It's been almost 1 month exact since my last update. Not a whole lot has been going on. I am still running as much as I can. lately its only be about 30 miles a week, including a weekend long run. I still have not told very many people about the baby either. But, that will all change Christmas eve when we announce it at our big family party. I also plan on finally telling our closest friends when we see them for Christmas and NYE. It's been so hard keeping it a secret. I can't wait to share our excitement with everyone.
I do not have any races on the calendar until February. I am running an organized event on the 31st out on the Poto trail. That will be a great way to kick off NYE morning. I also start Boston marathon training January 1st. So expect to start seeing more updates!
Please stick around. I plan to make this blog more exciting come the first of the year!
Showing posts with label potawatomi trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label potawatomi trail. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Pushed it at the Poto
Taken from Runner's World: Potawatomi Trail
Pinckney, MichiganThis 17.5-mile mostly single-track loop in the Pinckney State Recreation Area, 20 minutes northwest of Ann Arbor, twists and turns around kettle lakes and bogs and undulates between lush forested lowlands and along the high crests of glacial-formed ridges. Known locally as the "Poto," the hard-packed dirt trail has plenty of technical terrain features, including several creek crossings, steep climbs and descents, and many sections with gnarly roots. Not surprisingly, the Potawatomi plays host to some of the best trail races in the Midwest, ranging from 5 miles to a full marathon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday morning my dad, his friend Dave and myself headed out to Pinckney, MI to run the Poto. My dad and I are training for DWD Ultra 50K and Dave is part of the 100 mile relay team. We need to get in as many training runs as possible out on these butt kicking trails. We have less than 4 weeks until the event. Time to really get cracking here!
It turned out to be a perfect morning to run. It was cool, light breeze with some sun and clouds. My dad wasn't feeling 100% so he was unsure how long he would last. Well, I think he discovered the best remedy for a cold. Run for close to 3 hours and 40 minutes! Yep. We ran the trails for just over 3.5 hours. It was awesome! I felt great almost the entire time, other than being stung/bit by something in the ear. We all got a bit tired towards the end, but that is to be expected when running the terrain we were on and for that length of time. Afterwards we walked over to Silver Lake to soak our legs. Taking a dip in a cool lake after a sweaty run is so refreshing!
This coming weekend we are changing up the terrain and heading to flatter trails. After having 3 weekends in a row of killer hills, I could use the break. We are going to run in Toledo at Oak Openings. It will be nice to have the softer ground under foot, yet still be able to run a faster pace.
I am taking 2 days off from running (took Sunday off and will take Monday off too). My legs are sore so I'd rather make sure they recover before pushing it. I've got a two-a-day lined up for Tuesday and Wednesday, easy 6-8 mile run Thursday, yoga Friday, long run/trail run Saturday and strength training/cross training on Sunday. I have tried to follow a specific training program, but lately I've been "winging" it. It's sort of difficult to find a training program to prepare you for 6.5 - 7 grueling hours of mud, hills, rocks, roots, water, etc... I am getting really excited for this event though. I am ready to take on the challenge and earn the right to wear a DWD shirt!
Pinckney, MichiganThis 17.5-mile mostly single-track loop in the Pinckney State Recreation Area, 20 minutes northwest of Ann Arbor, twists and turns around kettle lakes and bogs and undulates between lush forested lowlands and along the high crests of glacial-formed ridges. Known locally as the "Poto," the hard-packed dirt trail has plenty of technical terrain features, including several creek crossings, steep climbs and descents, and many sections with gnarly roots. Not surprisingly, the Potawatomi plays host to some of the best trail races in the Midwest, ranging from 5 miles to a full marathon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday morning my dad, his friend Dave and myself headed out to Pinckney, MI to run the Poto. My dad and I are training for DWD Ultra 50K and Dave is part of the 100 mile relay team. We need to get in as many training runs as possible out on these butt kicking trails. We have less than 4 weeks until the event. Time to really get cracking here!
It turned out to be a perfect morning to run. It was cool, light breeze with some sun and clouds. My dad wasn't feeling 100% so he was unsure how long he would last. Well, I think he discovered the best remedy for a cold. Run for close to 3 hours and 40 minutes! Yep. We ran the trails for just over 3.5 hours. It was awesome! I felt great almost the entire time, other than being stung/bit by something in the ear. We all got a bit tired towards the end, but that is to be expected when running the terrain we were on and for that length of time. Afterwards we walked over to Silver Lake to soak our legs. Taking a dip in a cool lake after a sweaty run is so refreshing!
