Very slow week, schedule didn't allow for much running, and it's Christmas! Numbers are a bit skewed as I was supposed to do 60k on Sunday, but had a conflict and couldn't so I'll run it on the following Tuesday instead. That means next week will be way higher.
Mon - 1hr ebike, core workout
Tues - upper body workout
Wed - 30min ebike
Thurs - off
Fri - 10k trail
Sat - Christmas!
Sun - off
Total: 10k plus 1.5hr ebike
So I guess I pretty much took the week off, it was just too hectic between kids and Christmas shopping.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Week in Review: Dec 13th - Dec 19th (4 Weeks to HURT)
Only 4 weeks to go! I'm scared! This week again didn't have mileage as high as I'd like, but I did what I could. I've had my eye on the calendar for Sunday's run for quite some time. I'd planned for awhile now that I'll use this run to make a final 100% decision on whether I would be ok for HURT or not. Good news is, after running for 10 and a half hours, ZERO shin pain! This KT tape is working like magic! Looks like it might be almost healed before Hawaii, way better than expected. So, that's that, I'm Hawaii bound for sure!
Mon - upper body workout
Tues - 10k trail, 30min stairs
Wed - 9k trail
Thurs - 10k trail, 30min stairs
Fri - 30min ebike
Sat - off
Sun - 60k trail
Total: 89k trail / 1hr stairs / 30min ebike
I wasn't able to get a longer run in mid-week, schedule sucked this week. I was also a little under the weather (maybe from 40k in the rain last Sunday?), so I skipped doing many workouts this week. I have started carrying a couple of 10 lb dumbbells during my stair climbs, makes it tougher but also strengthening my forearms which usually cramp on me during very long runs. Usually I'll put down the dumbbells for my final ascent/decent and sprint it up and down, the sudden loss of weight makes me feel light as a feather.
Sunday was nuts. I got up at 3am, out the door at 4:45am (apparently I had a lot to do still that I hadn't though of the night before). I didn't get a lot of sleep Friday night as I had my company Christmas Party, then slept about 5hrs Sat night so forcing myself to get up at 3am knowing what I was about to do was not fun.
I did my usual drive thru McDonalds for some pre-run breakfast, but they were still serving dinner! WTF? Who has dinner at 4:45am? So it was burger and fries for breakfast, should've known I was in for a weird day at that point. I drove up to Durham Forest and Walker Woods, hoping to get a long run in on a hilly trail. Well, I didn't realize that Durham Region is actually located in Siberia! There was WAY more snow than I expected. The trails at home are almost snow-free, just hard frozen dirt. Not here! By the time I got there and started to run, it was 6:30am. After about 2 minutes I was wondering what the hell I was thinking and considered abandoning the whole thing as my feet kept plunging through the snow. Originally, I was hoping to do 80km, but I'd started a hour and a half later than planned; and now running through the snow I knew there was no way that was going to happen. I was thinking 40k would be a challenge at this point.
Walker Woods and Durham Forest are located across the road from each other. I had a map of each, along with a planned 20k route for each that someone designed for the Eat Dirt run which I had to skip last month due to my shin. I did Walker Woods first, simply because it has numbered signposts along the trail, which you'd think would lessen the chances of me getting lost in the dark.....but my natural ability for getting lost trumped the signposts! I got lost countless times.
It was very slow in the beginning in the dark, I tried to follow the signposts but wasn't sure which way was which at some of the intersections. Whenever I realized I was going the wrong way, I'd just follow my own footprints back. Mine were obviously the only fresh prints to be seen, so that was easy. Later on when I was back on track, I'd come across my own footprints from when I was lost earlier! The top of each signpost is angled, but eventually I noticed that there was something on it. I wiped the snow off and realized that each numbered signpost also has a map on top of it, even showing which way you're facing! Crap, I wish I knew that earlier, but the tops of each post were covered in snow so I never noticed. This should stop me from getting lost, right? Wrong, just made it less frequent. I really didn't mind getting lost, as long as I kept moving I was achieving what I came for.
