Training - 08/27/12 - 09/02/12

35.93 Miles.  Not high mileage, but overall I'm happy with the week - especially my week-ending long run.  I did have high HR issues early in the week, but seems to have sorted itself out by Sunday. Only 4 weeks until the Bear Chase 50 Mile Trail Race.

Monday, August 27 - 7.85 Miles, 9:56 pace, 164 HR - 166.6 lbs.  Ran the High Line Canal.  First 3 miles felt really good - then I died a thousand deaths.  Probably chalk it up to dehydration, how bloody hot it is, the terrible air quality because of all the wildfires in the North West, and the fact I'm probably not recovered fully from Leadville.

Tuesday,  August 28 - 0 Miles - Rest day. 162.6 lbs.

Wednesday,  August  29 - 5.54 miles, 10:44 pace, 157 HR - 162.6 lbs.  Ran the Bone Yard today, and it was a very rough outing. I had absolutely no energy.  It was strange - my legs felt good, and strong, but I just had zero energy to keep 'em turning over.  Very hot out, and again with the high HR (though not quite as bad as Monday).

Thursday,  August 30 - 0 Miles - Rest day. 161.0 lbs.

Friday,  August 31 -  8.06 Miles, 9:48 pace, 161 HR - Rest day. 160.0 lbs.  High Line Canal again.  Decent day overall.  I can feel a new level of fitness in my legs, though I still have that deep down fatigue from Leadville. I'm feeling stronger on the hills, and my average pace is better.  Wasn't quite as hot today, and my HR was a bit better again. Slowly coming around.

Saturday,  September 1 -  0 Miles - Rest day. 160.6  lbs.

Sunday,  September 2 -   14.48 Miles, 10:06 pace, 160 HR - 160.6  lbs.  Long run on the East West Trail and Highlands Ranch Back Country. This was probably one of my most consistent and strongest runs - ever.     I usually walk a fair bit on this course, but today I hardly walked at all - only very short periods on the steepest sections. Definitely have reached a new level of fitness. My legs are feeling so much stronger, and the normal lactic acid burn that typically slows me down and brings me to walking (often) was a non-factor today. It would be GREAT if it stayed that way! I started to get a bit tired at mile 8, but at mile 13, I was ready to be done. Still don't have that endurance. Only three more long runs until BC50.

Nutrition - I did pretty good this week. I was very disciplined. Only really bad stuff was Sunday night date night. Popcorn (buttered - which is actually some kind of 'healthy' coconut/canola oil concoction they serve at The Landmark Theater), Coke Zero, and a glass of red wine.  And Ted's Montana Grill before the movie - glass of red wine, and a bison burger (sans bun and cheese) with sweet potato fries.  Other than that, I did really well, and never gorged or binged even once.  Despite that, I'm still in the 160's - but my body is feeling pretty strong.