This coming weekend we are changing up the terrain and heading to flatter trails. After having 3 weekends in a row of killer hills, I could use the break. We are going to run in Toledo at Oak Openings. It will be nice to have the softer ground under foot, yet still be able to run a faster pace.
I am taking 2 days off from running (took Sunday off and will take Monday off too). My legs are sore so I'd rather make sure they recover before pushing it. I've got a two-a-day lined up for Tuesday and Wednesday, easy 6-8 mile run Thursday, yoga Friday, long run/trail run Saturday and strength training/cross training on Sunday. I have tried to follow a specific training program, but lately I've been "winging" it. It's sort of difficult to find a training program to prepare you for 6.5 - 7 grueling hours of mud, hills, rocks, roots, water, etc... I am getting really excited for this event though. I am ready to take on the challenge and earn the right to wear a DWD shirt!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Trail Half Marathon Results
I was trying to hold off until some pictures were uploaded, but I can always add them at a later date.
Anyway...
This is my 2nd year running the Trail Half marathon on the Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney, MI. Any of you that subscribe to RW, may recognize the trail name as it was in the top 25 trails listed in the RW Trail edition. It's a technical mountain bike trail with lots of hills, stone/rocks, root covered single lane trails, sand pits, etc... Definitely a tough run!
This ended up being another long course. This race is put on by the same company that put in on the Martian Half Marathon that I ran on April 2nd. Randy Step, with Running Fit, announced that the trail course was actually 13.30 miles, not 13.10. Ah well, we got an extra .20 miles out of the event.
I really wanted to beat my time from last years event (2:03:40) and break 2 hours. I was only able to achieve one of my 2 goals. I did beat last years time, but did not break 2 hours. I rolled my ankle pretty good about 3-4 miles in. I was also dealing with some hip pain on my right hip that was annoying. And I was hot! I had originally planned to wear shorts and a short sleeve top. Then at the last minute I put a long sleeve top on under my short sleeve. Of course, these are all just excuses on why I did not run faster. Truth is, I think I held myself back a bit. Even though I really wanted to finish under 2 hours, I knew I could not risk injury since the marathon is in 4 weeks.
I ended up crossing the finish line in 2:02:10 for13.30 miles and placed 2nd in my age group. It's a new PR, so I'll take it. My dad also placed 2nd in his age group and had a speedy finish of 1:55:34!
Official Results:
Time: 2:02:10 - 13.30 miles
Pace: 9:11 pace
AG Place: 2nd/41
Overall: 133/662
Anyway...
This is my 2nd year running the Trail Half marathon on the Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney, MI. Any of you that subscribe to RW, may recognize the trail name as it was in the top 25 trails listed in the RW Trail edition. It's a technical mountain bike trail with lots of hills, stone/rocks, root covered single lane trails, sand pits, etc... Definitely a tough run!
This ended up being another long course. This race is put on by the same company that put in on the Martian Half Marathon that I ran on April 2nd. Randy Step, with Running Fit, announced that the trail course was actually 13.30 miles, not 13.10. Ah well, we got an extra .20 miles out of the event.
I really wanted to beat my time from last years event (2:03:40) and break 2 hours. I was only able to achieve one of my 2 goals. I did beat last years time, but did not break 2 hours. I rolled my ankle pretty good about 3-4 miles in. I was also dealing with some hip pain on my right hip that was annoying. And I was hot! I had originally planned to wear shorts and a short sleeve top. Then at the last minute I put a long sleeve top on under my short sleeve. Of course, these are all just excuses on why I did not run faster. Truth is, I think I held myself back a bit. Even though I really wanted to finish under 2 hours, I knew I could not risk injury since the marathon is in 4 weeks.
I ended up crossing the finish line in 2:02:10 for13.30 miles and placed 2nd in my age group. It's a new PR, so I'll take it. My dad also placed 2nd in his age group and had a speedy finish of 1:55:34!
