First Snow of the Year

Training Log 11/18 - 11/25
M - 6 miles on Sailing Hawks
T - 6 miles on Sailing Hawks
W - 6 miles on Sailing Hawks
T - 6 miles on Sailing Hawks
F - 8 miles on Animas City Mountain in about 6 inches of snow
S - 9 miles on the Colorado Trail, Junction Creek Trailhead, slick with snow and ice
S - 8 miles on Animas City Mountain
Week = 49 miles ( with the last three days in the snow, I'll count it as 50)

After what seemed like months of mild temperatures, abundant sunshine, and blue skies, winter finally arrived here in the sunny South West. Thanksgiving was cool and crisp, and one of the first frosts of the year graced my windshield. Though I'd planned on doing the Turkey Trot, cooking duties forced me to reconsider me obligations - probably a wide decision on my part to choose Thansgiving dinner over racing. The next morning was quiet and white, the first snowfall of the year blanketing streets, trees, and all of the surrounding mountains. My trail runs on Animas and the Colorado Trail were profoundly different experiences, the snow forcing me to work much harder to maintain my balance, traction, and momentum while also bathing the canyons and forests with serenity and stillness. Every trail and every step, though I'd passed over them countless times before, was a new experience for me, the snow and winter changing everything. The snow certainly makes trail running both more challenging and more exciting. With several feet of snow in the mountains, it looks as though I will be relegated to the lower elevation trails for the next couple months. However, if the constant sun that has greeted us for the last four days continues to make its presence felt, the trails may soon be snow free once again. Anyways, miles in the snow are harder and worth more in physical effort than normal miles. Yesterday the dogs and I took a somewhat easy 6 miles on sailing hawks hopping around in snow, ice, and of course, ample mud.

Today's run took me from Coal Bank Pass up the Pass Creek Trail to the Engineer Mountain Trail. From the intersection I headed north heading for the white Creek Trail and the Colorado Trail. The first 3 miles were spent climbing through tall pines, occasional snow in the shade, and frquent slick ice on the trail disguised below dirt and footprints. After reaching the base of Engineer Mountain, the trail stayed entirely above treeline, about 12,000 feet, with constant undulations but nothing too drastic. This was all new trail for me, and every corner greeted me with new peaks and wilderness. Much of the trail is deeply rutted into the tundra, and the descents amd footing proved to be precarious in spots. I ran about 6 miles in about 56:00 and retraced the same 6 miles back to the truck in about 48:00. Total time = 1:44:15 for 12 miles.

21 days in a row... over 150 miles total!

M - 6 miles

T - 8 miles

W - 6 miles

T - 6 miles

F - 6 miles

S - 14 miles

S- 12 miles
Weekly Total = 58 miles - all trails

Today marks the end of my 3rd consecutive week of trails, all above 50 miles. After Animas on Tuesday, I took 3 easy days on Sailing Hawks, running 6 miles each day, running about 40 minutes total for each run. Following the pattern of the last couple weeks, I reserved the weekend for back to back long runs at altitude, laying base for next year and potentially my first ultra. The second long day has become significantly easier, though easy is a relative term for runs on trails at about 12,000 feet. On Saturday, I ran the Engineer Mountain from just past Purgatory at about 9,000 feet to the intersection with the Pass Creek Trail and the climbing trail to the summit of Engineer. This was my first run on this trail, and I certainly appreciated the many switchbacks that made the 7 mile climb to 12,000 feet a bit more moderate. My ascent took 1:09:50 and I descended in 46:00; total time about 1 hour and 56 miutes for 14 miles. The trail was very smooth single track, making for a fun roller coaster descent. Stiff breeze above timberline -without gloves and a hat I quickly chilled and beat a hasty retreat down with the dogs. Pics from Saturday's run above.

16 consecutive days of trails...

My trail runs the past two days have been spent in brilliant sunshine under crystal clear blue skies with no clouds in sight. Hard to believe that it's mid-November... the forecast for the near future simply calls for more of the same - sun, balmy temperatures, and not a wisp of precipitation. Man am I happy (at least for now) that I decided against a a ski pass this winter - to be honest, it still feels like summer out there...

After two long runs this weekend (24 miles total), Monday was an easy day for me - only 6 miles in about 42 minutes up on the trails off of Sailing Hawks. On Tuesday the dogs and I headed up Animas City Mountain for a quasi time trial. Although I didn't push the run to the limit, I did want to see what kind of a tempo run I was capable of on this steep mountain, especially after some long miles over the weekend without much recovery. While my legs certainly didn't feel fresh on the steep climbing sections of the trail, I managed to keep turnover high and hit the summit in 34:20 and finished the descent in 17:26, both close to personal bests for this run. Total time for the Animas Loop was 51:46 for 8 miles of steep, rocky trails. I'm pretty pleased today with that effort - 51:46 is the fastest I have ever run that loop in training and I've been pounding out the miles lately.

