13.3 myles - 2.00:13

HR urban trails - 8:00 A.M.
clear, crisp, snow on the trail
mind/body - good
easy effort

Where are all the weekend snowshoers?? They were supposed to be out before I was to cut trail. Chop-Chop weekend warriors! If I knew you were gonna sleep in I would have taken my snowshoes.

Needless to say I did another round of Jai-me's in the snow while I cut trail. I connected a bunch of trails this morning just to get two hours in. 9:06 pace overall but I made sure when I was on the road that I was closer to 7's so that I got some good leg turnover.

I end the month with 164 myles, the most I've done in October in the last 5 years. And for the year I'm at 2862 - gonna hit 3K for sure.

5 myles - 57:51

Mt. Falcon - 2:00 P.M.
40s, clear, lots-o-snow
mind/body - good
easy effort

The storm has finally passed with clear blue skies today. But with the warmeth - bringeth the sloppeth. I opted for Mt. Falcon because I thought by now someone would have been up there with snowshoes for some packed snow. On the lower portion - yes. Once I got around the point (1.9 myles) all the snowshoe-ers decided to turn around... I carried on through snow drifts up to my knees. It was OK for about 15 minutes but then my bare legs became numb so I turned around just short of the shelter. A whopping 11:34 pace. Lot's of good Jai-me's though. Wait for it.... that would be High knees for you slower folk...

8 myles - 1.15:38

Coyote Ridge trail - 1:00 P.M.
Snowing!
mind/body - peaceful
easy effort

A conversation with a colleague this morning: "What are you going to do today now that we are snowed in?.... I'm gonna do my business plan and then go run.... What?!? It's a blizzard out there, are you crazy?" I thought, probably. But not because I'm going running....

I don't know about you but snow seems to bring peace and tranquility to a run. The wind and popcorn snow sucked but there's something about making fresh tracks that makes it worth the time. A cheetah type pace today at 9:27. Bring on the snow!

8 myles - 58:40

Coyote Ridge - 3:30 P.M.
mild weather - calm before the storm
mind/body - sloshy/bloated
easy effort

7:20 pace today but it felt much, much slower than that. I've been held up in a meeting for the past two days, eating constantly! Every time I turned around they were bringing more food - 6 square meals each day. Hotel was nice - Westin downtown Denver. I think it's time for another string of 'office' days...

10 myles - 1.17:46

HR urban trails - 8:00 A.M.
snowing, mucky, NW wind
mind/body - good
easy effort

Mucky-muck! Must have rained overnight because the trail was dry yesterday but this morning the mud was caked to my shoes. Didn't feel the best but plugged away with a 7:32 avg. Rather than a true snow, it was more like hail pelting me in the face as I finished up. I end the week with 45 myles and so far for the month of October 133 myles - about right for a recovery month. I'm still not sure about any more races this year but if the next few weeks go good I could see myself doing something in December.... early December that is.

On another note, the CRUD party was yesterday at Palmer Lake. And once again I represented the North CRUD chapter at the party... good thing because as you can see from the picture below - North CRUD swept the awards! Thanks to Smith Optics and Pearl Izumi for providing the all the award give-aways - the recipients were truly grateful.

North CRUD takes home the goods

8 myles - 56:08

Daniels Park - 11:00 A.M.
50s, still a little muddy, sunny
mind/body - good
Hard effort

Whoa! I just realized this is my second 'office day' this week... that's OK my boss would understand. Wait! I don't have a boss... that's right cause I AM the boss. I'm actually preparing for a divisional meeting here in Denver next Monday and Tuesday so it's legit being in the 'office'.

I still didn't feel the turn-over in the legs today so I decided to do a one mile test on flat road. 5:40.92 for the mile but it was as hard as I could go. I'm hopeful the leg speed will come around so that a 5:40 won't seem so anaerobic.

Finally, check this photo out. Not only do we here at Pearl Izumi-Smith run but we race cars too!

Team Director - Aric Manning sprinting to the win

10 myles - 1.11:49

Daniels Park - 3:30 P.M.
50s, sloppy, a little snow
mind/body - good
easy effort

Even though my effort was easy, it just seemed way too hard for the result - 7:11 pace. It seemed like I should have been going faster but maybe because of the muck I was spinnin' the wheels - so to speak.

On another note, check out this article written up in the NY times. Not so much the article but take a look at those shoes! Those are the new Fuel XC that will becoming out in Spring 2010 - I promise one of thee best -if not best- shoe on the market for 2010. I've attached a picture of the Fuel XC for a closer look. I raced all year in this shoe, along with 300 myles on the CT with no blister OR toenail issues to speak of.