Official Results:
Time: 2:02:10 - 13.30 miles
Pace: 9:11 pace
AG Place: 2nd/41
Overall: 133/662
Monday, May 2, 2011
Complete: Week 14 of Marathon Training and April Stats
Monday scheduled: 5 mile run
Monday actual: 6 mile run 49:22 8:13 pace
Tuesday scheduled: 5 mile run
Tuesday actual: 5.60 mile run - speed work (even Steven short work out found in RT) on treadmill 1% incline 45:58 8:12 pace, core work, upper body lifting, push ups 4 x 15
Wednesday scheduled: 5 mile run
Wednesday actual: 7 mile run 56:13 8:01 pace
Thursday scheduled: rest day
Thursday actual: 5.25 mile run on treadmill 1% incline 44:11 8:24 pace, push ups 4 x 18, core work
Friday scheduled: 8 mile run
Friday actual: 5 mile run 40:05 8:01 pace, core work, push ups 2 x 20
Saturday scheduled: 12 mile run
Saturday actual: 45 minutes Yoga
Sunday scheduled: cross train
Sunday actual: Trail Half Marathon 13.30 miles (course measured long) 2:02:10 9:11 pace, 2nd out of 41 in my age group. New Trail Half PR.
Schedule Total Mileage: 35 miles
Actual Total Mileage: 42.15 miles
Weight: ? - didn't weigh in
~~~~~~~~~~~~April Stats~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April Mileage: 177.46
April Strength training/core: 13
Monday actual: 6 mile run 49:22 8:13 pace
Tuesday scheduled: 5 mile run
Tuesday actual: 5.60 mile run - speed work (even Steven short work out found in RT) on treadmill 1% incline 45:58 8:12 pace, core work, upper body lifting, push ups 4 x 15
Wednesday scheduled: 5 mile run
Wednesday actual: 7 mile run 56:13 8:01 pace
Thursday scheduled: rest day
Thursday actual: 5.25 mile run on treadmill 1% incline 44:11 8:24 pace, push ups 4 x 18, core work
Friday scheduled: 8 mile run
Friday actual: 5 mile run 40:05 8:01 pace, core work, push ups 2 x 20
Saturday scheduled: 12 mile run
Saturday actual: 45 minutes Yoga
Sunday scheduled: cross train
Sunday actual: Trail Half Marathon 13.30 miles (course measured long) 2:02:10 9:11 pace, 2nd out of 41 in my age group. New Trail Half PR.
Schedule Total Mileage: 35 miles
Actual Total Mileage: 42.15 miles
Weight: ? - didn't weigh in
~~~~~~~~~~~~April Stats~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April Mileage: 177.46
April Strength training/core: 13
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Rest is Best and other ramblings
After 2 days off from running, I am feeling much better! My left quad is still a little sore, but it's tolerable. Best part is that I can actually sit down to use the bathroom without having to use my arms to lower myself and push myself up again!
I ran this morning too! It was a slow, rough start but by the end, I was feeling good. I ran 5.5 miles in 47:31 at an 8:38 pace. Nothing to write home about, but I ran and that alone makes me happy. I may even run again tonight. As of today, I am 5 miles behind for my training this week. I must get this mileage in and its gorgeous outside so I may as well take advantage of the weather too. I plan to keep a conservative pace. Hopefully by tomorrow I can do those mile repeats I have been eager to attack!
I am meeting my dad this Saturday to run Potawatomi Trail...again. Here's to hoping that these 13 miles won't hurt as bad as the last 18! It's my only chance to hit this trail again before the trail half marathon on May 1st. Last year I got 3-4 runs in on this trail, so I am not so sure how well I will do. My time last year was 2:03 and I would love to break 2 hours. Funny how different pace & time is from running a road half and a trail half. My last road half was 1:37:45 and here I am hoping to break 2 hours. Guess that tells you how difficult trail running can be.
Boston is in 5 days! I can't wait to see how Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher do. There are a few from the blogging world I will be sending running vibes to that day as well.
I ran this morning too! It was a slow, rough start but by the end, I was feeling good. I ran 5.5 miles in 47:31 at an 8:38 pace. Nothing to write home about, but I ran and that alone makes me happy. I may even run again tonight. As of today, I am 5 miles behind for my training this week. I must get this mileage in and its gorgeous outside so I may as well take advantage of the weather too. I plan to keep a conservative pace. Hopefully by tomorrow I can do those mile repeats I have been eager to attack!
I am meeting my dad this Saturday to run Potawatomi Trail...again. Here's to hoping that these 13 miles won't hurt as bad as the last 18! It's my only chance to hit this trail again before the trail half marathon on May 1st. Last year I got 3-4 runs in on this trail, so I am not so sure how well I will do. My time last year was 2:03 and I would love to break 2 hours. Funny how different pace & time is from running a road half and a trail half. My last road half was 1:37:45 and here I am hoping to break 2 hours. Guess that tells you how difficult trail running can be.
