Running, Anyone...?

**GeezerSteve** · 07-15-2017, 12:13 PM

Thanks. Yeah, the technology has come a long way, but even the best state of the art TKA hardware can take only so much pounding, and I plan to prioritize off-trail mountain travel (routes mellower than the past 25 years) over running. No biggie. I knew that someday my running days would end. Lots of my ultra friends have moved to bikes. I worked a control at the Cascade 1200 rando event last year (my wife rode it) and saw two former elite ultrarunners, Karl Anderson (Ann Trason's ex) and Del Scharffenberg, both of whom were forced to stop running due to knee problems.

**hutash** · 07-15-2017, 12:58 PM

Bummer on he knee, but at least the bionic knees are pretty good these days. Are you still going to be able to ski/tour/climb? Friend of mine just had his knee replace and plans to be back on the slopes next season. There was a day when skiing was out after replacement, but his doc says he can ski if he does all the rehab.

good luck

**GeezerSteve** · 07-15-2017, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by hutash

Are you still going to be able to ski/tour/climb?

That's the plan, albeit mellower routes than in the past. Most ingress/egress routes in and out of North Cascade and Central Cascade high routes are rugged, long, steep and cliffy, very tough on the body. Glad I did lots of of those routes with a younger body. Plenty of mellower terrain to explore and plenty of high lakes to fish.

**carpathian** · 07-17-2017, 12:22 AM

This just happened here yesterday
http://www.akxtri.com/

It was inspiring to see the people suffer. Made my numbers look small...

**carpathian** · 07-17-2017, 12:25 AM

Week 5: 12,000 over 28 miles
Week 6: 14,000 over 30 miles

Four weeks out to first race

**Cruiser** · 07-23-2017, 08:42 AM

Real purty morning for a run along the river

**BaNosser** · 07-23-2017, 08:07 PM

I've really been digging running Little Mtn here in Mt Vernon.. 2-3 times/week.. usually trying to keep it 60-75 min runs.. somewhere between 3.5 and 4.5 mi.. ~1300' elev gain.. not so impressive but I am closing in on my late 50s (htf is that possible?).. using it as my training for a Picketts traverse end of Aug... 20 lb pack and run in my mountaineering boots...
in Sept there is a 10k on Little Mtn for those locals interested... LM 10k.. not sure I'll be recovered enough to run it but I am signed up and I'm sure I'll give it a go

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 07-23-2017, 09:52 PM

Signed up for a mountain 50k in September. I'm excited. Ran a 5 mile race on Cape Cod once. I figure it'll be pretty much the same.

But seriously, I have no intention of racing. Just want to finish and enjoy. This past year for me has been about increasing my capacity to move comfortably in the mountains. The biggest challenge is managing my arthritic lower back, which I received courtesy of over 20 years of wrestling. Rarely running back to back days seems to be the trick with some lazy swimming and mellow climbing/lifting mixed in. The climbing helps me stay limber better than any stretching/yoga I've tried and the swimming actually seems to help with recovery from running as long as I keep the pace and length comfortable. Mixing up flat/hilly/steep runs helps too. And barely running on roads.

I'm definitely jealous of the pros around here who go dancing past me when I'm chugging uphill. But being able to move steadily and comfortably for 3-4 hours on 90 degree day is pretty sweet. And not something I've ever been able to do before.

Any advice about not fucking up the race is welcome, especially the humorous kind, as I'm familiar (if inexperienced) with all the conventional wisdom.

**grubbers** · 07-24-2017, 09:39 PM

What race did you sign up for?

I've been debating signing up for a 50k this fall, but I'm not sure if I'm putting in enough miles consistently for my body to hold up over that distance. Longest "run" so far this year was 17 miles up in the Whites and the wheels started to come off around the last 3 miles.

**neufox47** · 07-25-2017, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by BaNosser

I've really been digging running Little Mtn here in Mt Vernon.. 2-3 times/week.. usually trying to keep it 60-75 min runs.. somewhere between 3.5 and 4.5 mi.. ~1300' elev gain.. not so impressive but I am closing in on my late 50s (htf is that possible?).. using it as my training for a Picketts traverse end of Aug... 20 lb pack and run in my mountaineering boots...
in Sept there is a 10k on Little Mtn for those locals interested... LM 10k.. not sure I'll be recovered enough to run it but I am signed up and I'm sure I'll give it a go

I'd be wary about running in your mountaineering boots. They weren't built for that and you are locking your ankles and feet into a super stiff structure.

**Bronco** · 07-25-2017, 01:33 PM

I thought about commenting on that as well but he's got about 15 years on me and hasn't injured himself yet. Might change up the training to hiking (not running!) a 60lb pack up the side of the mountain, off trail, thought the brush and trees. Unless you're planing to run through the Pickets with a 20lb pack...

Either way, make sure to post a TR.

**2bjenny** · 07-25-2017, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by BaNosser

I've really been digging running Little Mtn here in Mt Vernon.. 2-3 times/week.. usually trying to keep it 60-75 min runs.. somewhere between 3.5 and 4.5 mi.. ~1300' elev gain.. not so impressive but I am closing in on my late 50s (htf is that possible?).. using it as my training for a Picketts traverse end of Aug... 20 lb pack and run in my mountaineering boots...
in Sept there is a 10k on Little Mtn for those locals interested... LM 10k.. not sure I'll be recovered enough to run it but I am signed up and I'm sure I'll give it a go

That looks like a fun race. I'm signed up for my first 25k in August after a really long break (about 7 years) from running. I'm super slow, but have gotten back to the point where I no longer dread heading out each morning. It's about 5500ft where I live, but fairly flat desert, so I try to head up to the mountains on the weekends for some hiking to get a little more elevation gain. I'm debating signing up for the Gnarly Bear 25K over in Kelly Canyon in October. Not for racing, just for finishing. It has more elevation gain than I am used to hiking/jogging.

