Training Log Archive: ebuckley

Event: Pere Marquette Endurance Trail Run
 

Pre run. The ORocs were biting just fine in the 8" of new and very wet snow, but I was worried that the studs wouldn't be enough for the final descent, which was sure to be icy after 600 runners gone up from the start. So, I got out the screws and fitted the Rocklites for winter conditions.

Proper warmup.

Pere Marquette Trail Run. My slowest PMETR ever (this is #13 for me). Normally it's an advantage to be in wave zero (first 25 seeded runners), but not this year. We just ended up breaking trail for the rest of the field. The result was that this was the first time in the race's 25 years that NOBODY went under an hour. Eighth across the line, but four others from later waves beat my time to deny my quest for a top-10 for another year. Very nearly got chicked by Emily who smoked it to take the women's overall. First M50.

Fitting end to the season. A solid performance, but one that leaves me wanting to do better. Will take a few weeks off to heal up (I don't remember the last time I was this banged up at the end of a season) and then move into base.

C • hard to imagine running tho... 4

Trail Run - Splits

Normally, I'd go for a short run upon arriving at the PM lodge, but with a half inch of snow on top of ice, it seemed I'd likely do more damage than good. So, we went straight to our usual dinner then hanging out by the fire. More runners to talk to this year because of the race/lodge combo package they pitched over the summer. Hope they do that again.

Almost took the whole day off but I'm glad I got this one in at lunch because my left ham was super tight (probably from tempo on ice yesterday) and it took most of the run to loosen up.

3x5:00T 2:30R at CCL on the way home.

Legs were soft from Sunday, but the real reason it took this long to run in was that I decided to take the new cut along 141, which I haven't done for quite a while because it was really bad flooded all summer. With the temp at 15F, it was frozen solid this morning, but MODOT has erected a fence, presumably to keep the deer off the road, that prevents running on the actual powerline. So I had to run a mile on the embankment of the highway which wasn't fast or fun. Basically, a good run spoiled by an erection. I hate it when that happens.

C • Fences and erections 8

Home from work on the powerline. No wrap. No drugs. No pain. Still need to use some caution (road flats on fresh snow was probably a silly risk), but the injury flag is OFF.

Event: SLOC - Shaw Arboretum Holiday O
 

Warmup.

SLOC Holiday Score-O at Shaw Arboretum (1:10). Primary goal was to get in a decent workout without re-injuring myself. Full marks there. Also picked up the win, which was a nice bonus. First 15 minutes were a bit ragged; was clean after that. Lots of running on snowy (but fast) trails.

Taped the ankle. First time I've done that in about 10 years so I was relieved that I did a decent job of it. Wrap was tight enough to be stable but didn't tear up the skin any.

Things were feeling good enough, in fact, that I volunteered for control pickup. Almost entirely trail running at an easy pace. Looking good for Pere Marquette, but I'll wait to see if anything swells up overnight before clearing the injury flag.