Some parts of the snow were packed down pretty good from all the cross country skiers, but mostly my feet would sink. Sometimes just a bit, sometimes up to my knee! I tried to follow the course maps for Eat Dirt, but a lot of the trails I was supposed to follow were not skier friendly, which meant deep, unpacked fresh snow. I also forgot my gaiters, which go on top my shoe to keep dirt or snow out. Oops, might have come in handy here.
By the time I eventually got back to the car, I'd run 24km in this crap. I started the car for a few minutes to warm up. There were now a bunch of other cars in the lot from all the skiers. I was the only dork running around out there. I ate a slice of pizza, a Mr. Noodles (still hot in a thermos, yum),a lot of chips and drank some Eload. I also changed all my shirts as they were soaked though. My feet were freezing, but changing to dry socks would be useless after a few minutes of running.
I headed across the street into Durham Forest this time. I wasn't sure about this as there's no signposts, and if I can get lost with numbered, mapped signposts then I'm going to be screwed without them. I figured I'll give it a try then turn around if it's a problem. Yup, it was a problem pretty quick, but I kept going anyway. There were more people in Durham Forest, along with hikers and even some mountain bikers. The main wide trials were packed down so people could almost bike on them (didn't look like it was working very well to me).
Back to the car again, now at 43km. Same meal as last time, then I headed out again, back to Walker Woods and the life saving signposts. The battery in my Garmin GPS watch only lasts 10 hours, so I also started the timer on another watch, just in case. I also brought along my headlamp in my pack, knowing it would be dark before I'm back again.
I just did my own crazy route this time, then was back at the car at 55km. I grabbed my flashlight and went back out in the dark for a final 5km. There were still 2 cars other than mine in the parking lot. I came upon a couple with a child in a sled about 500 metres from the parking lot. I insisted they take my flashlight (I also had my headlamp), I told them to just leave it by my car but they refused. There was only one more turn and it was straight back to the lot, so they said they didn't need it. I then came upon another couple on skis who had headlamps, so they would pass the other couple soon anyway so I'm pretty sure everyone lived.
So, long story short, 10hrs 25minutes of stomping through this crap, I covered a measly 60km. The sun came up, the sun went down, I was still running. As a comparison, less than 2 months ago when I ran Horror Hill trail race, that was 60km in 6 hours on a trail with no snow and less hills. So this was now the 2nd longest run I've ever done time-wise, but distance-wise not so much.
I checked my time after 32km, which will be the distance of one of the five loops at HURT, and it took 5hrs 30 minutes. That's about the same pace I'd figured for HURT, for the first loop anyway. The next 4 loops will increase in time, with last one taking 8 or 9 hrs likely.
I felt great after the run (ok, maybe a little tired!), and absolutely no shin pain whatsoever. That was quite a surprise! My first pain free run in a long time. I think running in the snow and my feet sliding with every step was some good training for all of the running in mud I'll be doing in Hawaii. Hopefully the mud is warmer! I did somehow manage to step on a twig that actually pierced right through the bottom of my shoe! I'm not sure how this happened, these shoes have a stone shield in the bottom, just not a twig shield! Obviously some form of super-twig. I had to use pliers to pull it out, now there's a hole right through the bottom of my shoe.
Next week will be messed up. Got the kids most of the week, but when I do get free time I'll need to Christmas shop so this will most likely be a low-mileage week (even though my mileage is already way lower than it should be). As always, I'll do my best and see what happens. I'll get more workouts in next week, as this week I skipped all core and leg workouts. I'm now tightening up the diet until HURT, good timing as Christmas approaches! I'll just try to avoid too much crap. I'll need to start gathering what I need for HURT also. I ordered 2 boxes of gels and a box of single pack Eload from running room, should be here this week. Time to make a list. I also bought a new bathing suit today, I'll check that off the list!
Mon - upper body workout
Tues - 10k trail, 30min stairs
Wed - 9k trail
Thurs - 10k trail, 30min stairs
Fri - 30min ebike
Sat - off
Sun - 60k trail
Total: 89k trail / 1hr stairs / 30min ebike
I wasn't able to get a longer run in mid-week, schedule sucked this week. I was also a little under the weather (maybe from 40k in the rain last Sunday?), so I skipped doing many workouts this week. I have started carrying a couple of 10 lb dumbbells during my stair climbs, makes it tougher but also strengthening my forearms which usually cramp on me during very long runs. Usually I'll put down the dumbbells for my final ascent/decent and sprint it up and down, the sudden loss of weight makes me feel light as a feather.