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 07-26-2017, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by grubbers

What race did you sign up for?

I've been debating signing up for a 50k this fall, but I'm not sure if I'm putting in enough miles consistently for my body to hold up over that distance. Longest "run" so far this year was 17 miles up in the Whites and the wheels started to come off around the last 3 miles.

Devil Mountain Ultra in Pagosa: http://joingecko.org/events/devil-mountain-ultra-5050/

Chose it for the lack of a real cut off time (for the 50k, there is a concurrent 50 mile race), and the fact that it doesn't go above 10,000.' Also the 5000' vert is fairly reasonable.

I've just developed some pain on the outside of my knee to crops up around 5 or 6 miles. Backing off this week.

**Viva** · 07-26-2017, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Devil Mountain Ultra in Pagosa: http://joingecko.org/events/devil-mountain-ultra-5050/

Chose it for the lack of a real cut off time (for the 50k, there is a concurrent 50 mile race), and the fact that it doesn't go above 10,000.' Also the 5000' vert is fairly reasonable.

I've just developed some pain on the outside of my knee to crops up around 5 or 6 miles. Backing off this week.

Well, shit, that's my new home town. I may have to visit that weekend.

Sent from my XT1650 using TGR Forums mobile app

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 07-26-2017, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Viva

Well, shit, that's my new home town. I may have to visit that weekend.

Sent from my XT1650 using TGR Forums mobile app

Let me know if you're around.

**carpathian** · 07-26-2017, 08:28 PM

For week 7 I decided to taper off quantity and focus on speed. Made a couple new PRs . Back in 03 (i was 23) did 3000' Max's in 60 min. Last week I did in 49 min.
rest day
Then did race pace to top of 6 ,2500' in 36.
Next day did race pace North Face trail in 32 min ,2000

2 rest days then did 3 x race pace NF trail. 38 min, 39 min then half way through lap 3 (tram downloads) completely bonked. It was upper 70s no food , went to hard. Got chills and took all effort to drag ass up in 50 min. Felt bad at time , easing into this week gingerly...

**BaNosser** · 08-01-2017, 11:57 PM

Yah it's not something I've done before.. but I wanted to get these boots married to my feet.. I've had a propensity for heal blisters in all the boots I've tried.. Kayland, Scarpa, La Sportiva.. tried various lacing techniques.. etc.. I've got funky heals and I just decided I was gonna run in them instead of my trail runners.. see if it makes a difference.. I've had no problem doing it so far..

You're right Bronco.. it was time to change it up.. I used that approach to build my endurance and stamina.. but its time to switch to a heavy pack and put in some vert.. which I started yesterday.. I know I'm gonna totally get my ass kicked this trip.. I lost the last 2 summers to nasty fkn shoulder injury.. I'm not missing this one..

Originally Posted by neufox47

I'd be wary about running in your mountaineering boots. They weren't built for that and you are locking your ankles and feet into a super stiff structure.

Originally Posted by Bronco

I thought about commenting on that as well but he's got about 15 years on me and hasn't injured himself yet. Might change up the training to hiking (not running!) a 60lb pack up the side of the mountain, off trail, thought the brush and trees. Unless you're planing to run through the Pickets with a 20lb pack...

Either way, make sure to post a TR.

**Marshall Tucker** · 08-02-2017, 05:44 AM

Finally runnig again after ACL tear/surgery. wimpy-ass 2.5 mile neighborhood circut but hope to ramp it up reasonably fast. Dog gained a shit ton of weight in the interium. Think I lost about 75% cartlige in right knee but not hurting much. so far.

**Cruiser** · 08-02-2017, 08:28 AM

Only had time for a few miles this morning (cuz I'm slow as fuck right now) but they were really nice miles...

**nutmegchoi** · 08-02-2017, 08:29 AM

That picture makes me wish I were a morning person.

**GeezerSteve** · 08-02-2017, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Signed up for a mountain 50k in September.
* * *
Just want to finish and enjoy.
* * *
Any advice about not fucking up the race is welcome. . . .

"Finish and enjoy" is the correct attitude. Don't run the early downhills to fast, lest you might cook your quads. My best ultras happened when I planned to have legs with 10 miles from the finish, then run it in. Good luck!

**Cruiser** · 08-06-2017, 01:43 PM

My favorite backyard

**mdleora** · 08-07-2017, 11:20 PM

add me in
wohooooo

**fool** · 08-07-2017, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Devil Mountain Ultra in Pagosa: http://joingecko.org/events/devil-mountain-ultra-5050/

Chose it for the lack of a real cut off time (for the 50k, there is a concurrent 50 mile race), and the fact that it doesn't go above 10,000.' Also the 5000' vert is fairly reasonable.

No shit! I did the 50M a few years ago. Cool race and beautiful - I had a really good time.

What are your daily trails, ISBD? Or where do you mainly train? I was a Front Ranger when I ran it - the trails in Pagosa were more technical than the super-runnable Front Range stuff. Just FYI. Let me know if I can help with anything.

**fool** · 08-08-2017, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by Cruiser

Jeepers, is there anything Kilian can't do? Dude must've took a digger like 50m in and dislocated his shoulder. Reset it and taped it to his chest then went on to finish the race winning it for the 4th consecutive time.

That shit was crazy. He's a freak: he dislocated his shoulder around mile 20 and still beat some of the best runners in the world.

Anyone else nerding out about UTMB? It's going to be one of the most competitive ultras ever and I'm stoked to watch (via twitter) it unfold. Entrant list: http://www.irunfar.com/2017/01/2017-...announced.html + Zach Miller.