Fuel XC - Spring 2010

7 myles - 50:11

Lone Tree loop - 8:00 A.M.
The nice weather has left - 50s and wind
mind/body - good
Hard effort

That's right -hard- effort! Not for the whole thing, just for the middle 5K. Second time I did the Fast Eddy 5K - 18:28 with 300 ft elevation gain on single track. About a minute faster than last week and little bit of a stronger push today. This was my final test to see if I wanted to participate and CRUSH Brownie in the Manitou 5K on Saturday. I'm probably at 17:40 pace for a flat 5K right now and I think that's a little fast for Brownie so I've elected NOT to demoralize him. Maybe when I'm 60 brownie.... If you hit one mile in 5:45 I'll buy you a beer on Saturday and maybe bring you a little prize from Smith Optics (Thanks Aric!)

10 myles - 1.15:40

HR urban trails - 11:00 A.M.
70s, dry, little wind
mind/body - good
easy, easy effort

Another beautiful day here in Denver! Since yesterday was a bit of a push I decided today was going to be real easy... and easy it was with a 7:34 pace. I have a tendency to start slow, knowing that it's an easy effort, but as the run continues I speed up almost without noticing. I made sure today stayed slow, finishing with a nice 7:30 mile. I had one of those "office" days with business plans and expense reports so in order to keep my sanity I had to get out today.

When I don't get out on "office" days

8 myles - 54:50

Coyote Ridge trail - 8:00 A.M.
really nice! Best days of the year!
mind/body - good
easy effort

It's hard to resist to get outdoors this time of year! I'm really not intending to put any routine to my running since it's a down month for me but the weather is perfect! This is the 3rd time I've done this run this week and have shaved off 2 and 1/2 minutes with the same perceived effort. I guess you can say my body is coming around. Ended up with a 6:51 pace with my last mile in 6:37.

Yesterday I rode the bike for 1.5 hours. I had a great time and wondered why that was only the second time all year I've been on my mountain bike.... OH YAH - there's only 52 weeks in a year of which I spend 44 running. I guess what I'm saying is that although I love to cross train on the mountain bike I just don't have the time. Having said that, I've decided I'm gonna sell my bike. It's a shame such a good bike just sits in my garage 99% of the year. It should go to someone who rides, and rides a lot!

It's a 2006 Giant Anthem 1 - 18 inch. I bought it two years ago and have only rode it a 1/2 dozen times. It retailed for $4000 when it came out 4 years ago. I'm willing to let it go for a mere $1500! Here are the specs on it. I've had two tune-ups in the last two years, one of which was back in July and I have only rode it one time since - yesterday. I'm also gonna put this up on Craig's list as well, so don't wait.

2006 Giant Anthem 1

I will use the money I make off the bike to pay for all my race entries for 2010... and that probably won't cover it! So expensive these days.

'Extra' proud father here today!

Jaxon competed in his first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament today - the 4th annual U.S. National Cup in Arvada, CO. He was nervous all last night and all morning long. But I told him that being nervous is good, it's the same as being excited to compete and wanting to do well. I told him whatever the outcome - I was proud!

Instructors - Mike Nickels and Nobu giving final instructions

As the tournament began he was being shuffled around between groups based on weight and skill level. He finally got placed in a group with two green belts and one blue belt. Jaxon is currently a 3 strip yellow belt, which is just above white belt and below green and blue. Mike told Jaxon not to worry about it because the belt is just a color and that he should rely on his Jiu-Jitsu. Jaxon smiled and was confidently ready to go!

Jaxon in his first match

Here's the score - Jaxon won big time!

Now it was time for his second match, his confidence was high but he was going against a kid that also won his first match big time.

Jaxon get's the first points with a take down

Each match is 3 minutes long so Jaxon was instructed to get take downs, mounts, and possible submissions quickly. As he was going for the submission in this match, winning 2-0 and only 30 seconds to go, his opponent did a complete sweep and full mount on Jaxon and won 4-2. Jaxon is now 1-1 and must win his next to take second place.

Jaxon on top in his second place match

Jaxon had the full mount 3 times and was winning big time when he slipped in an Anaconda and won by submission! 2nd PLACE in his first ever tournament! He was so excited! Man, I am so damn proud of him!

Jaxon Jaime - 2nd place U.S. National Cup - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament

Jaxon and his instructor Big Mike Nickels

As we were leaving Mike said to me "Jaxon is such a good kid, you are lucky to have a kid so special" - I agree Mike. We are lucky to have Jaxon in our lives. CONGRATULATIONS JAXON!

If Mike Nickels looks familiar then you must have watched the Ultimate Fighter season 3 - he lost in the semi-final round. Mike is currently fighting an MMA circuit that feeds the UFC. Mike just won a fight up in Canada two weeks ago - check it out on youtube. You'll see him again in the UFC. We are lucky to have him as an instructor for Jaxon.

9 myles - 1.04:41

Lone Tree Loop - 4:00 P.M.
very nice - 70s, dry
mind/body - good
easy effort

It was pretty much all an easy effort today except for a 5K push in the middle..... 19:35 with 600 ft of elevation on trail - not fast but felt good. The question is can I beat brownie next Saturday? I haven't decided if I'm doing the 5K in Manitou Springs before the CRUD party so I would consider today just a little test. I may be there, I may not.... make brownie sweat it out.

