A quest to maintain a wisp of my southern California lifestyle in a city that couldn't be any more different from Pasadena.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Summer Base Week 10: Doubles Starting
Miles: 8
7/15/08- Stomach slightly better, legs kind of sore actually but feeling fine. I now have my sights set on a Peruvian Andes Expedition with Alpamayo (19,500 feet, WI 4) and Quitujara (> 6000 m, WI 3) for early next summer. Sounds amazing if I can convince my old man/doesn’t negatively impact running too much. Decided to do a 5 mile tempo today and even with my stomach, it went surprisingly well. Ran at an easy feeling 8:25 pace down California to the Arroyo. I took a few minutes to stretch and get ready, and then started off at a rather relaxed but solid pace. During the decent, my breathing slowed almost to a normal run speed, as I came through at 11:13 (7 min pace) I decided I would push a bit harder this time on the way up but cool it off on the way in prep from the uphill last two miles. I came through in 22:10 (6:50 pace for that lap) and, surprised with how easy that felt and how my stomach was holding up, I started to push up the arroyo towards the Rose Bowl. I powered through (except the steep little climb under the freeway which I took rather easily) and upon passing the aquatics center with under 800m to go I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see 31:1x. Realizing that I might lay down a great time, I began to push above threshold to a race feeling pace. I turned the corner, doubled back, and ended at the planned tree in 33:40! meaning that last two miles were run at 6:25 pace, uphill and in the sand. Awesome. I slowly cooled down around one of the RB fields and headed back slowly to campus through old pas. 97 minutes, 12.5 miles total, man my legs are going to be sore but this is a great sign for things to come. If I can break my PR in a tempo run in August (32 minutes, holding the last 2 miles pace for all 5 which now seems quite doable) , as well as lay down 4 x tempo loops at 6 minute pace, I will be all set to break 30. Yay.
Miles: 12.5
7/16/08 : A.m. 2.6 miles very slow with Kapsar at 7:45 a.m.. man I’m going to have to get used to this early morning thing again.
p.m. Huntington medium quick. Felt much better
Miles: 9
7/17/08- Really nice Spontaneous San Marino-South Pas Super Sunset Special. Awesome run. Too bad I started prairie dogging on Orange Groves and hobbled to the bathroom at Singer Park for an epic dump. Astronaut General Thomas Stafford held his shit for 14 days on Gemini IV to say freedom from the communists and I pussed out after a mile and a half. I need to man up.
Miles: 10.5
7/18/08- a.m. 3.5 miles easy with Kaspar
p.m. Huntington Virginia from Lloyd.
Miles: 9
7/19/08- Morning Devil’s gate run from Caltech, but not all the way to JPL for time considerations. Nice run, rather tired. Saw Jasper and Phyllis running up by Devil’s gate. Old school right there. 1 hour, 48 minutes
Miles: 13.5
7/20/08. Climbing at Echo cliffs, 4 miles of strenuous hiking with 30 lbs pack. Some great climbing, did my first 5.10 . Also did a nice multi pitch 5.8. I lead the 5.6 pitches.
Miles: 4
Weekly Miles: 67
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Base Week 9: Down Week plus Encouraging Signs
Miles: 7
7/8/08- Planned conservative run and ended up feeling great. Reverse exterior lower arroyo plus Garfield longer way at a medium clip, legs energetic the whole time. Not a trivial run either.
Miles: 9.5
7/9/08- I guess this is for sure going to be a down week, just not sure how much. Huntington up Virginia medium to medium hard. I took a page from Lydiard’s book and did my short run at a good clip, perhaps 7:25 pace or just under. Had a nice spring in my stride the whole way. It felt like those nice medium hard Monday arroyo runs during track where I would routinely go sub 7:30 pace the whole way. On the down side a rather short run.
Miles: 5.5
7/10/08- The Great Eaton Canyon Adventure, minus turn-around ridge as I shall call it (perhaps disappointment ridge, or stupid-people-blocking-off-public-roads –that-are –supposed-to-connect-through ridge). Legs were feeling the burn up the climb, which I wasn’t expected and were noticeably tired mid way through. Large cramp struck descending next to the canyon. But in the end dissipated and made it back tired but not exhausted. I also did not get sprayed by a skunk this time, or mauled by a pit bull, but coming around a corner on Altadena drive in the complete darkness I noticed two dark shapes and started to freak out a bit. I shortened and silenced my stride, moved to the other side of the road, and as I went by there were two people in camo walking along the road with large rifles in their hands (I’m pretty sure there is no hunting in suburban L.A. allowed). I stayed in the shadows, then ran like hell, and didn’t look back. This run never fails to freak this shit out of me.