Sunday was nuts. I got up at 3am, out the door at 4:45am (apparently I had a lot to do still that I hadn't though of the night before). I didn't get a lot of sleep Friday night as I had my company Christmas Party, then slept about 5hrs Sat night so forcing myself to get up at 3am knowing what I was about to do was not fun.
I did my usual drive thru McDonalds for some pre-run breakfast, but they were still serving dinner! WTF? Who has dinner at 4:45am? So it was burger and fries for breakfast, should've known I was in for a weird day at that point. I drove up to Durham Forest and Walker Woods, hoping to get a long run in on a hilly trail. Well, I didn't realize that Durham Region is actually located in Siberia! There was WAY more snow than I expected. The trails at home are almost snow-free, just hard frozen dirt. Not here! By the time I got there and started to run, it was 6:30am. After about 2 minutes I was wondering what the hell I was thinking and considered abandoning the whole thing as my feet kept plunging through the snow. Originally, I was hoping to do 80km, but I'd started a hour and a half later than planned; and now running through the snow I knew there was no way that was going to happen. I was thinking 40k would be a challenge at this point.
Walker Woods and Durham Forest are located across the road from each other. I had a map of each, along with a planned 20k route for each that someone designed for the Eat Dirt run which I had to skip last month due to my shin. I did Walker Woods first, simply because it has numbered signposts along the trail, which you'd think would lessen the chances of me getting lost in the dark.....but my natural ability for getting lost trumped the signposts! I got lost countless times.
It was very slow in the beginning in the dark, I tried to follow the signposts but wasn't sure which way was which at some of the intersections. Whenever I realized I was going the wrong way, I'd just follow my own footprints back. Mine were obviously the only fresh prints to be seen, so that was easy. Later on when I was back on track, I'd come across my own footprints from when I was lost earlier! The top of each signpost is angled, but eventually I noticed that there was something on it. I wiped the snow off and realized that each numbered signpost also has a map on top of it, even showing which way you're facing! Crap, I wish I knew that earlier, but the tops of each post were covered in snow so I never noticed. This should stop me from getting lost, right? Wrong, just made it less frequent. I really didn't mind getting lost, as long as I kept moving I was achieving what I came for.
Some parts of the snow were packed down pretty good from all the cross country skiers, but mostly my feet would sink. Sometimes just a bit, sometimes up to my knee! I tried to follow the course maps for Eat Dirt, but a lot of the trails I was supposed to follow were not skier friendly, which meant deep, unpacked fresh snow. I also forgot my gaiters, which go on top my shoe to keep dirt or snow out. Oops, might have come in handy here.
By the time I eventually got back to the car, I'd run 24km in this crap. I started the car for a few minutes to warm up. There were now a bunch of other cars in the lot from all the skiers. I was the only dork running around out there. I ate a slice of pizza, a Mr. Noodles (still hot in a thermos, yum),a lot of chips and drank some Eload. I also changed all my shirts as they were soaked though. My feet were freezing, but changing to dry socks would be useless after a few minutes of running.
I headed across the street into Durham Forest this time. I wasn't sure about this as there's no signposts, and if I can get lost with numbered, mapped signposts then I'm going to be screwed without them. I figured I'll give it a try then turn around if it's a problem. Yup, it was a problem pretty quick, but I kept going anyway. There were more people in Durham Forest, along with hikers and even some mountain bikers. The main wide trials were packed down so people could almost bike on them (didn't look like it was working very well to me).
Back to the car again, now at 43km. Same meal as last time, then I headed out again, back to Walker Woods and the life saving signposts. The battery in my Garmin GPS watch only lasts 10 hours, so I also started the timer on another watch, just in case. I also brought along my headlamp in my pack, knowing it would be dark before I'm back again.
