more Jemez

Kudos to BT for the pic.

Williams

Easy five miles out and back in Williams Canyon with the dog this afternoon.  Felt good.  Looking at two hours down in Pueblo at the state park tomorrow afternoon, then just chilling out until the marathon on Saturday.

DIM hash tonight.  Running is much more fun when drinking is involved.  Or is it drinking that is more fun when running is involved?

Jemez

11:43:37.  Spent the whole day with my buddy Josh, who was running his first ultra.  Had a blast.  Hardrock training is coming along and I'm right where I want to be.  Still have some stuff to work on but I'll be feeling pretty good come mid-July.

I really liked the new course.  I'd say it's about 75 minutes faster than the old course for a MOP guy like me, but I enjoyed the new loop around the Caldera.  The new second climb, from the floor of the Caldera the top of the ski hill, was a sick joke and you could definitely tell who has the Incline in their backyard and who doesn't.  In fact, the hill was so steep that once I got back to the bottom I had to take a break:

Great to add a new debate to the ultra world: who is the biggest panzee Jemez champ, Rick H or PG?

Awesome time the entire weekend.  Stumbled into the Colfax Tavern near Cimmarron, NM.  I highly recommend taking HWY 64 to Taos next time you're headed that way.  Good article on the joint over here.

Of course, we hit the usual Taos establishments, and some new ones, as well.  Eske's (twice).  Taos Ale House.  Old Blinking Light (I hear there is an OBL in Highlands Ranch as well?).  The Snowmansion.  Williams Lake.  Sabroso.  Good times!

Eske's

Colfax Tavern

Summit Donut 50K

Going to make a run up Pikes from my house on June 16th, starting at 5:30AM.  That route adds about five flat road miles onto the Pikes Peak Marathon.  Post run burgers and beer on the patio.  Anyone is welcome to join me.

Friday

Easy dog jog on the Garden trails.  4.5 miles, 45 minutes.  Taking it very easy during the week due to all these long runs.

outlaws

Dog and I did the Incline this evening, 'cuz that's how we roll.  Untimed.  Think my legs are almost recovered so I can trash 'em again this weekend.

Quad Rock

Awesome day on the trails of Fort Collins.  Thanks to the fantastic FoCo trail running community for the event. This is a perfect way to get ready for Hardrock.  I spent the day goofing off and getting some time on my feet (actually, the time was so slow due to a tactical race between Brandon and I), and my time of 11:31 put me towards the back of the pack.  Had I hammered the course, I could have run around 9:45 and not walked again for a week or two.  I think that time would be about equal to my 8:07 at Collegiate Peaks, so that might tell you something about how rough the QR course is.

Thanks to Rob for the pics!

commute #21

Easy run to work.  5.3 miles, 52 minutes.

Tuesday

AM - Easy 3.5 miles around Old Colorado City, 33 minutes.  Quads are still pretty beat up, but they'll be fine by this weekend.

PM - Quarters.  1.5 mile warm up, 8 x 400m with 200m RBI, 1.5 mile cool down.  Averaged about 90 per quarter.  Nothing awesome, but it felt good to get the legs spinning again.

Pikes Peak Sports Triple Crown Running Team

AM - 30 minutes easy with the dog, three miles.

Will do a report on the aptly named Quad Rock soon.  Very easy effort, finished in 11:31.  As would be expected, Nick and the FoCo group put on a fantastic event.  Still a lot of work to do before Hardrock, but I'm starting to feel good about where I'm at right now.

I'm now a paid, professional blogger.  I have quit my job and will be living out of my truck for the time being.  Next few weeks in a parking lot in the Garden, then over to the Section 16 trailhead, then some quality time up high on Pikes somewhere.  OK, maybe not, but I do get a hundred bones as well as a comped entry into the Triple Crown.

And since I'm big time now, I need a new profile pic:

Mayor of Old Town

Had a 40 of OE to celebrate my Quad Rock finish.

Salmon!

Friday

Easy hour run on the Garden roads.  Six miles.

commute #20

Hated to run to work on a Thursday, but I had to continue the streak.  Easy 6.3 miles, 54 minutes.

