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January 2016

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Location:

SLC,UT,

Member Since:

Apr 28, 2011

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

PR Table and Notable Races

Marathon:
2:21:12 (Chicago); 2:20:41 (CIM)

Half Marathon: 1:05:45 (Long Beach)
10K: 30:03 (Portland)

All race results:
2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 - 2015 - 2016

Personal:

   

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
256.000.000.00
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.000.00

AM/PM - Lift skiing all day at Sun Valley! Drinking prosecco out of coffee mugs and going to sleep at 9:30pm paid off, as we had the whole ski resort to ourselves in the morning.

PM2 - Skinned up to Lookout Lodge w/ Andrea after the lifts stopped running for a sunset ski descent [3300']. 

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AM/PM - Lift skiing all day at Sun Valley. Basically an exact replica of yesterday except with more moguls.

PM2 - Skinned up to Lookout Lodge solo [3300']. Andrea deserved a break!

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AM - Skinned to Lookout Lodge w/ Andrea [3300']. Much warmer this morning than the last few days... actually quite pleasant!

Spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon wandering around Ketchum and Sun Valley, then made the (relatively easy) drive back to SLC.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
13.000.000.00

AM - 9 miles. Finally got out for a run in the new calendar year. The thought of hitting the pavement didn't even cross my mind while we were up in Idaho... we were having lots of fun (and getting plenty of exercise) on the mountain. I love uphill-friendly ski areas... you get the best of both worlds. Ketchum / Sun Valley is awesome - it was quickly added to our "annual trip" list. [Photos]

PM - 4 miles w/ Andrea.

 

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

AM - 10 miles.

PM - Skinned 2 x GW at Brighton w/ Andrea [3500']. 

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

AM - 5 miles.

PM - Skinned GW laps at Brighton - one full and two from Snake Creek [4200'].

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

AM - 5 miles.

PM - 5 miles. Saucony group run at SLCR.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

PM - Skinned GW laps at Brighton w/ Andrea (and Amiee for a bit). One lap from the bottom and one from Snake Creek [3000']. Crossed the 100K mark for the season.

Jason and Joe inspired me to write up something of a "2015 review". I used to do these kinds of posts (in great detail with plenty of charts) more often and they are nice to look back on... and sort of the whole point of keeping a log such as this in the first place.

I already know my running history in great detail, as does pretty much anyone reading this, so I'll just do a bullet point review of the first four years of the past five years.

2011 through 2014...

That was a lot of miles and competition. While I'm guessing that I will re-emphasize racing and more serious training at some point in the future, I'd also wager that I will never put up those kinds of consistent mileage and race frequency numbers again. I enjoyed it at the time, but I don't have the desire to channel so much of my energy in just one direction again.

The 2015 "breakdown" was already documented. From the day I typed out that post until the end of the year, things turned around and I was happy with how I was able to make a "comeback" of sorts.

Time for charts... here's some mileage graphs since that data is easily accessible...

Monthly mileage (2011-2014 AVG vs 2015)

Clearly I cut back my running volume quite a bit this year, down to a much more reasonable 9.995 miles per day. I needed to run 2 more miles on New Year's Eve to make the average an even 10 (and was aware of that fact but wanted to hit the road for Sun Valley).

First vs Second halves of the year mileage

Same data, grouped differently. The lower mileage during the second half of 2015 was crucial to my recovery and feeling "normal" again. From September to December I got the pop back in my stride, regained athleticism, and my energy levels skyrocketed... to the point where I'm super-annoying (in terms of wanting to be outside doing activities all the time) again!

Quarterly Mileage 2011-2015

Same data again, but I liked how 2013 was so evenly split... and how the 2014 Chicago buildup stands out.

Now that I wear a fitbit I don't track heart rate and sleep like I used to (Fitbit that for me, and tells me that I get a good amount of sleep and have a low resting HR). I've gotten back into a really good (daily) pushup/pullup routine, but I don't really keep track of how much I'm doing... I just look in the mirror and make sure I'm ripped. Since late July of this year I've added quite a bit of upper body strength and muscle (which is good!). I still weigh myself every morning and now have 5+ years of data points from the same (medical clinic quality) scale...

It took some time for my body to adjust to lower mileage in 2015...

Here's the chart going back to Nov 2010, illustrating my two worst illnesses...

Now some thoughts on 2015 and looking forward to 2016...

In terms of running-performance, 2015 was obviously my worst year since I got back into this. I only raced a few times and none of them were great (compared to the past). But in some ways this was my most important year ever. I needed to re-center and the illness/injuries that knocked me down actually helped bring everything back into focus. I love running, but I also love skiing (just as much) and Andrea (even more!). Running fast and chasing PRs is great but it is not (and never will be) the main reason that I get up early to run every morning. I got my perspective back this year. I got my health back during the past four months. Andrea made some tremendous breakthroughs this year and we are now able to do a lot more things together again. My passion for skiing and being in the mountains (instead of the tempo loop or track) was re-invigorated (that's why we moved to Utah in the first place and have stayed here). That being said, I even had a few moments this fall where I ran fast like the "old days"... and I felt good about being able to do that. 

I was a bit lot obsessed with the racing part of running until I fell apart in the spring. I have much better balance now. For me, "balance" is always going to involve some level of obsession(s). I've said this many times: I'm at my best when I follow whatever my heart tells me is important at the time. Right now that means cranking out vertical at Brighton, chasing backcountry powder on the weekends, ski trips to new places, and starting every morning with pushups/pullups + running. I don't really feel the desire to run workouts or long runs over the winter, so I probably won't. When the weather gets warmer and the snow melts, I'll likely channel my energy in that direction again. My twist on periodization.