I just did my own crazy route this time, then was back at the car at 55km. I grabbed my flashlight and went back out in the dark for a final 5km. There were still 2 cars other than mine in the parking lot. I came upon a couple with a child in a sled about 500 metres from the parking lot. I insisted they take my flashlight (I also had my headlamp), I told them to just leave it by my car but they refused. There was only one more turn and it was straight back to the lot, so they said they didn't need it. I then came upon another couple on skis who had headlamps, so they would pass the other couple soon anyway so I'm pretty sure everyone lived.
So, long story short, 10hrs 25minutes of stomping through this crap, I covered a measly 60km. The sun came up, the sun went down, I was still running. As a comparison, less than 2 months ago when I ran Horror Hill trail race, that was 60km in 6 hours on a trail with no snow and less hills. So this was now the 2nd longest run I've ever done time-wise, but distance-wise not so much.
I checked my time after 32km, which will be the distance of one of the five loops at HURT, and it took 5hrs 30 minutes. That's about the same pace I'd figured for HURT, for the first loop anyway. The next 4 loops will increase in time, with last one taking 8 or 9 hrs likely.
I felt great after the run (ok, maybe a little tired!), and absolutely no shin pain whatsoever. That was quite a surprise! My first pain free run in a long time. I think running in the snow and my feet sliding with every step was some good training for all of the running in mud I'll be doing in Hawaii. Hopefully the mud is warmer! I did somehow manage to step on a twig that actually pierced right through the bottom of my shoe! I'm not sure how this happened, these shoes have a stone shield in the bottom, just not a twig shield! Obviously some form of super-twig. I had to use pliers to pull it out, now there's a hole right through the bottom of my shoe.
Next week will be messed up. Got the kids most of the week, but when I do get free time I'll need to Christmas shop so this will most likely be a low-mileage week (even though my mileage is already way lower than it should be). As always, I'll do my best and see what happens. I'll get more workouts in next week, as this week I skipped all core and leg workouts. I'm now tightening up the diet until HURT, good timing as Christmas approaches! I'll just try to avoid too much crap. I'll need to start gathering what I need for HURT also. I ordered 2 boxes of gels and a box of single pack Eload from running room, should be here this week. Time to make a list. I also bought a new bathing suit today, I'll check that off the list!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Week in Review: Dec 6th - Dec 12th (5 Weeks to HURT)
This week was crazy. I though it would be really low mileage, but I ended up having a chance to run on the weekend so it wasn't too bad. I finally found some tape called 'Rocktape', which is basically a different brand of KT tape, worked great and my shin felt pretty good after a 40k.
Mon - off
Tues - 17k trail, 30min stairs, 30min ebike, core workout
Wed - 30min ebike, upper body workout
Thurs - leg workout, core workout
Fri - 20k trail, 30 min stairs, 30 min ebike
Sat - off
Sun - 40k trail
Total: 77k trail / 1 hr stairs / 1.5hr ebike
I only had a few chances to run this week as I had the kids most mornings and evenings. I was supposed to have them all weekend, so I actually took a vacation day on Thursday just so I could run. Next week I plan to do a long run in Durham Forest which will start early and in the dark, but I've never been there so I really wanted to run there in the daylight first. The plan was to get in 40k there on Thursday, but my daughter threw up in the morning so I ended up using my vacation day to cuddle and watch Family Channel with her all day. At this point I though this was my only chance to run and so I'd finish the week with 17k from Tuesday, but then it turned out I didn't have the kids Friday evening (got in a 20k) and Sunday.
Sunday was stupid. I knew a snowstorm was on the way, so I got up at 5am hoping to beat the worst of it. I was out late and didn't get to sleep until 2am, so I only got 3hrs sleep. When I left the house it was pouring rain, just above freezing. As I headed north away from the lake, it got colder and it all turned to snow. LOTS of snow. They were saying on the radio that Durham Region would get dumped on, which was evident when I got there. I made it to a few hundred metres away from the trail entrance, but there was too much snow to turn onto the last road, and it was only 8am! Even if I was able to make my way down to it and park, it was supposed to snow all day so there's no way I'd get my crappy Kia out of there. I was pissed, I got up early and drove for an hour and 15 minutes and I had to turn around!