Miles: 10.8
7/11/08- Legs very tired. Easy 45 minutes around San Marino, un measured. Also, finally crossed that creepy bridge over Virginia. It’s nothing special.
Miles: 5?
7/12/08- Taking it easy. Easy 30 minutes with Robert Kaspar among all people. Also saw Kangway met up with us for a bit. Cool. Very slow and easy.
Miles: 3?
7/13/08- Climbing at Malibu Creek. Did my first sport lead of a 75 ft 5.6, along with some 5.9 top rope on planet of the apes wall. I am getting really excited about summer climbing. I hope it doesn’t detract from running. Mmm Swiss Arete with pops will be so good. The hike in was aprox 1.5 miles each way with a heavy pack in the hot sun. I’ll def give that a running equivalent of 1:1.
Miles: 3
Weekly Miles: 44 ---- I was worried this was going to be lower but not so bad. A solid down week and my legs feel better than every.
7/14/08- Bad news: Pops bailed on the climbing trip and my stomach and intestines are rather upset. What did I eat? Softball game with some good sprinting plus Huntingson medium, stomach hurting but manageable, then a mile easy on the track with Kangway and badass/ 14:30 Duke Alum Alex Ramero. Legs feel great, let’s see what happens to the stomach.
7/15/08- Stomach slightly better, legs kind of sore actually but feeling fine. I now have my sights set on a Peruvian Andes Expedition with Alpamayo (19,500 feet, WI 4) and Quitujara (> 6000 m, WI 3) for early next summer. Sounds amazing if I can convince my old man/doesn’t negatively impact running too much. Decided to do a 5 mile tempo today and even with my stomach, it went surprisingly well. Ran at an easy feeling 8:25 pace down California to the Arroyo. I took a few minutes to stretch and get ready, and then started off at a rather relaxed but solid pace. During the decent, my breathing slowed almost to a normal run speed, as I came through at 11:13 (7 min pace) I decided I would push a bit harder this time on the way up but cool it off on the way in prep from the uphill last two miles. I came through in 22:10 (6:50 pace for that lap) and, surprised with how easy that felt and how my stomach was holding up, I started to push up the arroyo towards the Rose Bowl. I powered through (except the steep little climb under the freeway which I took rather easily) and upon passing the aquatics center with under 800m to go I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see 31:1x. Realizing that I might lay down a great time, I began to push above threshold to a race feeling pace. I turned the corner, doubled back, and ended at the planned tree in 33:40! meaning that last two miles were run at 6:25 pace, uphill and in the sand. Awesome. I slowly cooled down around one of the RB fields and headed back slowly to campus through old pas. 97 minutes, 12.5 miles total, man my legs are going to be sore but this is a great sign for things to come. If I can break my PR in a tempo run in August (32 minutes, holding the last 2 miles pace for all 5 which now seems quite doable) , as well as lay down 4 x tempo loops at 6 minute pace, I will be all set to break 30. Yay.
Miles: 12.5
Monday, July 7, 2008
Summer Base Week 8: Topping out the singles mileage
Miles: 7
7/1/08 – Excellent 1st tempo run. Two medium hard but relaxed Ian’s arroyo loops(3.2 miles) inside a lower arroyo at dusk (no coyotes this time). 1st loop (1.6 miles) in 11:10 and total time in 22:20. This is 7 min pace almost exactly. No coincidence that during my Concordi LT test, my predicted LT was 7 min pace. Felt comfortable and relaxed the whole way, working for it a bit towards the end of the second lap. Total time: 47.5+ 22.5+23.5 = 92.5 minutes. 8 min pace average, slow cool down back.
Miles: 11.5
7/2/08- Easy, slow modified Eichenlaub grassy special (up oxford to Orlando). Legs seems okay but a bit tired and really seemed to drag the last few miles. 73 minutes.
Miles: 8.2
7/3/08- “That little bitch says I owe her money.” “Whaddaya do to ma daughter this time””……she too young to be getting money fer that….take her innocence….” 12 a.m. shouting argument in Altadena. Five minutes later nearly mauled to death by pit bull, also almost stepped on at least 3 skunks. Ran to the park at the top of lake. Steep. On the way back, legs pretty tired and took a pounding. 85 minutes.
Miles: 10
7/4/08- Easy 30 minutes to and around Lacy. The biked to RB to see fireworks 30 minutes later. I’ll call that 6.5 total
Miles: 6.5
7/5/08- Epic Full Devil’s gate from Lloyd to JPL and back all trails. Cruised steady and constant and felt decent the whole way. Got pretty tired towards the end but surprisingly held it together quite well, enough to even pick it up a bit the last two down California. Excellent progress, not to mention my longest ever run. 2:06. Did I mention the trials are awesome. Go Will!
