Last night a group met for a (fun and in no way competitive) run up Green Mountain. This would only be my second time ever running the route up the Amphitheater and I had it in my head that a very good time would be ~40:00. I ran according to that time goal and was never sure of where I was or where the end was outside of looking at my watch. I wasn't sure how I would feel after my melt down on Wednesday and then a very difficult bike workout on Thursday (I rode 2:00 total with 4 X 10:00 at 240-300 watts with the last 5:00 of each standing. Quite solid for a hobby jogger.) Mid-debate over the route we should take, GZ (who has a better write up on the run on his site) bolted and decided the route through action. I was immediately after him and felt awesome from that point on (no thinking... which may be part of my last sentence of this post). I gauged my effort on an expected 40:00 run time thinking I would save myself for a stronger second half. At ~20:00 I was still running within myself with controlled and deep breathing and no real signs of effort in my legs and I had only walked a few feet. I started to push the flatter sections and then would run smart on the snow sections. Just after 30:00 I decided to make a big push to the top... and I immediately ran in to the summit. Done in 32:55 with my strong finish still sitting in the tank. Kind of disappointed that I didn't know the route enough to truly put in a good effort. I also missed a couple of turns and had to backtrack twice. After the run Nick asked the question that is never far from my own thoughts... 'So what's up with your racing?'... as in 'Why do I suck so much at it but in training I can lay it down?' Not sure what the answer is. If I figure it out, I know I have the legs, lungs and heart to do well.
And thank you to the Fort Collins group that came down.
13 comments:
Not to divert from the running, but that bike workout sounds solid. I just got a power meter (finally!) and I'm enjoying working with watts. 5 mins standing is no joke! Sounds like some tourturous (sp?) fun!
Cheers!
Dave
Dude - we got to get you out there when it is dry and now that you know the course. I am sure you can go sub 30 on that.
One thing I have found is that running lends itself a bit to cycling fitness. I seem to still be able to ride well (I think I was a better cyclist than a runner though). I don't think that cycling lends itself to running fitness as well. Not sure why. The standing intervals are a bitch for sure, especially at 250+ watts and 60 revs. I was hitting HR 170-175 on these.
I thought that too as soon as I finished... I also want another solid shot at Sanitas.
Thanks for the beer last night and the organizational work you put in! That was fun!
i have the answer to that question and i think it has to do with vagisil ;).
Nope... I drink that sh*t by the gallon during my races.
Good to finally meet you in the flesh. You don't smell half as bad as GZ told me you do.
Brandon- Don't be fooled. It was raining and that was the only shower I had had in a week. I usually smell somewhere between bear urine and vagrant. Nice to meet you too. You didn't talk much though. I thought you would be hanging with me in the boisterous and obnoxious crowd. I'm thinking of a hard TT up Sanitas on Tuesday or Wednesday morning if you're free.
Let me know when so that I can call the fuzz.
Tell that body marking starts 10:00am and that we have 200 people registered already.
TT sounds like a blast. way to kill it. i wanna see sub 30 by the end of the year!
Sorry, I wasn't more into it. Odd day for me. Some combination of gut, rain, and an evening run.
I desire to do Sanitas for a overdue PR. I would have more availability Tuesday morning. Probably going to Green on Thursday.
Beth- I would bet a sub 30 against you going top 10 at Kona... but yours is sure thing.
Brandon- Tuesday morning works for me. I'll shoot an e-mail. Anyone else in?
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