Running the APEX Trail
I am learning how to deal with an “off season” and relax from the running bit. It’s not hard to do with my schedule of wife, 4 kids, work, and consulting. At the same time, I don’t feel like I have this influx of extra time. Rather, it’s like my body knows and is forcing me to sleep for 10 hours a night in preparation of what’s on my mind for 2015.
With that being said, I have been asked numerous times what’s on my racing calendar for 2015.
Don’t know quite yet. Much of it will depend on the newly initiated Leadville 100 Mile Run lottery. I would rather have seen them add a qualifier like having to complete a 50 mile run before going to a lottery, but it’s a good fundraiser for their charity foundation. Whether or not my name is drawn, I have a training plan written down for it. That’s a first.
I know that I am definitely running the Colfax Half Marathon in May with Tanya. It was her first half marathon last year and is one of the best organized events I have been in.
One of the reasons I made a job change was to be closer to running activities. This included run clubs, running stores, running friends, and trails. I finally got out to run the APEX trail in Golden. All I knew was that there would be climbing involved, which meant slow time on the feet.
What I forgot was how much fun it was to run downhill! Remember, this is a technical trail so not just smooth surface with an even rhythm using gravity. This is more like running like a ninja and bouncing from side to side, catching yourself when tripping on a rock, but using the speed to soar over a tree. There’s no zoning out when running down the side of a mountain in Colorado. You pay attention, or you fall and lose teeth.
I was there running with Parrott and he was coming up (he did an extra loop) as I was coming down. Not sure what he said as I was in mid-air when we passed each other. Feedback back at the car was that I looked pretty comfortable moving downhill at that speed. Part of my challenge with going up is remembering I can make up time on the way down. In the same thought though, any faster movement up is bonus overall. Running can be a bit of a balance at times.
With that, I just had Lasik retreatment so no running this week, but I am looking at it as an opportunity to work in strength training and time on a bike. I negotiated with the eye doc 5 days of rest rather than 7-10 they tell people. Comes back to schedule and how I’m feeling, but at least there’s a chance!