Ultimately, I want to (continue to) enjoy and be fully engaged in whatever I'm doing. If you can do that, you have a really good life. And you'll probably find success in most of the things you do. I anticipate running fast again (this year, perhaps). I would like to run another marathon, because I believe I still have a PR in me. But my "plan" is to not follow any type of plan at all (besides the vacation plans)... just let whatever happens, happen.

If I had to put down some 2016 "fitness goals", I guess they would be:

-Ski in new places
-Ski uphill more than ever before
-Ski downhill like the 2009-2011 version of myself
-Run new trails, climb new mountains, explore new canyons
-Take full advantage of the local trails and mountains that I love (don't take them for granted)
-Epic wedding/honeymoon (our honeymoon will require superb fitness)
-Don't run 5000+ miles in a year (ever again)
-Jump into some low-key races from time to time during the first half of the year
-Do a real marathon training cycle in the fall
-Run a PR in the marathon
-Be an asset to Saucony's team and good ambassador for the brand

Comments(10)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

AM - 5 miles.

AM/PM - Ski Tour w/ Andrea: 3 laps on the north side of Grizzly Gulch [3900']. Our first day of the season in Little Cottonwood Canyon, which is crazy because this was my 25th day on skis. Best day of the winter so far... possibly off the hook. Perfect powder snow... and those trees!

PM - 5 miles.

Up...

Down...

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AM/PM - Ski Tour w/ Andrea: started from Grizzly Gulch and went up to Silver Fork East Bowl where we skied 4 fantastic powder laps, then came back out via GG for our last lap. I spoke too soon when I called yesterday the best day of the season. Today was even better! [4100']

More photos.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
8.000.000.00

AM - 8 miles.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
6.000.000.00

AM - 6 miles.

PM - Skinned GW laps at Brighton [4700'].

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

PM - Skinned GW laps w/ Andrea [3000']. Dragging a bit tonight... going to spend the next two days sans skis to charge up for the weekend.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
12.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
15.000.000.00

AM - 10 miles.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles to burn off some excess stoke.

AM/PM - Ski tour w/ Andrea: Silver Fork Meadow Chutes x 4 laps [5500']. Today was legitimately off the hook, the best day of the season (again, for the 3rd time in 8 days!) and one of the best I can remember in years. The snow was perfect powder and we found a great zone to lap safely. SO MUCH FUN!

Comments(2)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

AM/PM - Ski tour w/ Andrea: Silver Fork Meadow Chutes x 4 laps [4900']. Today's outing closely mimicked yesterday, with a few exceptions: more fresh snow overnight (filled in all of the previous day's tracks), less people out, and sunshine! I even got the honor of breaking the trail up to the Silver Fork ridgeline (HARD work). Exceptional weekend... about as good as it gets! [more photos]

Additional notes...

-Best day of the season (again)
-Andrea is crushing it!
-Season to date: 30 days, 129K uphill.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
12.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles. Dead legs.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea. Slightly less dead legs.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

AM - 5 miles.

PM - Skinned 2 x GW at Brighton [3500']. Cut it a little short as it was a windy whiteout by the second descent. Another storm!

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
12.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
7.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

PM - Skinned 2 x GW at Brighton w/ Andrea [3500']. Nice night - almost full moon*, no wind, borderline warm compared to Tuesday night.

*Fun fact(s): The January full moon is also known as the "wolf moon"... which is also one of the best search terms you can possible enter into Google Images... AND I have a wolf moon pillowcase. 

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
12.000.000.00

AM - 7 miles.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
13.000.000.00

AM - 13 miles w/ Andrea. Couldn't decide on a good place to ski today (that would be safe, soft, out of the wind, and lacking sun crust), so we decided to take a day off and save our legs for a pow day tomorrow.

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AM/PM - Ski tour w/ Andrea: Started from Spruces and skied Short Swing x 4 laps [6100']. Elevated avalanche danger today with all the new snow, so we stuck to lower angle aspen trees and had another all-time day. The powder was bottomless and the tree skiing was so much fun! Exceeded (our already high) expectations. So. Much. Stoke.



Huge weekend for Andrea!

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
18.000.000.00

AM - 9 miles.

PM - 9 miles.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

AM - 10 miles.

PM - Skinned 2 x GW at Brighton w/ Andrea [3500'].

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
5.000.000.00

AM - 5 miles.

PM - Skinned 2 x GW at Brighton [3500'].

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
13.000.000.00

AM - 8 miles.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea.

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
22.000.000.00

AM - 17 miles. Averaged ~6:50 pace.

PM - 5 miles w/ Andrea.

Here comes the hose!!!

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
0.000.000.00

All Day - Skied first chair to last chair at Solitude. Total storm skiing, so we spent a lot of time in the trees. Found untouched powder stashes all day. No crowds or lines. So much fun. Lift-served days are sometimes more tiring than the human-powered variety if you get after it!

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Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
10.000.000.00

AM - 5 miles.

AM/PM - Ski tour w/ Andrea: Spruces to Short Swing x 3 laps [4850']. Another powder day. This goes down as the best January ever!

PM - 5 miles.

Comments(6)
Running MilesSwimming YardsBike Miles
256.000.000.00
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