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| 50k Elevation profile |
9/17/10 -
Matt is ever the good husband getting everything packed and ready while I finish up some work. As it gets closer to us hopping in the car to leave my nervousness continues to grow. Tomorrows forecast - rain.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
It is almost here...
I cannot believe that my 50k is this weekend, it seems like I just signed-up for the event. I am mostly excited and somewhat nervous. I feel confident that I can handle the distance and am somewhat nervous about the elevation.
Wish me luck!
9/17/10 -
Matt is ever the good husband getting everything packed and ready while I finish up some work. As it gets closer to us hopping in the car to leave my nervousness continues to grow. Tomorrows forecast - rain.
9/17/10 -
Matt is ever the good husband getting everything packed and ready while I finish up some work. As it gets closer to us hopping in the car to leave my nervousness continues to grow. Tomorrows forecast - rain.
Monday, September 6, 2010
East of Eden - Steinbeck
Since I posted my list of book to read, I figured I would also post opinions of said books. I recently finished East of Eden by John Steinbeck and loved it. I have read a number of books by Steinbeck and with each one I am reminded what a great writer he is.
I will not bore you with the details of the book but rather skip to one of the main reasons I so thoroughly enjoyed it. I tend to be drawn to books that have good character development. I want the people I am reading about to have meat on their bones not just exist as some wisp of an individual that I hardly know. This book provided that for me, along with a very good story line. I definitely recommend it.
Other books that I put into the fantastic character development category:
I will not bore you with the details of the book but rather skip to one of the main reasons I so thoroughly enjoyed it. I tend to be drawn to books that have good character development. I want the people I am reading about to have meat on their bones not just exist as some wisp of an individual that I hardly know. This book provided that for me, along with a very good story line. I definitely recommend it.
Other books that I put into the fantastic character development category:
- The Thorn Birds
- Pillars of the Earth
- The Gunslinger Series
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Faster than a speeding turtle...maybe
I should first start by saying I likely have one of the best husbands around. I was up at 6am Saturday morning to get in my run before it got too late. Matt was kind enough to wake-up with me and spend his time mountain biking the same trails I was running. If you know Matt you know this is impressive, morning is not his favorite time.
If the 22 miles was supposed to be fun, the 25 I ran should have been that much better, right? Wrong! Well actually, it did go better than the 22, however, distances such as these do not exactly feel wonderful while I am in the process of trudging through the miles. It isn't an issue in the cardiovascular world or even so much a muscular problem, the issue is with my feet. They HATE me. I am graced with lovely pancake flat feet that have taken quite a beating over the years. As it turns out this trail running business has been their greatest challenge so far. I think the mix of rocks, roots and uneven terrain all add up to extra stress for my tootsies to deal with.
Sore feet aside it was a good run. I felt pretty good most of the time and was able to finish in a respectable time (for me).
Today was a quick 10 miler, I am surprised at how good it felt. Hopefully this means good things for me going into the 50k in a couple weeks...
Stats
Saturday
Mileage - 25
Time - 5:02 (hrs;min)
Avg pace: 12:05 (min:sec)
Sunday
Mileage -10
Time - 1:20 (hrs;min)
Avg pace: 8:00 (min:sec)
If the 22 miles was supposed to be fun, the 25 I ran should have been that much better, right? Wrong! Well actually, it did go better than the 22, however, distances such as these do not exactly feel wonderful while I am in the process of trudging through the miles. It isn't an issue in the cardiovascular world or even so much a muscular problem, the issue is with my feet. They HATE me. I am graced with lovely pancake flat feet that have taken quite a beating over the years. As it turns out this trail running business has been their greatest challenge so far. I think the mix of rocks, roots and uneven terrain all add up to extra stress for my tootsies to deal with.
Sore feet aside it was a good run. I felt pretty good most of the time and was able to finish in a respectable time (for me).
Today was a quick 10 miler, I am surprised at how good it felt. Hopefully this means good things for me going into the 50k in a couple weeks...
Stats
Saturday
Mileage - 25
Time - 5:02 (hrs;min)
Avg pace: 12:05 (min:sec)
Sunday
Mileage -10
Time - 1:20 (hrs;min)
Avg pace: 8:00 (min:sec)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Capitol Forest
As I have mentioned in previous posts, we have a fantastic trail system very close to home. This was further determined a few weekends ago when Matt was talking with 2 pro riders down from Seattle. They informed him that this is the best riding in the area.
This past weekend while out for a run I took a few pictures (with a very old camera).
