Cheyenne Cañon Hill Climb

For the past 8 years or so, I have been joining a group to run up Cheyenne Cañon. Most are folks from Team C.R.U.D. www.teamcrud.com , a local ultra running group that does crazy stuff on a weekly basis. This run happens every Thursday morning from the time change in November until the times changes back in the Spring. After the first run of the year and people have a time to base future runs off, it's done as a handicap run with the goal for everyone to finish at 6:40. This means that a 35 min runner would start at 6:05, a 40 minute runner at 6:00, a 45 minute runner at 5:55, etc. The goal is to have everyone coming up that last straightaway with the entire group insight, hopefully all finishing within seconds of each other. It makes it really fun, regardless of ability level since the playing field is evened out with the handicapped timing at the start. It's a little over 4 miles long but is ALL uphill. For comparison, times for the climb are pretty close to what people run for a 10k flat run. 2.2 miles less distance, similar times. It's a real kick in the rear. I thought I'd share my file via Training Peaks so you can see the challenge. It's and awesome run! Please come out and join us. My Training Peaks file.

Trying to Get Back Where I Belong

This summer, I experienced my first real injury. I tore both my calves during the Garden of The Gods Ten Mile Run. Just before the 3 mile mark, I started cramping badly. I foolishly pushed on and tore right through one, then the other calf. I ran about 6 or 7 times over an 8 week period after that. I lost some serious fitness during that time. I'm still trying to get back to where I was but am happy to report that I am injury free* and "close" to the fitness level I expect of myself. I have been trying to get back into proper shape and  have been using this time of year to make sure I get out and run with my friends as often as possible. We have been doing Tue/Thu Track/Tempo workouts the past 4 weeks and it has been great. First, I love seeing some of these guys improvements on both the physical and mental side of things. Second, I think I will be able to race soon at near peak fitness for this time of year. Most of our group is gearing up for the Rock Canyon 1/2 Marathon on December 1st. Personally, I'm working to get to the point where I improve on my time from last year. I'm pushing for the guys to get down there and go after it.

*I had typed this up one day and the next, my right calf started hurting again. Nothing like the summer injuries but enough to back me off. I was able to run 48hrs later up a 4 mile, 1700 foot climb and descend with no issues so I'm fine. Just to be safe, I'll be smart and give up running for the next 5 days. I just used an elliptical machine for the first time to compensate for the lack of running. It was a weird feeling coming off that device then walking on solid ground.

Back on the Horse!!

I have not posted anything here in a very long time. I've had many thoughts about posts I would make and then never put it down. I regret this as it helps me see where I've been so I can plan where I will go in the future. That being said, I am going to try to post at least once a week with training, racing and just where I'm at with my endurance sports life. I am coming off a summer of some lows due to my first real injury. Through that, I experienced a breakthrough race (Pikes Peak Ascent) that only came about because I was forced to be conservative. I'll touch on that more as I write over the months. Until then, please stay tuned. This should be fun!!