04 February 2012

Squak Mt trail run

Oh how I look forward to these longer trail runs and oh how little they help my cycling. I guess you just gotta be happy doing what makes you happy. Full stop.

Today I hit the dirt with Justin A. We got to Issaquah and it was pretty darn chilly (mid to upper 30s?) so we both opted for gloves and I even pulled on a hat. I also wanted to test drive some new compression knickers (I know!) I recently acquired so figured this temperature was ideal for testing.

My how fast the conditions can change.

This run starts out going up. Then you go up some more and then you do some climbing. You get the idea.

After about 30 minutes I was thinking I could have left my hat in the car. After another 15 minutes we started running through a temperature inversion and I was thinking I could have left my gloves in the car. After another 15 minutes I was thinking I could have started out in shorts and just one shirt and been totally fine. But you won't catch me complaining about nice weather… :)

There was an amazing amount of blow-down, toppled trees and just general debris on the trail! Sections of the trail were covered in such an even layer of pine boughs that it looked intentional. There was also evidence of lots of trail maintenance! Someone had lugged a chainsaw up here and cut slices out of logs that had fallen across the trail.

As we got closer to the top and onto trails that are less travelled we had to walk sections because the branches and trees in the trail were so thick you had to duck, climb and weave your way through them. Kinda fun actually. And near the top where it was shady there was still ample snow!

Once at the top we tried to find an alternate path down but after hiking about .25 miles in maybe 15 minutes and seeing no end to the shit that was obstructing our progress we decided to double back and try something that looked passible. It was a good call.

As we hit the last descent it was amazingly warm. It was so much fun to be out here in this weather on fantastic trails with good company. And I was feeling pretty good to boot! The last time I was out on these trails they kicked my ass. And then once you get all the way to the bottom there is a run out that takes a solid 10 minutes before you are back at the car. Ouch! That time I had to walk a little of that last flat section. Not today. Today it felt just fine.

Sleep 6
Waking HR  
Body Weight  
Body Fat  
Breakfast 5:00 AM - 2 bananas, 2 scoops Perpetuem, 1 scoop protein powder, 2 eggs, water
Lunch  
Dinner  
Workout Food 2 small bottles each w/1.5 scoops Perpetuem, 2 gels
Injuries My right ankle is now giving me some grief… first it's the top of the foot, I get that handled and now this?
Therapy  
Time of Day 8:30 AM
Workout Type endurance
Weather upper 30s to 50, sun, calm
Course  
Results  
Time 2:49:57
Distance 14 miles
Pace 11:40 min/mile
Equipment Hoka Combo XT, 2 hand held bottles
Clothing 2XU compression knickers, Patagonia short sleeve shirt, Patagonia long sleeve Merino wool shirt, Patagonia gloves, SmartWool hat
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