Overall it has been a busy 3 weeks: I ran Imogene Pass Run,
Lead King Loop, and Sangre de Cristo 27k. Sometimes runners get busy schedules
where they just have to run on back to back weekends. At times these schedules
can be demanding. Below I offer my two-cents on how to stay fit, health, and
preform at your best.
Imogene Pass Run was my main goal race for the year. I went
into the race healthy, strong, and ready to peak, having done perfect training
and proper preparation for the race. I won Imogene Pass, but left feeling not
just physical tired, but mentally drained. It takes a lot to prepare and race
at your potential: it is both physically and mentally exhausting. Following
Imogene, I cut back my runs making sure to get in extra rest. I cut out both
time while running and had fewer runs. Most importantly thought: I made it an effort
to have fun on my runs. I might do any of the following to help: I’ll run in a
new location, don’t take my watch, ignore the time and pace, go for a hike up a
mountain instead of a run, or go exploring. The key to mentally and physically
getting back into it for an extended season is to enjoy it. Your training is done;
it is complete, the hay is in the barn. However, now you can maintain your
fitness, nearly at peak, and still run well if you are enjoying the process.
This does not mean you stop training altogether. It does mean that you are
having more fun than you normally would.
For the Lead King Loop, I took my training easy running
about ½ as many miles as I normally would, and at a more relaxed pace. I went
into Lead King still feeling tired from Imogene yet also feeling like I could
run an honest effort. The race was similar to Imogene in that it started with a
major climb. Runners gained 3,000 feet in the first 5 miles. I felt a little
slower than normal and tired from Imogene yet the easy time throughout the week
meant I was both physically and mentally prepared. The relaxed training paid
off and I took a solid 2nd place at Lead King.
After Lead King I once again took it easy. This is a great
time to get in easy runs, fun hikes, hot showers, or relaxing messages. You can
use a foam roller or other running accessary. This last weekend (the third hard
race weekend in a row) was the US Skyrunning event: Sangre de Cristo 27k near
Westcliffe, Colorado. The race consisted of running 4 miles, 2,100 feet up a
jeep road and single track trail to Music Pass, then we turned around, ran back
down to the start, and then did the whole round trip run a second time. It was
17 miles and 4,400 feet gain, 4,400 feet loss, and one tiring run. One
advantage to the double out and back is that everyone got to see and compare
their place with anyone else. One disadvantage was you knew what you were
getting yourself into for the second round.
My goal for the race was to run consistent and relatively
easy. By this I mean that I did not want to have unnecessary energy depleting
surges in the race. I started slow, relaxed, and in 5th or 6th
place. The consistent, almost monotonous, pace allowed for me to have nearly
identical ascent times for both the first and second ascent. More importantly I
did not waist or use up valuable energy or over extend myself. For both
downhills I took it relatively easy allowing myself to run smoothly through my
stride, not breaking overly hard, yet also not pushing the pace. Half way I
only had a 90 second lead over 2nd and 3rd. However, the
controlled steady pace paid off so that I had a 10-minute lead by the top of
the second climb. I jogged easily down to the finish winning by about 11
minutes. I wore the amazing and versatile Altra Olympus. It provided the needed
traction, support, and cushion that I need to run well.
Staying controlled both during training throughout the week
and during the race paid off. I was more refreshed and less tired after the
race. The win put me in position to win the US Skyrunning Series in November. Train
smart, listen to your body, improve, and enjoy the process.
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