Section 16

Easy loop with the dog tonight, 5.5 miles in just over an hour.  Legs are finally feeling good after the marathon.

marathon pic

Race day shot of me coming down the final stretch.  Deep in the heart of Buttgers country, so I went with the Pitt shirt.

AF graduation

Waited two hours this morning to get tix. Pres Obama is the speaker this year.

Delaware HP

Kane's Tavern

Jersey

Real happy with the race.  Stopped to take a leak at 2.5 miles, and the break allowed the 3:00 pace group to catch up (my wave started 60 seconds ahead).  Kept up with them until the halfway point, then slowly started pulling away, trying to get that minute back.  About mile 19 I tanked, a combination of the lack of speedwork in my training, the headwind along the beach, and a diet consisting of nothing but Tastykakes, Middleswarth chips, and Yuengling all taking a toll. 

At mile 19 the new goal became a BQ (3:15 for old folks like me), so I slowed to eight minute miles.  Around mile 22 I remembered the early entry for every five minute thing, so I picked it up to go sub 3:10.  Around mile 25 I knew if I hammered I could get a sub 3:05.  None of which matters, since Boston won't let me back after my last performance there.

Very happy with the run.  Won't take much to get back into sub three shape for NYC. 

Next up is Quad Rock.  Lots of pressure there, as I have to be considered the favorite since I'm pretty sure I have the fastest marathon time* in the field.





*only counting marathons within the past seven days

Jersey

pre-race

brownie/McCann's/Lake Como, NJ/PBR #47

We're in the VIP Lounge!

NJ marathon taper continues...

yellow beer FTW!

Pat's!

NJ marathon taper

9:30AM!

Thursday

Hour run on the Garden roads.  15 minute warm up, 35 minutes of two minutes hard/two minutes easy, ten minute cool down.  Seven miles.

bacon maple nut booze

Just received the call from Cheers, the bacon beer has arrived!  So much for showing up to Pennsylvania not hungover...

commute #19

AM - Easy run to work.  6.5 miles, one hour.

PM- Two hours home from work through Bear Creek Park and Red Rock Canyon.  11.3 miles.

In two days I'll be hanging out at the Yuengling brewery!

Tuesday

AM - Easy 4.5 miles with the dog, 45 minutes.  Some days she's harder to control than others.

PM - Late start due to an hour of hot yoga after work.  Quick run up to the Holmes middle school track, 4 x 400m untimed, 1.5 mile cool down.  Motivation just wasn't there.  Another 4.5 miles, 42 minutes.

April

Easy ten miles on the Garden roads to close out the month.

313 miles on the month.  Was hoping for a bit higher total, but a lot of stuff kept me off the roads and trails this month.  Still, real happy with the 100K, as well as the suffering at two shorter races.

Entering a fantastic time of year where I pretty much have a race every weekend.  Jersey, Quad Rock, Jemez, Arkansas Bluegrass, Golden Gate, Garden of the Gods, San Juan Solstice.  If I can finish all those, I'll be sitting pretty come mid-July.

track

Just found out the Springs will be having an all-comers track meet.  Don't think I've raced on the track since high school.  More info over here.  I'll be jumping in the 5000 meter run for some good Hardrock training.  If I can get there early enough maybe I'll see what damage I can do in the 100m.

Boulder Distance Classic

Not nearly the epic run just about everyone else had this weekend, but I had fun up at the Boulder Res.  15K, 62:47.  Very windy.  Pleased with the solid effort, ran hard and steady but didn't kill myself.  Was in the beer garden, courtesy of Avery Brewing, by 9:40AM.  Results over here.  Even the minor league races in Boulder get tons of fast folks out.

Shooting for 3:29:59 this weekend in Jersey.  Will probably goof off behind the 3:35 pace group for 20 miles or so and then blast the final 10K.

