First test-run at WyCo

So there's exactly one week until the Psycho WyCo 10 mile race. Having never been out there, I didn't know what to expect. Sure, I heard a crap-load of stories about that trail, but everyone is different and "hard" is also different for everyone (unless we're talking about "hard" races that have been defined as hard by damn near every person who has run it, e.g., HURT 100). So, naturally, I had to run it today (one loop, 10 miles) just to taste the trail for the first time. I don't need to run hard my first time out, but I do need to taste the trail and know what I'm in for. This makes the visualization process that will happen this week that much easier for me. So here are some of my thoughts on it.

• WyCo is not Clinton Lake, but I also wouldn't agree with something I've heard, namely, "Running 10 at WyCo is roughly equivalent to running 20 at Clinton."  Huh?  What the hell does that mean, or what is it supposed to mean?  Completely untrue.  Sure, there are comparatively longer and steeper hills, but, personally, I did not feel any more exhausted (or just "different," for that matter) after 10 miles than I would have if I ran at Clinton this morning.  Moreover, the course is much more technical than Clinton so that will wear more people out when combined with the hills.  But to say that 20CL = 10WyCo is a complete misrepresentation.
• Ahhh, the (infamous) hills everyone has been referring to.  They're nice hills, I can tell you that for sure.  Some are even pretty steep (the very small ones are; you know, those annoying very short hills that are just there to be an obstacle because of their steepness).  But in general, I would say this course, and its hills, is "normal" (by what standard? I'm not sure, but let's think of a course that has "decent" hills and say something like that is "normal").  There is a hill that is the steepest of all which happens at the end, maybe a few miles from the 10 mile mark, that is relatively "mean," but nothing like, Oh my goodness!  How will I ever continuously run up that hill?  Not even close.  But it's a nice hill and I give it the props it deserves, no doubt about it.
• The muddiness.  All I ever heard about was all this mud that can accumulate at WyCo.  Guess what?  That was not a lie.  The place was pretty damn muddy in spots and I have my shoes as proof.  And I would say that today wasn't as bad as it could be.  I'd hate to see those spots when it's really muddy!  Good God.  I wouldn't even wanna think about that, let alone having to run through it.  Let me just say that today in some spots, my foot sank deep enough that when I went to pull it out in mid-run, I can feel a pretty hard tug on my shoe.  Since I'm inexperienced, to me that was pretty hardcore mud.  Again, imagine it muddier.  Forget it.  I wouldn't wuss out on running it, but I wouldn't be happy about it.

Overall it was a nice run with Lisa, Liz, and Pat.  We took an easy pace, as we didn't have a choice but to stick together since Pat was the only one familiar with the course, and this is one course that if you don't know your way, you will get lost for sure!  So, thank you to Pat once again for agreeing to run with us this morning.

I should mention that we've also got several of our Nerds in the Rocky Raccoon 100 today.  I'm keeping up on their status via Twitter and they all seem to be doing great.  The latest is several have made the 35 mile mark and they're doing good.  I hope they all run it sub-24!  Rock on, guys.

Here's to a good training week.  I'm not sure I'll taper much since I'm only running a 10M race.  I think I'll keep it a normal training week for now.  If I go "easy" at any point, it'll be Thursday and Friday.  

My prediction: I have to honestly say that it depends on the condition of the trails.  If it's muddy, ugh...well, still sub-2.  If it's relatively dry, then I still say sub-2 but I don't know how sub, really.  Can I make my bet with the guys?  It'd be tough, but I'll be close if not (perhaps something like 1:45:00).  We'll just have to wait and see.

Combining running and school

School starts soon and I always worry about training time. Of course training is a "priority," but it's important to me as it's part of me now. Moreover, I've grown even more addicted to trail running, and I worry about the early hours of running on the trail. I've got a headlamp, so I'm not sure why I worry about it. If anything, it should be a peaceful experience. Speaking of which, I think I need to see when they open the gates to the trail. The other option is just doing some training on the indoor track/treadmill at the gym on campus.