Lots of talk out there about ultra runner of the year.... the stuff I read on blogs makes me chuckle. Something to talk about. So serious. Does it really matter? Braggin rights I guess... Err wait... do you get a check?? If so, I'm IN! Who do I bribe? Phbbbfffttt....

8 myles - 56:19

Coyote Ridge trail - 10:00 A.M.
60s, clear, dry
mind/body - good!
Easy effort

Guess what I did this morning? ...well of course I ran. A good run with a 7:02 avg. and feeling mighty good - I might add.

I did the unthinkable... I put my name in the lottery hat for Western States. I now make 1,801 applicants vying for a mere hundred and 50 slots. Slim chance so I won't get my hopes up. I think I did it for a few reasons: I'm looking for something new, I wanna see how I rank among the best hundred mile racers in the world, and I wanna settle the score with this guy in his "superbowl" race. Good reasons right?

8.5 myles - 58:20

HR urban trails
50s, little wind, dry
mind/body - coming around
easy effort

Slightly faster than yesterday; 6:52 pace today. And what makes me happy is that I was anxious to go faster. "IT" is coming back. The reason I know this is because I started to formulate a plan for next year. This year I think I showed my versatility by placing high in all my races from 50K to 100 myles and even taking on a 500 mile beast. What I'm thinking for next year is to show even more versatility first by setting my marathon PR and 50K PR in the same race and then doing something with Dave Horton... I hate to think what ol Horty has in mind but he mentioned it to me so its his plan. Anyways that's what I'm thinking and well see what happens in between.

On another note, Pearl Izumi-Smith is taking applications for the 2010 team. Go here for more details. So far, I like what I'm hearing as far as plans for the team (i.e. athlete summit with all the sponsors sometime in February at PI.) Hope I make the team.

8 myles - 57:03

Coyote Ridge trail - noon
mid 60s, dry, no wind
mind/body - eager/sluggish
easy effort

Nice easy run with a 7:08 pace. I'm trying not to get into a routine but I just can't help myself - I'm an addict! My days go so much better and I feel much better after a run. The consequence is doing too much to push me back into injury.

It's been a long year for me with training really starting last November for Rocky Raccoon. Having said that I will keep my myles to less than 40 for the month of October and see what the first week of November brings. I really wanna do another race before the end of the year because my work really starts to get busy in January so training might be limited. I'll let my body tell me if it's gonna happen ....man it's tough being 40!

Just reminiscing... Kokomo pass

Quick update

It's been over a week since I've put anything up so I'll give a quick update:

I spent the week in The SLC on business and while in town I was able to get on 5 runs for a grand total of 26 myles. I'm OK with that.

• Sunday - Bonneville Shoreline Trail where the Wasatch starts and went out to the Great Western Trail, solid hour.
  
• Monday - hooked with Christian Johnson above Red Butte Garden for an hour and the highlight of that trip was seeing a Bobcat - pretty cool. Christian showed me his home course and later treated me to din-din - Thanks Christian!
• Tuesday - ran the streets of The SLC early in search of coffee. Only was out 1/2 hour and came back empty handed. Before I left town though, I went back to Jack Mormon coffee in search of the celestial bean. I may have just had the best cup-o-coffee EVER! Beans are roasted on site by the pound and a cup is brewed as you order.
• Thursday - up on the Bonneville Shoreline trail starting on the Wasatch course. Went for an hour and loving every minute of it
• Saturday - A nice fast 6 mile spin on my old home-road course. Still slow at 41:03 but I'm getting "it" back.

The Giardia is gone - thank you very much! Shins are starting to come around, not as quick as I'd like but I have to be cautious. When I stay flat I don't feel them at all but when I go vertical (or somewhat vertical) I feel them coming down. I haven't shut it down for the year just yet. I'm hopeful for a late November or early December 50.

And last, Congrats to my friend Tim Hola for finishing the Iron Man Hawaii yesterday in a time of 9.17! Not his fastest (8.58) but this is something like his 12th finish. Nice job Tim once again!

6 myles - 50:06

Treadmill at Rec center - 9:00 A.M.
50s and wind outside
mind/body - feeling kinda normal
easy effort

Finally! Starting to feel normal on a run. And at this point I'll take anything I can get. Not only am I dealing with chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) and giadiasis, but I have a common cold as well. Guess you can say the trail beat me up pretty good.

This was my 3rd run since coming off the CT, the two other runs were 5 myles each and completely miserable. Today I felt decent with an 8:21 pace, being mindful of the still injured shins. The doc told me to take 6 weeks off because even though I may not feel pain, I'm still in danger of more damage. She did say I could do the occasional easy run of up to 1/2 hour just to keep the blood moving but riding the bike and swimming were better options. I think I will incorporate the bike and pool just like I did last year while letting the body rest.

To this point in the year I have run 2694 myles. So with 3 months to go I will, for sure, hit the 3K mark for the first time. This year I also ran a high for a week and month with 303 and 504 respectively.

Time to start making plans for next year...