November was an interesting month. After coming off of a relatively solid chunk of training in October, I continued that momentum into the first week of November putting together one of my largest 7 day volumes of the year. Then my training sort of tanked. I found out the nordic center had hired someone back and that my winter job was not as secure as I had believed. On top of that I was short on funds and trying to figure out how I was going to pay the bills let alone cover the cost of running a race and being gone for two+ weeks (Flying to race the JFK 50 in Maryland then visiting my family for Thanksgiving). It would be an understatement to say that I was a little stressed. My motivation to train was sapped, and my focus was not where I wanted it to be.
That next week I took a few days off, and a few more "training" days were wasted with short easy jogs of an hour or less. Its a bad habit of mine to either be 100% focused, or not at all. Luckily I was able to join up with some friends who are elite marathoners (2:13 - 2:18 guys) in Gunny for a solid long run effort. Then a few days later I hit the track for some leg speed work. That week wasn't a total flop, but it definitely was a much lower volume/intensity than I should have been doing two weeks before the race. Then I got a call about doing another photo shoot. Unlike the first one I did earlier this summer, this time I would get paid so I couldn't say no. Being in a financial funk, this came at a good time. The only trouble was that it would also be race week. I would be going directly from a 3 day photo shoot in Utah to a highly competitive 50 mile (JFK 50) in Maryland.
So with my travel plans changing yet again (had planned on flying east to NY, but now am headed west to UT first), I headed to Boulder on the 14th to enjoy some dryer trails before catching my flight just a few days later. While in Boulder I did a few good runs. I met up with the Rocky Mountain Runners one night and did a full moon run up Green. I was surprised to see how much I was lacking in my uphill fitness after just a month of flatter race specific training. I was a bit sore the next day.. Then to add to my soreness, the following few days I spent in southern Utah doing the photo shoot.
The shoot was for a new shoe, the Altra Olympus which will be released in January. (I can't talk much about it, but check back for a sweet video and maybe some photos here in the next few weeks!) The shoot went really well, and for 3 days we were down there getting some awesome footage. On another note, it was race week and my legs were definitely not feeling fresh and rested by the end of the 3rd day. I was actually pretty sore. So much so that there were a few tender spots that were too sore to even massage... not good. And to add another hiccup to my already undulating month and pre-race preparation, I got sick.
Monday of race week I woke up with a scratchy throat. It was also the first day of the video shoot and instead of sleeping in to try and get over it quick, I was standing on a chilly ridge in near freezing temps. No coat or pants, just short shorts and a thin t-shirt waiting for the sun to rise so we could get capitalize on the best light. The next day was a similar story, scratchy throat and more chilly shots. The three days following that were much of the same, but the scratchy throat went away and in its place came the congestion. Then after all the travel, dietary changes (due to travel), and random sleep schedule it's not a surprise that my race didn't go quite as planned. You can read about that here in my race report.
Since the race though I have been able to relax, reflect, and regroup. It was my last race of the 2013 season, and although it was a disappointing finale I am not letting it get me down. I had a great year and have many fine moments to look back on. As I write this, I am in upstate NY visiting my family for Thanksgiving. I have not ran for 6 full days. I haven't done anything (physical) really. Just eat, sleep, and visit with those who I only get to see once every year or two. It's been enjoyable, but I am starting to get a little stir crazy and am eager to get back to Colorado and break out my nordic skis next week. I still have two days to enjoy some more family time so I'm shutting off my computer and enjoying every minute of it. Adios November.
That next week I took a few days off, and a few more "training" days were wasted with short easy jogs of an hour or less. Its a bad habit of mine to either be 100% focused, or not at all. Luckily I was able to join up with some friends who are elite marathoners (2:13 - 2:18 guys) in Gunny for a solid long run effort. Then a few days later I hit the track for some leg speed work. That week wasn't a total flop, but it definitely was a much lower volume/intensity than I should have been doing two weeks before the race. Then I got a call about doing another photo shoot. Unlike the first one I did earlier this summer, this time I would get paid so I couldn't say no. Being in a financial funk, this came at a good time. The only trouble was that it would also be race week. I would be going directly from a 3 day photo shoot in Utah to a highly competitive 50 mile (JFK 50) in Maryland.
So with my travel plans changing yet again (had planned on flying east to NY, but now am headed west to UT first), I headed to Boulder on the 14th to enjoy some dryer trails before catching my flight just a few days later. While in Boulder I did a few good runs. I met up with the Rocky Mountain Runners one night and did a full moon run up Green. I was surprised to see how much I was lacking in my uphill fitness after just a month of flatter race specific training. I was a bit sore the next day.. Then to add to my soreness, the following few days I spent in southern Utah doing the photo shoot.
The shoot was for a new shoe, the Altra Olympus which will be released in January. (I can't talk much about it, but check back for a sweet video and maybe some photos here in the next few weeks!) The shoot went really well, and for 3 days we were down there getting some awesome footage. On another note, it was race week and my legs were definitely not feeling fresh and rested by the end of the 3rd day. I was actually pretty sore. So much so that there were a few tender spots that were too sore to even massage... not good. And to add another hiccup to my already undulating month and pre-race preparation, I got sick.
Monday of race week I woke up with a scratchy throat. It was also the first day of the video shoot and instead of sleeping in to try and get over it quick, I was standing on a chilly ridge in near freezing temps. No coat or pants, just short shorts and a thin t-shirt waiting for the sun to rise so we could get capitalize on the best light. The next day was a similar story, scratchy throat and more chilly shots. The three days following that were much of the same, but the scratchy throat went away and in its place came the congestion. Then after all the travel, dietary changes (due to travel), and random sleep schedule it's not a surprise that my race didn't go quite as planned. You can read about that here in my race report.
Since the race though I have been able to relax, reflect, and regroup. It was my last race of the 2013 season, and although it was a disappointing finale I am not letting it get me down. I had a great year and have many fine moments to look back on. As I write this, I am in upstate NY visiting my family for Thanksgiving. I have not ran for 6 full days. I haven't done anything (physical) really. Just eat, sleep, and visit with those who I only get to see once every year or two. It's been enjoyable, but I am starting to get a little stir crazy and am eager to get back to Colorado and break out my nordic skis next week. I still have two days to enjoy some more family time so I'm shutting off my computer and enjoying every minute of it. Adios November.
| Year TotalsRunning: 3,935.21 Mi Road Biking: 778.37 Mi Skate Skiing: 140.44 Mi Mountain Biking: 41.51 Mi Snowshoeing: 22.41 Mi Classic Skiing: 10.96 Mi |
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