I think I worry a bit more than usual about my training because I'm planning on defending my thesis this semester. So, needless to say, I will need a lot of time to square that away. But on the bright side, I prefer running early in the morning and therefore can work throughout the day and into the early evenings. As long as I can get my mileage in, I don't care how long I stay in the lab. In fact, hard running in the morning will probably clear my mind and could in fact help me in writing my thesis (in theory, of course). But even theory aside, I feel better after hard/long runs.

Enough of that. I think this semester will be just fine. I just think I'll need to tighten my daily schedule and be a bit more rigid with it. All will be well. No doubt.

Trail latest

As mentioned in my last post, I've been running on trails this week. As a matter of fact, I even joined a local group called the Kansas City Trail Nerds. As their names implies, they're trail runners and they're a great bunch of people. They run the local trail here in Lawrence, River Front Park (RFP), on Wednesday nights and other trails around the KC area throughout the week. I'll join them at other trails when I can. One of those times will be tomorrow at Clinton Park, also here in Lawrence. Tomorrow will be my long run for the week: 10 miles.

Unlike RFP, the trail is supposedly much more technical and I think the hills are a bit meaner. But that's not necessarily a bad thing because I was convinced by Gary, a Nerd member, to do the 10-mile trail race in February (Valentines Day, actually). I haven't signed up yet, but I'm pretty sure I will (as long as I discuss this again with Lisa and make sure it really is OK to do it). I think Lisa was thinking of going to Springfield, Missouri for the weekend. But I think we can leave Saturday after the race, maybe around noon or so. Again, I need to recheck.

I do have to admit that since running trails, I'm feeling leg muscles I haven't felt in the past just running road or track at the gym. For one, my quads are a bit sore. Hamstrings--oh, hi...I forgot about you guys. And I'm still having shinsplint problems. This crap doesn't seem to go away. I'm really tired of it. And lately its been getting pretty extreme during any run, but 20 minutes after the run, it's as if nothing ever happened. After Wednesday's run with the group, I had a pretty rough time walking because of that pain (and we only ran about 7 miles or so). So I'm trying different exercises to strengthen my shins on all sides.

I hope tomorrow's run goes well and 10 trail miles won't kill me! Nah, I doubt it, but I hope I have fun (and stay warm because it's supposed to be about 20 degrees tomorrow morning!).

My first trail experience

I just got back from a terrific run on trails here in Lawrence. This was honestly my first run on trails and I must admit, I think I'm hooked. There's something about running in nature with nothing but you, your thoughts, and peacefulness. No iPod or other annoying everyday sounds to disturb you. It was amazing. I can't understand how we're all not hooked on trail running. Granted, it's a bit tougher and you have to be a little more alert, otherwise you can easily twist or even break an ankle. But to be in that type of environment running cannot be compared to any other experience. If anyone has never tried it, I highly recommend it.

The only problem is I don't know for sure how long it was, but my best guesstimate is 8.5 miles. Today is my long run/endurance day according to a schedule I had made on Runner's World. I look forward to soon purchasing a Garmin Forerunner 305, and that way I'll have a really good idea about my running distance on trails.

I hope to post many more of my experiences on trails on the near future. Tomorrow is my rest day, but perhaps Tuesday I'll head out there again! I'm totally sold on trails.

Issues with Blogger

I had to create another blog as Blogger still hasn't reinstated my blog.  Yeah, they thought/think it's a spam blog.  What the hell?  It's ridiculous.  I think once it is reinstated, I'll transfer it over to this blog.  I'm tired of these guys taking their sweet time.

Anyway, I think my Saucony Hurricane 10's are not as great of a fit for me as I thought.  They're excellent shoes, don't get me wrong, but I think they're giving me shin-splints.  I'm not entirely sure, but it's my guess.  I'll stick with them a little longer before I go over to Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8's.  I tested one on each foot and I think there's a bit more cushioning in the forefoot of the Brooks shoes, and that's where I think the problem is starting and giving me the shin-splints.  The guy at the shoe store suggested I try some softer terrain such as trails, so I'll try that before I pick up the Brooks.  However, I think I'll still end up getting those shoes because they get awesome reviews and a lot of reviews say they're great shoes for trail running as well, which is something that I'm gonna get a little more into (not because the guy suggested it, but I think I'll like it since it's a way to be really close to nature).  

I'll post results of how I feel after running the shoes on the trail.