Bradbury Breaker "Race" Report

Ran the Bradbury Breaker today, but didn't race it. Ran with Kate at her pace instead which was a lot of fun. She's been battling chronic injuries so can't really effectively train properly for running, so it was nice to be able to keep her company as she ran a pace that she could manage.

As rewarding as that was, I'm looking forward to truly racing the Bruiser next month. That's a good chunk of time to add some more hay in the barn.

Big thanks to Ian, Ryan and the rest of the Trail Monsters and volunteers for making the race another success. We were certainly lucky to have awesome weather today. Best it's been for this race so far, which several commented on.

Ran 9.4 miles @ 17:00/mile pace.
Technical trails.
Extremely hilly.
Lower 60s to lower 70s, sunny.
Saucony Peregrine 3, shorts, sleeveless shirt, cap.

Short Tempo Run

REALLY want to get the speed back in my legs, and the best way to run faster is to run faster. It's been too long, so I just did my 5K route and the goal was to run at a controlled tempo. By that I mean the breathing is steady and pushing it without the wheels wobbling.

Success. I would have been happy with anything under 7:10/mile given how long it's been since I've done speed work so to nail down 6:38/mile relatively comfortably was very encouraging. It's a great starting point.

Achilles update: Huge improvement today. Not even a real issue. Good. Time to get back in race shape. I am now raring to go for that. A big reason are my Trail Monster teammates who keep putting up incredible performances. Thanks all. Being stoked for them is stoking my own fires again and I can't wait to get back to where I was. Running the Breaker tomorrow with Kate, but I hope to truly race the Bruiser next month. Bring it!

Ran 3.1 miles @ 6:38/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Lower 80s, sunny, breezy, very dry air.
Brooks Mach 13, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.

"Trail" Run?

Is it still called a trail run if you go off trail and get a little lost in the middle of the woods?

It all started with a quest to find another way to get to this mystical stream that looks like prime native brook trout habitat. I discovered earlier this week that one way to get to it was now closed off. So, I sought another way in.

Found a way I thought was going to get me there, but the trail petered out. I took an old logging trail that was severely overgrown. It's got to be up this way, I kept thinking. Just a little further and it should be there. 

Nope.

I wandered and wandered, most of the time forced to a march as the brush was high. I then gave up and decided to head back. Then I couldn't retrace my steps. However, eventually I found that old grown in logged out area and ran back. Whew. That was a major relief when I finally knew where I was again.

Looking at my GPS track, I see where I went wrong. I turned off the main path too soon. I'll have to go back. Oh yes, I'll have to go back.

Oh yeah, the Achilles. Still a bit sore, but like yesterday it got better as the run went on. I suspect I'll be able to continue running through it.

Ran 10.3 miles @ 11:37/mile pace (includes lots of bushwacking)
Trails, woods.
Slightly hilly.
Lower 70s, overcast, intermittent light to moderate rain.
Saucony Peregrine 3, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.

This One's Optimistic

Inflamed Achilles tendons have brought my running to a halt the past few days. Annoying and frustrating, especially since I'm now raring to go forward with my training.

Felt okay enough to give them a test today. At first, it was pretty horrible. By the time I was a half mile in I was hobbling. I turned around to go home, quite angry and ready to write a blog post on officially going on the DL.

As I was stewing, I noticed shortly thereafter that they didn't hurt as bad. Hmmmm. I took a chance and channeled my frustration-turning-to-optimism into turning back around and continuing on the planned route. I'm glad I did. The discomfort lessened as the run went on. Usually, that's a very good sign. Oh man, I hope that's the case.

How I feel tomorrow morning will be the real test, but I'm cautiously optimistic. I'm hoping I'll be able to take the NRA approach to problem solving, but instead of more guns, there'll be more running and that will loosen things up and take care of everything.



Ran 4.1 miles @ 9:23/mile pace.
Trails.
Very hilly.
Around 80 degrees, partly cloudy, humid.
Saucony Peregrine 3, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.

Running & Fly Fishing: A Bust

Had the brilliant idea to run out to a remote stream and fly fish. However, I discovered the trail to said stream was now closed. Poop. No trespassing/fishing/hunting/anything signs and a brand new gate blocking the path. I respected the landowners and turned around and ran back.