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| It doesn't look like much, but this is the start of a pretty steep climb. |
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Some areas are nice and tree covered |
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| Others are clearcut and HOT |
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| I almost always see snakes |
A Big Day in the Klungle Household
This past Saturday was a pretty big day in the Klungle household - we bought a truck! We have been talking about getting a new vehicle for awhile, something to replace the quickly dying Jeep. However, we have been unsuccessful in locating something that fit our 'want' list and was within our price range. This truck fit both.
Without further ado I present you with 'The Beast
Without further ado I present you with 'The Beast
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| 2006 Toyota Tundra - 4 door |
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| It seems we really like blue... |
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wanted: Reliable Running Partner
I would like a reliable running partner, below are the qualifications the chosen individual needs to possess.
Loves to go for long runs. Doesn't complain. Listens to me complain. Always excited for what I have planned. Doesn't complain about my plans. Always shows up and is ready to go. Motivates me when I am less than motivated. Yep, those are the basics - I am pretty sure it is a tall order. Fortunately I have two individuals that are excited about the position.
Neither of them are currently available for the position, I don't think they could handle the mileage. However, I am pretty sure with some work Europa would be able to go on runs <10 miles and Jacks could handle most anything I could throw at him - maybe.
I am looking forward to the day that I can hit the trails with some company...
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| Jacks and Europa |
Neither of them are currently available for the position, I don't think they could handle the mileage. However, I am pretty sure with some work Europa would be able to go on runs <10 miles and Jacks could handle most anything I could throw at him - maybe.
I am looking forward to the day that I can hit the trails with some company...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
22 miles of fun?!?
When I decided that I wanted to run an ultra I searched the internet for a training plan (can been seen in an earlier post). I seem to function much better if I have a matrix that tells me what to do and when. When left to my own devices I seem to prefer extremes - I either over or under train.
Today's box informed me that I was to run 22 miles. I figured this shouldn't be too terrible since I have been logging some big miles up to this point. Was I ever wrong... All in all the run was good and I completed all 22 miles. I just had some minor issues along the way.
Give the increased distance I switched over to my backpack and camelback to carry water and snacks. I have used this pack for many adventure races and never had a problem with it. Unfortunately this time I had problems. The pack on the smallest settings was not small enough to hug my body. This caused a lot of jostling around while running. I am now the proud owner of some terrible chafing on my lower back - not fun.
Then there was the issue of my extremities. I have gotten accustomed to the pain in my feet that trail running seems to cause. I attribute this pain to a number of factors, namely a) they are flat; and b) rocks and roots. Today the rest of my lower half seemed to rebel along with the feet. From trudging up and down hills my lower back and hipflexors were toast. By mile 17 I was shuffling along much slower that usual. The last 5 miles seemed to go on forever, I resorted to making deals with myself to keep going. It worked and I finished, then again I didn't have much of a choice. It isn't like someone could come and pick me up.
All in all it was a great run. It gave me some confidence going into my upcoming run- I am really starting to think I can do this. Plus, I figure I cannot feel much worse so I only have one way to go - up!
Stats
Distance - 22 miles
Time - 4:45
Pace - 12:57
Today's box informed me that I was to run 22 miles. I figured this shouldn't be too terrible since I have been logging some big miles up to this point. Was I ever wrong... All in all the run was good and I completed all 22 miles. I just had some minor issues along the way.
Give the increased distance I switched over to my backpack and camelback to carry water and snacks. I have used this pack for many adventure races and never had a problem with it. Unfortunately this time I had problems. The pack on the smallest settings was not small enough to hug my body. This caused a lot of jostling around while running. I am now the proud owner of some terrible chafing on my lower back - not fun.
Then there was the issue of my extremities. I have gotten accustomed to the pain in my feet that trail running seems to cause. I attribute this pain to a number of factors, namely a) they are flat; and b) rocks and roots. Today the rest of my lower half seemed to rebel along with the feet. From trudging up and down hills my lower back and hipflexors were toast. By mile 17 I was shuffling along much slower that usual. The last 5 miles seemed to go on forever, I resorted to making deals with myself to keep going. It worked and I finished, then again I didn't have much of a choice. It isn't like someone could come and pick me up.
All in all it was a great run. It gave me some confidence going into my upcoming run- I am really starting to think I can do this. Plus, I figure I cannot feel much worse so I only have one way to go - up!
Stats
Distance - 22 miles
Time - 4:45
Pace - 12:57
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