I realized that I need to work on my descending - I can fly on relatively smooth single track but I need to focus on steep, rocky, technical descents where falling is a constant hazard. Perhaps my brutal fall several years ago has contributed to my reluctance to just let go of the brakes on these dangerous downhills. Trust myself...

My legs have been a little sore the last couple of days, just minor aches and pains. My right calf was tight on Monday but was not an issue yesterday while my left knee bothered me some at work last night. Note to self: Time for new running shoes! Will someone sponsor me please?

Happy Monday...

Well, although I don't have any pictures to post from the trail runs this weekend, I definitely have a story to share. Yesterday I ran on the lower Hermosa Creek Trail, heading 5 miles north up the trail before turning around at the bridge over Dutch Creek. Both Sherpa and Shrek took a quick dip in the river, then followed me back up the steep climb out of the canyon, retracing our steps to the lower trail head. However, they diverged from the trail investigating something or other, and I waited several minutes for them, hollering and huffing from the 500 foot climb over the last mile. After waiting a couple moments, I continued running south down the trail to the truck, convinced they were behind me like they always are. But, the dogs never caught up with me, so I retraced my steps calling for them, backtracking at least 2 miles. A pair of runners and then a pair of mountain bikers coming from the upper trailhead, 20 miles distant, told me that they had seen the dogs, absorbed in their own world moving at high speed up the trail together into unfamiliar territory and wilderness. These people suggested we look for the dogs at upper Hermosa... So, I retraced me steps again, my 10 mile run morphing into 14 miles, and hopped into the truck, driving 40 miles into the mountains to purgatory, then takinga rough 4x4 road into the backcountry. Surprise, surprise - as I rolled into the trailhead, fording the river in my truck, two familiar faces came prancing around, excited with tails wagging. Both dogs were there, none the worse for wear, but very tired. I'm still amazed at this episode. The dogs wound up running at least 21 miles from the lower trailhead to the upper trailhead - combined with the 9 mile run that we did on Dry Fork on Saturday, the dogs ran at least 30 miles this weekend. I only ran 23 miles this weekend, putting me at 53 miles for the week, my second consecutive week above 50. Anyways, the dog incident yesterday was initially frustrating, then alarming, and finally a happy reunion. At least they stayed on the trail - they just ran 15 miles in the wrong direction!

In other news the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is still snow-free and thus still open. If this beautiful weather continues to hold it's looking like my Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Run will become a reality on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Should be exciting...

What a weekend of mountain running... Pics are from the run yesterday off of Molas Pass. Took the Colorado Trail east from the pass, climbing from about 11,000' to 12,000'. This was an new section of trail for me - absolutely stunning - almost entirely above timberline with views 360 degrees around. Total distance about 10 miles and total time about 1 hour 30 minutes. Still no snow in the forecast - looks like temps in the 60's with total sunshine for at least the next week. seems like this may be the winter to go without a ski pass... Anyways, ran about 23 miles over the weekend, giving me a grand total of 54 miles for the week, all trails! A little sore today with aches and pains in the knees - easy day today for me. I'm back to work tonight for 5 nights on after the weekend off - I'm hoping to have a three day weekend this week so that camping may be a possibility for the next weekend. If the westher continues to hold it still may be possible to head up into the mountains, though the nights will be cold. Otherwise, it may be a desert trip...

Ryan Shay 1979-2007 - Rest In Peace

Long run yesterday on the Molas Trail from Molas Pass. Ran from the pass (11,000 feet) to the Animas River (8,800 feet) and then ran up the Elk Park Trail after crossing the Silverton train tracks in the bottom of the canyon. Descended the first 5 miles in about 32:30 and then climbed another 1.5 miles. Return trip from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the pass in about 43:00 - not a bad pace for fairly steep climb with more than 20 switchbacks at elevation (about 8:30 mile pace.) Total distance about 13 miles. Total time 1 hour 40 minutes and change. Defintely a different experience starting a trail run with a long descent and then finishing with a long climb back to pass level - good training for the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Run.

I woke up early yesterday to watch the U.S. Olympic Trails for the Men's Marathon. Incredible to watch Ryan Hall's dominace - 2:09:02 on that hilly course - he made it look easy. My excitement was quickly muted when I learned that Ryan Shay, a contender to make the team at only 28, passed away after collapsing about 5.5 miles into the race. Although I'd only followed his career, this news reduced me to tears. Last year, Marc Witkes, a running friend of mine, died after suffering a heart attack in the final mile of the Tuscon Marathon. While Ryan Shay certainly was a far superior athlete to Marc, both their deaths remind me that life is such a fragile thing - seize the day and be happy today - follow your dreams, do what you love, and be happy - don't wait for tomorrow - it may never come. After a hard day like yesterday I would typically take it easy today. However, like many other runners today, I will do another long run in the mountains in memory of Ryan Shay... For more information on this gutsy runner please check out http://www.letsrun.com/ . His family and friends have posted messages and memories there. While his death and Marc's death are clearly tragic, they were fortunate to die doing something that both of them loved so dearly...