Miles: 15.5
7/6/08- Approx. 1000 yards easy swimming. Also OMG Mr. Will Leer. Representing the SCIAC. Very impressive run ( I think mark called it). I’m hoping he can really drop some good times in Europe this summer and maybe put his math degree on further hold. As for Alan Webb, perhaps this will finally motivate him to get a real coach. He still has at least one more Olympics in him (only 25), so this isn’t the end of him. Yay Olympics. Note: a bit of a cough and runny nose, I think I’m coming down with Kangway’s cold.
Miles: 59 (+ 1000 yards swimming)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Summer Base Week 7: some great running
Miles: 6
6/24/08- Awesome dusk Full Arroyo from Lloyd in 85.5 minutes. Started out nice and easy (actually was 8 min pace!) and then gradually picked it up feeling really strong the whole way. I have forgotten how smart it is to start easy and gradually pick it up, and how much I love the arroyo at dusk. The whole thing averaged 8 minute pace, which is good for the hill. Quality running. I have also decided that I can pull of 75 mile weeks with smart double days. R Achilles a bit tight, but things looking good.
Miles: 10.6
6/25/08- A nice chill evening huntingson. Note chill, not chilly. It was quite humid and really reminded me of home. I actually miss home and my friends quite a bit. I need to work out plans for going back.
Miles: 7
6/26/06- Eichenlaub grassy special with Dennis, started out slow, ended up medium. Late, not feeling super good. I hope Dennis will be around next year.
Miles: 9
6/27/08- Group softball practice at 4 p.m. and then very easy night Lacy long way from Lloyd. Very easy and relaxed. 38 minutes for 4.5 miles
Miles: 5.5
6/28/08- Very nice half marathon progressions run. I was bored and I decided it was time to put my plans into action: I did the Penis run (slightly modified as shown below). Much better than the last 13 miler I did, plus I did over 2 miles of walking around campus earlier in the day. With 4 miles to go started to accelerate until I was running a very nice 7:45-7:30 pace or so in the last stretch down California/campus. Knees a bit swollen at times but in quite good shape. Man this was a good week.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2030745
Miles: 13.2
6/29/08- Was going to swim but missed the pool hours. Decided to fix up and get back on the bike. Nice easy 11 mile ride to and around the Rose Bowl with Todd. Bike still needs work and will definitely take it to Steve’s. Legs feeling surprisingly great!
Miles: (11)
Weekly Miles: 51 + (11)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Summer Base Week 6: A jump in mileage
Miles: 5.6
6/17/08- Awesome summer full moon midnight lower arroyo (night variant) with Dennis. Started out easy, slowly picking up the pace to a comfortable 7:45 pace by the end. Excellent run.
Miles: 8.5
6/18/08- Medium easy Huntington backwards from Lloyd, to san Pasqual. I thought I was going pretty slow but apparently it only took 46:48. That’s a solid 7:11 min pace. I don’t believe I was actually going that fast I think I must have forgotten to start at a light and forgot to stop at a later one. Probably more like 8-8:15 pace.
Miles: 6.5
6/19/08- The great Eaton Canyon midnight adventure. Legs were feeling un injured and pretty good through the day so I decided I would go for an epic long run. Unfortunately I choose something a bit too demanding. N hill was fine but felt a little too hard. I still felt pretty good once I reached Altadena Dr. and had descending down to the base of Eaton Canyon. Once I started the climb up the ridge, I really started to feel it. Once of the fire roads was blocked off as private, which I think is wrong, so I had to back track all the way around. Once I had made it down to Sierra madre my legs had already crashed. I slowly made my way back but really bonked on San Pasqual. Somehow made it back alive and I think uninjured. 1:45.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2004999
Miles: 13
6/20/08- Easy Huntington Virginia. Legs better than I was expected but stomach was bothersome.
Miles: 5.1
6/21/08- Afternoon swim of 500 yards. Lower Arroyo. Tired, not so much the legs, just overall tired. 68 minutes.
Miles: 8.2
6/22/08- Awesome day vacation to Malibu-El Matador Beach with some ocean swimming (~2-300 yards off shore and back) and some barefoot walking to Malibu Seafood to Solstice canyon for a 2.5 mile hike.
Miles: 3 walking
Weekly Miles: 47 + 3 hiking
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Summer Training Weeks 4&5: The wrath of finals
Miles: 7.3
6/3/08- Nice Lacy slightly longer way reverse with Dennis. Legs tired but feeling okay. Finals tough.
