Progression Run On The Hills

Set out this morning with a moderate or easy pace in mind and would let the pace be dictated by how I was feeling. After a few miles of warming up, the pace dropped and continued to do so throughout the run. Splits were 8:18, 8:07, 7:32, 7:23, 7:02, 6:57, 6:49, 6:42, 6:36 and 6:26.

Pretty pleased with that, especially since it felt really easy and I didn't feel like I was pushing it. Also good to beat the heat. Another 90 degree day on tap, but looks like we'll get a little bit of a break in the temperatures over the next few days.

Ran 10.0 miles @ 7:11/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Very hilly.
Lower to upper 60s, sunny, humid.
Saucony Kinvaras, shorts.

TMR TNR

I usually don't make the Trail Monster Running Tuesday Night Runs, but with Kate already in Portland it all worked out easily enough. Really like running there, so hope to make it there more often in the future.

During yesterday's rest day, I was feeling a little beat up from the high mileage last week. Kinda still felt like that this morning as well, but all systems go by this evening. Energy was great and the legs only a wee bit tired.

I ended up running the whole way with Jeff, which is always a treat. For some reason, the deer flies found him to be a treat as well. We all had them chasing us, but Jeff won the biggest deer fly cloud of the evening award and during key spots he had several dozen of them buzzing around his head. Kinda odd, as they normally attack the highest target more (which is usually me, unless Jim is around).

Ran 5.6 miles @ 8:35/mile pace.
Trails.
Moderately hilly.
Lower 80s, sunny, very humid.
Brooks Mach 11, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.

80+ Mile Week in the Books

Another short, very slow run today to keep the legs loose and also get in over 80 miles for the week (80.9 total). This was good for me mentally and physically, but I don't expect to repeat this amount of weekly mileage for a while. I think I best maintain a proper balance of not risking injury as much while maximizing my training when I average between 50-70 a week.

But that being said, it feels good to have pushed the limits a bit and get in some quality training this week in prep for the 50K at the end of the month. Tomorrow will be a rest day, and would like to get in some interval work and another long run next week.

Ran 4.6 miles @ 8:45/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Mostly flat.
Mid 70s, overcast, very humid.
Saucony Kinvara, shorts, cap.

Récupération

Today was all about true recovery, so I kept the motto of "if I go any slower, I'll be walking" in mind throughout the run. Route was a mix of trails and roads, roughly five miles of trails and roughly two and a half of roads. The latter provided some relief from deer flies, and I mostly kept to the dirt shoulders.

Opted to run in the Merrell Trail Gloves for a few reasons. While my legs feel pretty darn good after yesterday's mountain run and a high mileage week in general, they're still a bit tired. When tired, form suffers. The Gloves keep the form honest (specifically, addressing heel striking).

Also, when running barefoot or in true minimalist shoes, I always keep it slow. This helped ensure I kept the pace in check.

Will likely head out later today for a second recovery run. Honestly, the main reason in doing so is just to edge my weekly mileage over 80 for the week but it'll also serve to keep the legs loose. That all being said, I plan on taking a rest day tomorrow.

Ran 7.6 miles @ 9:51/mile pace.
Trails, some paved roads.
Mostly flat.
Mid to upper 60s, overcast, very humid.
Merrell Trail Gloves, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.

Baldface Mountain Loop

The annual Baldface Mountain Loop run was today, a tradition that Ian and Jim started and they invited me along many moons ago and it's something I look forward to doing every year.

Weather was great today and I had a blast. Made it to the top of the first peak in 1h 08m, which is a new record for me. Legs felt somewhat rubbery and tired from the high mileage this week, but at the same time I didn't feel I was pushing things and I handled it relatively comfortably. Did my best to keep pace with Jeff on the way up, and I was only able to do so when he took some minor wrong turns.

We regrouped on the first peak and again at key spots. I ran with Jim along the ridge for the most part. He pulled ahead on the downhill off the ridge, and while I'm a horrible technical downhill runner, I also didn't feel like giving chase, instead opting to run down pretty moderately in favor of keeping it safe.

Kept an eye out for Chuck's camera when the trail came next to the river down below. He ran this loop yesterday and lost it in this area, but unfortunately none of us saw it.

Less than a mile from the end, we jumped in the Emerald Pool, a great swimming hole within the river that is always cool and refreshing. Jumping off the 15 foot cliff and plunging into that ice cold mountain river water is THE best way to cap off a great mountain run! So much fun, great run and great time spent with great friends.

Jeff and Andy

Looking down from where we came.

Looking northeast

Mt. Washington

Jim ascends.

Ian and Emma

Ran 9.6 miles @ 15:24/mile pace (distance might be a few tenths of a mile short, and pace doesn't include longer stops for regrouping)
Insanely hilly.
Technical mountain trails.
Mid 60s to mid 70s, sunny, humid.
Adidas Adizero XT, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap, Nathan double water bottle belt (water and coconut water).

Bonus Run

Did a second run this evening so I could run with Kate. Of course, it's a fine way to spend quality time together. We saw a strange looking beetle off the side of the road and noted the increased traffic due to it being a holiday weekend, but otherwise a pretty uneventful run.

Shaping up to be a high mileage week for me, which is good. I'm handling it comfortably and it's a good confidence builder for the 50K at the end of the month. I've felt totally recovered from last month's 50-mile race for at least a couple of weeks now, so good to add some more hay in the barn or at least maintain it until it's time to taper down for the race.

Speaking of tapering, I'm thinking of imploying a two week taper instead of my usual three. Reason being simply because trails beat you up way less than roads and I've been doing more training on trails lately in prep for the 50k and the Bradbury Mountain Trail Series this summer. However, if the weather continues to be warm without any breaks and the deer flies are bad as a result, may opt to do more roads and adjust the taper accordingly. We'll see.

Ran 2.9 miles @ 10:30/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Lower 70s, partly cloudy.
Brooks Mach 11, shorts, short sleeved shirt.

Recovery on Trails

Slow and easy recovery run in the woods out back. Deer flies were maddening in spots, but practically non-existant in others. Saw a deer. That's about it.

Ran 6.5 miles @ 9:43/mile pace.
Trails and fire roads.
Very hilly.
Lower to mid 60s, sunny.
Adidas Adizero XT, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.