I decided to make the best of it, I drove all the way out to Ancaster back to the Sulpher Springs course I ran last week. I figured this was more south and close to the lake. Even if it was cold enough to snow, it's just off a major road so driving won't be a problem. Turns out it was just above freezing, so there was no snow, just pouring rain all day! I got there at 10:40am, after driving for almost 4 friggin hours. I ran a 20k loop, and got drenched. When I got back to the car, I changed into dry shirts and then did another 20k loop. I had been planning for 60k today (shin permitting), but I was out of time. After 40k it was now getting dark, I hadn't counted on driving 4hrs this morning so I didn't bring a light with me to run in the dark. I felt great though (although very cold and wet now), could have kept going.
Now, my shin. I had been wearing my white athletic tape all week during runs, this shit is really starting to irritate my skin though. On Saturday I found some Rocktape which Running Room just started carrying. It's much more comfortable, doesn't irritate the skin, has some stretch to it and you can wear it for a few days including showering (20 bucks a roll, compared to the white shit at 5 bucks a roll). I put it on for the first time on Sunday morning before the 40k. When I put it on, I thought it had too much stretch to it and I really didn't think it would do anything. Wow, was I wrong. My shin felt GREAT. It got a little sore at one point at about 25k but then the feeling went away. I can't even feel this tape, whereas the white shit pulls at my skin. I still need to learn how to apply it properly, but it was fantastic. We'll see how it handles a longer run next weekend.
So next week I can't get too many decent runs in during the week due to a crappy schedule, but that's ok as next Sunday I'm planning for an 80k out in Durham Forest. This trail is supposed to be much rougher and hillier than trails like Sulpher, so this won't be an easy run. I'll have to start in the dark on a trail I've never been on, this could be good. Hopefully the weather co-operates this time, along with my shin.
Mon - off
Tues - 17k trail, 30min stairs, 30min ebike, core workout
Wed - 30min ebike, upper body workout
Thurs - leg workout, core workout
Fri - 20k trail, 30 min stairs, 30 min ebike
Sat - off
Sun - 40k trail
Total: 77k trail / 1 hr stairs / 1.5hr ebike
I only had a few chances to run this week as I had the kids most mornings and evenings. I was supposed to have them all weekend, so I actually took a vacation day on Thursday just so I could run. Next week I plan to do a long run in Durham Forest which will start early and in the dark, but I've never been there so I really wanted to run there in the daylight first. The plan was to get in 40k there on Thursday, but my daughter threw up in the morning so I ended up using my vacation day to cuddle and watch Family Channel with her all day. At this point I though this was my only chance to run and so I'd finish the week with 17k from Tuesday, but then it turned out I didn't have the kids Friday evening (got in a 20k) and Sunday.
Sunday was stupid. I knew a snowstorm was on the way, so I got up at 5am hoping to beat the worst of it. I was out late and didn't get to sleep until 2am, so I only got 3hrs sleep. When I left the house it was pouring rain, just above freezing. As I headed north away from the lake, it got colder and it all turned to snow. LOTS of snow. They were saying on the radio that Durham Region would get dumped on, which was evident when I got there. I made it to a few hundred metres away from the trail entrance, but there was too much snow to turn onto the last road, and it was only 8am! Even if I was able to make my way down to it and park, it was supposed to snow all day so there's no way I'd get my crappy Kia out of there. I was pissed, I got up early and drove for an hour and 15 minutes and I had to turn around!
I decided to make the best of it, I drove all the way out to Ancaster back to the Sulpher Springs course I ran last week. I figured this was more south and close to the lake. Even if it was cold enough to snow, it's just off a major road so driving won't be a problem. Turns out it was just above freezing, so there was no snow, just pouring rain all day! I got there at 10:40am, after driving for almost 4 friggin hours. I ran a 20k loop, and got drenched. When I got back to the car, I changed into dry shirts and then did another 20k loop. I had been planning for 60k today (shin permitting), but I was out of time. After 40k it was now getting dark, I hadn't counted on driving 4hrs this morning so I didn't bring a light with me to run in the dark. I felt great though (although very cold and wet now), could have kept going.
