A clydesdale no more!

Killer workout at Firehouse which included a couple of runs.  I didn't finish the other workouts in time to get to the last run so I had to stay after class to get it in. 

Very low energy during the run this morning.  I'm running Ragnar (ultra) on Friday and may be in trouble. Breaking in a new pair of shoes and they gave me blisters.  I love the cushioning of new shoes but it always takes a few runs for the insoles to feel right.

Workout at Firehouse was geared towards legs which concerns me with Ragnar coming up.  My legs were already sore from a basketball tournament at work and this probably won't help.  I find it interesting how my legs get sore when I ask them to do something a little different than they are used to.  It goes to show how running targets specific muscles and neglects the others.  I struggle with the exercises that require balancing on one leg (cranes, lunges, etc.) because for the last 10 years I have trained my legs to focus solely on propelling my body forward in a straight line.  The workout this morning included a 0.5 mile run and a 1.5 mile run.  Couldn't finish all cycles in the allotted 40 minutes so I stayed after to finish them up.  After 4 weeks at the gym, I am feeling less like a misfit.  I can finally get through most of the exercises without asking what we are supposed to be doing.

Skipped the gym this morning because I was worried it would trash my legs.  My calves are killing me from yesterday which will make running from Pineview to Snowbasin tomorrow a whole lot more interesting.  Went for a nice and easy run to flush out whatever garbage is hanging around in my legs.  Weather was nice and cool.  Hope it stays this way tomorrow. 

I'm not a real big fan of Ragnar but can't seem to say no when asked to join a team.  This year, I had an opportunity to run it ultra style again.  If you are going to do it, may as well make it as painful as possible.  I was the last runner covering legs 11, 12, 23, 24, 35 and 36. 

My first run started at 7:00 p.m. and was the lovely climb from Pineview to Snow Basin finishing up with 2 mile loop on the trails around the ski resort.  I actually really like the run up to Snow Basin.  I did it a few years ago when runner 11 only went up half way.  Started out a few seconds behind a runner and he steadily pulled away for the first mile.  Figured there was no need to be pushing too hard this early.  He gradually started coming back so I kept the effort higher than it should have been.  After passing him, I kept pushing because I didn't want him to pass me.  Ened up giving more of an effort than I should have but it felt really good.  Leg 12 started with an intense climb during the first 1/2 mile.  It about killed me.  Once it leveled out, it was kind of fun hitting the trails.  I'm glad it was still light out as running this in the dark would have been treacherous.  Weaved my way through the trails and finished up back at the resort. 

After a full night of mixed up exchanges (sorry Kam!), concern about a possible missing runner and about 45 minutes of sleep, my 2nd set of legs started at 6:50 in the morning.  I did not have any night time runs this time which was strange for a relay.  During my run up to Snow Basin, I noticed my feet were slopping around in my shoes so I opted to wear a pair that only had one run in them.  There was a lot of slipping during that one run so making this decision was incredibly stupid (more on that later).  The run was 11.9 miles and was a gradual climb by Rockport and into Oakley.  Of course, I started out too fast again as I was drawn into the long string of runners I could start picking off.  Passed the guy in orange shorts that I battled with during my first leg.  He was wisely taking it easy (more on that later).  I felt great during leg 23.  Both legs were supposed to be unsupported so when my van passed, I told them to go on ahead to the last exchange.  Crusied through the chute at exchange 23 and was moving well.  A girl went flying by me shortly after the exchange and I think it took the wind out of my sails.  Felt like I lost all of my energy.  In reality, I was entering the section of the run that included a long slow climb.  Not steep by any means but enough to sap you of all of your energy.  I just beared down and plugged along to the end.  My pace slipped into the 8's for a couple of miles but I recovered and was able to finish the last 2 in the 7's.  After finishing, I grabbed breakfast at the Oakley fair grounds (always my favorite part of Wasatch Back) and we were on the road again.  I think I shut down at this point because I remember very little from here on out.

Did the typical relay thing for the next set of runners.  Holly ran 16 more miles (bringing her total to 42+), Jake ran, Jorge ran, Josh ran, Kam ran, we messed up another one of Kam's exchanges (sorry - I really tried to get him there), then Jorge charged up Guardsman Pass.  Now it was my turn for a 1 mile climb then 8 screaming downhill miles followed by a nice little jog around Park City.  Well, that was the plan.  Took off and loved the first uphill mile of my run.  Charged to the top of Guardsman and was ready for the fun.  Once I got to the downhill, it didn't take long for me to realize that my shoes were not tied tight enough.  My feet were slipping around .  The first mile was about the speed I wanted but my feet were getting major blisters and they were killing me.  A girl went flying by me and I just let her go.  Then I heard another runner approaching.  Looked back and it was the guy in orange shorts.  He blew by me and I had no chance of keeping up.  Tried to take some satisfaction in the fact that I beat him 2 out of 3 legs but he was crushing me on this one.  Tried to settle into a comfortable pace but could never find one.  Felt like my legs were run through a meat grinder and somebody took a cheese grater to my feet.  How was I going to finish this 11+ mile run?  Dropped into Park City and the elevation drop was more tolerable.  I was frustrated because I couldn't take advantage of it.  The section on the backside of Main Street was rough because I could smell all of the food that was being cooked.  All I had eaten in the last 2 days was a couple of protein drinks and a turkey sandwich.  I was hungry!  Closed in on the high school, went down a flight of stairs (seriously?) and cruised through the chute at exchange 35.  Thought all that was left was a comfortable 3 mile loop.  Ragnar had a different plan.  Had to climb up the side of a mountain that was too steep to run.  Thought I was being a baby but took some comfort in that everybody else was walking and they hadn't just run 8 miles.  My excitement of reaching the top was quickly squashed as I realized that I had to go back down something that only slightly resembled a trail.  Wasn't even wide enough to call it single track.  Roots and rocks were everywhere.  With the blisters on my feet, I had no ability to properly manuever down the hill.  I knew it was going to be a grind but I had to get through it.  Nothing like a couple of 13 minute miles to destroy your ego.  Got to the aid station at the end of the dirt road and sucked down as much water as I could.  All 6 of my legs were unsupported and I foolishly did not take water with me on the last run.  Once on the paved road, I had no energy left.  All I could do was focus on putting one foot in front of the other.  It was a little demoralizing thinking that I am a decent runner and I was struggling to keep up with the people around me.  With a half mile to go, I came across another runner struggling and walking.  Told her that it was only 1/2 mile to the end and she had to run the rest of the way with me.  She picked up the pace and finished well.  I bumbled and stumbled the last little bit and finally got across the finish line. 

While it was a good experience, doing 2 ultra Ragnars was enough for a lifetime. Nobody ask me to do it again because I do not have the ability to say no.  Two days later, my calves are completely trashed and I can barely walk.