Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

Andrew and I drove to Pan Toll Ranger Station and hiked from there. One of the trails led to this awesome place http://westpointinn.com/ where the innkeeper kindly let us wander around and told us all about the place. In the winter you can stay here for $35 pp a night. You hike in with all of your stuff and stay in awesome tiny early 20th century rooms. There is a full kitchen and two gorgeous lounges with fireplaces. Would be a great home base for a few days of running or hiking as there were trails leading every which way. Felt very envious of the people on bikes up there and wished we'd had our act together to rent some. On the way back, two runners came up behind us and the first one stopped at a nearby bridge. When she turned around to wait for her companion, I realized it was Devon Crosby-Helms! I very nerdily said, "hey, aren't you Devon" and she confirmed it. Very cool to see her out there.

Despite my tired legs from yesterday's race, the trails on Mt. Tam were so beautiful when we got back to Pan Toll, I told Andrew and I wanted to run home. Took the Old Mine trail across Dipsea and the Coast View trail back to Muir Beach. A perfect recovery run trail as it was all downhill!

Rodeo Valley Trail Race.

When Andrew and I decided we'd come out here, I looked for a race that we could do. This event was only 14 miles from where we were staying and offered 8, 21.1, 20 and 50K options. Not wanting to destroy ourselves on our vacation, we decided on the half marathon, which had about 2300 ft of elevation.

About 1/3 - 1/2 of the route was familiar from last year's NFEC 50K, which worked to my advantage in some spots, like the neverending climb out of Tennessee Valley which felt way easier than last year (because I had about 20K more on my legs at the time). We started from Rodeo Beach and our course featured a 1/2 mile out and back on a road before hitting the trails. Unfortunately, the volunteer in charge of telling everyone where to turnaround didn't get the message, which meant everyone ran past him for up to 1km before realizing what had gone wrong (making distance on this one hard to estimate).

After the out and back, we climbed and climbed and climbed before descending into the first aid station at Tennessee Valley. From there, we climbed and climbed again but I remembed this being much worse than it was. At the top of the second climb from last year, where we turned right, we turned left this time and climbed some more to the second aid station. From there it was a sweet 5-6km downhill back to Rodeo Beach.

I had originally set a moderately conservative goal of running this in under 3 hours. I wanted to enjoy the course and stopped about 6 times to take pictures, as last year I was mad at myself for not taking more. I hit the second aid station in 2:05, which made me change my goal to 2:45, then to 2:40. Given the elevation (which everyone knows I hate) and the fact that I spent most of yesterday afternoon at an amazing bar/ craft beer store in San Fran, I was really happy with my time. Andrew finished in 2:14 and a distance of roughly 23km (maybe my new year's resolution should be to buy a garmin).

Aside from the mishap at the beginning of the event, the rest of the course and logistics were top notch. Perfect weather (high of about 12 and awesomely sunny) and an amazing course that reminded me why I love trail running. Spent some time after the event soaking my legs in the ocean!

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Andrew and I parked at Muir Woods and did a great lollipop loop that involved way too much climbing but lots of nostalgia from last year's NFEC. Got out nice and early (thanks to my body not officially recognizing time zones) before the crowds pored in. Easily replaced all of the calories burned in Sonoma in the afternoon!

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Celebrated completing marking my final exams from this term (on Xmas, I know, so sad!) with a trail run. Lots of bikers out there today.

Short morning trail run before the family arrives. Very excited to be hosting Christmas Eve in our new house. The washtub of beer is on the deck ready to go!

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On the trainer.

Stephania and I used an old ESAR map (2010, I think?) to make our run on the Puslinch trails a bit more interesting.

2nd annual Teaching Support Services Frosty 5K Fun Run.

Our office has a ridiculous number of holiday events, so last year I decided to add one more to our roster. Last year it was so warm most of us ran in shorts and this year was a bit colder and windier but still lacking in frost. Six people participated this year and at the end I presented everyone with prizes and certificates.

Although I hate coming back to my desk sweaty, this was a nice way to break up the day!

Good times with simpy and BiT touring around some trails in the Hilton Falls area. simpy even let me try his sweet new ride. So nice to be out on a bike at this time of year!

Yoga for Runners DVD. Oh my hip flexors!

Sometimes I think I am still in denial about living in Cambridge, but shouldn't be! Andrew and I tried a spin class at the Cambridge Good Life near our place. Really nice facility and great class.

pre spin class warm-up

Mrs. Tiny and I met at the Hydrocut for a trail run. Knew this was going to be a tough one for me after a week of holiday parties and with a phlegmy chest and I was right! Mrs. Tiny was very gracious in putting up with my whining. Despite not feeling the love on this one, the temperature was perfect and trails were in great shape!

Lovely morning for a run. Trails are in great shape - have to try to get out there on my bike this weekend!

Have had a mental block lately about getting up and running outside before work in the dark. Not sure why - had a lovely time out there this morning!

Have been sick for the past week and struggling to get any training in. Blech.

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On the trainer.

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When Mrs. Tiny and I were running in Puslinch yesterday, I was optimistic that I might fit a 'real' ride in today, but alas, in the pouring rain I opted to spin to E-C Fiji instead.

Mrs. Tiny and I had a lovely early run at Puslinch while Andrew looked after Teeny Tiny. As expected, he declared her behaviour "wonderful" when we returned.