A quick summary of the past few months. I haven't raced in quite some time, but have had a very enjoyable fall of running.
I have been heading out with Simon and Jon quite a bit recently, two world class athletes and equally good people. It's a real honour to be able to train with them and hopefully pick up a few tips along the way. Unfortunately, the magic pill, seems to come back to the same basic elements, consistency, f*%#ing hard work, incredible drive, a love of what they do and a tonne of natural talent.
For those who want to know, my week roughly breaks down like this:
Monday: 60-75 min
Tuesday: hill work +/- 90 min; sometimes a second run
Wed: long hilly run + strength
Thurs: 60-90 min
Friday: tempo type run +/- 90 min
Saturday: easier day + strength
Sunday: shorter long run am with a group, it has been quite solid the past few weeks; PM easier run
I just found out that I won a lottery slot to Miwok 100km in May, so my running will slowly start to transition to getting me ready for the challenges of a longer outing. Considering my only effort at a race over 50km was a bust last summer (DNF at White River 50 miler), my first goal is just to finish the sucker. I really need to learn what it is like through the harder patches of the race and how I resp0nd after 5-6-7-8 etc... hours of running in my legs. It seems like a big part of mountain ultra races (and any endurance event really) is developing appropriate coping mechanisms to manage the inevitable lows and to control yourself through the highs. Some of that comes through training, but training ain't racing, so I have to put myself out there a few times to find out. I can't wait!
I don't know for sure, but I think 2011 will look something like this:
March - Chuckanut 50km
May - Miwok 100
June/July - Knee Knacker, or Ultimate XC (Mt Tremblant)
August- Sierre Zinal
August- Tour De Mont Blanc, or the CCC at the same event
December - North face 50 miler
I would also like to try a few more runs on the island, having a crack at some of the more famous tracks and definitely spend more time exploring Canada's Alps.
Until then, I am currently sitting at my gate at YVR, waiting to hop on a flight down under to go and visit Lauren in Canberra. I will enjoy running in the heat and not having to worry about the books for a bit, but mostly, I look forward to hanging out with Lauren. I can't wait!
3 comments:
Glad to hear that you have been able to keep up the consistency with running. Too bad you missed the show-down at TNF 50; would have been nice to see you in the mix. You are one of a select few who can say they have led both Tony and Dakota for 20+ miles during a race.
Anyways, just wanted to ask you a random question about UVIC Law. I got accepted there for Sept (and they offered me money as bonus!). Wondering what your experience has been there. Both on campus/the program and off campus/ everday life (ie. running resources, trails, etc).
Hope exams went well.
Cheers, Adam
Hey Adam, thanks on the compliment-
too bad leading for 20 miles of a 50 miler counts for exactly squat :)
Yeah, TNF 50 would have been cool, but back to back exams 2 days later made it pretty much impossible, or at least reckless.
Congrats on getting into UVic, it's a great school and getting some mullah should definitely be factored in.
I assume that you have been accepted at other schools too? You likely know this already, but a lot will come down to what way you are leaning with your career. If you want to practice in Toronto, or New York, then I would head East, but if you want to stay out West, then UVic is a great school. If you have no clue what your want to do (I didn't), then the other factors, like being close to family, access to trails and other interests do play a factor.
If it comes down to the western schools, UVic is probably more liberal than UBC and may have a few less class options in the business areas, but I haven't found that I have missed out, in fact, I have had some great learning experiences and the degree is highly regarded. I would really suggest looking into the co-op program, especially if you don't know what you want to do with your law degree, but the other clinical courses are also very worthwhile. I did the Environmental Law Clinic and got to work on a very interesting stormwater advocacy project.
I have quite enjoyed law school and have been able to keep up a decent amount of running/training around classes and readings. The only time that I find it gets really compromised is around exams, but it can be done.
I am definitely biased, but I love the running in Victoria and the community. It lacks a bit in really long steep ascents, but it is very easy to link up great routes and get in some very technical running, as well as some flatter/faster running. There is a reason most of Canada's top mountain bikers, cyclists and triathletes base themselves out of Vic. It also has some pretty quick runners. Because it has such an active high performance community, it also has a very good network of therapists.
It has much less rain than Vancouver and the food, coffee shops and lack of traffic are huge selling points. If you decide to come to Victoria, I would suggest bringing a car, so you can access a wider range of trails and can explore some some of the great coastal trails, as well as Strathcona park.
It is a bit of a pain to get over to the mainland for some of the races, but most worthwhile races happen during the summer, outside of the school year.
Also, some Vancouverites miss the big city feel, with Victoria feeling quaint, but that is a selling point to me.
Unfortunately, I will be articling in Vancouver next September, or I would offer to show you around the trails. If you fire me an email campbelladam79 at gmail dot com, I would be more than happy to answer any specific questions and/or give you the lowdown on trails and linkups to make for some stellar runs.
Cheers,
Adam
WOW - Adam! Way to jump right in to Ultra world! It's going to be an awesome ride.
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