end of feb

i'm a bit tired so i'll let the slightly less tired version of me talk...





22nd - 4.5 mi w/300' at Lake Oglethorpe.
23rd - 0
24th - 21.6 mi w/7,500' at Table Rock.
25th - 0
26th - 22.0 mi w/5,600' to Rocky Top in the Smokies.
27th - 28.8 mi w/10,000' at Table Rock.
28th - 14.4 mi w/5,000' at Table Rock.
29th - 28.8 mi w/10,000' at Table Rock.


totals for week 4+ are: 120.1 mi w/38,400'
bringing the february total 406.8mi w/100,000'

feb week 3

A good week. first two days i was dragging, and the heartbreak 100k didn't go exactly as planned....i felt fine thru the night, but only 11 miles into the rattle run i was exhausted and my feet hurt (shoes too tight). i decided not to struggle and called it a day after kitsuma, wondering if that was the right call. fortunately it seems like it was, my legs were basically recovered the next day and i felt solid for 5 hours on the table rock trail, boosting the totals appreciably. the end of the week has been a contrast to the last, i cranked very well on monday and tuesday.

below you'll find some footage from the second big run of the weekend, 7500' of gain in 21 miles, 3 laps on table rock. the footage may be a bit boring but stick around for the music and the ending.

15th - 4.5 mi w/300' at Lake Oglethorpe.

16th - 11.5 mi w/800' at Lake Oglethorpe.

17th/18th - 36.0 mi w/ 11,000' around WNC.

19th - 21.6 mi w/7,500' at Table Rock.

20th - 11.5 mi w/1,200' at Lake Oglethorpe.

21st - 14.5 mi w/800' on the Blacksnake Loop.

totals for week 3 are: 99.6mi w/21,600'

bringing the 3 week total to 286.7mi w/62,600'

so, i've made my bed....i have 8 days to cover 113.3 miles and gather up 37,400' of climb in order to accomplish the goal.

feb week 2

hmm,

week two exacted a toll. it started off on a positive note, riding high on the encouraging results of week 1.

but then the reality of it being week 2 set in...it's far enough in that i'm getting tired, but not far enough in to start feeling the encouraging pull of the end of the month.

friday was a low point, after a super exasperating day in the shop thursday, and an uninspired run friday night, my resolve wanted to slip.

but, as luck would have it, kim's brilliant suggestion about table rock saved the day, week, and maybe even the barkley?!

the week finished behind what's needed, but thanks to sunday's effort it was solidly acceptable and keeps things on track.

8th - 15.0 mi w/1,200' on the Blacksnake Loop.

9th - 4.5 mi w/400' on the Blacksnake Loop.

10th - 12.0 mi w/ 1,600' at Paris Mountain.

11th - 14.0 mi w/2,000' at Paris Mountain.

12th - 28.8 mi w/10,000' at Table Rock.

13th - 11.5 mi w/1,200' on the Blacksnake Loop.

14th - 8.0 mi w/600' on the Blacksnake Loop.

totals for week 2 are: 93.8mi w/17,000'

bringing the 2 week total to 187.3mi w/41,000'

a bit behind even pace, but we like finishing strong, right?

2012

a bunch of inspiring stuff going on out in the world right now.

a bunch of ridiculousness too.

maybe even some foolishness?

here's some very worthwhile thought provocation about how we spend our lives.

anyway,

between ultrabrad spreading his inspiration, and matty-two-shoes giving us the usual good stuff from the woods, i've been thinking i need to write some stuff down.

first, my athletic goal this year remains the barkley, and running's been going pretty well so far this season.

november and december saw some decent miles and then from new years eve thru january i managed a good long run at least once a week, and even finished them all feeling strong.

ALTAR - 30 miles 8,000'

AT SPECIAL - 23 miles 3,000'

FH SPECIAL - 18 miles 8,500'

SULTAN BDAY - 33 miles 6,600'

MTNMIST - 38 miles 3,000'

all with solid miles in between.

February is the big month where successful frames are built on those solid foundations. I've mulled over quantifying the training.....not my usual preference, but i can't deny that numbers are incredibly motivating.

So, February i'm shooting for 400 miles and 100,000' of elevation gain.

I get an extra day to put that in since it's leap year, but i don't think i've ever managed 400 miles in a month before. (maybe after vol state a few years ago, but not sure about that)

"week 1" has been good.

Feb.

1st - 10.0 mi w/ 1,750' at Paris Mountain.

2/3rd - 36.0 mi w/ 13,000' at Frozen Head.

4th - 18.0 mi w/ 6,600' at Frozen Head.

5th - 8.0 mi w/ 1,400' at Paris Mountain.

6th - 4.5 mi w/ 400' at Lake Oglethorpe.

7th - 17.0 mi w/ 850' on the Blacksnake Loop.

totals for week 1 are: 93.5 miles with 24,000'

solid, and i felt fluid and smooth tonight so it's at least semi-sustainable.

lots of frusciante on the ipod these days...