Boston is in 5 days! I can't wait to see how Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher do. There are a few from the blogging world I will be sending running vibes to that day as well.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Week 11 completed and taking a beating
Ouch! I hurt. I can barely walk. My legs are fried.
I met my dad yesterday for our 18 mile run. We decided to get some training in on the Potawatomi trail since we have a half marathon on this trail May 1st. We split the 18 mile run into two segments. The first was 10.85 mile route on the trail, a quick stop at the car to change socks & shoes and head out of the park to run hills for another 7.29 miles.
The Potawatomi trail is one of the most technical trails in the state of Michigan. It's know for its rough terrain and being the "granddaddy" of trails in Southeastern Michigan. The Poto is mostly hills, with sandy areas, rocky paths, exposed tree roots on the trail, you name it. Unless you have experienced this trail yourself, a person will never know the true level of difficulty the trail is! Today I am respecting the trail more than ever. My legs are toast. Dad said this would probably be the hardest work out I will have during my marathon training and boy, was he right!
I am just hoping my legs feel better by tomorrow so I can tackle week 12. This killer could not have come at a better time; it's cut back week! I have three 5 milers (which I will probably add a couple extra miles here and there), one 8 mgp run and a 13 mile long-ish run. Our 13 mile long run will be back out on the Poto. I am sure I won't feel the bad some next week. At least I hope not!
Here is how last weeks training went. I was far too conservative with my pace this week. I have tempo runs and mile repeats on my agenda for week 12.
Monday scheduled: 5 mile run
Monday actual: 5.5 miles treadmill; 46:50 8:30 pace
Tuesday scheduled: 8 mile run
Tuesday actual: 8 mile run treadmill jog/tempo/push work out; 66:06 8:15 pace, JM 6 week 6 pack, push ups 4 x 15, planks 4 x 1 minute
Wednesday scheduled: 5 mile run
Wednesday actual: 5.25 miles run treadmill; 43:50 8:20 pace, push ups 3 x 15
Thursday scheduled: rest day
Thursday actual: 5.25 mile run - hills on treadmill, push ups 3 x 15, planks 4 x 1 minute, core work
Friday scheduled: 8 mile run
Friday actual: 6 miles run treadmill 50:20 8:23 pace
Saturday scheduled: 18 mile run
Saturday actual: cross train; strength training for biceps, triceps, shoulders, back, chest, core work
Sunday scheduled: cross train
Sunday actual: 18.14 mile run trail & road; 10.85 miles Potawatomi trail 1:42 9:24 pace, 7.29 mile run w/ hills 1:03:07 8:39 pace. Total running time 2:45:07
Schedule Total Mileage: 44 miles
Actual Total Mileage: 48.14 miles
Weight: 122lbs
I met my dad yesterday for our 18 mile run. We decided to get some training in on the Potawatomi trail since we have a half marathon on this trail May 1st. We split the 18 mile run into two segments. The first was 10.85 mile route on the trail, a quick stop at the car to change socks & shoes and head out of the park to run hills for another 7.29 miles.
The Potawatomi trail is one of the most technical trails in the state of Michigan. It's know for its rough terrain and being the "granddaddy" of trails in Southeastern Michigan. The Poto is mostly hills, with sandy areas, rocky paths, exposed tree roots on the trail, you name it. Unless you have experienced this trail yourself, a person will never know the true level of difficulty the trail is! Today I am respecting the trail more than ever. My legs are toast. Dad said this would probably be the hardest work out I will have during my marathon training and boy, was he right!
I am just hoping my legs feel better by tomorrow so I can tackle week 12. This killer could not have come at a better time; it's cut back week! I have three 5 milers (which I will probably add a couple extra miles here and there), one 8 mgp run and a 13 mile long-ish run. Our 13 mile long run will be back out on the Poto. I am sure I won't feel the bad some next week. At least I hope not!
Here is how last weeks training went. I was far too conservative with my pace this week. I have tempo runs and mile repeats on my agenda for week 12.
