Dec 9-16: Winter is Here

Dec 9

3.3 easy w/ HS kids. 4 x 10-second hill sprints. I’m taking the lead on off-season track training. Excited to work with the kids and see how they develop. In cross country, another coach was driving the training, but at least this winter, I’m going to be in charge. Only a few kids showing up so far, and the track culture in this town is not quite up to par with the XC culture, but I'm excited for the challenge.

Dec 10

Am: 4 miles in 31:21 on CR 220. Pretty icy and treacherous. Felt a little more spry today.

Pm: 4.2 miles w/ HS kids w/ six strides

Dec 11

Am: 4.5 miles in 35:20 on CR 210. Felt much less spry today.

Pm: 3.7 miles in 27:50 on CR 140.

Dec 12

3 miles w/ 3 strides on CR 220 in 25:20. Recovery day, max HR 130.

Dec 13

Am: 4 miles w/ 4 x 15-second max hill sprints on spiral drive w/ HS kids.

Pm: 3.7 in 29:10 on CR 140, max HR 145; felt pretty awful.

Dec 14

8.8 miles in 74:30 on CR 220 & 221; mud, snow, ice, elevation gain, 20-mph wind. This run had everything that makes running here hard this time of year. Total slog.  

Dec 15

Am: 3.8 in 28:20 on CR 140; max HR 145; felt good, had to be careful with some patches of ice

Pm: 3.6 in 32:50 on CR 250; 5-8 inches of fresh snow; max HR 145

I live at 7800 ft. Where I live there's like three inches of snow. Like a mile up the road, at 8000 ft., it's about 5 inches. At 8500 ft, three miles up the road, it's like 8 inches. Monarch Pass 15 miles up the road at 10,600 has 56''. Amazing how slight differences in elevation totally change conditions.