, maybe he does once in a while. Ha. I like his athletic background and video style; I can learn a lot from his YouTube channel.

I also read Heather’s blog/website, Relentless Forward Commotion. I find her tips and exercise ideas really helpful as I build miles and try to get stronger.

I’m trying a new gel. I notice that some backpacker/hikers use Muir products so I thought I would give it a try. I’m typically a Hammer devotee because it works for me, but I will give it a try.

PS: I also love my Injinji socks. I wore these on my Saturday run and seriously, I didn’t even think about my feet the entire time. That has got to be a good thing.

Average Weight: 158

Average Resting Heart Rate: 50

Training Time: 9:28 (includes weight training)

Total Vert: 3,286

Posted on

The Road to Leadville: Week 27 Recap

Week 27 went well. I did all the miles on the plan: 36 miles.

Two days were spent running on the treadmill due to weather; mainly icy roads and sidewalks. But both weekend runs were outside: Saturday morning temperatures in the 30s, Sunday sunny and cold.

I smiled and was happy for 90 percent of Saturday’s 14 mile averaging 10:30 min miles which is really good for me. The course was hilly with a 933 ft. elevation gain so I’m making progress and getting stronger. I had the same pace for the Sunday 8 miler but this course was relatively flat. I’m just getting used to back-to-back runs; the 8 miler felt slow and was a bit painful. I’m ready to ramp up the miles and get back on trails.

I had a deep tissue massage on Saturday which was painful but needed.

I did weights/core three times this week and loved doing it. I’m adding more weight slowly and trying different exercises. I added Box Jumping this week.

Average Weight: 158

Average Resting Heart Rate: 48

Training Time: 7:05

Next Week’s Plan: