Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Total Distance: 2.9 m
Time: 35:00
Location: Treadmill
Total Miles: 241.90 m
Total Time: 38:22
Elevation Gain: 3643 ft
With temperatures looming at the 112 degree mark for basically the last 2 weeks straight my running has been reduced to a trickle. I have found little time with work and other "adult" things clogging my entrance to the awaiting trail. However, a trip to the White Mountains this weekend will hopefully bring atleast one good run on the trails. I have been mainly concentrating on steep runs on the treadmill as I was not too happy with my overall performance on the steeper portions of the Highline Trail that I ran a few weeks back so my main focus has been running at a decent pace for half mile increments of inclines stretching anywhere from 7%-15% on the treadmill. I can honestly say that I would rather run in the open mountain air with the 90 degree sun beating down on me than slugging it out on these damn treadmills at a 15% incline. Ugghh.
Time: 35:00
Location: Treadmill
Total Miles: 241.90 m
Total Time: 38:22
Elevation Gain: 3643 ft
With temperatures looming at the 112 degree mark for basically the last 2 weeks straight my running has been reduced to a trickle. I have found little time with work and other "adult" things clogging my entrance to the awaiting trail. However, a trip to the White Mountains this weekend will hopefully bring atleast one good run on the trails. I have been mainly concentrating on steep runs on the treadmill as I was not too happy with my overall performance on the steeper portions of the Highline Trail that I ran a few weeks back so my main focus has been running at a decent pace for half mile increments of inclines stretching anywhere from 7%-15% on the treadmill. I can honestly say that I would rather run in the open mountain air with the 90 degree sun beating down on me than slugging it out on these damn treadmills at a 15% incline. Ugghh.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Mogollon Rim/South Mountain Runs
Total Distance: 8.9 m
Time: 1:43
Location: South Mountain; Pyramid Trail, Pine, Arizona, Pine Trailhead/Highline Trail
Total Miles: 239.00 m
Total Time: 37:47
Elevation Gain: 3643 ft
I have a love, hate relationship with the state of Arizona. I find it hard to believe sometimes that I decided on the desert as the place I hang my hat. Reason being, there are those days where the heat, the death (of most living things in the low desert), and the landscape of my desert home just eat away at my motivation to do mostly anything. However, I do find myself some days coming to a truce with my dry, deserted friend and agreeing that when you can look past "green" as being the epitome of beauty; ie green pastures, trees, lawns, forests, etc. then you can realize that Arizona has it's perks and it's tiny little pleasures that it call's it's own.
After a routine run atop South Mountain on Pyramid trail for a measly few miles in the 100+ degree heat, I finally made the long awaited trek up to the Mogollon Rim's Highline Trail for a relatively short but grueling 6 mile run today. I knew I would enjoy the run considering it is both scenic and more importantly at 5000+ altitude. I was not let down. The trail which was easy to access, lead immediately through an open acreage of ponderosa pine's with little shade, letting the 85 degree weather seem a little hotter than normal. Then immediately came the ascent. I knew from the trail map that it would have a fair share of vert right from the get go and even though I held strong for the first 1.25 miles the Rim proceeded to chew me up like a chunk of jerky. I had hydrated myself plenty and got in enough calories I felt to hold me over but over the course of a little under 3 miles up this Rim the vert/elevation just took its toll. However, I do feel like I held my own especially on some of the tough climbs as I just concentrated on the perks of finally getting to the top and taking in the views. I ran most of the tough climbs with a good groove and only really hit rock bottom on a few of the initial climbs.
Now, as some of you may know, this is the same route that the Zane Grey 50 ultra-marathon is run on and I took solace in the fact that I knew that no more than 90 days or so prior Geoff Roes floated through those same trails, breathing in the same views on the way to his strong victory at the ZG50. So in short, it was an amazing experience and an amazing trail.
All in all the run was super awesome and one that I will stroll down again, maybe with a bib on someday?
Time: 1:43
Location: South Mountain; Pyramid Trail, Pine, Arizona, Pine Trailhead/Highline Trail
Total Miles: 239.00 m
Total Time: 37:47
Elevation Gain: 3643 ft
I have a love, hate relationship with the state of Arizona. I find it hard to believe sometimes that I decided on the desert as the place I hang my hat. Reason being, there are those days where the heat, the death (of most living things in the low desert), and the landscape of my desert home just eat away at my motivation to do mostly anything. However, I do find myself some days coming to a truce with my dry, deserted friend and agreeing that when you can look past "green" as being the epitome of beauty; ie green pastures, trees, lawns, forests, etc. then you can realize that Arizona has it's perks and it's tiny little pleasures that it call's it's own.
After a routine run atop South Mountain on Pyramid trail for a measly few miles in the 100+ degree heat, I finally made the long awaited trek up to the Mogollon Rim's Highline Trail for a relatively short but grueling 6 mile run today. I knew I would enjoy the run considering it is both scenic and more importantly at 5000+ altitude. I was not let down. The trail which was easy to access, lead immediately through an open acreage of ponderosa pine's with little shade, letting the 85 degree weather seem a little hotter than normal. Then immediately came the ascent. I knew from the trail map that it would have a fair share of vert right from the get go and even though I held strong for the first 1.25 miles the Rim proceeded to chew me up like a chunk of jerky. I had hydrated myself plenty and got in enough calories I felt to hold me over but over the course of a little under 3 miles up this Rim the vert/elevation just took its toll. However, I do feel like I held my own especially on some of the tough climbs as I just concentrated on the perks of finally getting to the top and taking in the views. I ran most of the tough climbs with a good groove and only really hit rock bottom on a few of the initial climbs.
Now, as some of you may know, this is the same route that the Zane Grey 50 ultra-marathon is run on and I took solace in the fact that I knew that no more than 90 days or so prior Geoff Roes floated through those same trails, breathing in the same views on the way to his strong victory at the ZG50. So in short, it was an amazing experience and an amazing trail.
All in all the run was super awesome and one that I will stroll down again, maybe with a bib on someday?
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Highline Trail/Zane Grey Course Run
So I think I was able to wipe my slate clean of chores for the weekend and free myself up for a short drive up northeast of Phoenix on Sunday to what we here in the valley of the sun call "Rim Country" for a much delayed run on the Highline Trailhead, east of Payson. Some may know the area or trailhead as the starting point of the Zane Grey 50 Miler which is run the 4th week of April, zig zagging across the Mogollon Rim in one of the toughest 50 milers in the country.
Needless to say I am stoked for the trip and ensuing run. I will try to get some snapshots of the course/trails to post shortly after.
Off to sleep, dreaming of packed, shaded singletrack and flowing, bubbling streams.
Needless to say I am stoked for the trip and ensuing run. I will try to get some snapshots of the course/trails to post shortly after.
Off to sleep, dreaming of packed, shaded singletrack and flowing, bubbling streams.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Treadmill Monotony
Total Distance: 7.1 m
Time: 1:07
Location: Treadmill(Uphill/Incline)
Total Miles: 230.10 m
Total Time: 36:04
Time: 1:07
Location: Treadmill(Uphill/Incline)
Total Miles: 230.10 m
Total Time: 36:04
Total Elevation Gain:
This past week showed no signs of cooling down at any point. The low for the week was 106 degrees so my endeavors were forced indoors once again and that partnered with a busy work schedule has seen me only manage 2 days on the treadmill over the past week. Thankfully though the 2 runs were successful in terms of incline running. I was able to maintain both runs at a little over 3 miles each and with significant inclines for the duration of each run. I am happy my endurance going uphill, I just need to find the right time to start making longer runs a staple on the weekends. No excuses. I am looking at maybe going up north to the Mogollon Rim this weekend for a 8 mile run along Christopher Creek. The elevation is about 6500 feet so I should know how my fitness has come along by completing this run since a large portion is on a steady incline. On another note, my nutrition has improved a bit and I think I can feel it in my running. I am noticing that my recovery after these longer uphill runs is progressing to the point that I think I can run alot longer and even at a higher incline with little stress on my muscles, knees, etc.
That is all for now. Hope y'all enjoyed my little piece of ear candy.
This past week showed no signs of cooling down at any point. The low for the week was 106 degrees so my endeavors were forced indoors once again and that partnered with a busy work schedule has seen me only manage 2 days on the treadmill over the past week. Thankfully though the 2 runs were successful in terms of incline running. I was able to maintain both runs at a little over 3 miles each and with significant inclines for the duration of each run. I am happy my endurance going uphill, I just need to find the right time to start making longer runs a staple on the weekends. No excuses. I am looking at maybe going up north to the Mogollon Rim this weekend for a 8 mile run along Christopher Creek. The elevation is about 6500 feet so I should know how my fitness has come along by completing this run since a large portion is on a steady incline. On another note, my nutrition has improved a bit and I think I can feel it in my running. I am noticing that my recovery after these longer uphill runs is progressing to the point that I think I can run alot longer and even at a higher incline with little stress on my muscles, knees, etc.
That is all for now. Hope y'all enjoyed my little piece of ear candy.
Monday, August 1, 2011
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