Really pisses me off when races advertise live race tracking and then fuck it up.  Eugene and Big Sur, fail.  Were you unaware you might have a little more traffic than usual on race day?

typical Boulder 10am

bike to work

5.5 miles this morning, 50 minutes.  Then jumped on the bike and rode to work.  In the triathlon world this is known as a brick.  Not sure my 45 minute transition time is any good, though.

Good luck to everyone running this weekend.  Collegiate Peaks.  Cheyenne Mountain.  Leona Divide.  Big Sur.  Grand Canyon.  Get after it!

In Denver tonight for the Todd Snider show.  Probably trolling Colfax for a while before the show.



If I can finish in time, I'll be hitting up this free show in Denver the day after Nick's race.  Also trolling Colfax for a while pre-Salmon.

yet another run to work day

No time lately, so doing the best I can and running to work yet again this week.  7.2 miles this morning (bonus loop around Prospect Lake), 70 minutes.

Daniel Tosh was fantastic last night.  Hardest I've ever laughed at a comedy show.  I'll include this quote from the show for all the Indy fans out there: "The Colts are the only team who would trade a QB who looks like he has Down Syndrome for a QB that definitely has it."  Tosh really ripped to some the issues facing our village, and it was just as funny to see some of the folks in the crowd squirm.

Mark your calendars.  Think I'm going to do a b-day run weekend on August 4-5.  A 25 mile traverse across RMNP, followed by an assault on the Aspen 4 Pass/4 Beer loop.  Could be a good last long weekend for you Pikes/Leadville peeps.

commute #18

Easy six to work, one hour.

NYC marathon lottery is today.  We have quite a few of the local bunch signed up.  $100, Ryan K, Amy P, BLOS, Solarweasel.  Hope we get some more peeps into the race.

Saw a gear presentation by Andy Skurka last night at the new local GoLite store.  I don't really get a huge boner over gear like a lot of other runners, but it's something I'll have to get into sooner or later as I have some fastpacking plans on the horizon.  Will look to do the Kokopelli trail next year, with bigger trips on the JMT and Colorado trail a few years down the line...

Phish!

Got tix, and a camping pass, for all three nights in Denver!  No more feeling sorry for myself for never having seen one of my favorite bands!

back at it...

Mon - Section 16 with the dog.  Untimed, 5.5 miles.  Still pretty sore.

Tues AM - Easy 4.5 miles in Red Rock Canyon with the dog, 45 minutes.  Starting to feel a lot better.

Was hoping for another 350 miles on the month, but it looks like life will get in the way.  Skurka tonight, Daniel Tosh tomorrow, $100's parents arrive on Thursday, and Todd Snider on Friday in Denver.

Hope to get up to Boulder for a few miles before the Distance Classic on Saturday.  My first trip back to Boulder Res since GZ rocked his hundred.

CRUD shirts

Rick H is putting together the annual CRUD shirt order.  You need to get him a blank t-shirt and $3 by May 7th.  If you're from out of town and still want a shirt to impress the ladies, get in touch with me and we can work something out.  That last option will involve a beer tax though.

100K

Very happy with the run.  Got exactly what I wanted - a nice, hard long run without killing myself.  Laps were 3:24, 3:47, 4:34.  About 15 minutes of that last lap was me goofing off at the final two aid stations, including drinking a PBR at the final aid station.  The rest of the slowness was just me being lazy and enjoying the day.  11:45:06, a 45 minute PR.

Awesome event, the race was about 98% technical singletrack.  Not what I was expecting from Kansas (my  15th state marathon, FYI).  Have always heard good things about the Trail Nerds, and they put on a fantastic event.  Outstanding course marking and the volunteers were tons of fun.

Panorama Point

My 12th state highpoint.

Free State

Prairie Dog Town

Place is abandoned, but I bet it was awesome back in the day. Near Oakley, KS.

highest point in Kansas

dog jog

AM - Easy dog jog through OCC.  3.9 miles, 40 minutes.  Dog was being a pain in the ass this morning.

commute #17

AM - Easy 5.1 miles to work, 47 minutes.

PM - Easy 10K home from work, 60 minutes.  Wanted to go longer but had to pack for the upcoming roadtrip.

log

Bit of catching up:

Monday - hungover, so no AM run.  7.5 miles on the Garden trails after work, untimed.

