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Hardesty Constitutional with Nate

March 28, 2017 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: down low: nearly 60. Up high: 50? colder

Comments:
Busy day: two AM patients and a student observer from PDX. After those clients, he and I grabbed coffee and talked, then I headed home to prep for a mid-day, mid-week long run! I decided on this, as a combo "threshold day" and long run, which I missed last weekend. And Nate - with the same "schedule" as me (ever-fluid) - met we out there with his runner dog Chet (or Chad? Lols).

The idea today was "honest" up Hardesty, then quicker on the road, but otherwise "medium". I was really looking for a fitness metric - I KNOW this route, and I know what various splits mean.

And, quite frankly, I want - and need - some good news!

After a few laps' jog in the parking lot, we got after it. Nate and I chatted a bit in the first mile or so, but that chatter dissipated as the effort wore on. The first couple miles were pretty muddy, with a few downed logs, but the tread was pretty OK. And I felt good and strong: using my hips well, good breathing...I had a good feeling about this. But I didn't look at any splits, not wanting to be swayed in any way.

Over the 4th segment, Nate fell back a bit, as well as Chet, who would frequently run between us, and was a consistent (but good-natured) "challenged" to not be tripped as he sprinted past!

Near the top, there was about a half-inch of fresh snow, which magnified to about 3", on top of about two feet, on the brief corner section near the very top. This required some careful trudging.

Got to the top feeling really good about myself...til I saw the split: 67:28. SERZ? Crap. Gosh, it felt good and I thought I was flying! Ugh. Oh well. I guess it was a slow tread in many ways, but still. It felt like a 62, if not faster!

Nate got up around 70. We took some energy and water, then we hit Sawtooth.

Man...Nate is an outstanding descender. Again, a ten+ year professional (MLS) soccer career, and you can see it in his footwork: just light and effortless descending from a guy who's absout 6'4" and maybe 185lb, but he looks as light as Max King! He dropped me on that initial descent, as I wrestled with bundling up a bit on that cold ridge.

I caught back up and, for the next 15 minutes, wallowed a bit in annoyance: am I "fake fit" AGAIN? More of the same shit for the past 3-plus years? ANNOYING.

About midway through Sawtooth I had to dispell the last bits of some ill-advised gas station meats-and-cheeses from last night, then we pressed on to Lost Creek. My messed my watch splits (didn't stop for the deuce). I think the split was ~28:xx

From there, Nate led us down Lost Creek, which had a fair amount of snow in places. He again challenged my descending, which was great. I felt OK...but per usual on this section, you get a little worn with the long, technical descent, coupled with the dread of the ensuing hour of running remaining, once you hit the road.

It was fun to watch Chet run, though: he would run between Nate and I, and it was helpful to watch the dog "float" over the trail! He looked like he was having fun, too.

Once on the road (24:42 - a solid split!), this is when I decided I'd "hone the grind gear" and push it a bit. Actually, it wasn't any push - only "USING" the down.

I gradually ramped it up, and after about a mile, Nate fell back. I was intent on using this hill, and thought about what dickhead Walmsley - and, really, ALL the fucking fast guys now - would be running on this grade. That helped me open up and use the down. It was fun to watch the watch velocity, which, once I got comfortable, stayed in the low 5s paces and (erroneously I'm sure) even hit "3:45" at one point! LOLZ

I hit Goodman and split a 17:25 for this +- 3 mile section - by far the fastest I've ever done (in fact, I'm not sure I've broken 18 more than once). Felt REALLY GOOD! That boosted my spirits.

<auto mile splits preceding and after the road section: 8:09, 6:10, 5:43, 5:35 - with a fastest overall mile of 5:16>

I took a bit more energy and the last of my water as I waited for Nate, letting him take the helm on Goodman, again. He lost a bit of pep, but still pushed me on this descent, 'til we hit the first, pre-creek Shitburger, which he hiked. He stayed in front 'til about 2.5 miles to go, then let me past.

For me, I simply "ran": didn't push, but focused on efficiency. Breathing felt real strong and, at times, I felt "tired", but otherwise just executed. The trail was much less muddy than two weeks ago, but the near side was still a total shit-show.

Thus, I was happy when I hit the TH with a 37:50 Goodman split! Solid!

REALLY good run. Yeah, the Hardesty climb was lackluster, but the rest was real solid. I reckon the overall split was about 2:55 -- not amazing, but again, SOLID.

Worth mentioning: I wore the new Salomon Sense Ultras I got from CPC: MONEY. Amazing shoe. Part of the reason I ran so fast down the gravel road is the good combo cushion and rock protection in them. And...the grip was outstanding. Lastly, since I got a size 12, I feel like the toe box is finally big enough (even if they're a bit long). Money shoe!

Rest of the day:
- chatted with Nate, who came in maybe 5min after
- back into town, cleaned up, and got my allergy shots (pile it on!)
- home to work and eat
- Hunt Social: no hunt, again, today

Good day!