Now, my shin. I had been wearing my white athletic tape all week during runs, this shit is really starting to irritate my skin though. On Saturday I found some Rocktape which Running Room just started carrying. It's much more comfortable, doesn't irritate the skin, has some stretch to it and you can wear it for a few days including showering (20 bucks a roll, compared to the white shit at 5 bucks a roll). I put it on for the first time on Sunday morning before the 40k. When I put it on, I thought it had too much stretch to it and I really didn't think it would do anything. Wow, was I wrong. My shin felt GREAT. It got a little sore at one point at about 25k but then the feeling went away. I can't even feel this tape, whereas the white shit pulls at my skin. I still need to learn how to apply it properly, but it was fantastic. We'll see how it handles a longer run next weekend.
So next week I can't get too many decent runs in during the week due to a crappy schedule, but that's ok as next Sunday I'm planning for an 80k out in Durham Forest. This trail is supposed to be much rougher and hillier than trails like Sulpher, so this won't be an easy run. I'll have to start in the dark on a trail I've never been on, this could be good. Hopefully the weather co-operates this time, along with my shin.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Week in Review: Nov 29th - Dec 5th (6 Weeks to HURT)
Ouch. Shin still sore, I'm just getting used to running in pain now. Pretty good week, finished off with a great run on Sunday with some other runners.
Mon - off
Tues - 9k trial, 45min stairs, upper body workout, core workout
Wed - 30min ebike
Thurs - 22k trail, 30min stairs, 30min ebike
Fri - 30min ebike
Sat - 10k trail
Sun - 39k trail
Total: 80k trail / 1h 15min stairs / 1.5hr ebike
My shin was starting to feel pretty good until Sunday's run. After watching about 1000 instructional youtube videos, I finally figured out a way to tape my lower leg that helps relieve pressure from my shin. I'm using athletic tape for now, but I need to find some kinesio tape which has a little stretch to it. The first time I taped it this way, it felt MUCH better right away. So now I have to tape my leg before every run until this gets better. Even taped up, after 30k on Sunday it still got really bad. So after 30k and it starts killing me at HURT, I'll just have another 130k to go to the finish, no problem.
Most of my runs are in the dark now, so it's much slower. I'm getting used to seeing so many eyes staring back at me in the dark. Thursday night I saw at least 10 deer. Sometimes they don't move away much from the trail, they're used to people I guess. I make some noise and scare them off, I don't like to get too close in case I come across a mother with young around. Would be a good fight though.
Sunday was great. I was invited along for one Monica's fun runs. Monica Scholz hosts a fun run once a month over the winter at the Sulpher Springs race course in Ancaster. If you don't know Monica, she holds the record for the most 100 mile races in one year at 25, which she just set last weekend. The previous record was 23, which she also set back in 2001. Last week was the 111th 100 mile race she's done. She's also done HURT more times than anyone, she's finished it the last 10 years in a row and she'll be back when I go in January. Here's an article from last week: Hamilton Spectator Scholz Article
Most of the people at the run have done 100 milers, a few had done HURT also. I bugged Monica and some others for more info and tips, it's so helpful to talk to people who've done it.
The run started at 6am, which means I had to leave my house by 5am, so I had to get up at 3:30am. I think I slept about 4hrs. There were about 8 of us running at 6am to do a 20k loop. More people showed up at 9am for the next loop if they only wanted to do 20km, maybe 15 people or so total now. Monica's dad even sets up an aid station 'Scholzy's Deli' every few km. He pulls up in his SUV, then had a table waiting for us with a propane heater, hot apple cider, various drinks and all sorts of munchies, a full table! After we leave he packs it all up and meets us again later on the course. I think it was 5 times per 20k loop. Very nice of him to do this, I'm sure he's got better things to do at 6am on Sunday (like sleeping)!
It was very casual and slow, which is good for my shin. After the first 20k, my shin was aching but not too bad. The 2nd loop was a little faster, so at about 35km it was the worst, very very painful. I can't imagine 100 miles on it the way it is now. I found a way to run landing on my toes which felt much better after this. Wound up being 39k according to my GPS, but took just under 6hrs, not exactly a record. Had a great time chatting with all the other runners though.