Tues AM - easy dog jog.  Six miles in Red Rock Canyon, 60 minutes.
Tues PM - went over to the Manitou track for some speed, but there was a meet going on.  Easy 10.5 on the Garden roads, 89 minutes.

Been planning the route for the roadtrip this weekend.  Should be pretty epic.  While mapping the route I could only think of this song:

Platte River

Not my finest race.  Hit the halfway point in 43:15 and I was already cooked.  Really, really struggled to hold anything together over the second half.  I fought hard, trying to rally every time someone passed me (which was a lot - results have me 62nd overall but I'm sure at least 500 runners passed me after mile seven) but I just couldn't get anything going.  Barely went sub 90 (chip time was 1:29:55).

But I'm glad I got out there and suffered.  I don't do enough efforts like that, and while it was a shitty race it was a great tempo run.  I'll have to do A LOT more of this kind of work if I want any chance to PR at NYC.

$100 grabbed a PR, finishing in 2:03:32.  Trying to get her to sign up for the Jersey half marathon while we're there to finally get that sub two, but the price is a bit too high this late in the game.  I would give up one of my arms for a PR, especially one as symmetric as going sub two hours, but she doesn't care quite as much as I do about the whole running thing.

Visited Kircher country post-race, checking out some dives up in Evergreen.  Good times!

Double Side Down!

ugh

Friday

This blog is currently awesome now that you're required to listen to Phish when you come here.  I'm in the ticket lottery for the labor day weekend show, wish me luck.

Tortoise & Hare 5K on Saturday.  Shooting for an easy 18:59, but it's difficult to pace yourself in that format.  I'll be weighing in the runners, so if you see me with a black eye it's because I made some snarky comment about a chick's weight.

Platte River on Sunday.  Originally hoping for a PR there, then all the snow melted a month early and instead of running low six minute miles on the roads I've been up in the mountains banging out 20 minute miles.  Still think I'll go sub 90.  Anything can happen here, though.  A few years ago, I PR'd on this course while drunk.

Recently finished this book.  Suelo seems like an interesting guy, but the book was a little too heavy on religion/philosophy crap to really hold my interest.

Currently reading Meb's book, "Run To Overcome," which I got for free due to the Amazon Prime.  As a wise man once said, "Reading is pretty all-right."

Rest day today.  Hit the gym before work.  I'll visit the rock gym over lunch and again after work.  An hour of hot yoga after that.  GZ's recent posts are making me think about my schedule and wondering if there's a better way...

Thursday

Easy dog jog this morning, three miles, thirty minutes.

First big thunderstorm of the year last night, lots of rain.

Dungeons & Dragons for ultrarunner nerds.

.

commute #16

AM - Seven miles to work, 66 minutes.  Was going to run a hard mile on the CC track along the way, but the track is currently closed.  Really closed, not like when it's closed and Andy and I run there anyways.  Lots of heavy equipment and fences on the top turn.  I imagine the damage will be significant from all the construction, so maybe they'll get a new track?

PM - 12.5 miles home, two hours.  Last two miles were with the dog.

Thanks to mailman John for this baseball nugget.  Love the comments!  GO PIRATES!  The Buccos are still playing .500 ball, so it's already been a good year.

denied!

Phish

   

Been wanting to see these guys for a long time.  Chances came and went and I never pulled the trigger.  Time to change that.  I'm in the ticket lottery for all three days in Denver.  Wish me luck...

Dirty Side Down

Just read about a joint in Evergreen that serves Widespread Panic themed burgers.  Check out the Dirty Side Down, a bacon cheeseburger that uses grilled cheese sandwiches as a bun!  It's pretty hard to come up with anything more awesome than that.

Needless to say, the only thing in life I care about anymore is getting up to Evergreen to taste the goodness.  Hopefully this Sunday...

dog jog

$100 has decided that she wants to do the PPRR Garden runs on Tuesday and Thursday, so I'm now in charge of the dog on those mornings.  Dog hates the track so we went to Red Rock Canyon instead.  40 minutes easy, four miles.

