Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Back into My 100-Mile Routine




I haven't posted regularly. Well, I've been busy, ok?

The race directing went very well last week, and my last 100-mile trail run was fantastic. I've been busier than normal at work. I just received my yearly evaluation and did very well. (I guess I'm still employed for another week, at least).

After my 100-miler, I took a week off from major physical activity to try to keep from getting sick (because of a reduced immune system after such a long event). I've been skirting on the edges of getting a cold for the past 10 days, but have somehow avoided actually getting it.

Last week I got back into my gym/weight routine, and started running again on Thursday night. Saturday's run was in zero degrees F, with a little breeze to bring the windchill down to minus 8 or so. Four of us ran at SM Park for 11 miles or so. Luckily, we didn't have any "useful or important parts" freeze and fall-off because of the cold weather. Sunday, six of us ran a 10.35 mile (hilly) loop at WyCo Park, in a relatively warm-ish 15 degrees F. The ground was harder and more screwed-up than normal, and all of us wimped-out decided to do just one loop, except for Kyle (who had a bad cold and was hacking like a TB victim). We took down some more course markings from the race last week.

Last night (and after dark), I did a decent 2-loop run at SM Park with the Trail Nerds. We did the first 4.6-mile rocky & hilly trail loop in 42 minutes; (we went slow because we had a newbie with us). We dropped the newbie off before the 2nd loop. We ended up doing the 2nd loop in 34 minutes. It felt good to run at break-neck speed on trails, again. I'm officially back into my 100-mile training regimen! I've got a 50-miler coming up in about a month.

There. You're totally caught up. Oh yeah, it's my birthday today.

14 comments:

Breeves2000 said...

Happy Birthday Big Bad Ben! Go celebrate with lots of BEER. Really good beer too like Keystone light. ;-)
You earned it!

Ben, aka BadBen said...

Tonight, I'm going to go to Barley's with my son (when he gets off of work at 8pm), and smoke a REAL Cuban Monte Cristo #3, after a few brewskis.

Hey Zeus said...

Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Ben!

Jack said...

Happy Birthday Ben! I've been lurking in the shadows trying to gleam tips for my first 50K in May. I really enjoy reading your blog. Your beer sounds good too (I live in Germany so definetely have access to some good beer and wine)!

running42k said...

Happy Birthday and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Olga said...

Happy birthday, Ben! I missed your posts:) What is the next 100M?

Ben, aka BadBen said...

Maybe the new 100-miler at Tahoe Rim on June 17th, 2006. I definitely want to do the Cascade Crest Classic 100, but am awaiting information on this year's event. It usually happens on the 3rd weekend of August.

Rae said...

HAPPY Birthday!! Welcome back to your training program! And congrats on a great work eval!

Tammy said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU CRAZY MAN!! Took a whole week off after the 100-miler... you slacker! :P

Olga said...

CCC usually comes on 4th weekend of August, I believe, though new RD may change that. Let us know if you're coming, would be fun to meet you.

KT said...

Happy birthday! I loved the account of the 100-miler. Any event that includes mac and cheese seems worthwhile to me.

Lora said...

Happy Birthday Ben!! Your 100-miler report makes me yearn to get started on becoming an ultra..damn it sucks to wait.
Enjoy the cigar!

brent d. said...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! It's amazing to see how fast you've bounced back after your 100miler. I'd still be out there trying to finish. =)