Training Log Archive: TomN

Event: Flying Pig XVII and Eastern Interscholastic Champs
 

Flying Pig Day 1 sprint at IU campus. Our hotel is in Columbus (IN) about 35 miles away, and I grossly underestimated the time to the campus. We got there about 6 minutes before Addie's start time, dashed in to the student union and got race packets, she got her number pinned on on the way to the start, and off she went. I started 20 min later.

I'm not too good at sprints (run fast but think slow) and didn't expect much, but I started out in good control, everything made sense, reading ahead, taking a long view. But around 7 or 8, things started to get ragged. I was reacting instead of anticipating, searching for controls instead of visualizing, making convenient route choices instead of strategic. Still, a much better result than I expected, tied for 7th on the combined Brown/Green course, tied for 1st in M60+. And had a lot of fun, too -- a beautiful afternoon and an interesting campus.

IU_Campus_Sprint_2013_4 5 Br Gr - Splits

A run on backcountry trails to the south of Highlands Ranch. I parked at the Mountain Vista High School, which has access to the south end of the Dad Clark Trail. It joins up with the East-West Regional Trail and goes pretty steeply up to Highlands Point, passing the West Fork of the Big Dry Creek Trail along the way. Highlands Point has 360-degree views, from downtown Denver around to Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. It's at about 6200 feet. After another mile there is a trailhead with parking and porta-johns, accessible from Grigs Road. There is an extensive network of private backcountry trails owned by the community association, which were gated and posted, and I stayed off them. That made it an out-and-back, but a fine run anyway. Gorgeous day, temperature around 50 but felt much warmer in the sun. Time includes gawking at various sights and wildlife, but it was probably around a 9:00 pace.

A different trail loop this time. West Fork-Diamond K-Foothills-Dad Clark. The goal is to maximize use of the Foothills trail, because it's natural surface. The rest of the trails are paved concrete. Not the best for running, from my perspective.

Highlands Ranch trails again, but this time I made a loop: Dad Clark-Foothills-Northridge.

On the trail network in Highlands Ranch CO. Not too breathless, but noticeable up the little hills.

Completed field checking for the Rockburn meet. Started from the Avalon parking and got the rest of the controls on this side. Re-routed 2 courses to avoid running through people's back yards. Woods look great. I know they're going to be a lot greener in a month, but I still think this is going to be good running.

Back from Rockburn by noon, and felt good enough for a run in the afternoon. A gorgeous day, but what's weird is it's normal for this time of year, and it just feels exceptional because we've had an extended cold spell.