Barr Camp/Incline

AM - Took the dog up to Barr Camp this morning.  Her first trip up there.  And, at 12.5 miles, her longest run ever.  Took us just over three hours for the round trip (not counting the 20 minutes spent BSing with Neal), with lots of goofing off on the way down.

PM - Incline loop.  Untimed, so I'll give me a 19 flat on the up and another 25 minutes to come down.  5.2 miles.

Manitou traffic jam

22+ miles on the Intemann trail.

Happy Easter!

quote of the day

From the letsrun message boards, ripping on Alan Webb for a recent 3:54 1500m.

"I can run 3:54 barefoot uphill on sand while masturbating and playing the trumpet."

OCC FTW!

Purple Castle!

1002.1

Easy five miles on the Garden roads this morning.  Took me over the 1000 mile mark on the year.  Today is the 97th day of 2012, and I'm pretty sure I'll maintain the 10+ mile per day average through NYC in November.  Really enjoying this down week, think I needed it.

Between NYC and the start of the next Incline Club season, my goal will be to put on one pound per day.

www.tourdegrub.com

Just to remind everyone that I don't really hate bikers, we're currently putting up two guys riding from South Carolina to San Fran...

One of the first things they said to me was, "For a guy who hates bikes, you sure have a lot of bikes."

bikers are idiots!

This video is making it's way around the interweb.  Exhibit A on why I hate bikers.

Not to glorify hit-and-run, but why was the cyclist ignoring those two pedestrian lanes?  And why was he riding on the far left side of the vehicle lane?  Cyclists use the saying "share the road" all the time, but they're not really interested in sharing.

In other news, there will be a party at my house on Friday, August 24th, for Stage Five of the Pro Cycling Challenge.  The party will actually start on Thursday at Incline Happy Hour, then continue on a pub crawl down to Benny's to watch the race.

Thurs

Life (i.e,. laziness) is seeing to it that I take a down week.  Forgot to bring a flashlight to Barr Trail this morning, so the run was a wash.  40 minutes, 2.5 miles.  Ugh.  I'm more pissed about wasting an on-time arrival at the Cog than I am about the shitty run.

Inclinathon has been moved to April 14th.

Commute #15

Easy 5.2 miles to work, 46 minutes.

Incline probably got another 2-3 inches last night.  It will all be gone by this evening as temps are expected to be in the mid-60s over the next few days.

Holy shit, baseball starts tomorrow (I know there was that series played overseas)!  GO PIRATES!

Incline

Short Incline loop with the dog.  About an inch of snow up top, should be long gone by Saturday.

Tuesday

Overslept, so bailed on the track for a quick hour on the Garden roads.  Some kind of rain/snow/sleet/hail/grapple mix was falling.  Not going to end the upcoming summer fire dangers, but anything is better than nothing.  The foothills look a bit white, but that should be gone by the weekend.  Haven't been able to see the Peak since Sunday evening, so I'm not sure what's going on up high.

Neal was telling me some horror stories about the year they shut down Pike National Forest due to the Hayman fire.  The bulk of my summer running is done there, not sure what I'd do if they closed that.  So now I'm actually rooting for some wet weather.

Our village has a new logo:

Reminds me of a minor league baseball team.  Which is very fitting for a minor league town.  Just don't confuse it with this logo:

The "Live It Up!" tag line, which seemed to piss off everyone with a blog and/or facebook page last time, remains.

bike to work

Out a bit late last night due to the Larry & His Flask show, so I took a rest day to sleep in.  Rode the bike to work.  Need to get her in for a tune up, no brakes and the think kept shifting every time I'd hit a bump.

May jump into the market for a more commuter friendly bike.  Bought a rack for the Klein but it won't fit.  Any suggestions would be appreciated, but it will probably come down to whatever I can dig up on craigslist.

Speaking of biking, these guys will be crashing at my place for a few days this week.  Chris is a friend of my sister, who I met back during my San Fran trip.  He hiked Whitney with the crew.

Knob Hill