I was very disappointed... the water is cooler in the smaller streams which translates to better trout fishing and this particular one looked very promising when I ran past it several months ago. Darn. Oh well.

That was it for my running today. I discovered my achilles on both feet are really sore. Not good. I've had achilles soreness before, and fortunately it went away very quickly. Will give it a test run tomorrow and go from there, but I obviously hope this won't be a setback.

Back to running and fly fishing... I love doing both and it's nice to combine them when possible. I hope to do more in the future. Only caveat is running with my gear at the moment is quite cumbersome. My rod is a 2-piece, which translates to 4'3" when broken down into two. A 4-piece would be much more prudent.

Mad respect to these guys who have also combined fly fishing with one of their interests: Jazz. Awesome. Best channel on YouTube, IMO.



Ran 1.0 miles @ 11:12/mile pace, carrying a fly rod, net and other gear.
Trails.
Moderately hilly.
Lower 70s, sunny, breezy.
Saucony Peregrine 3, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.

Bradbury

Great run yesterday at Bradbury. A celebratory run for David's 31st birthday that appropriately included a 50K run. Just planned on ten though and that's what I did.

Ran mostly with Mindy and Val which was a real treat. Great conversation and I'm really stoked for both of them to do the Haliburton 100 next month. They are clearly ready and I'm somewhat jealous of their upcoming Canadian adventure.

Pace was very easy, which was fitting for most who were doing back-to-backs or running the full 50K. My legs felt tired thanks to a sharp increase in mileage this week, so I welcomed it. Just a very fun run with continuing great summer weather. Deer flies were hardly around, which was of course great.

Ran 10.3 miles @ 13:33/mile pace (includes several stops)
Trails.
Extremely hilly.
Mid 60s to lower 70s, partly cloudy.
Saucony Peregrine 3, shorts, short sleeved shirt.

I Met Meb

Meb and me

Kate and I headed over to spectate at the Beach to Beacon this morning. Was great to see the pros and several good friends in action not too far from the finish line. When our final friend came through we took a trail on the way back and who came running along in the opposite direction on a cooldown? Why, none other than Olympic marathoner Meb Keflezighi.

I said, "Great job today, Meb!" as he ran by (he got fifth place in a stacked field) and he smiled and said thanks. Giddy as hell, I kept excitedly repeating to Kate ohmygawdijusttalkedtoMeb, and then he ran back by us from behind. Kate said he overheard me and was laughing.

Not far ahead, he took a trail that dead-ended to an overlook on some coastal cliffs. Ah ha, he's trapped! I ran up and asked if I could get a picture with him. He graciously said yes and we chit chatted a little bit. I remember asking him if he was happy with how he did today and he said he's always happy with anything in the top 10 so was very happy to get fifth.

Stoked to have met him. I read his book Run to Overcome a few years ago and gained a lot of respect for the guy. His personality this morning very accurately reflected the traits he exhibits in his book...someone who is very kind, friendly and humble. Very, very cool guy on top of being an incredible athlete.

The Portland Head Light... one of my better pictures, but hard
to mess anything up with scenery this beautiful.

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Several hours later I went for an afternoon run. I didn't want to take a rest day today, so I just kept it short and very casual on the trails. Incredible afternoon out; a cool, dry breeze blowing and pleasantly warm temperatures.

I stopped at one stream a half a mile behind my house and observed it for a while. It has fish. I must catch them.

I stopped again at a different spot on the stream about a mile out that I took Kate to last night. It was her first time fly fishing and she did great, getting several strikes and even having one on the line but it shook off. Very proud of her, she picked up on casting really well, and in a very tight space to boot. I did a little better, landing four small salmon (let them all go). So much fun catching them on a dry fly and seeing the water explode when they hit at the surface.

Kate false casting the line out.

Cute little salmon.

Hauling in a tiny little guy.

Catch and release.

Continued the run home, pretty satisfied with a stellar day so far. Hmmm, I think I'll go fishing again later.

Ran 3.8 miles @ 10:54/mile pace.
Trails.
Very hilly.
Mid 70s, partly cloudy, breezy.
Saucony Perrigrine 3, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.