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Archives For November 30, 1999

Two Bottles

May 26, 2013 — Leave a comment

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I tried something different on my 16-mile long run this morning: two handhelds (20 oz. size.) I’ve read about and seen trail runners using two and thought I’d give it a try.

It went pretty good and one thing I noticed was that I drank more frequently – about 36 ounces over the 16.67 I ended up running. I had water in the right and GU Brew in the left.

I was wondering how it would go taking gels. It went ok as well. I was able to hold both handhelds in one hand, fish out the gel, open/eat it, and stash the empty packet in my pocket – all while still running.

I’ll still need to work on technique, but this seems like a good option for longer, unsupported trail runs or ones where the aid stations are further apart and it’s warm/hot. I am also still considering a race vest that carries two bottles (plus other stuff.)

Training Journal – 5/26/13:

  • Current plan: San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 16 mile long run @ 8:43-10:01 pace
  • Comments: I did 16.67 @ 8:47 avg pace
  • Weekly mileage: Running: 20.1 / Bicycling: 26.69
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5/25/2013 Training Journal

May 25, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Rest, errands & chores…and more rest
  • Comments: nada
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Brick

May 24, 2013 — 1 Comment

No, not the quirky character from ABC’s “the middle” [head bow & whisper “middle”]

The one that involves the two pairs of shoes shown below:

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Bike – Run – ICK!

space

I felt like trying (not tri-ing) something a little different this morning…

My workout (the distances of which (8 & 3) were planned to fit in my one-hour workout time):

  • RIDE: 8.25 miles @ 16.3 mph avg. TIME: 30:21
  • TRANSITION: ~5 minutes
  • RUN: 3.43 miles @ 7:59 avg pace. TIME: 27:19
  • TOTAL TIME: ~1:02:40

It was fun and did feel “bricky” when I started my run.  I’m a runner first, so I’m not sure this will become a regular workout.  Oh, and maybe someday I’ll “tri”…

Have a great weekend!

Training Journal – 5/20/13:

  • Current plan: San Francisco Marathon – 2nd Half Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Cross Train: 60 minute bike ride
  • Comments: I Bricked!  My knee was still stiff after the run, but it’s improving.
In Bicycling, Fitness, Running , ,
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Horseshoe Lake 50K Race Report (2013)

May 22, 2013 — 9 Comments

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This past Sunday, I ran my first ultramarathon: Coastal Trail Runs’ Horseshoe Lake 50K. The event was held in the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, Palo Alto, CA and had several other distances to it: 5 mile, a half-marathon, a marathon, and the 50K – drawing a sellout crowd of 68, 113, 38, and 29 respectively.

The weather was excellent. It was about 54 degrees at the start and I would say that it had warmed up to at least 80 when I finished. There wasn’t too much wind to speak of, though there was a nice breeze at certain points on the course.

HL50K_course

50K Course (from my Garmin)

The course was a beautiful mix of rolling fields and forest (I love the Bay Area!) and had a nice mix of single track and dirt road (59% & 41%.) On the first portion of the course, you could see the Pacific Ocean off in the distance (that’s it in the distance on the header photo) and the SF Bay on the 5-mile section. As far as elevation, it was a good mix of climbs, associated downhills, and flats. The total gain listed on Coastal’s site was 4,560′ (my Garmin showed 5,676′.) All runners except for those doing the 5 mile, started a the same time and did an out and back 13.1 route – those doing the full marathon and 50K, did that twice. The 50K runners then ran the 5 mile, out and back route. I wasn’t sure if I would like the routing, thinking it would be boring; but I actually ended up liking it. Running it twice enabled you to know what was coming and plan accordingly (which we’ll see that I still need to improve upon.) All in all, a great course and one that was well suited for a first time 50K: doable, yet challenging (just as Wendell from Coastal had told me when I asked about it prior to registering!)

50K Elevation (from Coastal website)

50K Elevation (from Coastal website)

As usual, the race was well-managed and marked – though I did yell at a few fellow runners I saw heading off in a wrong direction at an intersection. With the out and back course, the aid stations were at the start and mid-point on the half/full/50K course. Aid stations were excellent and the volunteers were super helpful when you arrived. To me, it made the day even better. WAY TO GO COASTAL!

All in all, a great race and one that I will be back to do again…yeah, again!

My Race

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5/21/2013 Training Journal

May 21, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Rest & recover
  • Comments: Right knee is still a bit stiff, but getting better. I may try and ride the bike tomorrow. Horseshoe Lake race report is shaping up and will be done tomorrow…it’s my first ultra, so it’ll be a little longer than most.
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Beat

May 20, 2013 — 2 Comments

Boy, am I glad I had planned to take today off – my body is beat from yesterday’s 50K. I’m generally OK, but my right knee is pretty stiff…ok, good and stiff.

We did go to the movies and saw The Great Gatsby. Pretty good film.

I’m taking a well-deserved break from running for a few days. My body may not be equipped for a marathon and a 50K three weeks apart. (Not saying I won’t do it again, though!) I may ride the bike if i feel up to it later in the week, but we will see.

Giddy-up!

Training Journal – 5/20/13:

  • Current plan: Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Rest & Recover
  • Comments: R&R
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Ultramarathon Number One!

May 19, 2013 — Leave a comment

I ran my first 50K today – the Horseshoe Lake 50K! It was a great run and I ended up with a 6:43:34 @ a 12:46 avg pace. Lots of ‘story’ about this run, which I’ll share later this week in a race report.

For now, I rest…!

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Finish line photo & my race coaster!

Training Journal – 5/19/13:

  • Current plan: Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Race day!
  • Comments: Full story later this week!
  • Weekly mileage: Running: 57.5 / Bicycling: 0
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5/17/2013 Training Journal

May 17, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
  • Today’s session: Rest + day one of carb loading for the Sunday
  • Comments: Worked, rested, review race plans, & chilled
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Equipment Refresh

May 16, 2013 — Leave a comment

As best as I can tell, there are three pieces of equipment that have been with me on almost every mile I’ve run:

  • Garmin Forerunner 210
  • Road ID band
  • Armpocket i-20

Well, two of them had to be “refreshed” this week:

20130515-091409.jpgThe zipper broke on my Armpocket a while back and, given the fact that only one of the two zippers worked anyway (the other one was froze shut from sweat oxidization), I finally broke down and bought a new one. I love this product: it is comfortable, it does not slip, holds everything I need (and probably more), and makes getting to my iPhone easy – even while running. I ended up replacing my i-20 with the i-25 model, just in case I get a new iPhone 5 at some point. BTW, customer support at Armpocket is AWESOME! I sent them a few questions last week and got replies immediately (and they are in Florida!) I highly recommend Armpocket – check them out!

20130516-182732.jpgThe band on my Road ID broke while taking it off – not a knock on their product, I probably pulled the band too far. I had an extra one already (black, which is kinda boring), but ordered some replacements: red and orange! I also highly recommend Road ID as well!

Training Journal – 5/16/13:

  • Current plan: Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 4 mile run
  • Comments: I did 4.35 @ 8:40 avg pace
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5/15/2013 Training Journal

May 15, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: Horseshoe Lake 50K Training Plan
  • Today’s session: 6 mile run
  • Comments: I did 6.65 @ 8:41 avg pace
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