After the run, Monica has everyone over to her house for a meal, she just lives a few minutes down the road. About 8 people or so came back to her place, some hot chili really hit the spot! Her hospitality to everyone was great along with her family. Her parents also came and visited with everyone. Very, very nice people.
So, my shin is FUBAR and doesn't seem to be getting better. The taping definitely helps, but I was hoping it would have felt better than it did after a slow 39k. This coming week will be low mileage as I've got the kids all weekend. My shin will thank me though. I'm going to try to get my hands on some kinesio tape, see if I can tape this thing properly.
Mon - off
Tues - 9k trial, 45min stairs, upper body workout, core workout
Wed - 30min ebike
Thurs - 22k trail, 30min stairs, 30min ebike
Fri - 30min ebike
Sat - 10k trail
Sun - 39k trail
Total: 80k trail / 1h 15min stairs / 1.5hr ebike
My shin was starting to feel pretty good until Sunday's run. After watching about 1000 instructional youtube videos, I finally figured out a way to tape my lower leg that helps relieve pressure from my shin. I'm using athletic tape for now, but I need to find some kinesio tape which has a little stretch to it. The first time I taped it this way, it felt MUCH better right away. So now I have to tape my leg before every run until this gets better. Even taped up, after 30k on Sunday it still got really bad. So after 30k and it starts killing me at HURT, I'll just have another 130k to go to the finish, no problem.
Most of my runs are in the dark now, so it's much slower. I'm getting used to seeing so many eyes staring back at me in the dark. Thursday night I saw at least 10 deer. Sometimes they don't move away much from the trail, they're used to people I guess. I make some noise and scare them off, I don't like to get too close in case I come across a mother with young around. Would be a good fight though.
Sunday was great. I was invited along for one Monica's fun runs. Monica Scholz hosts a fun run once a month over the winter at the Sulpher Springs race course in Ancaster. If you don't know Monica, she holds the record for the most 100 mile races in one year at 25, which she just set last weekend. The previous record was 23, which she also set back in 2001. Last week was the 111th 100 mile race she's done. She's also done HURT more times than anyone, she's finished it the last 10 years in a row and she'll be back when I go in January. Here's an article from last week: Hamilton Spectator Scholz Article
Most of the people at the run have done 100 milers, a few had done HURT also. I bugged Monica and some others for more info and tips, it's so helpful to talk to people who've done it.
The run started at 6am, which means I had to leave my house by 5am, so I had to get up at 3:30am. I think I slept about 4hrs. There were about 8 of us running at 6am to do a 20k loop. More people showed up at 9am for the next loop if they only wanted to do 20km, maybe 15 people or so total now. Monica's dad even sets up an aid station 'Scholzy's Deli' every few km. He pulls up in his SUV, then had a table waiting for us with a propane heater, hot apple cider, various drinks and all sorts of munchies, a full table! After we leave he packs it all up and meets us again later on the course. I think it was 5 times per 20k loop. Very nice of him to do this, I'm sure he's got better things to do at 6am on Sunday (like sleeping)!
It was very casual and slow, which is good for my shin. After the first 20k, my shin was aching but not too bad. The 2nd loop was a little faster, so at about 35km it was the worst, very very painful. I can't imagine 100 miles on it the way it is now. I found a way to run landing on my toes which felt much better after this. Wound up being 39k according to my GPS, but took just under 6hrs, not exactly a record. Had a great time chatting with all the other runners though.
After the run, Monica has everyone over to her house for a meal, she just lives a few minutes down the road. About 8 people or so came back to her place, some hot chili really hit the spot! Her hospitality to everyone was great along with her family. Her parents also came and visited with everyone. Very, very nice people.
So, my shin is FUBAR and doesn't seem to be getting better. The taping definitely helps, but I was hoping it would have felt better than it did after a slow 39k. This coming week will be low mileage as I've got the kids all weekend. My shin will thank me though. I'm going to try to get my hands on some kinesio tape, see if I can tape this thing properly.
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