Training Snapshot - Trail Running

My training is nothing to gloat about; however, this is only my base training. Meaning, I am not focused upon speed-intervals or strength training as of yet. While this blog posting is focused upon only the trail jogging data, my overall training schedule is as follows: jogging and swimming M,W,F. Mountain Biking T,TH,S.

Below, I display the jogging data I collected today from my Garmin205 of a local trail system within the Gulch.


The Totals once again are nothing impressive. It is just volume training. Notice the slow first 2 miles and the last two miles. Which were uphill!? You can figure that out by looking at the total Ascent for each lap. A 9:43 Average Pace which I feel is relatively very slow. But, I have to keep reminding myself this year is only base/volume training!



Click on the images for the larger version. The total elevation gain was 700ft (error factor of +- 18ft) "We ain't in Kansas(Ohio) any more Toto"


Below is a topo of the map with the trail I jog. The streets on the west side of the map is Durango. It is a fairly nice trail for an early morning jog. Avoiding the heat and the typical noon monsoon rains of CO's July month encourages me to get up in the morning. Also, the rattle snakes are too cold to be out; however, the mountain lions who are used to humans maybe lurking about for an earlier morning snack.



I am subscribing to the training techniques defined by Joe Friel. He recommends a copious amount of volume training before engaging with more advanced training such as intervals and strength. I would love to have had a Garmin with the HR monitor to overlay the data. Also, observing the HR average decrease overtime is a sure sign of gauging aerobic/anaerobic improvement. Maybe next year I will upgrade to the 305.

Jeep camping, July 3rd, 09

We decided to head 14 miles up Junction Creek Road and find a cherry spot, enjoy the day, and test out some new jeep camping gear. New tent, stove, tables, air-mattresses, etc.

Here are the pics of the event. We took lunch and dinner and even had s'mores. The dogs ran around like idiots. I was secretly hoping something would eat them when I turned a blind-eye. Unfortunately, this did not occur. Click any image for full size.

Base Camp, The tent is a 6 man; plenty of room for all of our air mattresses!

We have two hammocks that I setup above base camp for an outstanding view!

A view from the campsite. Facing northerly relative to Durango.

Notice the clouds; the day was fraught with thunderstorms, but, we avoided them!

An artsy-fartsy shot here.

Overall, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable day. I needed to test drive the gear before we used it to spend the night anywhere.

Hermosa Trail 15June09

A few weeks ago Tyler and I did an out and back starting a lower Hermosa TH. I had fun with the editing and forgot to upload the video.

We are stars!!

Screw Colorado, Hollywood here we come!

We were asked to be apart of a commercial for a local mountain bike tour guide company, Hermosa Tours. Enjoy the video. You may have to watch it a number of times to see everyone!

Xterra Buffalo Creek 09

My buddy from work Dan O, motivated me to train for an Xterra. What is an Xterra? Basically, it is a triathlon but with a twist. Traditional triathlons consist of a swim(typically, open water), a road bike ride, and a road run. However, Xterras are a swim (typically, open water), a mountain bike ride, and a trail run. I completed a number of traditional triathlons while in the military, and Xterras actually sounded more enjoyable.

So for the last month I built up a basic base for swimming, trail jogging and mountain bike riding. My goal, was simple, I did not want to finish last!

Dan and I travelled to Bailey, Co (30 minutes south of Denver) to compete in the Buffalo Creek Xterra on 20June09. We drove up the night before and camped out before the event.

Here is a picture of the transition area from the lake swim to the bike. It was also the same transition are from the bike finish to begin the trail run. Dan and I setup in the back left corner.


Below a picture of Dan sleeping before the event. Oddly, he looks like a corpse in that tent. I slept in the back of the Element (bear safe!)



Below is a listing of the results. I am happy to say, Dan finished first in our age group (the most competive) and I did not finish last!!! I was happy. Notice who finished first in the 35-39 age group. If you look closely at my times, you will notice I barely beat a few 55-98 age group! Never say your too old to have fun entering events like this.

(Click on the image for the larger version)

The next event is July 18th in Buffalo Creek, near Vale. Dan, Tyler and I will enter. Tyler will make his first appearance on the Xterra circuit. He has been training hard, especially with his swimming to prepare. I will post more pictures from the Buffalo Creek event when I receive them from the event's photography group.

Mother's Day hike

I have not posted in awhile; been too busy living life I guess. We have been very busy with activities: jeep touring, tons of hiking, lots of swimming, running, and Mountain biking. Regarding the mountain biking I did get a new bike, a Trek Top Fuel 69'er (the front wheel is a 29" and rear a 26") I absolutely LOVE the bike. Anyway, I am too lazy to post all the past pictures; however, here is one picture of Rebecca and Cede during our hike today. We did a 10 mile out and back in the San Juan. The kids were busy studying for final exams, this next week is their last week of school.


We felt fairly confident identifying a fresh mountain lion track. I wish I would have taken a picture of it. We were in a fairly remote area around 9500 feet of Grassy Mountain. We unfortunately did not see any bears, but are hearing stories from our neighbors they are wandering close by the house.



Ciao.

Green Table - Mesa Verde

Today we visited Mesa Verde (translated - Green Table) National Park learning about the Ancestral Puebloan's and their habitats from 1400 years ago. It was actually pretty nifty!! We participated in a tour guided by a knowledgeable park ranger explaining the various facts regarding the Cliff Palace. The most intriguing fact was learning the Puebloans disappeared without much trace around AD - 1300 taking with them any cultural artifacts defining their culture. It is speculated the culture dispersed and integrated into other Native American tribes. (or it was the Aliens!)

Enjoy some pics.

An overlook of the Cliff Palace.


Rebecca says she looks like a bug!


A small hike to the Palace.


Everyone is smiling while standing in front of a structure within the Cliff Palace. Cliff Palace has approximately 150 rooms. Archeologist began studying this dwelling around the 1800s.


Overall it was a pleasant day, 50 degrees and sunny with some winds. MVNP is located approximately 36 miles west of Durango. To view all the pics taken on the event visit the link to my Picasa web site.