Miles: 5
6/4/08- Concordi LT Treadmill test with Ian, Chief, and Dennis. Max HR 202, LT at between 178-184 at 8.5-8.6 mph (7 minute pace) That seems about right but hopefully we can lower this to 6:30 or 6:20 pace by the middle of the season. Later we will do a treadmill workout and I might bring my HR monitor along on some runs. 4 laps N field warm-up and Lacy and back cool down.
Miles: 5.75
6/5/08- Nice huntingson variant medium-easy with Chief. 53 minutes for 6.7 miles at 7:55 ish pace. Legs getting tired!
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1964797
Miles: 6.75
6/6/07- Slow, easy Huntington Virginia plus warmup across campus. If my legs are tired and getting better/not hurt, that’s a very good thing. Now that my legs are healing up, I can add in some more variation into my runs.
Miles: 5.5
6/7/08- Very tough full Arroyo. Legs were fairly tired but not ridiculous. Really felt labored for the beginning, but kept going, got really bad the last 2 miles. This shows two things, one that I’m in pretty horrible shape, and the other that I need to listen to my body more and do things when they feel right. Also this has been 49 miles in 7 days, too much.
Miles: 10.5
6/8/08- Very homework filled off day. Legs tired in the morning but not horribly so. A bit of swelling in my L knee but much less than I expected, went down during the day. Still iced. I think I will do my long run mid week, but I will have to do it much more by feel, but 12-14 is hard to do solely on feel. Possible options are a grass extravaganza, epic trail run from RB to the damn, run to the hills, or chief style out and back. I would like one run to be a trial run and climb some, regardless. Also I must break out the ice bath.
Miles: 0
Weekly Miles: 41
6/9/08- Legs feeling much better, still tired. Medium Huntington with Dave at 5 p.m., warm out, at least much warmer than 1 a.m. Need to get used to heat, but a good run.
Miles: 6.4
6/10/08- Really outstanding run. Headed N on Hill to end, then Holliston, and back and Lake/Michigan/Hill. Was originally going for time but ended up going a bit longer. I thought my legs were going to be dead or hurting but instead they were full of energy. A nice surprise. A nice quick pace on the way down, averaged 8:15 pace. 74.5 minutes.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1980020
Miles: 9
6/11/08- NFTC beer mile championships, 2nd place 18 minutes DFL. Ow my stomach.
Miles: 1.5
6/12/08- I should have stretched and warmed up properly yesterday. Nice medium easy run with Chief Huntington to los Robles back up by Lacy. 66 Minutes
Miles: 7.5
6/13/08- Hungry Tu Madre, legs, self out of energy. Tripped over a big water main thing in grass, foot a bit bloody and bruised but seems okay.
Miles: 5.5
6/14/08- Moving day, exhausted. Day off is good.
Miles:0
6/15/08- Legs still tired from moving. Garfield long way plus a bit extra slow. 62 minutes.
Miles: 7
Weekly Miles: 37
6/16/08- Legs still kinda tired. Hot 5 p.m. Huntington Virginia down Canterbury and then to softball. Ran into Ian and Katherine and ran a mile with them easy.
Miles: 5.6
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Aftermath of Beach Trip
5/26/08- Ugh my feet hurt. Blisters better, cuts still hurt, knee pretty stiff but doesn’t hurt
Miles:0
5/27/08- Blisters much better, cuts still bothersome. 11:30 p.m. Easy Huntington Virginia. Knee started hurting at 3.5 miles once on the uphill. Lower knee, seems like patella tendon but could be more deep. Iced afterwards.
Miles: 5.2
5/28/08- Same as yesterday, 5 p.m., legs feeling crappy, knee slightly better but still began hurting a bit by the top of the stairs. Slow.
Miles: 5.2
5/29/08 – Knee much better, blisters and feet better. Reverse hunting + extra north at 11:00 p.m.. Feeling good the whole way, working at a moderate clip. Knee stiff but never hurting. Awesome.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1942955
Miles: 7.1
5/30/08- Knee fairly swollen from yesterday but no pain, blisters still better. Short Pre-race from Lloyd to keep it easy.
Miles: 2.7
5/31/08- No run, orchestra concert, busy didn’t get around to it. Ugh. I can’t believe one stupid run has put me out for a full week or more.
Miles:0
6/1/08- Cross Country Season unofficially begins today. Legs feeling good, knee okay. Medium Lower arroyo at 8 p.m. from Lloyd, but got dark so I had to cut out a bit early. Knee stiff, a bit achy, but not hurting. Iced afterwards. A good run.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1951070
Miles: 8.5
Weekly Miles: 29