Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hibernating Season Over


Front yard
Like a bear hibernating, it’s time to wake and train like an ultra-runner.  I have been maintaining a good weightlifting routine, and added back some muscle and strength that was abandoned from the last two years of hard running.  This also means I’m about 12 pounds heavier from my normal racing weight, but that will quickly go away when I get into some serious miles.  I’ve also been doing a lot of cross training on my CycleOps trainer for my road bike.  Not only does it train my legs, but it forces me to keep my balance in check.  The bike freely rides on three rollers with nothing to anchor the bike except pure balance.  All it takes is one second to lose focus and I’m on the ground wearing a bike.  Not a pretty site, and dangerous.  My professional cycling bud said he had his CycleOps in a hotel room while out of town on business, and his bike came off the rollers doing 25mph!  He tore himself up and the room (TV, counter, picture, window curtains,…).  I had to laugh!
Not me on the bike
 I’ve started ramping my base mileage up from 35 MPW, and will be shooting for over 100 MPW by May if everything stays intact.  Today I did a 20 mile long run and it felt like 40.  This normally (or not so normal) would have felt like an easy middle distant run, which reminded me how far I have in order to get where I need to be.  On a good note, I maintained an 8:20 mpm which surprised me when it felt like a 9:15 mpm effort during the run.  Maybe a little time off, and some cycling, has improved my turnover rate.  I have a long way to go, and a busy schedule this spring, but I love a good challenge to keep life at its best.  I also miss that tired feeling after a long run.  It just flushes your system out, use up that pent-up energy, brings on an appetite like never before, dissolves stress, and to sleep like a baby afterwards.
Josh with YakTrax on boots
As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been giving the opportunity to try SofSole running products and my first impression is very good: Inserts are very supportive, light, and easy to use.  I’ve used them on all my runs without any issues.  They are also compatible with the more expensive brand, but for a fraction of the price.  The socks are well designed with comfort and performance in mind.  The bottom has a light pad where it is needed, and the top is a thin screen to allow air in to keep feet dry. I have used them on all my training runs, but have not put them to the ultra-test yet.  Time will tell. 
Got to love the yaktrax!  By coincidence, shortly after I received my shipment, I was talking with my Mom (in VT) and she mentioned she uses this thing called yaktrax when it’s icy outside, and it’s easy to use and works great (Mom tested and approved – Can’t go wrong).  I then told her I just received a pair, but will have to wait until I go to VT to try them.  And then it snowed in GA (and everywhere in the south) which gave me the opportunity to try them for a run.  WOW, mom was right.  My son also used them for sliding – He loved them.  The other kids where slipping all over the place while josh would run up the snowy hill with no problem.



Back to training!  I hope all is going great for my running family out in blog land.

18 comments:

Christina said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have great respect for ultra runners because it seems so daunting.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I have such respect for people who can use rollers (though I think they are crazy, and you already mention why I think they are crazy) its hard enough being on the trainer and staying focus, you cant really watch tv on rollers

Ronda said...

Props on that bike! That looks crazy. I saw that and thought it would be a great way to train properly but I didn't even think about falling or launching :) Too Funny!

Don't you just love the humbling effect of a break? kidding...

Jill said...

I'm so jealous of your SofSole gig, very very cool!!!

The sledding looks like so much fun, reminds me when I used to go sledding in Iowa as a kid!!

Char said...

I need to take a leaf out of your book and do a little hibernating. Can you hibernate in Summer?

Suzan said...

thanks for your comment =)

Jen said...

Thank you so much for turning me on to Ulyana's blog. We need to stick together in this life! And....I love your snow pictures!

Beth said...

Glad you are doing well and are getting in some good base training. You are brave to ride your bike on the rollers! I am too busy fidgeting with the remote and my book to be able to balance. You are impressive!

Black Knight said...

Maybe I have just found something worse than the dreadmill: the bike on the rollers!!!
This is a reason because I love my sunny city.
You are making a very good job.

Cynthia said...

I would be a little intimidated to use a CycleOps trainer cause I totally would be the one to somehow fall off it haha.

I'm just finding my love for running marathons. I think as soon as I have run a few more marathons I would like to try an ultra one day.

And thank you for your 24 years of service! My bf is in the Army and is retiring next month after 21 and a half years of service.

Kate Geisen said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

The yak trax...I had put them on my Christmas list and didn't get them, then my husband suggested I order them for myself. I didn't, not really wanting to spend the money myself when we rarely get much snow. After which we have the snowiest winter since I was a kid. Oh, well...thank goodness for my trail shoes! Nice that you all ended up with some snow, too.

A treadmill is bad enough...I'm afraid I'd do serious damage to myself on rollers. Plus, it would be much harder to hold my book. :)

theyogi said...

and like a bear will return to form soon! caution with food... ;)

RunningAtom said...

Woww, I hope I could also try sliding down the snow.

Thanks for dropping by at my blog. Heads up to an Ultra runner. Though I have been running for some years already, ultra running has not yet reached my heart! My nervous system's blocking the thought of it :)

Johann said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog. I treasure every moment with my dad. You have a great blog here, well done! I will follow your running with interest. I hope/dream/plan to run a 100 miler in the USA some day. This will be a very expensive trip for me so I will have to be 100% and of course choose the best race for this. I will probably tap your brain about this in the future. Happy Training!

Charisa said...

The sledding looks fun!

Giorgio said...

I'm glad that your training is going well! The photos which you posted show that you can run through a beautiful landscape covered with snow!

Thanks for stopping by my blog :)
I look forward to reading your running adeventures!

Julie said...

Hi Thomas,
You have a beautiful family and are a lucky man:) Welcome to life after hibernation! Good luck with your future training!

Molly said...

I love my yaktrax, they're a necessity this time of year!