Monday scheduled: 5 mile run
Monday actual: 5.5 miles treadmill; 46:50 8:30 pace
Tuesday scheduled: 8 mile run
Tuesday actual: 8 mile run treadmill jog/tempo/push work out; 66:06 8:15 pace, JM 6 week 6 pack, push ups 4 x 15, planks 4 x 1 minute
Wednesday scheduled: 5 mile run
Wednesday actual: 5.25 miles run treadmill; 43:50 8:20 pace, push ups 3 x 15
Thursday scheduled: rest day
Thursday actual: 5.25 mile run - hills on treadmill, push ups 3 x 15, planks 4 x 1 minute, core work
Friday scheduled: 8 mile run
Friday actual: 6 miles run treadmill 50:20 8:23 pace
Saturday scheduled: 18 mile run
Saturday actual: cross train; strength training for biceps, triceps, shoulders, back, chest, core work
Sunday scheduled: cross train
Sunday actual: 18.14 mile run trail & road; 10.85 miles Potawatomi trail 1:42 9:24 pace, 7.29 mile run w/ hills 1:03:07 8:39 pace. Total running time 2:45:07
Schedule Total Mileage: 44 miles
Actual Total Mileage: 48.14 miles
Weight: 122lbs
Saturday, April 3, 2010
10 mile trail report
As I stated in my previous post, my dad and I hit the Potawatomi Trail on Thursday afternoon. This trail is like nothing I have ever ran on before. The terrain was much more difficult than the previous trails. It's extremely narrow, lots of up and down, rocks, sand, tree roots, logs, man made wooden bridges, etc... Definitely a hard route to run.
My dad says it usually takes him about 1:40 to run this 10+ mile route. So that was my goal. To be able to run with him in his normal finishing time. about 1 hour into the run I fell. I didn't have any time to react so I planted my knees and face straight into the dirt. I must have tripped over a tree root. My dad was ahead of me, so I shouted out to him and he came sprinting back to me. I wiped my face and noticed blood all over my hands. I freaked. I could feel my lip getting fat. I grabbed my water bottle and used it to wet my face. I asked my dad to inspect my lip to make sure I did not need stitches. I thought for sure my teeth went through my lip. They didn't. It was split but on the inside. I had dirt all over my white running shirt, my hands were covered in sand, my face was dirty & scratched, my knees were scraped and I had a scrape on my right shoulder. I asked my dad what we should do and since he has never had to bail off this trail, he had no idea how to get back other then finishing the run. so we did. He would look back every few minutes or so to make sure I was ok. We ended up finishing the route in 1:56. Not too bad for falling and stopping at a well to wash my face and hands.
I felt so bad that I slowed down my dads run. He felt bad that I fell. I kind of feel a little hard core for falling and still being able to pick myself back up and run for another hour. And I will be back out on this same trail for another 10 miles on April 10th and to run my trail half marathon on April 25th.
Here are a few pictures of my injuries after I was able to clean them off. Sorry for the poor quality, they are from my camera phone.
Ignore the "deer in head lights" look on my face.
You can't see how fat my lip really was, but you can see the scratches above my lip, on the tip of my nose and on the bridge of my nose between my eyes.
Right Knee- which also happens to be what I call "my bad knee". Luckily, I landed on the fleshy part because as of today, I am pain free!!
Left knee- not nearly as bad as the right!
My dad says it usually takes him about 1:40 to run this 10+ mile route. So that was my goal. To be able to run with him in his normal finishing time. about 1 hour into the run I fell. I didn't have any time to react so I planted my knees and face straight into the dirt. I must have tripped over a tree root. My dad was ahead of me, so I shouted out to him and he came sprinting back to me. I wiped my face and noticed blood all over my hands. I freaked. I could feel my lip getting fat. I grabbed my water bottle and used it to wet my face. I asked my dad to inspect my lip to make sure I did not need stitches. I thought for sure my teeth went through my lip. They didn't. It was split but on the inside. I had dirt all over my white running shirt, my hands were covered in sand, my face was dirty & scratched, my knees were scraped and I had a scrape on my right shoulder. I asked my dad what we should do and since he has never had to bail off this trail, he had no idea how to get back other then finishing the run. so we did. He would look back every few minutes or so to make sure I was ok. We ended up finishing the route in 1:56. Not too bad for falling and stopping at a well to wash my face and hands.
I felt so bad that I slowed down my dads run. He felt bad that I fell. I kind of feel a little hard core for falling and still being able to pick myself back up and run for another hour. And I will be back out on this same trail for another 10 miles on April 10th and to run my trail half marathon on April 25th.
Here are a few pictures of my injuries after I was able to clean them off. Sorry for the poor quality, they are from my camera phone.
Ignore the "deer in head lights" look on my face.
You can't see how fat my lip really was, but you can see the scratches above my lip, on the tip of my nose and on the bridge of my nose between my eyes.
Right Knee- which also happens to be what I call "my bad knee". Luckily, I landed on the fleshy part because as of today, I am pain free!!
Left knee- not nearly as bad as the right!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)