We had thunderstorms overnight and woke up to cool temps and cloudy skies this morning. Following three days of maintenance runs, I did a brisk hike this morning for cross training. That moves my long run (24 miles) to Saturday morning. The weather should be cooperative. The Weather Service is calling for a cool overnight low of 42 degrees and an afternoon high of 70 under sunny skies. Winds should be light to moderate at 8-13 mph. So, if I bonk again, I can't blame the weather. Stay tuned.
I check out the Colorado Springs Gazette website most mornings. I've spent quite a bit of time in Colorado Springs and I'm considering moving there within a couple of years. I noticed a brief piece on their website this morning about the disappearance of ultrarunner Micah True while running in the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico: http://www.outtherecolorado.com/201203309667/Running/boulder-ultrarunner-missing-after-going-for-run-at-new-mexico-resort.html
He's only been missing for 24 hours so there's hope. True is best known as Caballo Blanco, the gringo who lived among the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico and is featured in Chris McDougall's best-selling Born to Run.
I saw this piece about the overwhelming odds that a Kenyan will win the 2012 Olympic Marathon gold medal on competitor.com: http://running.competitor.com/2012/03/news/kenya-poised-to-dominate-olympic-marathon_50025 Short take: Of the top 20 marathons times in 2011, 20 were run by Kenyans including Patrick Makau's world record 2:03:38 at Berlin and Geoffrey Mutai's (even faster) 2:03:02 at Boston. Mutai's mark is not a world record because of technical factors: tail wind and elevation loss.
So, the American men have scant chance to win marathon goal (or any medal) at London. But, I'm already out on a proverbial limb in predicting a medal for American Shalane Flanagan, winner of the women's Olympic Trials Marathon back in January.
I also recently came upon this: http://www.trackwomenoforegon.com/
It's a documentary about the University of Oregon women's track program focusing on the 1985 and 2011 squads. The '85 team won the NCAA championship and the 2011 team was runner-up to Texas A&M. The documentary, entitled We Grew Wings, will have its world premiere in Eugene, Oregon, at the Olympic Track & Field Trials on June 30.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Running Potpourri
Our roller coaster weather this week is a clear indication that it's spring-time in Hog Heaven. Yesterday was overcast and chilly. Today is sunny, windy, and warm. For yesterday's 1 1/2 hour maintenance run, I wore two layers on top, light mittens, and a light stocking cap. For today's 1 1/2 hour maintenance run, I wore shorts and a short-sleeve top that I ditched after 4 miles. I'm not ready to predict what I'll wear for tomorrow's one-hour maintenance run.
The big news is that I've moved my long run to Saturday. So, Friday will be cross training. Saturday, I'll try to do 24 miles again. Two weeks ago, I bonked at 20 miles while attempting 24. So, the pressure is on. Right now, it looks like Saturday's weather will cooperate with sunny skies, light wind, and temps in the 50s and 60s.
POTPOURRI
I'm officially in the Pikes Peak Ascent. To qualify one must submit race results from a qualifying marathon or half marathon run within the past three years. There are time limits but I forget exactly what they are. I do know that they aren't very stringent though. Once the race staff has checked and confirmed the qualifications, then your name appears with a "Yes" on the confirmation list. Once I was officially in, I made reservations at a bed-and-breakfast in Manitou Springs, site of the Ascent and Marathon, for the weekend of August 17-19. We've stayed at this particular b&b several times in the past and it's only 1/2 mile from the race's start. So, I can walk to the start and, hopefully, walk back to the b&b from the finish.
My shoe order arrived yesterday: a pair of the New Balance MT 110. I bought them as my go-to shoe for the Ascent. They are seriously lightweight at 7.7 oz. for a men's size 9. I tried them on and they feel great on my feet. I'll check them out on the local trails soon.
I still don't know what I'll wear for the North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile in September. I have the Saucony Peregrines that I used last year. Now, I also have the MT 110s. I'd like to take a look at the Saucony Kinvara TR that will be available in July. I imagine that 50 miles will require more cushioning that the 13.32 miles of the Ascent. So, we'll see.
It's probably too early to make reservations for the Endurance Challenge. Last year, we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Delafield. It was the race hotel. The best thing about it is that within a one-mile radius are a Five Guys Burgers & Fries and a Cold Stone Creamery. What better incentive for running 50 miles?
The big news is that I've moved my long run to Saturday. So, Friday will be cross training. Saturday, I'll try to do 24 miles again. Two weeks ago, I bonked at 20 miles while attempting 24. So, the pressure is on. Right now, it looks like Saturday's weather will cooperate with sunny skies, light wind, and temps in the 50s and 60s.
POTPOURRI
I'm officially in the Pikes Peak Ascent. To qualify one must submit race results from a qualifying marathon or half marathon run within the past three years. There are time limits but I forget exactly what they are. I do know that they aren't very stringent though. Once the race staff has checked and confirmed the qualifications, then your name appears with a "Yes" on the confirmation list. Once I was officially in, I made reservations at a bed-and-breakfast in Manitou Springs, site of the Ascent and Marathon, for the weekend of August 17-19. We've stayed at this particular b&b several times in the past and it's only 1/2 mile from the race's start. So, I can walk to the start and, hopefully, walk back to the b&b from the finish.
My shoe order arrived yesterday: a pair of the New Balance MT 110. I bought them as my go-to shoe for the Ascent. They are seriously lightweight at 7.7 oz. for a men's size 9. I tried them on and they feel great on my feet. I'll check them out on the local trails soon.
I still don't know what I'll wear for the North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile in September. I have the Saucony Peregrines that I used last year. Now, I also have the MT 110s. I'd like to take a look at the Saucony Kinvara TR that will be available in July. I imagine that 50 miles will require more cushioning that the 13.32 miles of the Ascent. So, we'll see.
It's probably too early to make reservations for the Endurance Challenge. Last year, we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Delafield. It was the race hotel. The best thing about it is that within a one-mile radius are a Five Guys Burgers & Fries and a Cold Stone Creamery. What better incentive for running 50 miles?
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